The Times: Essential news from the L.A. Times

News & Politics Podcasts

“The Times" is a podcast from the Los Angeles Times hosted by columnist Gustavo Arellano along with reporters from our diverse newsroom. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, our podcast brings listeners the most essential stories from the L.A. Times. We've got the West Coast angle on the most interesting news stories of the day, taking on topics like entertainment, the environment, immigration, politics, the criminal justice system, the social safety net, food and culture and more, and delivering it in a tone that isn’t so stressed or intense. Through interviews and original stories, we are the audio guide you need to understand the day’s news, the world and how California is at the epicenter of it all.

Location:

United States

Genres:

News & Politics Podcasts

Description:

“The Times" is a podcast from the Los Angeles Times hosted by columnist Gustavo Arellano along with reporters from our diverse newsroom. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, our podcast brings listeners the most essential stories from the L.A. Times. We've got the West Coast angle on the most interesting news stories of the day, taking on topics like entertainment, the environment, immigration, politics, the criminal justice system, the social safety net, food and culture and more, and delivering it in a tone that isn’t so stressed or intense. Through interviews and original stories, we are the audio guide you need to understand the day’s news, the world and how California is at the epicenter of it all.

Twitter:

@latimes

Language:

English

Website:

https://www.latimes.com/the-times

Email:

abbie.swanson@latimes.com

Episodes

Moscow

1/11/2024

Reporting dire news out of America and at home, Russian news anchor Viktor Antonov attempts to guide his audience through what may be the beginning of the end. Everywhere is a battlefield. ‘SIGN OFF’ is a branded podcast from LA Times Studios paid for by Bleecker Street and LD Entertainment in support of the film ‘I.S.S.’ only in theaters January 19th.

Duration:00:14:10

Minot

1/11/2024

Following a wave of cyber attacks against the U.S., news anchor Maria Mason finds herself at the center of an escalating crisis where the International Space Station emerges as a strategic foothold. ‘SIGN OFF’ is a scripted, branded podcast from LA Times Studios paid for by Bleecker Street and LD Entertainment in support of the film ‘I.S.S.’ only in theaters January 19th.

Duration:00:15:36

Gustavo Arellano Goodbye

5/1/2023

If you listened to our most recent episode, you may have heard that after two years, the Times Podcast, as you all know it, has come to an end.

Duration:00:02:17

How trans surfers find community

4/28/2023

Trans surfers are beginning to find community among themselves in a sport that too often isolates and even shuns them. Today, we hang out with some at the beach, to hear their joy and pain. Read the full transcript here. Host: L.A. Times senior producer Denise Guerra More reading: Biden sports plan angers transgender advocates and opponents Black surfers find moments of reflection, rejuvenation at ‘A Great Day in the Stoke’ For transgender kids, a frantic rush for treatment amid bans

Duration:00:27:09

Masters of Disasters origin stories!

4/26/2023

In a live taping, three of our Masters of Disasters talk about how they got into covering catastrophes, why they continue to do it — and how they try to convey hope. Read the full transcript here. Host: Gustavo Arellano Guests: L.A. Times earthquake reporter Rong-Gong Lin, L.A. Times wildfire reporter Alex Wigglesworth, and L.A. Times coastal reporter Rosanna Xia More reading: Read Rong-Gong LIn II’s stories here Read Alex Wigglesworth’s stories here Read Rosanna Xia’s stories here

Duration:00:38:29

Can anything stop distracted driving?

4/24/2023

After a decades-long decline in automobile fatalities, numbers began to go up with the dawn of smart phones. Laws banning use of cellphones while driving haven’t stopped the rise — and the dawn of smart cars seems to be making things worse. Today, we talk about efforts to stop distracted driving — and why they don’t seem to work. Read the full transcript here. Host: Gustavo Arellano Guests: L.A. Times auto industry reporter Russ Mitchell More reading: Highways are getting deadlier, with fatalities up 22%. Our smartphone addiction is a big reason why ‘We are killing people’: How technology has made your car ‘a candy store of distraction’ The DMV said it would investigate Tesla over self-driving claims. Then, crickets

Duration:00:23:57

The music genre Korean elders 'trot' to

4/21/2023

“Trot” is a Korean music genre that has been around for decades. But in recent years, it has exploded in popularity in Southern California. The biggest fans? Immigrant seniors. Today, we talk about trot’s history, staying power and role in the Korean American community. Read the full transcript here. Host: Gustavo Arellano Guests: L.A. Times Asian American communities reporter Jeong Park More reading: K-Pop isn’t the only hot ticket in Koreatown — how ‘trot’ is captivating immigrants Koreatown’s elderly immigrants find the lure of the casino bus a blessing and a curse Club helps older Korean immigrants find their political voice

Duration:00:23:12

Is Biden too old to run again?

