The air quality around the Salton Sea is getting worse. Is hope in sight for residents?

Residents around the Salton Sea have been plagued by persistent foul odors emanating from the lake, along with increased incidences of asthma and other respiratory illnesses. In fact, a soon to be released study by UC Riverside shows that the Salton Sea’s rotting odors have become a yearlong nuisance for people living near the lake. As the Salton Sea continues to shrink and expose more toxic dust, the health risks only grow. Amid these challenges, some see a glimmer of hope in the region’s lithium deposits. Proponents argue that harnessing this valuable resource could not only spur economic development but also fund efforts to revitalize and restore the lake. What does the future hold for the Salton Sea? Here to discuss is Timothy Krantz, professor emeritus of the environmental studies program and program manager of the Salton Sea Database at the University of Redlands.

Walking into spider webs? Getting acquainted with the spiders of SoCal

If you feel like you’ve been running into a lot of spiders recently, you’re not alone. Whether catching a glimpse of them in the corner of your eye or walking straight into a spider web, it’s almost like they’re everywhere at the moment. So what’s going on? After a healthy season of rain the past two years, Los Angeles is welcoming a more robust and flourishing community of our local, arachnid friends. But where are you most likely to run into them? From Jumping Spiders and Orb-Weavers to differentiating between Black and Brown Widows, we’re talking all things spiders this morning to help us get a sense of why we’re seeing so much spider activity this time of year. Joining us to talk about it is Lisa Gonzalez, program manager of living invertebrates for the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. We also want to hear from you! Have you been seeing an uptick in spiders recently? Or have a question about spiders in Los Angeles? Give us a call at 866-893-5722. Or email us at atcomments@laist.com.

What is sleep training and how do you find the right fit for your child and you?

Parenthood comes with many challenges. One of the harder ones is trying to get your six month old to sleep through the night. Parenting experts and pediatricians may recommend sleep training, which is an umbrella term for different methods that parents employ to get their child to fall and stay asleep on their own. Sleep training has developed a bit of a negative connotation with one method becoming synonymous with the practice at large known as “cry it out.” Parents who decide to employ this method, don’t get up to soothe their child if they wake up in the middle of night, letting the child eventually fall back asleep. But for some, this method seems too harsh. So, what is the best way to sleep train? Is there one? And how can parents cope with the emotional stress of sleep training while their sleep deprived themselves?

Today on AirTalk, we talk about the methods and misconceptions around sleep training children with Melisa Moore, licensed psychologist and board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine. We'll also discuss how parents can cope with stress and their own tiredness while sleep training with Paige Bellenbaum, licensed clinical social worker and founding director and chief external relations officer for The Motherhood Center of New York. We also want to hear from you! What sleep training techniques worked best for you and your child? What struggles did you face while trying to sleep train your kid? Give us a call at 866-893-5722. Or email us at atcomments@laist.com.

Orange County demands millions in refunds for tax dollars given to nonprofit by Supervisor Andrew Do

Orange County officials are expanding demands for refunds of millions in tax dollars that county Supervisor Andrew Do gave to a nonprofit his daughter was listed as leading. And they’re threatening to take the group to court.

A letter issued Wednesday by the county, obtained by LAist through a public records request, demands Viet America Society return the millions in public funding earmarked to feed needy residents and warns millions more may be at issue.

Last Friday, LAist was the first to report that the county recently demanded a $2.2 million refund from Viet America Society (VAS), as well as $1 million from another group — Hand to Hand Relief Organization — that passed much of it to VAS, according to public records obtained by LAist.

Now, county officials are ramping up the pressure. Joining to discuss the latest on this and detail an investigation launched into a local homeless service provider is Nick Gerda, LAist senior reporter covering unhoused communities. 

With files from LAist. Read Nick’s full story here.

Updates from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

The 2024 Paris Olympic Games are set to wrap up in the next several days. Whether watching on cable, streaming, or TikTok viewers have been treated to a stunning display of athleticism from around the globe. From a controversial opening ceremony to the triumphant return of Snoop Dog, the Paris games have been nothing short of pure entertainment. Today on AirTalk, we are breaking down everything you need to know about the 2024 Paris Olympic Games as they come to a close. Joining us to discuss the latest from Paris is David Wharton, staff writer for The Los Angeles Times Covering The Olympics, and Sarah T. Roberts, professor and director of UCLA’s Center for Critical Internet Inquiry. We also want to hear from you. What have been your favorite moments of the Olympics?

TV-talk: 'Love Island,' House of the Dragon' season finale and more

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 Dominic Patten, executive editor for Deadline, and Marcus Jones, awards editor for TV & Film at IndieWire.

Shows:

• House of the Dragon (HBO/Max)
• Mr. Throwback (Peacock)
• Love Island USA (Peacock)
• Kennedy, Sinatra and the Mafia (Sundance Now)
• Hollywood Black (MGM+)
• Bad Monkey (Apple TV+)
• Yo Gabba GabbaLand (Apple TV+)