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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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Larry Mantle
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Austin Cross
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Featured Episode

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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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  • PORTER RANCH, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 09: The Woolsey Fire is seen looking towards the west valley area on November 9, 2018 in Porter Ranch, California. About 75,000 homes have been evacuated in Los Angeles and Ventura counties due to two fires in the region. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
    Listen 2:02:31
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    Fast-growing fires along the 101 freeway are forcing evacuations in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. The two separate fires, Hill and Woolsey, are being fueled by strong Santa Ana winds and have destroyed homes and closed freeways.We check in with city officials and reporters to get the latest.
    Hill, Woolsey fires threaten Southern California
    Fast-growing fires along the 101 freeway are forcing evacuations in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. The two separate fires, Hill and Woolsey, are being fueled by strong Santa Ana winds and have destroyed homes and closed freeways.We check in with city officials and reporters to get the latest.
  • A Ventura County Sheriffs officer stands near a vehicle near the Borderline Bar and Grill, where a mass shooting occurred on November 7, 2018 in Thousand Oaks, California.
    Listen 1:37:24
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    A gunman opened fire inside a bar popular with college students last night in Thousand Oaks. Twelve people were killed, including a sheriff’s officer who arrived at the scene. We bring you the latest from Thousand Oaks. We also discuss Attorney General Jeff Sessions resignation; and more.
    Thousand Oaks mass shooting: The latest
    A gunman opened fire inside a bar popular with college students last night in Thousand Oaks. Twelve people were killed, including a sheriff’s officer who arrived at the scene. We bring you the latest from Thousand Oaks. We also discuss Attorney General Jeff Sessions resignation; and more.
  • LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 06: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom speaks during election night event on November 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Newsom defeated Republican Gubernatorial candidate John Cox. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:25:32
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    In collaboration with the California Dream project, join us for a live statewide call-in show on Wednesday from 11am to noon. We’ll get reaction to the 2018 midterm election results from political reporters around the state and from listeners like you. We'll also examine the key results and takeaways from last night's midterm elections.
    AirTalk special: CA Dream post-election statewide call-in
    In collaboration with the California Dream project, join us for a live statewide call-in show on Wednesday from 11am to noon. We’ll get reaction to the 2018 midterm election results from political reporters around the state and from listeners like you. We'll also examine the key results and takeaways from last night's midterm elections.
  • California's multi-language "I Voted" stickers on offer for early voters at the Los Angeles County Registrar's Office in Norwalk, California on November 5, 2018, a day ahead the November 6 midterm elections in the United States. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:36:47
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    Polls are open bright and early today at 7am and you’ll be able to drop by and cast your vote until 8pm. AirTalk checks in with with reporters at various polling locations to check in on turnout and atmosphere. We also debate the pros and cons of of LAUSD’s plan to decentralize into 32 networks; and more.
    Happy Election Day: A check-in from the polls as record voting turnout is expected
    Polls are open bright and early today at 7am and you’ll be able to drop by and cast your vote until 8pm. AirTalk checks in with with reporters at various polling locations to check in on turnout and atmosphere. We also debate the pros and cons of of LAUSD’s plan to decentralize into 32 networks; and more.
  • LANCASTER, CA - NOVEMBER 04: Voters wait in line at a polling place to participate in early voting in California's 25th Congressional district on November 4, 2018 in Lancaster, California. Republican incumbent Rep. Steve Knight (CA-25) is competing against Democratic congressional candidate Katie Hill for his seat in the district. Democrats are targeting at least six congressional seats in California, currently held by Republicans, where Hillary Clinton won in the 2016 presidential election. These districts have become the centerpiece of their strategy to flip the House and represent nearly one-third of the 23 seats needed for the Democrats to take control of the chamber in the November 6 mid term elections. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:39:24
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    AirTalk’s weekly political roundtable focuses on all things elections, from the local races we’re watching here in California to the national ones with major implications for the makeup of the House and Senate. We're also rebroadcasting our hour long voter cram session from Wednesday, October 17.
    Week in politics: AirTalk’s 2018 day-before-the-midterm election preview
    AirTalk’s weekly political roundtable focuses on all things elections, from the local races we’re watching here in California to the national ones with major implications for the makeup of the House and Senate. We're also rebroadcasting our hour long voter cram session from Wednesday, October 17.
