Articles in the “news” category

Hot, Sweaty, Close Together - Fighting Wildfires In The Time of Covid
Sizeable outbreaks could impact wildfire response.

The Rich Have Stopped Spending And That's Tanked The Economy
While retail sales bounced back in May after a deep drop in March and April, the wealthiest Americans are not spending as freely as they did before the pandemic. And that could limit the recovery.

LA Takes Step Towards Taxing Vacant Units
Los Angeles is in a housing crisis, yet up to 100,000 units, many of them luxury apartments, sit empty. Could a vacancy tax help?

Unemployment Is Hitting LA's Black Neighborhoods Hard
Many Black neighborhoods now have levels of unemployment that are double -- and in some cases triple -- the rates seen in predominantly White neighborhoods.

'Things Have Gotten Ugly': Pandemic Pushback Drives Health Directors To Quit
Orange County Chief Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick resigned June 8, after receiving threats over her order for residents wear to face masks in public. She's just one of several local health officers in California to quit since the pandemic began.

At City Hall, Organizers Behind The 'People's Budget' Present Plan To Defund LAPD
Melina Abdullah told council members, "this is a moment where the world has cracked open, and you all have the opportunity to really be courageous."

LAUSD Superintendent Wants School Police Ban On Pepper Spray And Controversial Neck Hold
The district will also review the budget -- including the allocation for school police -- over the summer.

Reconciliation? Better Citizen Oversight? Experts Weigh In On How They Would Fix The LAPD
Because there's more that can be done beyond cutting money

Officials Walk Back Initial Call Of 'Likely Suicide' In Palmdale Hanging
The L.A. County coroner now says he needs to look at the case "a little more deeply and carefully."

Scrap Your Old Ride For Cash, Get A Newer, Cleaner Vehicle
The Replace Your Ride program from AQMD gives low- to moderate-income owners of older cars a shot at the same kind of rebates higher-income people get when they buy new electric cars.

What Happened To Your Recyclables During The Pandemic?
About half the recyclable materials put out on the curb in L.A. County Sanitation Districts territory ended up in local landfills.

'All Black Lives Matter' Protest Puts The Spotlight On Queer And Trans Rights
The All Black Lives Matter rally is underway, with protesters marching from Hollywood to West Hollywood.

Elected Officials Call For Attorney General Becerra To Investigate Robert Fuller's Death
Protesters gathered Saturday around the tree in a Palmdale park where Robert Fuller was found hanged. (Josie Huang/LAist) Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support...

LA's Gyms Are Allowed To Reopen After Coronavirus Closures, But They Won't Look The Same
Get ready to spin outside, 6-feet apart.

Palmdale Protesters Say Robert Fuller's Death Was A Lynching, Ask State To Investigate
The Antelope Valley NAACP says the grieving family deserves to know if foul play was involved.

Mis Ángeles: How A 2-Hour Road Trip For Some Julian Apple Pie Helped Me Heal
For some reason, I've been granted a platform to highlight the beauty and strength of L.A.'s most invisible communities. But that's not something I can do if I'm broken.

Will LA Keep Zero Bail For Now? DA Lacey Says It Should
The state Judicial Council had imposed the program to fight the spread of COVID-19 in the jails; it's ending it June 20.

As Community Calls For Justice, Palmdale Officials Vow Full Investigation Into Robert Fuller's Death
Social media is alight with #JusticeForRobertFuller messages.

In California, A Vocal Minority of Asian Parents Helped Defeat Affirmative Action Once Before. This Time It Could Be Harder.
An effort to restore affirmative action at California's public universities and state agencies is gaining steam amid the Black Lives Matter movement.

How These LA Small Businesses Pivoted To Survive Coronavirus
For three months we've been following small businesses along a stretch of Lincoln Blvd. in Venice to document the pandemic shutdown. This month: entrepreneurial ingenuity.

The Hidden Cost Of Inherited Blackness
It's the inheritance I never wanted, but also kind of need every day. It was delivered in pieces over the course of 30 years with no receipt. What can I say? Thanks. I hate it.

PHOTOS: Black Girls Surf Organizes Protest From Their Boards
Now other surfing organizations are planning future paddle-outs.

How 'All Black Lives Matter' Emerged From The Ashes Of A Failed Solidarity March
When Christopher Street West decided to host a "Black solidarity march," they did it without consulting any Black activists outside of the organization -- and that says a lot about West Hollywood's Whiteness problem.

Jogging While Black: I Tried Everything To Look Less Threatening, And 'Still They Crossed The Street'
Cheryl Farrell had a lovely Spanish-style home in a foothill suburb. She enjoyed her morning jogs along the tree-lined streets. Until she noticed people avoiding her.

