In Brief
Palisades Fire investigation
-
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. -
Fires can smolder underground for months. "It really is more common than I think people realize,” a fire scientist says.
More news
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care.
Today on AirTalk, LAFD releases After-Action report; How to share info on your health issues; A new book on Bruce Lee; U.S. colleges ask Trump for access to federal funding; CA FAIR Plan rate increase and TV Talk.
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
-
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 closure at Corona Regional Medical Center is the latest in a string of accelerated closures across the state. -
L.A. County’s tax deadline was moved from April to October this year because of the January fires. -
Soul Housing was, until recently, L.A. County’s largest recuperative care provider, with more than 1,300 beds across 16 facilities. -
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. -
State health officials will target ultraprocessed food additives, dyes, chemicals and other ingredients, surpassing federal efforts led by RFK Jr.
Entertainment Thursday
-
The musician visited L.A. to announce his first solo album and reflected on his three decades coming to the city. -
The defining teen series of the 90’s ran for 10 seasons. -
John C. Reilly brings back Mister Romantic, Vietfest Film Festival hits the O.C., the L.A. Times Food Bowl is back, dublab celebrates 26 years and more.
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.
-
Military experts say they also worry how these new deployments will affect recruitment and public trust. -
National Guard troops from Illinois and Texas have been tasked with protecting federal government employees such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, and federal property. -
A new poll shows trust in federal health policies is plummeting, and what — or who — people believe increasingly depends on their politics.
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
-
California is known for taking weeks to tally its ballots, causing uncertainty and frustration among voters. That could change with a faster turnaround under a new state law. -
The crowdsourced site was taken down without warning, days after political figures called for its removal. Its creators quickly launched a replacement. -
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.
Education
-
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. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
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
-
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. -
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.
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
-
Temperatures will cool gradually this week. -
California law that sets guardrails on use of force at protests relies on the police to police themselves. -
Why California might preserve in-state tuition rates for community college students who get deportedA bill in the state Legislature would allow deported community college students to continue their coursework online at in-state rates. DACA recipients who are denied re-entry to the U.S. would also be eligible. -
Valley fever mostly infects people who spend time outdoors in dusty areas. For Riverside County, that’s primarily been construction workers. -
The waste was likely dumped alongside barrels of DDT discovered in recent years. Its chemical makeup has changed the types of organisms that live on the ocean bottom. -
With hundreds of claims still pending and the county on the hook for payouts, here’s what we know about the burden facing Orange County taxpayers. -
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted restrictions on immigration raids in Southern California. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake. -
The City Clerk says a referendum to overturn a minimum wage ordinance failed to gather enough valid signatures. The business group behind it is alleging foul play. -
An estimated 14 million kids don't get any vaccines. They face serious threats from measles, diarrhea, pneumonia and other ailments. -
Long Beach: it’s way more than Snoop Dogg and the Queen Mary. -
FIFA launched the first window of regular ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday. Brace yourself: because they may not be easy to get — or cheap.
Latest from our reporters
Support for LAist comes from