SoCal braces for ‘life-threatening’ wind. What you need to know.
Forecasters are warning residents about damaging winds and extreme fire weather for the Southland today in what could be the strongest wind event since 2011. The National Weather Service says the widespread windstorm is expected today through Wednesday morning across much of Ventura and Los Angeles counties. The strongest wind gusts could reach up to 80 mph and even 100 mph in the mountains and foothills. Officials say the areas of greatest concern are for communities between and along the 118 to 210 freeways from Simi Valley to Claremont. Joining us this morning on AirTalk to discuss the weather event and what to expect is Rich Thompson, meteorologist at the National Weather Service, Oxnard/Los Angeles and Lisa Derderian, public information officer for the City of Pasadena.
Read the full LAist story here.
How prepared is Southern California for handling extensively drug-resistant bacteria?
Last month, UCLA researchers dug into three cases of an extensively drug-resistant bacteria (XDR), Shigella sonnei; although those infected had symptoms common to other infections, such as diarrhea and stomach cramps, it did raise bigger questions about what work has been done to develop antibiotic treatments to prevent the serious spread of infectious diseases. With many infectious disease experts being focused on COVID-19 during the height of the pandemic, how much progress has been made on XDR strains of bacteria? And how much preparation is a metropolitan area like Los Angeles prepared to track and prevent the potential spread of these strains? Today on AirTalk, we’ll get into the current state of research on XDR bacteria, and its investment. Joining us is Shaun Yang, associate clinical professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at UCLA, and Henry Skinner, CEO of AMR Action Fund.
How Norman Lear’s decades long career forever changed television and comedy
The late writer and producer Norman Lear is one of the most consequential figures in television. He revolutionized primetime TV by creating shows like All in the Family, The Jeffersons, and Maude, which pushed the boundaries of comedy. His projects embraced taboo topics like race, class, sexuality, politics, and religion, which resonated with viewers. A new book looks at the life and seven-decade career of Norman Lear. Joining to discuss is Tripp Whetsell, entertainment journalist, show-business historian, and adjunct media studies professor at Emerson College in Boston. His new book “Norman Lear: His Life and Times” (Applause, 2024).
Tripp Whetsell will be doing a book signing at Book Soup Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. You can find more information here.
More than 100 restaurants closed in LA last year — we check in on the industry
For many restaurant owners, their business goes beyond just serving food — for them, it’s a way of sharing culture and creating community. However, the last few years have been incredibly difficult for the restaurant world. From the lasting impacts of the pandemic to rising costs, many restaurateurs are questioning the future of their industry. Now, a recent Los Angeles Times tally has found that more than 100 restaurants closed their doors in 2024 — a significant increase from 2023. These restaurants ranged from your mom-and-pop shop to Michelin-starred locals. With so many closures throughout the region, and with a handful being announced just this year, what might 2025 shape out to be for restaurants in Los Angeles? Joining us today on “AirTalk” to discuss the recent closures of L.A. restaurants is Stephanie Breijo, staff writer at the Los Angeles Times Food, and Jot Condie, President of the California Restaurant Association. Also joining us is Bret Thompson, chef and co-owner of Pez Cantina in DTLA and Pez Coastal Kitchen in Pasadena.
If you’re a restaurant owner or chef in Los Angeles, we’d like to hear from you! Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
How to talk to your teens about porn
Pornography is more accessible than ever thanks to the internet. And while increased access to porn is not a bad thing on its own, it has led to increased viewing amongst teens and adolescents. In a 2023 report from Common Sense Media titled Teens and Pornography, 73% of respondents ages 13 to 17 said they watched porn online, and 54% reported seeing pornography for the first time by age 13. The concern over underage viewing goes beyond moral dilemma. Adolescents who view porn may not understand that the scenarios depicted are exaggerated, that scenes of violence and dubious consent are fantasies and not reflective of real life. Porn can set unrealistic expectations about the body and what a partner finds pleasurable. With adolescent viewing of porn becoming more prevalent, how can parents talk to their children about sex and explicit content?
Today on AirTalk, we discuss the idea of porn literacy with James Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, Marty Klein, licensed marriage & family therapist and certified sex therapist in Palo Alto, and Tristan Taormino, sex educator and former pornographer.
