A view of mudslide damage in Los Angeles, California where nearly seven inches of rain had fallen by Monday.
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Mario Tama
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Topline:
Los Angeles County appears hardest hit in the second of two big storms to hit California in a week. The storm has parked itself over the region, causing debris flows and widespread flooding.
Why it matters: Don't put away those sandbags just yet, because even after a day of record-breaking rainfall, heavy precipitation is expected to continue Monday into Tuesday.
What's next: Throughout the day, the storm should shift slightly to the west, affecting western L.A. and Ventura counties, which have already been getting walloped.
Keep reading... for more details and the latest conditions.
Where to find the latest information
Some resources to make sure you have the most up-to-date information:
Officials urged people in L.A. County to stay vigilant as the second of two atmospheric rivers continues to soak the region, causing floods, downed trees, debris flows and other hazards ahead of what is expected to be another full day of rain on Tuesday.
So far, Los Angeles County has been the hardest hit since the storm parked itself over the region, causing debris flows and widespread flooding.
The storm is expected to head southeast on Tuesday over Riverside and San Diego counties. L.A., meanwhile, will keep getting drenched. An additional 3 to 6 inches is possible before things start to dry out Wednesday.
Downtown L.A. saw 4.1 inches of rain, breaking the previous daily rainfall record of 2.55 inches set in 1927. Sunday was the 10th wettest day in L.A. history.
However, those rainfall totals are mild compared to what we've seen at other weather stations. More than 10 inches of precipitation has fallen on Topanga and Woodland Hills in the western San Fernando Valley.
"Stay safe and off the roads. Only leave your house if it is absolutely necessary," L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said at a news conference Monday.
As of noon Monday, the L.A. Fire Department had rescued trapped motorists, responded to 130 flooding incidents, and 49 reports involving mud and debris flows, officials said.
At around 9 p.m. Sunday, 16 residents were evacuated from nine Studio City homes after a mudslide damaged two structures on Lockridge road. And L.A. firefighters evacuated people from at least three homes affected by debris flows on West Boris Drive in Tarzana. A landslide on Beverly Crest damaged at least six homes, forcing the evacuation of 15 people.
More than 7,200 LADWP customers were without power as of midday.
Flood watches and warnings are in place from Santa Barbara to San Diego counties through Tuesday as the heavy rain is expected to continue.
These long, sustained periods of rain are characteristic of El Niño storms. Warmer than normal waters off the coast — often associated with the climate phenomenon — are juicing our recent storms by sending more heat and water into the atmosphere.
Keep scrolling to see more information on rainfalls, landslides and other critically important information about the storm.
A man walks his dog on the edge of the Los Angeles River, carrying stormwater downstream Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024.
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Damian Dovarganes
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Areas of high concern
The southbound 405 Freeway at Moraga Drive, where a rock slide is blocking an outside lane.
The 5 Freeway's southbound connector to the 110 Freeway is blocked by a rock slide.
San Bernardino County officials are concerned about the potential amounts of snow falling in the mountain communities from Arrowhead to Big Bear. You'll recall that last year, massive amounts of snow paralyzed the communities, stranding people in their homes, destroying a local grocery store and making it difficult for people to get food and services. They are expecting 2 to 4 feet of snow above 7,000 feet and up to 10 inches in the 5,000 to 6,000 foot level.
The Lost Hills Sheriff's Station says all roads going to and from Malibu are having rock and mud slides. Malibu Canyon Road is closed between Malibu Crest and Mulholland Highway.
Sheriff's officials advise against driving on Kanan Dume Road, Topanga Canyon and other area roads.
Caltrans has closed State Route 23, aka Westlake Boulevard south of East Potrero Road due to flooding.
Pacific Coast Highway between Warner and Seaport in Huntington Beach is closed due to flooding.
Video: High winds on State Route 2 at post mile 57.5 in Angeles Forest this afternoon. SR-2 was already closed from Mt. Wilson Red Box Rd. to Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Rd & Islip Saddle to Vincent Gulch before the storm. STAY OFF mountain routes during this storm. #ACH#stormpic.twitter.com/wBzoSglcTS
It's not uncommon for rocks and mud to flow off steep hillsides and onto roads during heavy rains, and debris flows were reported across the region overnight. Additional incidents are likely as the day progresses.
