With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Kamala Harris sworn in as US senator, Kenealy named acting California attorney general

Kamala Harris stepped down as California's former attorney general and was sworn in Tuesday as a new U.S. senator, naming Kate Kenealy as the state’s acting attorney general before her departure.
The move comes after Gov. Jerry Brown announced last month that he had tapped Congressman Xavier Becerra, a Democrat representing downtown Los Angeles, as Harris' replacement as attorney general.
Brown officially submitted Becerra's nomination to the state Legislature Tuesday. The first hearing on the nomination is set for Jan. 10 in the Assembly.
Becerra must be confirmed by both the Assembly and Senate before he becomes the state’s attorney general, which is expected given the Democrats' dominance in both houses.
The congressman will likely serve as a high-profile legal opponent to any efforts by President-elect Donald Trump to overturn California's policies in areas like immigration and the environment.
In a letter dated Dec. 28 to Becerra, the Assembly Special Committee on the Office of the Attorney General asked the congressman to submit a written plan to address "critical issues" for California, among them immigration, civil rights, environmental protection, police accountability and consumer protection.
"Donald Trump has made multiple statements that directly contradict California law and policy. Our next Attorney General will have great responsibility for protecting Californians and our values, and defending our laws," wrote the co-chairs, Assembly members Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer Sr. and Mark Stone.
Becerra has invited President-elect Donald Trump's administration to "come at us," pledging to fight to preserve California's progressive programs.
Kenealy will serve until the Legislature makes a final decision on whether Becerra will serve as attorney general. Kenealy previously worked as a deputy attorney general, and has served in the office for more than a decade, working on natural resources law, civil law, and children's justice, among other areas.
A spokesperson for Becerra said his office had no update on when the congressman plans to leave his seat. The governor will have two weeks from Becerra's departure to call a special election to fill the congressional seat.
A list of candidates for the office has been growing, although several high-profile officeholders have bowed out of the running.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
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.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.

-
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings.
-
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past.
-
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
-
Distrito Catorce’s Guillermo Piñon says the team no longer reflects his community. A new mural will honor local leaders instead.
-
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades.
-
More than half of sales through September have been to corporate developers. Grassroots community efforts continue to work to combat the trend.