Rounding up national politics with Biden address, Netanyahu visit and VP Harris on campaign trail
After dropping out of the presidential race, Joe Biden will address the nation on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET. Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted Biden’s endorsement and is building momentum ahead of the DNC in Chicago. On the campaign trail, Harris will head to the solidly Republican state of Indiana, and Donald Trump is holding his first public campaign rally since Biden’s exit from the 2024 race. Also today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address Congress against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Gaza. Today on AirTalk, we’ll reset these national politica stories with NPR Washington Desk Senior Editor and Correspondent Ron Elving.
With files from the Associated Press
New LAist podcast season explores LA’s relationship with lions, coyotes and bears. Oh my!
A new installment of Imperfect Paradise, LAist’s narrative podcast, is out now! Lions, Coyotes, & Bears is about our evolving relationship with the three predators with whom people in Southern California have the most conflict and increasingly frequent encounters with. Each episode explores what our attitudes toward mountain lions, coyotes, and bears say about our culture: what we value and what we fear.
Episodes look at how climate change and increasing urbanization is forcing us to rethink how we live alongside these wild animals. And the series ends with an unexpected twist: a fourth predator couple that’s made global headlines. Joining to discuss is Antonia Cereijido, host of Imperfect Paradise, and Jill Replogle, correspondent covering Orange County for LAist and reporter for episode one of the new installment.
With files from LAist
LA County Sheriff Robert Luna on Metro safety, surveillance of the press, and more
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna has been in office for over a year and a half, in that time have dealt with busting theft, paying out settlements, and recently seeing Metro try and take its public safety into its own hands. So today on AirTalk, we checked in with Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna about the latest developments in his department.
The legal path ahead for California’s new law banning schools from outing trans students to parents
Last Monday, Governor Newsom signed California Assembly Bill 1955 — or the Support Academic Futures and Educators for Today’s Youth Act (SAFETY Act) — into law. The bill will stop California schools from implementing policies that require staff to notify parents if their child asks to go by a different name or different pronouns at school. Now, Chino Valley schools are suing to stop the state from implementing the law, saying it violates the First and 14th amendments and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Joining Larry to break down the legal arguments on each side is Dara Purvis, professor of law at the Temple University.
In July 2023, AirTalk spoke with LGBTQ+ therapists about the potential effectiveness of disclosure policies like this as well as possible effects on students and parents. You can hear that segment here.
'Can I write you a check?' The decline of personal check payments
When was the last time your wrote a check? Can't remember? That's because check payments have been on the decline for over a decade as credit cards and other forms of cashless payments have gained popularity. Contactless payments, like Apple Pay and Venmo, grew in use during the pandemic and as younger generations gained more spending power. A survey by GoBankingRates showed that 46 percent of Americans didn't write a single check in 2023. This decline in check use is why many retailers have stopped accepting checks as a form of payment, most recently Target who ended the practice just last week. Despite checks becoming more and more obsolete, there is still a number of people who prefer this "old-school" method of payment, namely landlords and real estate agents. So, why are some people staunch check users? And are check payments on their last legs?
Today on AirTalk, we talk to Scott Anchin, vice president of senior operational risk and payments policy for the Independent Community Bankers of America, to discuss the decline in check use and what alternatives have been taking its place. We'd also like to hear from you! Do you still pay with checks? Why? What is stopping you from using the plethora of alternatives? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
