The Brief

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How we got here: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced last month it was freezing funding to LAHSA, citing mismanagement on the agency’s part. LAHSA then vowed to fight the funding freeze in court, filing its lawsuit Monday.

The timeline: U.S. District Judge David O. Carter ordered LAHSA and HUD to submit a proposed agreement by July 16 that would maintain status quo funding of LAHSA’s services. He also set an Aug. 6 hearing, during which Carter will decide whether to issue a court order that would block the federal funding freeze. Carter also indicated he would endeavor to issue a final ruling by Aug. 26, which is currently the deadline for LAHSA to apply for new grants.

What’s at stake: LAHSA CEO Gita O’Neill estimated the suspension put as much as $150 million in grants in limbo that the federal government has already awarded but hasn’t finalized. HUD also said the suspension barred LAHSA from submitting an application on behalf of the entire region for the next round of federal grants, totaling up to $241 million, according to LAHSA’s estimates.

LAHSA’s response: “We look forward to our day in court on Aug. 6, when we will have the opportunity to argue for a definitive ruling,” O’Neill said in a statement Thursday. The same statement also incorrectly described Carter’s court order as a preliminary injunction against HUD’s actions. Carter will decide whether to issue the preliminary injunction at the Aug. 6 hearing. A LAHSA spokesperson later corrected the statement after an inquiry from LAist.

The long-running legal saga: In court proceedings tied to a separate case, Carter has repeatedly pushed LAHSA for more transparency. Just since last summer, he has considered seizing control of the L.A. region’s homelessness spending and holding LAHSA in contempt of court.

Aaron Schrank and Nick Gerda contributed reporting.

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The details: This week’s combination of heat and humidity could be worse than it has been all summer. Forecasters say temperatures will peak on Wednesday. Highs could get up to the triple digits. Overnight lows will also stay elevated. They may only get down to the 70s in places, offering little relief from the heat.

The humidity: Climate experts say the humidity this week could be some of the highest on record in Southern California, even after a summer marked by repeated humid heatwaves. The moisture in the air, combined with the extreme heat, makes it increasingly difficult for the human body to cool down, especially when outdoors. It’s also driving scattered rain and thunderstorms that will continue for the next few days.

The backstory: The tropical moisture is due in large part to the leftovers of Hurricane Marie hundreds of miles away in the Pacific Ocean. On top of that, record high ocean temperatures off the Southern California coast are adding to the humidity.

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Why it matters: Barke was elected in 2018 to the Orange County Board of Education, which oversees and approves the county’s education budget that serves around 450,000 students.

Background: In 2024, the Fair Political Practices Commission found Barke liable for failing to correctly report income, resulting in a $3,200 penalty. But a judge in July said the FPPC’s settlement didn’t fully address Barke’s actions.

What are the penalties? Barke will have to pay $101,800 in penalties, as well as attorney fees, for incorrectly filling out economic disclosure statements and for failure to correct amended statements. She will be credited the $3,200 paid to the FPPC. Barke’s lawyer did not immediately respond to LAist’s request for comment.

What changed? Orange County Superior Court Judge H. Shaina Colover handed the decision on Sept. 3. Colover said in a final statement on the decision that “substantial civil damages are warranted” to enforce the Political Reform Act and prevent future violations.

Officials say: The complaint was filed by Lynne Riddle, a retired judge. Riddle’s lawyers said in a statement to LAist that the court’s ruling is a “landmark” outcome for public trust and that the high penalty fees show how serious the offenses were. “We hope this result reminds every public official in California that transparency is not optional, and that the public has both the right to know and the tools to hold them accountable when transparency is ignored,” Riddle’s legal team said.

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The details: The decision comes after LAist reported Bass skipped more than half of the L.A. Homeless Services Authority Commission meetings held since appointing herself in 2023.

What the mayor is saying: Bass told KFI’s Gary and Shannon she’s leaving the LAHSA Commission, citing time constraints. “I am going to be stepping down because I just —- in terms of time and all,” the mayor said, in an interview published Friday. Bass’ office did not immediately respond to interview requests and questions from LAist.

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What’s new: State assemblymember Corey Jackson, who pushed for the initiative, said the $2 million state allocation would help with local startup costs in launching the district.

What does a special district do? Special districts are local government agencies in California created to provide a specific service, like water or sanitation in a community. There are also special districts that support healthcare and recreational services.

What’s next? Jackson said creation of the special district and how it will be funded will still have to go before voters.