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The Brief

The most important stories for you to know today
  • Fire evacuees faced cot shortages in Pasadena
    Nursing Home Evacs
    Residents displaced from Camellia Gardens Care Center take shelter in a ballroom of the Pasadena Civic Center ballroom one day after being evacuated there due to the Eaton Fire.

    Topline:

    Over the past two days, emergency crews have evacuated about 1,400 residents from dozens of Pasadena-area nursing homes and assisted living facilities as the Eaton Fire threatened the region. By Thursday afternoon, more than 35 facilities had been evacuated, according to state officials.

    Coordination challenges: The mass evacuation of residential facilities created immediate health risks and stretched public health officials' coordination capabilities to their limits. Medical professionals assisting hundreds of evacuees at Pasadena Civic Center cited a lack of basic supplies and unclear planning.

    Read on... for more on the full list of nursing home and assisted living facility evacuations confirmed by state officials.

    Over the past two days, emergency crews evacuated at least 1,400 residents from dozens of Pasadena-area nursing homes and assisted living facilities as the Eaton Fire threatened the region, according to state officials.

    The mass evacuation of care-dependent residents, mostly over age 65, created immediate health risks for this fragile population and stretched public health officials' coordination capabilities to their limits.

    As flames closed in Tuesday night, TV news crews captured residents in wheelchairs and gurneys staging in a 7-Eleven parking lot and being hurried into ambulances outside two senior centers in Pasadena. And medical staff at the Pasadena Civic Center reported a chaotic scene with basic supplies like gloves and hand sanitizer unavailable, cot shortages and nursing home residents transported without basics like socks and incontinence products.

    The dramatic scenes expose a critical challenge for nursing homes: Evacuating residents means not just getting them to safety without medical complications, but ensuring their 24-hour medical care and supervision continues wherever they land.

    By Thursday afternoon, more than 35 facilities had been evacuated, according to the California Department of Public Health and the California Department of Social Services. While some evacuees found placement in nearby care facilities and hotels, hundreds were transported to public evacuation shelters.

    On Tuesday: Medical staff report supply issues and cot shortage

    When nursing home evacuees began arriving at Pasadena Civic Center Tuesday evening, medical professionals assisting them told LAist there was a shortage of essential supplies including gloves, respirators, and incontinence products such as absorbent pads.

    "We didn't have any PPE, so there were people with catheters, you know, diapers that need changing," said Dr. Laura Mosqueda, a professor at USC's Keck School of Medicine and local expert on geriatric care who was working at the site. "Their bags were getting full of urine, and they didn't have a way to empty it."

    Many evacuees were still wearing ash-covered hospital gowns and some had no shoes or socks, she said. Mosqueda said there was a shortage of cots — which were initially given to evacuees on a first-come-first-served basis, rather than based on need.

    A woman wearing a backback tends to a man laying on a cot, with his bare midriff exposed. Behind them, a pair of EMTs are wheeling a gurney away.
    Laura Mosqueda, professor at USC Keck School of Medicine, tends to an evacuated nursing home resident arriving by gurney at the Pasadena Civic Center. The man had serious health needs, including a gastrostomy tube.
    (
    Aaron Schrank
    /
    LAist
    )

    Rachel Tate, a vice president of ombudsman services at the nonprofit Wise & Healthy Aging, showed up at the Pasadena Civic Center Tuesday night to assist and told LAist she saw similar problems.

    “You had nursing home residents at risk for developing pressure ulcers because they were left sitting upright,” said Tate, who oversees the ombudsman program for long-term care facilities across all of L.A. County.

    As the night wore on, rows of gurneys poured in. Tate said some residents at risk for falls were dropped off by ambulances and left in hallways unattended.

    Pasadena officials operating the evacuation center at the Pasadena Civic Center told LAist the site is not equipped to provide care to the evacuees from nursing homes and assisted living facilities, but a lack of available beds in long-term care facilities throughout L.A. County left the city no choice.

    “It was never intended to be a medical shelter, where we provide medical care to those that are being evacuated, but some unique conditions arose which required us to pivot,” said Manuel Carmona, acting director for the Pasadena Public Health Department. “And unfortunately, at that point in time, there were no resources available to provide the medical care that these individuals needed.”

    Northwest Pasadena is home to a high concentration of long-term care facilities, which contributed to the logistical challenges, Carmona said.

    On Wednesday: Coordination challenges

    By Wednesday afternoon, more resources and staff had arrived at the Pasadena Civic Center and many residents had been transferred elsewhere. But a visit by an LAist reporter found scores of seniors still facing uncoordinated care.

    We saw private EMTs continue to drop off displaced residents on gurneys, often without facility representatives accompanying them. Many required specialized medical attention, using wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, IVs, or gastrostomy tubes. Nurses from Pasadena's Public Health Department and volunteers stepped in to assess various health needs, triage resources and attempt to coordinate care or relocation.

    Carmona said the city’s public health nurses went above and beyond to provide support to a population that, under normal circumstances, should never have been taken to a public evacuation shelter.

    "We cared for them as best as possible with the resources available,” Carmona said.

    Three private ambulances are parked in a row on a street along a sidewalk
    Private ambulances lined up outside of Pasadena Civic Center, delivering displaced residents from nursing homes and assisted living facilities on Jan. 8, 2025.
    (
    Aaron Schrank
    /
    LAist
    )

    The medical staff assigned to the evacuation center are equipped to address public health issues, but not to provide the intensive physical or mental care, he said.

    Mosqueda and Tate praised the work of Pasadena’s public health team, but at the same time questioned if agencies could have better coordinated care for vulnerable seniors.

    “We’re grateful that Pasadena Public Health stepped in to provide whatever public assistance they could,” Mosqueda said.

    L.A. County’s Emergency Medical Services Agency is responsible for coordinating the evacuations of most nursing homes and assisted living facilities for fires across L.A. County, with support from local health officials and the California Department of Public Health — the state agency responsible for licensing nursing homes.

    On Thursday: Nursing home evacuees transferred to medical facilities

    As of Thursday morning, all evacuees from nursing homes in the Pasadena area had been transferred to appropriate medical facilities.

    L.A. County's Department of Social Services was working to transfer remaining assisted living facility residents, according to Pasadena’s Department of Public Health.

    What evacuation plans were in place?

    State and federal laws require all residential facilities for older adults to have written plans for evacuation.

    Carmona said those laws require nursing homes to identify facilities where they would transport their patients in the event of an evacuation.

    “With limited bed availability throughout the region, they were not able to transfer to the designated facilities, which required them to redirect to the Pasadena evacuation shelter,” he said.

    Advocates for nursing home residents said the disordered evacuation process shows the need for more system-wide emergency planning among L.A. County’s long-term care facilities.

    “For years, advocates have been screaming from the rooftops that most of the facilities’ emergency plans are ‘We’re just going to call 911 and 911 is going to take care of it,’” said Tate with Wise and Healthy Aging. “We’ve raised the alarm with the county for years that there needs to be a more robust plan.”

    Medical equipment strewn in a parking lot outside a 7 Eleven convenience store
    The aftermath of an evacuation at a convenience store across from two Pasadena nursing homes.
    (
    Sharon McNary
    /
    LAist
    )

    Full list of nursing homes evacuated by Eaton Fire

    Media reports and eyewitnesses confirmed at least three nursing homes in Pasadena appear to have been destroyed by the fire: Pasadena Park Healthcare and Wellness Center, The Terraces at Park Marino, and Two Palms Care Center.

    Nursing homes and assisted living facilities evacuated (as of 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9):

    NURSING HOMES:

    Brighton Care Center (1836 N Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103):
    84 residents evacuated

    Camellia Gardens Care Center (1920 N Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103): 67 residents evacuated to Golden Legacy

    Chester House (1115 N Chester Ave., Pasadena, CA 91104): Four residents evacuated to Brown House sister facility

    Golden Rose Care Center (1899 N Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103): 71 residents evacuated to Golden Legacy

    Monte Nido Residential Care Center (514 Live Oak Cir Dr., Calabasas, CA 91302): 5 residents evacuated to Monte Nido Vista

    Montrose Springs SNF and Wellness Center (2635 Honolulu Ave., Montrose, CA 91020): 138 residents evacuated to various facilities

    Pasadena Care Center (1640 N Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103): 60 residents evacuated to Greenfield Care Center

    Pasadena Grove Health Center (1470 N Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103): 58 residents evacuated to multiple facilities

    Pasadena Park Healthcare and Wellness Center (2585 E Washington Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107): 94 residents evacuated to multiple facilities

    Pinnacle Health Colman (672 Colman St., Altadena, CA 91001): Four residents evacuated to Pinnacle Health Maydee

