Headlines From The Times

The overturning of Roe vs. Wade this summer offered Democrats a new playbook for the Nov. 8 midterm elections when it comes to winning the Latino vote; promise to protect abortion rights. It’s a move that goes against the long-held assumption that Latinos skew socially conservative and hold antiabortion views rooted in their religious beliefs.Today, as part of our ongoing coverage of the midterm elections; how a race in New Mexico gives us a window into the gamble that access to abortions can help Democrats win over Latinos. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times national political correspondent Melanie MasonMore reading:Democrats are trying out a new pitch with Latino voters, one centered on abortion rightsYour guide to the 2022 California midterm electionWill young voters save Democrats in the midterm elections?

Who doesn’t like a nice breeze? A gorgeous zephyr? But the bad winds: They’re bad. And in Southern California right now, we’re going through some of the most notorious, bad winds of them all: the Santa Anas.Today, our Masters of Disasters talk about the howling devil winds in honor of the spooky season. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times earthquake reporter Ron Lin, L.A. Times coastal reporter Rosanna Xia, and L.A. Times energy reporter Sammy RothMore reading:No emergency outages after Santa Ana winds prompted Southern California fire danger warningsWhy it’s been so warm and windy in Southern California this winterDiablo winds can feed Northern California fires. Here’s how they form 

It was the audio leak that created a political earthquake in Los Angeles.Soon after the racist comments recorded during a private conversation among three council members and a labor leader leaked to the public, the fallout began. There’ve been resignations, rowdy protests at City Hall and more. The controversy has created a political opening that might fundamentally change the makeup of the City Council by pushing it even further to the left.With midterms just two weeks away, today we talk about what’s next at L.A. City Hall. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times reporters Julia Wick and David ZahniserMore reading:Racist audio leak could push L.A. City Hall further left in Nov. 8 electionAmid noisy protest, the L.A. City Council — listening via earbuds — conducts its businessKrekorian says he’ll work to restore trust in City Hall as L.A. City Council president

Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law last month to remove the word ‘Squaw’ from nearly 100 landmarks and place names across California. Native Americans and others are celebrating the new law because they find the term 'Squaw' offensive. But in Squaw Valley, an unincorporated area outside of Fresno, some residents want to keep the name. And Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig is siding with them.  Read the transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times reporter Lila SeidmanMore reading: New law will remove the word ‘squaw’ from California place namesNative Americans want to ditch the name Squaw Valley. A county supervisor says context mattersRetiring its racist name, historic Squaw Valley resort will become Palisades Tahoe

In June, at a Manhattan Beach City Council meeting, residents lined up to share their concerns about a predator that roams their streets, terrorizing them and killing their pets: coyotes. They’re an important part of the American West, but suburbanites are now advocating for their wholesale extermination. But is there another option, a way to co-exist peacefully?Today, we examine this controversy. 

Los Angeles for decades advertised itself as an American Eden. But it ignored repeated warnings about the consequences of overcrowding on the working class. Now, when the situation is worse than ever, calls to fix it continue to go nowhere.Today, we talk about an L.A. Times analysis that found that more people are squeezing into fewer rooms in L.A. than any other large county in America. And it’s been a disaster for public health, even before COVID-19 began to spread. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times housing reporter Liam Dillon and features reporter Brittny MejiaMore reading:Packed In: Overcrowded housing in Los Angeles has brought death by designL.A.’s love of sprawl made it America’s most overcrowded place. The poor pay a deadly priceOne family’s desperate act to escape overcrowding

For decades, late night television talk shows were where America snuggled up together and we laughed. The hosts were household names, but also very male and white. Things diversified a bit last decade with hosts like Trevor Noah and Samantha Bee. But now Bee’s show is gone and Noah is on his way out.Today, what’s next for late-night television? It’s a uniquely American genre whose obituary has been written again and again, yet somehow continues to stumble along. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times television critic Lorraine AliMore reading:Trevor Noah’s exit won’t just hurt ‘The Daily Show.’ It’ll hurt all of late night‘Full Frontal With Samantha Bee’ is the latest casualty in late-night TV’s reshuffleAfter a major cast shake-up, ‘SNL’ confronts its weaknesses — but can’t overcome them

There’s a lot to unpack when it comes to Alex Villanueva’s path to becoming the top cop in Los Angeles County. And that’s exactly what LAist Studios and KPCC do in a new five-part podcast series hosted by Frank Stoltze. Today, we play episode 1 of “Imperfect Paradise: Sheriff.”The show begins with a scene of a very strange press conference: Villanueva is threatening to open a criminal investigation into L.A. Times reporter Alene Tchekmedyian and Stoltze questions the sheriff about it. From there, Stoltze reflects on his time covering policing in L.A. County and explains how Villanueva is the product of a department that has been riddled with scandals for decades: racial profiling, jail violence and deputy gangs.Host: Frank StoltzeMore reading:Your guide to the L.A. County sheriff election: Alex Villanueva vs. Robert LunaDozens of Sheriff Villanueva’s donors received permits to carry guns in publicColumn: L.A. County’s sheriff leans on his Latino identity. Does he exemplify our worst traits? 

Art Laboe’s voice filled Southern California airwaves for more than 70 years. But beyond being a beloved disc jockey whose show was eventually broadcast across the nation, Laboe spread a radical message of racial unity way before such messages became mainstream.The prolific “Oldies but Goodies” radio legend died Oct. 7 of pneumonia. His death comes at a time when we need his message of tolerance more than ever. So today, a tribute to Art Laboe. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: TimesOC feature writer Gabriel San RománMore reading:L.A.’s radio community pays tribute to Art Laboe, a legend and mentor: ‘End of an era’Column: I’m playing an Art Laboe album to counteract the noxious vibe from L.A. City HallArt Laboe dies; his ‘Oldies but Goodies’ show ruled the L.A. airwaves

This week, the Los Angeles City Council made national headlines for all the wrong reasons. In a closed-door meeting, City Council President Nury Martinez made racist and disparaging remarks about colleagues to fellow council members, Kevin de León, Gil Cedillo and a well known labor leader.The subsequent fallout has upended L.A. politics just before a crucial mayoral election. So now what? Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times reporter Benjamin OreskesMore reading:L.A. council members made racist comments in leaked audio. Read our full coverageBreaking down crucial moments in the racist leaked recording of L.A. councilmembersThe fall of Nury Martinez: A blunt talker undone by her words