AirTalk

Today on AirTalk, we get the latest on the Vietnam war memorial caught up in the recent Andrew Do fraud allegations. Also on the show, we speak with the owners of Heritage Restaurant on what it means to be a “zero waste” chef; we share a slice of Detroit style pizza with the founder of Detroit Pizza Depot; our FilmWeek critics review the latest releases; LAist film critic Peter Rainer highlights the top films from TIFF; Larry Mantle interviews Josh Frank on his new film series mashing silent films with rock music; and more.

In the U.S., we throw away more than thirty percent of the food we buy, which translates into roughly 92 billion pounds of waste, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Much of that ends up in landfills, producing significant amounts of greenhouse gasses and exacerbating the climate emergency. A good chunk of that waste comes from restaurants. This is why the efforts of a new crop of chefs and cooks–like siblings Lauren and Phil Pretty of Heritage Restaurant in Long Beach–are essential to the future of fine dining. The Michelin Green Star is an annual award highlighting restaurants at the forefront of the industry regarding their sustainable practices. Last year, the award went to Heritage, run by siblings Lauren and Phillip Pretty. Today on AirTalk we get a better idea of what exactly goes into the sustainable practices of running a restaurant and what it symbolizes for the future of the restaurant industry. Joining us for this discussion is Gab Chabrán, associate food and culture editor for LAist. Also with us is Phil Pretty, head chef and owner of Heritage Restaurant, a part of the Full Belly Good Group family of restaurants. Lauren Pretty, owner of Heritage Restaurant. Have questions or suggestions on how to run a sustainable restaurant or kitchen call 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.

Today on AirTalk, new analysis from CalMatters finds that homelessness is continuing to grow in California, but at a slower rate. Also on the show, we explore the future of vertical farming; author Terry Szuplat talks about his new book “Say It Well: Find Your Voice, Speak Your Mind, Inspire Any Audience;” the PST ART series returns to SoCal; our TV critics review the newest shows; 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 Saloni Gajjar, staff writer covering TV at the A.V. Club, and Liz Shannon Miller, senior entertainment editor at Consequence.

Today on AirTalk, we recap last night’s debate between Harris and Trump. Also on the show, everything you need to know about induction stoves; we look into why Gen Alpha has become obsessed with skincare; the latest on the fire impacting SoCal communities; the science and stigma of pit bulls; and more.

Kamala Harris pressed a forceful case against Donald Trump on Tuesday in their first and perhaps only debate before the presidential election, repeatedly goading him in an event that showcased their starkly different visions for the country on abortion, immigration, and American democracy. The debate had very few interruptions, as the debate stayed relatively civil, all things considered. So today on AirTalk, we recap last night’s debate in Philadelphia with Aaron Kall, director of debate at the University of Michigan, Sara Sadhwani, assistant professor of political science at Pomona College, and Pete Peterson, dean of the School of Public Policy and senior fellow at The Davenport Institute at Pepperdine University.

Today on AirTalk, we recap last night’s debate between Harris and Trump. Also on the show, everything you need to know about induction stoves; we look into why Gen Alpha has become obsessed with skincare; the latest on the fire impacting SoCal communities; the science and stigma of pit bulls; and more.

Today on AirTalk, Philanthropists raise $15M for L.A Local News Initiative. Also on the show, what to expect for the presidential debate; everything you need to know about California agave; LAist’s Erin Stone reports on water limitation in the Imperial Valley; We remember actor James Earl Jones; and more.

Passing the Mantle is a new podcast from LAist Studios about family, curiosity and the things that change — and stay the same — across generations. In this episode, Larry and Desmond dive into how our relationship to religion has changed since the 50s… and how the overall decline of religious faith has led Americans to hold tighter to their political views and philosophical beliefs about right and wrong. Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

Today on AirTalk, we get the latest on the wildfires impacting SoCal communities. Also on the show, we remember Brazilian musician Sergio Mendes; we dig into how the San Fernando Valley could be the future of urban farming; Daniel Levitin talks about his new book ‘I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music As Medicine;’ William Deverell, host of the Western Edition podcast, stops by to preview the new season on Pasadena's hidden history; Larry Mantle interviews Charlotte Shane on her new book ‘An Honest Woman: A Memoir Of Love And Sex Work;’and more.

Today on AirTalk, the U.S. added 142,000 jobs in August — what that means for the economy. Also on the show, we stay cool with tom yum sorbet and golden egg threads gelato from Kanomwaan Thai Gelato and Dessert Cafe; the owner of Pie n’ Burger drops by to talk about the best autumn pies; our FilmWeek critics review the latest releases; we examine the return of the erotic drama at this year’s film festivals; and more.

What is this? A center for….coffee? Exactly. UC Davis has opened a first-of-its-kind center for coffee research and teaching. The seedlings for the center were planted back in 2013 when professors of chemical engineering William Ristenpart and Tonya Kuhl co-taught a course called “The Design of Coffee.” Its popularity led to a coffee lab, established in 2015 and almost ten years later, the initiative has its own building which opened this past May. Joining us to discuss the aim of the center and how they got to this point are professors of chemical engineering at UC Davis and co-directors of the new Coffee Center, Bill Ristenpart and Tonya Kuhl.

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 Hanh Nguyen, senior editor of culture at Salon.com, and Kristen Baldwin, TV critic for Entertainment Weekly. Today’s shows include:

Today on AirTalk, listeners share how encampment clearings have affected their neighborhoods. Also on the show, UC Davis opens first of its kind research center dedicated to studying coffee; we talk best Happy Hours in Los Angeles with Brain De Los Santos, host of the LAist podcast, How To LA; we examine why Rancho Palos Verdes is prone to landslides; author Michael Connelly joins us to talk about his new podcast docuseries ‘The Wonderland Massacre & the Secret History of Hollywood;’ our TV critics review the latest shows; and more.

Today on AirTalk, listeners share their opinions on a bill that would require all new cars to alert drivers when they break the speed limit. Also on the show, we discuss the rise of deepfake nudes and what you can do to protect yourself; Los Angeles Times opinion writer Karin Klein talks about her new book ‘Rethinking College: A Guide to Thriving Without a Degree;’ we preview the latest season of LAist studios’ podcast Imperfect Paradise; author Mike Madrid on his new book ‘The Latino Century: How America's Largest Minority Is Transforming Democracy;’ Larry interviews author, journalist, and social commentator Fran Lebowitz; and more.

Passing the Mantle is a new podcast from LAist Studios about family, curiosity and the things that change — and stay the same — across generations. In this episode, Larry and Desmond talk about how LA’s food culture has changed since Larry was a kid, bringing more authentic, wide-ranging, and inventive cuisine to the city. Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

Today on AirTalk, the latest on the Rancho Palos Verdes land movement as SoCalEdison announces power shut offs for residents and evacuation warnings are issued. Also on the show, we remember Linda Deutsch, AP court reporter; California Legislature passes milestone cell phone ban in schools – we discuss the challenges parents and educators may face; Larry interviews LA LOM about their debut album and their move from playing hotel lobbies to opening for Vampire Weekend; and more.

Today on AirTalk, from AI to cellphone bans, we take a closer look at California bills that you should be aware of. Also on the show, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory Wednesday warning about the stresses of parenting; we celebrate all things bagels with the co-owner of Belle’s Bagels; our FilmWeek critics review the latest releases; Larry interviews film historian Nat Segaloff on his new book ‘The Naughty Bits;’ and more.