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AirTalk Tile 2024
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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
See stories by Larry Mantle
Austin Cross
See stories by Austin Cross
Featured Episode
  • AirTalk Tile 2024
    Listen 18:06
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    Today on AirTalk: Trump's primetime speech; Can romantasy save your sex life? What can LA learn from the Twin Cities? Holiday movies: What to watch; and Advices from kids
    Previewing Trump’s address to the nation with an economic check-in
    Today on AirTalk: Trump's primetime speech; Can romantasy save your sex life? What can LA learn from the Twin Cities? Holiday movies: What to watch; and Advices from kids

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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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  • The Los Angeles Times Building in downtown Los Angeles, California on July 10, 2013. The Tribune Company, a group which owns 23 television stations, announced plans Wednesday to spin off its newspaper division, which includes the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune, separating the struggling unit from its growing television station holdings. Tribune Company last week announced a $2.7 billion deal to buy 19 more local television stations and has said splitting into two distinct companies would give each "greater financial and operational focus." AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:35:52
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    The Los Angeles Times is moving from its historic Art Deco headquarters in downtown Los Angeles to a campus in El Segundo. We also interview Dr. Jonathan Sherin, the L.A. County Department of Mental Health Director; discuss President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominees; and more.
    End of an era: We bid farewell as LA Times leaves its downtown headquarters
    The Los Angeles Times is moving from its historic Art Deco headquarters in downtown Los Angeles to a campus in El Segundo. We also interview Dr. Jonathan Sherin, the L.A. County Department of Mental Health Director; discuss President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominees; and more.
  • A film crew on location in downtown Los Angeles. (File photo)
    Listen 1:36:06
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    Though many in the industry are pleased with the tax credit extension, some argue that these credits are economically flawed. We debate. We also look at why a major medical convention cancelled their San Francisco event; discuss the closing of CA prison's Special Needs Yards; and more.
    Checking in on the state of California film tax credit program after newly-inked 5 year extension
    Though many in the industry are pleased with the tax credit extension, some argue that these credits are economically flawed. We debate. We also look at why a major medical convention cancelled their San Francisco event; discuss the closing of CA prison's Special Needs Yards; and more.
  • Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (C) celebrates with City Councilors and labor representatives after he signed into law an ordinance raising the minimum wage to USD 15 an hour by 2020, in Los Angeles, California on June 13, 2015. Los Angeles is the first major city to sign the ordinance and the increase will be USD 6 from the current USD 9 per hour. AFP PHOTO / MARK RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:36:48
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    As of Sunday, the minimum wage in certain cities has increased from $12 to $13.25 per hour. We discuss the effects on both workers and employers. We also take a look at Mexico's new president and his policies; high-five over the Lakers signing LeBron James; and more.
    Minimum wage hike comes to some LA County cities: How will it impact workers and businesses?
    As of Sunday, the minimum wage in certain cities has increased from $12 to $13.25 per hour. We discuss the effects on both workers and employers. We also take a look at Mexico's new president and his policies; high-five over the Lakers signing LeBron James; and more.
  • AirTalk Tile 2024
    Listen 1:04:16
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    The final initiatives for the November ballot are in, and we give listeners the lowdown on all 12. We also discuss the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award's name being changed due to racist content in the author's books; and get all the latest reviews from our FilmWeek critics.
    Here’s what made CA’s November ballot, plus huge changes for data privacy and a ban on local soda taxes
    The final initiatives for the November ballot are in, and we give listeners the lowdown on all 12. We also discuss the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award's name being changed due to racist content in the author's books; and get all the latest reviews from our FilmWeek critics.
  • According to the State Bar of California, less than half of all applicants taking the test passed this summer, a 7-point drop from the previous year.
    Listen 1:04:16
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    A proposed bill is looking to amend California's "felony murder rule," which holds criminal accomplices liable for murder regardless of whether they pulled the figurative (or literal) trigger. We debate. We also follow up on Justice Kennedy's retirement; interview the former U.S. ambassador to Mexico; and more.
    Should CA roll back its ‘felony murder rule’?