4/19/2023

When Joe Biden won in 2020, he became the oldest president in U.S. history. If he runs again in 2024 and wins, he’ll beat own record. Is that a problem? Today, we talk about the grumbles from Republicans and Democrats alike over Biden’s age. Read the full transcript here. Host: Gustavo Arellano Guests: L.A. Times reporter Courtney Subramanian More reading: Column: Are Joe Biden and Dianne Feinstein too old to do their jobs? Newsletter: Joe Biden, the bumbling old president who outwitted Republicans ‘What an old politician understands’ — Biden turns the age issue to advantage

Duration:00:27:03

Can Dr. Simi cure the Mexican healthcare system?

4/17/2023

Farmacias Similares is the largest privately owned chain of pharmacies in Mexico, and has a cute mascot — Dr. Simi — who is beloved across the country. What could possibly be wrong about this scenario? Many things. Today, we talk about what the rise of Dr. Simi says about Mexico’s broken healthcare system. Read the full transcript here. Host: Gustavo Arellano Guests: L.A. Times foreign correspondent Leila Miller More reading: Mexico promised healthcare for all. Its failure to deliver made this smiling mascot famous El Dr. Simi es una estrella de TikTok. También es una muestra de la crisis del sistema de salud de México

Duration:00:19:00

Introducing 'Foretold'

4/14/2023

"Foretold" is the newest podcast from the L.A. Times, and we're sharing the first episode with you here today. In the fall of 2019, reporter Faith E. Pinho received a tip from a woman named Paulina Stevens. Paulina claimed she had grown up in an insular Romani community in California, where she was raised to be a wife, mother and fortuneteller — until she decided to break away. That first call unraveled a story spanning multiple continents, hundreds of years, and complex metaphysical realities. Follow "Foretold" to hear new episodes every Tuesday. Check out photos and more information about this episode. Read the episode transcript. Dive deeper: Our Romani cultural consultant's op-ed describing how her heritage fits into her own life.

Duration:00:48:02

An FBI investigation into college basketball gone wrong

4/12/2023

An FBI investigation tried to expose malfeasance in the world of NCAA men’s basketball. Instead, the mirror was turned on the agency itself when one of the lead agents abused his position. Today, you’ll hear the story of how that came to be — and whether the investigation turned up anything. Read the full story here. Host: Gustavo Arellano Guests: L.A. Times sports investigative reporter Nathan Fenno More reading: How an FBI agent’s wild Vegas weekend stained an investigation into NCAA basketball corruption 10 charged in college basketball corruption probe Congressional committee wants answers in college basketball bribery scandal

Duration:00:21:26

Who suffers if the U.S. bans TikTok

4/10/2023

Democrat and Republican lawmakers are pushing for a U.S. ban on TikTok, arguing the Chinese-owned social media app is a national security risk. But many of its users argue that will severely harm their businesses. Today, we hear from some of them. Read the full transcript here. Host: Gustavo Arellano Guests: L.A. Times reporter technology reporter Brian Contreras and L.A. Times business reporter Jaimie Ding More reading: For some, TikTok is a path to riches and the American dream. With a ban, it could all disappear TikTok might get banned after ‘disaster’ testimony. Why do some TikTokers not care? The Biden administration’s threat to ban TikTok: Here’s what you should know

Duration:00:28:09

The mainstreaming of curanderos

4/7/2023

For centuries, communities across Latin America have relied on curanderos — healers who rely on indigenous tradition — for their physical and mental health. Will mainstream American health ever embrace it? Today, we examine the subject. Read the full transcript here. Host: Gustavo Arellano Guests: L.A. Times utility reporter Karen Garcia More reading: Some Latinos don’t trust Western mental health. That’s where curanderos come in Curandera’s spell may soothe your soul Bringing medicine from the village into the public eye

Duration:00:26:03

Are Biden and Trump border buddies?

