Headlines From The Times

Mexico president Andrés Manuel López Obrador came into office promising to get the military off the streets. Instead, he’s more than doubled their numbers. He claims there’s just no other way to handle Mexico’s narco-violence.Today, we look at Mexico’s delicate dance with its military. It’s an institution that’s among the most trusted in the nation, and potentially its most dangerous. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times Latin America correspondent Kate LinthicumMore reading:Mexico’s president vowed to end the drug war. Instead he’s doubled the number of troops in the streetsMexico’s military gains power as president turns from critic to partnerMexico sent in the army to fight the drug war. Many question the toll on society and the army itself

For her role as Shauna in “Yellowjackets,” Melanie Lynskey has an Emmy nomination for lead actress in a drama series. Today, we've got another episode from our sister podcast "The Envelope." Lynskey joins host Yvonne Villarreal to dish on how this year has helped her feel more empowered and less underestimated, arriving at a place of self-love after struggling with an eating disorder, and why now is the time for ferocious female characters. She also busts out her Drew Barrymore impression and gets a brief, adorable visit from a special guest. Read the full transcript here. Host: Yvonne Villarreal Guest: Melanie LynskeyMore reading: ‘Yellowjackets’ star Melanie Lynskey is celebrating her Emmy nod by ... buying a fridge‘Yellowjackets’ creators break down ‘heartbreaking’ finale — and your fan theoriesSebastian Stan, Melanie Lynskey and more discuss teaching directors about acting

Millions of Americans who attended college could have their debt completely canceled or reduced under a plan announced by President Joe Biden last week. But the move is unsurprisingly stirring debate among the right and left, but for completely different reasons.Today, we talk about how this announcement might impact the midterms. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times national reporter Arit JohnMore reading:For many with student loans, the interest hurts the most. This congressman would knowStudent loan forgiveness: Everything you need to knowWhy Californians with student loans will gain massively from forgiveness plan

After displacement from Haiti, an exodus from South America and an epic journey through the Americas, what became of Haitians’ American dream? Today, in the final episode of the “Line in the Land” podcast produced by Texas Public Radio and the Houston Chronicle, we hear from Haitian migrants about where they ended up. Read the full transcript here.Hosts: Joey Palacios of Texas Public Radio, and Elizabeth Trovall with the Houston ChronicleMore reading:Listen to all “Line in the Land” episodesThe Times podcast: Our nation’s Haitian double standardHaitians in L.A. Spread Out and Blend InThis podcast is made possible by the Catana Foundation, supporting the asylum seeker advocacy project, providing more than 100,000 asylum seekers in the U.S. with community and legal support. Learn more at asylum.news. For the Spanish version of this episode, listen here.

One year ago this month, U.S. forces left Afghanistan after 20 years of war. Some 94,000 Afghan nationals, American citizens and lawful permanent residents have arrived in the U.S. as part of Operation Allies Welcome, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Today, we hear some of their stories. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times diaspora reporter Sarah Parvini and photojournalist Marcus YamMore reading:They escaped Afghanistan for California and beyond. But war’s struggles followed themThe things they carried when they fled AfghanistanThe cadence of war and its human toll: A photojournalist’s perspectiveA Times journalist’s diary inside the fall of Afghanistan

In 1999 in New York, Serena Williams won her first major tennis title at the U.S. Open. Everyone knew she was gonna be a star in the sport and a transformational one too, but few thought she would become the greatest of all time.Today, we talk about the legacy of Serena Williams, not just as an athlete, but as a woman — a Black woman. And what’s next for the tennis icon. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: Broadcast journalist Cari ChampionMore reading:Column: Serena Williams makes a conscious choice to give up tennis and focus on her familyColumn: The mind of Serena WilliamsLA Times Today: Serena Williams’ legacy on and off the court

