Brianna Lee
is LAist’s Senior Producer, Community Engagement. She's worked hard to make local government accessible.
Published June 2, 2026 5:00 AM
An election worker moves vote-by-mail ballots to be sorted to go through the signature verification machines at the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Ballot Processing Center last week.
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Gary Coronado
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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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Topline:
California is often knocked by the rest of the country as being slow to count votes. But here's the deal: That's a feature, not a bug, of the election system.
Why is that? Election Day is here, but now comes the waiting. Things take a while here largely because California works so hard to expand the ways people can vote.
Keep in mind: Things have sped up considerably in the 30 counties that have adopted a 2016 law called the Voter's Choice Act, including L.A., Orange, and Riverside counties.
Read on... for more details on what to expect in the coming days.
Election Day is behind us. Now comes the waiting.
Do you have something to watch on Netflix? Maybe you've been meaning to pick up a hobby — how about crochet? Whatever you do, take a deep breath and keep busy because it could be days (or weeks) before we get some California election results.
The state is often knocked by the rest of the country as being "slow" to count votes. But here's the deal: that's a feature, not a bug, of the election system.
The backstory
Things take a while here largely because California works so hard to expand the ways people can vote. For example:
Californians in recent years overwhelmingly vote by mail — nearly 90% of votes cast in the 2024 presidential election were mail-in ballots. In that same year's primary the percentage was just as high. Those ballots can be postmarked up to and including Election Day. They're counted as long as the ballot arrives within seven days (for the June primary, that's June 9).
California offers same-day voter registration at any voting center. These new voters must cast a provisional ballot, which is counted once election officials confirm their eligibility (they are overwhelmingly accepted — for example, Los Angeles County reports that historically between 85% to 90% have been counted.
Voters also have the right to cast provisional ballots if there's any problem on election day — like if poll workers aren't able to void an outstanding mail-in ballot, or if there’s any issue calling up voter information from e-pollbooks. Again (see above), provisionals take longer to process because eligibility has to be confirmed.
Vote-by-mail ballots require signature matching. When the one received doesn't match the one on file, county registrars must contact that voter to let them know — and give them the chance to correct it.
And, with more than 23 million registered voters, we're really, really big. In the 2024 general election more than 16 million Californians voted (down from nearly 18 million in the 2020 presidential election). Either way, that’s more people than the total populations of all but three other states.
Why things have sped up, some
But things have sped up considerably in the 30 counties that have adopted a 2016 law called the Voter's Choice Act, including L.A., Orange and Riverside counties. In recent elections, the changes associated with that law — like voters not being locked into a designated polling location — drastically cut down the number of provisional ballots cast, which helped move things along faster than they had before.
A closer look at ballot counting times in California where an increasing number of vote-by-mail ballots has slowed ballot counts.
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Courtesy California Voter Foundation
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Still, accuracy and a commitment to "expanding the franchise" — translation: allowing more people to vote — means the process is not designed to produce instantaneous results.
Official results
The California Secretary of State's Office was required to certify the final vote tallies by July 10, marking the official end of the 2026 primary election.
LAist's Voter Game Plan will be back in the fall to help you prepare for the Nov. 3 general election.
Why you should take a deep breath Election Night
You'll have to get that endorphin hit elsewhere on June 2.
A few things to keep in mind: You may recall that during the 2024 primary, it took about a week to call the results for L.A. City Council races in District 4, where incumbent Nithya Raman was fighting to avoid a runoff election, and District 14, where challenger Ysabel Jurado wound up overtaking incumbent Kevin de León by just a few hundred votes.
It took an even longer 15 days to call the results of Prop. 1, during which opponents conceded, walked back that concession, and conceded again when the measure won by a razor-thin 0.4% margin. And it took 23 days to call the second-place winner for Orange County's 45th congressional district — it ultimately went to Democrat Derek Tran who went on to beat Republican Michelle Steel in the general election. Tran is now up for reelection and rematch with Steel is considered likely in November.
Depending on how close some of these races end up being, we may face similar waits this election cycle.
TL;DR: Officially, county and state election officials have until July 10 to certify election results — including a mandatory audit that requires hand-counting all of the ballots at 1% of precincts. Nevertheless, you're going to see a lot of national media headlines about California's relative "slowness." Brush it off. We have sunshine, beaches, and a highly enfranchised population.
Editor's note
This story was originally reported and written in 2020 and has been updated several times, including for the June 2026 primary, with current information. Libby Denkmann contributed to the original report and Megan Garvey did the most recent updating.
Mariana Dale
explores and explains the forces that shape how and what kids learn from kindergarten to high school.
Published September 2, 2026 3:16 PM
Los Angeles Unified is blocking student access to artificial intelligence tools on district-issued devices.
