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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.

Show Hosts

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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  • TOPSHOT - Honduran migrants taking part in a caravan heading to the US, get on a truck, near Pijijiapan, southern Mexico on October 26, 2018. - The Pentagon is expected to deploy about 800 troops to the US-Mexico border, two US officials told AFP on Thursday, after President Donald Trump said the military would help tackle a "national emergency" and called on a caravan of US-bound migrants to turn around. (Photo by Guillermo Arias / AFP) (Photo credit should read GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:37:07
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    As the migrant caravan of refugees from Central America progresses through Mexico, President Trump is reportedly looking at invoking his emergency powers to close off the border and deny asylum — but is the move legal?; We also debate Measure W; discuss the issues behind the digital preservation of celebrities; and more.
    Can Trump legally ban migrants from seeking asylum at the border?
    As the migrant caravan of refugees from Central America progresses through Mexico, President Trump is reportedly looking at invoking his emergency powers to close off the border and deny asylum — but is the move legal?; We also debate Measure W; discuss the issues behind the digital preservation of celebrities; and more.
  • SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 07: California Attorney General Xavier Becerra speaks during a press conference at the California State Capitol on March 7, 2018 in Sacramento, California. The press conference came in response to an earlier speech by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions at a nearby hotel and the Justice Department's decision to sue the State of California over its controversial sanctuary policies for undocumented immigrants. (Photo by Stephen Lam/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:37:07
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    California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is running for reelection, where he will face Steven Bailey in the general election for the state attorney general seat. We also interview Secretary of State candidate Mark Meuser; debate Proposition 4; and more.
    AirTalk elections interview: incumbent Xavier Becerra for state attorney general
    California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is running for reelection, where he will face Steven Bailey in the general election for the state attorney general seat. We also interview Secretary of State candidate Mark Meuser; debate Proposition 4; and more.
  • Employees work on automobile parts at a production line at the BMW factory in Shenyang, China on Nov. 22. Twelve percent of workers in China could need to switch jobs by 2030, researchers say.
    Listen 1:42:11
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    The Economic Policy Institute released a report called “The China Toll Deepens” saying that California has lost more jobs to China than any other state. We also discuss Proposition 7 and Proposition C; interview retired judge Steven Bailey for CA attorney general; and more.
    Dueling economists analyze new report saying over half a million jobs in CA have been lost to China
    The Economic Policy Institute released a report called “The China Toll Deepens” saying that California has lost more jobs to China than any other state. We also discuss Proposition 7 and Proposition C; interview retired judge Steven Bailey for CA attorney general; and more.
  • CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 26: Members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) hold a rally in support of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union at the Richard J. Daley Center plaza on February 26, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. Today the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments in Janus v. AFSCME, a lawsuit that challenges unions' authority under state law to collect compulsory fees from all employees they serve. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:37:02
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    Back in June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that public sector unions could not legally charge public employees who benefit from their negotiations but don’t want to become members. We discuss its impact. We also interview Sheriff Jim McDonnell and GOP incumbent Steve Knight; and more.
    The statewide impact of landmark Janus ruling, four months later
    Back in June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that public sector unions could not legally charge public employees who benefit from their negotiations but don’t want to become members. We discuss its impact. We also interview Sheriff Jim McDonnell and GOP incumbent Steve Knight; and more.
  • Honduran migrants taking part in a caravan heading to the US, aboard a truck in Metapa on their way to Tapachula, Chiapas state, Mexico on October 22, 2018. - President Donald Trump on Monday called the migrant caravan heading toward the US-Mexico border a national emergency, saying he has alerted the US border patrol and military. (Photo by Pedro PARDO / AFP) (Photo credit should read PEDRO PARDO/AFP/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:36:49
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    AirTalk’s weekly political roundtable recaps the headlines you might’ve missed over the weekend and looks ahead to what you should be watching for in political news in the week to come. We also discuss the Dodgers and their return to the World Series; interview a candidate for L.A. County Sheriff; and more.
