The Brief

Last month, the Los Angeles City Council voted to crack down on a practice that councilmembers say is adding to the strain on the city’s housing supply: landlords turning homes — including rent-controlled apartments — into illegal tourist accommodations or party houses.

The move comes in the wake of the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires that destroyed thousands of homes and thrust fire victims into an already tight rental market in search of affordable accommodations.

The city is seeking to beef up enforcement of a 2018 law that prohibits turning such housing into tourist rentals. Thus far, enforcement of the so-called Home Sharing Ordinance has been spotty. Last year, an investigation by Capital & Main and ProPublica found dozens of rent-controlled buildings, some of which operated as hotels, offered vacation rentals on Booking.com and Hotels.com; many more such properties are likely listed on Airbnb and other platforms that don’t publish their listings’ addresses. City officials have estimated that about 60% of short-term rentals in multifamily buildings are illegal.

“Because of poor communication between city departments and weak guardrails against bad actors, we have simply made no progress on this issue,” Councilmember Nithya Raman said, as she urged colleagues to support new enforcement measures.

The City Council action comes as demand for short-term rentals is expected to spike during the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games. The recent wildfires destroyed nearly 800 rent-controlled apartments in the city, further constricting the housing supply.

Capital & Main spoke to Murray Cox, the founder of Inside Airbnb, which tracks the company’s business in more than a hundred cities from Barcelona to Buenos Aires to Bozeman, Montana, using publicly available data. Cox was among the advocates who pushed to enact the tough 2022 law that has sharply reduced short-term rentals in New York City. He argues that despite years of lackluster enforcement, Los Angeles can effectively rein in short-term rentals and shore up its housing supply.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Capital & Main: Inside Airbnb has an eye on the industry across the planet: What is at stake for the city of L.A. as it tries to tighten its regulations ahead of the 2028 Olympics?

Murray Cox: I know that anecdotally, the number of listings on Airbnb in Paris and even the region surrounding Paris went up in a big way last year. But the big question is, did they come down? Do they increase the cost of housing? Were there illegal conversions?

It’s not just about people maybe making a few bucks during the Olympics, but also, will it incentivize people to realize, I can do this the whole year, even if it’s illegal?

Even without the Olympics, [Los Angeles city officials are] not enforcing their current regulations that they need to make the platforms accountable, that they need to make sure that people are not taking rent-regulated properties out of the market.

The wildfires destroyed thousands of Los Angeles-area homes. What are the implications for short-term rental regulation as the city rebuilds?

L.A. might want to think about what type of housing is going to be built. Are people going to build housing that might be purposely built for short-term rentals? Often when people get displaced, they can’t come back. And short-term rentals is one of those drivers. People might be thinking of rebuilding, but maybe not [homes] for people to live in, but for tourists.

L.A. plans to require Airbnb, Booking.com and other platforms to verify listings electronically, a system similar to New York’s. How does it work there, and is it effective?

[In New York], we’ve gone from 50,000 [short-term rentals during the pandemic] to 5,000 short term rentals. So, you know, I think it’s been really effective because of the type of regulation and the verification system [currently in place].

If you try to register a rent-regulated property [in New York City], you’ll be denied. If I knew your registration number, I couldn’t steal it and put it on my own listing. If I have two listings, I can’t use the same [registration] number on both. Those are some of the things I believe Los Angeles hosts have been doing.

Can the city of L.A. get its verification system up and running ahead of the Olympics?

I think Airbnb [and other platforms] relies on these things taking a long time, and they insert doubt into the process. They threaten to sue. They even sometimes volunteer to self-regulate, and it just kind of helps to kick the can down the road.

[Los Angeles] is three years away from the Olympics. I don’t see why you couldn’t optimistically change your ordinance, get it through quickly, prioritize it [and] have a tight timeline for implementation.

[A spokesperson for Expedia, which owns and operates Vrbo and Hotels.com, wrote in an email that it “is committed to continuing our work with the City of Los Angeles as it considers changes to local regulations on vacation rentals.” Airbnb public policy senior manager Justin Wesson noted in an emailed statement that the company has signed a voluntary “platform agreement” with the city to remove illegal listings, adding, “We continue to work closely with city staff to support their compliance efforts and encourage more platforms to enter into a platform agreement with the City.” Booking.com did not respond to Capital & Main’s emailed questions, including whether they would oppose a requirement to use electronic verification in Los Angeles and if they would take legal action to block or delay such a mandate.]

