Kevin Tidmarsh
is a producer for LAist, covering news and culture. He’s been an audio/web journalist for about a decade.
Published September 4, 2025 3:00 PM
Fencing started going up outside the federal building complex on East Temple Street about two weeks ago.
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Kevin Tidmarsh
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LAist
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Topline:
The fencing blocks part of the pedestrian right-of-way on Temple Street and Alameda Street. L.A.’s Department on Disability said it “strongly encourages all levels of government” to make the sidewalk accessible again.
An update: Within a few hours of this article's publication, the fencing was moved so it no longer blocks a pedestrian on-ramp. Other than that change, it appears not to have been moved significantly.
Other issues: The placement of the fencing in the public right-of-way causes the sidewalks to narrow.
Why it matters: Experts in disability law interviewed by LAist, who didn't comment specifically on this case, said that blocking pedestrian curb ramps and sidewalks could violate the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The backstory: The fencing went up about two weeks ago, during a relatively calm moment in Los Angeles's summer of protest.
When 8-foot-tall fences went up outside federal buildings in downtown Los Angeles last month during a relatively calm moment in the city’s summer of protest, they quickly drew attention on social media.
One Reddit commenterwrote, “why would a Federal building in Los Angeles [start] turning into a fortress?”
Besides the optics of putting up the fencing, it also created accessibility concerns. The fencing had blocked parts of the sidewalk and a pedestrian on-ramp on Temple Street, risking potential issues of compliance with federal accessibility laws, according to LAist’s measurements and observations.
But as of 6 p.m. on Sept. 4, within three hours of LAist’s initial publication, the fences had been adjusted to create a level space at the top of the curb ramp on Temple, allowing more space for people in wheelchairs to get by. Other than that, the fencing appears not to have been moved significantly.
The fencing had been moved by 6 p.m. Sept. 4, a few hours after LAist published its story.
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Kevin Tidmarsh/LAist
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The Little Tokyo federal building complex, especially the Metropolitan Detention Center on Alameda Street, has been an epicenter of anti-immigration enforcement protests since June. It’s also a block up the street from the Japanese American National Museum, where federal agentsstaked out Gov. Gavin Newsom’s news conference on redistricting last month.
StreetsLA, the city agency that investigates issues with the public right-of-way, said that it is looking into the matter. The city disability department criticized the initial placement of the barricades.
LAist also asked federal officials to identify who's responsible for putting up the fencing, but has not heard back.
The blocked pedestrian ramp
Before Sept. 4, the fencing on East Temple Street completely blocked the level portion of the sidewalk, obstructing the pathway for people using wheeled transportation.
This portion of the sidewalk is on the same block as many federal offices, including a bankruptcy court and a Department of Veterans Affairs clinic. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits any federal department from “denying individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to receive program benefits and services.”
Another view of the fencing on East Temple Street in downtown Los Angeles before it was moved.
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Kevin Tidmarsh
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The law specifically prohibits federal agencies from denying access to programs, services or opportunities “as a result of physical barriers.”
The sidewalk alongside the federal building complex is the only open sidewalk on the portion of Temple by the VA clinic — the sidewalk across the street is currently closed for construction.
Autumn Elliott, a longtime disability rights attorney and expert on the Americans with Disabilities Act, said obstructing sidewalks could easily raise questions of compliance with federal regulations.
“If you've got a situation where, for example, somebody who uses a wheelchair wouldn't be able to get over it, or would risk injury trying to get over it, or would have to be a Paralympian in order to do it, then that's a problem,” Elliott said.
Zeenat Hassan, a lawyer with the nonprofit Disability Rights California, also said federal law is clear that sidewalks should be free of obstructions.
“ It's not really clear to me how a person in a wheelchair is supposed to safely move from the crosswalk onto the sidewalk and continue their pathway,” Hassan said.
Elliott and Hassan, who didn’t comment specifically on the fencing downtown, said this applies even if the obstructions aren’t permanent.
