Civics & Democracy

A man pushes a cart with several green baskets containing stacks of ballots. On both sides of him are tall carts with white baskets and people are pictured in the background seated at long tables.

Nearly 150,000 mail ballots rejected in California’s primary despite efforts to count every vote

The number of ballots represent a spike from recent elections.

California sues Trump over emergency funding rules that pressure states on elections

A room filled with people inspecting ballots while sitting at tables.

A defiant Trump imposes replacement tariffs on biggest US trading partners

Billboard ads and stadium taxes head to Inglewood voters this November

A large digital billboard of a man wearing a blue and gold suit with a jet in the background and smaller text that reads "Axe my tax."

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

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Voters shape the LA city budget, too — here's how

Five ballot measures voters passed that affect what the city can and can't spend.
Trump tried to fire Corporation for Public Broadcasting board members. Then came DOGE

DOGE staffers tried to assign a team to the independent Corporation for Public Broadcasting after President Trump's alleged firing of three board members last month.
Newsom’s proposal to clear homeless encampments begs question: Where are people supposed to go?

Gov. Gavin Newsom once again is calling on cities and counties to ban homeless encampments on the streets.
The mayor’s budget proposal could change LA. Here’s where the cuts would hit the hardest

LAist breaks down how the proposed cuts could restructure city government.
Trump administration launches investigation into CA’s cash assistance program for certain immigrants

A Los Angeles County department is being subpoenaed for all records, including immigration status.
This California man won citizenship for all. That right was just upheld by Supreme Court

How the 130-year-old case of Wong Kim Ark played into the Supreme Court's ruling on birthright citizenship.

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Federal judge temporarily halts Trump's sweeping government overhaul

A federal judge in San Francisco issued a two-week restraining order temporarily blocking the Trump administration's sweeping overhaul of the federal government. Her order applies to 20 agencies.

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Floods exposed weaknesses in California prisons’ emergency plans. They still aren’t ready

Earthquakes, wildfires and floods all could cause problems for California prisons. A new audit says they aren't ready to quickly evacuate prisoners.
President of LA's firefighter union suspended over financial audit findings

United Firefighters of Los Angeles City President Freddy Escobar, a prominent figure in the city's union politics, has been suspended, according to the Associated Press.
Trump expands military use at the southern border. Are there legal limits?

The Posse Comitatus Act restricts using federal troops in civilian law enforcement. Exceptions exist, but Trump's crackdown on immigration is shaping up to be a major test for the law.
When will Democratic lawmakers make California more affordable? Later, leaders say

In December, California’s Democratic legislative leaders deemed affordability an 'urgent' issue this year. So far they have little to show for it.
LAist requested fire-related texts and emails from the LA mayor’s office. We’re still waiting

Following the release of text messages related to the January fires to other media outlets, LAist requested to review the available public records. The mayor’s office shared some texts, but LAist is still waiting on communications from the days prior to the start of the fire.

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Civics & Democracy