AirTalk

Today on AirTalk, the latest on this morning's UCLA encampment dispersal led by hundreds of police in riot gear. Also on the show, a new survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute shows shifting expectations for those heading into retirement; our critics review the latest shows on TV and streaming; and more.

Have you felt completely overwhelmed when deciding what new show to watch these days? Us too. There’s just so much content out there between network TV and numerous streaming platforms. Each week, we will try to break through the noise with TV watchers who can point us to the must-sees and steer us clear of the shows that maybe don’t live up to the hype. This week, listeners will get the latest scoop on what’s worth watching with freelance tv critic, Steve Greene, and tv critic and co-founder of LatinaMedia.Co, Cristina Escobar. This week’s shows include:

Today on AirTalk, a look into the violent clashes that brokeout overnight at UCLA between pro-Palestinian protesters and pro-Israeli counterprotesters, leading UCLA to call in LAPD for help. Also on the show, LAist Correspondent Emily Guerin joins us to talk about the new Imperfect Paradise series on California’s Colorado River negotiations; what the data says about how crime trends affects our behaviors; and more.

Today on AirTalk, an update on the USC encampment protests and what you need to know about USC President Carol Folt’s meeting yesterday with pro-Palestienian protesters. Also on the show, New York Times media reporter Benjamin Mullin drops in to discuss his recent article on the behind-the-scenes issues at NPR; what the LA County Superior Court’s strike down of Senate Bill 9 means for the future of single-family zoning laws; and more.

At the University of Southern California, student protesters set up an encampment at Alumni Park for the second time over the weekend after their first one was broken up by law enforcement last week. Ninety-three people were arrested. The campus remains closed to the public and access to the campus is limited to those with a valid campus ID. The university is also facing criticism from various groups of faculty including from the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and the Department of Gender & Sexuality Studies for their handling of the student protests. Booker Prize-nominated author C Pam Zhang and UCLA professor and MacArthur Fellow Safiya Noble have withdrawn as speakers of USC's Rossier School of Education satellite commencement ceremony. President Carol Folt and Provost Andrew Guzman are set to attend the school’s Academic Executive Board meeting on Wednesday where some faculty are calling on the senate to censure Folt and Guzman for their handling of the valedictorian speech and pro-Palestinian in-camp demonstration. Joining us to discuss is LAist reporter Yusra Farzan and Jody Armour, professor of law at the University of Southern California. We reached out to USC President Carol Folt to join the conversation, but did not hear back before the airing of this segment. We also reached out to Provost Andrew T. Guzman, but he was not available. With files from LAist. Read the full story here.

Following layoffs in the last year and a critical opinion piece by former editor Uri Berliner, the New York Times has offered more context into the issues the major radio outlet is dealing with. In a world where television and radio are declining in audience size, news outlets invested in these mediums like NPR are having trouble finding innovative ways to stay afloat. Along with its own issues, financially or socially, the news broadcaster also is having issues such as with its relationship to local member stations. Today on AirTalk, we’re joined by New York Times media reporter Benjamin Mullin, who’ll give us the rundown behind NPR’s recent internal issues and future financial problems as radio listenership begins to decline.

Today on AirTalk, what you need to know about Metro’s public emergency announcement and how it addresses safety concerns for bus riders and drivers alike. Also on the show, a look into the current state of retail theft and what companies are doing to thwart would-be thieves; a deep-dive into the vast history of student activism; and more.

Today on AirTalk, the latest on the charges filed Wednesday against a top aide to Los Angeles DA George Gascón. Also on the show, a conversation with Karla Vasquez on her new cookbook highlighting Salvadoran cuisine; our FilmWeek critics review the latest releases; and more.

Go back to the movies with us! We're still profiling LA's repertory theaters in Revival House cause there are SO MANY to check out! In this episode, we explore a cool space with some deep, messy history. Fashion label Brain Dead has taken over a site that some would consider....a little cursed. Originally opened in the 1940s as The Silent Movie Theater on Fairfax, the venue was home to premieres and parties. Until a theft and murder shut the theater down. In the 2000s, it was taken over by Cinefamily, which programmed in that space until allegations of abuse came to light in 2017. But today, Brain Dead Studios is keeping the lights on for nerds, artists, and skate punks in Los Angeles -- aiming to create an eclectic community space to inspire creatives and show good movies. Take a listen as we explain the history and present of this theater. Guests: Professor and historian Ross Melnick, Brain Dead founder Kyle Ng

Today on AirTalk, the Supreme Court hears arguments today on whether former President Donald Trump is immune from prosecution in a case charging him with plotting to overturn the 2020 election. Also on the show, a dive into the history and recent disappearance of TV laugh tracks; our TV critics review the latest releases on streaming and TV; and more.

