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Morning Briefing: The Future Of California’s Kids
This kid knows how to have fun. (Frank McKenna/Unsplash)
Good morning, L.A.
When it comes to education, state and local officials are currently focusing on how to get kids back into school safely. But coronavirus aside, there’s still a lot of long-term planning to be done when it comes to education, particularly early childhood education – those precious years before a child enters kindergarten.
To that end, Gov. Gavin Newsom has unveiled a long-awaited plan for universal preschool and greater access to early child care, designed to provide both services for all California kids.
My colleague Mariana Dale writes that the plan’s goals align with decades of research regarding what young children need to thrive. But the program may be short on funding; the authors of the plan estimate that it will cost anywhere between $2 and $12 billion to implement their myriad proposals, and it’s not clear where that money will come from.
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"Great roadmap,”said Ted Lempert, president of advocacy group Children Now, “but now let's show us the money."
Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A. today, and stay safe out there.
The Past 24 Hours In LA
Race In L.A.: A Latino of mixed ancestry reflects on why it's always a struggle to fill out those forms that ask for your race and ethnicity.
Coronavirus Updates: Mayor Eric Garcetti spoke (virtually) to Angelenos tonight, to help us understand the three different sets of restrictions we're currently living under.
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L.A. Kids: A survey asking LAUSD parents to commit to either hybrid or online-only learning (whenever schools are allowed to reopen) is due on Sunday. UTLA president Cecily Myart-Cruz says the union is close to an agreement with LAUSD on extending distance learning.
Money Matters: The city of Los Angeles is heading into the holiday season with an enormous revenue shortfall, and a new report recommends eliminating more than 1,800 city jobs, including 951 sworn police officer positions. After the city of L.A. announced a grant program for restaurants, 6,000 users logged on, crashing the system.
Immigration: A federal judge has requested Homeland Security to restore the DACA program fully and begin accepting new applicants.
Wildfire Season: Crews have begun containing the Bond Fire as it burned on its second day near Lake Forest.
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, here’s what you may have missed:
Five million undocumented immigrants have helped keep the U.S. afloat during the pandemic. (La Opinión)
Earle’s Restaurant on Crenshaw Blvd. has been providing meals to the most vulnerable. (LA Watts Times)
El Gallo Bakery, founded in 1949, is one of the oldest and most well known of East L.A.'s many panaderias. It’s now owned by the founder’s son. (The Eastsider)
Many community members and activists are unhappy with a recent settlement between Exide Technologies and the Department of Justice, which allowed the company to wash its hands of the damage done by its battery recycling plant in Vernon. (LA Taco)
The Chosin Few are a trio of Central American rappers, hailing from Nipsey Hussle’s Crenshaw and Slauson neighborhood. (The LAnd)
Three young basketball players fell victim to a recent wave of violence in Compton. Those who knew them gathered to figure out how to end the bloodshed. (The 562)
Students are struggling to balance work and school during the coronavirus. (The Daily Bruin)
Photo of the Day
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Firefighter Jerry Bewer from the city of Orange works the Bond Fire.
(Brian Feinzimer for LAist)
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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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Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
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