“ The whole point of the ADA is that we increase access in the built environment over time,” Hassan said. “There's no carveout for things just because they're not permanent structures.”
Elliott pointed to a case, Cohen v. City of Culver City, where the federal Ninth Circuit of Appeals ruled that blocking curb ramps may violate the ADA even when other nearby ramps are available. In the case of the obstructed sidewalk on Temple, the closest pedestrian curb ramp is located hundreds of feet away at the end of the block.
The federal building complex in question is bounded by Temple, Alameda, Aliso and Los Angeles Streets. The fencing is located on the north side of Temple and the west side of Alameda.
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Screenshot via Google Maps
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What the city says
StreetsLA is the city department responsible for investigating issues of sidewalk compliance. LAist has reached out repeatedly to the department for a response. A department spokesperson told LAist, “We are looking into it.”
Before the fencing was moved, officials from the city’s disability department criticized the placement of the fencing when shown pictures taken by LAist.
“While the City’s Department on Disability does not oversee enforcement of public right-of-way issues, we strongly encourage all levels of government to meet their obligations to maintain accessible public spaces,” Stephen David Simon, executive director of Los Angeles’s Department on Disability, wrote in a statement to LAist.
“Hopefully the barriers are adjusted to ideally give 48” of accessible pathway," Simon added.
California’s building code requires a minimum sidewalk width of 48 inches, which is stricter than federal regulations. LAist has reached out to the Department on Disability for a follow-up comment.
Requests for comment sent to Mayor Karen Bass and councilmember Ysabel Jurado, who represents Little Tokyo, were not returned by the time of publication.
Other potential issues
The fencing also juts out onto sidewalks on North Alameda Street.
This picture was taken on Alameda Street on Aug. 26.
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Kevin Tidmarsh
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LAist
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This picture was taken on Alameda Street on Aug. 26 and shows a narrow sidewalk path.
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Kevin Tidmarsh
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LAist
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Last week, there were multiple points on Alameda with less than 32 inches of passable sidewalk, the bare minimum required by federal accessibility standards. (Sidewalks must be a minimum of 36 inches wide under federal standards, but they allow for that width to narrow to 32 inches in some limited sections.)
This photo, taken Aug. 26, shows less than 32 inches of passable sidewalk, the bare minimum amount required by the ADA and California building code.
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Kevin Tidmarsh
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LAist
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But as of Aug. 27, the fencing had been scooched over, and the sidewalk along Alameda now has 32 inches of space at all points — with about an inch or so to spare in some cases.
On Aug. 27, the fencing had been moved and the sidewalk on Alameda had about 32 inches of passable width. In this case, just barely.
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But Hassan said that could still pose accessibility issues.
“ The 32-inch minimum is really designed with a standard wheelchair in mind, but there's a lot of people who have wheelchairs that are bigger than a standard wheelchair,” Hassan said. “ To the extent you can make something more accessible beyond the minimum, you should, because then you are maximizing access for a greater number of people.”
LAist stopped by the fencing outside the federal building complex at several points in the last two weeks. Cyclists and pedestrians with roller bags ran into visible difficulty circumventing the barricades, though they did eventually pass through. Meanwhile, some pedestrians avoided the crowded, narrow sidewalks entirely by walking in the road.
The backstory
According to a video posted by L.A. Taco, the fencing started going up during the day on Aug. 21. LAist first observed the fencing on Aug. 22.
It’s not clear which government agency is responsible for erecting the fences. LAist has reached out to the federal Bureau of Prisons, which manages the Metropolitan Detention Center, for comment.
This isn’t the first time in recent years fencing outside federal buildings has encroached on land in the public right-of-way — nor is it the first time it’s happened under a Trump presidency. During Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, federal officials put up fences outside a federal courthouse in Portland, Oregon, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting. Those fences blocked a bike lane, which city officials said created “a hazard to the public.”
