The Brief

After returning from a brief trip to space, Katy Perry says she will definitely be writing a song about her experience.

Perry was one of six in an all-female crew that launched and landed safely on Monday morning aboard a rocket operated by Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin company. Other big names include journalist Gayle King and Bezos' fiancee, Lauren Sánchez.

The star-studded crew flew on Blue Origin's New Shepard launch vehicle, which since 2021 has ferried dozens of scientists, entrepreneurs and celebrities above the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space, about 62 miles above Earth's surface.

Monday's mission, NS-31, had garnered considerable attention in recent weeks because of its famous passengers and historic nature.

It was the first all-female spaceflight since 1963, when Soviet-era cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova — the first woman in space — orbited the Earth during a nearly three-day solo flight.

Blue Origin's flight was significantly shorter, lasting 10 minutes and 21 seconds.

It took off from Blue Origin's Launch Site One in West Texas at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time on Monday, after weeks of anticipation.

Hundreds of thousands of people tuned into Blue Origin's online livestream to watch the journey from launch to landing, as passengers' loved ones — many of them celebrities in their own right, such as Oprah Winfrey — watched in person.

The crew spent several minutes in zero gravity and total amazement, as captured by audio on the livestream. They could be heard marveling at the moon and, later, screaming excitedly when the parachutes opened on the way down.

"Congratulations, and welcome back to Earth," mission control said as the capsule settled in the dusty valley.

Minutes later, the door to the capsule opened and all six women filed out, some crying and pumping their fists. Both Perry and King knelt down to touch the ground with their own hands.

"It's oddly quiet when you get up there," King said later. "It's really quiet and peaceful, and you look down on the planet and think: That's where we came from? To me it's such a reminder about how we need to do better, be better."

King also revealed that Perry — who had hinted that she might sing on board — entertained her crewmates with parts of Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" while the capsule floated in space.

"I think that it's not about me, it's not about singing my songs, it's about a collective energy in there," Perry said afterward. "It's about making space for future women, and taking up space and belonging, and it's about this wonderful world that we see right out there and appreciating it. This is all for the benefit of Earth."

Here's what else to know about the flight and the people on board.

Who was aboard — and how did they react?

The fully autonomous vehicle had no pilots, and six crew members:

