Civics & Democracy

LAist’s coverage of civic life and citizen issues in Southern California. We cover elections, examine who gets listened to and why, and provide a guide for anyone who wants to more fully participate in civic life.

Cars drive along a four lane surface street, past a Popeye's restaurant and Ralph's market.

Inglewood is redrawing the city map for the first time in nearly 40 years

The city’s new land-use plan draft calls for mixed housing and business zones along La Brea Avenue, Arbor Vitae Street and Century Boulevard.

Trump imposes 50% tariffs on Canadian goods

Gavin Newsom’s return-to-office rules are stricter than many states, including Texas

A large neoclassical style building with a black dome and columned pediment at dawn.

Deadline looms to join LA County’s inaugural Ethics Commission. Here's how to apply

A large building with an entrance sign that reads "Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration."

Crenshaw Chamber of Commerce wants small business owners to know about a new forgivable loan program

People walk down a sidewalk past a building with a mural of Nipsey Hussle and text written over his face that reads "Crenshaw."

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Key takeaways from Trump's China trip

President Donald Trump returns to the U.S. after wrapping up his whirlwind trip to China.

Listen 3:50
Huntington Beach's MAGA coalition is fracturing over 'cronyism'

Huntington Beach’s MAGA majority showed signs of fracturing over recent allegations of self-dealing. Some say the problem is pervasive.

Listen 0:41
OC halts use of chemicals that critics say poison the county’s creeks and coast

A tiny OC environmental group used election jostling to score a big win.

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Newsom’s last budget: Cut California spending now, save for the AI bubble to burst

California tax revenue is soaring thanks to tech stocks. But Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing more cuts, warning that the boom won’t last and Trump cuts will hit the state hard.
San Clemente voters will decide on a sales tax to pay for more sand

If approved, the sales tax increase will bring in $15 million annually.
California governor frontrunner Xavier Becerra’s playbook: Never say you’re sorry

Democratic frontrunner for California governor Xavier Becerra has dodged weeks of criticism about his record.
Panicked California Democrats are pushing a risky strategy: Wait till the last minute to vote

Liberal California activists are urging Democrats to wait until the last minute to vote in the race for governor, then support the frontrunner in the polls.
LA County forms a committee to oversee a policy protecting patients brought in by ICE

A county policy that went into effect earlier this year informs health workers on how to navigate interactions with law enforcement.
'Being here breaks people': Inside solitary confinement at Adelanto

ICE detention centers are placing more people in solitary confinement. Some detainees say they’ve been put in isolation for asking for essentials.

Listen 4:10
Trump's Truth Social lays bare narrow obsessions of an extremely online president

The bulk of the president's social media posts don't make news. But taken together they show what's on his mind as he leads the nation through war and domestic turmoil.

Listen 4:13
Former staffers accuse OC assessor candidate of misuse of campaign funds and sexual harassment

Party leaders told Janet Keo Conklin to lawyer up and drop out of the O.C. assessor race. Conklin denies the allegations of misuse of campaign funds and sexual harassment.

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Matt Mahan talks to LAist about why he should be California's next governor (Transcript)

The California gubernatorial candidate and San Jose Mayor spoke about homelessness, taxation and more.

Listen 26:04

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Civics & Democracy