Studio City: Two homes damaged by mudflow, with a total of 16 residents evacuated from nine homes. Heavy equipment has been brought out to help clear the road.
Tarzana: Three homes damaged by a mudflow and two people evacuated from a home.
Beverly Crest: Seven homes have been damaged by debris flow and 15 people were evacuated.
Topanga Canyon: A mudflow has closed a portion of the canyon.
Southbound 5 Freeway to southbound 110 Freeway, and Riverside Drive on-ramp: Closed due to mudflow.
405 Freeway just before Sunset: Small debris flow has closed the offramp.
Agoura Hills: Small mudslides at Cornell road and Eagleton street.
Malibu: 10-foot boulder reported on northbound Malibu Canyon Road just north of Pacific Coast Highway.
Several homes on Lockridge Road in Studio City damaged after part of the hillside came down. Look at the boulders that made their way down the hill to Fryman. @foxlapic.twitter.com/PF92aG1mau
But Jon Sweeten, a reservoir regulation engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, said videos of the Los Angeles River seemingly on the verge of overflowing shouldn't necessarily be cause for alarm.
“People see a lot of water in a channel that they see that's normally dry and they go, ‘Oh my goodness, there's a lot of water,’” he said. “That's just the channel operating in the way it was designed.”
The system, Sweeten added, “is designed to hold some of the water behind the dams and release it into concrete line channels that will convey the flow very effectively to the ocean.”
Since the 51 miles of river pass through different cities, at the time it was built, they were responsible for building bridges within their respective boundaries. Locals at the time asked for a narrow river so that it would be cheaper to build the bridges while also preserving more developable land.
“In order to make the system work well, they designed it so that it flowed very fast so — the system flows much faster than a natural stream would flow,” Sweeten said. “Which is why it's dangerous for people to stand on the concrete in the L.A. River, because water up to your ankle is capable of knocking you off your feet.”
Up in the mountains
So far, snow levels have been quite high, mostly above 7,000 feet. They'll fall to about 5,500 feet by Monday night, bringing snow to popular mountain areas.
Big Bear could see 6 to 8 inches, while Wrightwood could see 12 to 18 inches.
New Snow Alert: 2 more inches overnight reported on 2.4.24 bringing the 3-day total to 19". Snow expected through the week. Snow chains are in effect.
Higher mountain peaks like San Jacinto (10,834 feet) could get around 1 to 3 feet of snow, while Mt. San Antonio (10,064 feet) could get 4 to 6 feet.
The eastern San Gabriel mountains and the San Bernardino County mountains are under a winter storm warning until 10 p.m. Tuesday for areas above 6,000 feet.
Travel is expected to be difficult, if not impossible. Higher mountains could see winds up to 70 mph, which can damage trees and knock them onto roadways. If you must head in or around these areas, pack emergency supplies in your car just in case.
The Mount Wilson observatory closed Saturday until further notice because of the weather. Mountain High Resort was also closed Monday, but is expected to reopen on Tuesday.
The Angeles National Forest is urging people to stay away from the area at least for the next few days. Very hazardous conditions are expected, including heavy rain, fast-moving landslides, snow, and flooding.
Evacuations
Los Angeles County
An evacuation order is in effect for homes and businesses along La Tuna Canyon Road near the burn scars from the Land Fire in 2022. More info here.
Evacuation order was issued Saturday night through 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, for the area of Topanga Canyon along Santa Maria Road north of Topanga Canyon Boulevard in the Owen Fire burn scar. Officials said: "Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to leave now. The area is lawfully closed to public access."
Evacuation order for the Agua Fire Burn Area in Soledad Canyon, east of Acton.
Evacuation warnings are in effect Sunday morning through 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, for areas near the Bobcat Fire (north end) and Lake Fire burn scars.
An evacuation warningis in effect Sunday afternoon through 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6 for the area in the Fish Fire burn scar in the city of Duarte.
Evacuation warnings are also in effect Monday afternoon through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6 for areas of Culver City’s Upper Crest area due to potential mud or debris flows. The city is asking people who live above, below, or adjacent to a hillside in or below the Upper Crest neighborhood to take extra precautions.
A voluntary evacuation warning was issued for Silverado Canyon, Williams Canyon and Trabuco Canyons due to heavy rains.
Canyon residents were strongly encouraged to prepare and voluntarily evacuate on Sunday, especially those with disabilities, access and/or functional needs, and canyon residents with large animals.
