The LA fires burned a lot of lithium-ion batteries. What does that say about a clean energy future?
The Eaton and Palisades fires burned more lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles and home energy storage systems than ever before, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is overseeing cleanup of the batteries. But fire experts told LAist there is no conclusive research on how more of those batteries actually affect the intensity of the fires themselves. Firefighters say the extreme winds made last month's fires largely impossible to fight regardless of fuel sources. And already, our urban landscape is extremely flammable. Still, from cell phones, to power tools, to cars, lithium-based batteries are more prevalent than ever and create a new fuel source. Jonathan Torres with the L.A. County Fire Department said they do yearly training on fighting lithium-based battery fires, which burn a lot longer and are harder to put out than traditional combustible fuels, such as gas, diesel and propane. Today on AirTalk, we discuss how the use of lithium-ion batteries may be impacting our environment as climate change causes worse and worse natural disasters. Joining us is Erin Stone, climate emergency reporter for LAist.
You can read Erin’s full story at LAist.com.
SoCal History: Black Commercial Centers of Los Angeles
In the early 1920s, Central Avenue was a prominent commercial center for Los Angeles’s African American community with a host of community-focused organizations, newspapers, nightclubs, and services. During this period and into the middle of the century, black owned businesses — from the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company to the Dunbar Hotel — flourished throughout the corridor, creating a wealth of vibrant and significant commerce for the region. In the 1950s, after the Supreme Court cases Shelley v. Kramer (1948) and Barrows v. Jackson (1953) which ruled against racially restrictive housing covenants, black Angelenos began to move westward to Leimert Park and Baldwin Hills — bringing with them the successful businesses that they had supported and creating what is known today as the Crenshaw Corridor. Today on AirTalk, we’re taking a deep dive into the history of black commercial districts in Los Angeles — from Central Ave. to Inglewood and beyond. Joining us to discuss is independent historian and author of the book “Living the California Dream: African American Leisure Sites during the Jim Crow Era,” Alison Rose Jefferson. We also want to hear from you! What are your experiences and memories of these LA districts? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
How the American Southwest’s biggest cities grew in an inhospitable landscape
How do some of America’s largest and most iconic cities thrive in an inhospitable landscape? Tucson, Las Vegas, Albuquerque and El Paso are just some of the cities that author Kyle Paoletta makes his subjects in his new book American Oasis: Finding the Future in the Cities of the Southwest. Paoletta, who grew up in Albuquerque, dives into the history of the Southwest and its rich history of migration, exploration, and ecology. How did this desert landscape become the site of massive modern metropolises? How did small towns become urban sprawls? And at what cost? Joining us today on AirTalk to talk about his new book is Kyle Paoletta, author of the book American Oasis: Finding the Future in the Cities of the Southwest.
CNN’s series of unfortunate events and the future of cable news networks
CNN has been in the headlines lately with staff layoffs, departing hosts, defamation lawsuits, and a large investment into digital. Despite the failure of CNN+, network chief Mark Thompson announced a 70 million dollar investment into boosting CNN’s digital product. As cable news viewership continues to drop, television networks are seeking alternative forms of revenue and plans for longevity. CNN and MSNBC saw slight jumps during the 2024 presidential election cycle, but steep drop-offs followed. The only news network that seems to be immune to cable cutting is Fox News which has been leading in ratings for the last several years. There is some hope that with President Trump back in office the appetite for cable news will increase similar to what happened during Trump’s first term, but that remains to be seen. With audiences moving toward streaming and social media, is there still a future for cable news? Today on AirTalk, we check in on the television news industry to see where it stands and where its going. Joining us are David Folkenflik, media correspondent for NPR, and Dan Kennedy, professor of journalism Northeastern University.
‘Porcelain War’ directors discuss documenting the lives of Ukrainian artists amid Russian invasion
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is nearing 3 years, having started back on February 24, 2022. The now Oscar-nominated documentary Porcelain War takes a unique method of covering this tragedy through one of the film’s documentarians, Slava Leontyev, who serves in a Ukrainian special forces unit. Along with his service, he also creates ceramic figures, which are then painted over by his partner, Anya. The film is as much about resilience as it is about artistic expression and helps remind viewers about the people on the ground defending their national sovereignty. Joining us to discuss Porcelain War are directors Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev.
What’s your favorite phrase to use that’s taken from mass media?
With all forms of media we engage with now, it’s fairly easy to take some of our favorite lines and share them with friends and family. Comedians have served as a good example, with some like Rodney Dangerfield coming up with lines like“I get no respect,” and contemporary comedians like John Mulaney coming up with witty “you know, like a crime.” It’s a catchy little moment that can feel like an inside joke, despite these phrases being fairly accessible. There’s of course a slew of TV shows and movie quotes that have shaped our sense of humor. People making a mistake will utter Steve Urkle’s “did I do that,” or someone going to the restroom can exclaim The Terminator’s “I’ll be back.” It’s been a longstanding tradition that continues until now, not just in these traditional forms but also memes that you’ll find across the internet. Sports publications like ClutchPoints have served as the backbone of NBA memes, pulling quotes from players and coaches to make witty responses that one can send along; one example being Shaquille O’Neal’s live apology to player Christian Wood where he uttered “I owe you an apology. I wasn’t familiar with your game.” So today on AirTalk, we want to hear from you. What’s your favorite phrase to use, taken from mass media?
