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The Brief

The most important stories for you to know today
  • Concern is high for areas hit hard by recent fires
    An outline of California has intense cloud cover in an aerial shot.
    Conditions in Southern California Monday, Feb. 15, as heavy storms hit the state.

    Topline:

    A series of severe weather advisories ranging from extreme marine conditions to severe thunderstorms and the possibility of hail and weather spouts have peppered Southern California on Monday.

    Where things stand: The wet start to the week is expected to continue, with concerns high about possible mudslides and debris flows in areas hard hit by recent fires.

    Keep reading... for details on current conditions and the forecast.

    A series of severe weather advisories — ranging from extreme marine conditions to severe thunderstorms and the possibility of hail and water spouts — peppered Southern California on Monday. The wet start to the week is expected to continue, with concerns about possible mudslides and debris flows in areas hard hit by recent fires.

    L.A. Mayor Karen Bass issued an evacuation warning for the Palisades, Sunset and Hurst burn scar areas ahead of the rain Monday. That warning went into effect at 9 p.m. Sunday and was scheduled to be in place until 9 a.m. Tuesday.

    Most of L.A. County was under a flood watch as a powerful rainstorm hit the region Monday.

    Some mountain communities are also under a winter storm warning through Thursday when up to 1 or 2 feet of snow is possible for elevations above 6,000 feet.

    Rainfall totals

    Chart indicates when rainfall is expected.
    Weather forecast this week for Southern California.
    (
    Courtesy NWS
    )

    Widespread rain began to fall on Southern California overnight, as of 11 a.m. Monday here are preliminary rainfall totals over the last 24 hours, reported by the National Weather Service:

    • Agoura: 1.66 inches
    • Bel Air: .78 inches
    • Canoga Park: 1.25 inches
    • Downtown L.A. .11 inches
    • Eaton Dam: .50 inches

    Evacuations and closures

    We will update as needed.

    According to the National Weather Service, locations that could experience flash flooding include Monday afternoon: Long Beach, West Covina, Glendora, San Dimas, Pomona, Whittier, La Verne, Covina, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Diamond Bar, Hacienda Heights, Monrovia, Claremont, Santa Fe Springs, Norwalk, Cerritos, Artesia, Bellflower and Walnut.

    Traffic conditions

    Forecast

    Meteorologists for the National Weather Service have warned that a powerful storm system will move through the region Monday "bringing the potential for severe thunderstorms, burn-scar debris flows, flash flooding with rock and mud slides, damaging winds, heavy mountain snow, and high surf with coastal flooding."

    They say Southern Californians should expect "cold and blustery conditions with periodic rain" through "at least the middle of the week."

    The expected rainfall is significant enough that they're warning people near vulnerable areas, which include recent burn scars from last January's fires and other recent fires, to take precautions immediately and be ready to leave if evacuation orders are issued.

    Severe weather could include:

    • Small tornadoes
    • 60 mph or higher winds
    • Rainfall rates that hit 1 inch per hour or more

    Understanding National Weather Service warnings

    Here’s an excerpt from our guide to understanding flood warnings, if any are issued:

    • Flood advisories are how the NWS begins to raise the alarm. The goal is to give people enough time to take action.
    • Flood watches are your indicators to get prepared to move.
    • A flood warning is issued when a hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. When one is issued for your area, you need to get to higher ground immediately.
    • A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is coming or in progress. Flash floods are sudden and violent floods that can start within minutes.

    Read more: Flash Flood warnings? Watches? Here’s what you need to know

    Tips for driving in the rain

    Advice on driving in the rain:

    • Check weather and road conditions all along your planned route.
    • Slow down.
    • Keep a wider-than-usual distance between your vehicle and the one in front.
    • Don't drive through standing water — as little as 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars, and two feet can carry away SUVs and trucks.
    • Make sure tires are fully inflated.
    • Check windshield wiper blades and replace if necessary.

    Read more: What you should do if you end up driving in a flooded area

    Downed tree, power line or flooded road?

    Dial 911 in an emergency.

    However, if you need to report a flooded road or a downed tree, you can call the following non-emergency numbers:

    • L.A. city: Dial 311 for a flooded road or downed tree. Call (800) DIAL-DWP if you see a downed power line.
    • L.A. County: (800) 675-HELP
    • Ventura County: (805) 384-1500
    • Orange County: (714) 955-0200 or visit here.

    If you're in L.A. County and need sand bags, you can find some at local fire houses.

