The LA Report

In this weekend edition: Trying to make and maintain friendships as an adult can be hard; trying to do it during a global pandemic is a whole other feat. The past two years have disrupted our lives in many ways, including our close friendships. Between lockdowns, canceled events, and social distancing, many of us found ourselves physically apart from our closest friends when we needed them most. Some of us gradually drifted away from friends we had once been close to, while other friends became lifelines of support during times of grief and loss. Friendship experts see the pandemic as a time that has tested our closest bonds, reminding us that it’s normal for friendships to end. They also emphasize the importance of being seen by a close few, not just for our self-esteem but also for our mental wellbeing. Like a good diet or regular exercise routine, studies show that a healthy friendship can reduce levels of stress and even boost our cognitive health. As the restrictions of the pandemic lift and we begin to attend public events and re-enter social spaces, how do we go about building new friendships? And for the pre-pandemic friendships we already have, how do we strengthen their bond?

This week on AirTalk, guest host Kyle Stokes spoke with a leading expert on friendships and author of the book “Frientimacy – How to Deepen Friendships for Lifelong Health and Happiness,” Shasta Nelson about how the pandemic tested our friendships and some ways we can restore them.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Here's your morning news: ACLU and other groups accuse Sheriff Villanueva of intimidating the families of those shot by deputies; Long Beach Unified announces changes to school start times; UCLA advances in March Madness tournament; The NBA may get its first orthodox Jewish player; Arnold Schwarzenegger is debunking Russian misinformation; Best Picture Oscar nominations; 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

What's happening today: All eyes on Omicron sub-variant BA.2; New '988' number for mental health emergencies; City crews set to clear away small homeless camp in Little Tokyo; UCLA says it will guarantee university housing this fall; St. Patrick's Day shenanigans return after two-year hiatus;

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Here's your morning news: Large Little Tokyo homeless encampment to be closed despite protests; Should rising homelessness be considered an emergency eligible for federal funds?; COVID-19 memorial in the works for L.A.; Average price of gas now at a record $5.89 per gallon; Port of L.A. sees highest cargo volume in history; Biden administration to grant protected status to Afghans who fled during Taliban takeover; Riverside judge orders release of records related to siblings who were held captive and tortured.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

What's happening today: On first anniversary of Atlanta spa shooting, what's changed – and what hasn't; What role do doulas play for Southern Californian families?; Latest COVID numbers.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Here's your morning news: L.A. County supervisors vote to offer assistance to Ukrainians fleeing Russian invasion; Incarcerated juveniles to be held in local camps instead of state-run facilities; Federal funding on the way for unarmed outreach teams responding to non-violent 911 calls involving unhoused people; Remembering the one-year anniversary of Atlanta spa shooting that killed eight; New poll finds two-thirds of Asian-Americans in L.A. worried about racially-motivated attacks; LAPD facing criticism for lack of discipline over shootings; Pasadena accused of violating new state multi-unit housing law.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

What's happening today: Non-partisan report says adults over 50 are the fastest growing group of unhoused Angelenos; Latest COVID numbers; Pfizer and BioNTech to seek FDA approval for second COVID booster for those 65 and older; LAUSD officials and teacher's unions will meet over masking rules; Gov. Newsom's state budget proposal calls for $10M for a UCSF study on dyslexia. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Here's your morning news: COVID hospitalizations at lowest point since last summer; Pfizer says a fourth dose of its vaccine will be required; LAUSD to determine changes to its masking policy; L.A. DOT is targeting illegal parking in bus lanes; Russia-Ukraine war fueling rising gas prices; Special legislation approved designed to prevent UC Berkeley from turning away thousands of students; Movie attendance rebounds but is still far lower than pre-pandemic levels; Director apologizes to tennis' Williams sisters for comments during Critics Choice Awards.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.