Morning Brief: Garcetti’s Last Mayoral Speech, The Dodgers’ Home Opener, And Yemandja

Good morning, L.A. It’s April 15.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti may be on his way to India as a U.S. Ambassador, but until that decision is confirmed, he’s still our mayor (well… until his term is up at the end of the year).

Yesterday, Garcetti delivered his final State of the City address. Standing on the Sixth Street Viaduct, he touted his accomplishments in office, including increased mental health crisis response teams and a commitment to greening the city.

“Your city needs to be safe,” he said. “It needs to be beautiful. It needs to deliver its services effectively. And the fact is, year one or year nine, we have no intention of letting up our commitment to that safe, beautiful, effective city.”

With that said, Garcetti wisely admitted that affordable housing in L.A. and California is, at present, a “failure.”

“Simply put, we have not built enough housing for the people of L.A.,” he said. “Dreams made become dreams deferred become dreams departed when businesses and families pull up stakes for twice the square footage at half the price somewhere else, and those who can't relocate live with less and less and less opportunity.”

While in office, Garcetti faced a great deal of criticism for the housing crisis, which has gotten worse on his watch. Many of his detractors also believe that his successful push to hold the Olympics in L.A. in 2028 will divert needed resources away from housing — or result in sweeps that will only serve to further displace unhoused communities.

Still, Garcetti had advice for whoever comes next.

“I will be rooting for you,” he said. “Get to energy independence, recycle 100% of our water, finish those 15 transit lines, complete those 12,000 supportive housing units and do 12,000 more in half the time … Push your general managers to do more, and hire the great leaders who will push our city to reach beyond its grasp.”

Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A., and stay safe out there.

What Else You Need To Know Today

• Businesses with five employees or fewer have until the end of today to apply for L.A.’s micro-enterprise grants to be used to cover payroll costs. 
• With the Dodgers home opener last night, masks are no longer required in the stadium, but they are recommended for people with health risks.
• Twenty young adults facing felony charges could avoid jail time thanks to a new L.A. County pilot program that will instead put them on a path towards a career in carpentry.
• Some CSU faculty report having not received any of the raises they negotiated in their new contract.
• Two new motions will enable the city to address illegal dumping on the streets and in vacant lots of trash and junk like appliances, furniture, tires and other waste.
• Lawmakers have called for an investigation into a troubled student loan cancellation program two weeks after an NPR report revealed the program wasn't living up to its promise.

Before You Go ... This Week's Event Pick: Yemandja

Angélique Kidjo stars in new, original work of 'Yemandja,' playing at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica.

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Patrick Fouque

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Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo tells the story of the Yoruban deity Yemandja in this musical theater work “inspired by her ancestors, her family, and Africa’s resilience.” The L.A. premiere of this Broad Stage co-commission is also inspired by Greek tragedies — and highlights the consequences of robbing people of their culture.

Or, you could: Watch gritty, old-school dramas at Noir City: Hollywood. Laugh along with Trixie Mattel and Katya. Attend an audio-theatrical experience. Watch Angélique Kidjo in a theater performance. Celebrate Passover, Easter, or that small music fest in the desert. And more.