  • MODESTO, CA - OCTOBER 24: A Josh Harder sign stands next to a fruit stand on October 24, 2018 in Modesto, California. Democratic congressional candidate Josh Harder (CA-10) is competing for the seat against Republican incumbent Rep. Jeff Denham. Democrats are targeting seven congressional seats in California, currently held by Republicans, where Hillary Clinton won in the 2016 presidential election. These districts have become the centerpiece of their strategy to flip the House and represent nearly one-third of the 23 seats needed for the Democrats to take control of the chamber in the November 6 midterm elections. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:37:07
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    These midterm elections we are seeing the most diverse group of candidates to ever run for public office. We examine how ethnicity and gender factor into the way people vote. We also discuss a new study that says stress can lead to brain shrinkage and memory loss; review this weekend’s new movie releases; and more.
    Diverse candidates and the midterms: Do ethnicity and gender factor into the way people vote?
    These midterm elections we are seeing the most diverse group of candidates to ever run for public office. We examine how ethnicity and gender factor into the way people vote. We also discuss a new study that says stress can lead to brain shrinkage and memory loss; review this weekend’s new movie releases; and more.
  • Secretary of State of California Alex Padilla speaks onstage at 2018 Women's March Los Angeles at Pershing Square on January 20, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
    Listen 1:36:45
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    Larry Mantle interviews Democrat Alex Padilla in preparation for the 2018 general election on November 6. We also discuss the surge of illegal crossings at the Texas border; analyze the potential utility of U.S. adopting domestic terrorism law; and more.
    AirTalk midterm elections interviews: incumbent Alex Padilla for Secretary of State
    Larry Mantle interviews Democrat Alex Padilla in preparation for the 2018 general election on November 6. We also discuss the surge of illegal crossings at the Texas border; analyze the potential utility of U.S. adopting domestic terrorism law; and more.
  • A mail-in ballot for the midterm elections is displayed in upscale Laguna Niguel in southern California's Orange County, October 14, 2018. - Amoukhteh, a registered Republican, is supporting a Democratic candidate for congress in her district. She says her turn away from the Republican Party was motivated by her distaste for what she sees as US President Donald Trump's misogyny and racism. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:37:02
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    With just six days left until election day, AirTalk discusses how to make sure your vote counts. We also look at the phenomenon of paid protesters; share the most misunderstood Halloween costumes; and more.
    T-minus 6 days: LA & OC County registrars answer your voting questions
    With just six days left until election day, AirTalk discusses how to make sure your vote counts. We also look at the phenomenon of paid protesters; share the most misunderstood Halloween costumes; and more.
  • LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 14: New U.S. citizen Davies Garcia, 11, originally from Mexico, holds an American flag during a naturalization ceremony conducted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), on September 14, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. USCIS presented citizenship papers at the L.A. Public Library to around 50 young people who obtained their citizenship via their parents. Some of the young people became citizens once their immigrant parents became citizens while others were adopted by citizens of the U.S. The ceremony was part of annual Constitution Week and Citizenship Day celebrations conducted by USCIS. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:36:48
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    President Trump said that he is preparing an executive order to end birthright citizenship, and that it’s within the president’s power to change the 14th amendment. AirTalk debates. We also examine Brazil's election of Jair Bolsonaro; discuss Proposition 6; and more.
    Can Trump end birthright citizenship — and should it end?
    President Trump said that he is preparing an executive order to end birthright citizenship, and that it’s within the president’s power to change the 14th amendment. AirTalk debates. We also examine Brazil's election of Jair Bolsonaro; discuss Proposition 6; and more.
  • TOPSHOT - A woman stands at a memorial outside the Tree of Life synagogue after a shooting there left 11 people dead in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh on October 27. - Mourners held an emotional vigil Sunday for victims of a fatal shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue, an assault that saw a gunman who said he "wanted all Jews to die" open fire on a mostly elderly group. Americans had earlier learned the identities of the 11 people killed in the brutal assault at the Tree of Life synagogue, including 97-year-old Rose Mallinger and couple Sylvan and Bernice Simon, both in their 80s.Nine of the victims were 65 or older. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP) (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:36:42
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    AirTalk’s weekly political roundtable recaps the political headlines you might’ve missed this weekend and previews some of the big stories we’re watching for this week. We also discuss the most effective ways of dealing with hate speech; analyze the Dodgers loss to the Red Sox in the World Series; and more.
    Week in politics: Is anti-Semitism that fueled Pittsburgh synagogue shooting suspect part of larger trend?
    AirTalk’s weekly political roundtable recaps the political headlines you might’ve missed this weekend and previews some of the big stories we’re watching for this week. We also discuss the most effective ways of dealing with hate speech; analyze the Dodgers loss to the Red Sox in the World Series; 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