The city of Portland issued the federal government the maximum penalty of $11 million, according to the Associated Press. That fine was waived in April 2021 after the fencing came down under a new administration.
How to report a sidewalk issue
If you run into an obstructed sidewalk, you can report it to the city online or by calling 311.
For sidewalks that need repairs, the city has a rebate program for property owners to get reimbursed for hiring their own contractors. Be advised that the rebate program is currently experiencing delays due to funding issues, according to the city.
What we know: The city is in the very early stages of planning how to transform the 192 acres into a park. The preliminary report shows some potential amenities of the park, such as gardens, biking trails, art galleries, a community center and much more.
Background: After a long legal battle between the city and the Federal Aviation Administration, a settlement was reached that ruled that the city could close the more than 100-year-old airport. The park was controversial among residents because of air quality and noise concerns, and was the subject of many legal battles in recent decades.
What’s next? The city wants to hear from residents. You’re encouraged to review the framework and fill out this survey. Feedback will be accepted until April 26.
Elly Yu
typically reports on early childhood issues and from time to time other general news.
Published April 1, 2026 1:41 PM
Thousands of immigrants, including refugees and asylees, in California are set to lose their food assistance benefits, known as CalFresh, starting this month.
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Brandon Bell
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Getty Images
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Topline:
Thousands of immigrants who are lawfully in California are set to lose their food assistance benefits, known as CalFresh, starting this month.
What’s new: The changes apply to certain immigrants who are here lawfully, including refugees and asylees. It also applies to people from Iraq and Afghanistan who have special visas for helping the U.S. military overseas.
Why now: The new restrictions stem from H.R. 1 — also known as the “Big Beautiful Bill” — which Congress passed last year.
What’s next: Officials estimate 23,000 people in Los Angeles County will be affected. State officials say noncitizens who are currently receiving benefits will continue to get them until it’s time to renew their benefits — adding that people might be able to receive benefits again if their legal status changes to lawful permanent residents.
Thousands of immigrants who are lawfully in California are set to lose their food assistance benefits, known as CalFresh, starting this month.
The new restrictions stem from H.R. 1 — also known as the “Big Beautiful Bill” — which Congress passed last year.
The changes remove eligibility for certain noncitizens, including people with refugee status and victims of trafficking. It also applies to immigrants from Iraq and Afghanistan who have special immigrant visas for helping the U.S. government overseas.
”These are folks … many of whom have large families that we have a commitment to as a country because we welcomed them and invited them here to find a place of refuge,” said Cambria Tortorelli, president of the International Institute of Los Angeles, a refugee resettlement agency. “They’re authorized to work and they’ve been brought here by the U.S. government.”
The federal spending bill, H.R. 1, made sweeping cuts to social safety net programs, including food assistance and Medicaid. In signing the bill, President Donald Trump said the changes were delivering on his campaign promises of “America first.”
Officials estimate 23,000 people in Los Angeles County will be affected. The state estimates about 72,000 immigrants with lawful presence will be affected across California.
CalFresh is the state’s version of the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Undocumented immigrants have not been eligible to receive CalFresh benefits.
State officials say noncitizens who are currently receiving benefits will continue to get them until it’s time to renew their benefits — adding that people might be able to receive benefits again if their legal status changes to lawful permanent residents.
Who the changes apply to:
Asylees
Refugees
Parolees (unless they are Cuban and Haitian entrants)
Individuals with deportation or removal withheld
Conditional entrants
Victims of trafficking
Battered noncitizens
Iraqi or Afghan with special immigrant visas (SIV) who are not lawful permanent residents (LPR)
Certain Afghan Nationals granted parole between July 31, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2023
Certain Ukrainian Nationals granted parole between Feb. 24, 2022, and Sep. 30, 2024
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Nearly every student in the California State University system has used artificial intelligence tools, but most don’t trust the results, are worried about how AI will affect their future job security and want more say in systemwide AI policy.