    Pinnacle Health Santa Anita (2135 Santa Anita Ave., Altadena CA. 91001): Three residents evacuated to Pinnacle Health Maydee

    Stahl House (443 North Craig, Pasadena, CA 91107): Five residents evacuated to Wynn House

    St. Vincent Healthcare (1810 N Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103): 70 residents evacuated to multiple locations

    Two Palms Care Center (2637 E Washington Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107): 45 residents evacuated

    Villa Esperanza Wynn House (2116 E Villa St., Pasadena, CA 91107): Three residents evacuated to Brown House sister facility

    ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES:

    Ace Senior Care Manor (940 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena 91104): Five residents evacuated to Pasadena Civic Center

    Alexander’s House Incorporated (1791 Navarro Ave., Pasadena 91103): Five residents evacuated to private residence

    Bella Vista (1760 N Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena 91103): 70 residents evacuated to Pasadena Civic Center

    Bonnie’s Guest House (135 N Bonnie Ave., Pasadena, 91106): 14 residents evacuated to Glendora Motel

    Chelle’s Home (3234 Alameda St., Pasadena, 91107: Four residents evacuated to private residence

    Easter Seals Southern California Eastlyn Residence (1299 Eastlyn Pl., Pasadena, 91104): Four residents evacuated to private residence

    Easter Seals Southern California Orange Grove (1657 E Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena, 91104): Four residents evacuated to private residence

    El Molino Rose Villa (1144 N. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, 91104): Six residents evacuated to Sheraton Fairplex Suites & Conference Center in Pomona

    Evolve Care, Inc (1708 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, 91103): Four residents evacuated to Hilton San Gabriel

    Fair Oaks Manor (1753 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, 91103): 15 residents evacuated to Abria Del Cielo assisted living facility in San Bernardino

    JML Board & Care (191 East Washington Blvd., Pasadena, 91103): Four residents evacuated to private residence

    The Kensington Sierra Madre (245 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, 91024): 100 residents evacuated to Sheraton Hotel Ontario

    Lundy Family Care Home (964 N Summit Ave., Pasadena, 91103): Four residents evacuated to Worldmark Indio

    Mentone House (1980 Mentone, Pasadena, 91103): Six residents evacuated to Bancroft House

    New Beginnings Atchinson (403 Atchison St., Pasadena, 91104): Six residents evacuated to Fairfield Inn Buena Park

    Pasadena Adult Living Center (1415 N Garfield Ave., Pasadena, 91104): 130 residents evacuated to Pasadena Convention Center

    Pasadena Highlands (1575 E Washington Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91104): 240 residents evacuated to Pasadena Civic Center and other locations

    Pasadena Villa Senior Living (1811 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, 91103): 90 residents evacuated to Cedars Assisted Living Northridge

    Royal Oaks (1763 Royal Oaks Dr., Duarte, 91010): 45 residents evacuated to Westminster Gardens retirement community in Duarte

    Santa Barbara Guest Home (735 Santa Barbara, Pasadena, 91101): Six residents evacuated to Providence Christian College

    The Terraces at Park Marino: (2587 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107): 95 residents evacuated

    Do you have a question about the wildfires or fire recovery?
    Check out LAist.com/FireFAQs to see if your question has already been answered. If not, submit your questions here, and we’ll do our best to get you an answer.

    _

    Fire resources and tips

    If you have to evacuate

    If you have more time:

    Things to consider

    Navigating fire conditions

    How to help yourself and others

    Understanding how it got this bad

  • O.C. Japan Fest, corgi beach day and more.
    A corgi dog runs through a field with its tongue out

    In this edition:

    O.C. Japan Fest, corgi beach day, the grunions are back, a new play festival, a talk with Sen. Cory Booker and more of the best things to do this weekend.

    Highlights:

    • Experience sakura season without leaving the area at the O.C. Japan Fair, featuring 250 vendors, craftspeople, food booths, art activities and more, all celebrating Japanese culture.
    • Check out readings of five new plays – all for free! – at the Play L.A. New Works Festival, put on by Stage Raw and the Greenway Arts Alliance along with a number of L.A. indie theater powerhouses.
    • Spend Friday night with New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, whose new book, Stand, tells stories from his political life that aim to share “actionable insights” to help preserve democracy in these challenging times.