From the Yucaipa Police Department: Evacuation warning due to potential mud and debris flow for El Dorado and Apple fire burn scars.
Schools
Los Angeles Unified School District announced that all schools will be open on Monday with the exception of Topanga Elementary Charter and Vinedale College Preparatory Academy. Topanga students may report to Woodland Hills academy at 8001 Ledge Avenue in Sun Valley, while Vinedale students may report to Glenwood Elementary School.
Santa Monica and Malibu Unified schools are expected to open Tuesday.
Long Beach Unified released this statement on Sunday afternoon: "While there are currently no plans to close schools, in the event of any impacts or changes to scheduled plans, families from the affected schools will receive direct communication via text and email. Additionally, updates will be promptly posted on the school websites and social media platforms."
Santa Barbara Unified and Santa Maria Joint Union High School District have both preemptively cancelled classes and activities for Monday.
Universities
UCLA- Normal operations. Classes will occur as usual
USC- Normal operations. Classes will occur as usual
Cal State Fullerton is pivoting to remote classes on Monday. Staff are encouraged to work remotely. The faculty will have access to offices and facilities as the campus will remain open.
UC Santa Barbara has instructed faculty to move to remote instruction or reschedule classes. Any staff impacted by weather (including if a child’s school closes) should be allowed to work remotely or “request time off”
Cal State Long Beach said it expects normal operations and classes to resume on Tuesday.
Cal Poly Pomona is moving to remote classes and remote work for non-essential employees on Monday. The university says "The campus will remain open and minimally staffed, including University Housing, the Library, Centerpointe and student health services. We will provide an update via email and on the safety and emergency web page by the end of business on Monday regarding operating plans for Tuesday, February 6, 2024."
Cal State Northridge remains open, but on-campus in-person classes are cancelled. Course instructors will determine whether courses will shift to online instruction or alternative assignments.
The forecast for coming days, as of Sunday morning.
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Here's what rainfall totals are forecast to be in coming days:
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Courtesy NWS San Diego
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High winds are also expected to be an issue:
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Emergency proclamations and preparation
The powerful storm moved L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath to sign an emergency proclamation Sunday night for the region. She said the move will align the county with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s emergency order and help the county act quickly to deploy resources.
“We had to proclaim a local emergency today following the governor’s statewide emergency declaration. We wouldn’t do that if this was something to ignore,” Horvath said.
San Bernardino County also declared a state of emergency Sunday night in anticipation of extreme rain and snow expected through Wednesday.
“This declaration puts the state and federal government on notice that our residents will need their help,” said San Bernadino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said the city is prepared to weather the effects of a potentially catastrophic storm. Bass declared a local state of emergency on Monday.
“This has been a tough day for our city,” Bass said Monday evening.
A man and his dog were rescued from the Pacoima Wash near Foothill Boulevard via helicopter after he jumped into the water after his dog. LAFD Fire Chief Kristen Crowley said both the man and the dog are safe now.
Bass said more than 100 unhoused people had to be evacuated from a tiny home complex. She added that they’re being moved into a nearby shelter that wasn’t being used, but now will be “instantly” filled.
Bass also answered a call from President Joe Biden towards the end of Monday’s news conference and held the phone up to the microphone so he could speak to the people of Los Angeles.
“We’ll get any help on the way as soon as you guys request it, so just let me know,” Biden said.
Mandatory evacuations have been issued for certain areas of L.A. and Santa Barbara counties.
Why LAUSD plans to be open Monday
L.A. Unified Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said based on Monday's forecast, schools will remain open tomorrow morning, unless weather conditions change. District officials said they issue an update at 6 a.m. Monday.
Carvalho said in a news conference Sunday that the schools will remain open because "they are the places where many of our kids receive their nutrition."
However, Vinedale Elementary School, which is in an area in Sun Valley that is under mandatory evacuation, will be shut down. Students will report to Glenwood Elementary School about a mile away.
Heavy rains are expected to continue through Monday morning, with some of the most intense downpours expected between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.. The National Weather Service is warning of "life threatening flooding, damaging winds and heavy mountain snow," and has revised the expected rain totals to up to 8 inches across the greater L.A., and up to 14 inches in the mountains and foothills, through Tuesday.
"Los Angeles County now seems to be the area of most concern where the heaviest rain will last the longest," said Ryan Kittell at the National Weather Service.
Flooding and other dangers are expected for across the state. California officials warned that the Southern California coastline — including Los Angeles and San Diego metro areas — would likely see the most severe damage.
"These next storms are going to be impactful and dangerous, and most of the damaging impacts most likely to our coastal and southern regions," said Nancy Ward, director of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services. "They're the most dangerous natural disasters that we have, killing more people from storm damages and flooding than wildfires every year."
More ahead
Residents in mountain, canyon and coastal areas should prepare for the risk of debris flows and flooding to remain at least through Tuesday.
Those in landslide prone areas like the Palos Verdes Peninsula should be on the lookout for indications of land movement, including the formation of new cracks, the fracturing of underground utilities, doors and windows falling out of plumb and sounds of creaks and groans coming from the ground.
Los Angeles County Fire Department locations also have sandbags and sand.
Sand and sandbags are available at these locations in Orange County.
Significant snowfall expected for #SoCal thru Tue.
- 2 to 4 feet above 7000 ft - 10-20 inches between 6000 and 7000 ft - Up to 10 inches between 5000 and 6000 ft - Wind gusts up to around 90 MPH -WINTER STORM WARNINGS in effect thru Tue#CAwxpic.twitter.com/iKjqJPN7Ss
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.
Aflood 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.
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 significant 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, remember to exit away from downed power lines and exit by jumping from the vehicle and 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 inside 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, usually central air conditioning (A/C) or a wall heater. — Caitlin Hernández
Use heat smartly to save money: Cranking things like the A/C and wall 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. The direction a fan turns can push air in different directions, and since hot air floats up, you’ll want to move that around. Your fan should spin clockwise to create an updraft to circulate. Not all fans will have this option, though.
George Kiriyama, a senior editor, is tracking the storm and adding updates along with Kevin Tidmarsh, a producer, and Fiona Ng, LAist's weekend editor. Other LAist staff members will be keeping a close eye on how the storm is affecting various parts of the region.
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 and/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.
A bandage is seen on a child's arm after she received a COVID vaccine Nov. 3, 2021, in Shoreline, Wash.
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David Ryder
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Getty Images
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Topline:
The federal government has drastically scaled back the number of recommended childhood immunizations, sidelining six routine vaccines that have safeguarded millions from serious diseases, long-term disability, and death.
What does this mean? Vaccines against the three diseases, as well as those against respiratory syncytial virus, meningococcal disease, flu, and COVID, are now recommended only for children at high risk of serious illness or after "shared clinical decision-making," or consultation between doctors and parents.
What experts are saying: Experts on childhood disease were baffled by the change in guidance. HHS said the changes followed "a scientific review of the underlying science" and were in line with vaccination programs in other developed nations.
Read on ... for details on the vaccines and what they prevent.
The federal government has drastically scaled back the number of recommended childhood immunizations, sidelining six routine vaccines that have safeguarded millions from serious diseases, long-term disability and death.
Just three of the six immunizations the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it will no longer routinely recommend — against hepatitis A, hepatitis B and rotavirus — have prevented nearly 2 million hospitalizations and more than 90,000 deaths in the past 30 years, according to the CDC's own publications.
Vaccines against the three diseases, as well as those against respiratory syncytial virus, meningococcal disease, flu, and COVID, are now recommended only for children at high risk of serious illness or after "shared clinical decision-making," or consultation between doctors and parents.
The CDC maintained its recommendations for 11 childhood vaccines: measles, mumps, and rubella; whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria; the bacterial disease known as Hib; pneumonia; polio; chickenpox; and human papillomavirus, or HPV.
Federal and private insurance will still cover vaccines for the diseases the CDC no longer recommends universally, according to a Department of Health and Human Services fact sheet; parents who want to vaccinate their children against those diseases will not have to pay out-of-pocket.
Experts on childhood disease were baffled by the change in guidance. HHS said the changes followed "a scientific review of the underlying science" and were in line with vaccination programs in other developed nations.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an anti-vaccine activist, pointed to Denmark as a model. But the schedules of most European countries are closer to the U.S. standard upended by the new guidance.
For example, Denmark, which does not vaccinate against rotavirus, registers around 1,200 infant and toddler rotavirus hospitalizations a year. That rate, in a country of 6 million, is about the same as it was in the United States before vaccination.