CSU AI survey: CSU polled more than 94,000 students, faculty and staff, making it the largest survey of AI perception in higher education. Nearly all students have used AI but most question whether it is trustworthy. Both faculty and students want more say in systemwide AI policies. Faculty are divided about the impact of AI on teaching and research.
The results: Educators want a say in how and which AI tools are used. Students across the CSU system want to be included in those discussions. Some professors teach students how to use AI and encourage students to use it, while others forbid its use in the classroom. In addition to clarity around use of AI policies, students in this year’s survey said they want training that will be relevant to their careers. “I want to learn AI tools that are actually used in my industry, not just generic chatbots,” a mechanical engineering student responded. “Show me what engineers are actually doing with AI on the job.”
Nearly every student in the California State University system has used artificial intelligence tools, but most don’t trust the results, are worried about how AI will affect their future job security and want more say in systemwide AI policy.
That’s according to results of a 2025 survey of more than 80,000 students enrolled at CSU’s 22 campuses, plus faculty and staff — the largest and most comprehensive study of how higher education students and instructors perceive artificial intelligence.
Nationwide, university faculty struggle to reconcile the learning benefits of AI — hailed as a “transformative tool” for providing tutoring and personalized support to students — and the risks that students will depend on AI agents to do their thinking for them and, very possibly, get the wrong information. Educators want a say in how and which AI tools are used. Students across the CSU system want to be included in those discussions.
Some professors teach students how to use AI and encourage students to use it, while others forbid its use in the classroom, said Katie Karroum, vice president of systemwide affairs for the Cal State Student Association, representing more than 470,000 students.
“Both of these things are allowed to coexist right now without a policy,” she said.
Karroum said that faculty practices are too varied and that what students need are consistent and transparent rules developed in collaboration with students. “There are going to be students who are graduating with AI literacy and some that graduate without AI literacy.”
In February 2025, the CSU system announced an initiative to adopt AI technologies and an agreement with OpenAI to make ChatGPT available throughout the system. The system-wide survey released Wednesday confirms that ChatGPT is the most used AI tool across CSUs. The system will also work with Adobe, Google, IBM, Intel, LinkedIn, Microsoft and NVIDIA.
Campus leaders say the survey and accompanying dashboard provide much needed data on how the system continues to integrate AI into instruction and assessment.
“We need to have data to make data-informed decisions instead of just going by anecdote,” said Elisa Sobo, a professor of anthropology at San Diego State who was involved in interpreting the survey’s findings. “We have data that show high use, but we also have high levels of concern, very valid concern, to help people be responsible when they use it.”
Faculty at San Diego State designed the survey, which received more than 94,000 responses from students, faculty and staff. Among all responding CSU students, 95% reported using an AI tool; 84% said they used ChatGPT and 82% worry that AI will negatively impact their future job security. Others worry that they won’t be competitive if they don’t understand AI well enough.
“Even though I don’t want to use it, I HAVE TO!” wrote a computer science major. “Because if I don’t, then I’ll be left behind, and that is the last thing someone would want in this stupid job market.”
Faculty are divided about the impact of AI on teaching and research. Just over 55% reported a positive benefit, while 52% said AI has had a negative impact so far.
San Diego State conducted its first campuswide survey in 2023 in response to complaints from students about inconsistent rules about AI use in courses, said James Frazee, vice president for information technology at the campus.
“Students are facing this patchwork of expectations even within the same course taught by different instructors,” Frazee said. In one introductory course, the professor might encourage students to use AI, but another professor teaching the same course might forbid it, he said. “It was a hot mess.”
In that 2023 survey, one student made this request: “Please just tell us what to do and be clear about it.”
Following that survey, the San Diego State Academic Senate approved guidelines for the use of generative AI in instruction and assessments. In 2025, the Senate made it mandatory that faculty include language about AI use in course syllabi.
“It doesn’t say what your disposition has to be, whether it’s pro or con,” Frazee said. “It just says you have to be clear about your expectations. Without the 2023 survey data, that never would have happened.”