    Staying safe when the winds are high

    • Watch for traffic signals that may be out. Approach those intersections as four-way stops.
    • Make sure you have a battery-operated radio and flashlights. Check the batteries to make sure they are fresh. Use flashlights for lighting during a power outage; do not use candles because they may pose a fire hazard.
    • If you’re in a vehicle with a fallen power line on it, stay in the vehicle and remain calm until help arrives. It is OK to use your cellphone to call 911. If you must leave the vehicle, exit away from downed power lines and jump from the vehicle, landing with both feet together. You must not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Then proceed away from the vehicle by shuffling and not picking up your feet until you are several yards away. 
    • Water and electricity don’t mix. Water is an excellent conductor of electricity. Do not step in or enter any water that a downed power line may be touching.
    • Do not use any equipment indoors that is designed for outdoor heating or cooking. Such equipment can emit carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
    • If you use a generator, place it outdoors and plug individual appliances directly into it, using a heavy-duty extension cord. Connecting generators directly to household circuits creates “backfeed,” which is dangerous to repair crews.
    • Leave the doors of your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep food as fresh as possible. Place blocks of ice inside to help keep food cold. Check food carefully for signs of spoilage. 
    • Check on your neighbors to make sure everyone is safe.

    Tips on staying warm

    • State law requires residential units to have heating systems that can keep indoor temperatures at a minimum of 70 degrees. That means every dwelling unit and guest room offered for rent or lease should offer heating equipment.
    • Use heat smartly to save money: Cranking heaters can be expensive. If money is tight, be judicious about how and when you use your utilities. For example, only use heaters at night or only set the thermostat to around 70 degrees.
    • Open and close those vents: If you have central A/C, look at where the vents are around your home. Are any open in places where you don’t stay long? Practice opening and closing those so warm air only goes where you need it (most vents should have a small toggle lever). Humidifiers can also help you warm things up — and it’s useful to add moisture into our dry air.
    • Adjust your wall heaters: If you have a wall heater, you can change the output by adjusting the knob (usually at the bottom). Since wall heaters can only warm the areas where they’re placed, it’s essential to close doors to rooms you won’t be in so hot air doesn’t get wasted.
    • Turn on your ceiling fan (really): If you have a ceiling fan, try turning it on. This sounds counterintuitive, but there’s science behind it. Since hot air floats up, your fan can help move it around. For warming, your fan should spin clockwise to create an updraft. Not all fans will have this option.

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    How we're reporting on this

    This is a developing story. We fact check everything and rely only on information from credible sources (think fire, police, government officials and reporters on the ground). Sometimes, however, we make mistakes or initial reports turn out to be wrong. In all cases, we strive to bring you the most accurate information in real time and will update this story as new information becomes available.

  • Bakers and their pies will drop into Griffith Park
    A close up of pies on a table. They have crispy crustes that are brown on the edges. The center is cut out in a star shape, which reveals the bright red strawberries inside the pie.
    Apple? Blueberry? Pecan? Take your pie-filled pick.

    Topline:

    You can’t have your cake and eat it too, but you can for pie! This Saturday, March 14, is Pi Day — yes, 3.14 the math symbol (π) — and you’ll have the chance to taste tons of pies at The Autry Museum, and help judge a mouth-watering contest.

    What’s going on? The event comes from our public media friends on the Westside. KCRW’s annual PieFest & Contest brings together more than 25 vendors in its “pie marketplace.” There will be baking demos, a beer garden and more. You’ll also get free entry to the museum. The event, which goes from noon to 5 p.m., is free and open to the public. You can RSVP here.

    The contests: Bakers will go head-to-head in a massive pie-baking contest, judged by Will Ferrell, Roy Choi and L.A. food writers. You’ll also play a role by voting for your visual favorites in the Pie Pageant. (No pie-eating contest, womp womp.)

    What is Pi Day? Pi Day is observed on March 14 because the month and day format we use has the first three digits for the value of Pi (π), 3.14. It was officially designated by Congress in 2009 (yes, really).

  • Sponsored message
  • Board will consider increasing fees
    Passengers toting backpacks and rolling luggage walk along a painted sidewalk. A flagpole with a black banner ahead of them reads "Uber Zone" and a blue sign in the foreground has an arrow pointing ahead and the words "Taxi, Lyft, Opoli, Uber."
    Currently, most people hail rideshare vehicles from the 'LAX-it' passenger pickup lot.

    Topline:

    LAX officials are considering a proposal Tuesday to increase the fees it charges rideshare companies to access the airport.

    Current fees: Rideshare companies pass along to their customers a $4 or $5 airport fee. You might see this listed as a line item on your receipt as an “LAX Airport Surcharge.”

