LA County, Pasadena and Sierra Madre file lawsuits against SoCal Edison, accusing equipment started Eaton Fire
Pasadena, Sierra Madre and Los Angeles County announced on Wednesday that they had filed separate lawsuits in L.A. County Superior Court against Southern California Edison for its alleged role in the deadly Eaton Fire. The lawsuits accuse SoCal Edison’s equipment of starting the fire in Eaton Canyon, citing reports that the utility filed with the California Public Utilities Commission that a “fault was detected” at or near the same time. The cities and county also point to photos and videos that show fire near the base of SoCal Edison transmission towers. The lawsuits are looking to cover damages from the Eaton Fire, which burned more than 14,000 acres, destroyed more than 9,000 structures, and killed at least 17 people in January. L.A. County alone estimates that damages will total hundreds of millions of dollars or more. Joining to discuss is Scott Kuhn, assistant county counsel for LA County, Lisa Derderian, public information officer for the city of Pasadena, and Katherine Blunt, reporter for the Wall Street Journal and author of “California Burning: The Fall of Pacific Gas and Electric and What it Means for America’s Power Grid.”
We reached out to SoCal Edison. A spokesperson provided the following statement: “Our hearts are with the communities affected by the wildfires in Southern California. We are reviewing the lawsuits that were recently filed and will address them through the appropriate legal process. These investigations will take time. They do require very specific expertise. Currently, we are reviewing all available information to determine potential causes of ignition, including if our equipment was the cause of the fire. An investigation is underway and we will provide more information once it becomes available. We are committed to transparency and we will keep our communities informed.”
With files from LAist. Read more here
Former Trump staffer and whistleblower Alexander Vindman on Ukraine, Russia and the US
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. and former Trump staffer, Alexander Vindman, who you might remember from President Trump's impeachment trials, has a new book out that looks at Russia, Ukraine and what role the U.S. may have played in the war. Vindman testified in 2019 about concerns Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate the Biden family during a phone call. You may remember the hot-button phrase at that time – quid pro quo – and the circling debates about whether there was one during that phone call or not. Trump soon after fired Vindman and had him removed from the White House. Vindman joins Austin Cross to talk about his book, The Folly of Realism: How the West Deceived Itself About Russia and Betrayed Ukraine (PublicAffairs, 2025).
Validation from others can be intoxicating. But how much is too much?
Seeking validation from others can be a sign of low confidence. But external validation is also essential. It goes beyond words of affirmation, you know, the love language, and actually offers us important information about how we are moving through the world. Validation lets us know we belong. We want to hear from you. Where do you seek validation from? And what does it mean for you? Call us at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com. Joining us today on AirTalk to discuss validation – why we want it and why we need it – is Caroline Fleck, clinical psychologist and author of the book Validation: How the Skill Set That Revolutionized Psychology Will Transform Your Relationships, Increase Your Influence, and Change Your Life.
Eagle Watch: Jackie and Shadow’s chicks and why animals help us through hard times
Tens of thousands of watchers are cheering for beloved Big Bear bald eagle couple, Jackie and Shadow, after two of three of their eagles successfully hatched this week. Eagle-eyed fans are overjoyed by the arrivals, with more than 80,000 people tuning in live Tuesday morning. It’s welcome news for those who were left heartbroken last year, and the season before, when none of Mama Jackie’s eggs hatched after weeks of waiting. A difficult road may lie ahead though. Between 8 and 12 inches of snow, a brief burst of rain and whipping winds could hit the nest, nestled in the San Bernardino National Forest, into early Friday. Today on AirTalk, we get the latest on the eagles and talk about why Jackie and Shadow’s journey has resonated with so many people, including LAist’s Antonia Cereijido. Has a deep connection to an animal ever gotten you through a particularly difficult chapter in your life? We’d love to hear from you. Call 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.
With files from LAist. Read more here
The binge-worthy TV shows we love to quit
People are always talking about the shows they can’t stop watching. They binge a couple seasons and then maybe the show ends. Or maybe it was a mini-series. But what about the TV shows that people…quit? Have you ever been in the middle of a gripping show, a beloved series, and then suddenly, out of nowhere you say, “Meh, I’m good.” In a streaming landscape that has hundreds of thousands of TV show options, it isn't all that surprising that someone might dip out early and try a new show, especially if they’re not getting their fill of entertainment. Today on AirTalk we want to hear from you. Have you ever been so totally consumed by a TV show that you suddenly quit? Which one and why? Call us at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
TV Talk: ‘Deli Boys,’ ‘Will Trent,’ and the future of ceremonies on live TV
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 Dominic Patten, executive editor for Deadline and Cristina Escobar, tv critic and co-founder of LatinaMedia.Co.
