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.
LA councilmember Curren Price recovering after dehydration scare
Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren D. Price Jr. speaks before a signing ceremony for the final approval of the Los Angeles Convention Center expansion last week. He got dizzy at a groundbreaking for the project on Wednesday and was taken to a hospital.
(
Jonathan Leibson
/
Getty Images for MLK Community Foundation
)
Topline:
Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren Price was hospitalized Wednesday after suffering from dehydration during a groundbreaking ceremony for the L.A. Convention Center expansion project, according to his office.
What happened: Price, 74, appeared to become dizzy as people were speaking at the 7:30 a.m. event. Video shared by KABC shows Mayor Karen Bass, a former nurse, helping to tend to him before paramedics arrived and placed him in a wheelchair and took him to an ambulance. He appeared to be awake and alert.
Office statement: “During today’s groundbreaking for the expansion of the Los Angeles Convention Center, Councilmember Curren Price experienced a health-related incident. After undergoing initial evaluations, medical experts determined that he was suffering from dehydration. Out of an abundance of caution, he will continue to be monitored.”
Sponsored message
Where things stand: In an updated statement, Angelina Valencia-Dumarot, a spokesperson for Price, said the council member is "resting and recovering, while staying fully engaged with his staff to ensure the work of serving District 9 continues without interruption."
About Price: Price represents Council District 9, which includes the Convention Center. He is an avid supporter of the controversial $2.6 billion expansion project, which was approved by the City Council last month. He previously served in the state Assembly and Senate.
Corruption charges: The L.A. District Attorney’s Office has accused Price of multiple public corruption charges, alleging he voted to approve projects involving developers who had paid money to his wife’s consulting company. A preliminary hearing on the charges is scheduled for Nov. 3. Price has pleaded not guilty.
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.
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.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
