Fiona Ng
is LAist's deputy managing editor and leads a team of reporters who explore food, culture, history, events and more.
Published January 26, 2025 5:00 AM
More than 50 tumbleweeds gathered at the end of a street in El Sereno the week of Jan. 11.
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Topline:
Late summer into early winter is when we see tumbleweeds in Southern California, blown about by strong Santa Ana winds. But you may not know how intrusive and dangerous they are.
Why it matters: "When we have a lot of fires, like we've seen in Southern California recently, these invasive weeds, like tumbleweeds, can really amplify fire risk," Mark Hoddle, an invasive species specialist at UC Riverside, said. That's because they provide more fuel for fires to burn hotter.
The backstory: Russian thistles, better known as tumbleweeds, arrived in South Dakota in the 1870s most likely via a shipment of flaxseeds from Russia that was contaminated with the invasive seeds.
Read on... for more on what scientists are doing to combat the invasive species.
It was Jan. 11 — the first Saturday after the two huge L.A. fires broke out.
The city was thick with haze and smoke; ash was twirling in the air, and somehow, despite it all, our myth-making sunset still shone through.
I was heading home to El Sereno that afternoon, made a turn, and slammed on the brakes.
Tumbleweeds are trippy to look at, but they heighten fire danger in SoCal.
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Listen
4:56
The good, bad and ugly truths about LA tumbleweeds and their role in fires
Tumbleweeds, tumbleweeds, tumbleweeds
Fifty to 100 tumbleweeds had parked themselves along Multnomah Street, extending to the hillside above.
Many were over 5-feet-2 inches tall — in short, taller than me.
The street looked like an alien landscape.
My neighborhood isn't the only one to be besieged by these rolling dead plants of unusual size fueled by Santa Ana winds. In 2023, my colleague Yusra Farzan documented giant tumbleweed sightings in a number of Southern California cities.
5-foot tall tumbleweeds gather along the side of a street in El Sereno.
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A short history
Russian thistles, better known as tumbleweeds, arrived in South Dakota in the 1870s most likely via a shipment of flaxseeds from Russia that was contaminated with the invasive seeds.
"Then those tumbleweeds just spread across the western United States and they've found a great home here in California," saidMark Hoddle, an invasive species expert at UC Riverside.
Yes, it's a living, breathing plant
You can think of the tumbleweed existing in two stages.
First, as a living plant.
When "it's healthy and still alive, it's got, I think, a rather attractive green color to it, but it's very prickly, kind of like a thistle, but if you have long pants on, you can pretty much push through it OK, and it won't cause too much damage," Hoddle said.
But toward the end of the summer and into early winter, it turns into the post-apocalyptic zombie version we have all come to marvel and chuckle at.
"When the plants finish growing and it dries out and the strong winds come up, the dried up part that's above ground snaps off from the roots. And then as it's tumbling along, it's releasing seeds," Hoddle said.
Invasion of the tumbleweeds in El Sereno
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As many as 200,000 seeds, he said, citing research. From there, the cycle begins all over again — but now in even more places.
"All those seeds need to find is a little patch of moist ground, and then they're pretty much established there for a long time," Hoddle said.
In California, Hoddle added, the weeds thrive on land disturbed by agriculture or off-roading. Those activities create crevices and cracks where seeds can drop in and germinate.
More worrisome is the absence of a natural predator that could check its growth.
"In parts of the native range in Europe, for example, there are insects that feed on [different parts of] these tumbleweeds," he said. "That combined feeding pressure reduces the vigor, or the aggressiveness, of tumbleweeds."
Researchers have long been searching for "natural enemies" to feed on Russian thistles in California, but according to Hoddle, the task has gotten trickier.
That’s because the different types of tumbleweeds that have established themselves here have hybridized — something that's thought to be unlikely to happen in their native habitat.
That means, a new kind of natural enemy might be needed.
" There's been a lot of work going into figuring out, well, you know, where did those tumbleweeds come from?" he said. "Can we possibly find areas back in the native range where those hybrids exist naturally and that the insects have evolved to feed on them?"
And a coalition of scientists from state and federal governments, as well as from academia — like Hoddle, who specializes in locating biological controls to invasive pests — have banded together for the mission because the humble tumbleweed has become such a problem.
"When we have a lot of fires, like we've seen in Southern California recently, these invasive weeds, like tumbleweeds, can really amplify fire risk," Hoddle said, because they providemore fuel for fires to burn hotter.
" They've changed the fire ecology of the state enormously. And that's just one weed. We've got heaps of these weeds," he added.
When I returned to Multnomah Street this week, just a few stragglers remained on the sidewalk, awaiting a breeze and a chance to tumble.