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Robyn Beck
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AFP via Getty Images
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Topline:
Los Angeles Unified is blocking student access to artificial intelligence tools on district-issued devices. Yesterday’s announcement, made at the kickoff meeting of a new AI committee, was a surprise to board members and parents.
Why it matters: The district’s decision bars an estimated 378,000 students from using generative AI tools on LAUSD laptops and tablets. This is a departure from the current policy.
The backstory: The LAUSD board voted in June to enact what was then the most-widespread student screentime restrictions in the country, but did not specify limitations to student AI use. The resolution instead created an ad hoc generative AI committee.
Keep reading... for details on what's next and questions the policy change raises.
Los Angeles Unified is blocking student access to artificial intelligence tools on district-issued devices.
The district’s decision, announced at the kickoff meeting of a new AI committee, bars an estimated 378,000 students from using generative AI tools on LAUSD laptops and tablets. This is a departure from the current policy which allows students 13 and older to use AI tools under school supervision and after they complete a lesson about “digital citizenship.”
The announcement came as a surprise to board members and parents.
“Just based on the facial expressions of folks in this room, many parents, some of whom work at the district, some of whom don't," said LAUSD Board Member Nick Melvoin, after district staff explained the new AI restrictions. "I don't think it's well-publicized and I would encourage us to do more."
How it works
District leaders said the web-filtering software Lightspeed allows LAUSD to categorically block student access to any website categorized as an AI tool.
The district does not stop students using AI on personal devices, though the software will continue to block access if a student signs in to their district profile on that personal device.
The board’s AI committee is scheduled to meet through April to develop recommendations for how students access AI. "This is an emerging technology,” said Pia Sadaqatmal, chief academic officer. “We will continue to be adaptive as needed, but we do know that the heart of it is really making sure that we keep teaching and learning at the center of our decision.”
Members of the Inglewood Teachers Association rally at the Inglewood Unified School District headquarters on May 6, 2026.
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J.W. Hendricks
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For The LA Local
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Topline:
Teachers in Inglewood are not happy with a new bond measure that will allocate hundreds of millions of dollars to improve school campuses, if approved.
About the bond measure: In November, Inglewood voters will decide if they want to approve Measure MM, a $396 million bond to modernize and upgrade campus facilities throughout the district. The bonds would be paid for by a property tax on Inglewood property owners of $60 for every $100,000 of assessed property value. The measure would require 55% of votes to pass.
Teacher's pushback: The Inglewood Teacher's Association wants the city to first conduct a full accounting of how prior bonds were spent. “They have to show accountability before asking the voters for another bond,” said John Hughes, president of the Inglewood Teachers Association. “It’s just responsible stewardship.” moves closer to exiting receivership
Teachers in Inglewood are not happy with a new bond measure that will allocate hundreds of millions of dollars to improve school campuses, if approved.
In November, Inglewood voters will decide if they want to approve Measure MM, a $396 million bond to modernize and upgrade campus facilities throughout the district.
The bonds would be paid for by a property tax on Inglewood property owners of $60 for every $100,000 of assessed property value. The measure would require 55% of votes to pass.
“They have to show accountability before asking the voters for another bond,” said John Hughes, president of the Inglewood Teachers Association. “It’s just responsible stewardship.”
In an Aug. 12 email to James Morris, Inglewood county administrator, Hughes wrote that he did not support “requesting another $396 million without first providing a full accounting of prior bond expenditures, addressing steep enrollment decline, and resolving ongoing accountability concerns.”
Hughes pointed out that the district already received $330 million from two bond measures — $90 million in 2012 and another $240 million in 2020.
The new bond measure comes as the Inglewood Unified School District moves closer to exiting receivership after being under state control for 14 years. Inglewood officials have expressed their desire to rebuild the district’s foundation on academic excellence, financial sustainability and upgraded facilities.
“We know firsthand that students and teachers perform better in safe, modern school facilities,” Morris told The LA Local. “The fact is we need to maintain and modernize all schools across the district.”
Morris added that the new Inglewood High School campus currently under construction is an example of what students will need for future success.
The LA Local reached out to all six Inglewood Board of Education candidates vying for seats in Trustee Areas 1, 2 and 3. Only Brandon Myers, who is the incumbent running for the Area 3 Trustee seat, responded.
“Unfortunately, due to the lack of accountability and expert construction experience, Inglewood taxpayers have had to foot the bill for delayed projects,” Myers said in reference to the previously approved bond measures.
“As a result of the school board’s continuous status of being in county receivership, I cannot support an additional tax burden on our Inglewood residents,” he said.
Hughes also noted that bond funds cannot be used for teacher salaries or operating expenses.