    Week in politics: Migrant caravan several thousand strong, heads toward US border, Trump admin eyes redefining ‘transgender’ under Title IX and more
    AirTalk’s weekly political roundtable recaps the headlines you might’ve missed over the weekend and looks ahead to what you should be watching for in political news in the week to come. We also discuss the Dodgers and their return to the World Series; interview a candidate for L.A. County Sheriff; and more.
  • A young man rides a bicycle on the campus of the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, California on May 17, 2018. - USC was in turmoil as it was accused of being too slow to act on accusations of abusive sexual practises by Dr. George Tyndall. A gynaecologist who saw student patients at the Engemann Student Health Center. USC has already received more than 85 current and former student testimonies accusing Tyndall of abuse during examinations. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:37:18
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    The University of Southern California has decided that it will pay $215 million to settle a federal suit that its facing over allegations of sexual misconduct against gynecologist George Tyndall. We also hear from both California State Controller candidates; revisit California's three-strike rule; and more.
    USC will pay $215 million to settle gynecologist sexual misconduct suit
    The University of Southern California has decided that it will pay $215 million to settle a federal suit that its facing over allegations of sexual misconduct against gynecologist George Tyndall. We also hear from both California State Controller candidates; revisit California's three-strike rule; and more.
  • Voter cram session October 17, 2018
    Listen 1:39:27
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    Today we’re rebroadcasting our hour long cram session from yesterday, October 17, in which Larry Mantle was joined by a panel of experts to break down the props. We also examine relations between the US and Saudi Arabia after the Khashoggi fallout; discuss the stereotypes and expectations placed upon LGBTQ individuals; and more.
    Voter cram session: AirTalk breaks down the ballot propositions
    Today we’re rebroadcasting our hour long cram session from yesterday, October 17, in which Larry Mantle was joined by a panel of experts to break down the props. We also examine relations between the US and Saudi Arabia after the Khashoggi fallout; discuss the stereotypes and expectations placed upon LGBTQ individuals; and more.
  • WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 05: Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, answers brief questions from the media while boarding an elevator at the U.S. Capitol February 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is scheduled to meet later today to vote on the release of the minority rebuttal of a memo released last week by their Republican counterparts relating the committeeÕs investigation of Russian influence in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:34:57
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    The Burbank Democratic Congressman checks in with AirTalk on how the upcoming midterm elections are shaping up and more. We also get a visit from LAPD Chief Michel Moore and take a look at Props 8 and 12.
    Congressman Adam Schiff talks future in politics, status of Mueller investigation, early earthquake warning system and more
    The Burbank Democratic Congressman checks in with AirTalk on how the upcoming midterm elections are shaping up and more. We also get a visit from LAPD Chief Michel Moore and take a look at Props 8 and 12.
  • People walk past the World Bank's headquarters in Washington, D.C. A watchdog says that the World Bank is not adequately monitoring how funds intended for Afghanistan reconstruction are being used.
    Listen 1:37:00
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    A November ballot measure will give voters a chance to weigh in on whether or not the city should create a municipal bank. The proposal is contentious, and we debate the pro's and con's. We also interview Ken Starr about his new memoir; reminisce about the former retail hub Sears; and more.
    Should the city of LA create its own public bank?
    A November ballot measure will give voters a chance to weigh in on whether or not the city should create a municipal bank. The proposal is contentious, and we debate the pro's and con's. We also interview Ken Starr about his new memoir; reminisce about the former retail hub Sears; and more.
  • SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 18: A view of the Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) headquarters on June 18, 2018 in San Francisco, California. California lawmakers are saying that PG&E is considering bankruptcy after a report released by Cal Fire investigators earlier this month showed that PG&E was tied to 12 California wildfires in 2017 that destroyed thousands of homes and killed dozens of people. The fires could cost PG&E over $15 billion in fines and related liabilities. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:36:22
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    As a preemptive move for preventing wildfires, power companies are shutting off power in various California areas. But are these new policies in good faith or are they simply limiting liability? We also discuss a recent sommelier scandal; Susan Orlean's latest book; and more.
    Is PG&E’s move to turn off power to reduce the risk of wildfire justified?
    As a preemptive move for preventing wildfires, power companies are shutting off power in various California areas. But are these new policies in good faith or are they simply limiting liability? We also discuss a recent sommelier scandal; Susan Orlean's latest book; 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