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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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  • NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 14: Thousands fill the streets in support of Black Trans Lives Matter and George Floyd on June 14, 2020 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Protests continue around the country in the wake of the death of Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody on May 25. (Photo by Michael Noble Jr./Getty Images)
    Listen 1:43:40
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    Today on AirTalk, we discuss how depression and anxiety rates among Black Americans have increased in the wake of highly publicized police killings. Also on the show, we take a look at current police reform policies; answer your questions about COVID-19; and more.
    Black Americans Experiencing Jump In Rates Of Depression, Anxiety After George Floyd Killing
    Today on AirTalk, we discuss how depression and anxiety rates among Black Americans have increased in the wake of highly publicized police killings. Also on the show, we take a look at current police reform policies; answer your questions about COVID-19; and more.
  • LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 08: A flower buyer looks back to a homeless woman and her sidewalk encampment as businesses in the flower district in Skid Row reopen in time for Mother's Day on May 8, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Local stay-at-home restrictions are being relaxed to allow the reopening of some businesses, including bookshops, clothing stores, car dealerships, and some low-risk retailers that can provide curbside pickup. Many recreational areas like parks, trails and golf courses are set to reopen tomorrow as well. However, L.A. mayor Eric Garcetti has repeatedly warned that if people do not wear masks or face coverings and practice social distancing at these businesses and locales, the city may have to close them down once again. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:42:27
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    Today on AirTalk with guest host Kyle Stokes, we take a look at the increase in LA County's homelessness count. Also on the show, we review the major Supreme Court rulings this week; discuss the week's political headlines; and more.
    2020 LA County Homeless Count Shows 50 Percent Increase In People Who Became Homeless Since Last Year
    Today on AirTalk with guest host Kyle Stokes, we take a look at the increase in LA County's homelessness count. Also on the show, we review the major Supreme Court rulings this week; discuss the week's political headlines; and more.
  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 03: Protesters gather at a peaceful demonstration over George Floyd’s death in Hollywood on June 3, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. California Governor Gavin Newsom deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles County following unrest which occurred amid some demonstrations. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was taken into custody for Floyd's death and is now charged with second-degree murder while three other former officers have also been charged. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:42:46
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    Today on AirTalk with guest host Kyle Stokes, we discuss calls for LAUSD to scrap its police department. Also on the show, our FilmWeek critics discuss the weekend's new releases; we get the latest on reopenings; and more.
    Should LAUSD Get Rid Of Its Police Dept?
    Today on AirTalk with guest host Kyle Stokes, we discuss calls for LAUSD to scrap its police department. Also on the show, our FilmWeek critics discuss the weekend's new releases; we get the latest on reopenings; and more.
  • SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 03: California State Assemblymember Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) speaks during a news conference to announce new legislation to address recent deadly police shootings on April 3, 2018 in Sacramento, California. California State Assemblymembers Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) and Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) announced new legislation which they co-authored following the recent deadly police shooting of Stephon Clark in California. The bill authorizes police officers to use deadly force only when necessary and after non-lethal de-escalation tactics have been exhausted. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:44:00
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    Today on AirTalk, we take a look at the move to reinstate affirmative action in California. Also on the show, we discuss the Justice in Policing Act; take a loot at how the '92 Rodney King riots grew out of and contributed to a demographic shift in LA; and more.
    Is Affirmative Action Coming Back In California?
    Today on AirTalk, we take a look at the move to reinstate affirmative action in California. Also on the show, we discuss the Justice in Policing Act; take a loot at how the '92 Rodney King riots grew out of and contributed to a demographic shift in LA; and more.
  • TOPSHOT - People walk past the name Rodney King seen on a chain-link fence surrounding Silver Lake Reservoir in Los Angeles, on June 9, 2020, where a new art installation protesting police brutality spells out, in colourful woven fabric, the names of unarmed African Americans who have been killed by police. - King, who was violently beaten by LAPD officers during his arrest for high speed drunk driving, became a writer after surving police brutality and died in June, 2012 from alcohol poisoning. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
    Listen 1:43:55
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    Today on AirTalk, we take a look back at the LA Riots of '92. Also on the show, we speak with Mayor Garcetti about protesters' calls to defund police; get the latest on COVID-19; and more.
