The Brief

A federal appeals court is allowing President Donald Trump’s deployment of California National Guard soldiers to continue while it considers Trump’s challenge to a lower court’s decision that found he illegally mobilized those troops without consulting Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear the case June 17. The soldiers can remain in the city at least until then, barring any other legal moves by Newsom’s team.

The appeals court issued its pause just hours after Judge Charles Breyer wrote that Trump’s “actions were illegal — both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.” Breyer’s ruling in a lawsuit filed by Newsom would have put the troops back under the governor’s control.

Trump’s lawyers sought the pause on Breyer’s decision, writing that the “district court has entered an unprecedented order enjoining the President from deploying National Guardsmen to protect federal officers from ongoing violent protests and attacks, and to protect federal property from further damage.” The White House in a 300-plus page court filing also argued that the judge was “second-guessing” the president in a “gross violation of the separation of powers.”

Lawyers representing the Newsom administration were seeking an order to prevent the troops from performing law-enforcement duties and to instead limit their role to protecting federal property.

At a hearing Thursday, Judge Breyer seemed to take a dim view of the administration’s argument that presidents have broad, unreviewable authority to commandeer state National Guard personnel.

“The president is of course limited to his authority,” Breyer said during the Thursday hearing. “That’s the difference between a constitutional government and King George.”

He doubled down on that point in his order, writing that “the Court is not convinced that the judiciary cannot question presidential assertions about domestic activities leading to military action.”

Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth sent the National Guard into L.A. last weekend and readied the Marines to do the same, over the objections of Newsom and elected officials in Los Angeles.

Earlier today Hegseth refused to say whether he would follow the courts if they ruled against the deployment of active-duty Marines to Los Angeles during a congressional hearing Thursday.

Breyer seemed to have that in mind when he stressed to the administration’s lawyers that parties in a lawsuit are obligated to follow court orders.

“That’s right, isn’t it?” he said.

The federal attorney representing Trump nodded to the judge.

“The federal government is agreeing with me on this issue,” Breyer said.

Throughout the proceedings, which ranged from heady constitutional analysis to a deep semantic debate over the word “through,” Breyer seemed unconvinced by the federal government’s key arguments: That the president did not need to consult Newsom before seizing control of the National Guard and that judges have no power to second-guess his decision to do so.

“How is that any different from what a monarchist does?” Breyer said when discussing those arguments.

Breyer’s order was part of several legal steps moving on parallel tracks: the decision to temporarily block Trump’s takeover of the Guard and then the wider issue of whether that was legal. Both matters can move through the courts. Breyer hasn’t ruled on the broader legal issues of the case. Once he does, either Newsom or Trump will likely appeal his ruling.

In his order, Breyer wrote that Trump’s White House “did not notify Governor Newsom of their intent to federalize the California National Guard,” ultimately supporting Newsom’s contention that Trump never gave him a heads up.

In calling in the troops, the administration argued that the armed forces will do what local law enforcement has so far been unable to do: Bring order to the streets of L.A. Critics, including Newsom, counter that sending soldiers — especially Marines trained for the battlefield — to quell a civil disturbance is just as likely to inflame the situation and ratchet up the risk of violence.

Trump ordered the National Guard to Los Angeles on Saturday after protests broke out in response to federal immigration officers raiding work sites and arresting individuals they say are in the country without authorization. Trump’s order cited “incidents of violence and disorder” in his message. The soldiers will “temporarily protect” the immigration enforcement officers, the memo said.

The president has so far ordered 4,000 National Guard and 700 U.S. Marine troops to L.A. Breyer, who was appointed to the bench by President Bill Clinton, seemed unwilling to weigh in on the question of the Marines, if only because they have yet to arrive in Los Angeles.

Trump has not yet invoked the Insurrection Act, a law that would give him more authority to deploy troops domestically and use them for law enforcement. As is, the National Guard soldiers are charged with protecting federal agents and buildings.

But that didn’t stop Breyer from observing that Trump’s own social media posts sought a wider role for troops. He noted that Trump reportedly wrote online that he had directed his cabinet officials to “liberate Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion” and that “we’re going to have troops everywhere.”

The judge wrote that “certainly differs from the circumscribed role professed in the opposition brief.”

