How To LA

#37: It's Thanksgiving week, and today we're asking the question of what it means to be "American." It means something different to everyone. LAist's new series, " Being American,"   is exploring different meanings through reader essays submitted by Angelenos of all backgrounds. HTLA host Brian De Los Santos is talking to LAist's Immigrant Communities Correspondent Leslie Berestein Rojas, who is o...

(Update) #10: Since the news hit most of us on Sunday morning, we've been thinking about the mass shooting in Colorado Springs. A gunman opened fire in an LGBTQ nightclub, killing at least 5 people and wounding several others, just 6 years after another shooting in another LGBTQ club in Orlando, Florida. These incidents have hit the queer community hard as many, especially Black and Brown LGBTQ fo...

#36: Sunsets are one of those few things that most Angelenos -- most people in general -- can agree on. When the sun goes down, and the sky changes colors, blue to orange and pink… It always makes you stop and enjoy, even if it’s just for a moment. There's a lot of beautiful spots in LA to catch it, too. We asked our listeners for some of their favorite sunset moments and they gave us these storie...

#35: Riding a bike isn't exactly the safest way to get around in Los Angeles. The city introduced two programs in 2015 that were supposed to change that: Vision Zero, and the Mobility Plan 2035. But while there have been some new bike lanes installed, the city has been dragging its feet on funding. At the current rate, the planned projects wouldn't be completed for another 200 years... and meanwhi...

#34: Tired of refreshing your news feed for election results? Well, how about a quick adventure! In our latest trip through one of LA's neighborhoods, we hook up with HTLA listener and reader Andrea Martinez Gonzalez to take a tour of Angelino Heights, one of the oldest areas in the city. It's got some of the coolest and most diverse architecture around from Victorians to Craftsmans but, like so m...

#33: It's Cheap Fast Eats time again, and that means Gab Chabrán is hitting the streets with HTLA host Brian De Los Santos. Glendale has a large Armenian population, and their flavors can be found all over the city. Need a new burger spot? Maybe dumplings? Well, Brian and Gab are digging into it all. Still hungry? Well - Gab's got even more places to check out in this month's edition of Cheap Fast...

#32: Alright LA. We may not see results for all races and issues for a few days, maybe even weeks. But regardless of who steps into the city's leadership roles – progressive or moderate – there are some big issues that they'll need to take on right away. Today we're hearing from voters about they want ... and we're talking to some experts about the best paths forward on some of our city's biggest...

#31: Election Day is here! If there is any doubt about why you should go out and vote, we want you to listen to three people who not only vote but work hard to get their peers and other young folks engaged. Sure, they get jaded from time to time, but they are exercising their right and trying to make the change they want to see. Guests: Clara Castronovo, UCLA student involved in a campaign that re...

#30: The race for L.A. Superior Court Judge might seem a little low profile... But did you know it draws the MOST questions from LA voters every election season? These judges weigh in on all sorts of cases from speeding tickets to murder. In other words, they're pretty important. If you're feeling like you need a little more info – don't worry. We got your back. Guests: Simona Grossi, professor at...

#29: November 8th – aka the last day to cast your ballot – is fast approaching. But don't worry, we've got answers to some voter FAQs to help get you ready. HTLA host Brian De Los Santos digs into LAist's Voter Game Plan , which has information on pretty much everything that's on the ballot in LA County and LA City. And stick around for a lighthouse walk on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.  Guests: Ari...

#28: One of the first things to know about Día de los Muertos is that is NOT the Mexican Halloween. Brian sits down with Ofelia Esparza to talk about the true significance of the tradition for some Angelenos. Esparza is kinda like LA's matriarch for Day of the Dead and is the go-to artist to build an ofrenda in this town -- the alter built to remember loved ones who had died.  Guests: Ofelia Espar...

It's that time of year again so we just HAD to tell a few local ghost stories. We dug into the audio archives and found a few scary tales from L.A. that were once told to a colleague long ago... (ok, like 2018). These stories span the decades and take us from Kagel Canton to Koreatown to the L.A. Zoo. Oh, and you'll learn a little bit about the making of the Bradbury Building in Downtown LA. Enjoy...

