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Morning Briefing: A Sliver Of Optimism For LA
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As some states in the U.S. slowly gain control over the coronavirus, the number of cases and hospitalizations in California continues to go up. And according to Carmela Coyle, a spokesperson for the California Hospital Association, the state could reach a breaking point soon; nearly 45,000 of its approximate 50,000 staffed hospital beds are currently taken.
Meanwhile, in L.A. County, the virus is poised to become the leading cause of death, beating out Alzheimer’s, non-coronary heart disease and stroke.
However, Barbara Ferrer, the county’s public health director, believes there might be room for some optimism, as local increases in infections have begun to level off.
This week could be "a critical turning point in determining whether our collective efforts are beginning to take us in a better direction,” Ferrer said.
Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A. today, and stay safe out there.
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Coming Up Today, July 23
In South Los Angeles, three new voices in food activism — a healer, an artist and a chef — are taking three different approaches to fighting food insecurity and sowing the seeds of a Black food sovereignty, reports Lil Kalish.
Yacht rockers perform by the sea, electronic music artists rave the vote, puppets cope with quarantine, and more. Christine N. Ziemba has this week’s best online and IRL events.
Researchers are predicting that California will soon lose two seats in Congress according to new population estimates. Caroline Champlin takes a look at where those two seats are and what could happen.
Our reporter Adolfo Guzman-Lopez provides a first person account of being struck in the throat by a foam bullet fired by police while covering protests in Long Beach on May 31. Meanwhile, Aaron Mendelson has the Long Beach Police Department’s explanation.
Many restaurants are feeling whiplash as they were forced to close indoor dining very soon after reopening. Emily Guerin explores how they and their employees are coping with the uncertainty.
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The Past 24 Hours In LA
Coronavirus Update: This week could be "a critical turning point in determining whether [L.A.’s] collective efforts are beginning to take us in a better direction," said Barbara Ferrer, the county's public health director. California reported its highest number of new coronavirus cases yet, and hospital officials say they’re concerned about having enough staff to care for patients.
For Your Listening Pleasure: In this week’s episode of Servant of Pod, host Nick Quah talks to Slate's Slow Burn host Josh Levin about making great audio.
The Children Left Behind: A UC Berkeley study finds the pandemic has ravaged the state's child care system.
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‘Person’s A Person’: Local experts and activists react to President Trump’s memo directing officials to exclude immigrants living in the U.S. without legal permission from the census numbers used to divide up congressional seats.
Photo Of The Day
Dodgers players and a manager watch the final out of a preseason game at Dodger stadium, wearing masks and standing in front of cardboard cutouts of fans. Welcome to summer.
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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The news cycle moves fast. Some stories don't pan out. Others get added. Consider this today's first draft, and check LAist.com for updates on these stories and more. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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This post has been updated to reflect changes in what's coming up for today.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
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