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.

Voting officials fear DHS may actually be a threat to elections this year

Voting officials worry that DHS will not be a partner helping to secure elections.

Listen 4:39

Newsom says he’s on Trump’s ‘hit list’ as Justice Department interviews governor’s friends

A man wearing a navy blue button up shirt points his finger while speaking to an older man wearing a navy blue suit jacket and black baseball cap.

California admits using high-risk AI — including systems it failed to report last year

Large signage of the seal of California on a concrete building with windows. Underneath it is text that reads "State of California" on building.

California Democrats have a budget deal. Here’s where they want to spend more than Newsom

A collage of two photos side by side: on the left is Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, a man with light skin tone, wearing a black suit, speaking. On the right, is Sen. John Laird, a man with light skin tone, facial hair, wearing a dark blue suit and glasses, gesturing with his left hand in the air as he speaks.

A key US spy tool is set to lapse on Friday — now what?

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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.
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.

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Civics & Democracy