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.

An entrance where two large columns stand that read "MacArthur Park" leading into a park with trees and walkways.

What we know — and don’t know — about the MacArthur Park fence

Plans to enclose MacArthur Park are still somewhat unclear, including the project's timeline, total cost and what closing off the green space could mean for the neighborhood.

Lawmakers vote to let first responders retire earlier and with more money. Will Newsom sign on?

A group of firefighters walk up a steep hillside as firetrucks are parked in the distance.

The data center backlash is here — and Big Tech is spending big to combat it

A silhouette of a person speaking on a phone in front of a window with a downtown area and bridge in the background.

Voter ID is on the ballot: Tell LAist about your experience getting an official ID

A close up of the corner of an ID showing a yellow bear illustration with a star inside of it.

Judge hands victory to Westminster councilmember, but political war continues

Listen 0:45

A group of adults and children smile together outside a courtroom door labeled Superior Court Department W13.

More Stories

Here are the major Supreme Court decisions decided this term

The Supreme Court is heading into its crunch time, the part of the year when the justices are racing to finish decisions and dissents in the cases that remain undecided.
Another lead change? How to keep track of the vote counting in the 2026 primary

Major shifts have kept candidates and election-watchers on their toes, but that’s not unusual for California's vote-counting process.
What to do with $3.7M recovered from Andrew Do scheme? OC leaders to discuss Tuesday

Do’s successor said the funds should support residents of his former district who were deprived by the scheme. Other supervisors have expressed different views.
Inglewood’s billboard battles just got weirder

Inglewood's billboard dispute escalates into rival ballot initiatives backed by WOW Media and stadium operators.
California wants to cap business tax credits, alarming life sciences and tech industries

California's life sciences industry, and some lawmakers, urge state leaders to reject budget proposal to permanently limit R&D tax credits.
California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton says he believes Joe Biden won the 2020 election

During an interview on LAist's AirTalk with Larry Mantle, Republican candidate Steve Hilton talked about confidence in California's election results.

Listen 17:27
I wrote about George Santos. Then he made a violent threat and lied about it

After NPR reported on new federal investigations examining the former Congressman's bets, he threatened the reporter who broke the story.
Senate Republicans pass immigration funding after overnight vote

After a marathon 18-hour vote, the Senate has funded immigration enforcement. The GOP bill funds ICE and the Border Patrol for three years.
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.

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Civics & Democracy