A view of the burned auditorium at the Eliot Arts Magnet Academy that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire on January 10, 2025 in Altadena, California.
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Justin Sullivan
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Getty Images
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Topline:
Now almost two weeks since a series of wildfires broke out around Los Angeles, most school districts have reopened. Parents say there's lots to appreciate about how school districts in Los Angeles have responded to the fires. But their patience is not infinite.
Los Angeles Unified: Andres Chait, the district’s chief of school operations, said in an email statement that 2,189 students live in areas that are under mandatory evacuation, as do nearly 350 employees.
Pasadena Unified: Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco said in a news conference Thursday that the district is working to reopen some schools by the end of next week, and all schools by the end of the month. Blanco said the timeline remains unclear because of cleanup effort logistics.
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified: Malibu schools remain closed due to road closures, cleaning, power outages, and other maintenance, but none were significantly damaged.
Now almost two weeks since a series of wildfires broke out around Los Angeles, most school districts have reopened.
Three school districts, however, have had lingering closures:
All of Pasadena Unified School District (Eaton Fire)
The Malibu schools within Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (Palisades Fire)
A handful of schools within Los Angeles Unified School District (Palisades Fire)
Here's where things stand now.
Los Angeles Unified
The Palisades Fire destroyed Palisades Charter Elementary and Marquez Charter Elementary schools. On top of a massive cleanup effort, the district relocated the 410 students who attend Palisades Charter Elementary to the campus of Brentwood Science Magnet and the 312 students who attend Marquez Charter Elementary to Nora Sterry Elementary.
Nora Sterry principal Sara Lasnover said that on top of figuring out the logistics, she also wants to build bridges between the school's current students and those incoming, like through meet-and-greet activities.
" It's important to me that my students here feel that they are part of this change, not that the change is being made to them," she said.
Palisades Charter High School — an independent charter school in LAUSD — was substantially damaged in the fire. The school has delayed the start of its second semester, and plans to begin virtual classes on Jan. 21 as it looks for a physical campus.
Andres Chait, the district’s chief of school operations, said in an email statement that 2,189 students live in areas that are under mandatory evacuation, as do nearly 350 employees.
LAUSD is offering relief grants of $500 to displaced employees through relief funds. District employees can call the Wildfire Employee Assistance phone line at 213-241-2222 for more information on eligibility and application.
Hundreds of Pasadena Unified staff members were affected by the Eaton Fire, and as many as 10,000 students may be displaced.
PUSD lost at least five campuses in the Eaton Fire:
Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School
Franklin Elementary (closed in 2020)
Odyssey Charter School, South Campus
Rosebud Academy and Oak Knoll Montessori (located on the same campus)
Aveson School of Leaders
Two other schools, Altadena Arts Magnet and Webster Elementary, are in evacuation zones and have not yet been assessed, although the former is expected to be heavily damaged.
Many parents in PUSD — which serves Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre — said they are waiting for answers that district leaders said they aren’t in a position to give: When will displaced students get back to class? Where? What will the recovery look like?
On Friday, the district announced 10 schools will reopen Jan. 23, the first step in a two-phase reopening. The district said it's prioritizing getting students in less-affected schools back to class as soon as possible.
Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco said in a news conference Thursday that all schools will open by the end of the month, but that the timeline remains unclear because of cleanup effort logistics.
Families at several schools, including the three displaced charters, have said the district is ignoring them, a charge district officials rebutted in a school board meeting Thursday night.
“We are committed to making sure you will have a space for your schools within the PUSD,” Blanco told the attendees. “That’s the same for Eliot Arts and Altadena [Arts Magnet].”
Joshua McGuffie has a daughter at Altadena Arts. His family’s home is still standing, but his parents lost theirs to the Eaton Fire. His daughter has been able to attend one of the L.A. County Parks pop-up childcare options, for which he’s grateful.
He’s also very, very tired.
"Everyone is maxed out. No one has any bandwidth," he said. "If I don't know where my kid's gonna be in two weeks, that, like, knocks over the whole tenuous line of dominoes that I've desperately tried to set up to keep my life and my family's life together. And if the district could just help us by being as concrete as possible, that would be amazing."
More than 70 families in the district lost their homes, said Gail Pinsker, a district communications officer.
All schools survived the Palisades Fire, she said. One school, Webster Elementary, had recently completed repairs from a previous fire and reopened to students — one day before the Palisades Fire broke out. It and the other Malibu schools remain closed due to road closures, cleaning, power outages, and other maintenance issues that require power to fix, Pinsker said.
On Jan. 14, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order offering school districts flexibility in their recovery. One key element: a hold-harmless provision that exempts shuttered districts from needing the minimum number of instructional days this school year.
Two dozen school districts experienced full or partial closures because of the fires, although most children missed out on only one or two days of class. But for students in PUSD, Malibu, and a handful of LAUSD schools, they're looking at weeks of lost lessons.
