The Brief

Long Beach is getting ready to close its application period for a new corps program, one that’s geared at providing local students with a pathway toward careers in public service.

The program was made possible by a one-time $300,000 investment from the city. When choosing between candidates, the city will prioritize local residents who are completing their coursework at Cal State Dominguez Hills, Cal State Long Beach, or Long Beach City College. Recent graduates can also apply.

“We're mindful that a lot of young people — or people in general who graduated in recent years — have not been afforded a broad array of job training opportunities, in part because of challenges related to COVID-19 and remote work,” said Eli Romero, a Long Beach workforce development officer who will help oversee the program.

“We look at this as an equity issue,” said Dr. Mike Muñoz, superintendent-president at Long Beach City College. His students, many of whom are the first in their families to go to college, can’t afford to work for free, he said. “And so, unless there's a financial compensation attached to these internships and fellowships, it excludes a large percentage of our students.”

For Muñoz, exposing students to career possibilities is also important.

“You can only aspire to what you know,” he said. “And if you don't have those direct experiences, it really limits what you think the job options are.”

Applications are due Nov. 30, 2023. And the city will select 50 students for the inaugural cohort.

The fellowship was born out of a lot of community feedback, Romero said. Among residents, “there is a big demand to ensure that the city’s workforce reflects the racial makeup of its residents.”

In his view, the fellowship “is a way to ensure that we chart a course for young people from diverse backgrounds to get good quality jobs.”

In addition to work experience, the city has set aside funds to provide students with clothing vouchers so they feel confident in a professional setting, and help them cover the cost of transportation, utilities, and rent.

“We want to make sure that people have a fair chance of engaging in day-to- day work, free of distractions,” Romero said. “Folks can't really engage in employment training if they're worried about how they're going to pay the next bill.”

Once fellows complete the program, they’ll have access to career counseling and related services — regardless of whether they opt to pursue a career in public service or something new.

Congress is set to vote on bipartisan war powers resolutions this week meant to limit President Donald Trump's military operations in Iran.

The dual efforts in the House and Senate face uphill battles to become law, as previous efforts have failed in asserting congressional authority to declare war.

But most Democrats and a handful of Republicans on Capitol Hill still support the effort to curb Trump's use of military power in Iran, after the U.S. and Israel launched attacks against Iran over the weekend that have already claimed the first American casualties.

"The Constitution says we're not supposed to be at war without a vote of Congress," Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., a cosponsor of the Senate resolution, told NPR's Weekend Edition. "This is important. The lives of our troops are at risk. We ought to come back to Washington right away and vote on this."

The war powers resolutions had been scheduled for debate and votes before the surprise attack on Iranian military and political leaders. Now that the war is ongoing, it's unclear how or if any successful war powers resolution would immediately change the reality on the ground.

Kaine urged Congress to return earlier than scheduled to vote on the resolutions, but votes on the measures are still expected mid-week.

Congress would likely need to override a Trump veto in order to pass the war power measures. As it stands, it's unclear if there is enough support for initial passage, not to mention the two-thirds majority needed in both chambers to override a veto.

If made law, the measures would block further U.S. military action in Iran without congressional approval under the 1973 War Powers Resolution — which Congress passed during the Vietnam War as a check on executive war authority.

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., a Navy pilot and captain, also supports the vote, saying that "Trump has no plan to avoid escalation into a wider conflict that puts more servicemembers in harm's way."

Trump in a video posted online on Sunday said the U.S. would continue its attacks in the Middle East until objectives are met, without specifying what those objectives are.

Administration officials, including the CIA director, defense secretary, and secretary of state, are expected to brief all lawmakers about the Middle East war efforts on Tuesday, the White House said.

'A disastrous vote for any Democrat'

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said he gives the House war powers resolution a 40% to 60% chance of advancing out of the House this week.

"It depends if we can keep several Democrats in line," Khanna told NBC News' Meet the Press. "But I believe that this is a disastrous vote for any Democrat — to vote for Donald Trump's war in the Middle East."

He specifically cited Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., who has long opposed the Iran war powers resolutions for fear it would "restrict the flexibility needed" in a military operations. Gottheimer didn't immediately respond to a request for comment about his vote.

Most Republicans are expected to stand by Trump's war with Iran and block the resolutions.

"I suspect you'll see overwhelming support from elected Republicans in the Congress," Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said on CNN Sunday morning.

But Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., one of the sponsors of the resolution in the House, argued that the conflict is not "America First," suggesting some fissures among the GOP; Massie has consistently been one of the few Republicans to vote against some Trump administration priorities.

In the Senate, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., is one of the few Democrats who said he plans to vote against the resolution.

"It's not necessary. Honestly, though, the entire thing, it's really an empty gesture," Fetterman told Fox News Sunday.

These resolution votes comes after the failure of a number of similar attempts to restrict Trump's use of the military without congressional approval.

In June, a Senate vote on Iran war powers failed after the strikes on Tehran's nuclear facilities. And in January, though the Senate narrowly advanced a Venezuela war powers resolution after the capture of former president Nicolas Maduro, the effort ultimately failed to pass.

—NPR's Michele Kelemen contributed to this report.
Copyright 2026 NPR

My eyes hurt from all the art I saw this past week! Highlights for me from Frieze week include discovering new-to-me artists at the fair, like South Korean artist Haengue Yang and her mesmerizing jingle bell installation, local photographer Christina Fernandez (whose images about immigration are a stark reminder that what’s happening now is not new for many in our community) and Frieze Impact winner Napoles Marty’s drawings that reflect his Cuban heritage. I was also blown away by the use of old buildings across the city — from the abandoned 99 Cent Store project, to the old post office on Fifth Street in Santa Monica for the Post Fair, to a gathering outside Taix (RIP) in Silverlake, to an opening at the old Spago space.

Looking ahead, Licorice Pizza’s music picks for the week include a Monday show from Sun Ra Arkestra at the Lodge Room; on Tuesday, Southern rock/punk duo Black Pistol Fire are at the Teragram, and English singer-songwriter Sienna Spiro is at the Troubadour. Plus, the long-running It’s A School Night! Residency, now at its new location at the Airliner, is free with RSVP. Wednesday, Swedish sensation Zara Larsson plays the first of her two nights at the Wiltern, or if you feel like getting some much-needed laughs and doing some good, there's the Saban Theatre’s “Stand Up for Equality” event, featuring Margaret Cho, Tig Notaro and more. On Thursday, Dutch DJ Afrojack takes over the decks at Hollywood’s Sound Nightclub, and Orange County hosts some old-school punk — the Descendents with Frank Turner will be at House of Blues Anaheim on Thursday and Friday.

Elsewhere on LAist, you can get the latest on the opening of Metro’s new D Line, cast your pick for the worst intersection in L.A. and visit a South Bay ice cream shop where the kids design the flavors.

Events

Maker Night: Build, Bend, and Snap!

Thursday, March 5, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 
Craft Contemporary 
5814 Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile
COST: $12; MORE INFO

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Courtesy Craft Contemporary

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Put down your phone and pick up clay and wire to make your own unique sculptural creation at Craft Contemporary’s Maker Night. Join artists Andres Payan Estrada and Greg Nasca to learn hand-building clay techniques that incorporate nichrome wire, a “hi-fire” wire that can be fired into clay. A perfect Thursday night grown-up play date!

Gorillaz: House of Kong 

Through Thursday, March 19
Rolling Greens 
1005 Mateo Street, Arts District 
COST: FROM $39.50; MORE INFO 

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Ben Bentley

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Gorillaz, the innovative animated band launched by Damon Albarn (Blur) and artist Jamie Hewlett in 1998, get the historical-slash-immersive treatment in this new downtown walk-through experience. Fans and newcomers alike will get a deeper look at the creative process behind Hewlett’s now-iconic characters, and can follow a mystery through the band’s “backstage” journey. Following the immersive experience, there’s a screening room and exhibit space where you can check out the band’s latest short music film (The Mountain), installations and more.

Tomorrow Begins Today: The Creative Legacy of Bonnie Cashin

Thursday, March 5, 6 p.m. 
UCLA
Charles E. Young Research Library, Main Conference Room 11360 
280 Charles E. Young Drive N., Westwood
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

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Bonnie Cashin

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Courtesy Charles E. Young Research Library

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If you’ve ever found yourself relieved to find pockets in that dress you’re trying on (pretty sure that’s everyone who’s ever worn a dress), you have Bonnie Cashin at least in part to thank. The innovative 20th-century designer made clothes for women that prioritized function, and her designs were embraced by the likes of Coach, Hermès, Calvin Klein and more. Mellissa Huber, Associate Curator in The Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and a fashion historian specializing in 20th-century dress, will speak about Cashin’s legacy as a designer and philanthropist.

