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AirTalk

with Larry Mantle

Larry Mantle hosts lively and in-depth discussions of city news, politics, science, the arts, entertainment, and more. Airs weekdays 9-11am on 89.3 FM and streaming online at LAist.com and the LAist app. Austin Cross hosts AirTalk Fridays — watch the Friday show live on Instagram (@laistofficial).

To comment, contact 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.

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Austin Cross
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Recent Episodes
  • A heat map of Southern California showing the rainfall forecast by the National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard. The blue-colored header at the top of the image says "Storm Total Rainfall." The subtitle below it says "Tuesday-Saturday (Dec. 23-27, 2025). The map is colored by expected rainfall. A vertical legend to the left of the map shows a gradient of yellow to orange to purple, with purple indicating the highest amount of rain. Several cities are tagged in the map.
    Listen 1:43:56
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    Today on AirTalk: Holiday storm? SoCal restaurant industry check-in; When did you first start feeling “old?” LAist year in review; TV Talk.
    What to expect from this holiday’s storm
    Today on AirTalk: Holiday storm? SoCal restaurant industry check-in; When did you first start feeling “old?” LAist year in review; TV Talk.
  • dozens of young people gather in the middle of the street, many holding their phones up and recording video on their phones; there is smoke rising up in the air nearby, which glows green and red in the streetlights
    Listen 1:39:00
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    Today on AirTalk: New LAist/USC study on street takeovers; What words do you have trouble spelling? The Palisades fire report weakened; Robby Hoffman; and Is VistaVision back?
    New USC Annenberg investigation maps the toll of LA street takeovers
    Today on AirTalk: New LAist/USC study on street takeovers; What words do you have trouble spelling? The Palisades fire report weakened; Robby Hoffman; and Is VistaVision back?