Today on AirTalk, everything you need to know about the student camp-in movement and the pro-Palesteinan protests happening across California universities. Also on the show, a look at the Supreme Court case that considers immunity for former President Trump; Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass sits down to talk about her city budget proposal; and more.

Today on AirTalk, we take a look at Mayor Bass’ new city budget proposal. Also on the show, a new ‘Mood of the Nation’ poll finds that Americans are more angry than proud when asked about recent news events and American politics; breaking down the concealed carry permit process; and more.

It’s that time of year when gardens explode in a palette of colors. After another year of historic rainfalls, mother nature might be painting with more hues than usual. The blooms we often hear about are the “super blooms” on public land, like the Antelope Valley or Lake Elsinore. But flowers don’t discriminate where they grow. Today on AirTalk, we’re talking about the best gardens in SoCal, from the public to the private, Descanso Gardens to San Diego’s Balboa Park. We want to hear from you. What is your favorite garden to visit? Call us at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.

Today on AirTalk, a look into how the role of sex might be taking a backseat in marriage. Also on the show, we celebrate Los Angeles’ Oaxacan food culture with the family run restaurant ‘Quiadaiyn;’our film critics review ‘Abigail’ and the latest movie releases; and more.

We're back with another episode of Revival House, but this time we're not heading to a 100 year old theater... The David Geffen and Ted Mann theaters at the Academy Museum of Motion Arts and Pictures are a new addition to L.A's revival programming. In this episode, we explore what the theaters, which only opened in 2021, have to offer our city's moviegoing landscape. And hopefully, we demystify what seeing a movie here is actually like! (Did you know that tickets are only $10? And no, they don't just show Oscar winners.) In this episode, How To LA producer Victoria Alejandro sits in the red velvet seats of the David Geffen theater with Academy Museum Director of Programming, K.J. Relth-Miller, to talk community access, screening trends, and the power of movie theaters. If you're curious about the Academy Museum, you can check out our other LAist Studios series, The Academy Museum Podcast here. Guests: Academy Museum Director of Programming K.J. Relth-Miller

Today on AirTalk, the latest on USC’s decision to cancel valedictorian Asna Tabassum’s graduation speech citing safety concerns. Also on the show, a look into the legal intricacies of what happens to frozen embryos after a couple breaks up; Orange County supervisor Andrew Do’s daughter, Rhiannon Do, speaks out on controversy surrounding millions of taxpayer dollars; and more.

LAs two favorite basketball teams are headed to the NBA playoffs. The Lakers have their first game against the Denver Nuggets in Colorado on Saturday, meanwhile the Clippers get home court advantage against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. Heading into the playoffs there’s been uncertainty about Kawhi Leonard’s availability for the first game against the Mavs, but coach Tyronn Lue says he’s “preparing to have him on the court”. The Lakers are eager for a chance at redemption in their game against the defending NBA champions, hoping to make up for the 4-0 sweep from last spring’s Western Conference finals. Today on AirTalk we talk about the Lakers and Clippers performances during the regular season and what they tell us about how they’ll do as they both head into the postseason. Joining us to talk about the Clippers is Law Murray, staff writer for The Athletic covering the LA Clippers. Also with us is Dan Woike, Lakers beat writer for the Los Angeles Times. Have questions or comments about LAs chances in the NBA playoffs give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.

Today on AirTalk, longtime NPR business desk editor Uri Berliner has resigned following his controversial essay criticizing NPR’s overall coverage. Also on the show, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved an overhaul on apartment inspections and code enforcement; the latest on Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall; and more.

A state board that oversees correctional facilities decided last Thursday to allow Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey to continue to house incarcerated young people; the Board of State and Community Corrections’s evaluation was that the juvenile hall had met the minimum requirements on staffing levels and safety checks. In making the decision, the Board of State and Community Corrections also found that the Los Angeles County Probation Department's efforts to meet use-of-force training and other requirements were improving. This follows the state regulatory body’s notice in February that the correctional hall would need to close if these demands weren’t met. Today on AirTalk, we update listeners on how the juvenile hall got to this point with LAist mental health reporter Robert Garrova. We also hear from Jonathan Byrd, 2nd Vice President & Chief Steward for the L.A. County Deputy Probation Officers' Union, and Milinda Kakani, Youth Justice Director for Children's Defense Fund – California. With files from LAist; read Robert’s latest story here. We reached out to the L.A. County Probation Office, but they were unable to provide a representative to join the program.