Foursome 

Through Monday, March 23 
IAMA
3269 Casitas Ave., Atwater Village 
COST: $45 (“pay what you can” on March 2 and 9);  MORE INFO 

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Jill Petracek

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IAMA

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A queer millennial rom-com has taken over at IAMA, the intimate space in Atwater Village. Building off its success at last year’s IAMA New Works Festival, Foursome is now a fully staged production that follows four friends on a wine-fueled weekend getaway. Monday, March 2 is a “pay what you can” night, with a post-show talkback hosted by the L.A. LGBTQ+ Arts & Culture Coalition.

What a Wonderful World: An Audiovisual Poem 

Through March 20 
Variety Arts Theater
940 S. Figueroa Street, Downtown L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

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Marina Abramovic

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Courtesy Julia Stoschek Foundation

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Don’t miss this multistory art and poetry installation! It’s free, there’s popcorn, there’s art, there’s spontaneous performances, and it’s all in a very cool old L.A. theater that doesn't open its full space to exploration very often. It marks the first major presentation of works from the Julia Stoschek Foundation in the U.S., and it uses a combination of silent film and cinematic history to bring the space to life.

Laguna Beach First Thursdays Art Walk

Thursday, March 5, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 
Various Galleries
Laguna Beach
COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

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Courtesy Visit Laguna Beach

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If you’re not over-arted from all the gallery openings in L.A. last week, head south for a chill gallery walk in Laguna Beach. The long-standing tradition of Thursday art walk continues, with more than 30 art galleries opening their doors for special exhibitions and artist meet-and-greets. There’s also a free trolley service that runs along Coast Highway for easy access, plus the Laguna Art Museum offers free admission.

Women Wednesday: Night of Shorts 

Wednesday, March 4, 9:30 p.m. 
Los Feliz Theatre
1822 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz
COST: $15; MORE INFO 

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Courtesy American Cinematheque

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Check out a selection of short films from local up-and-coming women directors with American Cinematheque at the Los Feliz Theatre. The shorts are followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.

Soko sushi-making class

Tuesday to Thursday weekly
Fairmont Santa Monica 
101 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica
COST: $100.75; MORE INFO 

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Courtesy Bucket Listers

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Learn from the best as Chef Masa Shimakawa takes you behind his eight-person sushi bar at the Fairmont in Santa Monica for a masterclass. Learn to make a selection of classic rolls under Chef Masa’s supervision, and when you're finished, of course, you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

The federal government hasn't yet awarded hundreds of millions of dollars that it promised for security for the World Cup, less than four months before the tournament kicks off in cities across the U.S. including Los Angeles.

Officials in some host cities warned at a Congressional hearing last week that if those funds aren't released soon it could lead them to massively scale back or cancel their events for fans this summer – but what the delay means for L.A. is less clear.

Los Angeles is hosting eight matches at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, a five-day "fan festival" at L.A. Memorial Coliseum and official "fan zones" across the county during the 39-day tournament.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee – the group responsible for putting on the fan programs here – declined to comment on concerns over federal funds, despite requests via email, text and phone last week.

LAist asked the Los Angeles host committee how much federal funding it was expecting to receive for security, but did not receive a response. Homeland Security Committee chair Rep. Andrew Garbarino said that Miami, which is hosting seven matches and a 23-day fan festival, is expecting around $70 million in federal funding.

"Without receiving this money, it could be catastrophic for our planning and coordination," Raymond Martinez, the Chief Operating Officer of Miami's host committee, told a Congressional Homeland Security committee last week.

Why is $625 million for World Cup security delayed?

President Donald Trump allocated $625 million dollars to World Cup security in his “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” last year. FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is responsible for allocating that money to the 11 host city committees in the U.S., and those funds were supposed to be awarded by the end of January, according to details provided by FEMA's for grant applicants. But they're now more than a month late.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blamed the ongoing government shutdown of her department.

“FEMA was in the final stages of reviewing applications to ensure proper oversight when Democrats shut down the government putting significant portions of the FEMA staff on administrative leave," she said in a statement. "The longer DHS goes without funding, the less prepared our nation will be for threats at the FIFA World Cup."

