This is the gold standard: Capturing the Hollywood sign with an Oscar-worthy backdrop of snow, as seen back in March 2023. Will we get a chance to capture a similar photo again in 2025?
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Mario Tama
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Topline:
Thanks to the recent weather, the San Gabriel Mountains are about to bring their A-game, view-wise: snow capped, almost purple at dusk, the very picture of why we live in Southern California. So the obvious question is, from where should you take a photo? We have some suggestions.
Read on ... for more tips and how you can submit your own photo for consideration!
The winter storm season in Southern California has kicked off with a bang with a record-breaking cold system that's expected to bring 3 to 6 inches of snow to elevations above 6,000 feet.
That means as the storm clears out to make way for sunny skies and warmer temperatures for the Thanksgiving holiday week, we're about to hit a magical moment in L.A. It occurs in that tiny window of time, after winter storms and when the winds whisk away all the smog, revealing majestic mountains in the distance — even better when they're capped with snow.
It's awe-inspiring to catch a glimpse of them in your car or on a stroll, of course, but what if we told you that — wait for it — you could intentionally seek out a good view?
Well, folks, you can. We've found some spots throughout the city that provide particularly splendid vistas from which to take in the mountains' glory and snap a pic or video. TikTok and Instagram await your brilliance.
Some of the photos here are from year's past — so consider them aspirational inspiration. If you have a photo you'd like to share here or on our social media channels, email me and we may include it.
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
Also known as the Culver City Stairs, this spot will give you a stunning view of just about any place in Los Angeles. It’s the farthest from the San Gabriels of any place on this list, but no less majestic. You just have to get up the 282 steps (you can do it!). And if you want more of a workout, consider doing one of our favorite hikes — the overlook is the halfway point.
Rainstorms brought snow to our local mountains, as seen from Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area on March 7.
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Myung J. Chun
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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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If you go, don't be surprised if you have to negotiate for some real estate. Here's what it looked like one day back in 2023 when there was record snow fall.
Photographers line up yesterday at Kenneth Hahn Park in L.A.'s Baldwin Hills to capture the snow in the San Gabriel Mountains behind the city. pic.twitter.com/Vnc3p5Wjtb
A little-known spot for a killer post-storm view of our mountains is at Cal State LA.
Behind the South Village residence hall is a set of staircases that go all the way up to the unobstructed panorama. Wanna skip the steps? There's an elevator too.
The view from Cal State L.A.
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The observation deck at L.A. City Hall
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, the observation deck provides a 360-degree view of the city, including the mountains. It’s free for visitors and accessible by elevator, but note that there is one flight of stairs leading from the 26th to 27th floor, where the deck is.
Griffith Park Observatory
Accessible by trail, you can grab some great pics even before you get to the observatory, located at the top of a hill in Griffith Park. Check here for hiking trails that lead to the grounds. While the observatory itself is open limited hours, the grounds from which you can see the San Gabriels are usually open all hours.
The skyline of Los Angeles can be seen past Griffith Park Observatory in this photo taken in March 2024. Turn 180 degrees for the mountain vistas.
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Stefani Reynolds
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AFP via Getty Images
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Santa Anita Park
The mountains are seemingly always visible behind the track at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia.
If you're the type of photographer who likes a beautiful piece of foliage in your foreground, this is your spot. Stroll around the grounds and grab pictures with architectural wonders/flowers/trees, with the stunning mountain range in the back.
The Colorado Street Bridge
Let's be honest, the Colorado Street Bridge is just cool. But it also provides a nice vantage point (as long as you're not holding up traffic!) from which to snap a pic.
With that said, pretty much any flat street in Pasadena will afford you a decent-to-stunning view.
Mar Vista
The San Gabriels, seen from Mar Vista in 2023.
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And finally, you might not have to go that far at all to capture the view. Our colleague Suzanne Levy snapped this view from Mar Vista.
Destiny Torres
is LAist's general assignment and digital equity reporter.
Published December 31, 2025 5:00 AM
Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica is doused in heavy rain during a Christmas Eve storm. Expect a gloomy New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, too.
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Genaro Molina
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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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Topline:
Southern California will ring in the new year with a pair of storms that will douse the Rose Parade and possibly prompt evacuation orders in recent burn scar zones.
