With contributions from Ryan Fonseca, Aaron Schrank, Josie Huang, Gina Pollack, Andy Cheatwood and Kyle Stokes

Well, after four long, painstaking days, the election callers have called the 2020 election.

This morning, the Associated Press, NPR and other news outlets reported that Joe Biden has defeated Donald Trump and will become the 46th president of the United States.

Biden has won Pennsylvania, bringing his Electoral College votes past the 270 threshold needed to win the presidency.

In Los Angeles, the news was met with jubilation and relief, both in the streets and on social media.

In Echo Park, revelers filled the streets and sidewalks, celebrating the news with drinking and dancing.

In Silver Lake, Biden-Harris supporters waved American flags, danced to drummers and DJs, and doused themselves in champagne.

Theo Henderson is an unhoused Angeleno, and host of the podcast "We The Unhoused." He said he wants to see President-elect Joe Biden create programs for the homeless to help them get off the street.

"Now that he... is the president of the United States for all, housed and unhoused, he should be our advocate as well."

Pamela Hernandez said she's excited about the result of the presidential election.

"I feel like it's a big relief for a lot of people right now, especially minorities. And me, being Hispanic, it's just feels a little bit better, you know? I know there's still a lot of work to be done, but it's a small step forward, and that's all we needed right now."

In Los Feliz, a crowd filled a gas station parking lot with dancing, car-honking and an impromptu sing-along.

Barbara Wilson, a 72-year-old retired JPL scientist, was walking her dogs around her Altadena neighborhood while waving an American flag. Wilson said her vote was as much as for Biden as it was against Trump, saying the litany of offenses committed by the Trump administration was long. She was particularly excited that Kamala Harris would be the country's next vice-president.

"The country may be finally coming to grips with this racist past and actually do something about better equality in the country, and also she is just a such a strong woman, with super ideals and ethics."

In downtown L.A., thousands of people gathered at Pershing Square and started to march to City Hall.

Claudia Hawkins, who described herself as a "suburban housewife" from Santa Clarita, came out to the celebrations downtown with her two children. She said raising two Black children has been "extremely hard" over the past four years. Hawkins said the Biden-Harris victory is exciting and gives her a sense of hope.

“I’m hopeful that they’re there to listen… We need real leadership —leadership in the young people to take us forward and to see the change that we’ve been trying to make in our generation and it’s just so nice to see them rise up.”

L.A. police officers in riot gear were also on scene. Asked why, one LAPD detective told KPCC/LAist reporter Josie Huang "we’re trying to keep everybody safe."

A large crowd gathered outside L.A. City Hall, where speakers called on the electorate to keep pressure on a future Biden administration when it comes to issues like immigration, labor and racial justice.

There's also an outpouring of congratulations for California Senator Kamala Harris, who is set to make history as the nation’s first woman vice president, along with the first Black and Asian American person to hold that office.

Meanwhile, here's what we know so far about our local and state races:

• Your Guide To The 2020 Election Results

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Democrat Joe Biden has been declared the winner of the 2020 presidential contest by the Associated Press. The state of Pennsylvania put Biden over the top, putting him over the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency.

Donald Trump becomes the first incumbent president to lose since George H.W. Bush was defeated by Bill Clinton in 1992.

Biden and running mate Kamala Harris, California's junior U.S. senator, will take office as President and Vice President on Jan. 20, 2021.

READ THE FULL STORY:

• Biden Wins Presidency, According To AP, Edging Trump In Turbulent Race

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Good morning, L.A.

In one of the most closely-watched district attorney races in the country, former San Francisco D.A. George Gascón has ousted incumbent Jackie Lacey to serve as the top prosecutor in Los Angeles County.

Lacey conceded yesterday, and Gascón’s win is considered a victory for the criminal justice reform movement, locally and nationally. Gascón ran as a reformer, and his accomplishments in San Francisco included co-authoring measures that would reduce incarceration. In his victory speech Friday, the former LAPD assistant chief vowed to stop seeking the death penalty immediately, and to reopen some cases involving shootings by law enforcement officers.

The latter commitment is likely a nod to local activists, who’ve held weekly protests outside Lacey’s downtown office since 2016. Their goal was to hold her accountable for her failure to prosecute law enforcement officers who used deadly force, and ultimately unseat her.

"This is an important win to show that people can and will hold even the most powerful DA in the country accountable," Black Lives Matter member and BLD PWR founder Kendrick Sampson said in a statement.

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

– Jessica P. Ogilvie

The Past 24 Hours In LA

Money Matters: Families that are currently able to take their youngsters to in-person child care are reaping the developmental benefits of early education, and they might have a better chance of surviving the pandemic-caused recession. Decades ago, a single mom forced into working for herself due to racism, built a successful clothing business and raised her son with her earnings.

Scandals And Cults: A court document filed this week reveals specific allegations from a fraud investigation against a former Long Beach Community College District president and a sitting trustee. The documentary series Seduced on the Starz network offers another perspective on NXIVM, the alleged sex cult that was also profiled in the HBO documentary, The Vow.

Election 2020: George Gascón beat Jackie Lacey in the L.A. District Attorney’s race, a result that’s seen as a victory for the criminal justice reform movement. Nithya Raman won the L.A. City Council’s District 4 seat, beating out incumbent David Ryu. For the latest updates on all local races, check out our ongoing coverage.

Rethinking Thanksgiving: From taco kits and tom kha mashed potatoes to chicken parms and Basque cheesecakes, think outside the bird this Thanksgiving.

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 much-needed insight into the current moment in L.A., as well as some news you may have missed:

The Muppet Studio employees are voicing concerns about an internal structure that doesn’t allow female puppeteers to advance along with their male counterparts. (THR)

The history of the L.A. District Attorney’s office shows why George Gascón’s win is so significant. (The Appeal)

Here are the Hollywood heavyweights who worked to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars each for Joe Biden. (THR)

More than 1,200 Trader Joe’s employees have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began. (San Gabriel Valley Tribune)

With the results of this election, El Monte now has an all-female city council. (NBC Los Angeles)

California’s cannabis market is stabilizing, seemingly boosted by the pandemic. (Marijuana Business Daily)

Compton is piloting a guaranteed income program, beginning with 800 low-income residents. (LA Sentinel)

Photo of the Day

A protester at a Black Lives Matter protest outside Jackie Lacey's office on Wednesday.

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