Canadian actress and screenwriter Catherine O'Hara has died at her home in Los Angeles, following a brief illness, according to her agent and manager.
Six-decade career: She O'Hara enjoyed a long career in TV and film playing sometimes over-the-top, but endearing characters. In one of her most memorable roles, O'Hara played the freaked-out mom of rascally son Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) in two Home Alone movies. Later, she portrayed the self-centered, whiny matriarch in the riches-to-rags TV sitcom Schitt's Creek— a role for which she earned an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award in 2020.
Reaction to her death:Home Alone co-star Macaulay Culkin wrote, "Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you. But I had so much more to say. I love you. I'll see you later."
Canadian actress and screenwriter Catherine O'Hara has died at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness, according to her agent and manager.
She was 71 years old and was known for absurdist comedy. She enjoyed a six-decade career in TV and film playing sometimes over-the-top, but endearing characters.
In one of her most memorable roles, O'Hara played the freaked-out mom of rascally son Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) in two Home Alone movies. Later, she portrayed the self-centered, whiny matriarch in the riches-to-rags TV sitcom Schitt's Creek— a role for which she earned an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award in 2020.
Catherine O'Hara and Macaulay Culkin in "Home Alone."
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She won her first Emmy in 1982 for writing on the Canadian sketch comedy TV series Second City Television, or SCTV. She cofounded the show, and created characters such as the show biz has-been Lola Heatherton.
"I loved playing cocky untalented people," O'Hara told Fresh Air in 1992.
On SCTV in the '70s and '80s, she teamed up with another Canadian comic actor, Eugene Levy. Together, they — along with an ensemble — went on to perform in a string of films by director Christopher Guest.
O'Hara and Levy were dog trainers in the Guest's mockumentary Best in Show. And they were a folk-singing duo in A Mighty Wind.
Moira Rose (Catherine O'Hara) and Johnny Rose (Eugene Levy) in "Schitt's Creek."
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O'Hara and Levy also acted together as the parents in Schitt's Creek. More recently, O'Hara acted with another Canadian, Seth Rogen, in his Apple TV comedy The Studio. She played a movie studio head who gets pushed aside.
O'Hara was born and raised in Toronto, and got her start as an understudy for Gilda Radner at the Second City Theater in Toronto.
She reportedly met her production designer husband Bo Welch on the set of the 1988 movie Beetlejuice. She reprised her spiritually possessed role in the 2024 sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
Since the news of her death some of her famous friends have paid tribute to her online.
"Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you. But I had so much more to say. I love you. I'll see you later." wrote actor Macaulay Culkin.
Copyright 2026 NPR
By Jessica Perez, Marina Peña and Isaiah Murtaugh | The LA Local
Published January 30, 2026 12:00 PM
A "Fuera ICE!" flyer is on display at Pink & Boujee in Boyle Heights on Jan. 28, 2026.
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Topline:
Businesses across Los Angeles are shutting their doors on Friday for a national day of action against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a coordinated effort to stand in solidarity with people saying no to work, school and shopping around the U.S.
Why now: The “ICE Out” general strike and protests were organized in Minnesota after weeks of aggressive tactics by federal agents and the killings of two people. Immigration enforcement has also surged in L.A. this week, and flyers announcing a local day of action on Friday have blanketed many neighborhoods, as well as spreading online. A protest was also planned for Friday afternoon at L.A. City Hall.
Eastside shops: In Boyle Heights, restaurants, coffee shops and retail stores began posting signs on their windows that read “TODOS CON MINNESOTA! FUERA ICE! No trabajo y no escuela.” Many, including Accúrrcame Cafe and Xtiosu, also shared messages on social media.
Read on... for more on which businesses shutting their doors today.
This story was originally published by The LA Local on Jan. 30, 2026.
Businesses across Los Angeles are shutting their doors on Friday for a national day of action against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a coordinated effort to stand in solidarity with people saying no to work, school and shopping around the U.S.
The “ICE Out” general strike and protests were organized in Minnesota after weeks of aggressive tactics by federal agents and the killings of two people. Immigration enforcement has also surged in L.A. this week, and flyers announcing a local day of action on Friday have blanketed many neighborhoods, as well as spreading online. A protest was also planned for Friday afternoon at L.A. City Hall.
In Boyle Heights, restaurants, coffee shops and retail stores began posting signs on their windows that read “TODOS CON MINNESOTA! FUERA ICE! No trabajo y no escuela.” Many, including Accúrrcame Cafe and Xtiosu, also shared messages on social media.
Picaresca Barra de Café announced it would be closed for business but open as a community space from 8:30-10:30 a.m.
“Instead of operating as usual, we’ll open the space as a community meeting point—a place for people to gather, make posters, connect, and support one another,” the business wrote in an Instagram post. “We’ll be providing materials where we can, along with free drip coffee, and holding the space intentionally and respectfully.”
