Insulin doses in storage at a Kaiser Permanente warehouse in Downey on March 8, 2023.
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SOPA Images/SIPA USA via Reuters
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Topline:
Gov. Gavin Newsom promised a “2024 delivery” for a state-branded, low-cost insulin. It still is not here, and the American Diabetes Association says the lag is hurting diabetics who need a low-cost option for the medicine.
What's the timeline? During a recent Senate oversight hearing, representatives for the Newsom administration said they could not provide a timeline for when the state’s insulin would be for sale. Fallabel said Californians could be waiting until 2030.
Why it matters: More than 3.5 million Californians have diabetes, and insulin is a life-saving part of their disease management and treatment.
The backstory: Civica, Inc., the nonprofit drug manufacturer contracted to develop five types of insulin for the state, has not yet started clinical trials or applied for drug approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, CalMatters reported last month.
Read on... to learn more about the hearing and why Newsrom rejected a cap on insulin costs.
Two years ago, California made a bold announcement that it would manufacture a state-branded, low-cost insulin. Drug manufacturers, insurers, economists and diabetics took notice. It had the potential to disrupt the market, bring down drug costs and save patients’ lives.
Gov. Gavin Newsom promised a “2024 delivery” for the insulin.
It still is not here, and the American Diabetes Association says the lag is hurting diabetics who need a low-cost option for the medicine.
“We are more than a year behind schedule with no end in sight,” said Christine Fallabel, regional director for government affairs for the association, during a recent Senate oversight hearing on the initiative.
During the hearing, representatives for the Newsom administration said they could not provide a timeline for when the state’s insulin would be for sale. Fallabel said Californians could be waiting until 2030.
More than 3.5 million Californians have diabetes, and insulin is a life-saving part of their disease management and treatment.
Civica, Inc., the nonprofit drug manufacturer contracted to develop five types of insulin for the state, has not yet started clinical trials or applied for drug approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, CalMatters reported last month.
The American Diabetes Association expects further delays in the insulin project, known as CalRx, given the length of clinical trials and unforeseen challenges that are typical of the regulatory process. Multiple drug manufacturing experts told CalMatters that the FDA’s drug review process takes a year “if nothing goes wrong.” A clinical trial could also add another year or more.
“Based on the status that CalRx presented (during the hearing), we expect a significant delay in their timeline for when insulin will be available through the program,” Fallabel told CalMatters.
Civica did not participate in the hearing but previously told CalMatters that the company has started manufacturing insulin, which is one of the steps that must be completed before submitting for FDA approval.
“We want to be careful about setting expectations,” said Allan Coukell, chief government affairs officer at Civica. “It’s not unusual in a complicated program that stuff happens and you have to adapt.”
During the oversight hearing, Elizabeth Landsberg, director of the state Department of Health Access and Information, said the pace of the CalRx insulin development has been slower than the state anticipated but “not outside of industry norms.” Landsberg’s department is tasked with leading the insulin initiative.
“I wish I could sit here today and say we have a date certain,” Lansberg said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announces a partnership with Civica Rx to provide insulin to Californians for $30 for 10 milliliters, which he said was as little as one-tenth of the current cost.
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Ringo Chiu
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Sipa USA via Reuters
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Newsom rejected cap on insulin costs
Newsom unveiled the $100-million insulin initiative as a radical way to disrupt the pharmaceutical marketplace, where the price of insulin nearly tripled between 2012 and 2021, according to the Health Care Cost Institute. The goal was to increase competition in an area where three manufacturers — Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi — have controlled the market for decades.
Half of the state money would go to Civica, Inc. to manufacture both long- and fast-acting insulins for California in its Virginia plant. The other half would be used to help open a manufacturing plant in California. The insulin would be sold for $30 per 10 milliliter vial or $55 for a box of five 3 milliliter pens.
Recent analyses suggest that the average out-of-pocket spending for a month’s supply of insulin is $58, although some people pay far more than that particularly if they are uninsured. Some manufacturers have also independently capped costs at $35 per month.
Landsberg said during the hearing there was no update on the manufacturing facility.
In veto messages for those bills, Newsom cited CalRx as part of his reasoning for rejecting the health care measures.
“I think it sometimes sends a message that CalRx is like the complete solution to everything when it comes to the cost of health care,” said Sen. Scott Wiener, chair of the Senate budget committee, during the hearing. “That is absolutely not the case.”
Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat, authored the most recent attempts to cap patient spending on insulin at $35 per month and regulate pharmacy benefit managers, both of which passed nearly unanimously but were vetoed by the governor.
Wiener said that he supports the CalRx program but it is not the “only solution to driving down drug costs.” He has reintroduced versions of both bills.
Insulin manufacturers dropping prices
California’s efforts to make insulin more affordable have fallen behind other states and the federal government.