SoCal's Homeless Crisis Is Accelerating. Here Are The 2020 Numbers
A dismaying reveal during a dismaying time; homelessness jumped another 13% this year.

Audit: Inland Water District Officials Spent Big On Themselves
The audit is the latest mess for the West Valley Water District, which has has been in turmoil for years amid accusations of cronyism and overspending.

Wounded And Uninsured, Protesters Get Free Medical Aid From LA Doctor
"This is just more little bits of injustice that people are feeling if they're peacefully protesting, and they're getting hurt."

Soaring Demand For LA's Public Housing, But Few Openings
Applications to live in Los Angeles public housing surged last month, a sign of the pressure Angelenos are feeling.

Any Day Now, The Supreme Court Could Upend These Young Immigrants' Lives
The Supreme Court is expected to decide this month whether President Trump can end the DACA program.

Outrage In Compton Over Video Of Deputies' Rough Arrest Of Black Man
The bystander video shows three deputies roughly pinning Price on the ground, with one holding Price's head down with his leg and punching him once, and another kneeing him five times in the side.

Activists Call For A Ban on LAPD 'Less-than-Lethal' Weapons At Protests
During the protests "we had numerous, numerous folks who were hit in the back as they were retreating, or in the shins, and on the neck," said a member of the National Lawyers Guild.

LA Police Commission Says Off-Duty Cop Who Shot And Killed Unarmed Man In Costco Violated Policy
A review board found no evidence to support Officer Salvador Sanchez' claim that Kenneth French was holding a handgun. It also was presented with evidence that French was moving away from Sanchez when the officer shot him.

Could LAUSD Disband Its School Police Department?
Leaders of the district's teachers union have endorsed the idea -- but would the LAUSD board enact it?

Most 'Pop-Up' Child Care Centers Were Already Watching Kids Before The Pandemic
Los Angeles child care centers braced for a wave of new kids -- instead, many reported low enrollment.

As Many Angelenos Stayed Home, LA County Saw A Spike In Coronavirus Among Latinos. Here's Why
An LAist analysis finds that by late April, L.A. County saw a surge in infections among Latinos.

Project Roomkey Has Placed 9,400 Homeless People Into Temporary Hotel Rooms. Now What?
While a large number, it falls far short of Governor Newsom's 15,000 goal. And as the hotel rooms have only been leased for three months, the future is uncertain

Photo Essay: The Day Black Lives Matter Showed Up At Eric Garcetti's House
This is what it looks like when thousands of people demonstrate in front of the L.A. Mayor's house, demanding systemic change.

LA Black Lives Matter Leader Takes Clergy To Task For Inaction
"It is our sacred duty to fight for the full freedom of our people, not a comfortable place in oppression," Melina Abdullah said during a memorial for George Floyd.

California Released Its Guidelines For Reopening Schools. You're Right If You Think You've Heard This Before.
Schools will likely follow "hybrid" models at first.

Brushfires Pop Up Across LA As Unusually Strong, Dry Winds Pummel Region
The Santa Ana winds driving the fires are uncommon for this time of year.

'Defund The Police'? What To Expect From Today's City Council Budget Committee Meeting
Protesters helped force city leaders to target up to $150 million in LAPD spending for cuts.

Here's What Mass At LA's Cathedral Looks Like During Coronavirus
Cherished rituals like taking communion have been altered but parishioners expressed relief and joy at returning to the pews.

Ridin' Low and Slow In Solidarity With Black Angelenos
Mr. Huerta in his 1950s Chevy Deluxe at today's "Eastside Ride" protest caravan in Boyle Heights. (Robert Garrova / LAist) Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters....

Simi Valley Councilman Apologizes For Facebook Post Calling For Protesters To Be Hosed Down
The councilman later removed the post and told CBS News that it was a joke.

Saturday's LA Protests: Here's What Happened
Anti-police brutality protests continue for an 11th day in Los Angeles. Here's what you need to know.

Agonizing Over What I Saw: Reporting on Protests, Looting And Cleanup In Santa Monica
The stakes are incredibly high. Did I come up short?

Photos: In A Different Kind of Protest, Hundreds Clean Up South LA Streets
"I asked everyone what group they were with and they said 'We're here with L.A., volunteering.'"

In Their Own Words: Students Share Lessons Learned From Organizing And Protesting
"This isn't new to us." Students have been on the front lines, but their voices haven't often been heard in the media coverage of this week's demonstrations.

Mis Ángeles: How A Young Black College Student Helped Ease Tensions In His Hometown
About 300 people would wind up shutting down Brookshire Avenue and marching along Firestone Boulevard, two of the city's busiest streets, for the biggest display of civil disobedience Downey has seen in my lifetime.