The context: The heaviest rain is expected to fall across Los Angeles on Wednesday night and into Thursday, New Year's Day, according to the National Weather Service.
The risks: The ground and roads are already saturated from last week's winter storm, meaning there's a high risk of mudslides, rock slides and other hazards. L.A. County has already issued evacuation warnings for burn scar areas beginning 11 a.m. Wednesday. That includes communities in the Eaton and Palisades fires.
What to expect: The storm will also bring what is likely to be the first time rain to fall on Pasadena’s Rose Parade since 2006. Snow levels through New Year's Day are expected to remain above 8,500 feet, then drop to around 7,500 feet on Friday.
Read on... for updates on this developing story.
This story will be updated. Check back for details.
Southern California will ring in the new year with a pair of storms that will douse the Rose Parade and possibly prompt evacuation orders in recent burn scar zones.
The heaviest rain is expected to fall across Los Angeles on Wednesday night and into Thursday, New Year's Day, according to the National Weather Service.
The ground and roads are already saturated from last week's winter storm, meaning there's a high risk of mudslides, rock slides and other hazards.
"Because of the saturated, really wet soils, we do have that high risk for downed trees with really any wind as well as rock slides and mud slides," Ryan Kittell, meteorologist at NWS, said. "In those vulnerable canyons and hillsides, there's about a moderate risk for flooding and at least shallow debris flows for recent burn scar areas."
L.A. County has already issued evacuation warnings for burn scar areas beginning 11 a.m. Wednesday. That includes communities in the Eaton and Palisades fires.
Rainfall projections
It's supposed to be one of the wettest New Year's Days in decades, according to the National Weather Service. Here are the projected rain levels:
Los Angeles: 1.53 inches
Oxnard: 1.00 inches
Santa Barbara: 0.80 inches
San Luis Obispo: 0.57 inches
As another storm heads towards Southern California, the National Weather Service shared New Year's Day rain facts.
Snow levels through New Year's Day are expected to remain above 8,500 feet, then drop to around 7,500 feet on Friday.
Evacuations and closures
Due to increased hazard of mudslides and debris flows, evacuation warnings will take effect at 11 a.m. Wednesday in burn zones across L.A. County, including Palisades and Eaton fire areas.
This atmospheric river is expected to slightly weaker than last week's, but take this latest round of storms seriously. The ground is already saturated which means we’re at a higher risk for downed trees, rockslides and mudslides.
Understanding National Weather Service warnings
Here’s an excerpt from our guide to understanding flood warnings, if any are issued:
Flood advisories are how the NWS begins to raise the alarm. The goal is to give people enough time to take action.
Flood watches are your indicators to get prepared to move.
Aflood warning is issued when a hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. When one is issued for your area, you need to get to higher ground immediately.
A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is coming or in progress. Flash floods are sudden and violent floods that can start within minutes.
If you're in L.A. County and need sand bags, you can find some at local fire houses.
Staying safe when the winds are high
Watch for traffic signals that may be out. Approach those intersections as four-way stops.
Make sure you have a battery-operated radio and flashlights. Check the batteries to make sure they are fresh. Use flashlights for lighting during a power outage; do not use candles because they may pose a fire hazard.
If you’re in a vehicle with a fallen power line on it, stay in the vehicle and remain calm until help arrives. It is OK to use your cellphone to call 911. If you must leave the vehicle, exit away from downed power lines and jump from the vehicle, landing with both feet together. You must not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Then proceed away from the vehicle by shuffling and not picking up your feet until you are several yards away.
Water and electricity don’t mix. Water is an excellent conductor of electricity. Do not step in or enter any water that a downed power line may be touching.
Do not use any equipment indoors that is designed for outdoor heating or cooking. Such equipment can emit carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
If you use a generator, place it outdoors and plug individual appliances directly into it, using a heavy-duty extension cord. Connecting generators directly to household circuits creates “backfeed,” which is dangerous to repair crews.
Leave the doors of your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep food as fresh as possible. Place blocks of ice inside to help keep food cold. Check food carefully for signs of spoilage.
Check on your neighbors to make sure everyone is safe.
Tips on staying warm
State law requires residential units to have heating systems that can keep indoor temperatures at a minimum of 70 degrees. That means every dwelling unit and guest room offered for rent or lease should offer heating equipment.