4/5/2023

During the 2020 presidential campaign, Joe Biden decried U.S. border policies enacted by the Trump administration as racist. But Biden has not only not rolled some of them back — in some cases, he’s doubled down. Today, we try to figure out what changed. Read the full transcript here. Host: Gustavo Arellano Guests: L.A. Times immigration reporters Hamed Aleaziz and Andrea Castillo More reading: Top Democrats warn Biden: Don’t restart family detentions Biden immigration plan could force asylum officers to break law, union warns Asylum seekers face decision to split up families or wait indefinitely under new border policy

Duration:00:20:17

So Donald Trump got indicted...

4/3/2023

The indictment of former president Donald Trump has provoked praise and criticism alike. So what’s next? We talk to two of our political wizards to figure it out. Read the full transcript here. Host: Gustavo Arellano Guests: L.A. Times political columnist Mark Z. Barabak, and L.A. Times national security reporter Sarah D. Wire More reading: Full coverage: Trump hush-money probe Trump indicted in alleged hush-money scheme, becoming first former U.S. president in history to be prosecuted Column: Scandal after scandal, Trump has defied political physics. Will this time be different?

Duration:00:25:13

Can music make people care about climate change?

3/31/2023

Lucy Jones, California’s beloved earthquake expert, sits down with environment reporter Rosanna Xia to discuss her new project: using music to inspire people to take action against climate change. Listen to hear Lucy go through her process, her collaborators explain the psychology behind it all, and — of course — a sampling of the compositions. Read the full transcript here. Host: Rosanna Xia Guests: Lucy Jones More reading: Column One: Can music inspire more people to care about climate change? Lucy Jones is leaving her job - to shake up more than just earthquakes

Duration:00:29:07

The RV homeless encampments of L.A.

3/29/2023

Over the last couple of years, RVs in Los Angeles turned from a vehicle for camping to shelter for people who are unhoused. That’s led to multiple complaints — and deaths. Today, we examine how L.A. got to this point. Read the full transcript here. Host: Gustavo Arellano Guests: L.A. Times columnist Erika D. Smith More reading: The real and complicated reasons why Los Angeles still has so many RV encampments Q&A: L.A. Mayor Karen Bass: ‘The city is demanding the tents go away’ Los Angeles lifts moratorium on towing RVs, pledges to move problem campers

Duration:00:19:17

How college gymnasts can finally cash in

3/27/2023

For over 100 years, college athletes couldn’t make money competing in their sports. A new NCAA rule around name, image and likeness, or NIL, has changed that. The biggest winners? Gymnasts. Today, we talk to a few current and former gymnasts at UCLA, including Olympians Jordyn Wieber and Jordan Chiles, about how this rule change has affected their lives. Read the full transcript here. Host: Gustavo Arellano Guests: L.A. Times college sports and NBA reporter Thuc Nhi Nguyen More reading: Once empowered by Title IX, female athletes are now among big winners in new NIL era ‘My medals are my armor.’ Jordan Chiles’ persistence guides her pursuit of greatness How California paved the way for college athletes to cash in big

Duration:00:24:32

A surrender hotline for Russian soldiers

3/24/2023

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, Ukrainian military officials have set up a hotline for Russian soldiers to call in and surrender. Is it working to end the war?. Today, we talk to the people behind it. Read the full transcript here. Host: Gustavo Arellano Guests: L.A. Times global affairs correspondent Laura King More reading: Lots of Russian soldiers want to surrender. Ukraine makes it easier with a high-tech hotline A soldier’s tale: Russian serviceman’s scathing memoir depicts a senseless war Read the L.A. Times’ full Ukraine coverage

Duration:00:22:14

The flooding in Pajaro, Calif. — and how it all could have been avoided

3/22/2023

This year’s historic storms have hit communities of color like Pajaro, Calif., especially hard. It’s a recurring problem that could’ve been avoided entirely. Read the full transcript here. Host: Gustavo Arellano Guests: L.A. Times investigative reporter Susanne Rust More reading: Residents left in flooded California farm town feel ‘abandoned’ as levees fail Spring storm sets sights on Southern California with strong wind, heavy rain How a long history of racism and neglect set the stage for Pajaro flooding

Duration:00:18:12