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

Five SoCal races we're watching as the vote count trickles in

As mail-in ballots are added to vote totals, some races are narrowing. Here's the latest on Measure ER, L.A. City Council District 9 and others.
Federal immigration raids in LA started a year ago. They left a permanent mark on many

The detentions ignited sweeping marches and ongoing community activism.
LA mayor race: Bass will face Raman in November. Pratt is out

L.A. City Councilmember Nithya Raman gained enough votes, according to the Associated Press, pushing reality TV personality Spencer Pratt out of the runoff.
5 things to know about the Trump administration’s new green card policy

Just before Memorial Day, the Trump administration issued a sweeping new policy directive that took aim at legal immigration.
A Republican stronghold in Southern California will remain red in Congress. Here’s what that means

Congressmembers Ken Calvert and Young Kim are top contenders in the race for the newly redrawn District 40 in Southern California.
Foot traffic to small shops fell after last year’s ICE raids. Owners say it never really came back

A year after immigration raids exploded in LA, many small shops are still in recovery mode as even a rumor of ICE activity can make customers rethink casual shopping trips.
LA County sheriff: ICE will be at the World Cup in LA but agents won’t do enforcement

"We're gonna have a whole new host of problems" if ICE does detain people, L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said Monday.

Listen 0:44
Pratt is accusing Mayor Bass of celebrating K-town's destruction in 1992. What really happened

Korean Americans have debated Bass' comments on South L.A. liquor stores for years, and some say they're sick of their pain being used as a campaign talking point.
More candidates are using their personal wealth to campaign than ever before. Should voters care?

All eyes are on one billionaire’s spending for governor. A CalMatters analysis shows the story may lie in the millions spent by down-ballot candidates.
Will Huntington Beach concede defeat in state housing feud?

The Huntington Beach City Council is slated to vote Tuesday on a housing plan — after years of resistance.
This LA County judge wants your vote even though he’s accused of violating several ethics rules

Should a judge accused by state officials of ethics violations get re-elected? That’s the question L.A. County voters will have to decide as voting wraps up on Tuesday.
Former Arcadia mayor pleads guilty to acting as a secret agent for China

Eileen Wang was charged with one count of acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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Civics & Democracy