"They're OK with having 1,200 or 1,300 hospitalized kids, which is the tip of the iceberg in terms of childhood suffering," said Paul Offit, the director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and a co-inventor of a licensed rotavirus vaccine. "We weren't. They should be trying to emulate us, not the other way around."
Public health officials say the new guidance puts the onus on parents to research and understand each childhood vaccine and why it is important.
Here's a rundown of the diseases the sidelined vaccines prevent:
RSV. Respiratory syncytial virus is the most common cause of hospitalization for infants in the U.S.
The respiratory virus usually spreads in fall and winter and produces cold-like symptoms, though it can be deadly for young children, causing tens of thousands of hospitalizations and hundreds of deaths a year. According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, roughly 80% of children younger than 2 who are hospitalized with RSV have no identifiable risk factors. Long-awaited vaccines against the disease were introduced in 2023.
Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A vaccination, which was phased in beginning in the late 1990s and recommended for all toddlers starting in 2006, has led to a more than 90% drop in the disease since 1996. The foodborne virus, which causes a wretched illness, continues to plague adults, particularly people who are homeless or who abuse drugs or alcohol, with a total of 1,648 cases and 85 deaths reported in 2023.
Hepatitis B. The disease causes liver cancer, cirrhosis, and other serious illnesses and is particularly dangerous when contracted by babies and young children. The hepatitis B virus is transmitted through blood and other bodily fluids, even in microscopic amounts, and can survive on surfaces for a week. From 1990 to 2019, vaccination resulted in a 99% decline in reported cases of acute hepatitis B among children and teens. Liver cancer among American children has also plummeted as a result of universal childhood vaccination. But the hepatitis B virus is still around, with 2,000-3,000 acute cases reported annually among unvaccinated adults. More than 17,000 chronic hepatitis B diagnoses were reported in 2023. The CDC estimates about half of people infected don't know they have it.
Rotavirus. Before routine administration of the current rotavirus vaccines began in 2006, about 70,000 young children were hospitalized and 50 died every year from the virus. It was known as "winter vomiting syndrome," said Sean O'Leary, a pediatrician at the University of Colorado. "It was a miserable disease that we hardly see anymore."
The virus is still common on surfaces that babies touch, however, and "if you lower immunization rates it will once again hospitalize children," Offit said.
Meningococcal vaccines. These have been required mainly for teenagers and college students, who are notably vulnerable to critical illness caused by the bacteria. About 600 to 1,000 cases of meningococcal disease are reported in the U.S. each year, but it kills more than 10% of those it sickens, and 1 in 5 survivors have permanent disabilities.
Flu and covid. The two respiratory viruses have each killed hundreds of children in recent years — though both tend to be much more severe in older adults. Flu is currently on the upswing in the United States, and last flu season the virus killed 289 children.
What is shared clinical decision-making?
Under the changes, decisions about vaccinating children against influenza, covid, rotavirus, meningococcal disease, and hepatitis A and B will now rely on what officials call "shared clinical decision-making," meaning families will have to consult with a health care provider to determine whether a vaccine is appropriate.
"It means a provider should have a conversation with the patient to lay out the risks and the benefits and make a decision for that individual person," said Lori Handy, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
In the past, the CDC used that term only in reference to narrow circumstances, like whether a person in a monogamous relationship needed the HPV vaccine, which prevents a sexually transmitted infection and certain cancers.
The CDC's new approach doesn't line up with the science because of the proven protective benefit the vaccines have for the vast majority of the population, Handy said.
In their report justifying the changes, HHS officials Tracy Beth Høeg and Martin Kulldorff said the U.S. vaccination system requires more safety research and more parental choice. Eroding trust in public health caused in part by an overly large vaccine schedule had led more parents to shun vaccination against major threats like measles, they said.
The vaccines on the schedule that the CDC has altered were backed up by extensive safety research when they were evaluated and approved by the FDA.
"They're held to a safety standard higher than any other medical intervention that we have," Handy said. "The value of routine recommendations is that it really helps the public understand that this has been vetted upside down and backwards in every which way."
Eric Ball, a pediatrician in Orange County, Calif., said the change in guidance will cause more confusion among parents who think it means a vaccine's safety is in question.
"It is critical for public health that recommendations for vaccines are very clear and concise," Ball said. "Anything to muddy the water is just going to lead to more children getting sick."