For his role as Ali in “Euphoria,” Colman Domingo has an Emmy nomination for outstanding guest actor in a drama series. Today, we've got another episode from our sister podcast, "The Envelope." Domingo joins "The Envelope" host Mark Olsen to discuss how his character — who is the sponsors to a struggling teenage drug addict played by Zendaya — is a symbol of redemption and forgiveness, which he feels our culture desperately needs. He also dishes on why he calls himself a nerd, how he almost walked away from his career, and why being “a shapeshifter” means his real-life looks take people by surprise. Read the full transcript here.More reading:Colman Domingo creates a theater award for Black menThe lives of Colman Domingo: acting in ‘Fear the Walking Dead,’ writing ‘Dot,’ directing ‘Barbecue’ at the GeffenZendaya hopes ‘Euphoria’ fans ‘still see the good’ in Rue after she ‘hits rock bottom’

Surprise, surprise: California cities are banning new gas stations and other cities across the world are watching. The bans are part of an ongoing quest to combat climate change, this time on a local municipal level. The movement is small so far, but now even the car capital of the world, Los Angeles, is thinking about it.Today, what would happen if L.A. hops on this no-new-gas-station brigade. And what we can learn from the cities that’ve already done it. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times Fast Break Desk reporter Grace TooheyMore reading:California cities ban new gas stations in battle to combat climate changeEditorial: Ban new gas stations? There are better ways for L.A. to ditch fossil fuelsLA Times Today: California cities ban new gas stations to combat climate change

When an earthquake devastated Haiti in 2010, the international community pledged billions of dollars toward recovery. Much of that aid never went to rebuilding Haiti – or even to the Haitian people. But Haiti’s instability goes back even farther. In fact, it has a lot to do with outside political forces dating back to the country’s origin story as the world’s first Black republic.Today, episode 4 of “Line in the Land,” a podcast from Texas Public Radio and the Houston Chronicle. We’ll be back with episode 5 next Tuesday. We’re airing an episode from “A Line in the Land” every Tuesday through the end of August.Read the full transcript here.Host: Joey Palacios with Texas Public Radio and Elizabeth Trovall with the Houston Chronicle.More reading:Haiti’s struggle has worsened in the year since the slaying of its presidentAs Haiti reels from crises, U.S. policy decisions are called into questionOp-Ed: The West owes a centuries-old debt to HaitiBinge all the episodes of "Line in the Land" here. Episodes are in both English and Spanish. "Line in the Land" was made possible, in part, by the Catena Foundation, providing more than 100,000 asylum seekers in the U.S. with community and legal support. Learn more at asylum.news

Two of the largest race discrimination cases investigated by the federal government in the past decade allege widespread abuse of hundreds of Black employees by supervisors and coworkers at warehouses in Southern California’s Inland Empire. Anti-black bias on the job is sadly nothing new. But as the Latino population across the US, and especially California continues to grow, anti-Black bias by Latinos in the workplace is drawing renewed scrutiny.Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times labor reporter Margot RooseveltMore reading:In California’s largest race bias cases, Latino workers are accused of abusing Black colleaguesHorrific allegations of racism prompt California lawsuit against TeslaFight over jobs divides interests of Blacks, Latinos

Since the start of 2021, L.A. Times national correspondent Tyrone Beason has been on the road. He’s doing what a lot of us are thinking about: he’s on a quest to find out what’s up with the United States. In a year-long series called “My Country,” Beason has been trying to find the things that bind us, while also trying to make sense of the issues that keep tearing us apart.Today, we check in with Beason and hear some of his dispatches. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times national correspondent Tyrone BeasonMore reading:Read Tyrone Beason’s full “My Country” series hereIn the vastness of the Inland Empire, people of color find ‘peace in these troubled times’This California wine country town is multicultural. So why do so many feel invisible?

For her role as the ethically flexible attorney Kim Wexler in “Better Call Saul,” Rhea Seehorn is nominated for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series. She joins “The Envelope” host Yvonne Villarreal to delve into the show’s last twists and turns and talk about the scariest day on the set. Seehorn also discusses her efforts to balance gratitude with confidence and shares stories about how her father’s alcoholism shaped her. Read the full transcript here.Host: Yvonne VillarrealGuests: Rhea SeehornMore reading:Rhea Seehorn knows her ‘Better Call Saul’ character is toast. And she’s loving every minuteA couple that schemes together, dreams togetherRhea Seehorn on reading a ‘Better Call Saul’ script: ‘I’m not dead yet. Are you dead?’