Use heat smartly to save money: Cranking heaters can be expensive. If money is tight, be judicious about how and when you use your utilities. For example, only use heaters at night or only set the thermostat to around 70 degrees.
Open and close those vents: If you have central A/C, look at where the vents are around your home. Are any open in places where you don’t stay long? Practice opening and closing those so warm air only goes where you need it (most vents should have a small toggle lever). Humidifiers can also help you warm things up — and it’s useful to add moisture into our dry air.
Adjust your wall heaters: If you have a wall heater, you can change the output by adjusting the knob (usually at the bottom). Since wall heaters can only warm the areas where they’re placed, it’s essential to close doors to rooms you won’t be in so hot air doesn’t get wasted.
Turn on your ceiling fan (really): If you have a ceiling fan, try turning it on. This sounds counterintuitive, but there’s science behind it. TSince hot air floats up, your fan can help move it around. For warming, your fan should spin clockwise to create an updraft. Not all fans will have this option.
This is a developing story. We fact check everything and rely only on information from credible sources (think fire, police, government officials and reporters on the ground). Sometimes, however, we make mistakes or initial reports turn out to be wrong. In all cases, we strive to bring you the most accurate information in real time and will update this story as new information becomes available.
David Rodriguez
grew up in Altadena and has been connecting with fire survivors since the disaster.
Published December 31, 2025 5:00 AM
An illustration of a small shopping plaza in Altadena that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire. Many community members shared memories with LAist of visiting local businesses in the plaza on Fair Oaks Avenue.
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David Rodriguez
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Topline:
As we approach the anniversary of the Eaton and Palisades fires, LAist is highlighting — and illustrating — residents’ memories from before the disaster.
The backstory: In late August, LAist asked the question: What made Altadena and Pacific Palisades special before the fires? Residents and visitors of the areas responded to our survey sharing their stories. We created hand-drawn illustrations to bring what they shared to life.
Read on… to read what people shared about their communities and see the illustrations.
It was the everyday moments of saying hello to neighbors. The soundtrack of crashing waves on the walk after dropping the kids off at school. The feeling of cruising down a street filled with trees decorated in lights during the holidays.
These are some of the memories Angelenos shared with LAist in response to our survey asking Pacific Palisades and Altadena residents what made their neighborhoods special before the fires.
As we approach the one-year anniversary of the Eaton and Palisades fires, LAist is highlighting, and illustrating, community stories as the region works to rebuild.
To do this, we read through dozens of responses to our survey and spoke to a handful of people directly to help tell their stories.
Here’s some of what they shared, and what they want to always remember.
The magical neighborhoods
For Palisades resident Kelly Sullivan, some of her most cherished memories are what she described as the simple, fleeting moments that capture the magic of “Pali.”
Kelly Sullivan, a resident of Pacific Palisades, stands on the destroyed secret sidewalk near the neighboring El Medio bluffs in October 2025. It was one of her family’s favorite spots to visit.
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A colorful phoenix windchime hangs from a charred tree branch in mid October 2025 in the secret sidewalk, which was destroyed by the Palisades Fire.
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Courtesy from Kelly and Noel Sullivan
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One of her favorite spots was a path off Abramar Avenue by the El Medio bluffs that neighbors called the “secret sidewalk.” The path, which was destroyed in the fire, now borders the remnants of a home that burned to the ground. Tree branches used to curve down, creating a tunnel, and Sullivan remembers the gentle clanking of windchimes tied to the branches that filled the air.
“There was a sign that said 'secret sidewalk' as you’re walking down. We'd stop and touch all the chimes,” said Sullivan, who used to visit the spot with her family. “You’d have all these beautiful sounds as you’re walking down, and you’d sit on that bench and just listen to them all.”
An illustration of the secret sidewalk before it, and a nearby home were destroyed. This is a special place for Kelly Sullivan, her family, and others in the neighborhood.
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To Sullivan, the secret sidewalk had an almost storybook-like look. She said it was a special place for the people in the neighborhood.
A couple miles northeast from the secret sidewalk, Rachel Jonas and her family often visited the Marquez Business Block, a hometown strip of stores in Pacific Palisades that included a deli, restaurant, nail salon, karate studio and pharmacy.
