Robert Garrova
explores the weird and secret bits of SoCal that would excite even the most jaded Angelenos. He also covers mental health.
Published January 10, 2025 12:48 PM
Altadena residents walk near the damage of the Eaton Fire.
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Brian Feinzimer
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LAist
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Topline:
As fires ravage our region, experts say symptoms of distress like nightmares, flashbacks, nausea and difficulty sleeping can actually be normal responses to have right now. But there’s also something called the “dose of exposure”: Did you have a traumatic evacuation experience? Were you fearful for your life or for your family?
Why it matters: Merritt Schreiber, a clinical child psychologist at UCLA, said those can be indicators that it’s time to seek help. “Of course it’s completely understandable to be very, very scared and frightened. But it’s when that elevates itself to almost paralyzing fear, that can be an indicator that you might seek additional services,” said Schreiber, who is also the chair of Disaster Response for the California Psychological Association.
Tips: If symptoms of distress last more than a few weeks, it’s better to seek help sooner than later, Schreiber added. And if you weren’t evacuated but are still dealing with the grief and fear of having fires blazing all over our region, experts say it’s a good idea to stop doom scrolling and limit your media intake.
Read on... for more on how experts say you should take care of your mental health at time like this.
As deadly fires ravage the L.A. region, experts say symptoms of distress like nightmares, flashbacks, nausea and difficulty sleeping can actually be normal responses to have right now.
But there’s also something called the “dose of exposure”: Did you have a traumatic evacuation experience? Were you fearful for your life or for your family?
Merritt Schreiber, a clinical child psychologist at UCLA, said those can be indicators that it’s time to seek help.
“Of course it’s completely understandable to be very, very scared and frightened. But it’s when that elevates itself to almost paralyzing fear, that can be an indicator that you might seek additional services,” said Schreiber, who is also the chair of Disaster Response for the California Psychological Association.
If symptoms of distress last more than a few weeks, it’s better to seek help sooner than later, Schreiber added.
If you weren’t evacuated but are still dealing with the grief and fear of having fires blazing all over our region, experts say it’s a good idea to stop doom scrolling and limit your media intake.
“When you are exposed to continuous images of distress and destruction and planes and home loss over and over and over again, that can be a hazard to your own mental health,” Schreiber said.
Jaz Robbins, a licensed psychologist and president-elect of the Los Angeles Psychological Association, said in an overwhelming situation like this, it’s important for Angelenos to give themselves some grace and understand that they will be experiencing a wide range of emotions.
Robbins said the conditions of isolation due to the fires feel eerily similar to the lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. She urged people to reach out to community far and wide to feel less isolated.
“This is unprecedented, absolutely unprecedented, for Los Angeles,” Robbins said. “I think it’s important for folks to allow themselves to experience the full breadth of emotions that they may be experiencing at this time. Expression and relief and release always feed healing... emotional suppression will only feed trauma."
Mental health resources geared toward the fire disaster
From the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): “Counselors are available 24/7 to respond to people who need crisis counseling after experiencing a traumatic event or a disaster. Counselors are trained to offer support to people who may be experiencing a range of symptoms.”
The L.A. County Department of Mental Health has support and resources available though its help line: (800) 854-7771
Los Angeles Unified students and families in need of mental health support are encouraged to call the Student and Family Wellness Resource Line at (213) 241-3840. Support is currently available between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has tips and resources to help children and families cope with the impacts of wildfires:
Do you have a question about the wildfires or fire recovery?
Check out LAist.com/FireFAQs to see if your question has already been answered. If not, submit your questions here, and we’ll do our best to get you an answer.
Matt Dangelantonio
directs production of LAist's daily newscasts, shaping the radio stories that connect you to SoCal.
Published April 15, 2026 4:20 PM
Jackie and Shadow's eaglets, Chick 1 and Chick 2, in Big Bear's famous bald eagle nest.
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Friends of Big Bear Valley
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YouTube
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Topline:
The naming contest for Jackie and Shadow's new eagle chicks is officially open!
The backstory: Big Bear third graders will make the final call on the chicks' names. But they'll use a computer-generated list of finalists from the naming contest to vote on the winners.
