Newsom issues executive order for removal of homeless encampments in California

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Thursday for the removal of homeless encampments in his state. Newsom’s order would direct state agencies on how to remove the thousands of tents and makeshift shelters across the state that line freeways, clutter shopping center parking lots and fill city parks. The order makes clear that the decision to remove the encampments remains in the hands of local authorities. The guidance comes after a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this summer allowing cities to enforce bans on sleeping outside in public spaces. The case comes as cities across the country have wrestled with the politically complicated issue of how to deal with a rising number of people without a permanent place to live and public frustration over related health and safety issues. Joining to discuss what we know as of now is Nick Gerda, LAist senior reporter covering unhoused communities, Shawn Hubler, California Correspondent The New York Times, and Eric Tars, Senior Policy Director for the National Homelessness Law Center.

Read more: Newsom issues order on clearing homeless encampments

With files from the Associated Press

Saying farewell to retiring LAist hosts Susanne Whatley and Nick Roman

If you’re a regular listener to Morning Edition or All Things Considered, you’re no doubt listening in part because you feel a connection to those programs’ respective hosts -- Susanne Whatley and Nick Roman. Both have been longtime fixtures of Southern California radio with careers spanning decades and across many different stations in the market. Recently, Susanne and Nick announced they would be retiring from their broadcasting duties at LAist, but before they do Larry and the AirTalk team wanted to make sure we sent them off properly, and gave all of their faithful listeners a chance to share live on the air what they’ve meant over the years. Today on AirTalk, Nick and Susanne will join us to look back on their careers at LAist, and we also want to hear farewell wishes from you! Join our live conversation to wish them well in their future endeavors by calling us at 866-893-5722, or by emailing atcomments@laist.com.

New book 'California Eden' serves as a visual guide through the state's horticultural heritage

From the present day to centuries of Indigenous caretaking, California's diverse set of natural landscapes serves as a reminder that one doesn't need to attend a private garden to appreciate the best of the natural world. The new book "California Eden," edited by California landscape experts Christine Edstrom O'Hara and Susan Chamberlin, brings together many contributors' understanding of this longstanding horticultural heritage. From the local Pasadena trees to Monterey's historic gardens, "California Eden" is as much of a visually stimulating read as it is a history lesson. Today on AirTalk, we talk about this new book with its co-editors, Christine Edstrom O'Hara and Susan Chamberlin.

A new CalMatters investigation reveals homeless shelters lack oversight, but who’s to blame?

A new CalMatters investigation has revealed that only five out of the state’s 478 cities have filed reports on conditions in local shelters. This number is suspiciously low since just a few years ago, a new law (AB 362) passed requiring cities and counties to report any violations and complaints they received from occupants of a homeless shelter. As CalMatter’s investigation reveals, the low number of reports isn’t for lack of complaints filed by occupants. But every city and county has different processes for reporting and different thresholds for what they consider severe enough a violation to report in the first place. The result is lots of ambiguity around how local shelters are held accountable for their conditions. Joining us on AirTalk to discuss her reporting is CalMatters investigative reporter Lauren Hepler, also Amy Turk, chief executive officer at the Downtown Women’s Center, Richard Baker, chief operating officer of Union Rescue Mission, and Troy Vaughn, CEO and President of Los Angeles Mission in DTLA. We want to hear from you. Have you experienced the conditions of LA interim shelters? What was that experience? Call us at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.

Read the investigation: California passed a law to fix unsafe homeless shelters. Cities and counties are ignoring it

How to watch the 2024 Paris Olympics

The 2024 Paris Olympics kick off tomorrow with the opening ceremony. NBC Universal will broadcast the games for audiences in the U.S. But with so many channels and the streaming platform Peacock under the broadcaster's umbrella, it can get confusing to know where to tune in for primetime events like gymnastics and swimming or more niche sports like handball and the Olympics' debut of breakdancing. And what if you can’t catch an event in real time?

Today on AirTalk we're joined by Richard Deitsch, senior writer of sports media for The Athletic, to break down how and where audiences can watch their favorite summer Olympic sports.

You can find a schedule of all the events at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games here.

TV Talk: ‘Lady in the Lake,’ ‘The Decameron,’ plus Olympics 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 Steve Greene, freelance TV critic, and Jen Chaney, television critic for Vulture.

Shows:

• Lady in the Lake
• The Decameron
• Kleo
• Time Bandits