Members of UPTE-CWA Local 9119 rally during a strike Wednesday.
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Topline:
Some 57,000 University of California healthcare, service, research and technical employees kick off a multi-day unfair labor practice strike on Wednesday.
The backstory: The workers are represented by two unions locked in strained negotiations with the UC system.
Why it matters: The move could disrupt patient care and other campus functions statewide. University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) Local 9119 Executive Vice President Matias Campos, a staff pharmacist at UC San Francisco, said core emergency services will remain available at university hospitals. The strike includes about thousands of workers from UCLA, UC Irvine and UC Riverside.
What the union wants: The unions are calling for higher wages and more career growth opportunities. They have also charged the university with unfair labor practices before the California Public Employment Relations Board. Those charges, which include instituting restrictions that limit free speech, are a foundation for the strike.
What does the University of California say? The university system has accused the unions of bargaining in bad faith. A spokesperson said there’s no staffing crisis, as the unions claim, and that it has agreed to higher wages.
Read on ... for details of what the unions and the UC system have proposed.
Tens of thousands of University of California employees walked off the job Wednesday as contract negotiations hit a wall.
The strike threatens to disrupt patient care, research and other campus functions statewide.
Picket lines began early in the morning, with rallies on campuses midday.
Two unions are on strike:
AFSCME Local 3299, which includes 37,000 service workers, patient care technical workers and other skilled craft workers.
University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) Local 9119, which includes 20,000 clinical researchers, IT analysts, mental health counselors and nurse case managers.
Both are currently in the middle of strained contract negotiations with the university system.
The unions and UC have accused each other of bargaining in bad faith, and the unions have also accused the university system of unfair labor practices, a tipping point that led to this week's strikes.
What do the UC workers want?
The demands from each union share a lot of overlap, including wage increases of 8% or more each of the next three years, a $25 minimum wage retroactive to 2023 and better benefits.
UPTE also highlighted its demands for clearer career growth pathways. Its leadership says the goal is to fix a staffing and retention crisis that harms research and patients.
Left, Maryam Azizadah, 23, UCLA Health Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator speaks to a crowd of union members on Feb. 26, 2025 in Los Angeles while Jeanna Harris, UCLA Health Case Manager, right, looks on.
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Maryam Azizadah is a research coordinator at UCLA. She said better pay and benefits would help recruit and keep colleagues.
“It's really hard to not make mistakes when you have so many patients and so many of these really detailed protocols for these cancer research trials,” she said. “If we don't have enough time to be meticulous it ends up affecting the research.”
Julia Mangione, a research coordinator at UC Irvine, said people are constantly leaving for better paying jobs.
"We hear that people work two or three research jobs just to make ends meet, or they have to work outside of their field to pay the bills," she said. "But they stay in research because they care about their patients, they care about their participants, and they're deeply passionate about the work."
The university maintains there is no staffing crisis. In a statement, UC spokesperson Heather Hansen said the system has been hiring more staff and that turnover is improving among UPTE-represented employees.
But others LAist talked to said they're not feeling supported.
A member from the AFSCME Local 3299, which includes 37,000 service workers, patient care technical workers and other craft workers, greets his family member, a fruit vendor, on the sidewalk.
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The UPTE-CWA Local 9119 take to the streets on Feb. 26, 2025.
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Max Belasco, a UCLA graduate, is now an IT worker at his alma mater’s law school. On top of his work on campus, he provides technical support for the Immigrant Family Legal Clinic at several community schools in the Koreatown and Pico Union area.
Belasco told LAist that colleagues often feel the need to apply for external positions to gain leverage when attempting to advance in their UC careers.
“That opens us up to [potentially] losing a lot of institutional knowledge, which is very specialized inside of IT,” he said.
Anushree Belur, a psychologist at the UC Irvine student counseling center, said she’s had to call out sick twice this month.
