What we know about immigration enforcement in MacArthur Park
A convoy of armored vehicles and white vans pulled up to MacArthur Park Monday morning before uniformed immigration enforcement agents formed a skirmish line and walked through the park around 11 a.m. The agents were masked, some on horseback, and a Department of Homeland Security helicopter circled above, as seen in a video taken by FOX 11. In the video, one group of agents on horseback were seen posing for a photo while carrying an American flag. The intent of the operation, or whether anyone was detained during the operation, is unclear. A spokesperson for DHS told LAist in an email that the department doesn’t comment on ongoing enforcement operations. “ I do not believe that anyone was detained,” Mayor Karen Bass said at a news conference after federal officers left the park. “Maybe they were. But then again, I don't think the goal is to detain. I think the goal is to spread fear.” Today on AirTalk, we’re asking listeners to share what changes they have seen in their communities as ICE activity continues. How have your habits changed? What community centers have been affected? And what do you think the administration is trying to accomplish with its focus on LA’s immigrant community? Joining us to explain what happened at MacArthur Park is LAist watchdog correspondent Jordan Rynning.
California’s air quality goals hit roadblocks this year, what will that mean for battling smog?
Since the Republican party took over the 3 branches of the federal government, California state officials have had to adapt their climate goals as they receive federal pressure. This has shown in the state’s air quality policies, as the state’s EV-centric goals have been defanged by the Trump Administration, following threats to revoke these policies if the state refuses to do so voluntarily. Given the state’s need to receive approval for its air quality policies from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Newsom Administration has seemingly been unable to continue its zero-admissions transition. This issue has also come up at the municipal level, as South Coast AQMD has found itself receiving pressure for its proposals on electric appliances. In the case of last month’s proposal on new homes requiring electric heat pumps, political pressure from the Trump Administration and lobbyists in support of gas appliances led to the proposal being rejected. So how can air policies look to advance as the Trump Administration looks to put its them on the scale? Joining us to answer these questions are Politico California environment reporter Camille von Kaenel, and chair of the California Air Resources Board, Liane Randolph
A new biography details the life of Belle Starr, one of America's most notorious outlaws
The wild west and the gunslinging outlaws that roamed it have been the subject of books, movies, and songs for generations. The lives of America's most infamous outlaws have been told and retold, mythologized and exaggerated so many times that it's hard to parse through what is fact and what is legend. In his new book, Queen of All Mayhem, author Dane Huckelbridge attempts to tell the true story of outlaw Belle Starr while maintaining her sensational legacy. Starr led a gang of robbers through the late 1800s, married two notorious outlaws Jim Reed and Sam Starr, and was later killed during a horse ride. Today on AirTalk, we discuss the exceptional life of Belle Starr, the mystery surrounding her death, and why her story has fascinated so many. We're joined by Dane Huckelbridge, author of Queen of All Mayhem: The Blood-Soaked Life and Mysterious Death of Belle Starr, the Most Dangerous Woman in the West.
Young men series: Are some working out too much?
This week on AirTalk, we’re exploring the experiences of young men in America and issues impacting them. Today, we’re hitting the gym. Data from the American Heart Association shows that about 75% of high school students don’t get their recommended amount of daily exercise. So an uptick in interest among young people in hitting the gym should be a good thing, right? In order to elevate their gains, some young men are going to extremes, and in the process, actually damaging their health. Their passion for the gym life can lead to the development of eating disorders and body dysmorphia. So, how can a young man in today’s world strike a healthy balance between their health… and their health? Joining us on the program today to discuss health habits of young men, how much working out is too much, and how they can exist in their bodies without shame is associate professor of pediatrics at UC San Francisco Jason Nagata, and professor of social and behavioral sciences and pediatrics at Harvard University S. Bryn Austin.
Kids used to ride their bikes. What happened?
Remember back in the day, as kids, when you’d hop on your bike and ride to your friend’s house? And then that friend would join you, and before you knew it, you were in a 20-kid spontaneous biker gang cruising through your suburban neighborhood. That scene, for the most part, is long gone. With the increasingly dangerous roadways combined with hyper-vigilant parents, kids don’t have the same luxury to roam the neighborhoods carefree the way they used to. But that won’t stop us from reminiscing. Today on AirTalk we want to hear from you. Do you have fond memories of cruising your neighborhood on a bike? Is it something you encourage in your kids or do you strictly prohibit it? Call us at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