Decades ago, when you couldn’t conceive or carry a child, your options for becoming a parent were limited. But then in 1978, in-vitro fertilization became possible. But IVF can be very expensive. And one method in particular can lead to heartache and scandal.Today, how one woman’s attempt to offer more affordable surrogacy services collapsed, leaving in its wake heartbroken couples, frustrated surrogates and an FBI investigation. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: Former L.A. Times national correspondent Emily BaumgaertnerMore reading:She promised babies at bargain prices using surrogates in Mexico. Now the FBI is investigatingLA Times Today: Why the FBI is investigating surrogates in MexicoThe audio of the first test tube baby, Louise Brown, is from a video news release produced by London Television Service and made available by the BFI National Archive.

To get to the U.S. border from South America, Haitians have to trek through an isolated stretch of jungle called the Darién Gap. In the latest episode of “Line in the Land,” a podcast produced by the Houston Chronicle and Texas Public Media, Haitian migrants take listeners with them on a jungle journey like no other. Read the full transcript here. Hosts: Joey Palacios and Elizabeth TrovallMore reading:Lost in the deep of DarienCrossing the Darién GapThis remote sliver of northwest Colombia is one of the world’s busiest migration corridorsBinge all the episodes of Line in the Land here. Episodes are in both English and Spanish. A Line in the Land was made possible, in part, by the Catena Foundation, providing more than 100,000 asylum seekers in the U.S. with community and legal support. Learn more at asylum.news

Last year, frustrations over COVID-related school closures slammed into the nation’s culture war and tipped an election. It all started in Virginia’s Loudoun County, whose schools became a lightning rod as they grappled with mask mandates, a bathroom policy for transgender students and efforts to fix systemic racial discrimination.Today, we discuss how conservative parents in Virginia began a powerful nationwide movement and how Democrats are trying to win this important voting bloc back. We also explore how parents in Loudoun County really feel. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuest: L.A. Times White House reporter Courtney SubramanianMore reading:Focus on the economy, not ‘critical race theory’ or sex ed: Inside Democrats’ plan to win back parentsSchool boards become battle zones over COVID-19 rules, critical race theory, trans studentsOpinion: Teachers have to put the welfare of transgender students before their own beliefs

You might know Liz Cheney for her recent leadership of the House select committee investigating the January 6 Capitol insurrection. Her prominent role in the televised hearings has boosted her status nationally, but back at home, in conservative Wyoming, Cheney has effectively been disowned. Her vote to impeach President Trump and the decision to take part in the investigation has forced her into a sort of exile from her home state.

Bill Hader became popular on "Saturday Night Live" with silly characters like Stefon, but his titular character on the HBO show "Barry" is more twisted and brilliant. It’s a great dark comedy about a hitman who wants to become an actor and how his worlds collide. In this conversation with “The Envelope” host Mark Olsen, Bill brings both the fun and the darkness: He’s pleasant and light, and he laughs while talking about some of the most disturbing things on his show. Read the full transcript here.

This summer, some of the biggest names in music decided that we all need to dance. Drake, Beyoncé, Charlie XCX, Bad Bunny — they all departed from their usual styles to create albums inspired by a genre called house music.Today, we talk about how house music became the sound of liberation and why it’s back and more mainstream than ever.Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times pop music reporter August BrownMore reading:Beyoncé returns with liberating house jam ‘Break My Soul’The Gold Line carries house music to downtown L.A.The Beyoncé effect: ‘Break My Soul’ propels ’90s star Robin S and the Great Resignation

Today, we offer episode 2 of “A Line in the Land,” from our friends at Texas Public Radio and the Houston Chronicle. It’s a podcast that explores the human story behind the Haitian immigration journey. On this episode, hosts Elizabeth Trovall and Joey Palacios try to answer the question of why many Haitians went to Chile after Haiti’s devastating 2010 earthquake. And what happened to those refugees when the Chilean government became more hostile to immigration.