Democrat Nellie Pou of New Jersey shot back at Secretary Noem on X, pointing out that FEMA's website says it planned to award the funds by the end of January.

"World Cup security funding was enacted into law last summer and these matches have been scheduled for years," Pou wrote. "It’s time for DHS to do its job."

Beyond the federal dollars for security surrounding the tournament, the state of California has also approved $10 million for security costs for the World Cup in Los Angeles and the Bay Area.

How the World Cup works in L.A.

Los Angeles is the host city of the World Cup matches and celebrations coming to the region this summer, but the city of L.A. is not paying for or planning the mega-event. That planning is up to the non-profit Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission, which is leading the local host committee and coordinating with FIFA and other local entities.

Federal security funds will be awarded to the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, and then the host committee will disburse those funds to local agencies that provide security for the World Cup and fan celebrations.

Most of the federal funding for the 11 host cities will go toward overtime costs, according to FEMA, and that money will be paid out as reimbursements.

The city of L.A. is currently negotiating an agreement with that committee on what city services, such as police, it might provide, according to multiple city officials.

The City Administrative Officer is negotiating that deal. An official in the CAO’s office told LAist that the host committee expects that federal funds will cover all those costs.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department did not respond to questions from LAist on how LAPD is coordinating with other law enforcement agencies ahead of the World Cup.

LA and Inglewood officials say they're not concerned

Local officials told LAist last week that they were not concerned that the delay in federal funds would derail World Cup plans in Los Angeles.

Inglewood Mayor James Butts said that the city was expecting to receive payments from FIFA directly for services, as well as some of the federal security money awarded by FEMA.

" We're not concerned at all," he said in an interview. "The federal government has always come through on FEMA related allocations."

Paul Krekorian, who leads the City of Los Angeles's Office of Major Events, said he did not think that delayed federal funds would cause organizers to cancel the planned Fan Festival.

"We have events at the Coliseum all the time, and this is a few days of ticketed events at the Coliseum," he told LAist. "I expect that if we have to provide extra services that we will be reimbursed for those, but it's not a big enough aberration from things that we do all the time that would cause me to be concerned that if we don't have federal support, we have to cancel."

Team U.S.A.'s opening match will take place in Los Angeles on June 12. The fan festival will kick off the same day as the tournament, June 11.

Angelenos took to the streets of downtown Los Angeles and Westwood on Saturday in response to the U.S.-Israeli military strikes in Iran.

• Read: What you should know about local protests, reaction and law enforcement actions

A coalition of organizations, including the National Iranian American Council, the ANSWER coalition and 50501, held protests nationwide to oppose U.S. intervention.

Local demonstrations took place outside City Hall in downtown Los Angeles, as well as in Ventura and Orange counties.

In Westwood, Iranian Americans gathered to celebrate the strikes. More demonstrations are planned for today and tomorrow.

Here are photos from Saturday.

Westwood

Hundreds rally seeking regime change in Iran in Westwood on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Los Angeles. The rally was organized after word spread that the U.S. and Israel had bombed Iran overnight, Pacific time, killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, among others.

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Genaro Molina

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/Los Angeles Times via Getty Image

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Hundreds rally waving the historical Iranian Lion and Sun and American flags in Westwood on Saturday.

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Genaro Molina

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Los Angeles Times

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Hundreds rally in Westwood seeking regime change in Iran.

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Genaro Molina

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Los Angeles Times via Getty Image

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A man walks under the colors if Iran while joining hundreds in a rally seeking regime change in Iran in Westwood on Saturday.

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Genaro Molina

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Los Angeles Times via Getty Image

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Downtown Los Angeles

A protester holds a poster reading "drop the files not the bombs" during a demonstration against the war in Iran in front of City Hall in Los Angeles on Feb. 28, 2026.

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Etienne Laurent

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AFP via Getty Images

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A crowd gathered at Los Angeles City Hall to protest against United States and Israel bombing Iran on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.

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Myung J. Chun

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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

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A protester holds a portrait of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a flag of Iran during a demonstration against the war in Iran in front of City Hall.

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Etienne Laurent

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AFP via Getty Images

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Protesters hold placards reading "no new US war in the Middle East" during a demonstration against the war in Iran in front of City Hall.

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Etienne Laurent

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AFP via Getty Images

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A man holds a sign at Los Angeles City Hall to protest against United States and Israel bombing Iran.

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Myung J. Chun

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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

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