Morning Briefing: 100 Degrees And Up

Never miss a morning briefing. Subscribe today to get our A.M. newsletter delivered to your inbox.

As we’ve been telling you all week, it’s going to be excruciatingly hot this weekend. Temperatures are expected to soar well over 100 degrees in many parts of L.A., and reach as high as 115 in some areas.

For folks without air conditioning, heat of this magnitude can pose a serious health threat. Low-income communities, many of which are comprised largely of people of color, are the least likely to have AC – and too frequently, landlords either don’t provide it, or don’t fix it when it’s broken.

The heat is likely to put a strain on the state’s power grid, too. And guess who we’re relying on to use less power during peak times? Hint: it’s the same people we’re relying on to take the proper COVID-19 precautions this long weekend – each other (yay.)

So, here’s the general advice for this long weekend: Stay inside if you have a cool place to be, wear a mask if you go out, take a look at the power reduction measures you can take, and steer clear of big gatherings.

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

— Jessica P. Ogilvie

The Past 24 Hours In LA

Policing Law Enforcement: L.A. County Inspector General Max Huntsman says he was blocked from attending the autopsy of Dijon Kizzee, who was killed by sheriff's deputies in South L.A. on Monday. Contributor Keith Taylor remembers some painful episodes in the 1970s, when he was pulled over and threatened by police for no good reason.

This Weekend’s Heat Wave: As the temperatures soar well over 100 degrees in some parts of L.A., the health of those without air conditioning could be severely affected. The weather could also push the power grid to the brink. Children, the elderly and people with chronic health conditions are especially prone to heat stroke.

Gifting Home Makeovers: A new volunteer group in Southeast L.A. has been raising money to do small, free remodels for people in low-income communities.

Wherefore Art Thou: The curiously-named Cugurt, a strip mall Mediterranean restaurant in Los Feliz, has recently been replaced with a new business – HOT CHICKO'S.

Be Counted, Be Prepared: Some local census workers say they’re being told their job is done, in direct contrast with census advocates' concerns. Lawmakers are calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign bills that would address the challenges of the current COVID-19 crisis and help the state prepare for future pandemics.

Never miss an LAist story. Sign up for our daily newsletters.

Weekend Reads

There's a lot going on in the world right now, and it’s hard enough to keep up with our day-to-day lives, let alone to stay current on the news. But if you have some time this weekend, these articles provide some much-needed insight into the current moment in L.A., as well as some news you may have missed:

Latinx youth are severely undercounted in the juvenile justice system, according to a new report. (Witness LA)

The fallout of a vast political divide in the San Fernando Valley is growing more and more volatile. (San Fernando Sun)

Sharon Cotrell, the first woman to work on the docks on the West Coast, has died. (Daily Breeze)

In Boyle Heights, Wendy Rodriguez is a modern-day curandera bringing spiritual healing to the next generation. (L.A. Taco)

Affordable housing is beginning to take shape in Pomona, for residents and would-be residents. (San Gabriel Valley Tribune)

Following a vicious attack on three transgender women in Hollywood, the L.A. trans community is working even harder to stay safe. (KCRW)

For marijuana farmers, the cost of the recent wildfires is still unknown – but they could be devastating. (Marijuana Business Daily)

Attorney Jessica Dominguez explains what immigrants should do in a raid. (Univision)

At Echo Park Lake, Talia Caldwell is working hard to ensure that the homeless community has what they need to survive. (Los Angeleno)

Photo Of The Day

A young family came out to support demonstrators protesting the killing of Dijon Kizzee at the South L.A. Sheriff's Station.

(Chava Sanchez/LAist)

Help Us Cover Your Community

• Got something you’ve always wanted to know about Southern California and the people who call it home? Is there an issue you want us to cover? Ask us anything.
• Have a tip about news on which we should dig deeper? Let us know.

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.

This post has been updated to reflect changes in what's coming up for today.

DON'T MISS ANY L.A. CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Get our daily newsletters for the latest on COVID-19 and other top local headlines.

SUBSCRIBE
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy