Fiona Ng
is LAist's deputy managing editor and leads a team of reporters who explore food, culture, history, events and more.
Published December 24, 2023 5:00 AM
Mules are an important tool for the management of forests in California and the rest of the country.
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USDA Forest Service
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Topline:
The U.S. Forest Service is participating in the Rose Parade — the third time for the agency in a decade. As usual, they are bringing their packstock of mules.
Why it matters: These mighty animals are part of a legacy that harkens back to the time when California's willderness was first being remade as recreational space.
The backstory: "When the Forest Service first started back in the early 1900's, they really relied on horses and pack mules," said Nathan Judy, a spokesperson for the Forest Service based out of San Diego. "The mules are very strong, very smart animals that can carry heavy loads and balance those loads a lot better than some horses do."
Until this day: Mules are used to transport equipment and tools to hard-to-reach wilderness areas that forbid the use of motorized vehicles in California's national forests.
On New Year's Day, more than a dozen equestrian groups will be on hand to showcase their horseback skills and the majesty of the animals at the Rose Parade as they trot down its 5.5-mile route.
Joining them will be their arguably less glitzy but equally mighty relatives: about a dozen or so mules that have traveled to Pasadena from California's six national forests.
They are the pack stock of the U.S. Forest Service — part of a legacy that hearkens back to the time when the state's wilderness was first being reimagined as recreational space.
"When the Forest Service first started back in the early 1900's, they really relied on horses and pack mules," said Nathan Judy, a spokesperson for the Forest Service based out of San Diego. "The mules are very strong, very smart animals that can carry heavy loads and balance those loads a lot better than some horses do."
Along treacherous terrain, these mules delivered logs and other equipment to build trails, fencing, ranger stations and fire lookout towers from scratch.
A century later, the agency still relies on these hearty creatures to manage and safeguard the forests, as motorized vehicles are banned in wilderness areas.
"When we have wildfires, we count on those mules and those pack stock to haul our equipment out into those areas, whether it be chainsaws or hoes or tools," Judy said.
Mules are used by the U.S. Forest Service to fight fire in remote forest locations, as motorized equipment and mechanized transport are prohibited in these areas.
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Nathan Judy
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USDA Forest Service
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Just earlier this year, mules were used to remove debris and recover wreckage after a Navy helicopter crashed in the Inyo National Forest near the California and Nevada border.
Despite the central role they play in forest maintenance, Judy said the herd at one point numbered at more than 2,000 at its peak but had dwindled to a tiny fraction of that by the 1990s. A subsequent reinvestment has brought the number back to some 130 mules in California today, which make up the majority of the mule pack stock in the country.
2024 Rose Parade
It would mark the third time this decade the Forest Service has participated in the Rose Parade. This time, the agency is celebrating the 80th birthday of Smokey Bear, the star of what Judy calls "the longest running ad campaign" in America.
But make no mistake, the fire-prevention spokesbear isn't the only icon being honored.
"The equestrian entry that we're putting into the Rose Parade really has to do showing off our firefighters [and] our pack stock," Judy said.
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Nathan Judy
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USDA Forest Service
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Leading the way will be the "color guards," mules bearing different flags including that of the United States. They'll be followed by Amy and Annie, a pair of mules that'll be pulling the parade wagon. The rest of the herd — joined by Forest Service firefighters — will round out the cavalcade.
"You're going to see a lot of mules out there on the road, representing what they do for the Forest Service," Judy said.
Training and preparation
Their participation requires months of preparation, which Judy said started in April when the agency found out it had been accepted into the parade.
Since around early December, the mules have been training with their packers at Inyo National Forest to get ready for the big day.
One in a deck of trading cards of the mules created by the U.S. National Forest.
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USDA Forest Service
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"When you're in a parade, you have audiences on either side screaming and yelling. There could be flying debris like bags or something that's flying by," Judy said. "They'll bring out trash cans and start banging on [them] to get the animals prepared for loud noises."
Earlier in the week, the mules started arriving at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, their new home base until the parade.
The 75-acre venue in Griffith Park is also the site of Equestfest on Dec. 29, where the public is invited to meet the parade's equestrian units and watch them perform.
The Forest Service's pack stock of mules will also be there to strut their stuff.
"You get to talk to our packers, see the mules firsthand, and that's where you might even be able to get some of our trading cards of the mules," Judy said.