District officials say right now, the focus is on students’ short-term well-being.
“We’re really focusing on their social-emotional health,” Pinsker said. “Our goal is to get schools open as soon as possible and then we will take a look at the future beyond that.”
When asked whether LAUSD will offer some kind of summer session or otherwise extend the year for students who have missed out, a spokesperson said the district is “in communication with state officials.”
But Karla Estrada, deputy superintendent of instruction, said in an email statement that the district will rely on the combination of interventions, tutoring, and social, emotional, and mental health initiatives that have been central to its COVID-19 pandemic recovery.
"We will continue this approach with schools that have been impacted by the wildfires and will provide differentiated resources based on the specific needs related to their recovery," she said.
What about the air quality?
Many families are still wondering what kind of exposure their children might have right now to harmful particulates. Although the Air Quality Index for L.A. looks good, it's also an imperfect measure.
LAUSD announced Jan. 14 that it would resume outdoor activity, however, “principals can still implement modified schedules based on local conditions and needs.” Chait, the operations officer, said the district will make those decisions in areas that are directly impacted by fire. Schools have N95 masks available for students who want them.
SMMUSD ended its "inclement weather" schedule late this week, Pinsker said. That allows for more outdoor activity, though she noted that students are still welcome to mask as they want. Classrooms themselves have MERV 13 industrial air filters in their HVAC systems, she said, which are “better than most residential units.”
Bond language includes a list of projects that might be supported, categorized under general buckets like "safety" and "emergencies." District officials demurred on how bond money might be used for repair.
Pinsker noted, however, that this experience may help guide spending on future projects. For instance, previous SMMUSD bonds upgraded entryways — “windows, paint, doors and floors” — which she said held up well during the fires.
Saman Bravo-Karimi, PUSD’s chief business officer, said at the board meeting Thursday that federal and state grants and insurance money will be used to repair campuses, with limited — if any — use of district funds.
Do you have a question about the wildfires or fire recovery?
Check out LAist.com/FireFAQs to see if your question has already been answered. If not, submit your questions here, and we’ll do our best to get you an answer.
Makenna Cramer
leads LAist’s unofficial Big Bear bald eagle beat and has been covering Jackie and Shadow for several seasons.
Published April 3, 2026 11:48 AM
The first pip, or crack, was confirmed in one of the eggs around 10 a.m. Friday, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley.
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Friends of Big Bear Valley
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YouTube
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Topline:
Big Bear’s famous bald eagles — Jackie and Shadow — appear to be welcoming a new chick into the world.
Why now: The first pip, or crack, was spotted in one of the feathered duo’s two eggs around 10 a.m. Friday, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit that runs a popular YouTube livestream of the nest overlooking Big Bear Lake.
Why it matters: More than 26,000 people were watching the livestream shortly shortly after the organization confirmed a pip had been spotted, which signals that an eaglet is starting to poke its way out of the egg shell.
The backstory: As of Friday, the first egg is around 38 days old and the second egg is about 35 days old. Jackie and Shadow's usual incubation timeline is around 38 to 40 days, according to the nonprofit.
Big Bear’s famous bald eagles — Jackie and Shadow — appear to be welcoming a new chick into the world.
The first pip, or crack, was spotted in one of the feathered duo’s two eggs around 10 a.m. Friday, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit that runs a popular YouTube livestream of the nest overlooking Big Bear Lake.
More than 26,000 people were watching the livestream shortly after the organization confirmed a pip had been spotted, which signals that an eaglet is starting to poke its way out of the egg shell.
“Yesterday afternoon, evening and throughout the night we heard little chirps coming from the chick,” Friends of Big Bear Valley wrote on Facebook to more than a million followers. “This indicates that the chick was able to break the internal membrane and took its first breath of air.”
As of Friday, the first egg is around 38 days old and the second egg is about 35 days old. Jackie and Shadow's usual incubation timeline is around 38 to 40 days, according to the nonprofit.
There’s still time for the second egg to show signs of hatching, and a pip could be confirmed in the coming days.
What we know
Jenny Voisard, the organization’s media manager, told LAist earlier this week that hatching is an arduous process for chicks that takes some time.
For example, last season, the first chick hatched more than a day after the initial pip was confirmed, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley records. The second chick hatched about a day after pipping as well, and the third chick worked its way out into the world about two days after the first crack was confirmed.
In March 2025, Jackie and Shadow welcomed two eaglet chicks with one remaining egg in their nest.
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Friends of Big Bear Valley
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YouTube
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Jackie and Shadow's three chicks on March 7, 2025. One of the chicks later died, while Sunny and Gizmo successfully fledged a few months later.
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Friends of Big Bear Valley
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YouTube
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Jackie and Shadow's eaglets during a feeding of fish in April 2025.
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Friends of Big Bear Valley
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YouTube
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Sunny and Gizmo in Big Bear's famous bald eagle nest on Friday, April 18, 2025.