Sandra Gomez, who runs a tiendita on Cesar Chavez Avenue in Boyle Heights, joined a protest in Boyle Heights on Wednesday and pledged to close her shop for the day.
Gomez spoke passionately about why it was important for businesses to take part in the action.
“We want to keep going and do our part so the country can move forward, but ICE has affected us,” she said in Spanish.
Melchor Moreno, the co-owner of La Chispa de Oro Mexican restaurant, decided Thursday that he would close on Friday.
Since last summer, his restaurant on Cesar Chavez Avenue has been strained by a lack of customers too afraid to leave their homes. Moreno said sales began picking up over the last few months, but recently tanked when the Eastside saw increased immigration enforcement activity.
“Normally, our lunch crowd is really busy,” he said. “But there are only two tables with people dining. No one’s been in here for the last two hours.”
It wasn’t an easy decision for Moreno, but his employees were urging him to close in a show of support for the community.
“I know it’s going to hurt financially, but something has to happen, something has to change,” he said.
Elsewhere in the city, the owners of South LA Cafe announced they’d be closing all five of their locations.
Celia Ward-Wallace, one of the cafe’s co-owners, said the cafe was intentional about its decision, knowing it would mean loss of revenue, hours for employees and a gathering place for South LA Cafe regulars.
But the shop wanted to make a bold statement with its large platform, she said.
“Our community needs to stand in solidarity,” she said, with the nation, with Minnesota, and with the city of L.A. and its people.
In Pico Union, La Flor de Yucatán Bakery owner Marc Burgos said participating in the shutdown was a way to stand with his customers and neighbors. Burgos’ father, Antonio Burgos, opened the bakery’s first storefront in 1971 at Pico and Union, then the business relocated in 1975 to its current home near Hoover and 18th streets.
“I want to stand united with my community against brutality and indignity, inhumane treatment,” Burgos said. “We’re located in a predominantly Latino neighborhood. Everyone fears being harassed, whether they’re here legally or not.”
Semantha Norris contributed to this report.
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Cato Hernández
scours through tons of archives to understand how our region became the way it is today.
Published January 30, 2026 11:00 AM
Some of the contents of the hundred year old capsule.
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History fans, rejoice: the L.A. Central Library’s time capsule has been unearthed and opened after 100 years. It’s the first time the public has gotten a chance to see what’s inside.
The backstory: The time capsule was placed in the Central Library’s cornerstone during its construction. Staff also put a second time capsule inside that belonged to a teaching school there decades prior.
Why now: The reveal happened in the Central Library on Thursday. Both of these time capsules were opened to kick off the building’s 100th birthday.
What’s inside: Inside a sealed copper box were dozens of relics from L.A. in the 1880s and 1920s. It captured a snapshot of the city’s culture, government and education system during two eras of great transition.
Read on…. to see the time capsule’s contents.
The Central Library building in downtown Los Angeles turns 100 this year. And on Thursday, library staff kicked off a year-long celebration by opening a very old box buried during its construction: a time capsule.
The opening was historic because the contents haven’t been shown publicly until now. Here’s how we got here, plus some items that caught our eye.
The Central Library cornerstone is laid on 5th Street, along with the time capsule, with City Librarian Everett Perry, and Board of Library Commissioners Frank H. Pettingell, Katherine G. Smith, and Frances M. Harmon-Zahn.
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About the time capsule
In May 1925, more than 100 library staff members came together with the Board of Library Commissioners for an informal ceremony to dedicate the Central Library’s cornerstone, which is a giant limestone block on the outside.
Inside a specially carved pocket in the stone, they placed a copper box filled with relics about the library and broader L.A. The 1881 time capsule from the California State Normal School, which previously occupied the land, was also put inside. (Fun fact: that school later became UCLA.)
Library officials weren’t even sure the box was still there — much less how to get it out. A team drilled a small hole into the grout to find it. From there, Todd Lerew, special projects director at the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, said it took about a year to figure out how to remove it.
“ When we were doing our tests with a little borescope camera to locate the capsule itself, we also found that the wall behind the cornerstone was not structural,” Lerew said.
That meant it could be broken down safely. To get the box, they took out a couple of historic wall panels, capped off the plumbing and got to work busting down a wall in the men’s bathroom. It took about a week to get it out.
The box was made of copper, but had been custom-made and soldered shut on all sides. They had to cut into it with shears, Lerew said.
The library's copper box, which had been soldered shut, had to be cut into with shears.
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The California State Normal School's capsule box.
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Exploring the contents
No one knew what to expect inside the box. When it was opened, to much anticipation, it turned out to be a unique snapshot of L.A. in the 1880s and 1920s. Inside were dozens of documents, photos and keepsake items that spanned everything from government records to community memories.
