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Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, Education Reporter

I focus stories about college students who are at a crossroads, particularly those on the first rung into higher education. Many of those students are trying to overcome academic and other challenges because they believe college will be the path to a better life. How do the people around them -- in their personal lives and at the institutions they attend -- help or hinder their success?
I'm finding that nearly two decades of reporting in Los Angeles is helping me understand how students' futures are shaped by race, politics, finance and other factors.
My stories on L.A. mayoral elections, arts, bilingual education, school district elections, standardized test scores, and college fee increases are serving as important background to these new stories I'm looking for and telling.
Have a question you want me to answer? Ask me below.
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The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings.
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People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past.
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Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
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Distrito Catorce’s Guillermo Piñon says the team no longer reflects his community. A new mural will honor local leaders instead.
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The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades.
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More than half of sales through September have been to corporate developers. Grassroots community efforts continue to work to combat the trend.