Ball said that instead of focusing on a child's individual health needs, he often has to spend limited clinic time reassuring parents that vaccines are safe. A "shared clinical decision-making" status for a vaccine has no relationship to safety concerns, but parents may think it does.
HHS' changes do not affect state vaccination laws and therefore should allow prudent medical practitioners to carry on as before, said Richard Hughes IV, an attorney and a George Washington University lecturer who is leading litigation against Kennedy over vaccine changes.
"You could expect that any pediatrician is going to follow sound evidence and recommend that their patients be vaccinated," he said. The law protects providers who follow professional care guidelines, he said, and "RSV, meningococcal, and hepatitis remain serious health threats for children in this country."
This story comes from NPR's health reporting partnership withKFF Health News, a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. KFF Health News is one of the core operating programs at KFF, the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.
The Interior Department's new "America the Beautiful" annual pass for U.S. national parks.
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Department of Interior
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Topline:
The National Park Service has updated its policy to discourage visitors from defacing a picture of President Donald Trump on this year's pass. The use of an image of Trump on the 2026 pass — rather than the usual picture of nature — has sparked a backlash, sticker protests, and a lawsuit from a conservation group.
What is the pass? The $80 annual America the Beautiful pass gives visitors access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Since 2004, the pass has typically showcased sweeping landscapes or iconic wildlife, selected through a public photo contest. Past winners have featured places like Arches National Park in Utah and images of bison roaming the plains.
What's with this year's pass? Instead, of a picture of nature, this year's design shows side-by-side portraits of Presidents George Washington and Trump. The new design has drawn criticism from parkgoers and ignited a wave of "do-it-yourself" resistance.
Read on ... for more on the backlash surrounding this year's pass.
The National Park Service has updated its policy to discourage visitors from defacing a picture of President Donald Trump on this year's pass.
The use of an image of Trump on the 2026 pass — rather than the usual picture of nature — has sparked a backlash, sticker protests, and a lawsuit from a conservation group.
The $80 annual America the Beautiful pass gives visitors access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Since 2004, the pass has typically showcased sweeping landscapes or iconic wildlife, selected through a public photo contest. Past winners have featured places like Arches National Park in Utah and images of bison roaming the plains.
Instead, of a picture of nature, this year's design shows side-by-side portraits of Presidents George Washington and Trump. The new design has drawn criticism from parkgoers and ignited a wave of "do-it-yourself" resistance.
Photos circulating online show that many national park cardholders have covered the image of Trump's face with stickers of wildlife, landscapes, and yellow smiley faces, while some have completely blocked out the whole card. The backlash has also inspired a growing sticker campaign.
Jenny McCarty, a longtime park volunteer and graphic designer, began selling custom stickers meant to fit directly over Trump's face — with 100% of proceeds going to conservation nonprofits.
"We made our first donation of $16,000 in December," McCarty said. "The power of community is incredible."
McCarty says the sticker movement is less about politics and more about preserving the neutrality of public lands. "The Interior's new guidance only shows they continue to disregard how strongly people feel about keeping politics out of national parks," she said.
The National Park Service card policy was updated this week to say that passes may no longer be valid if they've been "defaced or altered." The change, which was revealed in an internal email to National Park Service staff obtained by SFGATE, comes just as the sticker movement has gained traction across social media.
In a statement to NPR, the Interior Department said there was no new policy. Interagency passes have always been void if altered, as stated on the card itself. The agency said the recent update was meant to clarify that rule and help staff deal with confusion from visitors.
The Park Service has long said passes can be voided if the signature strip is altered, but the updated guidance now explicitly includes stickers or markings on the front of the card.
It will be left to the discretion of park service officials to determine whether a pass has been "defaced" or not. The update means park officials now have the leeway to reject a pass if a sticker leaves behind residue, even if the image underneath is intact.
In December, conservation group the Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit in Washington, D.C., opposing the new pass design.
The group argues that the image violates a federal requirement that the annual America the Beautiful pass display a winning photograph from a national parks photo contest. The 2026 winning image was a picture of Glacier National Park.
"This is part of a larger pattern of Trump branding government materials with his name and image," Kierán Suckling, the executive director of the Center for Biological Diversity, told NPR. "But this kind of cartoonish authoritarianism won't fly in the United States."
The lawsuit asks a federal court to pull the current pass design and replace it with the original contest winner — the Glacier National Park image. It also seeks to block the government from featuring a president's face on future passes.