#27: The Los Angeles Football Club, LAFC, is inching closer to the MLS Cup. The team faces Austin FC on Sunday in the Conference Finals . Though the LAFC is the second soccer team in this city, and it has only been playing since 2018, it has a DEDICATED fan base. These folks aren't just about soccer but about creating community at every game. HTLA host Brian De Los Santos explores the spirit behin...

#26: Antisemitic incidents have been on the rise in Los Angeles and surrounding counties for the last few years. Now, the artist formerly known as Kanye West is amplifying the hate by spewing antisemitic and racist comments in interviews and on social media. It's not a new thing for him but its reached a crescendo in recent weeks and has had significant ripple effects right here in our city. HTLA...

#25: The L.A. City Council has a LOT of power... But how do their decisions actually affect the lives of Angelenos? And how is it determined what areas of L.A. they control? HTLA host Brian De Los Santos is looking for answers. He speaks with Caitlin Hernández, a reporter for LAist who's been been following the City Council and the fallout from the leaked tape scandal. Also, don't forget -- there'...

In this bonus episode of HTLA we hang out in Boyle Heights in Council District 14, repped by embattled councilperson Kevin de León. We talk to community activist and Órale Boyle Heights podcast host Erick Huerta, about the community's reactions to this leaked taped scandal and the fact that de León says he will not resign his post.  Guest: Erick Huerta, media organizer for East Yard Communities fo...

#24: As humans, we produce a LOT of trash and only recycle about a third of it. Some new changes to California's recycling laws could help boost recycling rates, which, you know, could be good for the planet. HTLA host Brian De Los Santos gets the 411 on those changes and gets a first hand look at how L.A. County recycles its garbage. Guests:  Susan Collins, president of the Container Recycling In...

#23: The largest wildlife crossing in the WORLD is being built right here in Los Angeles. It'll cross over 10 lanes of the 101 freeway - the deadliest road for mountain lions - to connect the Santa Monica Mountains with the Simi Hills. Today, HTLA host Brian De Los Santos meets up with Miguel Ordenaña, the guy who discovered one of LA's most famous mountain lions. They talk about what this crossin...

#22: LA is voting on a new mayor for the first time since 2013. Congresswoman Karen Bass is running against real-estate developer Rick Caruso. Each have different plans they argue would help improve things around this city, like homelessness. But mayors in LA don't have the power that other big city mayors do. It begs the question, what can the next mayor of Los Angeles really do?  Guest: Fernando...

#21: HTLA host Brian De Los Santos and LAist food editor Gab Chabrán are back at it, searching for delicious (and affordable) grub. This time, they're featuring Cheap Fast Eats in Long Beach.  Locations: A&J Seafood Shack, Appu’s Cafe, Hamburgers Nice Guest: Gab Chabrán, food editor at LAist.

#20: I’m not a Dodger fan… at least, not yet. But I know so many of you are! So today on HTLA, we’re learning all about what makes these games so fun to watch… Plus, their incredible season this year, which is leading them into the playoffs. Guests: A Martínez, host of NPR's Morning Edition & Up First; Bianca Ramirez, operations director for KPCC & LAist; and Donald Paz, engineer for KPCC...

#19: Leaked audio tapes from a Los Angeles City Council meeting contain racist remarks from the former council president, Nury Martinez. Many prominent L.A. politicians, including Sen. Alex Padilla, have called for everyone involved in the discussion to resign and take full responsibility for their actions. Today, HTLA host Brian De Los Santos talks with community leaders and experts about the lar...

#18: Climbing is a great way to connect with nature, or even just let off steam with friends. But the sport has a reputation of being somewhat exclusive. Today, HTLA newsletter writer Aaricka Washington is back in the studio with Brian De Los Santos. They're talking about Brown Girls Climb, a group that aims to increase representation of women of color in climbing communities. Aaricka learns to cl...

#17: The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department did something unusual last month. It launched a criminal investigation into L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, and others, and got a warrant to search her house. It was unusual because the LASD does not typically investigate other county agencies. California's Attorney General has since taken that investigation over but the actions by the LASD rai...

#16: Street vending has been legal in L.A. for a few years now, but state health codes made it almost impossible for smaller vendors - especially food vendors - to get permitted. That process will become easier on January 1, 2023, thanks to a new law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September. HTLA host Brian De Los Santos and team get a behind the scenes look at how it all happened - the hard work...