“What we are noticing is when we get burnt out, that leads to greater absences,” she said. “We’re not able to take care of ourselves, and we feel it ... There are times when your body feels the stress.”
She said those absences translate into more disruption for students.
How might the strikes affect patient care?
UPTE executive vice president Matias Campos, a staff pharmacist at UC San Francisco, said core emergency services will remain available at university hospitals.
“We ask that patients contact their provider to suss out what will be impact[ed],” he added. “We anticipate that procedures will need to be rescheduled,” along with “non-urgent clinic patient visits, to accommodate the large number of workers that will be striking.”
On Wednesday afternoon, UC Irvine spokesperson John Murray said via email that the university's inpatient and outpatient locations remain open for patient care, and that about 850 healthcare professionals were brought in to temporarily backfill positions.
“This has been a hard choice,” said Michael McGlenn, a clinical psychologist at UC San Diego.
Members of AFSCME Local 3299 demonstrate on the UCLA campus Wednesday.
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He and his colleagues support the mental health of over 45,000 students.
“We care very much about our patients,” he added. “I will be honest: [I] don't love the idea of leaving them with delayed care.”
But according to McGlenn, students already “have to wait weeks, if not longer, to see a provider for their first appointment.” Then they have to wait “more weeks” for follow-up appointments. In his view, students are already being harmed by the status quo.
“The only way we can make sure that our clinics are appropriately staffed and that they have the resources we need is if we do go on strike,” he said.
Education editor Ross Brenneman contributed to this story.
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.
If you want to tune into the Grammys on Sunday and get out of the house, we’ve got you covered.
The basics: The 2026 Grammys are happening this Sunday at 5 p.m. Pacific at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. They’ll air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ Premium, but you can also watch at several bars and restaurants across Los Angeles.
Read on … for details on where to watch the Grammys in L.A.
The Grammy Awards this Sunday are happening here in Los Angeles at the Crypto.com Arena, hosted for the sixth and final time by comedian Trevor Noah.
The televised ceremony will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ Premium at 5 p.m. Pacific on Sunday and be available on-demand on Paramount+ on Monday.
Here's who we know is performing, and some bars and restaurants where you can tune into the awards around L.A.
The performers
Sabrina Carpenter has been announced as the show’s first performer, with Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Pharrell Williams, Clipse and ROSÉ also set to perform.
All eight of the Best New Artist nominees — Addison Rae, Leon Thomas, Olivia Dean, The Marías, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Lola Young and SOMBR — will also perform
Reba McEntire, Brandy Clark and Lukas Nelson will take the stage during the ceremony’s In Memoriam tribute.
Lauryn Hill is also leading a tribute to D’Angelo and Roberta Flack, who both passed away in 2025. Post Malone, Andrew Watt, Chad Smith, Duff McKagan and Slash will perform a tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne.
Where to watch
Park and Lex Grammy Watch Party
Sunday, February 1, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Park and Lex Productions 941 East 2nd Street, Arts District COST: $5-10 suggested donation; MORE INFO
Park and Lex Productions is hosting a BYOB Grammy Watch Party with light bites, showing the awards ceremony shown on a 4K projector screen.
1212 Santa Monica Grammy Watch Party
Sunday, February 1, 5 p.m. 1212 Santa Monica 1212 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Watch the show on the Santa Monica restaurant’s projector screen and TV. They’ll have Happy Hour specials all night (as they do every day).
La Boheme Grammy Watch Party
Sunday, February 1, 5 p.m. La Boheme 8400 Santa Monica Blvd, WeHo COST: FREE; MORE INFO
The West Hollywood Mediterranean restaurant will be showing the Grammys on their projector screen and offering Happy Hour specials all night (which they also offer every Monday-Thursday and Sunday).