• Lauren Sánchez, a journalist, author, pilot and philanthropist who also happens to be Bezos' fiancee. She is credited with putting the team together and working with the brand Monse to redesign the women's space suits. Sanchez was visibly emotional after exiting the capsule, saying she didn't have the words to describe her experience. She reflected on how "quiet" but "really alive" the Earth looked, saying it made her think about how "we're all in this together." She also joked that if Bezos didn't want to marry her, he didn't have to send her into space. She said she had to make it back safe for the wedding, adding, "If I didn't come back, that would be a bummer for me."
• Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist and STEM advocate who Blue Origin says was the first person of Bahamian descent to visit space. It says she planned to carry postcards from students and conduct three research experiments on board, including on plant biology and human physiology. Bowe took her grandfather, 92-year-old Forester Bowe, to the launch, telling Essence beforehand that "they didn't even have airplanes on his island when he grew up, and now he's going to see me go to space." Bowe said he told her after the flight: "I was really worried for you, but then Oprah squeezed me." For her part, Bowe said she "will never be the same."
• Amanda Nguyễn, a bioastronautics research scientist and civil rights activist whose advocacy for sexual violence survivors saw her awarded Time's Woman of the Year and nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Blue Origin says she will be the first Vietnamese and Southeast Asian woman astronaut, calling her flight "a symbol of reconciliation between the United States and Vietnam." Nguyễn carried a hospital bracelet — from a visit following her assault — on the flight, which she has previously described as part of her healing process. Afterwards, she offered a message to survivors of sexual assault: "I just want all survivors to know that you can heal, no dream is too wild."
• Gayle King, the broadcast journalist, cohosts CBS News' flagship program, CBS Mornings, and is the editor-at-large of Oprah Daily. She said when the flight was announced in February: "I don't know how to explain being terrified and excited at the same time. It's like how I felt about to deliver a baby." King has been open about her fear of flying. Before the flight, her longtime best friend Oprah Winfrey told reporters on the scene that she had encouraged her to embrace the opportunity — both to confront her fears and be part of history, and because she didn't want her to regret missing it. "It goes beyond this moment of just going up in space. I think this will be an everlasting experience," said Winfrey, who could be seen covering her eyes and her heart as she watched the flight from the ground. After landing, King said she had "no regrets" about doing it and applauded the training team for telling the crew exactly what to expect. "I stepped out of my comfort zone in a way that I never thought was possible for me, and now that I've done it, I really do feel I can take on anything," she said, adding that she may now conquer another fear: getting her ears pierced.
• Katy Perry, the pop star whose lengthy catalogue includes a few songs that reference aliens and shooting across the sky. Perry told Elle earlier this month that her tailor-made space playlist — titled "the Space Sistas" — includes Nicki Minaj's "Starships," "Starman" by David Bowie, "Around the World" by Daft Punk and her own "E.T." Perry took a daisy on the flight, both because it's her daughter's name and a larger reminder. "Daisies are common flowers but they grow through any condition ... they are powerful, they are strong, they are everywhere," she said after landing. "Flowers are to me God's smile, but it's also a reminder of our beautiful Earth ... and the beautiful magic that is everywhere, all around us, even in a simple daisy." Perry said afterward that she felt "super connected to love" — and also inspired. When asked if she would write a song about her experience, she said "100%."
• Kerianne Flynn, a film producer and philanthropist who told Elle she's dreamed of going to space ever since she was a kid in small-town Michigan, stargazing with her grandfather. Flynn called the flight — especially getting to see the moon — "the most incredible experience of my life." "Knowing that everyone I loved was standing down there looking back up at me," she said tearfully. "I just hope that these types of experiences will clear a path for everyone to be able to do that."

What kind of rocket is it? 

Blue Origin calls New Shepard its "fully reusable, suborbital rocket system built for human flight from the beginning." It is named after Alan Shepard, the first American in space.

The rocket's pressurized capsule — "environmentally controlled for comfort" — fits six people, each with their own window seat.

The capsule reached a maximum height of 350,449 feet, according to Blue Origin. By design, it separated from the booster on the way back, undergoing a period of freefall before landing with the aid of three parachutes.

According to Blue Origin, after the rocket reaches space, its engine restarts to slow the booster down to a speed of just 6 mph for a "controlled pinpoint landing on the pad."

How much do flights cost? 

Blue Origin hasn't publicly confirmed the price of a ticket, but its reservation page requires a $150,000 deposit to begin the process.

The company auctioned off a seat on its first crewed flight for $28 million in 2021.

Some celebrities have flown for free as "honored guests," as was the case for TV host Michael Strahan, Alan Shepard's daughter Laura Shepard Churchley and actor William Shatner.

How many flights has Blue Origin done? 

NS-31 is the New Shepard's 11th human flight, according to Blue Origin.

The New Shepard made its maiden space voyage in July 2021, carrying Bezos, his brother Mark, and the oldest and youngest people to ever fly into space at that time — 82-year-old pioneering female aviator Wally Funk and physics student Oliver Daemen, 18.

Blue Origin has been sending pioneers, prominent figures and paying customers into space ever since, completing its 30th overall mission to space in February.
Copyright 2025 NPR

This story first appeared on The LA Local.

Since 1977, Richard Santillan has been to every Opening Day game at Dodger Stadium. 

“The tradition goes from my father, to me, to my children and grandchildren. Some of my best memories are with my father and children here at Dodger Stadium,” Santillan told The LA Local, smiling under the shade of palm trees near the entrance to the ballpark Wednesday morning. He was there to protest the team less than 24 hours before Opening Day.

Santillan, like countless other loyal Dodgers fans, is grappling with his fan identity over the team’s decision to accept an invitation to the White House and owner Mark Walter’s ties to ICE detention facilities.