Last week, Nancy Pelosi became the first House Speaker in a quarter century to visit Taiwan. China viewed Pelosi’s trip as a direct challenge. As tensions over the self-governed island ratchet up, Taiwan is preparing for war. But are its people ready?

Jennifer Coolidge has a career full of memorable roles, from the “American Pie” franchise to the “Legally Blonde” series and the mock documentaries of Christopher Guest. But it wasn’t until her role in HBO’s hit “The White Lotus” that she finally earned critical respect. Today, Coolidge talks about her life and career — and what’s next. Read the full transcript here.Hosts: Mark Olsen and Yvonne VillarrealGuests: Jennifer CoolidgeMore reading:Column: Jennifer Coolidge has been a big deal for years; with an Emmy nod, she’s starting to believe itJennifer Coolidge gets vulnerableJennifer Coolidge dreamed of being a dramatic actor. ‘White Lotus’ was her chance e-envelope-podcast

Vin Scully was the broadcaster for the Dodgers baseball franchise for 67 years, from its time in Brooklyn through its move to Los Angeles. In the process, he not only became a sports legend; he became a summer soundtrack for generations of fans in Southern California and beyond.Today, we remember the life and legacy of Vin Scully. Read the full transcript here.Host: Former fellow for The Times, Angel CarrerasGuests: L.A. Times sports columnist Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Jaime Jarrín, sportscaster Bob CostasMore reading:Complete coverage: Remembering the life of Dodgers announcer Vin Scully (1927-2022)Column: Vin Scully’s voice, a serenade of rebirth, will live on forever in Los AngelesColumn: Vaya con Dios, Vin Scully — a beacon of possibility for generations in L.A.

On the U.S.-Mexico border, where San Diego ends and Tijuana begins right next to the Pacific Ocean, there’s a place called Friendship Park. It opened over 50 years ago and was meant to be a symbol of the binational community that stretches across the border. Friendship Park eventually became an unlikely place for poignant cross-border reunions.But since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Friendship Park has been shut down. And there’s a good chance it might not reopen. We get into its history and future today. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: San Diego Union-Tribune border reporter Kate MorrisseyMore reading:Once a symbol of binational unity, Friendship Park could close to cross-border reunions foreverWall going up in Friendship Park at U.S.-Mexico borderU.S. side of a binational garden at Mexico border bulldozed

We bring you episode 1 of “Line in the Land,” a new podcast from Texas Public Radio and the Houston Chronicle that explores the human story behind the Haitians traveling to the U.S.-Mexico border in search of a better life. Read the full transcript here.Hosts: Joey Palacios with Texas Public Radio, and Elizabeth Trovall with the Houston Chronicle.More reading:Inside the brutal 10,000-mile journey Haitian migrants make in search of a homePodcast: Our nation’s Haitian double standardOpinion: Helping one child at a time in Haiti 10 years after the devastation

On July 16, Gabriella Walsh carried out a decision months in the making; a process involving her loved ones and medical providers. She drank a fatal dose of medication prescribed under California’s so-called death-with-dignity law, which allows some terminally ill patients to request drugs to end their lives.Today, we tell the story of Walsh, and hear her talk about why she decided to end her life on her own terms. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times reporter Marisa Gerber, and L.A. Times photographer Dania MaxwellMore reading:One last trip: Gabriella Walsh’s decision to die — and celebrate life — on her own termsDeath-with-dignity movement springs back to life in CaliforniaCalifornia lawmakers vote to speed up state process for terminally ill to end their lives

Monkeypox is on the rise, and now officially considered a global health emergency. Cases in the U.S. number in the thousands and only took a week to double here in Los Angeles. The viral disease has, so far, mostly affected the LGBTQ community, but anyone can get it. So how worried should we be?Today, we talk about what to know and answer listener questions. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times breaking news reporter Grace TooheyMore reading:Monkeypox spreads in L.A. County, but vaccine shortage persists. What to knowWorld Health Organization declares monkeypox a global emergencySan Francisco officials declare state of emergency as monkeypox spreads

