The Brief

The Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday to remove Supervisor Andrew Do from all his committee assignments, including his role as a board member for the Orange County Transportation Authority. Do was not present at the meeting.

“We're having to do this because he will not resign and we hope that he will resign because he should not continue to be publicly enriched off of the taxpayers when he, one, isn't doing his job, and two, is embroiled in a terrible corruption scandal,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley during the meeting.

Why the moves matter

Typically, while one supervisor serves as the county’s representative on various organizations, another supervisor is assigned as an alternate. Do was also removed as an alternate from all assignments.

When the board meets next, the supervisors are set to vote on censuring Do, which is a statement of formal condemnation.

If the censure motion passes, the Board of Supervisors will “strongly and publicly” condemn Do for “the reckless judgment and favoritism he has demonstrated in directing millions of dollars” in federal coronavirus dollars and discretionary funds to the nonprofit groups, “organizations with no proven track record” while not disclosing his familial ties.

Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, who has previously called for Do’s resignation, introduced the censure item.

“It's important that we do this together and as a unified board because we know that the residents in District One also don't have a representative that's available,” he said during Tuesday’s meeting.

Where things stand

This is the second meeting Do has missed since FBI and IRS agents searched his family home he owns with his wife, O.C. Superior Court Assistant Presiding Judge Cheri Pham. A home owned by his daughter, Rhiannon Do, was also searched. Rhiannon Do was named in a lawsuit filed by O.C. officials that alleges she, and others, "brazenly plundered" millions in public funds. Supervisor Do has defended his family.

The lawsuits came after a months-long LAist investigation which uncovered over $13 million in public money that Do directed to a little-known nonprofit, Viet America Society, that public records state was led on and off by his now 23-year-old daughter.

Most of that money was directed to the group by Supervisor Do outside of the public’s view and never appeared on public meeting agendas. He did not publicly disclose his family ties, which is not illegal.

Foley said during the meeting that this was the only action that the board could take as they “are not allowed to remove him from office [because] that requires a(n) attorney general action or for him to resign.”

LAist’s reporting has inspired three bills that are now awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature.

The bills will require elected officials to disclose and avoid voting on government contracts if a nonprofit organization has ties to a family member. One of the bills also demands greater transparency in how taxpayer dollars are spent by nonprofit organizations in Orange County.

Catch up on LAist's investigation

In November 2023, LAist began investigating how millions in public taxpayer dollars were spent. In total, LAist has uncovered over $13 million in public money was approved to a little-known nonprofit that records state was led on and off by Rhiannon Do, the now 23-year-old daughter of Supervisor Do. Most of that money was directed to the group by Supervisor Do outside of the public’s view and never appeared on public meeting agendas. He did not publicly disclose his family ties.

Much of the known funding came from federal coronavirus relief money.

• Read the story that launched the investigation here.
• Since we started reporting, we’ve also uncovered the group was two years overdue in completing a required audit into whether the meal funds were spent appropriately.
• And we found the amount of taxpayer money directed to the nonprofit was much larger than initially known. It totals at least $13.5 million in county funding — tallied from government records obtained and published by LAist. 
• After our reporting, O.C. officials wrote demand letters to the nonprofit saying millions in funding were unaccounted for. They warned it could be forced to repay the funds.
• And, we found the nonprofit missed a deadline set by county officials to provide proof about how funding for meals were spent.
• On Aug. 2, LAist reported O.C. officials were demanding the refund of more than $3 million in public funds awarded by Do to VAS and another nonprofit, Hand to Hand.
• Six days later, LAist reported Orange County officials had expanded demands for refunds of millions in tax dollars from the nonprofits and threatened legal action.
• On Aug. 15, LAist reported O.C. officials sued VAS and its key officers and associated businesses, including Rhiannon Do. The lawsuit alleges that county money was illegally used to purchase five homes and was converted into cash through ATM transactions. 
• Then, on Aug. 19, LAist reported O.C. officials had announced a second lawsuit against Hand to Hand and its CEO to recover millions of taxpayer dollars that were directed by Supervisor Do.
• LAist broke the news on Aug. 22 that federal agents were searching Rhiannon Do's home in Tustin. Later that day, Supervisor Do's home, and other properties, were also raided.

How to watchdog local government

One of the best things you can do to hold officials accountable is pay attention.

Your city council, board of supervisors, school board and more all hold public meetings that anybody can attend. These are times you can talk to your elected officials directly and hear about the policies they’re voting on that affect your community.

• Read tips on how to get involved.
• The next regular meeting of the board is Tuesday, Aug. 27. You can check out the O.C. Board of Supervisors full calendar here.
• Learn how to submit a public comment to the O.C. Board of Supervisors.

Every year, SoCal counties go out with a bang for their 4th of July festivities.