The rules: You'll have to make a small donation to Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit that runs the popular livestream of Jackie and Shadow's nest. One entry is $5. Three entries will cost $10. And 10 entries will set you back $25. Names also have to be gender neutral because it's not known yet whether the chicks are male or female. And this probably goes without saying, but any inappropriate, explicit or derogatory names will automatically be disqualified.
How to enter: You can find more information on the contest here. Friends of Big Bear Valley is accepting suggestions until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, April 26.
Frank Stoltze
is a veteran reporter who covers local politics and examines how democracy is and, at times, is not working.
Published April 15, 2026 3:25 PM
Then Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., speaks at a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on September 08, 2025.
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Anna Moneymaker
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Getty Images
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Topline:
The Los Angeles County district attorney and Sheriff's Department say they have opened investigations into former Rep. Eric Swalwell over allegations he sexually assaulted a woman in West Hollywood.
The details: Lonna Drewes, a former model who works in fashion technology, alleged at a news conference Tuesday that Swalwell offered her connections and drugged, choked and raped her in July 2018. Drewes’ attorney, Lisa Bloom, said Tuesday that they would also be filing a report with the Sheriff’s Department, which patrols West Hollywood.
Resignation: Swalwell, a Democrat who represented a Bay Area district, has forcefully denied any allegations of sexual misconduct or assault. He resigned from Congress Monday and dropped out of the race for California governor a day earlier after a series of women came forward with sexual assault or sexual misconduct allegations. He had been a frontrunner in the race. His attorney has said the former Congress member "categorically and unequivocally denies each and every allegation of sexual misconduct and assault that has been leveled against him."
DA statement: Nathan Hochman, the county district attorney, issued a statement saying the office’s Sex Crime Division was working with law enforcement to look into the matter. “When and if a case is presented, seasoned prosecutors will review the facts and evidence to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for charges to be filed,” Hochman said. “When a filing decision is made, we will ensure the public is made aware.”
Sheriff's Department: The Sheriff’s Department said its Special Victims Bureau is investigating the case and is "in the process of gathering information, reviewing available evidence, and conducting follow up inquiries as part of a comprehensive investigative process."
Manhattan DA: The district attorney of Manhattan also has opened a criminal investigation into Swalwell over allegations he sexually assaulted a woman in New York in 2024.
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On Wednesday, a federal jury in Manhattan found that Live Nation and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster, operated as a monopoly that harmed consumers and overcharged ticket buyers. The decision came after four days of deliberations.
Why Live Nation was being sued: The decision is a victory for 33 states, including California and the District of Columbia, which accused Live Nation of unfairly controlling too many aspects of the live entertainment industry at the expense of venues, artists and fans after the company settled an earlier antitrust suit with the U.S. Department of Justice. The verdict has the potential to reshape the live music industry in the United States. Live Nation owns, manages or works with hundreds of venues across the United States.
What's next: The jury found that Ticketmaster overcharged customers by $1.72 per ticket.The verdict could cost Live Nation and Ticketmaster hundreds of millions of dollars. After the jury reached a decision, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian ordered both parties to meet with each other and "the United States" to propose a schedule for the next steps, according to the Associated Press.
Updated April 15, 2026 at 17:47 PM ET
On Wednesday, a federal jury in Manhattan found that Live Nation and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster, operated as a monopoly that harmed consumers and overcharged ticket buyers. The decision came after four days of deliberations.
The decision is a victory for 33 states and the District of Columbia, which accused Live Nation of unfairly controlling too many aspects of the live entertainment industry at the expense of venues, artists and fans after the company settled an earlier antitrust suit with the U.S. Department of Justice. The verdict has the potential to reshape the live music industry in the United States.
New York was among the states that participated in the lawsuit. Following the verdict, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a statement.
"For far too long, Live Nation and Ticketmaster have taken advantage of fans and artists by raising prices for tickets and stifling any competition that threatened their power," the statement reads. "A jury found what we have long known to be true: Live Nation and Ticketmaster are breaking the law and costing consumers millions of dollars in the process."
Live Nation has not responded to NPR's request for comment on the verdict. In past statements to NPR, the company has denied the claim that it operates a monopoly, stating that there's more competition in the marketplace than ever.
Live Nation owns, manages or works with hundreds of venues across the United States. In 2024, the Justice Department, under the Biden administration, filed a lawsuit accusing Live Nation of unfairly wielding its power over concert promotion, artist management, venue operations and ticketing services to shut out competition in the industry. The DOJ contended that Ticketmaster controlled around 80% of concert ticketing in the primary marketplace, plus a growing share of the resale market. The District of Columbia and 39 states joined the government's case.