Last year, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi dropped their insulin prices between 65% to 80%. Industry experts attribute the drop to a Medicaid rule change linking drug prices to inflation, meaning the drug companies would have owed the federal government hundreds of millions of dollars because of insulin’s high prices.
But those price drops haven’t helped everyone, Fallabel said. An individual’s insurance benefit design as well as high deductibles mean many people still can’t afford their insulin. In a recent survey, the association found that about 16% of insulin using adults ration the medication because of cost.
The American Diabetes Association is advocating for California to institute an out-of-pocket cost cap for insulin in addition to completing the CalRx program.
Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia have implemented monthly price caps for insulin, and some Medicare users have costs capped at $35 monthly.
Supported by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF), which works to ensure that people have access to the care they need, when they need it, at a price they can afford. Visit www.chcf.org to learn more.
By Jessica Perez, Marina Peña and Isaiah Murtaugh | The LA Local
Published January 30, 2026 12:00 PM
A "Fuera ICE!" flyer is on display at Pink & Boujee in Boyle Heights on Jan. 28, 2026.
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Steve Saldivar
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The LA Local
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Topline:
Businesses across Los Angeles are shutting their doors on Friday for a national day of action against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a coordinated effort to stand in solidarity with people saying no to work, school and shopping around the U.S.
Why now: The “ICE Out” general strike and protests were organized in Minnesota after weeks of aggressive tactics by federal agents and the killings of two people. Immigration enforcement has also surged in L.A. this week, and flyers announcing a local day of action on Friday have blanketed many neighborhoods, as well as spreading online. A protest was also planned for Friday afternoon at L.A. City Hall.
Eastside shops: In Boyle Heights, restaurants, coffee shops and retail stores began posting signs on their windows that read “TODOS CON MINNESOTA! FUERA ICE! No trabajo y no escuela.” Many, including Accúrrcame Cafe and Xtiosu, also shared messages on social media.
Read on... for more on which businesses shutting their doors today.
This story was originally published by The LA Local on Jan. 30, 2026.
Businesses across Los Angeles are shutting their doors on Friday for a national day of action against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a coordinated effort to stand in solidarity with people saying no to work, school and shopping around the U.S.
The “ICE Out” general strike and protests were organized in Minnesota after weeks of aggressive tactics by federal agents and the killings of two people. Immigration enforcement has also surged in L.A. this week, and flyers announcing a local day of action on Friday have blanketed many neighborhoods, as well as spreading online. A protest was also planned for Friday afternoon at L.A. City Hall.
In Boyle Heights, restaurants, coffee shops and retail stores began posting signs on their windows that read “TODOS CON MINNESOTA! FUERA ICE! No trabajo y no escuela.” Many, including Accúrrcame Cafe and Xtiosu, also shared messages on social media.
Picaresca Barra de Café announced it would be closed for business but open as a community space from 8:30-10:30 a.m.
“Instead of operating as usual, we’ll open the space as a community meeting point—a place for people to gather, make posters, connect, and support one another,” the business wrote in an Instagram post. “We’ll be providing materials where we can, along with free drip coffee, and holding the space intentionally and respectfully.”
Sandra Gomez, who runs a tiendita on Cesar Chavez Avenue in Boyle Heights, joined a protest in Boyle Heights on Wednesday and pledged to close her shop for the day.
Gomez spoke passionately about why it was important for businesses to take part in the action.
“We want to keep going and do our part so the country can move forward, but ICE has affected us,” she said in Spanish.
Melchor Moreno, the co-owner of La Chispa de Oro Mexican restaurant, decided Thursday that he would close on Friday.
Since last summer, his restaurant on Cesar Chavez Avenue has been strained by a lack of customers too afraid to leave their homes. Moreno said sales began picking up over the last few months, but recently tanked when the Eastside saw increased immigration enforcement activity.
“Normally, our lunch crowd is really busy,” he said. “But there are only two tables with people dining. No one’s been in here for the last two hours.”
It wasn’t an easy decision for Moreno, but his employees were urging him to close in a show of support for the community.
“I know it’s going to hurt financially, but something has to happen, something has to change,” he said.
Elsewhere in the city, the owners of South LA Cafe announced they’d be closing all five of their locations.
Celia Ward-Wallace, one of the cafe’s co-owners, said the cafe was intentional about its decision, knowing it would mean loss of revenue, hours for employees and a gathering place for South LA Cafe regulars.
But the shop wanted to make a bold statement with its large platform, she said.
“Our community needs to stand in solidarity,” she said, with the nation, with Minnesota, and with the city of L.A. and its people.
In Pico Union, La Flor de Yucatán Bakery owner Marc Burgos said participating in the shutdown was a way to stand with his customers and neighbors. Burgos’ father, Antonio Burgos, opened the bakery’s first storefront in 1971 at Pico and Union, then the business relocated in 1975 to its current home near Hoover and 18th streets.
