Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Morning Briefing: No More Outdoor Dining

Good morning, L.A.
After issuing a stern warning last week about the rising spread of coronavirus, L.A. County officials have made good on their plan to increase restrictions if COVID-19 cases kept rising.
On Sunday, the average number of cases over the previous five days was above 4,000. In response, outdoor dining will no longer be permitted as of Wednesday night. The move came after officials instituted a limited stay-at-home mandate, requiring that residents not leave the house (with a few exceptions) between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
The new restrictions on outdoor dining will be in effect for at least three weeks. They apply to restaurants, bars, breweries and wineries.
“We hope individuals continue to support restaurants, breweries and wineries by ordering for take-out or delivery,” said Barbara Ferrer, L.A. County’s Director of Public Health. “We also fervently hope every L.A. County resident supports all our businesses by following the Public Health directives that we know work to slow spread.”
Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A. today, and stay safe out there.
Coming Up Today, November 23
At the direction of the Board of Supervisors, L.A. County's coroner will soon begin an official inquest into the fatal deputy shooting of Andres Guardado – the first such inquest in more than 30 years. Frank Stoltze looks at what to expect.
Southern California college administrators say COVID is contributing to a drop in international student enrollment -- but it was already dropping amid anti-immigrant sentiment, reports Adolfo Guzman-Lopez.
The rhetoric around U.S. immigration policy has been heated during the four years of Trump's presidency. It hits close to home for A Martínez, host of our own Take Two, and for many other Angelenos as well.
As families seek ways to celebrate a safe Thanksgiving, one Burbank woman will drive to her kids' homes to deliver and pick up food. Josie Huang will have the story.
Julia Paskin will report on the challenges faced by passengers who choose to travel despite CDC recommendations against it.
Participate in a virtual dance party, pre-burn Turkey Day calories at a fun run, explore the glory of slime, and more. Christine N. Ziemba will have this week’s best online and IRL events.
Never miss an LAist story. Sign up for our daily newsletters.
The Past 48 Hours In LA
Restaurants Struggle To Stay Open: Orange County restaurants offering outdoor seating (they are still permitted to do so, as of Sunday evening) can apply for a new grant program that aims to help owners keep their operations open during the winter. In L.A. County, prior to Sunday’s announcement that outdoor dining would be prohibited, restaurants were already bracing themselves for the fallout of a 10 p.m. closing order.
Street Vendors Speak Out: We spoke to local street vendors about how the curfew might affect their business, which relies heavily on late-night foot traffic.
A Thousand Words: A mural in the Venice boutique Nati, featuring top female Democrats on a fictional shopping trip, has gone viral – and not in a good way.
Photo of the Day
People walk outdoors during the "Glow" light exhibition at the South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes Peninsula, a few hours before the start of the statewide curfew.

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.
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
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?