Police Union Excoriates Mayor Over Budget Cuts, 'Killers' Comment
The director of the union representing L.A. police called the mayor's mental health into question and criticized his leadership during a time of crisis for the city.

Millions Raised For Immigrants Struggling Through Covid, But Most Will Not See It
The state of California and philanthropies are disbursing $125 million to immigrants lacking legal status. It's enough to help a small fraction of California's 2 million undocumented.

Chief Moore: Hundreds Of LAPD Jobs Will Be Eliminated If Police Budget Is Reduced
LAPD Chief Michael Moore said personnel expenses make up about 96% of the department's budget and these cuts would require a significant reorganization.

Conflicted: A Black Journalist's Reckoning With Her Race, Family And Police Brutality
LAist Data Editor Dana Amihere struggles to find peace within her personal divisions -- as a black woman, journalist and wife of a white man -- following the past few months of police brutality and protests.

Coronavirus Could Cause A 'Learning Loss' Crisis. Here's How Bad It Could Get -- And What To Do About It
We need to brace ourselves for the possibility that the coronavirus pandemic will knock thousands of California children measurably behind in school, perhaps for years.

National Guard Keeps Watch On 9th Day Of Anti-Police-Brutality Demonstrations in Downtown LA
Protests are underway at City Hall and other locations in Los Angeles.

California's Early Earthquake Warning System Worked Wednesday Night (For Some)
It seems that not everyone got the heads up shaking was coming.

How Does Race Shape Your Life In LA? Tell Us
Angelenos live race every day: We get profiled, we get pigeonholed, we pass, we get the what-are-you question, we get nervous behind the wheel, we get uncomfortable, we get the message that we're never American enough. We want to hear your stories.

Yes, The 5.5 Earthquake You Felt Was A Ridgecrest Aftershock
And there's a 5% chance we could see a larger earthquake in the next few days.

How Will 'Hybrid Schedules' Work If K-12 Schools Reopen This Fall? LAUSD Is Thinking About It
If campuses do reopen, students will likely spend only a few days in a classroom each week and learning from home the rest of the time.

Going Deeper Than 'F The Cops': Angelenos Speak On Policing In Their Neighborhoods
We drove across L.A. asking people about their relationship with police.

Why Are LA Metro Buses Taking People Arrested In Protests To Jail?
Metro says it's following state law to provide mutual aid in times of emergency. Some transit advocates say it's a misuse of resources.

Black Lives Matter Employed Non-Violent Resistance At The Mayor's House. LAPD Backed Off
Protesters called for "Care Not Cops" and justice for black people killed by police.

DA Jackie Lacey: 'I'm Angry... So Many African American Men Have Been Murdered At The Hands Of Police'
Jackie Lacey said of the officer charged with George Floyd's murder: 'That's somebody that shouldn't have been in the policing to begin with.'

Everyone's Imposing Curfews. But Do They Work?
Law enforcement says curfews are necessary to keep people safe. Experts say curfews could do more harm than good.

Day 7: Anti-Racism Protests Continue Around LA
Hollywood. Hancock Park. Downtown L.A. On Day 7 of nationwide demonstrations, Angelenos continue showing up to protest racism and police brutality.

Police Using Rubber Bullets On Protesters That Can Kill, Blind Or Maim For Life
Police in multiple cities are using supposedly "nonlethal" crowd-control methods from rubber bullets to tear gas bombs to pepper-spray projectiles.

Even Young Children Notice What's Happening In The World Right Now. Here's What You Can Do To Help Them Understand
What L.A. parents are doing to start conversations about race and help their kids dream of a better future.

In South LA, Reflections On The Quiet Amidst The Unrest
People in Watts talk about how their area has so far been on the sidelines.

What Happens After George Floyd? California Leaders Consider Reparations
Assemblywoman Shirley Weber's AB 3121 would establish a reparations committee to educate Californians about slavery and recommend ways the state can help remedy generations of inequality and discrimination.

The False Dichotomy Of Protest Coverage So Far
The focus in this moment, UCLA's Isaac Bryan told us, should be "the movement for Black lives."

Protests In LA Day 6: Floyd's Memory 'Deserves A Better Los Angeles... A Better World'
Protests continue for a sixth night around Southern California as people take to the streets to express their anger over the killing of George Floyd.

Black And Tired In This American Newsroom
Today, I carry on and do the most that anybody can do during this time: try to create something that heals the world, even if true change is something that I may never see.

LA Civil Rights Leader On Police Brutality, Protests: We're In The Last Battles Of The Civil War
An interview with Civil Rights lawyer Connie Rice on the legacy of the 1965 Watts Rebellion, the real, longest American war, and what we already know about how to stop police killings of black men.