A drought has drained the reservoirs that provide most of the water for 5 million residents who live around Monterrey, the financial capital of northern Mexico. The crisis has sparked widespread upheaval. Anger is mounting at government officials who allow the region’s factories to continue pulling water from the strained aquifer via private wells while some residents are left without water for days.Today, we take a look at the city and an unfolding crisis that experts say is a stark warning for the rest of Mexico and the American West. Read the full transcript.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times foreign correspondent Kate LinthicumMore reading:Taps have run dry in Monterrey, Mexico, where there is water for factories but not for residentsPodcast: Drought wants your carne asada and iPhoneWestern megadrought is worst in 1,200 years, intensified by climate change, study finds

The Jan. 6 House subcommittee investigating the events of that day have poured through thousands of hours of videos. But during the hearings, the public also got a sneak preview of even more moments caught on tape — from a documentary that tells the events of the U.S. Capitol insurrection through a behind-the-scenes view of Donald Trump.Today, we’re talking with documentary filmmaker Alex Holder about his movie “Unprecedented,” which aired this month on Discovery Plus. The documentary offers an inside view into the Trump organization right as Jan. 6 was happening. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: Filmmaker Alex HolderMore reading:Jan. 6 panel to receive Trump family footage from 2020 election and Capitol insurrectionFive takeaways from the Trump Jan. 6 documentary ‘Unprecedented’A new Trump doc was subpoenaed by Jan. 6 committee. It’s not as revelatory as it sounds

It’s Emmy season, so we’ve got another episode of the “Envelope” for you. This time, it’s an in-depth conversation with Gillian Anderson, who plays Eleanor Roosevelt in “The First Lady.” Anderson talks about how Eleanor Roosevelt was the brains behind the FDR presidency, the focus on Roosevelt’s loving relationship with journalist Lorena Hickok in “The First Lady,” and why it took her some time to click with “Sex Education.” Taking on a historical figure isn’t new for Anderson — who also plays Margaret Thatcher in “The Crown” and Catherine’s mother, Joanna, in “The Great.” Nor is portraying a character who stays in her lane, which wasn’t a stretch from Anderson’s own personality. Follow the "Envelope" wherever you listen to podcasts. Read the full transcript here.

Beyoncé is getting ready to bring the world her seventh studio album this Friday. Rumors are already swirling about what genre she’ll showcase, what themes she’ll explore and more.We already got a hint with the single “Break My Soul,” which has popped across dance floors all summer. Even if you’re not part of Beyoncé's Beyhive counting down the days until the album release, it’s hard to deny that the artist is iconic — a total game changer.But how did she get here, and how does she remain relevant? We get into that today. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times pop music critic Mikael WoodsMore reading:Beyoncé has made music history — again — with chart-topping ‘Break My Soul’Beyoncé's ‘Renaissance’ album cover is here. Saddle up and bow down to the queenBeyoncé returns with liberating house jam ‘Break My Soul’

Remember this number: 988. The new three-digit hotline is now the 911 equivalent for mental health emergencies. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people in the U.S., according to the National Institute of Mental Health. And experts say the pandemic, racial violence and political unrest are behind an uptick in suicides across the country. That’s why last weekend’s launch of the nationwide mental health crisis hotline couldn’t come soon enough.Today, as part of “For Your Mind,” Los Angeles Times’ new initiative exploring mental health from multiple angles, we talk about the hopes and challenges ahead for the 988 hotline. Will it help fundamentally change how the U.S. treats and considers mental health, or will it fail like so many efforts before it? Read the full transcript here. Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: Jaclyn Cosgrove, assistant editor at the Los Angeles Times and manager of “For Your Mind”More reading:Op-Ed: Will the new 988 hotline be a game changer for mental health or a missed opportunity?New 988 hotline is the 911 for mental health emergenciesEditorial: For crisis response, press 988 — and pass a bill to keep it funded