This year, though, some July 4 events are canceled in Boyle Heights due to air quality concerns in the wake of the massive warehouse fire. And if you’re thinking about engaging in illegal fireworks, just don’t. Too dangerous. And drones may be watching.

Here’s a list of places in Los Angeles and Orange counties where you can watch fireworks for this upcoming holiday:

Los Angeles County

• Head to the Hollywood Bowl to celebrate with the Beach Boys and special guest John Stamos. If you can’t make it on Saturday, don’t worry: the festivities run on July 2 and 3, too.
• In Claremont, you can celebrate Independence Day with a packed list of activities. The party features a Freedom 5K run, community parade, morning festival, and evening concert and fireworks show, which begins at 9 p.m.
• Pasadena is going big this year with their celebration that highlights “250 years of the American spirit.” Arrive early and hungry for a Kiwanis’ pancake breakfast that starts at 7 a.m., and then end your day with a fireworks show at 9 p.m.
• You can watch fireworks on the Long Beach waterfront for free from the beach, or book a fireworks cruise with the Queen Mary. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m.
• The Crescenta Valley Fireworks Association will host a fireworks show in La Crescenta. Gates open at 4 p.m. and fireworks begin at dark.
• You can view a fireworks display over the water from anywhere in Marina del Rey or the surrounding Venice Pier, Playa Vista and Dockweiler Beach. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m.
• Cinespia will screen Jurassic Park, followed by a fireworks display at Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Saturday. Get your tickets while they last — they’ve been known to sell out.
• Sail out to Catalina Island to enjoy fireworks in Avalon, as well as all-day parades and performances. Fireworks begin around 9 p.m.
• You can see fireworks from Dodger Stadium every Friday during their season. On the 4th of July though, they really take it up a notch. Buy a ticket to see their baseball match at 7:10 p.m. against the San Diego Padres before watching the sky light up. Fireworks will begin once the game finishes.
• Head to San Pedro on July 4 to see fireworks light up over Cabrillo Beach at their Fireworks Sail — bring your own food and beverages to enjoy aboard the boat.
• If boats aren’t your thing, there’s another celebration in San Pedro. Buy tickets to La Bota: A Bailar. There will be DJ’s, live performances and a firework show over the Pacific Ocean. Plentiful parking is available as well.
• Culver City is hosting their third annual downtown Independence Day celebration. If fireworks aren’t your style, consider attending because there’ll be an aerial drone show produced by Sky Elements. Festivities begin at 6 p.m.
• The Pacific Palisades is also hosting an aerial drone show and music. Buy your tickets ahead of time because they won’t be sold at the gate. The show begins at 9 p.m.
• If you’re looking to flex your creative muscles this year, head to the Venice Canal Association’s 4th of July Celebration. No fireworks here, but participants in the Downwind Regatta can build their own boat that will sail the canals. There’s also a rubber duck race. Festivities begin at 10 a.m.
• This Big Bear event has generated plenty of controversy, because many of the pyrotechnics will endanger the area’s famous bald eagles. Technically not Los Angeles County, but we are including it on this list because it draws so many locals: Enjoy a fireworks display at new heights in Big Bear. Take a scenic chair ride to the top of the summit — at a whopping 8,200 feet above sea level — and enjoy the show. Fireworks begin between 8:45 and 9:15 p.m. 

Orange County

• So excited for the 4th of July that you can’t sleep? Then you’re in luck! You can head to Anaheim at 7 a.m. to run a celebratory Firecracker 5K/10K and watch a dog show — where your pup can win a “most patriotic dog” award — before settling down to enjoy the nighttime pyrotechnics. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m.
• Irvine is hosting its 4th of July celebration with pop rock icons Air Supply on their A Matter of Time tour. Fireworks begin after the performance at Great Park Live.
• Drive down to Huntington Beach’s festivities, the largest celebration west of the Mississippi, to enjoy a 10 a.m. parade and fireworks show over the ocean at night. Fireworks begin at approximately 9 p.m.
• In Mission Viejo, enjoy a street fair with dozens of vendor booths, food trucks and rides during the day, and a dazzling fireworks show at night. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m.
• Enjoy food trucks and aerial fireworks in Tustin this Friday to the sounds of Flashpants 80s Party Dance Band playing live hits. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m.
• Be sure to bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnic supplies to Santa Ana to enjoy an evening in the park with vendors and live music. You can even enter your dog into the Patriotic Pup contest. Fireworks begin at 8:45 p.m.
• The city of Cypress is hosting a Salute to America event that celebrates America’s 250th and Cypress’ 70th anniversary. Enjoy live music from Pop Vision at 7 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m.
• In La Habra, enjoy food vendors, retailers and “Kid-Chella,” as well as a WWII Texan Aircraft Flyover at La Bonita Park starting at 4 p.m., with live music starting at 4:30 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m.

