AirTalk

Today on AirTalk, we'll examine the potential impact of the nomination of Chuck Hagel to the defense secretary position. We'll also discuss Los Angeles road repairs and the pros and cons of telecommuting. Later, we'll consider whether California should pass a "Homeless Bill of Rights," check in with updates on an NHL agreement, and speak with author Jared Diamond about the remnants of our ancestry left over in modern society.

Today on AirTalk, we examine an archaic California law that caused a rape conviction to be overturned and consider the issue of "outing" perpetrators of sexual assault via social media. We'll also discuss mandatory retirement ages. On FilmWeek, Larry and the critics review "Allegiance" and "Only The Young," and later look at the depictions of race and violence in "Django Unchained."

Could marijuana regulation in Los Angeles change this May? We'll look at two ballot initiatives dealing with medical dispensaries. We'll also consider plans for immigration reform that could ease family hardship and talk about Al Jazeera's purchase of Al Gore's Current TV. Later, we'll look at how schools are handling student reactions to tragedy and discuss tablet technology. All that and more, today on AirTalk.

Now that a fiscal cliff deal has passed, what is the economic future of the U.S.? We'll discuss what the deal means. We'll also consider the recent changes to the Sepulveda Basin wildlife habitat and speak with author Jeremy Dean about why it's so hard to keep a New Year's resolution. All that and more, today on AirTalk.

As 2013 gets closer by the hour, the harsh reality of tax hikes and slashed spending is getting more and more real. President Obama said today a deal to avoid going over the Fiscal Cliff is in sight, but not finalized. As the the federal government’s great game of chicken barrels towards its midnight, January 1 deadline, who will receive the blame if we go over the cliff? Also, now that the Tribune Company has emerged from bankruptcy, what will happen at the Los Angeles Times? All that and more on the last AirTalk of 2012.

Today, we check in on the fiscal cliff situation in the final days of negotiation. We'll also look forward, to the future of the NFL in Los Angeles, and back, on the biggest failures and flops of 2012. Later, discussion of credit score dating, gun permit mapping, and extraterrestrial life.

David Lazarus fills in for Larry to discuss gun control and the fight over movie money between Hollywood and Silicon Valley. We'll also discuss the president of France and his ban on homework. Could it work in the U.S.? Later, we consider whether someone an employer considers to be "irresistibly attractive" should be fired. All that and more, today on AirTalk.

Will Congress be able to finalize a fiscal cliff deal before the New Year? We discuss who has the clout to make progress before it's too late. We'll also consider the psychology of the NRA, talk about the filmography of 'The Hobbit,' and look back on the best science stories of the year. Later, a guide to holiday tipping. All that and more, on AirTalk, guest hosted today by David Lazarus.

One week ago today, the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut sparked an outcry to renew the national conversation on gun control which has reached all the way up to the nation’s highest office. The National Rifle Association responded by holding a press conference this morning. In his speech, Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre invoked the Sandy Hook tragedy, saying that we as a nation have fallen short in protecting “the most beloved, innocent and vulnerable members of the American family - our children.” And he called on Congress to immediately put armed police officers in every school.