Copyright Capital & Main 2025

A refrigerated warehouse operated by Lineage Logistics has burned in Boyle Heights for nearly a week. Public health officials are urging residents nearby and downwind to protect themselves from the smoky air.

But what exactly is in the air is still unclear.

Authorities say they’ve cleared the most hazardous materials — ammonia and lithium-ion batteries — from the fire zone. A spokesperson for the L.A. Fire Department said foam insulation, wood pallets of food, and solar panels on top of the 500,000 square-foot building continue to smolder.

Materials including plastics, electronics and even rotting meat are likely burning, which means the pollution particles emitted “tend to be highly enriched with toxic organics, toxic metals, that are above and beyond what just normal, day-to-day air pollution would look like,” said UCLA air pollution researcher Yifang Zhu.

She said air quality indexes may capture the concentration of particulate matter in the air, but not necessarily the specific toxins in them.

“You'll have almost like a double jeopardy in a sense that the levels [of particulate matter] are higher, and the toxicity is also higher,” she said.

Measuring heavy metals or volatile organic compounds requires special monitoring equipment, Zhu said.

“It’s very difficult to measure,” she said.

But she suspects at least some types of health-harming heavy metals are likely to be in the smoke.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado on Monday called for more specifics about what is in the smoke.

People “shouldn't have to guess about what they're breathing or rely on rumors, scattered information and updates, and incomplete information,” she said at a news conference. Jurado, whose council district includes Boyle Heights, added that data from regulators, such as the South Coast Air Quality Management District, should be released in clear, understandable language in English and Spanish.

The South Coast AQMD told LAist before Jurado spoke that the agency has monitors that measure particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, but not other types of pollutants. The agency said it has set up additional monitors at Eastman Avenue Elementary and Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School. The agency added that the Environmental Protection Agency is also monitoring air quality at the fence line of the facility. LAist has reached out to the EPA for details.

Zhu added that even when the fire is eventually put out, the cleanup can kick up even more pollution — a lesson learned through her research after the L.A. fires.

“ I think people really need to take precautions,” Zhu said, emphasizing that those closest to the fire and downwind should avoid being outside as much as possible, keep windows closed, run a HEPA or MERV 13 air filter, and wear an N95 or similar mask otherwise.

UC Irvine toxicology professor Michael Kleinman said if thawed meat is also burning, that could lead to further toxic gases being released.

Experts urged precautions, especially if you smell smoke.

“ For people who are very close to the fire, like the firefighters themselves, they have exposure to both particulate matter and potential toxic gases, and that's why you'll see them wearing respirators,” said UC Irvine chemistry professor Suzanne Blum. “But once you're some feet away from the building, then the primary concern is the particulate smoke that is coming from this fire.”

As the Boyle Heights warehouse fire burns into its sixth day, SoCal residents are increasingly concerned about the air quality and potential health risks that come with breathing in the smoke. So, what alerts have been issued so far and how can residents be prepared?

Both Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency on Saturday, a designation that helps California coordinate with local agencies to make sure there are enough resources for the firefight and residents who have been affected after a fire started at a cold storage industrial facility. Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis said at a press conference Monday that  the county is "delivering supplies, air filters, and air purifiers" to local households.

Los Angeles County public health officials and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) also issued a particle pollution advisory that remained in effect until today. Affected areas included: Central Los Angeles County, the San Gabriel Valley, East San Fernando Valley and Northwest San Bernardino Valley.

Although recent air quality readings appear as “moderate” to “good” on South Coast AQMD’s website, the fire is still burning and might be for a few more days.

So what can SoCal residents do to protect themselves?

If the air quality index reads “good” or “poses little to no risk” in some areas, hazardous ash can still be present. If you see ash on your car, or windowsills, you might want to stay inside if possible. In “moderate” or yellow zones, unusually sensitive people are also recommended to avoid longer periods outside.

In the next few days, some might notice windblown ash floating in the air or coating outdoor surfaces. These particles are otherwise known as “fine particulate matter,” which consists of soot, burned plastic and perhaps even traces of the spoiling frozen food from inside the warehouse.

Why that matters

Too much exposure from these materials may cause temporary irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. If you suffer from health issues that are exacerbated by poor air quality, like respiratory illnesses, you may be affected by these conditions even more.

Four expert tips to protect yourself and your family:

• If you smell smoke or see ash, try to remain indoors with the windows closed. If you can’t, consider stepping outside with an N-95 mask, and refrain from engaging in any rigorous physical activity. 
• In your homes, also avoid using whole house fans (air conditioning is okay), as they can bring in the polluted air from outdoors. 
• If you have an air purifier, this is the time to use it. 
• Avoid using fireplaces, candles and vacuums, as they can introduce toxins into the clean, indoor environment.