Outloud Presents Grammy Day at The Abbey
Sunday, February 1, 2-10 p.m The Abbey 692 N Robertson Blvd, WeHo COST: FREE; MORE INFO
The LGBTQ+ music festival is putting on its second annual Grammy Watch Party at The Abbey. They’ll have live performances from 2-5 p.m., then the live broadcast and an after party that will go until 10 p.m. RSVP is preferred.
Perry’s Beach Grammy Party
Sunday, February 1, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Perry’s Beach Club 930 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica COST: Starting at $23.18; MORE INFO
The Santa Monica-based beach club will stream the Grammys and offer happy hour specials from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., which includes a $2 discount on food and half off cocktails. Eddie Makabi and EC Twins will DJ the event.
Steven Tyler’s 7th Annual Jam for Janie Grammy Awards Viewing Party
Sunday, February 1, 3 p.m. start with cocktail reception Hollywood Palladium 6215 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood COST: Donation levels start at $500; MORE INFO
This charity event is decidedly not free, but all proceeds go to benefit Janie’s Fund, which provides resources for young women who have experienced abuse and neglect. The event will be hosted by actress Melissa Joan Hart and include a jam performance featuring Tyler and other artists including Belinda Carlisle of The Go-Go’s, Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes and Robin Zander of Cheap Trick.
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President Donald Trump plans to nominate former central banker Kevin Warsh to be the next chair of the Federal Reserve, in hopes that Warsh will follow his roadmap toward much lower interest rates.
More details: Warsh served on the Fed's governing board from 2006 to 2011 after working as an economic adviser in the George W. Bush administration. He beat out other shortlist contenders for the Fed job, including National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett and Fed governor Chris Waller.
Why now: Trump has repeatedly complained that the current Fed chairman, Jerome Powell, is too timid about cutting rates, even though the Fed is supposed to operate at arm's length from the White House. Powell's term as Fed chair expires in May.
Read on... for more about Warsh.
President Donald Trump plans to nominate former central banker Kevin Warsh to be the next chair of the Federal Reserve, in hopes that Warsh will follow his roadmap toward much lower interest rates.
Warsh served on the Fed's governing board from 2006 to 2011 after working as an economic adviser in the George W. Bush administration. He beat out other shortlist contenders for the Fed job, including National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett and Fed governor Chris Waller.
"I have known Kevin for a long period of time, and have no doubt that he will go down as one of the GREAT Fed Chairmen, maybe the best," Trump wrote in a social media post. "On top of everything else, he is "central casting," and he will never let you down."
Trump has repeatedly complained that the current Fed chairman, Jerome Powell, is too timid about cutting rates, even though the Fed is supposed to operate at arm's length from the White House. Powell's term as Fed chair expires in May.
Warsh will undoubtedly face questions during his confirmation hearing about whether he's willing to buck pressure from the president.
Warsh has ties to Wall Street
During the financial crisis, Warsh served as the Fed's primary ambassador to Wall Street, where he made good use of the contacts he'd made while working at Morgan Stanley. He's currently a visiting fellow at Stanford's Hoover Institution. His wife is heiress to the Estee Lauder fortune.
While Trump is counting on Warsh to lower interest rates despite inflation that is well above the Fed's target, Warsh was on the opposite side of the fence during his previous term at the central bank. He frequently warned of inflation that didn't materialize, even as the unemployment rate hovered near 10%.
Warsh could join a divided Fed
While the Fed chair serves as the public face of the central bank, interest rates are set by a 12-member committee, consisting of the seven Fed governors and a rotating group of regional Fed bank presidents. In recent months, the committee has been divided over whether interest rates should be lower to cushion possible job losses or higher to curb stubborn inflation.
Since September 2024, the central bank has lowered its benchmark interest rate by 1.75 percentage points. But Trump has repeatedly called for bigger cuts, berating Powell for acting, in Trump's view, "too late."
In addition to jawboning the Fed, Trump has worked to replace members of its governing board with people who are more likely to do his bidding. When Fed governor Adriana Kugler abruptly resigned last summer, Trump appointed White House economist Stephen Miran to fill out the remaining months of Kugler's term. Since then, Miran has cast three lonely votes for super-sized rate cuts.