When the annual Glastonbury music festival happened this year, performers openly criticized on stage the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, which happened that same week. It recalled a similar movement nearly 30 years earlier, when feminist rock groups started Rock for Choice and rallied a generation to fight for abortion access.Today, the history of that movement — and whether it can happen again. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times music reporter Suzy ExpositoMore reading:In the ’90s, a new breed of rock stars organized for abortion rights. Could that happen today?Phoebe Bridgers, Olivia Rodrigo and other performers slam Supreme Court at GlastonburyPOP MUSIC REVIEW : Bands get together for Rock for Choice

It’s Emmy season, so we’re dropping another episode of our sister podcast, the “Envelope." Today, an in-depth conversation with actor Simone Ashley. Ashley has always been a fan of the romance genre, but before being cast as Kate in “Bridgerton,” playing the lead in a period drama seemed improbable to her. “I never imagined that a woman who looked like me could be a part of one,” she says. In this episode of "The Envelope" podcast, Ashley discusses embracing the political aspects of her career, how acting on “Sex Education” prepared her for "Bridgerton" and how her upbringing taught her to dream big. Subscribe to the "Envelope" here and never miss an episode.

In 2018, the L.A. Times began to follow Mckenzie Trahan, a pregnant homeless woman living in Hollywood. Over the next four years, a Times reporter, photographer and videographer tracked Trahan’s life as she tried to find housing and become a mom. Today, we hear about her journey. Read the full transcript here. Host: L.A. Times photographer Christina HouseMore reading:Pregnant, homeless and living in a tent: Meet MckenzieShe spent decades as a nomad. But her daughter’s pregnancy brought her back to L.A.We chronicled one homeless woman’s motherhood journey since 2018

So many disasters, so little time. And it’s the same group of people on the front lines, year after year. What happens when they get tired? Today, our Masters of Disaster talk about burnout among firefighters, scientists, doctors and the people we trust to take on the biggest calamities nature throws at us — as well as how to hold on to a little hope. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times reporters Rong-Gong Lin II, Rosanna Xia and Alex WigglesworthMore reading:Hellish fires, low pay, trauma: California’s Forest Service firefighters face a morale crisisAlmost 9 in 10 Californians live in areas with high COVID-19 levels as BA.5 fuels infectionsEditorial: Let’s make 2022 the year we all get angry about climate inaction

He’s animal royalty in the City of Angels; an ambassador for conservation and for the random beauty this megalopolis offers. But P-22 is also a poster boy for something sadder. The mountain lion is thought to be about 12, and nearing the end of his life. He’s an eternal bachelor, cut off from the rest of his species and a symbol of what’s left of LA’s once-incredible ecosystems that are just barely holding on.Today, the story of the cougar who stole L.A.'s heart. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times enterprise reporter Laura J. NelsonMore reading:He’s terminally single and getting old. What’s next for P-22, L.A.’s favorite wild bachelor?A week in the life of P‑22, the big cat who shares Griffith Park with millions of peopleMust Reads: Mountain lions are being killed on freeways and weakened by inbreeding. Researchers have a solution

It’s Emmys season, and the “Envelope” is here for it. So once a week for the next couple of weeks, we’re going to feature an episode of our sister podcast in “The Times.” First up: Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, who recently wrapped up their much-beloved Netflix series, “Grace and Frankie.” In this episode, the duo laugh and cry with us while reflecting on their decades long friendship, their mutual admiration for their “9 to 5” co-star Dolly Parton, who reunited with them for the final episode, and the lies people tell about aging and death. Subscribe to the "Envelope" here or wherever you listen to podcasts. Read the full transcript here.

For over a year, L.A. Times entertainment reporter Stacy Perman tried to track down Lora Lee Michel, a former child star whose custody case scandalized 1940s Hollywood. Michel went through a string of marriages — and then disappeared.In Part 2 of our miniseries, Perman finds out Michel’s shocking fate. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times entertainment reporter Stacy PermanMore reading:Podcast: What happened to Lora Lee? Part 1A child star at 7, in prison at 22. Then she vanished. What happened to Lora Lee Michel?Explaining Hollywood: Your child wants to act. What do you need to know?