    A proposed bill is looking to amend California's "felony murder rule," which holds criminal accomplices liable for murder regardless of whether they pulled the figurative (or literal) trigger. We debate. We also follow up on Justice Kennedy's retirement; interview the former U.S. ambassador to Mexico; 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 1:04:10
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    The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that government workers can't be forced to contribute to labor unions that represent them in collective bargaining. We also examine the reunification of migrant families who were forcibly separated; discuss Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy's retirement announcement; and more
    How today’s Janus decision impacts unions and politics in California and nationwide
    The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that government workers can't be forced to contribute to labor unions that represent them in collective bargaining. We also examine the reunification of migrant families who were forcibly separated; discuss Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy's retirement announcement; and more
  • WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 26: Supporters of women's rights protest outside the U.S. Supreme Court as the court issues a ruling on a California law related to abortion issues on June 26, 2018 in Washington, DC. A Calfornia law requiring "pregnancy crisis centers" to inform women of abortion options was ruled as a likely violation of first amendment rights by the court. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:04:09
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    The Supreme Court says a California law that forces anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers to provide information about abortion probably violates the Constitution. We also examine budget predictions from the CBO; discuss the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the president's travel ban; and more
    SCOTUS strikes down CA law requiring pregnancy centers to give out abortion information
    The Supreme Court says a California law that forces anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers to provide information about abortion probably violates the Constitution. We also examine budget predictions from the CBO; discuss the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the president's travel ban; and more
  • Tents house the homeless on a street, November 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California, home to one of the nation's largest homeless populations, and where health officials are trying to ramp up efforts to stop the spread of Hepatitis A, as numbers are beginning to surge among gay and bisexual men, but not the homeless. The highly contagious liver disease can spread easily through homeless populations because of unsaintary conditions. / AFP PHOTO / FREDERIC J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:03:58
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    This spring, Mayor Eric Garcetti launched plans to spend at least $20 million on new shelters and cleanups to stop homeless encampments. We also recap the latest on the Trump admin family separation policy; examine the legal parameters of ‘the right to refuse service’ in light of Sarah Huckabee Sanders' incident; and more
    Is it time for LA to restart arresting people living on the street?
    This spring, Mayor Eric Garcetti launched plans to spend at least $20 million on new shelters and cleanups to stop homeless encampments. We also recap the latest on the Trump admin family separation policy; examine the legal parameters of ‘the right to refuse service’ in light of Sarah Huckabee Sanders' incident; and more
  • WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 21: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House June 21, 2018 in Washington, DC. Trump spoke extensively about current immigration issues during the meeting. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:35:23
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    A new Time magazine cover featuring President Trump staring down at a crying Honduran toddler inspired debate over its ethics after the girl's father reported that she had not been separated from her family. Was this a journalistic oversight or a visual metaphor? We also discuss your favorite World Cup memories; review the latest movie releases on 'FilmWeek'; and more.
    Misrepresentation or powerful symbol? The media ethics behind Time’s new cover
    A new Time magazine cover featuring President Trump staring down at a crying Honduran toddler inspired debate over its ethics after the girl's father reported that she had not been separated from her family. Was this a journalistic oversight or a visual metaphor? We also discuss your favorite World Cup memories; review the latest movie releases on 'FilmWeek'; and more.
  • People protest outside a speech by US Attorney General Jeff Sessions March 7, 2018, in Sacramento, California. Sessions admonished California politicians for not cooperating with federal authorities on immigration enforcement issues. US Attorney General Jeff Sessions warned California Wednesday that the federal government would use all its legal powers to fight protections provided unauthorized immigrants, a day after suing the state over its sanctuary laws."California is using every power it has -- and some it doesn't -- to frustrate federal law enforcement. So you can be sure I'm going to use every power I have to stop them," Sessions told law enforcement officials in Sacramento. / AFP PHOTO / NOAH BERGER (Photo credit should read NOAH BERGER/AFP/Getty Images)
    Listen 1:36:18
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    On Wednesday, there was a federal court hearing on three of California’s “sanctuary state” immigration laws. We also examine the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision on online sales tax; look into the social movement called DIY biohacking; and more
    Trump administration v California: Checking in on the legal battle over ‘sanctuary state’ laws
    On Wednesday, there was a federal court hearing on three of California’s “sanctuary state” immigration laws. We also examine the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision on online sales tax; look into the social movement called DIY biohacking; 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