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Friends of Big Bear Valley
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YouTube
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Viewers watched as the surviving eaglets, Sunny and Gizmo, grew from a few ounces to several pounds in a matter of months before fledging, or taking their first flight away from the nest, last June.
But any chicks arriving this season will have to learn how to feed before they can fly.
The initial meals may be a bit awkward while the chicks learn to sit up straight. Jackie and Shadow could start feeding the chicks the same day they hatch, typically tearing off pieces of fish or raw meat and holding it up to their beaks.
Bald eagles don’t regurgitate food for their young, unlike other birds. But the feathered parents do pass along a "substantial amount of saliva” full of electrolytes and antibodies to their chicks during feedings, according to the nonprofit.
Voisard said new life coming to the nest is a reminder “why it’s so important to conserve their lands.”
Matt Dangelantonio
has always been fascinated by sports teams' jersey and logo designs, and loves a good alternate jersey.
Published April 3, 2026 10:54 AM
Shohei Ohtani wearing the Dodgers new blue road jerseys, which the team debuted Friday, April 3 against the Washington Nationals.
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Scott Taetsch
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Getty Images North America
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Topline:
The Dodgers debuted a brand new blue road jersey for its game against the Washington Nationals. The new blues will now be part of the team's regular season jersey rotation for away games.
Why it matters: The team says it's a first for the Dodgers, who have traditionally only worn their gray jerseys for away games. The Dodgers now have three road options — two gray jerseys, one that says "Los Angeles" across the front and another that says "Dodgers," along with the new blues.
Dodger Blue.
For the first time in history, the Dodgers will be wearing a blue jersey as part of their regular uniform rotation on the road. pic.twitter.com/ce3EVFVJTd
The backstory: You've probably seen the Dodgers wearing similar blue jerseys during spring training, but up until now they've not been an everyday option for regular season games. It won't be the first time the team wears a blue jersey during the regular season, though. In 2021, the Dodgers debuted blue "City Connect" jerseys, seen below, for that season.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wearing the team's 2021 City Connect uniform.
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Thearon W. Henderson
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Getty Images North America
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Elly Yu
reports on early childhood. From housing to health, she covers issues facing the youngest Angelenos and their families.
Published April 3, 2026 5:00 AM
Under a new law that went into effect this year, childcare providers are barred from asking about a child's or family member’s immigration status.
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Maria Gutierrez
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LAist
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Topline:
Under a new law that went into effect this year, childcare providers are barred from asking about a child's or family member’s immigration status.
What’s new: California Attorney General Rob Bonta provided guidance this week to childcare providers on new legal requirements to protect children and their families from immigration enforcement activities.
The backstory: Lawmakers passed AB 495 last year aimed at helping and protecting families in light of immigration enforcement, including allowing a broader definition of relatives to step in as a caregiver if a parent is detained.
The details: Under the new requirements, childcare centers have to regularly update a child’s emergency contact to make sure someone can be reached in the case of a parent being detained.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta provided guidance this week to childcare providers on new legal requirements to protect children and their families from immigration enforcement activities.
Under a new law that went into effect this year, childcare providers are not allowed to collect information about a child's or family member’s immigration status, unless necessary under state or federal law. Bonta’s office says there currently is no such requirement, though that could change with federal programs like Head Start.
“Childcare and preschool facilities should be safe and secure spaces so children can grow, learn and simply be children,” Bonta said in a statement.
His office says daycare centers also should not keep information about a formerly enrolled child longer than is required by state law.
The new law also requires facilities to inform the attorney general’s office and the state’s licensing agency if they get any requests for information from law enforcement related to immigration enforcement.
Facilities also must ask families to regularly update a child’s emergency contact information to make sure someone can be reached in case a parent is detained by federal immigration officials.
Warnings and advisories: Wind advisory, High Wind Advisory
What to expect: Partly cloudy skies, warmer weather and strong winds courtesy of the Santa Ana winds.
Read on ... for more details.
QUICK FACTS
Today’s weather: Partly cloudy
Beaches: Mid-70s
Mountains: Mid-60s to around 70 degrees
Inland: 75 to 81 degrees
Warnings and advisories: Wind advisory, High Wind Advisory
The Santa Ana winds are here to welcome us into the weekend, bringing warmer temperatures.
The winds will reach Point Mugu to the Santa Clarita Valley, down to Orange County and parts of the Inland Empire valleys and foothills east of the 5 Freeway.
Peak gusts are expected to reach 35 to 55 mph. The western San Gabriel Mountains, Highway 14 corridor, Santa Susana Mountains and the western Santa Monica Mountains are under a high wind warning until 6 p.m., when gusts could reach 65 mph.
As for temperatures, highs for L.A. County beaches will reach the upper 70s and up to the low 80s for inland areas.
Parts of Orange County and Coachella Valley will see temperatures in the mid- to upper 80s, with the warmest areas expected to reach 88 degrees.
