Headlines From The Times

In this episode, Los Angeles reports its first measles case in nearly a decade, raising concerns about vaccination rates and public exposure. Plus, California’s bar exam rollout turns into a tech disaster, the state’s wine industry faces a perfect storm of challenges, and Mattel regains the rights to make DC action figures.

In this episode, the trial of a murdered Hollywood pimp reveals a tangled web of gang rivalries, Russian prison tattoos, and a deadly power struggle. Plus, L.A. 2028 Olympics organizers push to secure billions in funding, Amazon’s new AI-powered Alexa+ promises to be your “digital best friend” for a price, and malls transform into entertainment hubs to lure back shoppers.

In this episode, California Governor Gavin Newsom takes a key step toward possible clemency for the Menendez brothers—could they be released in 2025? Plus, federal workers who voted for Trump are now losing their jobs, Forever 21 faces another bankruptcy, and poultry farmers question whether mass culling is the best way to fight bird flu.

In our latest episode where we discuss Governor Gavin Newsom's bold $920 million initiative to tackle California's homelessness crisis, demanding local accountability and progress. We also touch on the alarming shift of wildfires into urban areas like Altadena, impacting diverse communities. The episode further explores the controversy surrounding teens confiding in AI chatbots, raising questions...

This episode explores the environmental and business shifts making waves. We start with fire debris washing up on LA's beaches, a concern for health officials and a call for caution among beachgoers. Then, we turn up the heat with  Southern California's record-breaking winter warmth. In the corporate world, Starbucks' layoffs of 1,100 employees, a strategic move under new CEO Brian Niccol to boost...

This Headlines episode begins in Jordan's Jerash refugee camp, where dire conditions challenge Palestinians amidst political upheaval. We then explore California's solar energy credit debate, illustrating the clash between environmental goals and economic realities. The narrative also covers Trader Joe’s recall of its organic acai bowl, reflecting broader food safety concerns. Lastly, we examine t...

In this episode, we delve into Senator Mitch McConnell's pivotal decision not to seek reelection in 2026, a move that stirs the political pot in the GOP and Kentucky. Beyond this headline, we touch on the contentious advance of affordable housing in the San Fernando Valley, a noteworthy trend towards fireproof 'SuperAdobe' homes in LA amid wildfire concerns, the persistent allure of U.S. universit...

When wildfires strike, some communities burn—but one neighborhood in Irvine proves that doesn’t have to be the case. A controversial procedure—leg lengthening surgery—is gaining popularity. LA County is taking steps to protect renters following January’s devastating fires. The LA Unified School District has implemented a cellphone ban. In the first month of President Trump’s administration, thousa...

Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco enters the race for California governor. Insurers in California have been pulling out of high-risk wildfire areas, leaving home owners struggling to find coverage. President Donald Trump sparks controversy by renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. California lawmakers weigh the possibility of state-owned oil refineries. A new California state bill seeks t...

Egg prices are skyrocketing, hitting Californians hard. Freight trains loaded with Nike merchandise have become targets for thieves in California. U.S. inflation is on the rise again, while Trump’s proposed tariffs could push it even higher. A tragic day unfolds on the slopes at Tahoe Ski Resort.

Weeks after the devastating fires, many in Altadena still lack access to clean drinking water. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is facing a wave of lawsuits and has responded by hiring a top law firm, at rates of up to $1975 an hour. Meanwhile, California is at the center of the H5N1 bird flu outbreak, raising concerns that some crucial communities are not being properly monitored. Wi...

According to the CDC, bird flu infections in dairy cows are more widespread than previously thought. When flames erupted in the Pacific Palisades, fire crews took 18 minutes to arrive—but by then, it was too late. Now, former LAFD officials say at least 10 more engines should have been deployed in advance to patrol the area. Immigration raids may be coming to Southern California, and activists are...

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sparks controversy by opting not to require soil testing after the Eaton and Palisades Fires. Meanwhile, economic losses from the wildfires have soared past $250 billion, hitting the entertainment and tourism industries especially hard. Tensions between Canada and the U.S. are on the rise—could Canada really become America’s 51st state? California is also battling...

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...

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 I...

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....

“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 read...

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 Feinste...

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 corresponde...

"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 un...

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 Fe...

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...

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 healt...

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: To...

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 a...