By design, the Fed is supposed to be insulated from White House interference, so policymakers can make necessary but sometimes unpopular choices, like raising interest rates to fight inflation. Trump has routinely trampled on that norm, insisting he knows better than Fed officials where interest rates should be.
President Trump and Fed Chairman Jerome Powell tour the Federal Reserve's headquarters renovation project in Washington, D.C., on July 24, 2025. The cost of the renovation became a flash point between the two.
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That's likely to come up during Warsh's confirmation hearing.
"It is difficult to trust that any Chair of the Federal Reserve selected by this president will be able to act with the independence required of the position," Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said in a statement. "This administration will levy charges against any leader who makes interest rate decisions based on facts and the needs of our economy rather than Trump's personal preferences."
While Warsh calls the independence of the Fed "important and worthy," he argued in a speech last April that the central bank has weakened that case by trying to do too much and losing sight of its inflation-fighting mission.
"Our constitutional republic accepts an independent central bank only if it sticks closely to its congressionally-directed duty and successfully performs its tasks," Warsh said in remarks to the International Monetary Fund. "We should remember that the revealed preference of the body politic is a deep distaste for inflation — and for bailouts and power grabs."
He warned that by keeping interest rates low for years, the Fed "contributed to an explosion of federal spending." That seems at odds with Trump's desire for even lower interest rates, so the government can keep running trillion-dollar deficits more cheaply.
Politicians tend to prefer lower interest rates, which can boost the economy in the short run but at a potential cost in long-run performance.
"Central bank independence is the solution that Congress and the President have chosen," a group of former Treasury secretaries, Fed governors, and prominent economists wrote in a friend of the court brief, "to protect against the risk that monetary policy will be mishandled."
One key question is whether Powell leaves the Fed board when his term as chair expires. That's the norm, but Powell could stay on as Fed governor until January 2028, denying Trump the chance to appoint another loyalist to the central bank's governing board.
Copyright 2026 NPR
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon and independent Minnesota journalist Georgia Fort were among four people arrested by federal agents. Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy awards, his attorney, Abbe Lowell, said in a statement posted on social media.
Why now? U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on X: "At my direction, early this morning federal agents arrested Don Lemon, Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lydell Lundy, in connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota."
How we got here: Last week, the Trump administration sought to charge several people including Lemon after protesters entered the Cities Church in St. Paul, where an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official serves as a pastor.
The context: Lemon had live-streamed the demonstration and said he was there as a journalist. But U.S. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon posted on X that the church was "a space protected from exactly such acts by federal criminal and civil laws! Nor does the First Amendment protect your pseudo journalism of disrupting a prayer service. You are on notice."
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon and independent Minnesota journalist Georgia Fort were among four people arrested by federal agents.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on X: "At my direction, early this morning federal agents arrested Don Lemon, Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lydell Lundy, in connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota."
Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy awards, his attorney, Abbe Lowell, said in a statement posted on social media.
Last week, the Trump administration sought to charge several people including Lemon after protesters entered the Cities Church in St. Paul, where an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official serves as a pastor.
This morning, Minnesota independent journalist Fort posted a video on social media saying federal agents were her door. Fort said in the post that she had filmed the protest at the same church as a journalist.
Lemon had live-streamed the demonstration and said he was there as a journalist. But U.S. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon posted on X that the church was "a space protected from exactly such acts by federal criminal and civil laws! Nor does the First Amendment protect your pseudo journalism of disrupting a prayer service. You are on notice."
Lemon's lawyer Lowell in the statement called the arrest an "unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration.""
Lowell also said: "Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court."
Lemon, who is now an independent journalist, left CNN in 2023 after 17 years at the cable network, amid criticism that he made sexist comments about women and aging. He has been a longtime critic of Trump.