Live Nation merged with Ticketmaster in 2010. Pearl Jam, Taylor Swift, The Cure and Olivia Dean are among the artists who have criticized how Ticketmaster has handled concert sales.
One week after the trial began in early March of this year, the Justice Department and several states reached a $280 million settlement with Live Nation. The company agreed to cap service fees at certain amphitheatres and allow some concert venues greater flexibility over the promoters and ticket distributors with whom they choose to do business.
Stephen Parker is head of the National Independent Venue Association, a member-based trade association advocating on behalf of live music venues. After news of the settlement, he told NPR that it was "not significant enough to call a slap on the wrist."
In testimony, Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino denied that the company engaged in anticompetitive practices
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Michael M. Santiago
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Getty Images
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After the Justice Department settled its case, 33 states and the District of Columbia decided to move forward with the trial. Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino, who spent hours on the witness stand, denied accusations that his company engages in anticompetitive practices. In an email, University of Notre Dame law professor Roger Alford commended the states for seeing the antitrust trial through.
"This was a massive win for the state AGs and an historic miss for the DOJ," Alford wrote. "The DOJ had the talent, the material, and the audience. It just lacked leadership with the courage to step on stage."
After the jury reached a decision, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian ordered both parties to meet with each other and "the United States" to propose a schedule for the next steps, according to the Associated Press.
Yusra Farzan
covers Orange County and its 34 cities, watching those long meetings — boards, councils and more — so you don’t have to.
Published April 15, 2026 1:35 PM
Rescued ducklings.
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Courtesy Howard Berkowitz
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Facebook
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Topline:
As a sanctuary in Riverside County closes down, nearly 500 ducks are now in the possession of the Riverside County Department of Animal Services, setting off a mass adoption effort that started Wednesday.
How we got here: Howard Berkowitz, founder and CEO of the Duck Sanctuary in Anza, was a hometown hero. He was the person called when hundreds of ducklings were about to hatch unexpectedly or when abandoned chicks and ducks needed homes after Easter festivities died down. But now he says he's been turned on. The Riverside County Department of Animal Services announced Tuesday that Berkowitz surrendered 480 ducks because of “overcrowding at the property,” setting off a mass adoption effort that started Wednesday.
The background: Berkowitz said he has taken care of hundreds of ducks, sometimes at his own expense, and still has around 500 ducks at the sanctuary. But the mental health problems caused by the accusations are prompting him to shut down the sanctuary and move to Northern California, taking many of his beloved ducks with him.
What's next: The county is putting the ducks in their possession up for adoption. To adopt, email shelterinfo@rivco.org, or visit the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus. Ducks will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. The county is also waiving adoption fees.
Now, the Riverside County Department of Animal Services says Berkowitz surrendered 480 ducks because of “overcrowding at the property,” setting off a mass adoption effort that started Wednesday.
In an interview with LAist on Wednesday, Berkowitz said his problems started after he received an unexpected call in 2024. It was from a supplier of the Filipino delicacy balut and her duck eggs were about to hatch.
He rushed over and saved around 120 hatchlings. A social media page then began accusing him of mistreating the fowl and mismanaging donations.
Berkowitz said he has taken care of hundreds of ducks, sometimes at his own expense, and still has around 500 ducks at the sanctuary. But the mental health problems caused by the accusations are prompting him to shut down the sanctuary and move to Northern California, taking many beloved ducks with him.
Because he won’t be able to take them all, he said he called the county for help. But the Riverside County Department of Animal Services said officials had to remove the animals because of “improper” breeding and care.
“Limited assessments show the animals did not receive adequate caretaking,” according to the county.
But, the county added, the California Department of Food and Agriculture tested a sample of the fowl for infectious diseases and the results came back negative.
Berkowitz said he'll transport around 500 ducks with him to Northern California, where he’s in the process of buying a 160-acre property.
The other 480 ducks, he said, were surrendered to the county to transport to another shelter.
The county now is putting the ducks in their possession up for adoption. To adopt, email shelterinfo@rivco.org or visit the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus. Ducks will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. The county also is waiving adoption fees.