Equestfest
Equestfest Location: Los Angeles Equestrian Center, 480 Riverside Dr, Burbank
Date: Friday, Dec. 29
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Equestrian show: Noon to 2 p.m.
COST: $45 general admission, $75 weekend pass, $150 VIP pass, children under 12 free. $25 general admission. $50 VIP seating. Free for children 5 and under.
First artifacts installed in LA museum's expansion
Makenna Sievertson
has been covering space shuttle Endeavour's journey at the California Science Center since December 2023.
Published November 18, 2025 4:08 PM
The first of many artifacts have been installed in the Kent Kresa Space Gallery, including a space shuttle main engine (right) and a solid rocket booster segment.
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Makenna Sievertson
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LAist
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Topline:
The California Science Center unveiled Tuesday the first of many launch vehicles, engines and other artifacts set to be installed in the museum’s 200,000-square-foot expansion coming to Exposition Park.
Why it matters: Jeff Rudolph, president and CEO of the California Science Center, said the $450 million expansion is California’s biggest “endeavor” yet that will inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and explorers.
Why now: The first artifacts in the expanded museum were placed in the Kenta Kresa Space Gallery, including a three-story-tall Electron launch vehicle from Rocket Lab in Long Beach.
The backstory: It’ll be the only place in the world where visitors can see an authentic space shuttle in its “Go for Stack” position, which is what museum officials called the process of moving each of the space shuttle components into place.
What's next: Officials expect to announce next year an opening date for the expansion.
Read on ... for a peak inside the expansion coming to Exposition Park.
The California Science Center unveiled Tuesday the first of many launch vehicles, engines and other artifacts set to be installed in the museum’s 200,000-square-foot expansion coming to Exposition Park.
Once complete, the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will include multi-level galleries built around a towering centerpiece — the space shuttle Endeavour — displayed in its 20-story vertical launch position.
It’ll be the only place in the world where visitors can see an authentic space shuttle in its “Go for Stack” position, which is what museum officials called the process of moving each of the space shuttle components into place.
Museum admission will be free.
Jeff Rudolph, president and CEO of the California Science Center, said the $450 million expansion is California’s biggest “endeavor” yet to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and explorers.
“The enthusiasm that people have when they come in and see this stuff and get excited about it will hopefully lead to many more people, young and old, but particularly young people wanting to pursue more education in science,” Rudolph told LAist.
Museum officials expect to announce next year an opening date, according to Rudolph.
A look inside the center
The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will feature three main galleries: the Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery, the Korean Air Aviation Gallery and the Kent Kresa Space Gallery.
Guests will be guided through hundreds of exhibits and authentic artifacts focused on the exploration of the universe — including rocket ships that carried humans into space and telescopes used to view stars and galaxies beyond our reach.
A real Electron launch vehicle from Rocket Lab in Long Beach spans several stories tall in the Kent Kresa Space Gallery.
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Makenna Sievertson
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LAist
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The first artifacts in the expanded museum were placed in the Kenta Kresa Space Gallery, including a three-story-tall Electron launch vehicle from Rocket Lab in Long Beach.
Adam Spice, chief financial officer of Rocket Lab, told LAist the Electron helped lower the cost of getting to space by sending satellites in smaller, cheaper rockets. The new center is an opportunity to get up close and personal with an Electron for the first time outside of a factory.
Spice said he hopes it’ll show visitors their dreams can become a reality.
“They can be part of something much bigger than probably they ever thought they could,” he said.
The first artifacts installed in the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center include a solid rocket booster segment. Kenneth Phillips, aerospace curator, shows the scale of the piece, which has flown into space several times.
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Makenna Sievertson
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LAist
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The solid rocket booster segment will become a walk-through interactive experience in the Kent Kresa Space Gallery.
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Makenna Sievertson
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LAist
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A segment of a solid rocket booster that flew into space several times is laid on its side on the second floor of the gallery.
Kenneth Phillips, the California Science Center’s aerospace curator, told LAist it’ll be turned into an interactive exhibit with audio, video and educational graphics.
“It's 12 feet in diameter, so people can actually walk through it and learn about the function of it from the inside out literally,” Phillips said.
Visitors will be able to get up close and personal with a space shuttle main engine.
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Makenna Sievertson
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LAist
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A detailed model of a space shuttle main engine is set up next to the solid rocket booster. Three of those main engines helped boost space shuttles into orbit by providing about 20% of their power, Phillips said.
