Morning Briefing: Police Reform Gains Momentum

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There’s momentum on police reform in L.A., but two possible actions on Wednesday returned two different results.

After an epic, 11-hour meeting, the LAUSD board failed to pass any of the three proposed motions that would have changed how police operate in their schools, including one that would gradually reduce funding for school police by 90%.

Meanwhile, an L.A. City Council committee took a step towards replacing LAPD officers with unarmed service providers for some emergency calls. The committee voted in favor of tasking city staff with creating a response plan and studying similar community policing models used elsewhere in the country.

In both cases, though, this is no doubt just the beginning. Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A. today, and stay safe.

— Jessica P. Ogilvie

Coming Up Today, June 25

City boosters sold Southern California as an outdoor paradise, waiting to be explored. That enthusiasm for the outdoors led to the "great hiking era," which ran from roughly the 1880s to the 1930s, explains LAist contributor Hadley Meares.

When Robert Fuller and Malcolm Harsch’s bodies were found, some expressed disbelief that any Black man would hang himself from a tree. Now Harsch's family says he did take his own life. Robert Garrova looks into the suicide rate among Black youth, and finds that it’s rising.

A million Angelenos have lost jobs and income in the past few months. So far, those households have been protected from losing water, gas and electric service. When the pandemic eases, reports Sharon McNary, some new policies at utilities might help erase some of that debt.

An estimated 36,000 home child care providers will soon decide whether or not to be represented by the union Child Care Providers United, reports Mariana Dale. Ballots are being issued by mail, starting June 25. Organizers estimate it's the largest union push in California in 20 years.

Sip a martini old-school style at Musso & Frank, learn about the history of chocolate and vanilla, check out Photo L.A.'s galleries and talks without leaving your home, and more. Christine N. Ziemba has the weekend’s best online and IRL events.

Cases of COVID-19 in L.A.County are on the rise, from 4,230 positive tests Sunday, to 5,019 Monday, to 7,149 Tuesday, but officials are still moving forward with easing into reopening. A Martínez speaks to a professor of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology at USC Keck School of Medicine to understand what’s going on.

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The Past 24 Hours In LA

Coronavirus Updates: Mayor Eric Garcetti is nearly doubling the coronavirus testing capacity in L.A. to handle increasing demand. We hear from high school students about how they've been adjusting to life in 2020.

Policing The Police: The L.A. City Council took a step toward replacing LAPD officers with unarmed service providers for some emergency calls. After an 11-hour meeting, the LAUSD board could not reach a consensus on three resolutions related to school police.

Fresh Air: L.A. City Councilmember David Ryu wants the city to study making the Slow Streets program, established to give Angelenos more outdoor space amid stay-at-home orders, a permanent fixture. Monsanto settled a lawsuit brought by L.A. and Long Beach Counties, demanding the company pay to reduce pollution by cancer-causing chemicals, for $550 million.

I Feel The Earth Move: A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck Lone Pine, California on Wednesday morning. The amount of the damage across the area is still unclear, but the Mount Whitney Portal, about three miles from Lone Pine, is closed due to rockslides.

Equal Representation: Activists drove caravans through the streets to encourage people from historically undercounted neighborhoods to fill out the 2020 census. The State senate has voted to place affirmative action on the Nov. ballot.

Federal Immigration: President Trump issued a proclamation that expands and extends restrictions on legal immigration, including new restrictions on several types of non-immigrant work visas.

Disney Does A 180: After pushback from worried employees, Disney officials announced Wednesday that they no longer plan to reopen their Anaheim Parks on July 17. They blamed it on the state of California.

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Photo Of The Day

Kyle Jones, who just graduated from Mendez High School in Boyle Heights as student body president, spoke to us about what it was like to be a senior in 2020.

(Chava Sanchez/LAist)

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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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