Morning Brief: Redistricting, Possible Strike In Hollywood And Local Restaurants Pick Up Prestige

Good morning, L.A. It’s Sept. 23.

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Now, back to the news...

OK, pop quiz: in which Congressional district do you live? What’s your state Assembly district? Or city councilmember’s or county supervisor’s district?

I know mine (definitely did not Google any of them and you can’t prove I did), but if you don’t know off the top of your head, don’t sweat it because they might be changing soon.

That’s right, L.A.: It’s redistricting time!

And look, I know that’s probably the most boring “It’s ____ time!” statement I could write, but the process of redrawing electoral maps can have huge consequences for our local, state and national democracies.

As José Del Río III, a local redistricting advocate who spoke with our newsroom’s radio show AirTalk explains:

That’s why we published an explainer to answer all your redistricting questions, like:

• Who draws the new district maps?
• How do they decide where to draw the lines?
• How can I give feedback on the maps?

So brush up on your redistricting knowledge and dazzle your loved ones, colleagues and complete strangers with all your democratic process savvy.

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

What Else You Need To Know Today

• LAUSD and its teachers union have agreed on a "continuity of learning plan" for students and teachers who are sent home to quarantine because of COVID.
• Sheriff's Capt. Britta Steinbrenner is the latest entry in the race to unseat Sheriff Alex Villanueva.
• In more LASD news, Sheriff Villanueva provided his reaction to the recent RAND report on deputy cliques. He dismisses it, and says cliques are harmless "make-believe gangs."
• As the city of L.A. redraws its electoral maps, Korean American leaders have revived a campaign to move Koreatown from four council districts into one.
• The union that represents Hollywood’s below-the-line workers — people such as editors, costume designers and cinematographers — could soon go on strike. Here’s where things stand.
• Riverside County has approved an emergency notification system for the San Jacinto Mountains that builds upon the work of local amateur radio operators. They often provide critical information during a wildfire, landslide or earthquake.   
• A majority of Californians and New Yorkers support the right to recall elected officials, according to a new study out of Claremont McKenna College. That's even though New York doesn't have a recall process, and the majority of California voters were against recalling Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Before You Go... Yes, The Tire Company Has Restaurant Recommendations

The beef pho at Pho 79, a Garden Grove restaurant that received a 2019 James Beard America's Classics Award. (Leo Duran/LAist)

The historically Eurocentric and Los Angeles-phobic Michelin Guide, which has made attempts in recent years to broaden its culinary perspective, just announced a bunch of new California restaurants in its Bib Gourmand category. And Southern California did well.

Of the 45 new Bib Gourmand restaurants revealed on Wednesday, 16 of them are located in Los Angeles or Orange counties.

They include spots that specialize in barbecue, Brazilian fare, Peruvian cuisine, fancy sandwiches, tacos, ramen, dumplings and, of course, Italian food. While we think Michelin's list still lacks enough representation of Mexican and Central American restaurants, it's a tasty spread.

Read more about our local list-makers here.