AirTalk

Volkswagen's emissions scandal will cost the Berlin-based company up to $18 billion. Also, Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell stops by the AirTalk studios to update us on the latest goings-on at the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department. Then, how does the Catholic Church stay relevant when so much of its history depends on faith in inexplicable events?

The Fair Political Practices Commission unanimously voted to close what it’s been deemed as a loophole for out-of-state nonprofits. Also, the cover of TIME magazine features an affable-looking Bernie Sanders with the cheeky headline “Socialize this, America.” Then, before the TIFF up Sunday, film critic Peter Rainer and Tim Gray select their favorite films from this year’s slate of noteworthy films.

After last night's Republican presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Library, there’s little doubt today that it was Carly Fiorina’s night in Simi Valley. Also, proposed retrofitting laws to upgrade buildings most vulnerable to earthquake damage may mean requiring even higher rents in some of the city’s oldest buildings. Then, we ask Dr. Coyne how he came to his hardline approach on religion… and what the harm is in having a little faith.

The eyes of the nation turn to Simi Valley this evening as the Republican presidential candidates share the debate stage once again. Also, Chief Beck joins us for our monthly visit. Then, what do we really know about Clifford Clinton, the man who created it all and was considered one of the most powerful—and controversial—men of 1930s Los Angeles?

What can Hillary Clinton's campaign do to revive itself? Then, the UC Regents are set to debate a new set of principles that would protect what the Office of the President calls students “right to be free from expressions of intolerance.” Also, rain drenched the Southland in water -- up to three inches in downtown, which saw its wettest day of the year.

The 61,000 acre Valley Fire now encompasses Napa, Sonoma and Lake counties and has forced more than 17,000 people to evacuate their homes. Also, as critics and proponents fight, should the EB-5 program be renewed? Then, on Thursday, the Fed will decide whether to raise interest rates, which is often seen as an economic harbinger for what the state of the economy looks like.

While Trump and Clinton still top the national polls for their respective parties, there was plenty to watch among the other contenders. Also, the country’s largest medical marijuana industry might finally be regulated. Then, Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Wade Major and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s new releases, including “The Visit,” “The Perfect Guy,” “Sleeping with Other People,” and more. TGI-Filmweek!

After passing the state Assembly Wednesday, a bill that would let doctors prescribe life-ending medications to terminally-ill patients is heading to the Senate. Also, submitted for your approval: what if we served the last person in line first instead of serving the first person in line first? Then, men and woman often aren’t sure how to act around each other at work. But what’s the alternative?

The results are in for the first year of Common Core student testing. Then, what are the laws governing teen sexting in California? Also, President Obama is weighing his options as a worldwide debate has opened up over how to deal with the burgeoning refugee crisis. All that and more, on today's AirTalk.

A little more than a year after being named publisher of the L.A. Times, Austin Beutner has been fired by the paper’s parent company Tribune Publishing Co. Also, Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina has made it a long way from her early days as a secretary at tech company Hewlett-Packard. Then, know your audience, that’s the first rule of entertainment. But what if your audience is a kid in elementary school?