I know it must be spring break when I see all the elementary-aged kids with their surf gear, heading out to surf camp in Santa Monica on my daily walk. I grew up on the East Coast, and even after more than 20 years here, I just can’t imagine what it’s like to go to surf camp in your backyard. Lucky kids!

But now they’re back to school — and those of us who won’t be playing hooky to beat traffic to the pair of sure-to-be-epic Bruce Springsteen concerts at the Forum on Tuesday and Thursday are back to work. Not into the Boss? We’ve also got your no-chella local music lineup of artists coming through town en route to the desert next weekend, and Licorice Pizza has more picks for the week, including R&B star Arin Ray at Blue Note and the SATCHVAI Band (that’s Joe Satriani and Steve Vai) at Long Beach’s Terrace Theater on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Australian pop-rock sensation Ruel is at the Palladium, and country star Caroline Jones plays the Troubadour. Thursday, Australian rockers Sticky Fingers play the Palladium, darkwave trio French Police is at the Fonda, and Mexican pop star Humbe brings the romance to the Wiltern.

Elsewhere on LAist, you can check out my latest piece about how nonalcoholic bars are shifting gears, and read up on how to stay safe as sharks have been spotted in SoCal waters.

Events

PaleyFest

Through Sunday, April 12
Dolby Theatre
6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
COST: FROM $50; MORE INFO

Rhea Seehorn and other actors are in conversation at PaleyFest.

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If you didn’t luck into tickets from our giveaway, have no fear. There are still good seats available to check out conversations with the casts of your favorite shows, like The Pitt, Pluribus and more at this year’s PaleyFest, all taking over the Dolby.

Men’s College Basketball National Championship Game

Monday, April 6, 5:30 p.m.
Cosm 
1252 District Drive, Inglewood 
COST: FROM $11; MORE INFO

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Didn't plan a trip to Indianapolis for the National Championship game? Head to Cosm for an immersive fan experience watching Michigan and UConn battle it out for this year's title.

Marshall Crenshaw

Monday, April 6, 7 p.m.
Zebulon
2478 Fletcher Drive, Glassell Park
COST: $62.32; MORE INFO

Marshall Crenshaw heads to Zebulon this week.

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Music fan and LAist underwriting specialist Roy Lenn recommends catching Marshall Crenshaw at Zebulon this week. Crenshaw’s catchy songs, like 1982’s “Someday, Someway,” have shades of power pop, rockabilly, and early rock and roll — you might remember his turn as Buddy Holly in the 1987 film La Bamba. And '90s kids will recall that he also co-wrote “Til I Hear It From You” with Gin Blossoms for 1995’s seminal Empire Records soundtrack.

KT Tunstall 

Thursday, April 9, 8 p.m.
Venice West 
1717 Lincoln Blvd., Venice
COST: $63; MORE INFO 

KT Tunstall heads to The Venice West

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With all the Devil Wears Prada 2 press tour interviews, I can’t get “Suddenly I See” by KT Tunstall out of my head. Tunstall has collaborated with everyone from Daryl Hall to Rick Astley, and she always puts on a fantastic show. See the Scottish songstress live in one of the most intimate venues in town, The Venice West.

Anna Sui conversation and book signing

Thursday, April 9, 6:30 p.m. 
FIDM
919 S. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

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One of the most recognizable names in '90s fashion, designer Anna Sui is in conversation at the ASU FIDM Museum in Los Angeles to discuss her career, what informs her work and her thoughts on the current '90s nostalgia boom (see: Love Story). Sui's book, The Nineties x Anna Sui, will be available for purchase.

Pet Psychic pop-up

Wednesday, April 8, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. 
5159 York Blvd., Highland Park 
COST: $35; MORE INFO

Need a read on what your cat or dog is really thinking? Meet with Lil Miss Pet Psychic at her fun pop-up across L.A. and get some answers about why your pet does what it does. She’ll be in various locations around the area all week long; check her Instagram for more dates.

L.A. Literary Landmarks with Etan Rosenbloom

Wednesday, April 8, 6 p.m.
Pasadena Heritage
160 N. Oakland Ave., Pasadena 
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

I’ll admit it, I have a saved Google Map called “Joan” marked with addresses cited in Joan Didion’s books — and it seems I'm not alone. L.A. historian Etan Rosenbloom will speak at Pasadena Heritage about his favorite L.A. literary landmarks, including various authors’ favorite watering holes and other historic sites linked (inked?) to L.A.’s past.