Not everyone sees a problem with the new design. Vince Vanata, the GOP chairman of Park County, Wyoming, told the Cowboy State Daily that Trump detractors should "suck it up" and accept the park passes, saying they are a fitting tribute to America's 250th birthday this July 4.
"The 250th anniversary of our country only comes once. This pass is showing the first president of the United States and the current president of the United States," Vanata said.
But for many longtime visitors, the backlash goes beyond design.
Erin Quinn Gery, who buys an annual pass each year, compared the image to "a mug shot slapped onto natural beauty."
She also likened the decision to self-glorification.
"It's akin to throwing yourself a parade or putting yourself on currency," she said. "Let someone else tell you you're great — or worth celebrating and commemorating."
When asked if she plans to remove her protest sticker, Gery replied: "I'll take the sticker off my pass after Trump takes his name off the Kennedy Center."
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General views outside of at The Beverly Hilton Hotel during Golden Globe Awards weekend at the Beverly Hilton on Feb. 28, 2021, in Beverly Hill.
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Frazer Harrison
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Getty Images
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Topline:
The 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards take over the Beverly Hilton Hotel Sunday evening.
That means... Road closures and parking restrictions. Read on ...for all the details.
The 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards take place Sunday evening beginning at 5 p.m.at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, and that means parking restrictions and street closures in the city.
Here are places to avoid, as well as some alternative routes:
North Santa Monica Boulevard:
Westbound lane closures: Complete lane closures, from Wilshire Boulevard to Century Park East through 6 a.m. Monday.
Eastbound lane closures: Complete lane closures, from Century Park East to Wilshire Boulevard from 2 p.m. Saturday through 6 a.m. Monday.
The city suggests using South Santa Monica Boulevard, which will remain open in both directions. There also are alternative east-west routes such as Olympic, Sunset and Pico boulevards.
Wilshire Boulevard:
Eastbound/Westbound lane reduction: Lane reductions are in effect and will last through 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Eastbound/Westbound full closure: All of Wilshire Boulevard between Comstock Avenue and North Santa Monica Boulevard will be closed from 10 p.m. Saturday through 6 a.m. Monday.
Eastbound lanes of Wilshire Boulevard: An eastbound closure from Comstock to North Santa Monica Boulevard will occur between 10 p.m. Monday through 6 a.m. Tuesday.
Other streets:
Several other streets like Whittier Drive, Carmelita Avenue, Elevado Avenue and Lomitas Avenue, as well as Trenton Drive and adjacent alleyswill have limited closures with local access available only to residents. Closures begin at 10 p.m. Saturday and last through 6 a.m. Monday.
Parking notices:
Residential streets surrounding the venue will be completely restricted, no exceptions made, from 6 a.m. Sunday until 6 a.m. Monday on the following streets:
Whittier Drive — from Wilshire Boulevard to Elevado Avenue
Carmelita Avenue — from Wilshire Boulevard to Walden Drive
Elevado Avenue — from Wilshire Boulevard to Walden Drive
Trenton Drive — from Whittier Drive to Wilshire Boulevard
Walden Drive — from Santa Monica Boulevard to Elevado Avenue
Lomitas Avenue — from Wilshire Boulevard to Walden Drive
Residents without permit parking can obtain parking exemptions by contacting the city of Beverly Hills’ parking exemption line at (310) 285-2548 or online at beverlyhills.org/parkingexemptions.
People on Thursday continued to mourn at the street where 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed Wednesday by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.
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Charly Triballeau
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Getty Images
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Topline:
Demonstrations against this week’s deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis are planned this weekend across Los Angeles. The protests are being organized by the “ICE Out For Good Coalition” — a network of several groups including the ACLU and 50501.
The backstory: An ICE agent shot and killed the 37-year-old Good in her vehicle during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis this week, prompting nationwide protests.
Read on ... for a list of actions planned this weekend in L.A.
Demonstrations against this week’s deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis are planned this weekend across Los Angeles. The protests are being organized by the “ICE Out For Good Coalition” — a network of several groups including the ACLU and 50501.
Here are a some of the planned actions across the city:
Saturday
Pasadena: Noon to 2 p.m. at Garfield and Colorado Boulevard, across from the Paseo Mall
Eagle Rock: 1 to 2 p.m. at Colorado and Eagle Rock boulevards