Kahani Malholtra first compiled this list in 2025, and we have updated it again this year. If we missed a spot, please let us know and we might add it to this list. Reach out at smarvin@scpr.org.

Both of Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets have left the nest — but one of the famous Big Bear birds fell more than flew.

Luna, the younger eaglet, took its first flight away from their Jeffrey pine tree a little before 9:30 a.m. Monday as thousands of fans watched on the nest’s popular YouTube livestream. The livestream is run by the environmental nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley, which is also working to preserve acres of land in the area.

Luna left about a day after Sandy, the elder eaglet, toppled down the tree and out of view of the cameras.

Sandy did end up taking its first flight — which is called fledging — albeit in an unexpected way. Friends of Big Bear Valley said Sandy “fludged” before the eaglet was seen soaring to another area shortly after Sunday’s fall.

“Though it is up to Sandy and Luna, in the past, the eaglets have come back to the nest to eat, sleep or just hang out together,” the organization wrote on Facebook to its more than 1 million followers. “Stay tuned, this family affair isn’t over…”

Jackie and Shadow, Big Bear Valley’s resident bald eagle couple, have now successfully fledged six chicks together: Simba in 2019, Spirit in 2022, Sunny and Gizmo last year and Sandy and Luna this season.

Sandy and Luna lift off

The Big Bear bald eaglets have historically fledged when they’re around 13 weeks old, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley. Sandy, which the nonprofit believes to be a female, and Luna, believed to be a male, are a little more than 12 weeks old.

The eaglets were preparing for the big leap in recent weeks by venturing further onto branches and stretching their wings in the wind to build up strength.

The duo were on an outer part of the tree Sunday morning when Luna tried to jump over its sibling, but the eaglet’s talons got tangled and Sandy fell to the branches below.

Sandy was spotted on Friends of Big Bear Valley’s security camera shortly after, flying away from the nest tree and to another area out of view.

"Thankfully, I think all of those limbs broke her fall from it and she was able to recover,” Jenny Voisard, the nonprofit’s media manager, told LAist.

Luna had a more graceful strategy, flying to a nearby tree where Shadow was waiting. Friends of Big Bear Valley said fans "will likely see some family gatherings” once Sandy and Luna make their way around the habitat.

Last season’s eaglets, Sunny and Gizmo, fledged in early June and were last seen near the nest about three weeks later.

Access to the area around Jackie and Shadow's nest is restricted in Big Bear Valley on June 13, 2026.

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Makenna Cramer

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LAist

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‘Grand adventures’ ahead

Jackie and Shadow are expected to continue caring for Sandy and Luna while they’re in Big Bear Valley. That includes finding food as the eaglets get better at flying, and eventually, hunting on their own.

“They need to learn that and perfect those skills, and Jackie and Shadow will be with them,” Voisard said. “They'll bring them food to where they are, and then they'll show them how to get food on their own. It's a process. It takes a little while.”

Eaglets generally leave the area they were raised by fall of the year they hatched, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley. Young eagles travel far and wide, with banded birds being tracked up to 2,000 miles away.

Once the birds reach maturity at around 5 years old, they look for their own mate and build a nest in a new territory.

This story first appeared on The LA Local.

Last week, Felipe Hernandez saw fewer customers than usual. The produce vendor had already lost some foot traffic in East L.A. due to the ongoing ICE raids and COVID before that, but after the Lineage warehouse fire blanketed the area in smoke, Hernandez felt like everyone disappeared all at once.

“I think this was worse [than COVID]. They all really went away just like that — but this time it was on a whole new level,” said Hernandez, who works afternoons at Ponciano Produce, his nephew’s produce truck.

Claudia Hernandez, owner of Mariscos El Manglar in East L.A., closed early on the first day of the fire because she couldn’t handle the amount of smoke blowing at her food truck, parked one mile away.

“With the raids, sales dropped by 60%,” said Hernandez. “And this week, because of the smoke, they’ve gone down by about 80%.”

The compounding effect of the ICE raids and now a week full of smoke due to the Lineage fire, has left small businesses in both Boyle Heights and East L.A. struggling more than ever. 

Many businesses were forced to close entirely due to the intensity of the smoke and others that did open served even fewer customers as people were forced to stay indoors or leave the area.

According to a report from the UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute nearly 13,600 jobs are located within the smoke advisory zone, 66% are held by Hispanic or Latino individuals.

The report notes that many small businesses in retail, accommodation, and food service closed or experienced a steep decline in clients.

Cristina Medrano works on a customer’s hair at Kassandra’s Salon in Boyle Heights in Los Angeles, Calif. on June 26, 2026.