Throughout the history of Hollywood, child entertainers have consistently clashed with their parents and guardians who manage their money and lives. The stories of kid stars like Britney Spears and Gary Coleman are well known. But long before them, was child actor Lora Lee Michel. In the 1940s, Michel became a famed Hollywood actress at age 7, working alongside screen legends like Humphrey Bogart and Gary Cooper. But by the time she was 22, she landed in prison. Then she disappeared.Today, part 1 of a two-part series tracing Michel’s life. It’s a story that reveals the underbelly of Hollywood’s Golden Age and the perils facing child actors. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times Company Town reporter Stacy PermanMore reading:A child star at 7, in prison at 22. Then she vanished. What happened to Lora Lee Michel?An old VHS tape gives a son a glimpse of his father’s shot at fame in 1960s HollywoodExplaining Hollywood: Your child wants to act. What do you need to know?

Lawmakers want California to eliminate the state’s carbon footprint altogether by 2045. They’re taking all sorts of steps to get to that ambitious goal; from phasing out gas-powered engines in new cars and lawnmowers to electrifying home stoves. But there’s an even bigger plan ahead, one that environmental experts say could derail it all.Today, we talk about California’s plan to pump carbon gas into the ground. It sounds like something out of a sci-fi novel, but that’s exactly what California says is key to be able to make the state carbon neutral. Can it work? Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times air quality reporter Tony BriscoeMore reading:Pollution from California’s 2020 wildfires likely offset decades of air quality gainsHow California will fight Supreme Court’s limits on EPA climate enforcement

In the 5 months since Russia’s invasion, the American public’s attention has turned back to problems at home — and US President Joe Biden hasn’t gotten a good grade for his handling of them. But last week, he was able to lead major policy breakthroughs at the NATO and G7 summits.Today, can President Biden’s push to spread democracy abroad help him deal with various crises back home? Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times White House reporter Eli StokolsMore reading:News Analysis: Bold in shoring up democracy abroad, Biden is criticized as timid on the domestic frontBiden commits to more U.S. forces in Europe as NATO invites Sweden and Finland to joinImplored by Zelensky, Biden and G-7 allies will increase Ukraine defense aid, economic support

Randall Emmett had built a career for himself in Hollywood over the past decade as a producer of schlocky action films featuring cameos of iconic actors like Bruce Willis and Al Pacino. But in recent years, he was at the cusp of finally gaining mainstream respect. He had a recurring role on the reality TV hit “Vanderpump Rules” and produced Martin Scorsese’s last two films. But a Times investigation found that multiple former assistants and people who worked for Emmett alleged improper behavior.Today, we get into the rise and fall of Emmett, and what it says about the Hollywood of today. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times corporate media reporter Meg James and L.A. Times senior entertainment writer Amy KaufmanMore reading:The man who played Hollywood: Inside Randall Emmett’s crumbling empireBruce Willis halts acting career after diagnosis with cognitive disorderRandall Emmett’s drive to produce films is paying off

Few things are more beautiful on a California summer evening than the sight of lowriders cruising slow and low and bouncing up and down through the streets. But for decades, municipalities across the Golden State have been declaring war on lowriding.Today, why cities banned car cruising in the first place and how activists are finally winning. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: San Diego Union-Tribune reporter Tammy MurgaMore reading:California Assembly urges cities to repeal bans on cruisingPodcast: Lowriders. Cruising. A Southern California ritual returnsDuring pandemic, trash and crime increased on Whittier Boulevard. Lowrider clubs said: Enough

Classic cars are a staple of California culture, but they have a dirty secret – they're gas guzzlers. And with gas prices so high, collectors are beginning to convert their cars into electric vehicles. In this episode, L.A. business reporter Ronald D. White talks about the creative ways that Californians are getting their hands on electric cars.

