In Brief
Maurice Hastings, 72, was convicted of committing sexual assault and murder in Inglewood in 1983. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole, but DNA testing led to his exoneration decades later.
Today on AirTalk, Jimmy Kimmel returns to television; President Trump designates antifa as a 'domestic terrorist organization,'; CA engulfed in artificial turf wars; $500 million in funding restored to UCLA; H1-B annual fees and a new book on 'Common Knowledge.'
Listen
• 1:39:20
Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell and Claudia Puig review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. They also share thoughts on the passing of film icon Robert Redford, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 89.
Listen
• 34:30
-
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk.
-
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
-
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain.
-
Starting this November, the state will offer free childcare to families regardless of income.
-
Eligible homeowners are required to ask lenders for forbearance, which could be extended for up to a year.
-
Officials are aiming to reopen the 7-mile stretch of road by spring. It was closed in 2023 due to landslides.
-
There's a 'Jaws' exhibit at the Academy Museum, Camerata Pacifica’s new season kicks off, Eureka Day at Pasadena Playhouse and an America’s Best Test Kitchen live demo.
Watchdog Wednesday
-
Guy Scott has spent 41 years in prison on a murder charge that was recently dropped after prosecutors uncovered evidence casting doubt on Scott’s role.
-
County agrees to enforce cleaning in Altadena apartments. Tenants say it may be too late to help some but could establish clear rules in future fires.
-
City management said the initial award wasn’t enough to jumpstart the program and couldn’t handle the requirements, but some council members dispute those claims.
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.
-
Jurors convicted Routh on five charges, including last year's attempted assassination of Trump as he golfed at his South Florida course. Routh represented himself in court and faces life in prison.
-
President Trump called off a planned Thursday meeting with top Congressional Democrats to discuss a possible deal to avoid a government shutdown. He called Democrats' demands "unserious." Democrats say he chickened out.
-
In his United Nations General Assembly speech, President Donald Trump warned world leaders of "uncontrolled migration" and accused the U.N. of contributing to the problem.
LA's wildfires: Your recovery guide
-
Your game plan for what happens next. LAist will be there every step of the way.
-
More intense future wildfires, fueled by further climate change, could lead to 70,000 deaths from smoke exposure a year, according to a new study.
-
By some estimates, Altadena lost more than half of its tree canopy in the wake of the Eaton Fire. One young Altadenan wants us to share our stories about them.
Featured events
-
Event
On October 11, comedian Drew Lynch (he/him), 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 City Council will hold a special meeting will be held at 4 p.m. today to discuss the proposal.
-
Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed laws to restrict ICE at schools and hospitals. A similar California law shielding courthouses from immigration enforcement shows they may be difficult to enforce.
-
Nearly 20 immigration judges received emails this month informing them that they are being let go, NPR has learned, the largest single month of firings since the process began in February.
Education
-
UCLA and University of California leaders are fighting Trump’s demands for a $1.2 billion settlement over a litany of accusations, including that the campus permits antisemitism.
-
The Long Beach Unified School District may soon empower its in-house safety officers to handle low-level offenses.
-
Since 1972, the CAMP program has helped tens of thousands of migrant students succeed in college. The Trump administration has cut off funding for it, forcing some colleges to reduce or eliminate services.
Featured Podcast
Why California's protest law is flawed and the consequences to protesters
After the George Floyd protests of 2020, California took steps to reign in violent policing of protests by passing laws restricting how law enforcement uses less-lethal weapons, like tasers and rubber bullets. But high profile protests in 2024 and 2025 – including this summer’s protests against the ICE raids in Los Angeles – have revealed major flaws in those laws. LAist Senior Editor Jared Bennett joins us to talk about an investigation around these flaws and what they mean for people exercising their right to free speech.
Listen
• 24:29
Explore LA
-
Here's what you told us about the biggest misconceptions you hear — and push back on — about Los Angeles and Southern California.
-
Rufi Thorpe’s "Margo’s Got Money Troubles" is set in Fullerton. We asked the author about her local inspirations and essential SoCal reads.
-
Of the more than 1,300 Historic-Cultural Monuments designated since 1962, less than 2% recognize women's contributions. The new L.A. Women's Landmarks Project aims to amend that.
Food
-
Groceries saw their biggest jump in nearly three years last month, a worrisome sign for inflation-weary shoppers. Tariffs are contributing to higher prices for imported staples like bananas and coffee.
-
The restaurant reopened last month, bringing back the mole, chilaquiles, café de olla and community ties that made it a neighborhood gem.
-
European-style beers are being paired with Japanese ingredients like matcha and yuzu to create unique pours.
More stories
-
With baby essentials, resources and peer support, the East L.A. Community Resource Center is building more than care packages for soon-to-be parents.
-
Despite losing his Altadena home and instruments, the 91-year-old is playing as part of the Hammer Museum’s JazzPop series.
-
Since last year about a half-dozen states have attempted to pass laws that would allow schools to charge tuition to noncitizens. None passed, but advocates said they plan to keep trying.
-
A new course launched by the city of L.A. helps them navigate budgets and teaches them financial literacy –for free.
-
Heat advisories kick in for the inland and valley areas.
-
L.A. opened a homeless services hub in Skid Row focused on the health and well-being of drug users.
-
Notably absent from those facing penalties during this era of stepped-up immigration enforcement are the employers themselves: LAist found just one instance since January in which an employer was penalized for hiring unauthorized workers.
-
ICE agents cannot identify as local law enforcement when attempting to make home arrests and cannot use “deceptive ruses” in order to conduct immigration enforcement operations, after a settlement in federal court this week.
-
UC researchers claim a judge’s previous order barred the National Science Foundation from suspending UCLA’s grants.
-
American wine industry stakeholders have different opinions about the potential fallout from tariffs on European wine, with California likely feeling the biggest impact.
-
The massive project in the Mojave Desert can meet 7% of the city’s power needs.
-
The Orange County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on whether to adopt the changes at its next meeting on Aug. 12.
Latest from our reporters
Support for LAist comes from