There were annual reports from city departments, rulebooks, portraits of library leaders and even employee lists that included janitors. It had multiple editions of the city charter — essentially L.A.’s constitution — and a population count from 1881 on a small card that showed just 11,000 Angelenos.
Library staff members in 1925 put these cards in the time capsule to add on to the Normal School's records.
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A scrapbook was also inside to document where the central library was before the main building (learn more about that here). It had newspapers from both time periods — including ones in Spanish, German and French. For some reason, the Normal School’s capsule included a copy of the Oshkosh Northwestern.
“ We’re still putting together why a newspaper from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, made its way into the 1881 time capsule, but I had a very puzzled look on my face when I pulled that out,” Szabo told the crowd.
Another oddity? The Normal School also had a memento from President James Garfield’s funeral, which happened in Cleveland, Ohio. He had been assassinated just months before the time capsule’s burial.
The black cloth and the dried moss are mementos from the funeral, according to librarians in 1925.
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Lerew said the newfound contents are helping restore library records, largely because a devastating arson fire in 1986 destroyed a fifth of its collection at the time.
“ We’re constantly trying to fill gaps in our collections,” he said. “When we’re able to do that for our own institutional history, that’s such a special thing and doesn’t come along every day.”
The capsule’s next steps
Part the contents included two editions of the L.A. city charter.
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A portrait of library commissioner Katherine G. Smith alongside two employee directories.
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The Central Library has centennial programming all year long — and the time capsule will be part of that.
A selection of the contents will be on display soon outside the literature and fiction department on the third floor. The rest will be stored in the special collections department, which you can make an appointment to see here.
And if you’ve ever wanted a chance to see a time capsule get made, the Central Library plans to create a new one sometime this year.
The Department of Justice released more than 3 million pages, including more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, in its files tied to the death and criminal investigation of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Why it matters: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche says Friday's release means the DOJ is now in compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which Congress passed last November and which legally required the DOJ to release all the files.
Epstein files political saga: The release of the Epstein files is the latest development in a political saga that has dogged Trump's second term in office and caused bipartisan backlash against Trump's conflicting and shifting commentary on the subject.
Read on... for more about the release of the Epstein files.
The Department of Justice released more than 3 million pages, including more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, in its files tied to the death and criminal investigation of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche says Friday's release means the DOJ is now in compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which Congress passed last November and which legally required the DOJ to release all the files.
Members of Congress who passed the law had earlier complained that the DOJ had failed to meet its deadline of mid-December to release all the files.
Blanche at a press conference on Friday morning said more than 500 lawyers and others worked through weekends and holidays to comply with the law, while making sure to protect victims' information. He said they had to review more than 6 million pages — "two Eiffel Towers of pages" — to decide what to release. They're continuing to withhold documents that depict violence or involve attorney-client privilege, he said. The department also said it discarded any duplicates or unrelated materials.
"I take umbrage at the suggestion, which is totally false, that the attorney general or this department does not take child exploitation or sex trafficking seriously, or that we somehow do not want to protect victims," Blanche said.
He also said the DOJ wasn't seeking to protect President Donald Trump while releasing the files, though some of the files contained sensational and false claims about the president and others.
"Through the process, the Department provided clear instructions to reviewers that the redactions were to be limited to the protection of victims and their families," the DOJ said in a statement. "Some pornographic images, whether commercial or not, were redacted, given the Department treated all women in those images as victims. Notable individuals and politicians were not redacted in the release of any files."
Epstein files political saga
The release of the Epstein files is the latest development in a political saga that has dogged Trump's second term in office and caused bipartisan backlash against Trump's conflicting and shifting commentary on the subject.
Trump amplified conspiracy theories about the files relating to his onetime friend Epstein on the campaign trail, vowing to publicize information about the financier's crimes and ties to powerful people that he alleged was being covered up by the government. But once he returned to the White House, Trump fought efforts by lawmakers and his supporters to release those files.
"There's this mantra out there that, oh, you know, the Department of Justice is supposed to protect Donald J. Trump," Blanche said on Friday. "That's not true. That was never the case. We are always concerned about the victims." He said Trump has directed the DOJ to "be as transparent as we can."
Separately, Blanche said the Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation into the death of Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen who was shot by two immigration enforcement officers last weekend in Minneapolis. The investigation is being led by the FBI, but it is also coordinating with the DOJ's civil rights division, which is led by Harmeet Dhillon.
He also said the investigation was being done in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.
"I don't want the takeaway to be that there's some massive civil rights investigation that's happening; I would describe this as a standard investigation by the FBI, when there's circumstances like what we saw last Saturday," Blanche said.