Alison Saar artist talk and listening party 

Monday, April 6, 6 p.m. 
L.A. Louver
45 N. Venice Blvd., Venice
COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

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L.A. artist Alison Saar will discuss her installation at the L.A. Louver, Meet Me at the Crossroads: Ruby’s Soul Service Station. Saar will be on hand for a listening session and even a game of dominoes afterwards.

Morgan Whirledge, a musician and recently minted Altadena Town Council member, lived with his wife and two small children on a culdesac at the top of Lake Avenue, nestled at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains.

“We spent nearly every day out in our front yard,” Whirledge said. “Neighbors would walk by, walk their dogs. We knew everybody in the whole community.”

Like most of Altadena, Whirledge’s neighborhood had its own special charm and piece of history. In the early 1900s, this neighborhood was a wellness retreat named after Hygeia, the Greek goddess of health.

“It kind of goes right along with the wild spirit of Altadena, and the connection to nature and the connection to wellness,” Whirledge said.

A century later, Whirledge, who grew up in the San Fernando Valley, and his wife, a painter, were drawn to this area for many of the same reasons as the health-seekers before them. But about three years after buying their dream home, the Eaton Fire reduced it and all 29 houses in the neighborhood to ash.

Now, not only is Whirledge trying to rebuild, but he’s also facing a challenge left over from last century: his house used a cesspool for its sewage. All of his neighbors used cesspools or septic tanks too — meaning they aren’t connected to the pipes of the county sewer system.

Morgan Whirledge stands at the edge of his property. All of the houses in his neighborhood burned in the Eaton Fire.

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From the cost of undergrounding power lines to upgrading water and, now, some sewer systems, rebuilding with better infrastructure after a disaster is proving to be a complex and expensive challenge, with the costs largely borne by people who lost their homes, are underinsured or not insured at all, and simply trying to put their lives back together.

In turn, some residents, including Whirledge, are being forced to become experts in infrastructure they once rarely gave thought to.

A particularly foul problem

On a recent drizzly morning, Whirledge pointed to a small, unassuming black cap sticking out of the dirt on the lot where his home stood.

“Underneath that, there's like a five foot diameter hole that goes down 16 feet, and that's essentially our waste system for this property,” he explained, describing his home’s cesspool.

Whirledge has spent countless hours figuring out ways to rebuild with a sewer system instead of an outdated cesspool.

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Six-hundred properties in Altadena — or about 1 in 10 residents— rely on outdated cesspools or septic systems, and more than 60% of those residents lost their homes, according to the L.A. County Public Works Department.

California no longer allows cesspools in new construction and has strict rules for septic systems. That’s because they can pollute groundwater with raw sewage. But renovating sewer systems is not cheap or simple, with upgrades potentially costing tens of thousands of dollars.

In response to cost concerns from residents, the county is allowing fire survivors to keep their existing systems, as long as they pass health and safety evaluations by the Department of Public Health.

Such required testing has cost Whirledge about $5,000, he said. It’s another unexpected cost beyond rebuilding the house itself.

“The real hurdle here is that no one really knows how much money it's going to take to rebuild their house, and you kind of discover that as you go along,” Whirledge said.

He hopes his lawsuit against Southern California Edison, which has acknowledged publicly their equipment may have sparked the Eaton Fire, and an SBA disaster loan will help recoup such additional costs.

Cesspools aren't allowed in new construction in California, but in Eaton Fire burn zones, old systems that pass safety evaluations can remain.

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'Chicken and egg'

To Whirledge, the fire presented an opportunity to build back his community without old cesspools and septic systems.

“Is it better to put in these systems that are functional, but outdated? Or is it better to try and modernize our community and put in a sewer?” he said.

His work to answer that question has made Whirledge a de facto sewer expert — “the guru of doo doo” has become his new nickname.

To hook up to the modern sewer system in L.A. County, residents have two options.

They can hire an engineer to design the project, then get a permit from the county to build it. That’s the more expensive option.

Otherwise, they can petition the county to become what’s called a “county improvement district.” In that case, the county designs and builds the sewer system, funding it through municipal bonds that are paid back by the property owners via tax assessments over 30 years.

Whirledge has become known as the "guru of doo doo."