“I want to stand united with my community against brutality and indignity, inhumane treatment,” Burgos said. “We’re located in a predominantly Latino neighborhood. Everyone fears being harassed, whether they’re here legally or not.”
Cato Hernández
scours through tons of archives to understand how our region became the way it is today.
Published January 30, 2026 11:00 AM
Some of the contents of the hundred year old capsule.
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Cato Hernández
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LAist
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Topline:
History fans, rejoice: the L.A. Central Library’s time capsule has been unearthed and opened after 100 years. It’s the first time the public has gotten a chance to see what’s inside.
The backstory: The time capsule was placed in the Central Library’s cornerstone during its construction. Staff also put a second time capsule inside that belonged to a teaching school there decades prior.
Why now: The reveal happened in the Central Library on Thursday. Both of these time capsules were opened to kick off the building’s 100th birthday.
What’s inside: Inside a sealed copper box were dozens of relics from L.A. in the 1880s and 1920s. It captured a snapshot of the city’s culture, government and education system during two eras of great transition.
Read on…. to see the time capsule’s contents.
The Central Library building in downtown Los Angeles turns 100 this year. And on Thursday, library staff kicked off a year-long celebration by opening a very old box buried during its construction: a time capsule.
The opening was historic because the contents haven’t been shown publicly until now. Here’s how we got here, plus some items that caught our eye.
The Central Library cornerstone is laid on 5th Street, along with the time capsule, with City Librarian Everett Perry, and Board of Library Commissioners Frank H. Pettingell, Katherine G. Smith, and Frances M. Harmon-Zahn.
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LAPL Institutional Collection
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About the time capsule
In May 1925, more than 100 library staff members came together with the Board of Library Commissioners for an informal ceremony to dedicate the Central Library’s cornerstone, which is a giant limestone block on the outside.
Inside a specially carved pocket in the stone, they placed a copper box filled with relics about the library and broader L.A. The 1881 time capsule from the California State Normal School, which previously occupied the land, was also put inside. (Fun fact: that school later became UCLA.)
Library officials weren’t even sure the box was still there — much less how to get it out. A team drilled a small hole into the grout to find it. From there, Todd Lerew, special projects director at the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, said it took about a year to figure out how to remove it.
“ When we were doing our tests with a little borescope camera to locate the capsule itself, we also found that the wall behind the cornerstone was not structural,” Lerew said.
That meant it could be broken down safely. To get the box, they took out a couple of historic wall panels, capped off the plumbing and got to work busting down a wall in the men’s bathroom. It took about a week to get it out.
The box was made of copper, but had been custom-made and soldered shut on all sides. They had to cut into it with shears, Lerew said.
The library's copper box, which had been soldered shut, had to be cut into with shears.
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Cato Hernández
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LAist
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The California State Normal School's capsule box.
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Cato Hernández
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LAist
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Exploring the contents
No one knew what to expect inside the box. When it was opened, to much anticipation, it turned out to be a unique snapshot of L.A. in the 1880s and 1920s. Inside were dozens of documents, photos and keepsake items that spanned everything from government records to community memories.
There were annual reports from city departments, rulebooks, portraits of library leaders and even employee lists that included janitors. It had multiple editions of the city charter — essentially L.A.’s constitution — and a population count from 1881 on a small card that showed just 11,000 Angelenos.
Library staff members in 1925 put these cards in the time capsule to add on to the Normal School's records.
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Cato Hernández
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LAist
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A scrapbook was also inside to document where the central library was before the main building (learn more about that here). It had newspapers from both time periods — including ones in Spanish, German and French. For some reason, the Normal School’s capsule included a copy of the Oshkosh Northwestern.
“ We’re still putting together why a newspaper from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, made its way into the 1881 time capsule, but I had a very puzzled look on my face when I pulled that out,” Szabo told the crowd.
Another oddity? The Normal School also had a memento from President James Garfield’s funeral, which happened in Cleveland, Ohio. He had been assassinated just months before the time capsule’s burial.
The black cloth and the dried moss are mementos from the funeral, according to librarians in 1925.
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Cato Hernández
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LAist
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Lerew said the newfound contents are helping restore library records, largely because a devastating arson fire in 1986 destroyed a fifth of its collection at the time.
“ We’re constantly trying to fill gaps in our collections,” he said. “When we’re able to do that for our own institutional history, that’s such a special thing and doesn’t come along every day.”
The capsule’s next steps
Part the contents included two editions of the L.A. city charter.
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Cato Hernández
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LAist
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A portrait of library commissioner Katherine G. Smith alongside two employee directories.
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Cato Hernández
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LAist
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The Central Library has centennial programming all year long — and the time capsule will be part of that.
A selection of the contents will be on display soon outside the literature and fiction department on the third floor. The rest will be stored in the special collections department, which you can make an appointment to see here.
And if you’ve ever wanted a chance to see a time capsule get made, the Central Library plans to create a new one sometime this year.
Keep up with LAist.
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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.