He said the district has not maintained a strategy for increasing teachers’ pay, he said, adding that Inglewood teachers are currently the lowest paid in the region.
“We cannot rely on long-term debt for facilities while leaving teacher pay structurally underfunded,” Hughes said. “A credible reform strategy must address both infrastructure and the workforce that delivers instruction.”
With the bond measure on the ballot, Morris believes it’ll be in the best interest of Inglewood, if approved.
“IUSD teachers and students deserve nothing less than safe, modernized schools that support high quality teaching and learning,” Morris said. “Measure MM is on the ballot this November to deliver on that promise.”
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Gab Chabrán
covers what's happening in food and culture for LAist.
Published September 2, 2026 2:11 PM
A larger-than-life Thrifty mascot greets visitors at the entrance to the brand's El Monte plant.
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Gab Chabrán
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LAist
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Topline:
A visit to Thrifty Ice Cream's El Monte plant was led by longtime quality assurance manager Tim Briggs, and comes as the brand narrowly survived Rite Aid's 2025 bankruptcy and store closures, much to the concern of thousands of hardcore fans.
Why it matters: Generations of Angelenos grew up on the iconic ice cream, creating an unbreakable emotional connection that continues to this day.
What it was like: Writer Gab Chabrán described it as a visit to SoCal’s version of the Wonka factory, and walking onto the factory floor like walking on hallowed ground. It also reminded him of his Depression-era grandfather, whose only indulgence was a scoop of Rocky Road, a love he passed on to his grandson.
My grandfather, Charles Echternacht, came of age during the Great Depression, and it never left him. I don't think I ever saw him eat at a restaurant. But there was one exception: a boxed pint of Thrifty Ice Cream, orange sherbet or Rocky Road, that my grandmother, Betty, would bring home during her weekly shopping trips. He'd share it with us when we visited their house in Belmont a few times a year.
For many Angelenos, Thrifty Ice Cream stirs a kind of multigenerational nostalgia that's increasingly rare, with memories of summer, family trips, or weekday treats. In summer 2025, when Rite Aid announced it would close all of its locations, there was a howl of despair — how could the ice cream of our youth disappear? People made their case for favorite flavors — Black Cherry, Mint Chip, Medieval Madness — and reminisced about the cool, weird scooper shape and how much they appreciated the truly thrifty prices.
But Thrifty Ice Cream did not melt away. Instead, an investment group tied to Monster Beverage Corporation executives stepped in with a $19 million purchase, and now sells the iconic containers in supermarkets and a few scattered scoop shops. For many, the brand's continued existence since its start back in 1940 feels like nothing short of a miracle.
So when I got an email recently inviting me to tour the factory — SoCal's version of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory — it was as if I'd received my own golden ticket. (The brand is expanding onto Shakey's Pizza Parlor menu.)
75,000 gallons a day
When I saw the address, I was surprised to realize that I’d driven past it more times than I could count. It is located in El Monte, only a few neighborhoods over from my hometown of Whittier, off Rosemead Boulevard. The plant has been there since the 1970’s, having moved from its original location in Hollywood. Off a little stretch of winding industrial road, it’s not really visible to passersby until you pull up in front and see their modest signage.
Tim Briggs, a longtime quality assurance manager at Thrifty Ice Cream, leads a tour of the plant's production floor.
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Gab Chabrán
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LAist
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Leading the tour was Tim Briggs, the quality assurance manager, who's worked there since the '80s. He had a long white beard (enclosed in a hairnet that matched the one on his head), and a warm smile, like Santa Claus if Santa had grown up surfing and listening to rock 'n' roll. He wore a custom white coat, embroidered with the Thrifty logo and his name, and walked about with a quiet pride.
I was fitted with a synthetic hairnet, just like the one Briggs wore, and led onto the production floor — the most visceral part of the whole tour. I couldn't believe I was standing on what felt like hallowed ground. If the tasting room was Wonka's chocolate room, this was the factory floor — conveyor belts running in every direction, workers pouring dried milk into massive steel vats, machinery loud enough to feel in your chest.
It's staggering, watching it happen. The plant employs nearly 100 people, though only a handful were on the floor the day I visited — this small crew cycling through Thrifty's current lineup of 64 flavors, based on the month's demand. At full capacity, the plant can turn out up to 75,000 gallons of ice cream a day — something like 2 million scoops, if you're counting. Rocky Road is always saved for last. It's the only flavor in the lineup that isn't kosher, Briggs explained — the marshmallows contain gelatin from animal by-products — which means every line has to be fully cleaned before production can start again.
That day, they were mixing Chocolate Malted Krunch. I'd never been much of a fan before, but once I caught the smell of fresh malt going into the mix — and watched the little white balls that give it its crunch get shot through metal piping before being folded into the rest of the ice cream — I understood the appeal. It's officially my next purchase.
