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.

How does the uncertainty of TPS for El Salvador affect your community?

LAist is hosting listening sessions throughout Southern California. Tell us what immigration issues we should cover.

OC Board of Education member faces more penalty fees for failing to report millions in income

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LA neighborhood councils: 3 things to know before attending a meeting

A meeting of people sitting around tables facing a crowd of people sitting in chairs, with one person with long hair sitting in the foreground with a laptop facing away.

For Central Valley farmworkers, a court order brought calm. Now it's on hold — and LA is watching

Farmworkers in wide-brimmed hats bend over rows of leafy crops in a field, with vehicles and utility poles in the background.

Data from 911 calls at ICE detention centers must be released under bill going to Newsom

A slightly blurry photo of two people wearing dark blue jump suits with text on the back that reads "Inmate" as they walk down a hallway.

More Stories

Biden's Address To Congress, Annotated

The speech comes about 100 days into his presidency, and is being delivered to a Capitol chamber with reduced occupancy, as a result of the pandemic.
Governor Newsom Will (Almost Certainly) Face A Recall Election This Fall

Secretary of State Shirley Weber said Monday that recall sponsors have exceeded the required number of verified signatures to qualify for the ballot.
California Will Lose A U.S. House Seat And An L.A. District Could Be Vulnerable

Based on the initial results of the 2020 Census, California will lose power in Congress and the electoral college for the first time in the state’s history.
Biden Calls Slaughter Of Armenians A Genocide, Posing Test For U.S. Ties With Turkey

President Biden on Saturday declared the mass slaughter of Armenians at the hands of Ottoman Turks more than a century ago a "genocide," bucking pressure from Turkey's government as well as decades of precedent to describe the atrocity as one that was ethnically motivated.
Garcetti Wants $1 Billion In Homelessness Spending. A Federal Judge May Have Other Plans

Hours after the Mayor released his 2021-22 budget proposal, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter slapped the city and county with a far-reaching order demanding more accountability for spending on homelessness initiatives.
The Highlights Of Garcetti's State Of The City Address

Mayor Eric Garcetti delivered his address Monday afternoon.
L.A. County CEO Recommends $100 Million For Measure J Priorities In 2021-22 Budget

The voter-approved ballot measure promotes alternatives to incarceration and direct investments in communities.
$1,000 A Month, No Strings Attached: Garcetti Proposes A Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot In Los Angeles

L.A.'s Mayor wants to fund the largest guaranteed income experiment in the U.S.
Democrat Christy Smith Will Challenge Rep. Mike Garcia Again In 2022

The 25th Congressional District is likely to be a key race to decide the partisan balance of power in the House in 2022.
City Councilmember Joe Buscaino Wants LA Mayor Job

The LAPD reserve officer and representative for the 15th Council District says he is running for mayor in 2022.
Despite The Pandemic, Turnout In the 30th State Senate Special Election Is About Average

Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager easily won Tuesday’s election. So far turnout is 13%, which is roughly the historical average for this type of special election in L.A. County.
California GOP Tries To Unify At Spring Convention, Looking Ahead To Newsom Recall

Over the weekend, state GOP leaders promised a 'California Republican comeback.'

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Civics & Democracy