In Brief
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings.
Today on AirTalk, an arrest has been made in connection with the Palisades fires; Triple Play; LA County sex abuse lawsuit crisis, and how did you pick a retirement community?
Listen
• 1:15:23
Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell and Manuel Betancourt review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.
Listen
• 35:30
-
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. -
The closure at Corona Regional Medical Center is the latest in a string of accelerated closures across the state. -
VietRISE said the post from August was part of a series born out of the realization that many people don't know about Vietnam’s history beyond 1975. -
An ordinance that the L.A. City Council soon will consider would allow certain Olympics projects to skip city zoning and planning requirements. -
Arts for L.A. advocacy group convenes Wednesday to help artists heal and renew and do the same for the L.A. communities they serve. -
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. -
From funeral feasts to bratwurst and beer! Explore Halloween rituals at a food and death panel, catch Mariska Hargitay’s new doc, Oktoberfest hits Pomona and more.
Watchdog Wednesday
-
Commissioners have a big agenda: expanding the City Council, switching to a ranked-choice voting and more. Nearly four months after an already delayed start, one commissioner told LAist they're still "at square one." -
The city can’t approve higher fees to bolster the street light repair budget without gaining approval from property owners. -
The allegations stem from a media report that primarily alleged a law firm paid some plaintiffs to sue the county.
Take action to protect public media!
The loss of federal funding for public media means audience support is more important than ever. Make a powerful statement to safeguard the future of LAist. Become a monthly sustaining member or increase your current support to keep independent local journalism strong.
Latest from the White House
Follow the fast-moving developments under the Trump Administration.
-
A federal union argues that Trump administration language posted on federal agency websites and some emails blaming a shutdown on the "Radical Left Democrats" violates a 1939 federal law. -
Bondi defended her work as attorney general, rejecting allegations that DOJ investigations and prosecutions, including the recent indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, are driven by politics. -
A new draft White House memo suggests a 2019 law signed by President Trump that guarantees that federal employees get paid after a shutdown ends would not apply to furloughed workers.
Conflict in the Middle East
-
It's been two years since Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. In response, Israeli leaders promised a punishing offensive. Here are some numbers showing the war's toll. -
Israelis are paying heavy costs for the longest war in their history: a mental health crisis, trauma, unprecedented division during wartime, animosity abroad and apathy for Palestinian suffering. -
On the second anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on Israel of Oct. 7, 2023, the leaders of Israel and Hamas are pushed by Arab countries and the U.S. toward a potential end to the war.
School Game Plan
-
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
-
Your game plan for what happens next. LAist will be there every step of the way. -
More than half of sales through September have been to corporate developers. Grassroots community efforts continue to work to combat the trend. -
Transmission lines have been linked to the start of the Eaton fire in January. But another kind of line — distribution lines that power homes — were also wreaking havoc before that fire sparked.
Featured events
-
Event
On October 11, comedian Drew Lynch (he/him) and actor Nana Visitor (she/her), plus surprise guest experts will join J. Keith and Helen for a trivia show like no other!
-
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
-
The Board of Supervisors puts the brakes on a plan to increase the cost of a marriage license from $91 to $176. -
Attorney General Rob Bonta’s comments came after a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from dispatching California National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon. -
A dozen facilities saw air traffic control shortages on Monday, delaying flights at several airports. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy blamed "a slight tick-up in sick calls" due to the shutdown.
Education
-
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases. -
The show has a new host and a new digital format but the same mission. -
USC says it’s reviewing the letter also sent to eight other prestigious schools nationwide. California's governor vowed that any California universities that sign will lose state funding.
Featured Podcast
Reports about failures in response to the January LA fires and a 2018 fire have striking similarities
A new report details the Eaton and Palisades fires, including failures in the emergency response. But this report bears striking similarities with another -- which chronicled the response to the 2018 Woolsey Fire in Southern California. LAist Science Reporter Jacob Margolis discusses the reports and what they mean for L.A. County moving forward.
Listen
• 23:27
Explore LA
-
Distrito Catorce’s Guillermo Piñon says the team no longer reflects his community. A new mural will honor local leaders instead. -
Clair has been a fixture at the corner of San Vicente and 26th Street for about seven years until she was stolen. -
Come one, come all. Intergenerational Mahjong brings people of any age, race or experience level to play the timeless tile game.
Food
-
Bike, skate or walk through Westlake, Chinatown, Little Tokyo and Boyle Heights — and refresh yourself at these icons along the way. -
At this time of year, the flor de izote blooms in Los Angeles. The Salvadoran American chef Karla Tatiana Vasquez says the flowers are both a delicacy and a connection to her identity. -
The new ordinance applies to certain grocers operating in the city and has led to some self-checkout lanes to shutter.
More stories
-
Pope Leo XIV reflected on the legacy of Pope Francis and whether he sees himself as more U.S. American or Peruvian. -
He leaves behind a legacy of community service, mentorship and interfaith advocacy. -
For the third year, the state delayed AI regulation for disclosing and appealing many automated decisions by the state and companies. -
If state regulators approve the increase, ratepayers could see a 10% increase in the coming months. -
"Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History" orders staff working at all National Park Service locations to remove any content that casts Americans in a negative light. -
President Donald Trump would like companies to report their earnings less frequently. Executives have long called for that — but some financial experts worry it would go badly. -
A judge will decide whether DOGE's health cuts are legal. Local health departments aren't waiting to close clinics, stop programs, cut immunization appointments and lay off workers anyway. -
U.S. officials have announced a "framework" that would let Chinese-owned short video platform TikTok continue operations in the United States, although the two countries are still working out the details. -
Nurses Night at Dodger Stadium, Moth StorySLAM at Los Globos, piñatas at Perrotin Gallery, North Mississippi Allstars at the Troubadour and more of the best things to do this week. -
Jeffrey Gibson was the first and only Indigenous artist to represent the U.S. at the Venice Biennale. LA is the only place you can see the work stateside. -
'The Studio,' 'The Pitt' and 'Adolescence' took home top prizes on Sunday. And while the wins were deserving, the telecast was meh. Here are a few takeaways from a night that was a real mixed bag. -
Spencer Pratt is best known from his time on MTV reality show "The Hills." But he's now using his social media presence to weigh in on rebuilding efforts after the L.A. fires.
Latest from our reporters
Support for LAist comes from