"We practically lived there with our kids,” Jonas said. “It was the kind of place where you'd see the same people over and over.”
An illustration of the now destroyed Marquez Business Block in Pacific Palisades. Rachel Jonas, her family, and their neighbors often visited the local shops.
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Jonas’ home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire, and she and her family now live in Tennessee with her in-laws as they work to rebuild.
Rob Fagnani and Rachel Jonas in front of where their Palisades home stood.
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Courtesy of Rob Fagnani and Rachel Jonas
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“It wasn't the fanciest but [it] had such an incredible community feel,” said Jonas, describing the business block. “They had annual block parties where there'd be a face painter, a bounce house, etc. It was just the best.”
What made your community special?
Neighbors weren’t just neighbors, they were family. We looked out for one another, celebrated together and built a community that was inclusive, vibrant and full of heart. — Denise Diaz Gonzalez, Altadena, referencing her neighborhood Poppyfields in Altadena.
The Loma Alta farmer's market on Friday evenings was such a special and serene gathering place for West Altadena residents. — Victor Teran, Altadena
The mid-century architectural style of homes that were built in the 1960s. — Robert Sandoval, Malibu
I miss the sleepy part of downtown Pacific Palisades, Café Vida and Matthew's Garden Café. I miss a Sunday stroll in our neighborhood where I run into my neighbors who are always up for a chat. I miss seeing the older homes from the ‘30s and ‘40s on my walks through the neighborhoods. — Kathrin Werner, Pacific Palisades
Residents from both Pacific Palisades and Altadena shared stories in our survey about how great each place was to have a childhood. Julia Goodwine, 16, told us what made Altadena so special to her was the community.
She cherishes memories of biking down to her family's home, which was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, and spending summer evenings at the library. Sometimes she would watch horses go by at Loma Alta Park or sit on the grass with a book. When she was in middle school, she would play baseball near the base of the park’s hill by a Chinese Elm tree with her dad.
An illustration of Altadena's Christmas Tree Lane where many homes were destroyed. The street and lighting ceremony attract many to walk and drive up and down the street admiring the lights on the cedar trees.
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One of her favorite places in Altadena is Christmas Tree Lane on Santa Rosa Avenue, where some homes along the street were destroyed in the fire. About a year ago, shortly before the fires, she got her driver’s license and would drive down the street every night to look at the lights.
“I remember the lights [were] so beautiful. I could just kind of sit, look at the trees, then think about the day, think about my problems,” Julia said. “It was really a beautiful experience.”
Being close to nature in L.A.
A place of peace. A place close to nature. That’s how many survey respondents described their communities before the fires.
An illustration of the Via Bluffs looking toward Santa Monica. Pacific Palisades resident Sue Pascoe would often visit these bluffs with her dogs on their walks around the neighborhood before her home was destroyed in the fire.
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For Sue Pascoe, walking her dogs along the Via De Las Olas Bluffs in Pacific Palisades was a treasure.
She would pass by the different-styled homes and streets lined with trees. Now, the neighborhood has been mostly destroyed by the Palisades Fire, including Pascoe’s home of three decades.
“You can see dolphins, you can see the waves, you can get the wind. The wind is so great up here. Beautiful breezes. You can see the ships going out,” Pascoe said. “It’s a marvelous place to walk.”
It’s a marvelous place to walk.
— Sue Pascoe, resident of Pacific Palisades
Pascoe is the editor and owner of the local Circling the News site, where she writes about the Westside, including Pacific Palisades. She often meets with other residents to talk about how things are going and to support one another.
She said the people are what made the Palisades so special.
“Kids, schools, religion, made this a very, very good place for families,” Pascoe said. “I think people recognized how good it was for families and that’s why they moved here.”
What made your community special?
