Makenna Cramer
covers the daily drumbeat of Southern California. She has a special place in her heart for eagles and other animals that make this such a fascinating place to live.
Published February 5, 2026 1:04 PM
Lady Trixie, a roughly 2-year-old female Plott Hound mix, is available for adoption at Pasadena Humane.
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Makenna Sievertson
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LAist
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Topline:
For Angelenos who love animals but can’t commit to adopting a dog, Pasadena Humane is opening a pair of short-term fostering programs to the public.
Why it matters: Officials said time away from the shelter can reduce stress in animals, while providing important insight into their personalities that can help the dogs get adopted.
Why now: You can now sign-up to “check-out” a dog from the shelter for a hike in the forest, a visit to your favorite neighborhood coffee shop or a cozy weekend sleepover at home.
The details: “This is a fun thing for the dog,” Kevin McManus, spokesperson for the organization, told LAist. “But it's also an opportunity for people who may not see the dog in the shelter to get an opportunity to see that dog out in the world doing what they do best.”
For Angelenos who love animals but can’t commit to adopting a dog, Pasadena Humane is opening a pair of short-term fostering programs to the public.
You can now sign-up to “check-out” a dog from the shelter for a hike in the forest, a visit to your favorite neighborhood coffee shop or a cozy weekend sleepover at home.
Officials said time away from the shelter can reduce stress in animals, while providing important insight into their personalities that can help the dogs get adopted.
Kevin McManus, a spokesperson for the organization, told LAist that Pasadena Humane provides all the supplies for anything from a 15-minute Foster Field Trip to a three-day Doggy Sleepover.
“This is a fun thing for the dog,” McManus said. “But it's also an opportunity for people who may not see the dog in the shelter to get an opportunity to see that dog out in the world doing what they do best.”
How it works
You can sign up for Pasadena Humane’s Doggy Field Trip and Doggy Sleepover programs here.
You’ll be asked to choose a date and time for the trip, as well as the activities you have planned for the dog and your experience handling animals.
You can ask to take a specific dog from the shelter, but it’s ultimately up to the organization’s foster team to match you based on need, availability and comfort level.
Previously, the programs were available only for trained volunteers, including Kayla James, who’s been hosting field trips and sleepovers for more than a year.
Kayla James, a Pasadena Humane volunteer, taking Logan for a Foster Field Trip in Pasadena.
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Makenna Sievertson
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LAist
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James, who has done about 30 short-term trips through Pasadena Humane, told LAist that some people may be sad to bring the dog back to the shelter at the end of the day, but that short-term feeling is worth the long-term benefits.
“Having them in a different setting helps them so much,” she said. “Because sometimes they shine way better outside the kennels.”
For example, you may learn the dog hates dry treats but loves hot dogs, that they do great on stairs or can be calm hanging out at home, she said.
Taking a dog for its first pup patty from In-N-Out has been “priceless,” James said. She especially enjoys taking shy dogs to her house for a quiet day away from the scents and sounds of the shelter.
Kayla's wearing a Foster Field Trip backpack that reads: "We are on a field trip. You can adopt this dog. (It's okay to be excited)"
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Makenna Sievertson
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LAist
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“One thing that I loved being able to do, too, is finding out that a dog that was actually really reactive in a shelter, wasn't so reactive outside and was able to calm down,” she said. “That was really gratifying.”
McManus said the short-term fostering opportunities are perfect for people who love dogs but may not be able to adopt, possibly because of housing restrictions or long hours at work.
How can it help them get adopted?
Any details you learn about the dog and cute photos you snap can be shared with Pasadena Humane and may be added to the pup’s adoption profile.
James has posted social media videos of the dogs she takes on trips, which she said can help Pasadena Humane boost the animals' visibility for potential adopters.
Cinco enjoying a snooze on a Doggy Sleepover.
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Courtesy of Pasadena Humane
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Brodie was welcome to relax on furniture during a Doggy Sleepover.
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Courtesy of Pasadena Humane
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Some factors about an animal may be revealed during their time away, like can the dog sleep through the night? Is it crate trained? How about house trained?
“Having that real knowledge [is] really helpful in finding the forever home,” McManus said.
A dog's day out on the town
On Tuesday, I was matched with a dog named Lady Trixie, a 2-year-old female Plott Hound mix. We were equipped with a backpack full of treats, water, bowls, toys, poop bags, emergency information and a map of nearby places we could check out.
Lady Trixie on a Foster Field Trip to Lacy Park in San Marino. Lady Trixie is available for adoption at Pasadena Humane.
