In Brief
Do is currently serving a five-year sentence in federal prison for accepting kickbacks in exchange for directing lucrative county contracts to a nonprofit.
Today on AirTalk, CA passes SB79; Triple Play; New book explores Rodney King beating; Check in on fire recovery efforts; CA nursing shortages and HAMMER Museum's latest exhibition.
Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Christy Lemire and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.
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• 49:30
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Air traffic controllers are essential to commercial air travel, but shortages are something pilots have faced before. -
Beutner told LAist in an interview last week that L.A. is a city “adrift” that he wants to get “back on track.” -
A former student allegedly stabbed three staff members and indicated he placed pipe bombs in the area. -
A project in Orange County is working to seed and harvest native Olympia oysters, which help stabilize shorelines. -
Despite massive box office success, animated films haven’t fully shaken off the perception that they’re just for kids or not ‘real’ cinema. Animation Is Film is on a mission to change that. -
The law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom lets more adults step in as caregivers if parents are deported. Critics call it dangerous. Supporters say it protects kids. -
AirTalk at the BroadStage, Indigenous Peoples Day events, a Nosferatu-themed puppet show, artists take over the Bradbury Building and more.
Climate Monday
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The report is quite critical, documenting how systemic problems endangered the lives of firefighters and the public. -
Fires can smolder underground for months. "It really is more common than I think people realize,” a fire scientist says. “It just doesn’t usually reignite another fire." -
Californians, your newest state symbols are the native big berry manzanita and the giant garter snake.
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Latest from the White House
Follow the fast-moving developments under the Trump Administration.
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On Saturday, a federal appeals court blocked the Trump administration from deploying federalized National Guard troops in Illinois. -
If Congress doesn't act, costs will rise on premiums for health care plans on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. Here's what to know about the politics and real-world impact of this issue. -
Sources tell NPR that more than 100 employees have been laid off at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Agency. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had some cuts reversed late Saturday.
Palisades Fire investigation
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The report is quite critical, documenting how systemic problems endangered the lives of firefighters and the public. -
The release comes the same day federal prosecutors charged a man in connection with starting a blaze that became the Palisades Fire. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings.
Conflict in the Middle East
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Among the 2,000 Palestinians freed in the Gaza ceasefire deal were 250 serving life terms for attacks on Israelis dating back decades. -
After more than two years in captivity, the last 20 hostages abducted during Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, have been released. -
World leaders from more than 20 nations gathered in Egypt to formally sign the agreement, which Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi called "the birth of a glimmer of hope" for the region.
School Game Plan
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In Los Angeles Unified alone, there are more than 400 elementary schools, plus hundreds of specialized programs and dozens of charter schools run by separate nonprofits. -
If you want to send your child to a magnet, dual-language, or charter school next year, here’s what you need to know. -
Families say the process of choosing a school for their child is bewildering, overwhelming and anxiety-driven. So we made a guide to help.
LA's wildfires: Your recovery guide
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Your game plan for what happens next. LAist will be there every step of the way. -
SoCal Edison says it will announce its compensation program sometime this fall. -
All disasters are chaotic, but an LAist review of reports produced after two wildfire incidents found similar shortcomings and similar recommendations about how to fix them.
Featured events
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Event
CANCELED- Due to unforeseen circumstances, the show has been canceled. We'd love to see you at our next scheduled event on October 26, where our guests will be Dermot Mulroney and Loni Love. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
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Event
After the January fires in Altadena and Pacific Palisades leveled more than 12,000 homes and businesses, the two communities are still grappling with the lingering effects of the disaster and trying to find ways to move forward. On October 14, we’ll focus on Pacific Palisades and surrounding communities. AirTalk host Larry Mantle will talk with guests about what the road to rebuilding looks like and how best to navigate this new reality.
Civics & Democracy
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Prop. 50 would enact a congressional map that helps Democrats, but a new analysis finds it doesn’t change Californians’ representation much on other measures. -
The Trump administration says it has started the process of issuing "substantial" reduction-in-force notices to federal employees. Court filings suggest around 4,200 affected so far. -
The Pentagon began withdrawing troops from Los Angeles in mid-July, but other cities could be next.
Education
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LAUSD test scores improve again, exceeding pre-pandemic performance. Here’s what parents should knowThe district reports the scores in all subjects and grade levels now meet or exceed pre-pandemic grade levels, and several student groups are outpacing their peers statewide. -
The law requires a database intended to stop teachers facing credible accusations of abuse from quitting and getting rehired at another school. -
In a world where even toddlers are increasingly on screens, local graphic designer Meeta Panesar has created a print magazine that invites readers to explore the world and their own creativity.
Featured Podcast
An LA Commission created to tackle city government scandals is being stymied
A charter reform commission was created in 2024 in response to multiple Los Angeles city government scandals, including the leak of a racist tape featuring City Council President Nury Martinez. One of the commission’s aims was to modify the LA charter, which is basically the city’s constitution. But reports indicate that this commission is struggling to do its job. There are calls for transparency around its very structure. LAist Watchdog Correspondent Jordan Rynning joins Imperfect Paradise to talk about the commission’s issues and how this work will affect the lives of Angelenos.
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• 20:51
Explore LA
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The days of discretely engaging in nerdy hobbies for fear of ridicule are long gone — thanks to the ultra popularity of games like Dungeon, and the LGS that give people a place to play. -
The rock legend joins LAist for a lookback on his career — and the next chapter of his music. -
The founder of this South East L.A. company grew up going to schools with few green spaces and living in neighborhoods with limited job prospects.
Food
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Using sidewalks and parking lot started as a way to help restaurants during the pandemic. Two news laws aim to help a still-struggling industry. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
Bike, skate or walk through Westlake, Chinatown, Little Tokyo and Boyle Heights — and refresh yourself at these icons along the way.
More stories
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Preparations were also underway Sunday for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. -
Five people were transported to the hospital for treatment, according to authorities. An investigation on the cause of the crash is underway. -
The actor, known for her quirky, vibrant manner and depth was 79. Across her decades-long career, she worked with prominent filmmakers including Francis Ford Coppola, Woody Allen and Nancy Meyers. -
The Spaghetti sound was born out of a fusion of Latin music, classic and punk rock and hip-hop. -
Researchers have tracked Swift's manner of speech from her time in Nashville through her New York era. -
The president expressed frustration with new export controls placed on rare earth elements by China. -
The proclamation comes as part of the president's effort to bring the holiday 'back from the ashes.' -
The announcement was made Friday after detection the day before. -
Illegal harvesting of plants in the wild is leading to extinction for some species, experts say. -
Arjun Malaviya set out to travel the world on his 17th birthday in July 2023. Over 13 months, the California teenager traveled through some of the world's most populated cities and most remote villages. -
Attorney General Rob Bonta made the request after years of scandals at the county's facilities. -
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers claim assaults on their officers are up sharply since June. There's no public evidence that number is true.
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