Small malt balls await mixing into a fresh batch of Chocolate Malted Krunch on the production line.
Eventually, we were led to a small tasting area, where a cooler of tubs sat ready to be scooped. Behind it were two rolling coolers decked out in Thrifty ephemera, and on top sat a row of boxed pints. As I looked closer, I realized they were vintage containers, just like the ones my grandfather used to share with my brother and me. And there it was: Rocky Road. I found myself studying the font, the imagery, getting lost in my own little palace of nostalgia.
A vintage Thrifty Rocky Road box, priced at 79 cents for a half gallon — the same flavor Gab Chabran's grandfather used to bring home.
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Gab Chabrán
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LAist
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It was around that point that Briggs pulled out a small photo album of glossy photographs from when the factory was first built, in the same sepia-toned style as the photos that hung on the walls around grandparents' house.
While I didn't sample any Rocky Road this time around, I did get to try some Chocolate Malted Krunch fresh off the line — some of the softest, creamiest ice cream I've ever had. I also sampled their Red, White and Blue sherbet, along with their new Circus Animal Cookie flavor, another one that pulled at the heartstrings for anyone who grew up eating the actual cookies from Mother’s back in the day.
An employee holds open a photo album of archival images from the plant's early years in El Monte.
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Gab Chabrán
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LAist
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After completing my visit, I'm still in awe of what I witnessed that day, off that stretch of Rosemead Boulevard I've driven past countless times. Except now I know exactly what's there — a piece of SoCal history that has touched so many, and continues to, generation after generation, one scoop of Rocky Road and Chocolate Malted Krunch at a time.
Kawhi Leonard attends National Bank Open tennis tournament as Japan’s Naomi Osaka takes on Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina in Toronto on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026.
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Chris Young
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The Canadian Press via AP
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Topline:
The Los Angeles Clippers were fined $30 million and star player Kawhi Leonard was hit with a $700,000 penalty by the NBA on Wednesday for violating salary cap circumvention rules.
Why now? The league's decision against the organization after a nearly year-long investigation.
The suspensions: Owner Steve Ballmer has been suspended for one year, president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank has been suspended without pay for six months and president of business operations Gillian Zucker was suspended for one year, all for their involvement.
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for one year by the NBA, and the team was ordered to forfeit five first-round draft picks and pay a $30 million fine Wednesday for violating salary cap circumvention rules in a case involving Kawhi Leonard.
Also, president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank has been banned for six months and team president of business operations Gillian Zucker was suspended for one year. Leonard was hit with a $700,000 penalty.
The league came down hard on the organization after a nearly year-long investigation led by an outside law firm.
The Clippers had said multiple times that they had done nothing wrong and expected to be exonerated.
The team maintained that stance after the league’s announcement.
“We vehemently reject the NBA’s findings, which are the result of a heavily biased investigation seeking to justify a predetermined narrative rather than facts and evidence,” the team said in a statement. “What the league told us privately differs from what it announced today publicly, and they have not held themselves close to the standard Commissioner (Adam) Silver set at the start of this investigation to ensure it’s fairness and accuracy.”
The Clippers said they will “now fight just as hard to demonstrate our innocence. We intend to vigorously challenge these findings and penalties through every avenue available to us and look forward to an ethical and impartial arbitration process.”
The NBA opened the investigation in September 2025 into whether a $28 million endorsement contract between Leonard and Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC — a company that filed for bankruptcy last year — broke league rules, following a report by podcast journalist Pablo Torre. Earlier this year, Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to defrauding investors and lenders of at least $248 million.
“I accept full responsibility for lapses in judgment by people within my inner circle and regret the distraction this situation has caused the fans and my family,” Leonard said in a statement issued through his new agent, Harrison Gaines.
The NBA said Leonard, through his former business manager and uncle Dennis Robertson, “violated the circumvention rules by pressuring the Clippers to assist him in obtaining off-court income opportunities, successfully obtaining those opportunities, and failing to reimburse payments by the Clippers for personal expenses.”
“I entered into my contract with the Clippers as well as the agreements in question in good faith, fully committed to fulfilling my obligations and with no knowledge of any intent on anyone’s part to circumvent the salary cap,” Leonard said in his statement.
The league said Ballmer was suspended for “knowingly seeking to help Mr. Leonard obtain off-court income opportunities,” among other issues.
Leonard’s trade to the Toronto Raptors has been on hold pending the outcome of the investigation. The Raptors had said they still want Leonard, and he apparently is just as eager to return to the team where he won an NBA title in 2019, when he was Finals MVP.
“As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate,” Leonard said in his statement.