More than 30 people joined Santillan on Wednesday morning for a press conference held near 1000 Vin Scully Drive to convey a message directly to the team. 

“We are demanding the Dodgers stop participating in funding of inhumane treatment of families and do not go to the White House to celebrate with the criminal in chief,” Evelyn Escatiola told the crowd. “Together, we have the power to make a change.”

Escatiola, a former dean of East Los Angeles College and longtime community organizer, urged fans to flex their economic power by “letting the Dodgers know that we do not support repression.”

Jorge “Coqui” Rodriguez, a lifelong Dodgers fan, spoke to the crowd and called on Dodgers ownership to divest from immigration detention centers owned and operated by GEO Group and CoreCivic.

Jorge Coqui H Rodriguez speaks at a press conference outside Dodger Stadium on March 25, 2026, to demand the Dodgers not to visit the White House following their 2025 World Series win.

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J.W. Hendricks

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The LA Local

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In a phone interview a day before the protest, Rodriguez told The LA Local he did not want the Dodgers using his “cheve” or beer money to fund detention centers. 

“They can’t take our parking money, our cacahuate money, our cheve money, our Dodger Dog money and invest those funds into corporations that are imprisoning people. It’s wrong,” Rodriguez said. 

Rodriguez considers the Dodgers one of the most racially diverse teams and said the players need to support fans at a time when heightened immigration enforcement has become more common across L.A.

The team’s 2025’s visit to the White House drew ire from the largely Latino fan base, citing the Trump administration’s ongoing attacks on immigrants. 

In June, the team came under further scrutiny when rumors swirled online that federal immigration agents were using the stadium’s parking, which immigration authorities later denied in statements posted on social media accounts.

The team again came under fire after not releasing a statement on the impacts of ICE raids on its mostly Latino fan base at the height of immigration enforcement last summer. The team later agreed to invest $1 million to support families affected by immigration enforcement.

When he learned the Dodgers were pledging only $1 million to families in need, Rodriguez called the amount a  “slap in the face.” 

“These guys just bought the Lakers for billions of dollars and they give a million dollars to fight for legal services? That’s a joke,” Rodriguez said. “They need to have a moral backbone and not be investing in those companies.”

According to reporting from the Los Angeles Times, former Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershawsaid last week that he is looking forward to the trip.

“I went when President [Joe] Biden was in office. I’m going to go when President [Donald] Trump is in office,” Kershaw said. “To me, it’s just about getting to go to the White House. You don’t get that opportunity every day, so I’m excited to go.”

The Dodgers have yet to announce when their planned visit will take place. 

Santillan sometimes laments his decision to give up his season tickets in protest of the team. His connection to the stadium and the memories he has made there with family and friends will last a lifetime, he said. On Thursday, he will uphold his tradition and be there for the first pitch of the season, but with a heavy heart.

“It’s a family tradition, but the Dodgers have a lot of work to do,” he said.

A local favorite mom-and-pop bookshop in Eagle Rock is facing displacement due to a steep rent hike. The owners say theirs is just one of several small businesses along Eagle Rock Boulevard struggling to keep up with lease increases.

Over the past 19 years, many in the neighborhood have come to love READ Books for its eclectic collection of used titles and shop dog Florence.

Co-owner Jeremy Kaplan said it’s been a delight to grow with the community over the years.

“Like seeing kids come back in, who were in grade school and now they’re in college,” Kaplan said.

But the building where Kaplan and wife Debbie rent was recently sold, and the rent increased by more than 130% to $2,805 a month, Kaplan said. He told LAist it was an increase his small business simply could not absorb.

Kaplan said he originally was given 30 days notice of the rent increase. After some research, assistance from Councilmember Ysabel Jurado’s office and some pro-bono legal help, Kaplan said he pushed back and got the 90-day notice he’s afforded by state law.

California Senate Bill 1103 requires landlords to give businesses with five or less employees 90 days’ notice for rent increases exceeding 10%, among other protections.