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Makenna Sievertson
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LAist
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The foster team told me upon pick-up that Lady Trixie has been sweet with staff and volunteers, but Pasadena Humane didn’t have much other information for potential adopters.
So we hopped in my car and headed to Lacy Park in San Marino with the hope of gathering some important info for Lady's Trixie's adoption profile.
She walked politely on the leash next to me and didn’t pull us through the park. She seemed a little shy at first, but kept calm and didn’t react around young children and the small dogs that ran by us.
We sprinted through the park a few times to get her wiggles out. Lady Trixie also snacked on some grass and stopped to sniff anything and everything she wanted.
Lady Trixie was a sweet, affectionate companion during LAist's Foster Field Trip on Tuesday.
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Makenna Sievertson
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LAist
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Lady Trixie seemed to be more interested in sitting on me than playing with toys or tennis balls. She even rested her head on my shoulder for a minute when we stopped for a water break.
It was hard to bring her back to Pasadena Humane Tuesday afternoon. But I'm the kind of person the programs are designed for — I’d love to add another dog to our family, but it isn’t the right time.
I was sad to say goodbye, but I was grateful to spend a calming few hours with her.
LAist gave Pasadena Humane notes about Lady Trixie after the Foster Field Trip, including that she did well in the car and was calm around children and dogs in the park.
Makenna Cramer
leads LAist’s unofficial Big Bear bald eagle beat and has been covering Jackie and Shadow for several seasons.
Published April 3, 2026 11:48 AM
The first pip, or crack, was confirmed in one of the eggs around 10 a.m. Friday, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley.
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Friends of Big Bear Valley
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YouTube
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Topline:
Big Bear’s famous bald eagles — Jackie and Shadow — appear to be welcoming a new chick into the world.
Why now: The first pip, or crack, was spotted in one of the feathered duo’s two eggs around 10 a.m. Friday, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit that runs a popular YouTube livestream of the nest overlooking Big Bear Lake.
Why it matters: More than 26,000 people were watching the livestream shortly shortly after the organization confirmed a pip had been spotted, which signals that an eaglet is starting to poke its way out of the egg shell.
The backstory: As of Friday, the first egg is around 38 days old and the second egg is about 35 days old. Jackie and Shadow's usual incubation timeline is around 38 to 40 days, according to the nonprofit.
Big Bear’s famous bald eagles — Jackie and Shadow — appear to be welcoming a new chick into the world.
The first pip, or crack, was spotted in one of the feathered duo’s two eggs around 10 a.m. Friday, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit that runs a popular YouTube livestream of the nest overlooking Big Bear Lake.
More than 26,000 people were watching the livestream shortly after the organization confirmed a pip had been spotted, which signals that an eaglet is starting to poke its way out of the egg shell.
“Yesterday afternoon, evening and throughout the night we heard little chirps coming from the chick,” Friends of Big Bear Valley wrote on Facebook to more than a million followers. “This indicates that the chick was able to break the internal membrane and took its first breath of air.”
As of Friday, the first egg is around 38 days old and the second egg is about 35 days old. Jackie and Shadow's usual incubation timeline is around 38 to 40 days, according to the nonprofit.
There’s still time for the second egg to show signs of hatching, and a pip could be confirmed in the coming days.
What we know
Jenny Voisard, the organization’s media manager, told LAist earlier this week that hatching is an arduous process for chicks that takes some time.
For example, last season, the first chick hatched more than a day after the initial pip was confirmed, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley records. The second chick hatched about a day after pipping as well, and the third chick worked its way out into the world about two days after the first crack was confirmed.
In March 2025, Jackie and Shadow welcomed two eaglet chicks with one remaining egg in their nest.
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Friends of Big Bear Valley
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YouTube
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Jackie and Shadow's three chicks on March 7, 2025. One of the chicks later died, while Sunny and Gizmo successfully fledged a few months later.
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Friends of Big Bear Valley
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YouTube
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Jackie and Shadow's eaglets during a feeding of fish in April 2025.
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Friends of Big Bear Valley
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YouTube
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Sunny and Gizmo in Big Bear's famous bald eagle nest on Friday, April 18, 2025.
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Friends of Big Bear Valley
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YouTube
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Viewers watched as the surviving eaglets, Sunny and Gizmo, grew from a few ounces to several pounds in a matter of months before fledging, or taking their first flight away from the nest, last June.
But any chicks arriving this season will have to learn how to feed before they can fly.
