How To LA

#61: Remember those intense storms in early January? L.A. County said it captured some 33 BILLION gallons of stormwater to use later and support about 800,000 households a year. It's an important step to help us get through the drought years. But that awesome number is less than 20% of the total rain water. The other 80% washed right out to sea. Today we're explaining why that is... and what the c...

#60: It's been a little more than a week since a shooter killed 11 people at the Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park. The grief and the sense of shattered security won’t go away easily – if ever – but the healing process has begun. At vigils and Lunar New Year Festivals, communities of the San Gabriel Valley came together to mourn those who died and to celebrate life. So we were there...to capture...

#59: The deadline for ending COVID-era eviction protections got pushed...and pushed again. Now the deadline is at the end of March. Unless, of course, L.A. County officials punt it one more time. There's been a lot of confusion out there about what's going on. Landlords are angry. Tenants are scared. Brian De Los Santos talks to LAist Housing Reporter David Wagner about how we got to this point, a...

#58: LAist Food Editor Gab Chabran and HTLA Host Brian De Los Santos are at it again, eating everything in sight that's good and cheap. This time they're hitting up Culver City - a city steeped in moviemaking history that is very much part of LA but with its own personality. It's kinda like where urban meets suburban, and where there is a lot of good grub.  Featured restaurants: Empanadas Place, J...

#57: New Year, New You, right? Whatever self improvement goals you've set for yourself this year, life is still stressful - work pressures, family commitments...not to mention natural disasters, political strife and world crises that you literally have no control over. Well, we want to offer a little respite. Los Angeles actually has a lot to offer in terms of quiet places to walk or meditate that...

#56: Following the mass shooting in Monterey Park, a lot of focus has been placed on the mental health of people in the larger Asian American Pacific Islander community. The realization that the suspected shooter in this case -- and in another recent incident in Half Moon Bay -- was an older Asian man, a senior citizen, has brought about a closer examination of the generational divide in the AAPI...

#55: A mass shooting sent shockwaves through the Asian American community of Monterey Park on the eve of Lunar New Year. Eleven people have died, and more are still being treated for their injuries. The tragedy left residents wondering how such a horrible event could happen in an otherwise idyllic example of what an immigrant enclave can be. Today on HTLA, we want to take some time to talk about t...

#54: The City of Angels is made up of some pretty exciting people, from all sorts of backgrounds with all kinds of interests. This year, we're putting the spotlight on some folks we think you should know about... and demystifying how they got to where they are in life. From musicians and writers to changemakers and activists, we’re sitting down with some dope Angelenos and getting INTO it in our n...

#53: We've had record rain in California since the start of the year, brought on by atmospheric rivers and bomb cyclones. There's been massive flooding and at least 19 deaths in parts of the state. It's got people talking about whether this is just what normal is supposed to look like after years of drought, or if all these back-to-back storms really were some sort of natural abnormality. How much...

#52: For our first episode of 2023, HTLA is headed back to our roots: exploring LA's neighborhoods. This stop? Fairfax – one of the oldest AND newest neighborhoods in Los Angeles. From Canter's Deli and a handful of remaining Judaica stores, to RipNDip and Supreme, this is one of those neighborhoods that's got something for everyone. So join host Brian De Los Santos as HTLA listener Patrick Vukovi...

#51: Kenneth Mejia made history this fall when he was elected as the first Asian American controller in L.A. He's young, 32. He has corgis, rides a scooter, and has been painted as a leftist. In other words, he comes off kinda cool...for an accountant. Mejia joins a couple of other political newbies who rode a progressive wave into office this year. But L.A. needs some work. How will he and some o...

#50: For our 50th episode (and second to last before 2023!) HTLA host Brian De Los Santos reflects on the changes this year brought him. Then our crew at LAist and some of our listeners share  their wildest moments of 2022.  

#49: WARNING: There are events discussed in this episode that might be upsetting for some. It's Hanukkah, a time for Jewish people to come together with friends and family, light the menorah and exchange gifts. But this year feels a little more solemn. Hate crimes, and particularly antisemitic ones, are on the rise in LA County. The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles recently held its second...

(Update) #23: He was known as the “Ghost Cat” . The “Brad Pitt” of Lions. The Old Man (in the cougar world). Any news of P-22 dominated the headlines, and his likeness inspired art all over the city.  LA's one and only lion king was euthanized on Dec. 17 after severe injuries, likely from impact with a car. He leaves a huge legacy, including a wildlife crossing that is currently being built that w...

#48: Heads up L.A., this next episode is all fluff.  Cause it's the holidays. And you know what that means? Time to get basic! This cozy time of year has that ability to bring the most basic parts out in all of us, right? Host Brian De Los Santos and producer Megan Botel define what it really means to be a basic girl and take you on an LA basic girl journey - holiday edition. Explore pumpkin spice...

#47: Overdose deaths are rising dramatically in LA. Almost 1300% in the last several years. Fentanyl is a major culprit. LA's Public Health Department, LAUSD, LAPD and the DA's office have started strategizing to figure out how to deal with this crisis... But there are groups out there who have been practicing harm reduction for years: distributing narcan or fentanyl test-strips, and teaching clas...

#46: Since 2020, city and county leaders have promised to develop an unarmed mental health crisis response system amid demands for police reform. But two years later the pilot program announced by the city has yet to launch and the county's system is a patchwork of services for which there are enough trained people to do the work.  HTLA host Brian De Los Santos checks in on how LA is doing on its...

UPDATE: Since this aired, BurritoBreak announced its closing. The high cost of eggs and other food sources, plus the lack of downtown foot traffic made it difficult to keep the business afloat. You can read more about it here:  Egg Prices Tripling, DTLA Offices Emptying. Why A Beloved Breakfast Burrito Joint Is Shutting Down #45: Cheap Fast Eats! You know what that means: Gab and Brian are togethe...

#44: CicLAvia is in its 12th year, closing down streets throughout LA county for folks to ride, skate, walk and just move their bodies without ANY cars. The event happens every other month or so. But even though most of the HTLA team were raised in the LA area (or have certainly lived here long enough!) none of us have ever done it. So here we go... to South LA with the whole team... let's go see...

#43: Food insecurity is increasing in L.A. – almost 300,000 more households report lacking consistent access to food this year than in 2021. Blame it on lingering pandemic effects and now inflation. Enter Jamiah Hargins. He's the founder of Crop Swap LA, which works with unused spaces in Los Angeles to create microfarms, typically in someone's front yard, to grow food to serve people in the surrou...

#42: Southern California has more wild food than you might expect. There's a long history of foraging in and around Los Angeles. These foods have been everything from staples for indigenous communities, to delicacies for high-end chefs. (and, of course, food for critters!) Today, Jess Starwood is taking HTLA host Brian De Los Santos on a foraging hike. He tries his hand at mushroom hunting, acorn...

#41: Every time the World Cup comes around, the watch parties go off in LA. Whether you are rooting for the USA, Mexico, Ecuador or Germany, you can find a bar, restaurant or even a home that will open its doors at pretty much any hour to welcome in fans to enjoy the game and likely eat and drink. This year's cup in Qatar is not without controversy but the game itself continues to bring Angelenos...

#40: Ask almost anyone who lives in Los Angeles to talk about the state of the city; it's pretty much guaranteed they’ll tell you homelessness is where they want to see change. Mayor-elect Karen Bass says she'll tackle the issue the day she enters office and has pledged to house 15,000 people in year one and end encampments. But at this point, the homelessness issue is downright overwhelming. Wher...

#39: On this podcast, we love to discover new places and things …and that includes checking out outdoor spaces in LA. We know how some of you love to hike and bike and just hang out in nature so we asked YOU to recommend your favorite spots to break away and enjoy the outdoors. We got some good suggestions, too. So on this day to #OptOutside, enjoy these fellow Angelenos' recs.  

#38: Ever feel a little weird celebrating thanksgiving? It's easy to want to love a holiday that celebrates food, but this one is tied up in some pretty mucky American history. In this bonus episode, HTLA host Brian De Los Santos is sitting down with LAist food editor, Gab Chabrán. They're talking about why Gab never celebrated growing up... and what he plans to cook this year for his family – bec...