“Sunset on the Bluffs was magic! We are now far from the Bluffs. We know that all the homes along our walk are almost ALL gone … The Bluffs and the views remained but turning around to the homes of the folks who welcomed us to their neighborhood was heartbreaking. That’s when I knew that I would come back when they come home. — Alan H. Rosenberg, Pacific Palisades
The shady tree lined streets of my Farnsworth neighborhood. The Oaks and Pines on a misty morning. The parrots in the loquat trees. — David Timoner, Altadena
The bell tower of Palisades Elementary School, across from the Methodist Church, with the bluffs overlooking the ocean in the distance down Via de la Paz. And the experience of walking my kids to school there with my parents, who used to walk me to school there when I was a kid. — Beth Caldwell, Pacific Palisades
I dearly hope to see the William Davies building and amphitheater at Farnsworth Park restored to their pre-fire glory. It devastated me to see it destroyed. — Peggy Romano, Altadena
Altadena resident Elizabeth Gonzalez said she misses the backyard view of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Her parents bought her childhood home in Janes Village in Altadena in 1995. The home is one of a handful left on its block in West Altadena. It was professionally remediated after the fires.
Elizabeth Gonzalez grew up in a home in the Janes Village neighborhood in West Altadena. The home she was renting with her family in Pasadena was destroyed in the Eaton Fire.
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Gonzalez rented a home in Altadena for 13 years with her husband and children. It was destroyed in the fire. Now, she said, her family will most likely live in an RV in the driveway of her parent’s surviving home until they can get stable housing figured out .
“It’s hard for me to believe that block after block is gone,” Gonzalez said. “Old wise trees, luscious lawns and charming old homes are gone.”
An illustration of a sign found in West Altadena's Janes Village neighborhood that shows a drawing of the architecture of the homes.
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Gonzalez always admired the architecture of the Janes Village homes in Altadena, which she said looked like the cartoon homes in classic Disney movies. She was about 12 years old when they first moved into the neighborhood.
"They’re little cottages,” she said, remembering the homes. “They’re pointy and kind of interesting looking … As kids we thought they looked like the Snow White house.”
As kids we thought they looked like the Snow White house.
— Elizabeth Gonzalez, current resident of Altadena
“Somehow my parents ended up living somewhere that is [visually] very close to the small towns in Mexico that they grew up in,” Gonzalez said. “I always thought that was pretty cool.”
Another Pasadena resident, Rebecca Rea, remembers the community and connection she found in nature in Altadena on her miles-long walks before the Eaton Fire.
An illustration of Altadena wildlife, including a bear, mountain lion, parrot and coyote, along with poppies. Bears are often found around the Altadena foothills, and parrots can be heard flying around or in the trees.
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Rea would go on 12-mile walks starting from Lake Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard in Pasadena, walk toward the hills and end on Altadena Drive. She appreciated the different homes and small businesses that used to line her route, including the Rancho Bar, a local dive bar that was destroyed in the fire, and the wildlife that lived in the mountains.
“I knew every garden. I knew every tree. I made friends with the coyotes for heaven’s sake,” Rea said. “It was just so very, very beautiful.”
The next chapter
Many who responded to our survey wondered about what comes next.
They shared a hope that Altadena and Pacific Palisades will rebuild and not be remembered only for the deadly fires, but for what makes these places special to Los Angeles.
“It’s going to take a long time to rebuild what it once was,” said Julia, the teen from Altadena. “But I think we have such a great community here that we can rebuild to be something better and brighter than we were.”
Keep up with LAist.
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Destiny Torres
is LAist's general assignment and digital equity reporter.
Published December 31, 2025 5:00 AM
Cabrillo Beach remains closed until further notice after 100,000 gallons of sewage contaminated the water, according to L.A. County Public Health Officials.
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Genaro Molina
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Topline:
Plans of plunging into the ocean at Cabrillo Beach on New Year’s Day — a decades-long tradition — are still a go despite an ongoing beach closure because of a sewage spill last week.
What we know about the closure: Cabrillo Beach remains closed until further notice after 100,000 gallons of sewage contaminated the water, according to L.A. County Public Health Officials. The beach has been closed since last Wednesday. Officials are warning residents to stay out of the ocean and off wet sand until the coast is clear.
What is the Polar Bear Plunge? Every year on New Year's Day, swimmers in San Pedro take a frigid dip in Cabrillo Beach, marking the beginning of the new year.
Read on … more on what organizers say they’re planning for this year.
The annual Polar Bears Plunge at Cabrillo Beach could look a little different this year as the beach in San Pedro remained closed as of Tuesday afternoon.
Every year on New Year's Day, swimmers take a frigid dip into the ocean water, marking the beginning of the new year. But in 2026, that plunge might not happen.