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Isaac Ceja

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Boyle Heights Beat

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Hair stylist Cristina Medrano fought back tears when thinking of the impacts ICE have had on her customers at Kassandra’s Salon and the greater Boyle Heights community.

“Our people are scared. All of us are, right? We go through a certain amount of stress regarding our people, it really is very difficult,” said Medrano. “Even though it doesn’t affect us directly, our people do go out but they go out afraid.”

After the fire Medrano was forced to cancel appointments due to customers’ concerns about the smoke. She says she never expected the fire to go on for as long as it did.

“It’s been more than we expected, a whole week like this. And there’s still more to come, just think of everything that’s in the air, what we’re breathing in. But we have to work. I mean, you can’t just sit around doing nothing, we have to keep going,” Medrano said.

On Wednesday, Inclusive Action, the Boyle Heights Chamber of Commerce and the Hustle & Heart Collective launched the Boyle Heights Fire Relief Fund for Small Businesses, targeting brick and mortar shops and street vendors in the four zip codes around the Lineage fire.

“Some businesses are still trying to come out of the hole that they were put in because of the ICE raids today,” said Rudy Espinoza, CEO of Inclusive Action. “So then you layer this new fire for the especially the small businesses on the east side and it’s just like another obstacle for them to get ahead and to take care of their families and to make payroll for their workers.”

Applications are not open yet but they are accepting donations via GoFundMe.

Councilmember Ysabel Jurado’s office is also working with the Emergency Management Department and the Boyle Heights Business Source Center to connect impacted businesses and street vendors to city resources,

After struggling with a loss of about 65% of their sales after the ICE raids, Tacos Los Arabes in Boyle Heights lost about 35% in sales during the week of the fire, according to Jonathan Villegas, one of the sons of the family-owned Tacos Los Arabes. 

“It was an unfortunate thing to happen but it’s in the past. We’re trying to move on and we don’t think it’s going to affect the future for now because it seems under control, but the raids are still in the back of people’s minds. They’re a little bit more ready to go out, but you still hear stories about people being raided” Villegas said.

Villegas said he appreciated when customers would wear N95 masks to support his business during the week despite the obstacles facing the community.

Israel's Cabinet unanimously approved a proposal on Sunday to designate violence against Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during World War I as a genocide.

The step, which still needs approval in Parliament, reflects deteriorating ties between Israel and Turkey. Turkey has fiercely lobbied to prevent countries from officially recognizing the mass deaths of Armenians around 1915 as a genocide, even as Armenians have pushed for it.

Historians estimate that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turks around the time of World War I, an event widely viewed by scholars as the first genocide of the 20th century. Turkey denies that the deaths constituted genocide, saying the toll has been inflated and that those killed were victims of civil war and unrest.

For years, Israel never officially broached the subject for fear of angering Turkey, but that relationship has soured over the past two decades, especially as the most recent wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran have dragged on.

"Despite the extensive and unambiguous historical documentation, the Armenian Genocide remains to this day the subject of an institutionalized campaign of denial and minimization, including a manipulative rewriting of history, mainly by the Turkish government," said Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who brought the decision to the government.

He noted that Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have previously described the violence against Armenians as a genocide. But it has never been formally recognized in a vote by Israel's Knesset.

"It is never too late to do the right thing," Saar said Sunday, calling it a "moral and historical duty."

He noted that 32 countries, including the United States, Syria and Lebanon, have also classified the violence as a genocide. It was not immediately known when Sunday's decision, approved unanimously by Israel's Cabinet, would go to the parliament for approval.

Turkey called Israel's move a "politically motivated" step meant to distract from the country's own actions against Palestinians.

"The Israeli government, which systematically persecutes the Palestinian people in full view of the world and is being tried at the International Court of Justice for genocide against the people of Gaza, aims to cover up its own crimes," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"This malicious attempt, which disregards legal and historical facts, reveals the predicament of Netanyahu and his accomplices, who have arrest warrants against them in connection with the investigation into crimes committed against Palestinians at the International Criminal Court," the statement added.

Israel and Turkey were once close allies, but relations soured during the rise of Turkey's Islamist President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, leading Israel to reconsider its position.

Israel has faced repeated accusations, including from the United Nations and Turkey, that its offensive in Gaza amounts to genocide. Israel, founded in the wake of the Holocaust, denies the accusations.

Israel launched the war in response to Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack. Gaza's Health Ministry, part of the Hamas government, says over 73,000 people have been killed, roughly half of them women and children. Israel says it does not target civilians and accuses Hamas of using civilians as human shields.

Last week, a team of independent experts commissioned by the United Nations accused Israel of deliberately shooting children in Gaza and repeated accusations that Israel has carried out a genocide. Israel called the report a "libelous sham."
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