    Proposed fees: The Los Angeles World Airports Board of Commissioners could vote tomorrow to increase that fee by as much as $2 to $8 depending on where the rideshare picks you up or drops you off.

    Read on…to learn more about the “why” behind the proposed fee changes.

    LAX officials are considering a proposal Tuesday to increase the fees rideshare companies are charged to access the airport.

    Currently, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft generally pass a $4 to $5 airport fee along to their customers. You might see this listed as a line item on your receipt as an “LAX Airport Surcharge.”

    But the Los Angeles World Airports Board of Commissioners could vote to increase that fee by as much as $2 to $8 depending on where the rideshare picks you up or drops you off.

    The idea behind the proposal is to encourage the use of the long-awaited, much-delayed and over-budget Automated People Mover once it opens and decrease congestion in the central terminal area, the area of the airport that’s also known as the horseshoe.

    David Reich, a deputy executive director for the city agency that manages the airport, told LAist that if the proposal is approved, LAX doesn’t plan on increasing the fee until after the Automated People Mover opens, which could be later this year.

    The proposed increases

    When the Automated People Mover opens, there will be new curb space for drop-off and pick-up. Known as the “ground transport center,” this new curb space will be a 4-minute trip from the terminal area via the Automated People Mover, according to Reich.

    LAX-it will shut down as a rideshare and taxi lot once the train opens, Reich said.

    If the proposal is approved, getting an Uber or Lyft to and from the ground transport center will come with a $6 airport fee.

    Even once the Automated People Mover opens, you will still be able to get rides directly to and from the curbs along the horseshoe, but they will come with a $12 fee.

    The proposed increases would also apply to taxi and limousine services, which currently operate under a slightly different fee structure than rideshare companies.

    The increased fees are expected to generate as much as $100 million in the first year the Automated People Mover is usable, according to a report to the board.

    Why the different fees for the different locations?

    In a report to the board, Reich said the Automated People Mover represents a "significant investment” that aims to “fundamentally reshape how vehicles move through the airport.”

    The idea behind having a higher fee for direct access to the curbs along the horseshoe is to encourage “use of new, high-capacity infrastructure” and preserve central terminal access for trips “that most require it.”

    Details on tomorrow’s meeting

    The Los Angeles World Airports Board of Commissioners agenda for tomorrow’s 10 a.m. meeting can be found here. The proposal detailed in this article is item number 21. A related item, number 22, will also be heard tomorrow. While you can watch the meeting remotely via the link in the agenda, only in-person public comments will be heard.

    The meeting will be held at the following address:

    Samuel Greenberg Board Room 107/116
    Clifton A. Moore Administration Building
    Los Angeles International Airport
    1 World Way, Los Angeles, California 90045
    Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM

    Uber is trying to fight the increases

    Uber is trying to mobilize the public to fight the proposed fee increases.

    “Raising the LAX rideshare fee from $5 to $12 at the curb would punish travelers, working families, and seniors who depend on affordable, reliable transportation,” Danielle Lam, the head of local California policy for Uber, said in a statement.

    On Monday, Uber sent an email to passengers who recently used the rideshare service, urging them to write to city officials to “stop this massive fee hike.”

    Lyft has not responded to a request for comment.

    Ten state lawmakers who are members of the L.A. County delegation sent a letter on Monday to the board expressing their “strong opposition” to the proposed increases.

    “Many Angelenos rely on a mix of options, including rideshare services and friends or family dropping off loved ones,” the legislators wrote in the letter. “Managing congestion cannot realistically rely on steep fee increases for certain transportation options.”

    Eight of the 10 legislators who signed the letter have received campaign contributions from Uber or Lyft, according to an LAist analysis of state campaign contribution data.

    Other ways to access the airport

    Now is probably a good time to remind folks that there are other ways to get to the airport that don’t involve rideshares, taxis or even lifts from families and friends.

    The FlyAway bus offers regularly scheduled rides from the airport to Union Station in downtown L.A. and Van Nuys. You can see the schedules here. 

    Last year, the countywide transportation agency unveiled the LAX/Metro Transit center, which is accessible from the C and K rail lines and several bus routes. For now, an LAX shuttle is bringing travelers from the station to the airport. It will be one of the stops on the Automated People Mover once it opens.

  • Newport Beach police station could affect park
    Three large sculpture bunny rabbits are positioned around each other in a wide open grassy area. There are two runners in the background.
    Joggers run past the concrete white bunnies at the Newport Beach Civic Center Park: Locals call it "Bunnyhenge."

    Topline:

    The Newport Beach City Council is considering demolishing part of its quirky, beloved sculpture garden in Civic Center Park to make way for a new police station.

