Conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalates in Lebanon, growing fears of a full-scale war
Israel is bombing targets across many parts of Lebanon, striking senior militants in Beirut and apparently hiding bombs in pagers and walkie-talkies. Hezbollah is firing rockets and drones deep into northern Israel, setting buildings and cars alight. But no one is calling it a war — not yet. Israeli officials say they are not seeking war with Hezbollah and that it can be avoided if the militant group halts its attacks and backs away from the border. Hezbollah also says it doesn’t want a war but is prepared for one — and that it will keep up the strikes on Israel that it began in the wake of ally Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack until there is a cease-fire in Gaza. Israel and Hezbollah have repeatedly traded fire since then — but the intensity rose to another level Monday, when Israeli airstrikes killed more than 490 people, according to Lebanese officials. That would make it the deadliest day in Lebanon since Israel and Hezbollah last went to war in 2006. Joining us today on AirTalk is Lina Sinjab, BBC Middle East correspondent based in Beirut,
Aaron David Miller, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a longtime State Department official in both Democratic and Republican administrations and Khalid Elgindy, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute where he’s also director of the Program on Palestine and Palestinian-Israeli Affairs.
With files from the Associated Press
Where everybody knows your name. What's your favorite neighborhood dive bar?
It seems like almost every week there is a new trendy bar opening up in L.A. But any local will tell you that some of the best places to get a drink is the hole-in-the-wall down the street, a true dive. A dive bar is more than just the drinks they serve. It's the no frills attitude, the friendly neighborhood vibe, and the customer regulars that always tell you to "pull up a stool". Whether it's to grab a drink after work or close the place down on a Friday night, Angelenos love a dive. Today on AirTalk, we ask listeners to share their favorite dive bars. Where do you go when you want a drink and a friendly atmosphere? What hole-in-the-wall bar do you frequent? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laits.com.
You can read about three great dive bars in L.A. from LAist's Fiona Ng here.
California Air Resources Board finds emissions drop, notes change in environmental policy
Last week, the state’s Air Resources Board released its findings on greenhouse gas emissions for 2022, finding a 2.4% decrease despite a rebound in activity following the COVID-19 pandemic. The largest decrease in emissions (3.6%) was found in the state’s largest gas-powered sector, transportation, due to reduced gas and fossil distillate. So how much has state policy played a role in these numbers? Should we expect a continued decline for the years to come? Today on AirTalk, we will break down the topline data with California Air Resources Board executive officer Steven Cliff, LA Times air quality and environmental health reporter Tony Briscoe, and climate economist and lawyer Danny Cullenward.
Prop 3: Should language be removed from the state constitution that defines marriage as between a man and a woman?
Proposition 3 would remove stray language in the state constitution that defines marriage as being between a man and a woman. While that language is not legally enforceable anymore, and same-sex marriage has been legal in California since 2013, this ballot measure was raised in concern of it possibly changing nationally again. Supporters of Prop. 3 say it protects the right of Californians to marry, regardless of gender or race. They also see it as wiping away discriminatory language in our state constitution, and a symbolic step that furthers California’s leading stance on LGBTQ+ rights. Opponents of Prop. 3 say it’s an “extreme amendment.” They argue that it removes all limits on marriage, including between children and close relatives, by describing marriage as a fundamental right. Joining us to lay out the proposition is Caitlin Hernandez, L.A. Explained reporter for LAist. You can read their full breakdown of Proposition 3 on Laist's Voter Game Plan.
The LA County Sheriff’s Dept. has a new policy banning deputy gangs
The primary watchdog of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department sharply criticized a new policy that bans deputy gangs, saying it's unlikely to pierce the agency’s code of silence around the groups.
Independent research and department leader say the groups, whose members wear matching tattoos and have engaged in misconduct ranging from excessive use of force to intimidation of fellow deputies, have been around for decades.“The real problem in the Sheriff’s Department is this 50-year code of silence,” Inspector General Max Huntsman told LAist. “These groups are secretive. It's not written down on paper anywhere. Nobody ever admits it under oath.”
Others, including some members of the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission, had mixed opinions about the policy. Commission Vice Chair Hans Johnson said it “represents significant progress,” but he added that the department still has a long way to go to root out members of deputy gangs. Joining to detail the policy, reactions to it and more is Frank Stoltze, LAist civics and democracy correspondent.
With files from LAist. Read the full story here
Proud of the neighborhood you live in? Spread the love
Sometimes passing by your favorite local park or picking up the aroma of your favorite café can make you feel like you’re living in the happiest little corner of the world. Just seeing a familiar landmark reminding you why it feels so good to live where you do can make all the stress of a terrible day melt away. Often there’s no other place like your neighborhood because you’ve taken the time to explore the great sights, sounds, people and cuisine that make your investment as a resident really count. But why keep it all to yourself? Today on AirTalk, we’re bringing back our monthly segment, Neighborhood Love, to take some time to share treasured places and memories of wherever it is you live. We hear from listeners about the city or town they live in and have them share what makes their neighborhood so unique.