The initial meals may be a bit awkward while the chicks learn to sit up straight. Jackie and Shadow could start feeding the chicks the same day they hatch, typically tearing off pieces of fish or raw meat and holding it up to their beaks.
Bald eagles don’t regurgitate food for their young, unlike other birds. But the feathered parents do pass along a "substantial amount of saliva” full of electrolytes and antibodies to their chicks during feedings, according to the nonprofit.
Voisard said new life coming to the nest is a reminder “why it’s so important to conserve their lands.”
Matt Dangelantonio
has always been fascinated by sports teams' jersey and logo designs, and loves a good alternate jersey.
Published April 3, 2026 10:54 AM
Shohei Ohtani wearing the Dodgers new blue road jerseys, which the team debuted Friday, April 3 against the Washington Nationals.
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Scott Taetsch
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Getty Images North America
)
Topline:
The Dodgers debuted a brand new blue road jersey for its game against the Washington Nationals. The new blues will now be part of the team's regular season jersey rotation for away games.
Why it matters: The team says it's a first for the Dodgers, who have traditionally only worn their gray jerseys for away games. The Dodgers now have three road options — two gray jerseys, one that says "Los Angeles" across the front and another that says "Dodgers," along with the new blues.
Dodger Blue.
For the first time in history, the Dodgers will be wearing a blue jersey as part of their regular uniform rotation on the road. pic.twitter.com/ce3EVFVJTd
The backstory: You've probably seen the Dodgers wearing similar blue jerseys during spring training, but up until now they've not been an everyday option for regular season games. It won't be the first time the team wears a blue jersey during the regular season, though. In 2021, the Dodgers debuted blue "City Connect" jerseys, seen below, for that season.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wearing the team's 2021 City Connect uniform.
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Thearon W. Henderson
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Getty Images North America
)
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Elly Yu
reports on early childhood. From housing to health, she covers issues facing the youngest Angelenos and their families.
Published April 3, 2026 5:00 AM
Under a new law that went into effect this year, childcare providers are barred from asking about a child's or family member’s immigration status.
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Maria Gutierrez
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LAist
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Topline:
Under a new law that went into effect this year, childcare providers are barred from asking about a child's or family member’s immigration status.
What’s new: California Attorney General Rob Bonta provided guidance this week to childcare providers on new legal requirements to protect children and their families from immigration enforcement activities.
The backstory: Lawmakers passed AB 495 last year aimed at helping and protecting families in light of immigration enforcement, including allowing a broader definition of relatives to step in as a caregiver if a parent is detained.
The details: Under the new requirements, childcare centers have to regularly update a child’s emergency contact to make sure someone can be reached in the case of a parent being detained.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta provided guidance this week to childcare providers on new legal requirements to protect children and their families from immigration enforcement activities.
Under a new law that went into effect this year, childcare providers are not allowed to collect information about a child's or family member’s immigration status, unless necessary under state or federal law. Bonta’s office says there currently is no such requirement, though that could change with federal programs like Head Start.
“Childcare and preschool facilities should be safe and secure spaces so children can grow, learn and simply be children,” Bonta said in a statement.
His office says daycare centers also should not keep information about a formerly enrolled child longer than is required by state law.
The new law also requires facilities to inform the attorney general’s office and the state’s licensing agency if they get any requests for information from law enforcement related to immigration enforcement.
Facilities also must ask families to regularly update a child’s emergency contact information to make sure someone can be reached in case a parent is detained by federal immigration officials.
Warnings and advisories: Wind advisory, High Wind Advisory
What to expect: Partly cloudy skies, warmer weather and strong winds courtesy of the Santa Ana winds.
Read on ... for more details.
QUICK FACTS
Today’s weather: Partly cloudy
Beaches: Mid-70s
Mountains: Mid-60s to around 70 degrees
Inland: 75 to 81 degrees
Warnings and advisories: Wind advisory, High Wind Advisory
The Santa Ana winds are here to welcome us into the weekend, bringing warmer temperatures.
The winds will reach Point Mugu to the Santa Clarita Valley, down to Orange County and parts of the Inland Empire valleys and foothills east of the 5 Freeway.
Peak gusts are expected to reach 35 to 55 mph. The western San Gabriel Mountains, Highway 14 corridor, Santa Susana Mountains and the western Santa Monica Mountains are under a high wind warning until 6 p.m., when gusts could reach 65 mph.
As for temperatures, highs for L.A. County beaches will reach the upper 70s and up to the low 80s for inland areas.
Parts of Orange County and Coachella Valley will see temperatures in the mid- to upper 80s, with the warmest areas expected to reach 88 degrees.