Flying This Summer? Expect Temperature-Taking, Masks And Less Space At The Bar
LAX might start taking passengers' temperatures this summer, part of a series of COVID-19 changes as the airport rebounds from its worst-ever slump in traffic.

KPCC/LAist Reporters Tear-Gassed, Shot With Rubber Bullet
Our reporter Adolfo Guzman-Lopez said he had just finished interviewing a kneeling protester when he felt something strike his throat. 'It just doesn't square up with, you know, what is the policy towards using rubber bullets.'

PHOTOS: Protests Against Police Brutality Continue Sunday Across LA
Photos from our reporters in Long Beach, Santa Monica and L.A.

LA Protests Over Death Of George Floyd Stretch Into 5th Day
Demonstrators have converged at 3rd Street Promenade and have begun marching in downtown L.A.

Following Chaotic Night In LA, Strangers Come Together To Start The Cleanup
Store owners were helped in cleanup efforts by local good Samaritans Sunday after some were looted and vandalized the night before.

Black Lives Matter-LA Leader Explains 'Very Deliberate' Choice To Demonstrate In Upscale Neighborhoods
Melina Abdullah of Black Lives Matter-L.A. says demonstrations are meant to push for an end to police killings and pushing city spending away from police toward more safety net programs.

These Recent Events Are A LOT -- Tell Us Your Story Or Ask A Question
The latest events bring up a wide range of emotions and reactions to this country's tumultuous and troubled history with race and policing

LA Councilman Mike Bonin: 'We Need To Pay Attention To The Violence Of Systemic Racism'
He tells us: 'Almost all of the people who were out on the streets yesterday -- and I know many of them were there peacefully and peaceably -- did absolutely nothing wrong.'

'Righteous Anger.' LA Weighs In On Another Day Of Protests
"We're tired. I'm tired of the hashtag 'rest in power, this person's son,' 'rest in power, this person's daughter. We want to live in power."

PHOTOS: Weekend Protests Start Peacefully; Intensify With Police Presence
A collection of images from the weekend, in chronological order.

Anger Over Historic Police Brutality Boils Over In Los Angeles In Saturday's George Floyd Protests
Los Angeles is heading into a fourth day of planned protests over police brutality

Violence Erupts Throughout Downtown LA Friday Night; 500 Arrested
Police worked early Saturday morning to disperse crowds in downtown Los Angeles as multiple businesses were looted following demonstrations against police brutality spurred by the in-custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier in the week.

'The World Is Messed Up:' One LA Neighborhood Reflects On George Floyd's Death, The Pandemic, And Pain
In much of Los Angeles, anger over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis comes on top of more pain and anxiety -- including from the pandemic, which has hit some communities harder than others.

How LA Is Reckoning With The George Floyd Protests
The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis has resonated across the country, once again sparking protests and riots. Angelenos share their thoughts about what made this one in particular strike a nerve.

Mis Ángeles: George Floyd Should Be Home With His Family Right Now
It's apparent to me that Derek Chauvin would not have faced justice had protests in Minneapolis and across the country forced Chauvin's arrest four whole days later. It's not right and you know it. God, I hope you know it.

LA Metro Projects Ridership Could Take 2 Years To Return To Pre-Pandemic Levels
Metro's leaders outlined which projects will move forward and which are being delayed as the agency works to weather an estimated $1.8 billion shortfall.

'Why Do We Always Get Hit First?' Proposed Budget Cuts Target Vulnerable Californians
Safety-net health care programs that keep low-income Californians out of nursing homes are on the chopping block as Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers attempt to plug a massive budget deficit caused by the COVID-19 emergency.

LA Diary: This Dance Major Watched Graduation On The Couch, But She's Staying On Her Toes
It was a couch commencement for this community college grad, and a time to honor those who helped her get to this moment.

George Floyd's Death Is One Of Many Reasons Activists Are Pushing For A 'People's Budget' In LA
A coalition of community groups and activists is pushing to cut funding for LAPD in favor of spending on social workers, housing, public transportation, health care and other services.

State Guidelines To Reopen Your Gym Are A Week Or So Away
A fitness industry group has drafted what it hopes California will adopt as guidelines for reopening gyms and health clubs.

Will Corporate Landlords Gobble Up Homes During Downturn? California Politicians Are Concerned
California politicians are worried Wall Street will swoop in and buy up single-family housing -- in a repeat of the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.

Giving Birth In A Pandemic Can Be Isolating. It Doesn't Have To Be
Delivery rooms are becoming less crowded. Here's how one family found support for birth in the midst of the pandemic.