    Why it matters: The sculpture garden is a “museum without walls” treasured by art and nature lovers alike. It houses the quirky and once-controversial “Bunnyhenge,” included on the popular Atlas Obscura travel guide. Opponents of putting a new police headquarters on park grounds say it would compromise the environment, and decimate the sculpture garden.

    Why now: The city has been trying to figure out how to replace its aging police headquarters for years. It bought a property in 2022 with that intent. But an ad hoc City Council committee decided, controversially, it might be better to instead build a new station on the parkland next to city hall.

    Read on... to learn more on the project and how weigh in.

    The Newport Beach City Council is considering demolishing part of its quirky, beloved sculpture garden in Civic Center Park to make way for a new police station.

    The city has been trying to figure out how to replace its aging police headquarters for years. It bought a property in 2022 with that intent. But an ad hoc City Council committee decided, controversially, it might be better to instead build a new station on the parkland next to city hall.

    What’s so great about the sculpture garden?

    The sculpture garden is a “museum without walls” treasured by art and nature lovers alike. It houses the quirky and once-controversial “Bunnyhenge,” included on the popular Atlas Obscura travel guide. Opponents of putting a new police headquarters on park grounds say it would compromise the environment, and decimate the sculpture garden.

    What do supporters of the new station idea say?

    Supporters say the current police station, built in 1973, is long overdue for an upgrade, and that the police force needs more space for things like servers to store digital evidence. The council ad hoc committee that studied the issue says the Civic Center parkland makes the most sense for a new building because the city already owns the land, and it would consolidate the city’s main services in one place.

    Is it a done deal?

    Far from it. The City Council is holding a study session Tuesday to present the plan publicly and gather input. If the council decides to go forward, the next step would be to hire a consultant to design the building and get started on an environmental impact report.

    Here’s how to learn more and weigh in:

    Newport Beach study session on new police headquarters

    When: 4 p.m., Tuesday, March 10

    Where: 100 Civic Center Dr., Newport Beach

    Remote options: You can watch the meeting (during or afterward) on the city’s website, or live on Spectrum (Channel 3) or Cox Communications (Channel 852).

  • The exhibit on culture and craft opens Saturday
    A two tone graphic shows a wooden skate board with the words "Vehicles of Expression: The Craft of the Skateboard" painted on it.
    "Vehicles of Expression: The Craft of the Skateboard" opens this Saturday at the Craft in America in Los Angeles.

    Topline:

    A new exhibit in L.A. — Vehicles of Expression: The Craft of the Skateboard — highlights the cultural impact, history and artistry of handmade skateboards.

    When does it open? The exhibit opens to the public on Saturday at the Craft in America Center in Los Angeles.

    About the collection: Emily Zaiden, the director and lead curator of the Craft in America Center based in Los Angeles, told LAist’s AirTalk the exhibit was tricky to curate. “What we wanted to do was focus on both the history and then expand into how this has been an object that people have interpreted in so many different ways since the very beginning,” Zaiden said.

    Read on … for more on the exhibit.

    A new exhibit in L.A. — Vehicles of Expression: The Craft of the Skateboard — arrives this weekend, highlighting the cultural impact, history and artistry of handmade skateboards.

    It’s the latest exhibit at Craft in America Center, a museum and library that highlights handcrafted artwork.

    Todd Huber, skateboard historian and founder of the Skateboarding Hall of Fame, said before 1962, it wasn’t possible to buy a skateboard in a store.

    “Skateboarding started as a craft,” Huber said on AirTalk, LAst 89.3’s daily news program. “Somewhere in the 50s until 1962, if you wanted to sidewalk surf, as they called it, you had to make your own out of roller skates.”

    What to expect

    Emily Zaiden, the director and lead curator of the Craft in America Center based in Los Angeles, told LAist’s AirTalk the exhibit was tricky to curate.

    “What we wanted to do was focus on both the history and then expand into how this has been an object that people have interpreted in so many different ways since the very beginning,” Zaiden said.

    Artists who craft skateboards not only think of design, but also of the features that give riders the ability to do tricks, such as wheelies and kickflips.

    “The ways that people have constructed boards, engineered boards, design boards … people are really renegade, which I think is really the spirit of skateboarding overall,” Zaiden said. “This very independent, out-of-the-box approach and making boards that allow them to do all kinds of wacky tricks and do all kinds of things that no one imagined possible physically with their body, but through the object of the board.”

    Know before you go

    The exhibit at Craft in America Center opens to the public on Saturday. Admission is free. The museum is open from noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.