    I hope you had luck in securing the first round of LA28 Olympics tickets — and that you’re not still waiting for page refreshes this morning! We’ve got all the info on how to get your tickets and why you shouldn’t fret if it doesn’t work out on this first try.

    LAist’s Mariana Dale went to Hollywood High School this week to see how students and teachers felt about Mitski bringing a concert to the historic space. Seems like no one was missing class since perfect attendance meant a shot at tickets.

    No matter your music taste, there’s a show for you this weekend. It may not be the height of summer yet, but things will be heating up at the Hollywood Bowl as Ben Platt and Rachel Zegler reunite for their concert performance of Broadway hit The Last Five Years. Plus, Licorice Pizza recommends Mercury Prize-winning London rapper Dave at the Palladium, St. Paul & the Broken Bones are at the Belasco, Calum Scott plays the Wiltern, and there’s a really cool First Fridays night at the Natural History Museum with dub legend Adrian Sherwood. Saturday has pop trio LANY at the Intuit Dome, Lamb of God slaughtering the YouTube Theater, SoundCloud rapper Rich Amiri at the Fonda, post-hardcore band Hail the Sun at the Wiltern, pop sensation Nessa Barrett at the Masonic Lodge, and another rising pop star, Alexander Stewart, at Chinatown’s cool new venue, Pacific Electric.

    Explore more from LAist: Check out the latest L.A. chefs who are nominated for a James Beard award, or follow the space trail if you were inspired by the new Ryan Gosling film, Project Hail Mary.

    Events

    O.C. Japan Fair

    April 3-5
    O.C. Fair & Event Center
    88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa
    COST: FROM $16.78; MORE INFO

    Experience sakura season without leaving the area at the O.C. Japan Fair, featuring 250 vendors, craftspeople, food booths, art activities and more, all celebrating Japanese culture. From sake tastings to sushi-making workshops to musical performances and kimono try-ons, the annual event is one of the largest Japanese cultural fairs in California.


    Play L.A. New Works Festival 

    April 3-4
    Greenway Court Theatre
    544 North Fairfax Ave., Mid-City
    COST: FREE, MORE INFO

    Poster for PLAY LA Festival with the date April 3-4 2026
    (
    PLAY LA Festival
    )

    Check out readings of five new plays — all for free! — at the Play L.A. New Works Festival, put on by Stage Raw and the Greenway Arts Alliance, along with a number of L.A. indie theater powerhouses. This year’s plays are Stonewall’s Bouncer by Louisa Hill, produced by The Victory Theatre; At Olduvai Gorge by India Kotis, produced by The Odyssey Theatre Company; Ghost Play by Mathew Scott Montgomery, produced by InHouse Theatre; The Incident by Rachel Borders, produced by The Road Theatre Ensemble; and Three Dates by Erica Wachs, produced by IAMA Theatre Company. Go see one, or go see them all!


    SoCal Corgi Beach Day 

    Saturday, April 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    21351 California 1, Huntington Beach 
    COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

    A corgi dog runs through a field with its tongue out
    (
    Vlad D
    /
    Unsplash
    )

    Head to Huntington Beach for the cutest event of the year, the annual SoCal Corgi Beach Day. This year’s theme is "Tiki Beach Pawty," because of course it is. Honor Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite pets and spend the day at the beach with these short, stout, snuggly friends while they frolic and compete in events like — I am not making this up – Corgi Limbo.


    Plaza Mexico Celebrates Easter 

    Sunday, April 5, 12:00 p.m. to 4 p.m.
    3100 E. Imperial Highway, Lynwood
    COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

    A poster for Plaza México Easter Celebration 2026
    (
    Plaza México
    )

    You have your pick of Easter Bunny photo ops and egg hunts around town, and Plaza Mexico would be a great one with the family. Meet and take a picture with the Easter bunny, enjoy kids' arts & crafts, family activities, vendors and sweet treats.


    Writers Bloc: Cory Booker

    Friday, April 3, 7:30 p.m.
    John Adams Middle School (JAMS) Performing Arts Center
    2425 16th St., Santa Monica
    COST: $33; MORE INFO

    Cory Booker seated looking past the camera
    NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 05: Senator Cory Booker attends PBS' "Black & Jewish America: An Interwoven History" Screening With Henry Louis Gates, Jr. And Conversation With Sen. Cory Booker at 92NY on February 05, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
    (
    Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
    /
    Getty Images North America
    )

    Spend Friday night with New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, whose new book, Stand, tells stories from his political life that aim to share "actionable insights" to help preserve democracy in these challenging times. The conversation with Writers Bloc will be hosted by Sean Bailey, the former head of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production for 14 years and the current CEO of the new multi-platform production company B5 Studios. The event is sold out, but there is a waitlist available.


