How cuts to a Biden-era solar program could affect Southern California
California has programs in place to help apartment owners finance solar for their buildings, and the Biden-era Solar for All program was set to accelerate those efforts. This month, though, the Trump administration announced it is cutting the $7 billion Solar for All program. California stands to lose $250 million. The cuts are likely to face legal challenges because the funding was already allocated. Joining the program to explain how these cuts could impact California’s clean energy transition is LAist climate and environment reporter, Erin Stone, and Ken Wells, managing partner at Microgrid Tech, focusing on microgrids for renewable energy development.
With files from LAist
Immigration check in: New detention centers, how the detained are navigating the legal system
As the Trump administration continues its immigration enforcement expansion, how the country plans on handling a surge in detained persons is becoming more clear. Reporting from the Washington Post shows that Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans on doubling the number of spaces in immigrant detention centers to just over 100,000 by the end of the year. At the same time, a number of court cases spurred by I.C.E. actions are beginning to percolate through the legal system, and could potentially alter how the agency goes about detaining individuals. Today on AirTalk, we’re taking a bird’s eye view of the immigration landscape in the U.S. with Doug MacMillan, corporate accountability reporter for The Washington Post and Josh Goldstein, immigration lawyer and founder of Goldstein immigration lawyers in Los Angeles.
Angélique Kidjo and Yo-Yo Ma blend music and culture at the Hollywood Bowl
The summer season may be wrapping up, but the summer concert season in Los Angeles is still going strong. Yo-Yo Ma, the musician and cellist who's won 19 Grammys and performed with orchestras around the world, and Angélique Kidjo, singer-songwriter and five-time grammy award winner; actress and activist are bringing their specific styles and cultures for a Sarabande Africaine concert at The Hollywood Bowl this Thursday night. The artists both blend history, storytelling and music in their works. Today on AirTalk, both artists join Larry to talk about their unique musical styles and how they are approaching this collaborative concert.
Yo-Yo Ma and Angélique Kidjo join together in concert at The Hollywood Bowl Thursday, Aug. 28 at 8 p.m. Learn more here.
The latest on LA fire survivors navigating insurance claims
Los Angeles fire survivors are demanding the state intervene more to help them recoup what they're owed from insurance companies, citing months of frustration. Lawmakers and people who lost their homes in the January fires gathered Monday morning to ask state Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to increase transparency and beef up enforcement. They described lengthy battles with insurance companies that were making recovery and rebuilding even more challenging. Survivors are pointing their ire directly at Lara, who some accuse of failing to hold insurance giants accountable in a report put out by the Eaton Fire Survivors Network. We get the latest with LAist reporter Libby Rainey. Do you have questions? Call 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.
With files from LAist. Read more here
How retirement affects mental health
For many Americans, their identity and purpose is tied to their career. Some people stay with the same company for years, building friendships and developing a routine. So, when retirement comes around, it can be a difficult transition. Some people experience depression and loneliness after their retirement. Today on AirTalk, we discuss how retirement can affect one’s mental health and how to make retirement an easier life transition. Joining us is Mo Wang, distinguished professor of management at the Warrington College of Business at University of Florida where he studies retirement. We also want to hear from you! If you are retired, how was your experience? What adjustments have you made to ensure you are still being socially active? How has your sense of self changed? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
How The Everly Brothers influenced bands like The Beach Boys, The Beatles and more
You wouldn't believe it, but even The Beatles mimicked their predecessors. In fact, the foundational pillars of 20th-century popular music came long before the British Invasion and can be traced back in part to The Everly Brothers. At one point, The Everly Brothers were the biggest act in the United States, with 11 number one singles and 35 high-charting records in all from 1957 to 1962. Their sweet-and-sour Appalachian style sound inspired a wide range of musicians from the Beach Boys to Simon and Garfunkel. But a flourishing brotherly bond doesn't come without its drama or complications either. Joining us on AirTalk to discuss Blood Harmony: The Everly Brothers Story (Da Capo, 2025), the new biography chronicling the Everly Brothers' relationship and story, is author Barry Mazor.
Barry Mazor will be in conversation with Chris Willman, senior writer and chief music critic for Variety, at Book Soup on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 7 p.m. Learn more here.
