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

Fullerton cuts nearly $7M in vacant positions, library program and more to balance budget

The city was looking at a multi-million dollar budget deficit.
A fake poll fooled the LA mayor’s campaign. It’s a 'wake-up call' for other politicians

The fake poll is raising fears about betting market fraud and serving as a “wake-up call” for other campaigns.
Xavier Becerra gets to play it safe in the race for governor, and he isn’t making promises

The Democratic frontrunner is exceedingly cautious, preferring to study policy and avoid making promises he might not be able to keep.
Sparks fly between LA mayoral candidates in first debate leading to the November election

Incumbent Karen Bass and challenger Nithya Raman debated homelessness, housing and police staffing.

Listen 1:29:26
Naturalization barriers keep growing. But don’t rule yourself out, local advocates say

Advocates say they are seeing delays in the scheduling of interviews and heightened scrutiny of applicants.
LA’s Fashion District feels like a ghost town a year after the raids

“For Lease” signs dot once-busy storefronts, where immigration raids led to a drop in foot traffic and fear among workers and shoppers.
Bass and Raman face off in first mayoral debate ahead of the general election

Candidates for LA mayor, incumbent Karen Bass and challenger Nithya Raman, are expected to clash over homelessness, housing and the city's response to the Palisades fire.
State Farm defense lawyers admit AI generated fake cases in LA lawsuit

Lawyers for a former Los Angeles homeowner find AI-generated “hallucinations” in State Farm’s filings.
Will California vote ‘progressive’ in insurance commissioner race?

Jane Kim, backed by Bernie Sanders, could ride the progressive wave. Ben Allen has the CA Democratic party’s endorsement.
ICE gives detention centers high marks for health under Trump even as deaths climb, report finds

ICE detention centers are receiving high marks for health and safety under the Trump administration, according to a new investigation by the Project on Government Oversight.
Tired of the political texts on your phone? Here's how to stop them — well, some of them

California voters are being inundated with messages from political campaigns ahead of November
Poll shows Latino voters favor a good economy over political ties

Polling from the Latino Working Class Project found that Republican support among California Latinos has dropped. Here's why.

Listen 15:57

Hey, LA listener!

Civics & Democracy