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.
Morning Briefing: Child Care Workers Unionize
Children in a preschool class play while wearing facemasks. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
Never miss a morning briefing. Subscribe today to get our A.M. newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Those of us with little kids at home know that nothing — nothing — can be accomplished without the help of child care. During the coronavirus, that has become even more painfully evident. To that end, a subset of child care workers voted this week to unionize, giving them a better chance to fight for the pay and benefits they so rightly deserve.
Ballots were mailed out over the past month to providers who work with low-income families and receive subsidies from the state. Of those returned, 97% were in favor of being represented by a union.
Most of the providers who fall into this category, reports Mariana Dale, are women of color, and a long, racist history exists in America of underpaying (or not paying at all) women of color to care for other people’s children. This may be a step towards righting that wrong — centuries later.
Support for LAist comes from
Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A. today, and stay safe.
Coming Up Today, July 28
The Emmy nominations are out Tuesday morning. There will be a microscope on how TV Academy members are addressing calls for inclusion and diversity. John Horn will have the story.
Never miss an LAist story. Sign up for our daily newsletters.
Support for LAist comes from
The Past 24 Hours In LA
Coronavirus Updates: L.A. County reported 2,039 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to at least 176,028 cases countywide. Coronavirus positivity rates in the state over the past 14 days are relatively stable, at 7.5%. Coachella Valley Congressman Raul Ruiz, who is a physician, recently requested that drug companies that are developing a coronavirus vaccine also propose a distribution plan.
Policing The Police: The LAPD will create a permanent bureau to make its community policing program citywide. Little has changed in law enforcement’s use of so-called less-lethal projectiles, despite urging from activists and civil libertarians.
Money Matters: Child care providers in the state have overwhelmingly voted to be represented by a union over better pay and other benefits. Angelenos will find out this week whether they’ll get help from the city with their rent.
Here’s What To Do: Learn about the history of coffee, join a botany-inspired ice cream tasting, discuss Penelope Lowder's new play and more in this week’s best online and IRL events. Listen to Episode 4 of California City, in which host Emily Guerin tracks down the army of salespeople that sold Nat Mendelsohn's dream of a desert paradise.
Photo Of The Day
Support for LAist comes from
A woman wrapped in the Mexican flag attends a recent protest demanding justice for George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and also in solidarity with Portland's protests, in front of L.A. City Hall.
(Photo by Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)
()
Help Us Cover Your Community
- Got something you’ve always wanted to know about Southern California and the people who call it home? Is there an issue you want us to cover? Ask us anything.
- Have a tip about news on which we should dig deeper? Let us know.
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.
This post has been updated to reflect changes in what's coming up for today.
Support for LAist comes from
DON'T MISS ANY L.A. CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Get our daily newsletters for the latest on COVID-19 and other top local headlines.
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
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.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
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.
Best of LAist