A 22-year-old woman and an abortion doctor from California played key roles in the legal fight that eventually led to Roe vs. Wade. But now that Roe’s been struck down, is that history our future? Today, we look at what it was like for women seeking abortions in California and the doctors who served them before the procedure was legalized, and what that past might say about a future without the constitutional right to abortion. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times reporter Brittny MejiaMore reading:Her illegal abortion paved the way for Roe. 56 years later she shares her story“The Future of Abortion” seriesCalifornia will see rush of people from out of state seeking abortion care, study says

For decades, weekly lunches between the American president and his vice president have piqued the interest of D.C. insiders. Today, we take a look at this unique tradition and examine what the most exclusive meal in D.C. tells us about the evolution of the vice presidency. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times White House reporter Noah BiermanMore reading:It’s not just a meal: Inside the nation’s most secretive and exclusive power lunchOpinion: Obama and Biden do lunchGorbachev, Reagan, Bush to Lunch

President Biden has vowed to help protect the ability of those who seek abortions to travel to other states. California and other states have stepped up to offer expanded access. And now companies are vowing to do what they can to help their employees continue to access abortion. But how much do those vows from private businesses really matter?Today, we talk about how corporations are stepping up when the government won’t. But are they actually changing anything in a meaningful way? Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuest: L.A. Times business reporter Sam DeanMore reading:Companies vow to help employees access abortion after Roe vs. Wade is overturnedHollywood companies vow to pay travel costs for abortions after Roe vs. Wade decisionHow Apple, Levi Strauss and other U.S. companies are creating a brand-new abortion benefit

We’ll be having fun all summer long ... or not. Hazards are everywhere this season — in the bonfires we set, the trash we leave behind, the sunburns we get. Today, our Masters of Disasters talk about all the hazards out there, including us. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times earthquake reporter Rong-Gong Lin II, L.A. Times wildfire reporter Alex Wigglesworth and L.A. Times coast reporter Rosanna XiaMore reading:In California’s high-risk fire country, Airbnb offers guests no warning or escape planWhere are California’s dirtiest beaches? This list might surprise youFirst suspected cases of monkeypox in Riverside and Santa Clara counties reported

More than 20 states have already worked to ban or severely limit abortion in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe vs. Wade. But in California, access to abortion will continue to be protected. In fact, the state’s Democratic leaders want to expand the right to abortion — for those who live here, and even for those who don’t.Today, how and why California is setting itself up as a “beacon of hope” for people who want an abortion.Read the full transcript here. Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times California government reporter Melody GutierrezMore reading:What happens in California with Roe vs. Wade now dead?Newsom signs bill protecting California abortion providers from civil liabilityIn an America divided by abortion, guns and COVID, California and Newsom seize the moment

Roe vs. Wade protected the constitutional right to an abortion for nearly 50 years. Now that the Supreme Court has overturned it, at least 20 states are banning or putting extreme limitations on access to abortion.The outcome was expected, but the country still erupted when the ruling posted — abortion opponents gathered in celebration while abortion-access advocates reacted with anger.Over the last few months, The Times has looked at the issue of abortion from a number of perspectives to help understand how we got to this historic moment. Today, we revisit five episodes from “The Future of Abortion” series.Listen to the full episodes here:Future of Abortion Part 1: MedicineDr. Warren Hern has performed abortions since before Roe vs. Wade. He speaks about his career — and the fears he has for the future.Future of Abortion Part 2: ChurchThe complicated story of how evangelicals mobilized around restricting abortion, and one Christian woman’s place in it all.The Future of Abortion Part 3: MoneyHow Texas has made it nearly impossible for low-income women to get an abortion. And how other states want to copy that.The Future of Abortion, Part 4: Keeping ItPregnancy centers have grown in numbers with the backing of antiabortion religious organizations. What’s their future like in a post-Roe vs. Wade world?The Future of Abortion, Part 5 : LawWhat went wrong with Roe vs. Wade and why the court’s effort to resolve the abortion controversy back in 1973 has instead led to decades of division.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: L.A. Times reporters Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Jaweed Kaleem and David G. SavageMore reading:“The Future of Abortions” print seriesIn historic reversal, Supreme Court overturns Roe vs. Wade, freeing states to outlaw abortionThe four key turning points that led to the fall of Roe vs. Wade