LAHSA’s homeless count comes early and a new state bill proposes more oversight for shelters
Preliminary results of last month’s Los Angeles County homelessness count show a year-to-year drop in the number of people living outdoors, according to data released months earlier than usual.
The data, from the L.A. Homeless Services Authority, or LAHSA, is incomplete. It was distributed three months earlier in the process, as the agency faces an upcoming vote that could see the county take over direct oversight of hundreds of millions of dollars the county currently sends LAHSA every year.
Usually, no data is released from the annual Point-in-Time homelessness count until late June, after the full count is tabulated and a survey is conducted to estimate how many people were living in the tents and vehicles counted early in the year. But this year, LAHSA Chief Executive Va Lecia Adams Kellum handled it differently. She released raw, incomplete data, as county supervisors prepare to vote on April 1 on having the county seize control of funding after a pair of scathing audits about LAHSA. Because the information is being released so early, some data is missing, according to footnotes LAHSA released to LAist in response to a public records request. Counts of unhoused youth are not included, and numbers could change for special counts along parks and highways, officials say. This data comes alongside a new state bill that will provide more oversight for California’s shelters, many of which receive funds from LAHSA, after a CalMatters investigation revealed mismanagement and poor conditions. Today on AirTalk, we’ll talk about the new LAHSA numbers and what this new bill may mean for shelters and funding. Joining us are Lauren Hepler, investigative reporter for CalMatters, and Nick Gerda, LAist correspondent.
The future of zero-emission trucks at California’s ports
In 2023, the California Air Resources Board unanimously passed a diesel truck phaseout mandate — called the “Advanced Clean Fleets” rule — that would require all big rigs serving the ports to be electric or hydrogen-powered by 2035. For the state to enforce the rule, which went into effect last year, California needed a waiver from the federal government. However, a week before President Donald Trump took office, the state Air Resources Board abruptly dropped its waiver request, citing the Trump administration’s opposition to previous waivers. Now, some truckers who had jumped into the transition to zero-emission vehicles are feeling betrayed by the state’s decision — they’re wondering what it might mean for their business as well as the future of the industry. Joining us to discuss is LAist climate emergency reporter Erin Stone. Also joining us are Jennie Abarca, owner of King Fio Trucking, and Matt Schrap, CEO of the Harbor Trucking Association. We also want to hear from you! Have you been impacted by California’s roll back on the Advanced Clean Fleets rule? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
With files from LAist
What surprised you the most about being a first time parent?
While having a child can be an incredibly rewarding experience full of love and joy, it also comes with a lot of unknowns — especially for first-time parents. From adjusting to a lack of sleep to transitioning to a new normal, being a first-time parent can be overwhelming, even for those who thought they knew just about everything that goes into it. Today on AirTalk we’re talking about the surprises that come with being a first-time parent and the things we wish we knew going into it. Joining us this morning is Gia Gambaro Blount, parenting coach and child development educator at Pasadena City College. We also want to hear from you! What shocked you the most about being a first-time parent? Was there anything you wished you knew about being a parent? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
Trump demands unprecedented control at Columbia, alarming scholars and speech groups
Last spring, pro-Palestine protests broke out on college campuses across the country. Classes were canceled, even commencement ceremonies were canceled or delayed. Now, almost a year later, Columbia University, which saw some of the biggest protests, is faced with an impossible decision. Last week, the Trump Administration issued a letter to the university with an ultimatum – change its existing disciplinary policies, adopt a formal definition of antisemitism, and put the Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies Department under an academic receivership, among other demands. If Columbia refuses to comply with these demands, the university could lose hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding. Joining us today on AirTalk to update us on the latest and explain what this means for higher education is Sharon Otterman, New York Times reporter covering higher education and Robert Post, professor of law at Yale Law School.
Harmful algal blooms are sickening California’s marine mammals and birds
Dolphins and sea lions are washing up on LA and OC county beaches poisoned from a neurotoxin present in blooming algae. The toxin is known as domoic acid and is produced by some species of plankton. Although these algal blooms occur in spring and summer, the blooms have increased in frequency and intensity over the past couple of years. The harmful algae can cause seizures. Local marine wildlife rescue centers report being overwhelmed by this year’s influx of sickened animals. Although the exact causes of these toxic algal blooms are not known, higher water temperatures from climate change and an increase in nutrients that often occurs after a rainstorm can spur them. Today on AirTalk, we’ll get the latest on what is happening with these toxic algal blooms and how it is affecting our coastal wildlife. We’re joined by Amber Briesach, research specialist at UC Santa Barbara’s Santoro Laboratory, and Alissa Deming, Vice President of Conservation Medicine and Science at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center.
SoCal Spring Gardening 101: Tips on what to plant this season to make your garden special
Spring is here! As the sun begins to shine a little stronger this time of year, and many colorful flowers begin to bloom, it does leave many folks feeling the urge to pick up gardening— but where does one start? Well today on AirTalk, we got you covered, as we have a horticulture expert to answer your questions on planting crops and/or ornamental plants like flowers. Joining us to share their expertise is Tim Becker, director of horticulture at the Theodore Payne Foundation. Join the conversation: call us at 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.
