One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Morning Briefing: California’s Unemployment Disaster
Never miss a morning briefing. Subscribe today to get our A.M. newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Good morning, L.A.
If you’ve tried to navigate California’s unemployment system in recent months – and many Angelenos have – you’ve no doubt noticed that it’s in need of some … upgrades.
Well, a recent task force put in place by Gov. Gavin Newsom found the same thing, and, as a result, the state’s Employment Development Department will stop taking new claims for the next two weeks as it attempts to sort itself out.
Among other findings, the report revealed that the department has a backlog of nearly 1.6 million unresolved claims; callers trying to reach the department have, at best, a one-in-1,000 chance of talking to a human; and applicants for unemployment who don’t speak English “have a difficult, if not impossible, time navigating the unemployment application process."
Those who already have open claims will continue to receive benefits during the next two weeks.
Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A. today, and stay safe out there.
Sponsored message
Coming Up Today, September 22
Caroline Champlin takes a deeper dive into what is at stake for L.A. in the 2020 Census -- and how a lawsuit that's playing out in federal court may or may not change things.
Mike Roe sits in on a 10 a.m. news conference where Disney officials will go over plans to operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic -- including at the still-shuttered Disneyland and California Adventure parks.
Never miss an LAist story. Sign up for our daily newsletters.
Sponsored message
The Past 24 Hours In LA
The Bobcat Fire: The ongoing blaze in the Angeles National Forest surpassed 100,000 acres over the weekend, making it one of the largest wildfires in L.A. County history. As owners of Southern California’s last pack station, Maggie Moran and her family were relieved to learn that firefighters defended her home and business – located in a popular recreation area in the Angeles National Forest – from the Bobcat Fire.
Coronavirus Updates: There has been a 23% decrease in hospitalizations and a 25% decrease in COVID-19-positive ICU admissions in California over the past two weeks.
Money Matters: California’s unemployment system will stop accepting new claims for the next two weeks, as it attempts immediate reform following the publication of a damning report.
Higher Education: The Cal State University system will on Wednesday announce a new chancellor to replace retiring Timothy White.
Sponsored message
Photo Of The Day
A Joshua Tree burns during the Bobcat Fire in Juniper Hills.
(Kyle Grillot/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.
Sponsored message
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
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
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.
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.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
