One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Morning Briefing: Protecting The Mt. Wilson Observatory
Never miss a morning briefing. Subscribe today to get our A.M. newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Good morning, L.A.
The Bobcat Fire is still raging in the Angeles National Forest, having grown to consume 41,231 acres. It was at 6% containment earlier this week, but that number has dwindled to 3% thanks to the flames’ rapid spread.
As of Tuesday evening, the fire was closing in on Mt. Wilson and the Mt. Wilson Observatory – the 114-year-old structure that’s home to 18 groundbreaking telescopes and some of the most important astronomical developments in recent times. In the 1920s, Edwin Hubble discovered the Andromeda galaxy from the observatory using a 100-inch telescope, which led to the identification of the universe. Later, Hubble would find that the universe is still expanding – a central tenet of the Big Bang theory.
Firefighters are aggressively defending the structure, notes KPCC’s Jacob Margolis, but the blaze is closing in.
Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A. today, and stay safe out there.
Sponsored message
Coming Up Today, September 16
Aaron Mendelson deconstructs the false and misleading statements made by L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva concerning his department’s arrest of KPCC reporter Josie Huang. Huang was taken into custody as she documented the arrest of a protester outside the hospital in Lynwood where two wounded deputies were being treated.
LAist staff and reporters will have ongoing coverage of the Bobcat and El Dorado Fires.
Never miss an LAist story. Sign up for our daily newsletters.
The Past 24 Hours In LA
Sponsored message
Wildfires: The Bobcat Fire has burned 41,231 acres in the Angeles National Forest, and is at 3% containment. It’s closing in on the 114-year-old Mount Wilson Observatory, arguably one of the world's most important spots for scientific discovery. The El Dorado Fire has burned 17,598 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest, and is at 54% containment.
Organized Crime: The FBI, LAPD and LASD announced federal indictments of two dozen members or associates of Asian organized crime in Southern California.
California Kids: The NAACP-CA is opposing Prop 15, claiming it could hurt small Black-owned businesses, while supporters say it will help underfunded schools. Here's what we know about LAUSD's plan to offer COVID-19 tests to teachers and students.
Photo Of The Day
The sun peaks through smoke filled skies due to the Bobcat Fire.
Sponsored message
(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.
Sponsored message
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
