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The LA Local

Your TL;DR for what's happening in SoCal. Get caught up in less than ten minutes every afternoon on The LA Local. From culture to crime to politics to the offbeat, Jonathan Serviss and the KNX News team have you covered.
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Episodes

The Altadena burn zone rebuilding process is off to a depressingly slow start

The permitting process for rebuilding in the Altadena burn zone is off to a depressingly slow start. If you have property insurance through State Farm, brace for a rate increase. And those poor elephants languishing at the L.A. Zoo have a powerful new ally in their corner...Cher. It's Cher. The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

May 14, 202517 min

Trump blinks on trade war with China. Has the damage already been done?

The Port of L.A. is eager to get back to business as Trump backs off on his trade war with China, but has the damage already been done? Gov. Gavin Newsom warns California cities to start clamping down on homeless encampments, and why should Santa Monica residents be wary of local squares? The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

May 13, 202515 min

Menendez brothers take a big step toward freedom

The California Highway Patrol gets some new undercover patrol cars, ICE agents arrest the mayor of a major US city, and the Menendez brothers take a big step toward potential release from prison. The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

May 10, 202515 min

What does the first American pope mean for the world?

A cardinal from Chicago was named the first American-born pope in the Catholic Church’s history. Who is he, what can we expect from him, and is he a Cubs or White Sox fan? The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

May 08, 202511 min

When should consumers expect to see the impact of Trump's tariffs?

Will it be possible to sidestep rising prices and product shortages due to the fast-approaching impact of tariffs? And hear from the Orange County Congressman who voted with House Republicans to overturn California's controversial EV mandate. The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

May 08, 202514 min

What do air traffic control issues in NJ have to do with you in L.A.?

A sweetheart deal proposed for an L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy convicted of assaulting a woman in Lancaster sparks outrage. The elephants on their way from L.A. to a bigger exhibit in Oklahoma have triggered a battle between the city council and the L.A. Zoo. And what do the Newark Airport traffic control issues have to do with you in L.A.? A lot more than you may think, an expert says.

May 07, 202516 min

L.A. City's animal shelters spared the worst of the budget cuts - for now

L.A. City's beleaguered animal shelters are spared the worst of the budget cuts - for now. The International Olympic Committee does right for one of the most prolific Olympic swimmers in history, who was a victim of the Palisades fire, and live vicariously through us as we try out some of the best tacos in L.A. for this Cinco de Mayo. The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

May 06, 202516 min

Has Hollywood recovered 2 years post-strike?

Two years ago, the writers and actors brought Hollywood to a standstill with their strikes. Contracts were eventually signed, but the damage to many careers had been done. Now, with all that time gone by, have the far-reaching consequences been resolved? And the big question: Is Hollywood finally back? The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

May 03, 202513 min

Why is CA still struggling to pass laws in favor of building much-needed housing?

On today's L.A. Local, we've got an urgent animal welfare issue in Los Angeles, a disappointing performance from the Lakers, and a deep dive into why California continues to face challenges in enacting legislation to streamline much-needed housing development. The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

May 02, 202512 min

Trump blaming Biden for US economy issues is 'laughable,' expert says

The US economy shrank in the first three months of 2025, but don't worry; President Trump says tariffs will save the day! Pay no mind to the long list of experts who wholeheartedly disagree... well, maybe we should at least hear them out. We speak with several experts to analyze the current challenges and the potential impact, just in case. The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

May 01, 202512 min

L.A. County Supervisors approve $4B in sexual abuse settlements

Decades of gut-wrenching abuse in L.A. County's foster care system and juvenile detention facilities led to a multi-billion-dollar payout. The L.A. City government starts making tough choices about where and how to close a huge budget deficit. And we apply science and logic to a ridiculous internet debate: Who would win in a fight, one gorilla or 100 men? The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

Apr 30, 202513 min

Waymo taxis are driving some Santa Monica residents crazy

Waymo’s driverless taxis are driving some Santa Monica residents crazy, a weirdo is planting hidden cameras in the bushes around West Covina, and tariffs are starting to hit home, with businesses warning of shortages, price increases, and disruptions for the foreseeable future. The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

Apr 29, 202511 min

Santa Monica wants you to day drink on the 3rd St. Promenade

The L.A. City Council wonders how it got into a $1 billion budget deficit, an ICE raid on a day laborer at a Pomona Home Depot has a chilling effect, and the City of Santa Monica has a controversial plan to bring life back to the area. The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

Apr 26, 20258 min

Carmageddon 2? Some of the 405 will shut down for 22 weekends.

Caltrans is working hard to spread the word about a massive 405 repaving project. What's happening after the tree terror in downtown Los Angeles? Some locals say enough is enough. And we'll tell you about the latest trouble with the water reservoir in the Palisades. The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

Apr 24, 20257 min

Los Angeles City: The good, the bad, the ugly

Our beloved city has poor air quality, a budget in shambles, and, surprise, surprise, the cost of living is among the highest in the nation - this is the Debbie Downer episode. And since we're already down in the pits... what in the actual frick is Kanye West trying to do with his swastika-wearing black choir? The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

Apr 24, 202511 min

L.A. Zoo says goodbye to the last of its elephants

The long and often bitter debate over the elephants living at the L.A. Zoo appears to be coming to a close. We have an update on one very concrete way that closing a $1 billion deficit in the L.A. City budget will impact YOU. And we're celebrating Earth Day, a holiday that's feeling a little forgotten these days. The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

Apr 23, 202516 min

L.A. City budget woes put more than 1,600 city employees' jobs at risk

Break out the calculators and spreadsheets; we're taking a deep dive into the mess that is the L.A. City budget. On the heels of Mayor Bass's State of the City, where she announced that closing the $1B shortfall would 'unfortunately include layoffs,' we examine how a string of bad luck, paired with poor decision-making, led to this moment.

Apr 22, 202515 min

Is L.A. a Lakers or Clippers town?

There’s no rivalry like the bitter intra-city feud between the Lakers and the Clippers. So which one is truly L.A.’s basketball team? We hear compelling arguments from both sides. The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

Apr 19, 202512 min

Why did L.A. County's emergency alert system fail so miserably during the fires?

More than 3 months after the Eaton fire, we still don't know precisely why Altadena residents didn't receive evacuation orders until well after neighborhoods had burned down. Maybe those old marijuana scare movies were on to something with new research warning of marijuana-induced psychosis in teens. On a more encouraging note, wildlife is returning to L.A. County's burn zones. The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

Apr 17, 202512 min

More LA28 Olympic venues announced: This group (mostly) in L.A.

In their reaction to Monday's earthquake, elephants at the San Diego Zoo teach us a thing or two about community and cooperation. Shortly after the Defense Department tried to wipe out his web page, Major League Baseball honors the legendary Jackie Robinson. And L.A.'s Olympic venues are coming into view. The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

Apr 16, 202514 min

Magnitude 5.2 earthquake hits San Diego County

Did you feel that? A magnitude 5.2 earthquake hit the Julian area of San Diego County, with shaking felt throughout Southern California. A staggering number of extremely dangerous drivers are still legally licensed on California roads. And Film and TV productions in Los Angeles are way down as we continue to lose our status as the entertainment capital of the world. The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

Apr 15, 202515 min

Are the best days of Coachella in the past?

From Coachella's evolving landscape to the adrenaline-pumping world of Indy car racing, we delve into two of the weekend's biggest events in Southern California. Plus, a guide to other local activities. The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

Apr 12, 202510 min

LAUSD superintendent ‘mystified’ after feds show up at elementary schools

Homeland Security agents were turned away while trying to enter two South L.A. elementary schools without warrants. Big changes are coming to PCH – but are they really enough to improve safety? And more than 100 girls got the prom dresses of their dreams with the help of a local charity. The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

Apr 10, 202510 min

Where is L.A. homeless money going? The U.S. Attorney's Office wants to know.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is looking into how money to combat homelessness is being spent. If you have State Farm, you could be paying more for your premium and a new class can help you get over your fear of flying. The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

Apr 08, 202510 min

The Dodgers head to the White House

The Dodgers visit the White House, and not everyone’s happy about it. The city is looking at creative ways to generate more revenue, and there’s a new push to keep film and TV production in Southern California. The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

Apr 07, 202510 min

The pros(?) and cons of Trump's tariffs

It's hard to find anyone who thinks the Trump tariffs will produce positive results for California's economy, at least for the foreseeable future. We hear from experts on the tariffs' likely short—and long-term impact. And KNX News says 'thank you' and goodbye to Alex Silverman, the man who helped kick off the L.A. Local. The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

Apr 05, 202512 min

'Liberation Day': What will Trump's sweeping tariffs do to the US economy?

Today's L.A. Local is all about the price of doing business. What impact will Trump's sweeping tariffs have on the US economy? And why is it twice as expensive to build an apartment unit in California than in Texas? The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

Apr 03, 202514 min

Dismantling of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority

On today's L.A. Local, we're diving into the deep end of homeless policies for the city and county of Los Angeles, specifically, the uncertain future of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, otherwise known as LAHSA. The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

Apr 02, 202515 min

Why is OKC hosting LA28 Olympic competitions?

What's up with Oklahoma City, of all places, hosting LA28 Olympic competitions? That specialized bridge over the 101 in Agora Hills, which is being made especially for mountain lions, deer, coyotes, and all of our local critters, takes a big step towards completion. And why the palm tree, which screams Southern California, might be the worst vegetation option for our region. The L.A. Local is sponsored by the LA Car Guy family of dealerships.

Apr 01, 202516 min
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