SAG-AFTRA Resumed Negotiations Monday. Here’s What Experts Are Predicting (And Other Headlines)

The Writers Guild of America struck a triumphant deal with the studios and streamers last week, and my grandmother is relieved that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert can soothe her to sleep again.

But as one WGA member wrote to LAist last week, “Until SAG-AFTRA has an agreement, this is all moot.”

Some experts are worried that their negotiations might drag on longer than many expect

While this isn’t true for my grandma, it does speak to what Hollywood’s greater ecosystem needs to truly get up and running again.

SAG-AFTRA, the actors union, went back to the bargaining table on Monday and are hoping they can make similar strides as the WGA in their negotiations with the AMPTP. NPR’s Chloe Veltman spoke with Todd Holmes, assistant professor of entertainment media management at California State University Northridge.

"This is what you would call 'pattern bargaining,' where usually one deal is worked out with one union, and then when the other union has a lot of similar things that they've been asking for, then that usually falls in line pretty quickly and agreement is reached," Holmes said.

But SAG-AFTRA represents a broad spectrum of performers (actors, dancers, stunt people, etc.) in the entertainment industry, with different needs to be met — and for that reason, some experts are worried that their negotiations might drag on longer than many expect. Read the full story here.

Have a happy Tuesday, friends. There’s more news below - just keep reading.

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• Officials disclosed that a joint operation over the past year between LAPD, the California Highway Patrol, and Homeland Security has led to the arrests of 27 higher-up members of a narcotics and firearm trafficking network. They also seized 30 weapons, 72,000 Fentanyl pills, and 143 pounds of methamphetamine. 
• After issuing over 2,100 complaints about the environmental conditions resulting from the Chiquita Canyon Landfill, residents in Val Verde, Castaic and other communities surrounding the landfill will be eligible for grants up to $2,000. 
• NPR is dedicating an entire week to covering solutions to the climate crisis. One solution they’re highlighting is the military’s usage of independent power systems known as microgrids. 
• LAist’s Caitlin Hernández took a trip to the L.A. river to put some mosquito-repelling technology to the test. In case you missed it yesterday, check out their guide to learn which products worked best.

(more news headlines here)

Wait... one more thing

Skipping Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights? Check out the Inland Empire’s ScareScape

ScareScape is a new haunt in the 909.

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Alexandra Berru

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Courtesy of ScareScape

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It’s October, which means it’s time for Halloween, which means I’m ready to be moderately frightened.

A classic outing for many Angelenos is Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios. But recent goers have been flooding social media with complaints about extremely long lines — and that, even more than fake chainsaws, terrifies me. As Tik Tok creators Juna N Joey put it, “Can’t tell which is more scary, the houses or the lines.”

One alternative that I’ll be checking out myself: ScareScape. It’ll feature four mazes, food vendors, a VIP lounge, cocktails and latte bars, roaming monsters, live entertainment and jump scares…score.

Read more about how to visit ScareScape in our weekly events lineup — along with other great events happening in Los Angeles and SoCal this week.

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