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

Follow the money: Who’s backing California’s next governor — and why

Spending on the California governor’s race is breaking records, and it’s not just Tom Steyer’s $213 million in contributions.
New California law bans law enforcement from interfering in state elections

The law bans law enforcement from interfering in elections. It takes effect just in time for the June 2 primary.
LA City Council delays minimum wage increases for tourism workers

The council made the final vote Tuesday, pushing back a boost to $30 an hour for airport and hotel workers from 2028 to 2030.
Trump DOJ mass-deletes info on Jan. 6 riot cases, including violent assaults on cops

The Trump DOJ purged government news releases with information about prosecutions of rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol and assaulted law enforcement on Jan. 6, 2021.
How Orange County is making sure Garden Grove evacuees can still vote

There are multiple ways to cast a ballot in the June 2 primary.

Listen 0:45
Immigration courts are using a new tactic to speed up deportations

The Justice Department is moving up the court hearings for hundreds of immigrants and scheduling them for mass hearings. If they don't show up, they could be ordered deported.
In mayor's race to represent LA, this activist thinks Black views matter

The discussion missing from the primary campaign is how and whether Mayor Karen Bass has benefited L.A.’s Black community.
California’s ‘groundbreaking’ fast food council lacks a leader, hasn’t met in over a year

Fast food workers, council members call on Gov. Newsom to appoint a chairperson so the council can meet again.
Katie Porter talks to LAist about why she should be California's next governor (Transcript)

The California gubernatorial candidate and former representative in the U.S. House discusses government spending, oversight and more with AirTalk host Larry Mantle.

Listen 30:04
Career prosecutors accuse LA city attorney of dropping cases to help donors

A supervising prosecutor wrote in an email that City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto has a pattern of protecting donors. She says that’s false.
Tulsi Gabbard resigns as national intelligence director citing husband's cancer diagnosis

Gabbard is the latest in a series of cabinet officials to leave the Trump administration.
The other June 2 vote in LA: New funding for streetlight repairs

Have you noticed long waits to get L.A. city streetlights fixed? Here's what to know about a vote on funding future repairs.

Listen 18:31

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Civics & Democracy