Cabrillo Beach has been closed to swimmers since last Wednesday after 100,000 gallons of sewage contaminated the water, according to public health officials. Officials continue to urge swimmers to stay out of the water and to not make contact with wet sand.
But organizers of the annual plunge say the beloved tradition will go on, even if that means no swimming. That includes the yearly king and queen coronation, hot cocoa and pastries.
“We are just playing it by ear, I know that there is testing for the water being done, but we have not heard back,” Lisa Guerr, president of the Cabrillo Beach Polar Bears club, told LAist. “We are leaving it up to our lifeguards to have the most up-to-date information and make the decision for us. As of now, we are continuing on as planned.”
What’s going on in the water?
Officials blame a sewer pipe in Carson for causing the spill, which was stopped last Wednesday, according to the L.A. County Sanitation District. The district said the cleanup at the site was completed the next day.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said staff collected water samples for testing and that they noticed yesterday that the closure signs at the beach were removed.
That signage has since been reposted and lifeguards were notified, officials told LAist.
The county said touching the water during a beach closure may cause illness, especially in children, the elderly and susceptible people.
According to the county, “swimmers should avoid water contact at the posted areas of the beach until the hazardous condition has ended."
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and President Donald Trump made significant changes to federal education policy in 2025.
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Anna Moneymaker
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Topline:
Soon after President Donald Trump’s inauguration last January, his administration took a series of actions that touched virtually every aspect of public education in Southern California.
Why it matters: While the Trump administration — and the courts — have rolled back or paused some policies, the changes have left many educators and families nervous and frustrated.
Early childhood: The showdown this fall over the federal budget ensnared children and others who rely on food assistance from SNAP and WIC.
TK-12: In April, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security showed up at two LAUSD schools before being turned away. Widespread immigration raids started in L.A. a few months later.
Higher education: The Trump administration demanded $1 billion from UCLA, one of the many campuses to come under fire for how it allegedly handled complaints related to antisemitism.
Read on... for a recap of some of the many changes.
Soon after President Donald Trump’s inauguration last January, his administration took a series of actions that touched virtually every aspect of public education in Southern California.
While some of those policies have since been paused or rolled back, the changes left many educators and families nervous and frustrated.
Here’s a round-up of some of the big moments from 2025.
Immigration fears keep students out of school
In April, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security showed up at two LAUSD schools to conduct what officials at the agency described as “wellness checks” on some immigrant students. The agents were turned away.
Widespread immigration sweeps started in L.A. a few months later.
Local school leaders, parents and students have said that fear has at times kept kids from attending school and high school principals across the country reported similar experiences.
We’ve also seen acts of resistance. As early as February, students walked out to protest Trump’s policies. Teachers and volunteers with organizations like Union del Barrio began patrolling neighborhoods near schools to sound an alarm if there was any suspected immigration enforcement activity.
Immigration concerns also stretched into early childhood education. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said in July that children without legal status would be barred from Head Start programs. That directive was paused by the administration, and then rejected by a federal judge.
An inspirational message decorates the wall of a Head Start classroom.
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Cory Turner
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Listen
4:08
California students faced one battle after another in 2025, from fires to raids
Federal budget cuts hit hard
The administration made a number of budget cuts to agencies that serve students and their families.
The department also made steep cuts to its civil rights office in March, which already faced a backlog of complaints. Seven of 12 regional Office for Civil Rights branches were shuttered, including one in San Francisco, which handled complaints filed in California. The cases involve families trying to get services for students with disabilities, allegations of bias related to race and religion, and claims of sexual violence.
Public higher education in California also found itself in unfriendly territory
In March, the Justice Department announced an investigation into University of California campuses related to allegations of antisemitism.
A few months later, the Justice Department revealed the results of an investigation into UCLA, alleging it found “indifference” to “a hostile educational environment for Jewish and Israeli students” — much like at Harvard, Columbia and other elite universities. To settle those and other claims, the Trump administration demanded $1 billion from UCLA.
The National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health froze hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding that had been allocated to the university’s researchers. This cut funding for a wide variety of projects — everything from research into pediatric cancer to how our gut microbiome affects our health.
Most of UCLA’s frozen research funding was restored by late September, following court orders. The UC system is still in negotiations with the Trump administration.
Listen
3:40
Will the Trump administration move on from its fight with UCLA in 2026?
