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.

Men’s Central Jail was supposed to close in 2021. LA County's latest report pushes it beyond 2031

A 2020 vote by L.A. County supervisors called for the facility to close without a replacement in one year. A commission says that's not feasible anytime soon.

Listen 0:39

Newsom’s populist act: Oppose state billionaire tax, embrace federal one

A close up slightly low angle view of Governor Gavin Newsom, a man with light skin tone, wearing a dark blue checkered suit and unbuttoned white shirt, looking out of frame.

Trump’s new immigration strategy revealed in purchase of 2 ICE detention centers in California

Signage stands in a driveway that reads "CoreCivic" as a large white bus drives away on a highway in the background.

A year of ICE raids in LA County has cost Latino businesses millions in revenue — and so much more

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A person on an electric scooter drives past a boarded up white and green building that still has markings indicating that it was once a car wash. Palm trees and a cloudy sky are in the background of a residential area.

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

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

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California lawmakers propose $23 billion bond to cover Trump cuts to science funding

Democratic lawmakers aim to put a bond measure on the 2026 ballot that would create and fund the California Foundation for Science and Health Research.
Santa Ana officials say why they abandoned a $7M grant for child care facilities

City management said the initial award wasn’t enough to jumpstart the program and couldn’t handle the requirements, but some council members dispute those claims.
Man freed after 41 years in prison. OC prosecutors admit their office failed to turn over evidence

Guy Scott has spent 41 years in prison on a murder charge that was recently dropped after prosecutors uncovered evidence casting doubt on Scott’s role.
Supervisors seek to limit use of license plate reader information at Sheriff's Department

The board approved a motion asking the Sheriff's Department to enact a policy prohibiting it from sharing license plate data with federal immigration authorities
Can Rancho Palos Verdes stop homes from sliding toward the ocean? A new study might find out

The study aims to look at how stormwater collects in the landslide area — and whether it can be directed elsewhere.
You can finally attend Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council meetings in person. How to get involved

After a year of rebuilding, the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council will return to the Community Room at Boyle Heights City Hall on Sept. 24.
Cost of marriage licenses to nearly double in Los Angeles County

Officials cited rising operational costs and other factors for the increase.
Which of these 2025 bills will Gavin Newsom sign?

Newsom has one month to sign or veto bills passed by the state Legislature.
Trump files $15 billion defamation lawsuit against New York Times

President Trump filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and four of its journalists, accusing them of harming his business and personal reputation.

Listen 3:54
Proposition 50: Allowing California to use new congressional maps to counter redistricting in Texas

This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
OC’s standoff with federal government over voter data gets a trial date

Whether the case will get all the way to trial is unclear, but it's part of a national effort by the Trump administration to obtain unredacted voter data.

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Umar Hakim-Dey, a pillar of SoCal’s Muslim community, has died

He leaves behind a legacy of community service, mentorship and interfaith advocacy.

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Civics & Democracy