Morning Briefing: Coronavirus Cases Are Back Up In LA

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In the past few weeks, daily news has shifted rapidly from the coronavirus to the sweeping international protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Now, though, COVID-19 cases in L.A. County are back on the rise, and officials say ICU’s could fill up by the end of the month.

According to Christina Ghaly of the L.A. health services department, transmission rates have gone up slightly since officials eased stay-at-home orders.

“If transmission has indeed increased, as the recent data suggests it has, the model predicts that we'll have a continued increase in hospital patient volume over,” Ghaly said.

Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A. today, and stay safe out there.

— Jessica P. Ogilvie

Coming Up Today, June 12

The annual homeless count figures will be released today (they're from January – pre-pandemic). Matt Tinoco looks at how they've changed from January last year.

Brianna Lee and Gina Pollack round up some of the major issues we’ve been covering at KPCC/LAist when it comes to policing and justice in L.A. — from the use of force in the police and sheriff’s departments to the records of L.A.’s district attorney Jackie Lacey and her challenger.

It's been three months since businesses were forced to close because of the coronavirus pandemic. Emily Guerin has been following a few on one stretch of Lincoln Blvd. in Venice. She checks in to see how they're handling the reopening process.

The state Judicial Council is ending the zero bail rule for low-level offenses, which was created as a way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in L.A. jails. Frank Stoltze looks at the move within the broader context of bail reform.

The California State Assembly passed a proposal that would ask voters to overturn a ban on affirmative action at state agencies and universities. The ban, which has been in place since voters approved Prop 209 more than two decades ago, has been a divisive issue, especially among Asian Americans. Josie Huang writes about the community’s reaction to the current proposal.

When L.A. Pride organizers decided to hold a Black Lives Matter solidarity march, there was one thing they forgot to do — consult with Black activists. Contributor Lil Kalish has the story of how Black queer activists transformed the event into the All Black Lives Matter march.

Cheryl Farrell takes solace in being part of what she calls The Sistahood of Black Women over 50 as a way to cope, in part, with the many hurts she has to deflect on a daily basis.

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The Past 24 Hours In LA

Working World: With unemployment rates at record highs, an increasing number of Angelenos are turning to public housing. Meanwhile, a new analysis of unemployment claims in California finds more workers in the state are heading back to work.

L.A. Protests: A local doctor is treating protesters for free to support the cause.

Policing Authority: The question of how to reform policing has dominated the zeitgeist for the past several weeks, with some of the loudest voices opposing dramatic change coming from police unions. An audit of the West Valley Water District in Rialto found questionable hiring practices, no-bid contracts and unjustified credit card expenses.

Coronavirus Cases: L.A. County health officials say intensive care units could fill up in the next two to four weeks, as the spread of the coronavirus increases – and things are no better in some state prisons. On the same day Orange County officials announced 4 new deaths and 260 new coronavirus cases, they said masks will now be recommended instead of mandatory.

Keep Yourself Occupied: Take a break from the good, the bad and the ugly out in the world with a screening of pioneering queer cinema, a house music party, a radio race or the award-wining play Scraps.

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The news cycle moves fast. Some stories don't pan out. Others get added. Consider this today's first draft, and check LAist.com for updates on these stories and more. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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