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Whirledge and his neighbors went with the latter. So have 11 other Altadena neighborhoods representing about 300 properties that aren’t connected to the municipal sewer. The projects range from connecting 4 houses to more than 20, each with their own unique geographies and needs, said Yonah Halpern, an assistant deputy director at the county Public Works Department.

The problem is, this process can be a long one, though Halpern said the county is working to expedite it.

Time is of the essence: Whirledge and his neighbors are largely underinsured and trying to rebuild quickly in the face of dwindling temporary housing insurance and mortgage assistance.

“ It's kind of like a chicken and egg scenario,” Whirledge said.

A funding challenge

The county allocated a little over $1 million, plus another $1 million in federal funding has been approved, to complete initial plans for all of the Altadena sewer petition projects, Halpern said. Now they have to find a way to actually do the work.

“Those funds from both the county and from this federal earmark are really just to do the preliminary engineering,” he said.

Much of the infrastructure rebuild requires blocks of neighbors to coordinate. Whirledge, who is also a block captain for his street, said the system and friendships forged before the fire has helped facilitate much of that.

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With the tax base largely wiped out, there’s little funding to go around. The county’s recently established Altadena Wildfire Recovery Infrastructure Financing District will help rebuild sewer and other infrastructure in the longer term, as will the county improvement district designation.

Meanwhile, Halpern said, the county has sought grants and low-interest loans from the state and federal government, but he said they’ve been told those are largely geared toward designated disadvantaged communities, which Altadena is not. Privately-owned sewer upgrades are also not eligible for certain federal funds.

And the federal government has still not released some $34 billion in disaster aid, first requested by Gov. Gavin Newsom a month after the fires last year, to help finance these long-term aspects of rebuilding.

For Whirledge's rebuild, he's decided to reconnect to the cesspool but also leave open the option to connect to a future modern sewer system.

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Whirledge and the rest of the Altadena Town Council sent a letter to their federal representatives urging dedicated funding for Altadena sewer projects. In response, Rep. Judy Chu has requested $2.4 million to go toward a sewer system for 11 of Whirledge's neighbors for fiscal year 2027.

Whirledge also hopes the county can get creative. He pointed to Sonoma County. After the 2017 Tubbs Fire, it offered one neighborhood of homes that burned and were connected to septic tanks low-interest loans and a 10-year interest-free payment grace period. Sonoma County is structured differently, so it's not exactly a one-to-one comparison, but Whirledge suggested it could be something of a model.

“We're sitting here with an opportunity to build a community that's more resilient and environmentally sound,” Whirledge said. “We just don't have the funding mechanisms to do it.”

So the reluctant "guru of doo doo" is moving ahead with plans to connect his new home to the old cesspool — and make the connections needed for a potential future sewer.

“We have to … hope that by the time we're finished with our build that we can find the financing to give us the opportunity to bring sewer in,” he said.

Congrats to Big Bear's celebrity bald eagle couple.

Jackie and Shadow have two new chicks this Easter Sunday. Thousands of fans have been watching their eggs hatch on the popular nest livestream that made the eagles famous.

The first eaglet arrived last night around 9:30 p.m., the second followed around 8:30 a.m.

The nonprofit that runs the livestream, Friends of Big Bear Valley, says dad Shadow showed up after the second hatch and saw his two chicks for the first time.

Mom Jackie is is showing a natural behavior that’s actually a good sign. The nonprofit says she's salivating more — which helps provide electrolytes and antibodies her chicks need.

The two eggs each showed signs of a pip — or first crack — on Friday and Saturday.

Topline:

Why it matters: The new agreement spans four years, as opposed to the typical three-year deal. In a social media post, the WGA said the deal "protects writers’ health plan and puts it on a sustainable path, builds on gains from 2023, and helps address free work challenges."

In a statement posted on its website, AMPTP said, "We look forward to building on this progress as we continue working toward agreements that support long-term industry stability."

Why now: AMPTP and the WGA have been in negotiations since March. The announcement yesterday came a little under a month before the union's current contract was set to expire on May 1.

The backstory: In 2023, contract negotiations broke down between writers and producers, which led to a historic five-month writers strike. That strike ended with the WGA notching huge gains in compensation, streaming residuals and AI protections.

What's next: The tentative agreement still needs to be ratified by the full WGA membership. The union's negotiating committee said union members will receive detailed information in the coming days.