    Behind the Canvas — An Exclusive Art Talk with the Jurors of A Woman's Place: Framing the Future

    Saturday, April 4, 11 a.m. 
    Ebell of Los Angeles 
    741 S. Lucerne Blvd., Mid-Wilshire
    COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

    Poster for the Behind the Canvas event
    (
    The Ebell
    )

    Have coffee and doughnuts with the curators of the Ebell’s Women’s History Month exhibit, "A Woman’s Place: Framing the Future." You can catch the show before it closes and see work from women artists exploring new interpretations of womanhood, feminism and art.


    Grunion Run 

    Saturday, April 4, starting at 10:30 p.m.
    Venice Breakwater
    Ocean Front Walk, Venice
    COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

    Piles of fish on the sand where the water meets. There are people crouching and taking pictures with their phones.
    Thousands of grunions on the shore.
    (
    Courtesy of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
    )

    I have lived in Venice for more than 20 years and never actually seen a grunion, despite efforts, but that doesn’t mean it’s not fun to see all your neighbors scouring the beach by moonlight on a Saturday night. The Venice Oceanarium folks always organize an educational tent with lessons on how these unique fish show up on our shores to reproduce, and maybe you’ll luck out and time it right this year.


    She’s Auspicious

    Saturday, April 4, 7 p.m.
    Broad Stage
    1310 11th St., Santa Monica
    COST: FROM $40; MORE INFO 

    L.A. native Mythili Prakash takes the Tamil dance form Bharatanatyam to new heights as a choreographer and performer. Her short dance film Mollika, commissioned by Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage in London, was nominated for a 2025 National Dance Award for Best Short Dance Film. She’s Auspicious, her latest production, "blurs the line between goddess and woman, exploring the dichotomy between celebration of the goddess versus the treatment of women in society." It was nominated for an Olivier Award in the category Best New Dance Performance in the U.K., and lucky for us, is on for one performance only at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica.

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  • Trades workers say they're owed raises
    Diverse students walk on a concrete walkway with a glass pyramid in the background.
    Cal State Long Beach is one of the 23 CSU campuses where Teamsters-represented workers held a strike last month.

    Topline:

    The California Public Employment Relations Board (has issued a formal complaint against California State University trustees over the system’s alleged refusal to give raises to trades workers. The complaint follows a statewide strike earlier this year, in which workers at every campus walked off the job.

    Why it matters: Teamsters Local 2010 represents 1,100 plumbers, electricians, HVAC techs, locksmiths and other building maintenance staff who work across the CSU system. A formal complaint from the Public Employment Relations Board means the two parties must resolve the dispute in a formal hearing process.

    The backstory:  According to Teamsters Local 2010, union members won wage increases in 2024 “after nearly three decades of stagnation.” That year, the union was on the verge of striking alongside the system's faculty, but it reached a last-minute deal with the CSU. The union has filed an unfair labor practice charge against the system, arguing that the CSU refused to honor contractually obligated raises and step increases for its members.

    What the CSU says: The CSU maintains that conditions described in its collective bargaining agreement with the union — which “tied certain salary increases to the receipt of new, unallocated, ongoing state budget funding” — were not met.

    What’s next: In an emailed statement, spokesperson Amy Bentley-Smith said the CSU welcomes “the opportunity to present the facts of this case before an administrative law judge.” After the formal hearing, the state board will propose a resolution to the dispute.

    Go deeper: Trades worker union says CSU backtracked on contract, authorizes strike

  • Strong winds for some valleys and mountains
    A lone palm tree sways in the wind, its frond are pushed to its left side by a strong wind. A clear light blue sky can be seen behind it.
    Wind moves palm trees on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Stanton.

    QUICK FACTS

    • Today’s weather: Mostly cloudy then sunny
    • Beaches: mid to upper 60s
    • Mountains: mid 60s to around 70 degrees
    • Inland: 64 to 71 degrees
    • Warnings and advisories: Wind advisory

        What to expect: A mostly sunny afternoon with temperatures sticking to the low to mid 70s for most of Southern California. Breezy conditions will pick up in the afternoon for some valleys and mountain communities.