For more guidance on precautions following the fires, visit Los Angeles County’s public health website for more. South Coast AQMD’s website also has more healthy and safety tips.

Updated June 22, 2026 at 16:22 PM ET

Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi has broken the record for most World Cup scoring.

Messi made the record goal, his 17th, during the first half of Monday's game against Austria. It was a heated match. Austria attacked relentlessly, and Argentina relied on its defense and on goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martinez. And, near the end in stoppage time, Messi scored again, finishing off at 2-0.

The team captain started off the World Cup with a bang: in the opener against Algeria, Messi scored a hat trick: three goals. A rare feat in soccer. He has scored all five goals for Argentina this World Cup. With the win, Argentina advances to the knockout round.

Messi hails from the province of Santa Fe, Argentina, an area known for producing excellent players. He faced challenges at an early age: he had a hormonal growth deficiency, which was difficult to treat in his hometown, given the severe economic crisis facing Argentina in the late 1990s. By 2001, the Messi family had decided to accept an offer for him to join La Masia, FC Barcelona's youth academy, in Spain. Messi was 13 years old.

It was at Barça that he rose to fame and developed his unique style of walking the pitch, patiently waiting for the right opportunity to jump on the ball, dribble skillfully past his opponents, and score.

Argentina's Lionel Messi, now the all-time World Cup scoring leader, celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 group match against Austria.

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Although a legend of Barça and European soccer, he often expressed a desire to play for the Argentine national team in a World Cup. He got his chance in his 20's, but it wasn't smooth: he was widely seen as a foreigner who had not paid his dues in the Argentine soccer system. His measured, calculating style of play was often misunderstood in South America, where players tended to have a quicker, more aggressive technique.

There were several World Cup attempts that were disappointing, and after the 2016 World Cup, he announced he would not be playing again. "It's over," he said outside the locker room, visibly shaken. "I tried so hard, it is unbelievable, but it hasn't worked. Me and this team are through."

The tides turned under the leadership of Argentine Coach Lionel Scaloni, and Messi led the team to a Copa America victory in 2021. Argentina won the World Cup the following year.

This is Messi's sixth World Cup and he's considered one of the best players in soccer history.

Messi also surpassed Brazilian superstar Marta, who had scored 17 goals at the Women's World Cup.

Copyright 2026 NPR

More than two dozen state historic parks are free through the end of the year in honor of Juneteenth — and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the free “special edition Historian Passport,” which typically costs $50, as a rebuke to President Donald Trump’s attempts to “rewrite the past,” according to a news release by the governor’s office.

Since his inauguration, Trump has ordered staff working at all National Park Service locations to remove any content that casts Americans in a negative light from parks, monuments and memorials.

“California doesn’t hide from hard truths and uncomfortable history — in fact, we embrace it and learn from it,” Newsom wrote.

Until July 6, Californians can download the state historic park pass for free and use it as many times as they want through the end of 2026. The pass gives free entry to state historic parks for up to four people.

The Historian Passport grants entry to more than 30 state historic parks, including parks like Olompali and Malakoff Diggins which, rather than just providing outdoor recreation, also have an educational emphasis on the state’s history.

Jack London State Historic Park in Napa Valley, California.

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Many of these parks tell the story of the state’s cultural or indigenous history, from missions and museums to temples and the site that sparked the California Gold Rush.

Newsom made a similar move to make state parks free for Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year, in response to Trump’s decision to eliminate the holiday from the list of fee-free days at national parks across the country, replacing it with his birthday on Flag Day.

How to get your free Historian Passport for up to four people

You must make an account with the state’s reservation site ReserveCalifornia.com to obtain a Historian Pass. Then, visit the site’s Advance Passes page and select “Special Edition Historian Passport” from the dropdown menu, which will show as costing $0. No payment information is required.

After checking out, you’ll receive an email with an attached PDF version of your Historian Passport.

The state recommends you print off this PDF to present at any California state historic park for free entry, although you may just be able to show the image on your phone too.

Bear in mind that cellphone service may be poor at many state historic parks, so it’s worth screenshotting the PDF to save it as an image on your phone in case you’re unable to search your email.

Looking for free entry to other state parks that aren’t included in the Historian Passport? Consider checking out a parks pass from your local library, which provides these passes as part of the California State Library Parks Pass program.

KQED’s Carly Severn contributed to this report.