Could Tackle Football Be Banned In California? A Law Advancing Through The Legislature Could Make It The First To Do So

California lawmakers who want to ban tackle football for kids under 12 to reduce brain injuries gained ground Wednesday in the Legislature but still face a very long field and a clock that is ticking. Though it was a school day, dozens of children wearing football jerseys and their parents crowded into the hearing room and watched as the Assembly committee that regulates sports voted 5-2 to send the bill to the full chamber. The full Assembly has only until the end of January to approve it. If they do, it goes to the Senate and then Gov. Gavin Newsom. Heightened concern over concussions and the growing popularity of flag football are driving the effort to impose the ban, which opponents say would take away the ability for parents to decide their children’s activities. Joining to discuss is Adam Beam, reporter covering California government and politics for the Associated Press. We also want to hear from listeners. What are your thoughts about this proposal? Call 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.

With files from the Associated Press

A Preview To Taiwan’s 2024 Presidential Election And How Taiwanese Angelenos Are Staying Involved

Over 60 countries will be sending citizens to the polls this year turning 2024 into the year of elections. One of the first elections happening this year is Taiwan’s presidential election on January 13. Although Taiwan’s sovereignty is only recognized by a handful of nations, this year’s election results will affect two of the world’s largest, most powerful countries: The U.S. and China. The two candidates up for election are divided mainly on how to approach Taiwan’s relationship with China. The incumbent Vice President Lai Ching-te of the current party in power, the Democratic Progressive Party, wants to maintain Taiwan’s strained relationship with China and assert independence. The opposing candidate of the Kuomintang party, New Taipei City mayor Hou Yu-ih, believes that Taiwan needs to foster communication with China and begin to build a diplomatic and economic relationship with the nation in order to deter China from enacting war. Either winning party poses challenges for the U.S. to its relationship with Taiwan and China.

Joining us today on AirTalk to discuss the major issues on the ballot in Taiwan and how it will affect U.S. foreign policy is Nuala McGovern, BBC World Service presenter. And to give us a local perspective on what Taiwanese Angelenos are doing to stay informed on the election is Ken Wu, secretary-general and vice president for the Taiwan Center Foundation of Greater LA and vice president of Formosan Association for Public Affairs’ Los Angeles Chapter. We also want to hear from you! If you are Taiwanese American, what are you doing to stay informed about the Taiwan presidential election? Share your thoughts with us by calling 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.

AirTalk Listeners Share Memories Of Pea Soup Andersen’s As The Iconic Roadside Attraction Closes For Redevelopment

Pea Soup Andersen’s, an iconic roadside attraction just off the 101 freeway in Buellton appears to be closing its doors for redevelopment after nearly a century in operation, according to SantaBarbara.com, which was first to report the news. A manager at the restaurant’s Santa Nella location told the Los Angeles Times that their corporate location informed them the restaurant would be torn down and rebuilt, and that it was not clear how long that process would take. The Santa Nella location will remain open.

If you’ve ever taken a drive north on the 101 freeway towards Solvang or San Luis Obispo, you’ve undoubtedly seen the roadside billboards for Andersen’s featuring cartoon chefs Hap-Pea and Pea-Wee splitting peas with a chisel and hammer. For many SoCal families making road trips north, Andersen’s has been a regular stop along the way for a visit to the market, maybe a stay at the hotel or at the very least, a bowl of their signature split pea soup. Andersen’s Electrical Cafe originally opened in 1924 by Anton and Juliette Andersen, a Danish and French immigrant couple who settled in Solvang and eventually opened their cafe just up the road in Buellton, which served coffee, sandwiches and other cafe fare. However, it was Juliette’s split pea soup recipe that kept people coming back, and in 1928, the couple tacked on a dining room and hotel to their property and shifted the focus of their business from roadside cafe to full-blown attraction, with split pea soup as the major draw.

Today on AirTalk, we want to hear your memories of Pea Soup Andersen’s. Join our live conversation by calling us at 866-893-5722 or by emailing us at atcomments@laist.com.

Breaking Down Gov. Newsom’s State Budget Proposal And What It Means For Education, Climate And More

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a $291 billion state spending plan Wednesday with an estimated $37.9 billion deficit. That’s a significantly smaller budget hole than the Legislative Analyst’s Office predicted in December. It estimated the state would face a $68 billion deficit.

That difference is likely due partly to a rebounding stock market. But Newsom says his finance officials also have revenue and spending disagreements than the legislative advisers. Newsom outlined how he wants to spend taxpayer dollars and other state money for the fiscal year starting July 1. He’ll spend the next six months hashing out a final plan with the Legislature, also controlled by Democrats. Today on AirTalk, we break down what you should know about the proposal with Sameea Kamal, CalMatters reporter covering the state Capitol and California politics, Mariana Dale, LAist senior K-12 reporter, and Jacob Margolis, LAist science reporter.

With files from the Associated Press

The Rams Head To Detroit To Face Jared Goff-led Lions In NFL Wild Card Matchup

After last season’s underwhelming outing for the Los Angeles Rams, they now look like their usual, competitive selves heading into the NFL’s Wild Card Round. This weekend’s postseason matchup for the Rams becomes a reunion of sorts, as they face the Detroit Lions, whom they worked with back in 2021 on a blockbuster trade that saw Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff swap jerseys. Although 2021-2022 was a rebuilding year for the Lions, the time since has seen them become one of the more exciting projects in the NFL. So what should we expect in this upcoming matchup and what team will advance to the next round of the playoffs? Joining Larry to preview Rams-Lions is Adam Grosbard, Rams beat reporter for the Orange County Register &  LA Daily News.

TV-Talk: 5 Shows To Watch Including ‘Grimsburg,’ ‘Echo’ & More

Have you felt completely overwhelmed when deciding what new show to watch these days? Us too. There’s just so much content out there between network TV and numerous streaming platforms. Each week, we will try to break through the noise with TV watchers who can point us to the must-sees and steer us clear of the shows that maybe don’t live up to the hype. This week, listeners will get the latest scoop on what’s worth watching with Roxana Hadadi, television critic for Vulture, and Angie Han, television critic for The Hollywood Reporter.

This week’s shows include:

• Grimsburg (Fox & Hulu)
• Echo (Disney+ & Hulu)
• Ted (Peacock)
• The Brothers Sun (Netflix)
• For All Mankind (Apple TV+)