What's next
Construction of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center started more than three years ago and is on track to be completed in the coming weeks, according to museum officials.
With construction of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center weeks away from completion, crews have started to put in landscaping around the outside of the expansion.
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Makenna Sievertson
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LAist
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The exterior of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center as of Tuesday.
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Makenna Sievertson
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LAist
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The remaining exhibits and artifacts will then be installed over "many months," Rudolph said. Officials expect to announce next year an opening date for the expansion.
The California Science Center also is looking to raise about $70 million more for the $450 million project before it opens. You can learn more about its “EndeavourLA” fundraising campaign here.
Matt Dangelantonio
directs production of LAist's daily newscasts, shaping the radio stories that connect you to SoCal.
Published November 18, 2025 3:58 PM
The Westwood Village Theater will be operated and programmed by American Cinematheque when it opens
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George Rose
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Getty Images
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Topline:
The group of directors restoring the Village Theater in Westwood are tapping film nonprofit American Cinematheque to program and run the venue when it opens.
Why it matters: American Cinematheque also programs the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood and the Los Feliz Theater, making it a visible and active film arts nonprofit in the industry.
The backstory: The nearly century-old movie palace went up for sale in 2024 before Village Directors Circle bought it in February. The group is comprised of more than 30 notable filmmakers. They're led by director Jason Reitman (Thank You For Smoking, Juno) and their ranks include Guillermo del Toro, Alfonso Cuarón, Lulu Wang, Chloé Zhao, Christopher Nolan and Ryan Coogler.
What's next: VDC says it's eyeing a 2027 opening for the Village Theater, and is currently in the quiet phase of a capital campaign to raise $25 million to restore and remodel the Village Theater into a more than 1,000-seat venue.
For January fire survivors looking for fresh start
Gillian Morán Pérez
is an associate producer for LAist’s early All Things Considered show.
Published November 18, 2025 3:46 PM
Residents embrace in front of a fire-ravaged property after the Palisades Fire swept through in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Jan. 8.
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Etienne Laurent
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AP
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Topline:
The city of Long Beach has launched a new jobs program to help people affected by January’s fires.
Who is it for? The initiative will provide paid career opportunities and financial assistance to people looking for a fresh start in Long Beach.
To start, 10 people will get up to 300 hours of paid work experience with local employers. Another five people also will get training scholarships of up to $7,500 in high-demand fields like health care and information technology.
Who's paying for it? The initiative is funded by a $130,000 federal act called the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
How to apply: Anyone interested in applying can contact Nakawa Shepherd, Career Center manager, Economic Development and Opportunity, at Nakawa.Shepherd@longbeach.gov or visit the LBWIN Adult Career Services Center.
How to participate: Long Beach’s Economic Development and Opportunity office also is looking for local employers to provide on-the-job training for applicants.
Jacob Margolis
covers science, with a focus on environmental stories and disasters.
Published November 18, 2025 2:51 PM
This undated photo provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office shows Jonathan Rinderknecht, who has been accused of setting a fire that led to the Palisades Fire.
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U.S. Attorney's Office
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Topline:
The man accused of igniting a fire that led to the deadly and destructive Palisades Fire in January will remain in custody without bond, U.S. Judge Rozella Oliver decided Tuesday in Los Angeles. Jonathan Rinderknecht has been in custody since his arrest in Florida on Oct. 7.
Where things stand: Rinderknecht was indicted by a federal grand jury in October and is charged with one count of arson, one count of timber set afire and one count of destruction of property by means of fire. Rinderknecht pleaded not guilty in mid-October and faces anywhere from five to 45 years in federal prison if convicted. His trial is set to begin April 21, 2026. His lawyers recently asked the court to allow him out of custody as he awaits trial.
Argument against release: In a filing on Monday, prosecutors said Rinderknecht is a flight risk because of his familial ties to France, as well as a danger to the community. The filing states that Rinderknecht threatened to burn down his sister’s home and that he purchased a gun and threatened to kill his brother-in-law. Prosecutors also raised the fact that a judge determined in October that the suspect’s mental health had declined.
The allegations: Authorities allege Rinderknecht set fire to brush near the Skull Rock Trailhead in the Santa Monica Mountains at around midnight Jan. 1, starting the Lachman Fire. Though the fire was held to just 8 acres and was believed to have been extinguished, authorities say it flared up once again amid strong, dry winds a week later. That fire grew into the Palisades Fire, which killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,800 structures.
