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."

More Stories

Should a California union dictate how clinics spend money? Employers sue to block ballot measure

California health clinics are suing to stop a union ballot measure that would dictate how they spend money — and they say it could force hundreds of clinics to close.
Congress ends record shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security

Thursday's vote in the House provides funding for DHS after a more than two-month shutdown, but does not include dollars for ICE and CBP.

Listen 4:26
Supreme Court ruling on voting won’t change California districts, but could hurt Democrats

The law in California was primarily used to help Latinos gain political representation.
Officials aim to fix tech problems in MyLA311, LA's service-request system

An update to the system last year was supposed to make it more responsive and user-friendly, but problems persist.
Karen Bass talks to LAist about why she should be reelected mayor of LA (Transcript)

Bass, who currently serves as the mayor of L.A., covered topics ranging from her homelessness approach to city infrastructure.

Listen 28:25
Supreme Court appears to lean toward ending TPS for some migrants

The U.S. Supreme Court appeared sympathetic to the Trump administration's move to end temporary protected status for Haitians and Syrians in the country.

Listen 4:34
Santa Ana City Council to consider self-checkout staffing requirements

The city of Long Beach was the first city to adopt self-checkout rules.
California’s race for secretary of state shows partisan divide over how to count ballots

Shirley Weber says accuracy matters more than speed. Her GOP challenger says the delays undermine trust. It could take a month to certify June's results.
Inglewood City Council greenlights police body cams and automated license plate readers

Other L.A.-area police departments have used body cameras for years, and Inglewood has faced increased calls for transparency.
The U.S. Supreme Court strikes another severe blow to the Voting Rights Act

Although the court kept Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act intact, Wednesday's decision all but guts the landmark law.

Listen 3:52
Candidates target Steyer, Becerra in free-wheeling California governor debate

In a chaotic debate Tuesday night in Pomona, Democrats targeted Steyer and Becerra and everyone sought a breakout moment. No one broke out of the pack.
Grand jury indicts former FBI director James Comey for a second time

The case revolves around a photo the former FBI director posted online last year of seashells on a beach arranged to say "8647."

Listen 3:49

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Civics & Democracy