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  • A member of the National Guard patrols the grounds of the US Capitol on March 4, 2021, in Washington, DC. - Lawmakers and staff were advised to stay away from the US Capitol after the FBI and Homeland Security Department warned that violent militia groups and QAnon followers had discussed attacking the legislature on or about March 4. The FBI-Homeland Security bulletin said extremists are still motivated by unfounded Republican claims of widespread voter fraud in the November presidential election won by Democrat Joe Biden. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
    Listen 1604:43:20
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    Today on AirTalk, we update you on the latest political news from Washington D.C.. Also on the show, we answer your COVID-19 questions; discuss "Framing Britney Spears" and examine the cultural issues surrounding the documentary; and more.
    DC Latest: House Cancels Session Due To Security Concerns, But Senate Stays On The Hill To Vote On COVID Relief
    Today on AirTalk, we update you on the latest political news from Washington D.C.. Also on the show, we answer your COVID-19 questions; discuss "Framing Britney Spears" and examine the cultural issues surrounding the documentary; and more.
  • Rodney King speaks during a book signing event for his new book, 'The Riot Within: My Journey From Rebellion to Redemption,' at EsoWon bookstore on April 30, 2012 in L.A.
    Listen 1738:20:00
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    Today on AirTalk, we look back at the beating of Rodney King, which took place 30 years ago. Also on the show, we update you on the latest COVID-19 news and answer your questions; discuss the prevalence of hate crimes against Asian Americans throughout the entire span of the pandemic; and more.
    Looking Back At The Rodney King Beating, 30 Years Later
    Today on AirTalk, we look back at the beating of Rodney King, which took place 30 years ago. Also on the show, we update you on the latest COVID-19 news and answer your questions; discuss the prevalence of hate crimes against Asian Americans throughout the entire span of the pandemic; and more.
  • Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (R) and California Governor Gavin Newsom (C) tour the mass Covid-19 vaccination site at Dodger Stadium on January 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Irfan Khan / POOL / AFP) (Photo by IRFAN KHAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
    Listen 1:42:30
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    Today on AirTalk, we talk to LA Mayor Eric Garcetti about the city's vaccination plan and with councilmember Curren Price about funding for a universal basic income pilot program. Also on the show, we answer your questions on CA's COVID-19 relief package; answer your COVID-19 questions; and more.
    AirTalk Interviews: Mayor Eric Garcetti And Councilmember Curren Price
    Today on AirTalk, we talk to LA Mayor Eric Garcetti about the city's vaccination plan and with councilmember Curren Price about funding for a universal basic income pilot program. Also on the show, we answer your questions on CA's COVID-19 relief package; answer your COVID-19 questions; and more.
  • A child attends an online class at a learning hub inside the Crenshaw Family YMCA during the Covid-19 pandemic on February 17, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. - While many area schools remain closed for in-person classes, the learning hub program provides structured distance education resources including free WiFi, electricity, staff support, academic tutoring, and recreation activities to provide a safe environment to support low income and minority communities. (Photo by Patrick T. FALLON / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
    Listen 1:42:44
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    Today on AirTalk, we discuss Gavin Newsom's deal with California legislators to reopen schools. Also on the show, we update you on the latest COVID-19 news and answer your questions; discuss the future of U.S.-Saudi relations following an intelligence report on journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death; and more.
    Governor Gavin Newsom Strikes New School Reopening Deal With California Lawmakers
    Today on AirTalk, we discuss Gavin Newsom's deal with California legislators to reopen schools. Also on the show, we update you on the latest COVID-19 news and answer your questions; discuss the future of U.S.-Saudi relations following an intelligence report on journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death; and more.
  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 25: Lorraine Harvey, an in home care worker, receives her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from registered nurse Rudolfo Garcia at a clinic at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital in South Los Angeles on February 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. African Americans and Latinos comprise a majority of the South LA community and are dying of COVID-19 at a rate significantly higher than whites. Vaccine equity has also lagged in South Los Angeles relative to some more wealthy areas. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:42:49
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    Today on AirTalk, we answer your COVID-19 questions. Also on the show, we preview the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels as we near the start of spring training; KPCC film critics Tim Cogshell and Christy Lemire review this weekend’s new movie releases; and more.
    COVID-19 AMA: FDA Meets On Johnson & Johnson Emergency Approval, Who’s Eligible For The Vaccine Come Monday And More
    Today on AirTalk, we answer your COVID-19 questions. Also on the show, we preview the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels as we near the start of spring training; KPCC film critics Tim Cogshell and Christy Lemire review this weekend’s new movie releases; and more.
  • Registered Nurse Angelo Bautista administers the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine to eligible people identified by homeless service agencies from the parking lot of the L.A. Mission on February 24, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
    Listen 1:42:24
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    Today on AirTalk, we update you on the latest COVID-19 news and answer your questions. Also on the show, we breakdown how president Joe Biden's administration plans to fight disinformation; look back at the Peace Corps as it nears its 60th anniversary; and more.
    COVID-19 AMA: California Tops 50,000 Deaths From Winter Surge, The New Variant Spreading In New York And More
    Today on AirTalk, we update you on the latest COVID-19 news and answer your questions. Also on the show, we breakdown how president Joe Biden's administration plans to fight disinformation; look back at the Peace Corps as it nears its 60th anniversary; and more.
  • Elderly Asian Americans wear face shields and masks at a Covid-19 vaccination site in Los Angeles, California on February 23, 2021. - City-wide vaccination sites reopened after a temporary shutdown due to inclement weather which affected transportation of the vaccine. A California program meant to improve availability of Covid-19 vaccines in underserved minority communities is reportedly being misused by people in wealthier areas of Los Angeles, grabbing appointments reserved for residents of Black and Latino neighborhoods, according to a Los Angeles Times report on February 22. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
    Listen 1:42:35
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    Today on AirTalk, we update you on the latest COVID-19 news and answer your questions. Also on the show, we discuss Joe Biden's reopening of a migrant facility in Texas; breakdown how real-time communication with lucid dreamers is possible; and more.
    DOC AMA: FDA Says Johnson & Johnson Shot Prevents COVID-19, Growing Evidence Vaccines Reduce Transmission And More
    Today on AirTalk, we update you on the latest COVID-19 news and answer your questions. Also on the show, we discuss Joe Biden's reopening of a migrant facility in Texas; breakdown how real-time communication with lucid dreamers is possible; and more.
  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 23: Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles supporters protest outside the Unified School District headquarters calling on the board of education to defund school police on June 23, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The demonstrators want the funds currently spent on campus police to be reallocated to other student-serving priorities. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:42:28
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    Today on AirTalk, we discuss the LAUSD decision to hire climate coaches and how they plan to implement the policy. Also on the show, we update you on the latest COVID-19 news and answer your questions; discuss Los Angeles County's Master Plan to build on the LA River; and more.
    LAUSD Plans To Hire Climate Coaches Instead Of Cops. What Will That Look Like?
    Today on AirTalk, we discuss the LAUSD decision to hire climate coaches and how they plan to implement the policy. Also on the show, we update you on the latest COVID-19 news and answer your questions; discuss Los Angeles County's Master Plan to build on the LA River; and more.
  • EL CAJON, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 15: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Funeral attendant Sam Deras (C) helps wheel the casket of a person who died after contracting COVID-19 past gurneys toward a hearse at East County Mortuary on January 15, 2021 in El Cajon, California. The mortuary on average was handling about 50 bodies per month but owner Robert Zakar believes they may process closer to 100 in January as California continues to see a spike in coronavirus deaths. The mortuary holds the bodies of those who pass away due to COVID-19 for a minimum of three days before they are processed along with various other COVID-related safety measures. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:42:35
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    Today on AirTalk, we update you on the latest COVID-19 news and answer your questions. Also on the show, we discuss the push to recall California governor Gavin Newsom; talk about Los Angeles's history of odd tourist attractions; and more.
    COVID-19 AMA: US Approaches Half A Million COVID Deaths, Why Some Experts Say LA May Be Gaining Herd Immunity And More
    Today on AirTalk, we update you on the latest COVID-19 news and answer your questions. Also on the show, we discuss the push to recall California governor Gavin Newsom; talk about Los Angeles's history of odd tourist attractions; and more.
  • A nurse takes a Moderna Covid-19 vaccines ready to be administered at a vaccination site at Kedren Community Health Center, in South Central Los Angeles, California on February 16, 2021. (Photo by Apu GOMES / AFP) (Photo by APU GOMES/AFP via Getty Images)
    Listen 1:43:18
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    Today on AirTalk, we update you on the latest COVID-19 news and answer your questions. Also on the show, we talk to Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer; KPCC film critics Claudia Puig and Angie Han review this weekend’s new movie releases; and more.
    DOC AMA: LA Cancels Thousands Of Vaccinations Due To Shortage, Pfizer Highly Effective After One Dose & More
    Today on AirTalk, we update you on the latest COVID-19 news and answer your questions. Also on the show, we talk to Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer; KPCC film critics Claudia Puig and Angie Han review this weekend’s new movie releases; and more.
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Credits & Support

Larry Mantle, Host
Austin Cross, Host
Lindsey Wright, Senior Producer
Lucy Copp, Producer
Nicolas Perez, Producer
Manny Valladares, Associate Producer
Payton Seda, Associate Producer
Faheem Khan, Associate Producer
Courtney Eileen Fulcher, Apprentice News Clerk