Latest on Los Angeles fire recovery conflict, following fire chief change and fire chief head
More than a month before the Palisades Fire, then-Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristen Crowley issued a dire warning: Her department was woefully understaffed, response times were high, equipment was in disrepair and emergency preparedness was suffering. It's unclear whether a better-funded agency would have slowed the firestorm. What is clear is that day-to-day service calls — most of them for medical help — suffer because L.A. has one of the smallest big city fire departments in the country. Crowley has since been fired by Mayor Karen Bass, who last Friday cited the chief’s failure to increase the number of on-duty firefighters in the hours before the Palisades Fire and her unwillingness to participate in an evaluation of the department’s response to the disaster. This is one of many stories surrounding the post-fire rebuilding process in Los Angeles. Mayor Karen Bass’ chief recovery officer, Steve Soboroff, has expressed frustrations about not receiving pay for the work he’s doing. The L.A. Times has reported on frustrations about communication between government officials. Today, we discuss some of the politics involved in fire recovery. Joining to discuss is Frank Stoltze, civics and democracy correspondent at LAist, and Julia Wick, politics reporter for the Los Angeles Times.
With files from LAist. Read the full story here
The latest on the Trump administration’s legal challenges
A familiar pattern has emerged since President Donald Trump returned to the White House: He makes a brash proposal, his opponents file a lawsuit and a federal judge puts the plan on hold. It’s happened with Trump’s attempts to freeze certain federal funding, undermine birthright citizenship and push out government workers. Now the question is whether the court rulings are a mere speed bump or an insurmountable roadblock for the Republican president, who is determined to expand the limits of his power — sometimes by simply ignoring the laws. Although Democrats may be encouraged by the initial round of judicial resistance, the legal battles are only beginning. Lawsuits that originated in more liberal jurisdictions like Boston, Seattle and Washington, D.C., could find their way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where a conservative majority has demonstrated its willingness to overturn precedent.
Today on AirTalk, we take a look at what initiatives under Trump’s administration have been legally challenged and where the cases currently stand. Joining us are Jack Queen, legal correspondent for Reuters, and Mattathias Schwartz, legal affairs correspondent for the New York Times.
With files from the Associated Press
‘The Points Guy’ Brian Kelly shares tips for maximizing your traveling
Whether you’re inexperienced, or a seasoned traveler, The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly has become a popular voice for those interested in learning about travel points. In his new book, How to Win at Travel Kelly uses decades of experience to inform readers on how to leverage their travel cards and maximize the pleasures of traveling. Along with practical points-related tips, he also helps readers through travel anxiety and shares practical tips for any travel budget. Today on AirTalk, we’ll talk to Brian Kelly about his new book, and hear from listeners. Do you have a travel rewards question? Share it with us by calling (866) 893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.
California’s solar surplus has led to curtailment, cost-related issues
Solar is a centerpiece of California’s clean energy goals. The state has invested heavily in solar energy. Yet, the overabundance of electricity in peak hours has created issues for grid operators, having to cut off some of its suppliers and in some cases selling electricity to neighboring states. As more and more people install rooftop solar panels, fewer people are contributing to the grid. This has left more consumers with higher electricity bills. Now, the California Public Utilities Commission has issued a report that makes the case for cutting the credits of those who installed rooftop solar before April 2023. Why? Because those people are paid the retail rate for excess electricity they send to the grid, while those who installed solar after are being paid a fraction. This ongoing solar surplus has also meant that Californians have had to pay these increased rate costs for energy that isn’t being used. Joining us today on AirTalk is discuss how rooftop solar is leading to higher electricity bills for some and not all is Ivan Penn, New York Times reporter covering the energy industry and utilities and Severin Borenstein, professor and faculty director of the Energy Institute at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and Roger Lin, senior attorney at The Center for Biological Diversity.
Do parents really have a favorite child?
Parents aren't supposed to admit it, but we all wonder. Who's the favorite child? Maybe it's the one they see the most resemblance in or the one that they share a special hobby with. Or maybe it's true that no parent has a "favorite," but there does seem to be one child each parent seems to have a better relationship with, or at least that is what most siblings perceive. Today on AirTalk, we want to hear from you! Do you think your parent has a favorite child? Why? Is it you? And parents, how do you try to be equitable in your relationships with your children? Do you find that you get along better with one than another? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