        Read on ... for more details.

        QUICK FACTS

        • Today’s weather: Mostly cloudy then sunny
        • Beaches: mid to upper 60s
        • Mountains: mid 60s to around 70 degrees
        • Inland: 64 to 71 degrees
        • Warnings and advisories: Wind advisory

        The cool weather continues for one more day in Southern California. Later this evening, strong winds will kick in for some mountains and highway corridors ahead of a Santa Ana wind event slated for Friday.

        Temperatures at the beaches are going to stick around the mid to upper 60s, and around 70 degrees more inland.

        Coachella Valley, San Bernardino and Riverside County mountains will continue to see gusty winds until tonight.

        At noon, the Antelope Valley will be under a wind advisory, with winds expected to reach 20 to 30 mph, and some gusts up to 50 mph. Wind advisories will also kick in for the 5 Freeway corridor, Ventura County mountains and the Santa Susana mountains, where gusts could reach 45 mph.

      • Critical agreement with LA is six months late
        A white flag with five colorful rings waves in front of a blue plane.
        The official Olympic flag returns to Los Angeles for the first time in 40 years.

        Topline:

        One or two line overview of the story, should be sharp and to the point. If it's the only thing they read it should still give them good info.

        {ERASE ME — some possible lead ins, please change/add/delete what makes sense for story}

        Why it matters:

        Why now:

        The backstory:

        What's next:

        Go deeper: {if you have stories you want to link add them here}

        A key agreement outlining what city services Los Angeles will provide for the 2028 Olympic Games and how the cash-strapped city will be reimbursed for its extra work is now six months late.

        High-stakes talks over that agreement between the city and the private Olympics organizing committee LA28 have dragged far past an Oct. 1 deadline, sparking concern from city officials and observers that taxpayer dollars could be on the line.

        City Controller Kenneth Mejia, who audits and scrutinizes city finances, called the delay "deeply troubling."

        "The City needs a guarantee from LA28 that they will not go over budget and will pay for all of the additional security, sanitation, transportation, administrative, and any other costs associated with the Games," Mejia said in a statement to LAist. "The preparation and execution of these events should not come at any cost to Los Angeles taxpayers."

        The 2028 Olympics are intended to be privately financed, and an existing city agreement with LA28 states that the Olympics organizers, not L.A., will pay for extra costs for public services in support of the Games – like policing and traffic control.

        But the nuts and bolts of that arrangement have not been finalized, and if the agreement leaves L.A. exposed to unexpected or additional expenses, taxpayers could end up paying many millions.

        Hosting the Games is already an enormous financial risk for Los Angeles. The city is the financial backstop for the Olympic Games, meaning if the organizing committee runs into the red, L.A. will pick up the bill, along with the state of California.

        The extra staff and resources the city will dedicate to the Games represents another area where L.A. may end up with surprise costs.

        Why is the agreement delayed?

        Neither the city nor LA28 have shared publicly what's holding up the deal.

        Past public meetings and comments indicate that the two sides may disagree over the scope of LA28's obligation to cover city expenses.

        At a December city council meeting, the city administrative officer and council members discussed the boundaries of where LA28's responsibility for a service like traffic control ends and the city's responsibility begins.

        The city's Chief Legislative Analyst Sharon Tso, who is leading negotiations with LA28 along with the City Administrative Officer, told LAist in an email Wednesday that the city is still discussing the terms for things like cost estimates, service levels, and timelines for repayment.

        "We continue to work diligently with LA28 to finalize the agreement," Tso wrote. "I do not have an anticipated completion date at this time."

        Jacie Prieto Lopez, Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs for LA28, said in a statement provided to LAist that the organizing committee was working with city leadership to finalize the agreement.

        "We remain engaged in good faith negotiations and look forward to our continued partnership with the City of Los Angeles," she said.

        Once the agreement is completed, it will be submitted to the city council and mayor.

        LA is counting on federal funding

        LA28 isn't the only entity expected to pay L.A. for Olympics-related costs. The city also is banking on money from the federal government, which has allocated $1 billion for security costs.

        The city administrative officer told the council last year that city spending on security at the Olympic venues, like for local police, should be covered by those funds.

        But exactly how much federal money the city of Los Angeles will actually get is yet to be determined. And it's possible that money could face delays – a problem World Cup host cities including Los Angeles encountered in the run-up to this summer's tournament.