According to the 2025 systemwide survey, only 68% of teaching faculty include language about AI use in their syllabi.
Sobo and other faculty who helped develop the 2025 survey hope other CSU campuses will find the data helpful in informing policies about AI use. The dashboard allows users to search for specific campus and discipline data and view student responses by demographic group.
The 2025 survey shows that first-generation students are more interested in formal AI training and that Black, Hispanic and Latino students are more interested than white students. At San Diego State, students are required to earn a micro-credential in AI use during their first year — another change that was made after the 2023 survey.
Students in this year’s survey said they want training that will be relevant to their careers. “I want to learn AI tools that are actually used in my industry, not just generic chatbots,” a mechanical engineering student responded. “Show me what engineers are actually doing with AI on the job.”
The California Faculty Association, which represents about 29,000 educators in the CSU system, said in a February statement that faculty should be included in future systemwide decisions about AI, including whether the contract with OpenAI should be renewed in July.
“CFA members continue to advocate for ethical and enforceable safeguards governing the use of artificial intelligence,” the CFA said in the statement, asking for “protections for using or refusing to use the technology, professional development resources to adapt pedagogy to incorporate the technology, and further protections for faculty intellectual property.”
EdSource is an independent nonprofit organization that provides analysis on key education issues facing California and the nation. LAist republishes articles from EdSource with permission.
Fiona Ng
is LAist's deputy managing editor and leads a team of reporters who explore food, culture, history, events and more.
Published April 1, 2026 12:00 PM
Tennis courts featured in an April Fools' Day social media post by Irvine.
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City of Irvine
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Instagram
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Topline:
Many Southern California cities and institutions are dropping big, grabby news today — from the city of Irvine going "pickle-ball" only, to the Huntington Botanical Gardens announcing it'll be bottling the scent of the famed corpse flower as a perfume.
Why now: Before you go "what the what" — remember today's the first day of April.
Read on ... to find a roundup of some of the April Fools' jokes from your city and local trusted institutions.
Many Southern California cities and institutions are dropping big, grabby news today. Before you go "what the what" — remember, it's the first day of April.
Here's a roundup of some of the April Fools' news dump items.
Irvine, the 'pickleball-only' city
Irvine announced that it'll be converting all tennis courts into pickleball courts by 2027. That's one notch for Team Pickleball in the ongoing turf war between tennis lovers and pickleball players over the fight for court space to engage in their beloved sport.
"Starting today, April 1, all tennis courts are being converted to pickleball courts as part of a citywide effort to make Irvine a pickleball-only City by 2027," the post stated. "We don’t just think this is a good idea … we dink it’s a great one."
Over in Long Beach, Mayor Rex Richardson announced the city's reigning royalty, the Queen Mary, will be renamed after another queen.
"After careful consideration, I am proud to announce that the Queen Mary will officially be renamed the RMS Queen Latifah," he said. "Long Beach is stepping into a new era as a major music destination — with a new amphitheater, a deep cultural legacy and a future built on sound. It’s only right that our most iconic Queen reflects that energy."
In real-real news, LBC native and everyone's favorite Olympics commenter Snoop Dogg is headlining the grand opening show of the Long Beach Amphitheater in June. That's the new waterfront venue near the RMS Queen Latifah.
Suspense writer James Patterson has more than 200 novels to his name, selling more than 450 million copies. If anyone deserves his own namesake branch, it would be Patterson, no?
The Los Angeles Public Library certainly dinks so, announcing today the James Patterson Canoga Park branch, "with wall to wall Patterson books and programming centered around this prolific author."
The opening of the corpse flower has become an annual event at the Huntington Botanical Gardens. The event brings legions hoping to get a whiff of the famed flower's "pungent aroma."
The San Marino institution announced that it's bottling the scent, as part of its new "The Huntington's Stank Collection."
"A musky gym sock note opens this unique fragrance, with a sweet, rotten-egg base to ground it. Smells like you — but smellier," the post explained.