    Looking Back To ‘92: The Los Angeles Riots And The Reforms That Followed
    Today on AirTalk, we take a look back at the LA Riots of '92. Also on the show, we speak with Mayor Garcetti about protesters' calls to defund police; get the latest on COVID-19; and more.
  • HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 09: Family and friends of George Floyd enter the Fountain of Praise church for his funeral on June 9, 2020 in Houston, Texas. Floyd died May 25 while in Minneapolis police custody, sparking nationwide protests. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
    Houston Funeral For George Floyd Draws Thousands
    Today on AirTalk, we carry George Floyd's memorial service in Houston in lieu of our regularly scheduled programming.
  • MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 31: A demonstrator holds her hands up in front of police while protesting against the death of George Floyd, on May 31, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Protests continue to be held in cities throughout the country over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died while in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:43:47
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    Today on AirTalk, we discuss the decision made by Minneapolis City Council to dismantle the city's police department. Also on the show, we check in on the protests in SoCal; get the latest on COVID-19; and more.
    As Minneapolis City Council Plans To Dismantle PD, We Discuss Alternative Public Safety Models With Former Law Enforcement Officers
    Today on AirTalk, we discuss the decision made by Minneapolis City Council to dismantle the city's police department. Also on the show, we check in on the protests in SoCal; get the latest on COVID-19; and more.
  • A protester marches through Hollywood after curfew during a demonstration over the death of George Floyd while in Minneapolis Police custody, in Los Angeles, California, June 2, 2020. - Anti-racism protests have put several US cities under curfew to suppress rioting, following the death of George Floyd in police custody. (Photo by Kyle Grillot / AFP) (Photo by KYLE GRILLOT/AFP via Getty Images)
    Listen 1:44:45
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    Today on AirTalk, we talk about what changes many would like to see following the protests and where we go from here. Also on the show, we continue our daily coronavirus AMA with our medical expert and discuss the NBA's plans for restarting in July.
    What Do You Want To See Come Out Of The Nationwide Anti-Police Brutality Protests?
    Today on AirTalk, we talk about what changes many would like to see following the protests and where we go from here. Also on the show, we continue our daily coronavirus AMA with our medical expert and discuss the NBA's plans for restarting in July.
  • Protesters kneel and hold up their hands in front of a row of police officers in riot gear during a demonstration against the death of George Floyd at a park near the White House on June 1, 2020 in Washington, DC. - Police fired tear gas outside the White House late Sunday as anti-racism protestors again took to the streets to voice fury at police brutality, and major US cities were put under curfew to suppress rioting.With the Trump administration branding instigators of six nights of rioting as domestic terrorists, there were more confrontations between protestors and police and fresh outbreaks of looting. Local US leaders appealed to citizens to give constructive outlet to their rage over the death of an unarmed black man in Minneapolis, while night-time curfews were imposed in cities including Washington, Los Angeles and Houston. (Photo by Olivier DOULIERY / AFP) (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)
    Listen 1:44:49
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    Today on AirTalk, we review Black Lives Matter's proposed shifts in the Los Angeles budget. Also on the show, we get the latest on COVID-19; examine the legal questions behind the case against the four officers involved in the murder of George Floyd; and more.
    The ‘People’s Budget’ And Mayor Garcetti’s Move To Allocate Funds From LAPD To Other Services
    Today on AirTalk, we review Black Lives Matter's proposed shifts in the Los Angeles budget. Also on the show, we get the latest on COVID-19; examine the legal questions behind the case against the four officers involved in the murder of George Floyd; and more.
  • Protesters march through Hollywood after curfew during a demonstration over the death of George Floyd while in Minneapolis Police custody, in Los Angeles, California, June 2, 2020. - Anti-racism protests have put several US cities under curfew to suppress rioting, following the death of George Floyd in police custody. (Photo by Kyle Grillot / AFP) (Photo by KYLE GRILLOT/AFP via Getty Images)
    Listen 1:43:54
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    Today on AirTalk, we speak with local community members about the anti-racism protests and where we move from here. Also on the show, we get the latest on the protests; speak with George Gascón about policing; and more.
    Black Local Leaders Roundtable: What Are You Thinking And Where Do We Go Now?
    Today on AirTalk, we speak with local community members about the anti-racism protests and where we move from here. Also on the show, we get the latest on the protests; speak with George Gascón about policing; 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