The Native American Population Skyrocketed For The 2020 Census – How The United States Counts Native Americans And Indigenous Peoples

According to the 2020 Census, Americans who identify as having Indigenous or Native American heritage increased from 5.2 million in 2010 to 9.6 million in 2020. Yet, despite this 85 percent increase, Native Americans hold the lowest fertility rate out of any group in the country, according to the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. If not an increase in births, what is the cause of the Native American population spike? Some demographers argue that the Census' classification of race and ethnicity may not apply as neatly to Native Americans who often identify themselves as multiracial and are the only group to be identified as a race as well as a political identity. Identification within the Native American community itself is also complicated. Most tribes require a minimum percentage of native blood to qualify for enrollment and many tribes remain unrecognized by the federal government. But accurate census counting is imperative for Native Americans to receive representative policymaking and proper federal funding. So, how can the Census Bureau better quantify Indigenous and Native Americans? And how do Native Americans' own understanding of their identities come into play when reporting for the Census?

Joining us today to discuss the possible reasons for the Native American population increase and the complexities involved in Native American and Indigenous identification is Robert Maxim, senior research associate at Brookings and a citizen of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and Desi Small-Rodriguez, assistant professor of Sociology and American Indian Studies at UCLA and a citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Nation. We also want to hear from you! Do you identify as Native American or Indigenous? How has your understanding of your racial identity changed over time? Share your thoughts at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.

Gratuities Galore! New Study Examines Attitudes Towards Tipping

It can feel like a minefield navigating tipping these days. From tablets at coffee shops suggesting specific dollar amounts to restaurants adding service charges, asks for tips are seemingly everywhere (a phenomenon known as “tip creep,” or “tipflation”). According to a recent Pew Research study, American attitudes towards tipping vary widely depending on several factors, including the tipper’s socioeconomic status, whether a tip is suggested by an establishment, and, as might be expected, the quality of service received. Joining us to walk us through the latest data on how Americans think about tipping is Drew DeSilver, senior writer at Pew Research Center. Also, we want to hear from you. What tipping trends have you seen as a consumer, or as a worker in a service industry? Has your attitude towards gratuities changed in recent years? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.

LA County’s Long History With Tuberculosis Resurfaces As Ukrainian Asylum Seekers Contribute To Rise In Testing

Until COVID-19 came into the picture, tuberculosis was the deadliest infectious disease in the world. Los Angeles County has a long history with the TB and the latest step for the department of health is testing Ukrainian asylum seekers. Today on AirTalk, we discuss how TB shaped Southern California policies in the 19th and 20th century and where that's led to today. Joining to discuss is Jackie Fortiér, LAist senior health reporter, and Tamara Venit-Shelton, professor of history at Claremont McKenna College. Questions? Call 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.

CPUC Vote Thursday Could Slash Solar Incentives. What Could This Mean For Renters And Schools?

California has nearly two million homes with rooftop solar — a major success. But that scale-up has largely left out nearly half of Californians who rent. In Los Angeles, that number is even higher: more than 60% of people rent, according to 2021 data from the Southern California Association of Governments. Today, the California Public Utilities Commission is set to vote on a proposal that could significantly cut current incentives for apartments, businesses and schools to put solar on their rooftops. The proposal changes the rules around “Virtual Net Energy Metering,” or VNEM, and “Net Energy Metering Aggregation,” or NEMA. The programs as they currently stand allow properties with multiple electric meters — such as apartments, schools, strip malls, etc. — to get paid back for the amount of excess electricity they generate on their properties and sell back to the utility grid, thus making solar more affordable for a wider array of people and businesses. While the newly revised proposal still allows this credit for apartment residents, though at a lower compensation rate, it excludes energy use in apartment common spaces, such as shared laundry, outdoor lighting, gyms, and electric vehicle charging stations. Solar advocates and rental industry associations argue that makes apartment owners even less likely to install solar because the savings don’t pencil out.

Today on AirTalk, LAist Climate Emergency Reporter Erin Stone joins us to preview today’s CPUC vote.

TV-Talk: 6 Shows To Watch Including ‘Julia’ Season 2, ‘The Crown’ Final Season & ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’

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’re going to 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 Jen Chaney, television critic for Vulture, and Dominic Patten, senior editor for Deadline.

Today’s shows include:

• Julia [Season 2] (Max)
• The Crown [Season 6, Final Season] (Netflix)
• Fargo [Season 5] (FX & Hulu next day)
• Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (Netflix)
• Kennedy (History Channel)
• A Murder at the End of the World (FX & Hulu)
• News: SAG Vote On Tentative Contract