Systems Real Estate, the property management company, did not immediately respond to LAist’s request for comment.

What can small businesses do? 

Nadia Segura, directing attorney of the Small Business Program at pro bono legal aid non-profit Bet Tzedek said California law does not currently allow for rent control for commercial tenancies.

Outside of the protections under SB 1103, Segura said small businesses like READ Books don’t have much other recourse. And even then, commercial landlords are not required to inform their tenants of their protections under the law.

“There’s still a lot of people that don’t know about SB 1103. And then it’s very sad that they tell them they have these rent increases and within a month they have to leave,” Segura said.

She said her group is seeing steep rent hikes like this for commercial tenants across the city.

“We are seeing this even more with the World Cup coming up, the Olympics coming up. And I will say it was very sad to see that also after the wildfires,” Segura said.

Part of Bet Tzedek’s ongoing work is to advocate for small businesses, working with landlords who are increasing rents to see if they are willing to give business owners longer leases that lock in rents.

What’s next 

After READ Books posted about their situation on social media, commenters chimed in to express their outrage and love for the little shop.

While he looks for a new spot, Kaplan says he’s forming a coalition of local businesses and activist groups to see what can be done to help other small businesses facing similar displacement. He wants to address the displacement issue for businesses like his, which have made Eagle Rock the distinctive neighborhood that it is today.

Owl Talk, a longtime Eagle Rock staple selling clothing and accessories in a unit in the same building as READ Books, is facing a “more than double” rent increase, according to a post on their Instagram account.

Kaplan said he’s been in touch with the office of state Assemblywoman Jessica Caloza and wants to explore the possibility of introducing legislation to set up protections for small businesses like his, including rent-control measures or a vacancy tax for landlords. Kaplan said he also reached out to the office of state Sen. Maria Durazo.

By his count, Kaplan said there are about a dozen businesses within surrounding blocks that are at risk of closing their doors or have shuttered due to rent increases or other struggles.

When READ Books was founded during the Great Recession, Kaplan said he knew it was a longshot to open a bookstore at the same time so many were struggling to stay in business.

“It was kind of interesting to be doing something that neighborhoods needed. That was important to me growing up, that was important to my children, that was important to my wife growing up,” Kaplan said.

“And then somebody comes in and says, ‘We’re gonna over double your rent.”

Topline:

Frozen budget: Most of the city’s Bureau of Street Lighting budget comes from an assessment that people who own property illuminated by lights pay on their county property tax bill. The amount people pay depends on the kind of property they own and how much they benefit from lighting. A typical single-family home currently pays $53 annually, and in total, the assessments bring in about $45 million annually for the city to repair and maintain streetlights. Changing the amount the Bureau of Street Lighting gets from the assessment requires a vote among property owners who benefit from the lights.

Ballots: L.A. City Council’s vote gives city staff the green light to prepare and send out those ballots. Miguel Sangalang, who oversees the bureau, said at a committee meeting earlier this month that he expects to send out ballots by April 17. Notices about the ballots will be sent out prior to the ballots themselves.

Near unanimous vote: L.A. City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez was the only “No” vote Tuesday, saying she wanted to see a more current strategic plan for the bureau. Sangalang said the bureau developed a plan in 2022 that lays out how money will be spent. Councilmember Imelda Padilla was absent for the vote.

Vote count: Votes will be weighted according to the assessment amount. Basically, the more you’re asked to pay yearly to maintain streetlights, the more your vote will count. Ballots received before June 2 will be tabulated by the L.A. City Clerk.

How much more money: According to a report, the amount needed in assessments from property owners to meet the repair and maintenance needs of the city’s streetlighting in the next fiscal year is nearly $112 million.

Use of the money: Sangalang said at a March 11 committee meeting that the extra funds would be used to double the number of staff to handle repairs and procure solar streetlights, which don’t face the threat of copper wire theft. That would all potentially reduce the time it takes to repair simple fixes down to a week. Currently, city residents wait for months to see broken streetlights repaired. The assessment would come with a three-year auditing mechanism.