Civics & Democracy

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

LA City Council president seeks guarantee that LA businesses will get a piece of the Olympics pie

Marqueece Harris-Dawson has introduced a motion in city council asking LA28 to ensure city businesses will get lucrative contracts.
Becerra easily leading California governor’s race defined by partisan split, poll shows

Xavier Becerra holds an 18-point lead over Steve Hilton among likely voters in the new poll from UC Berkeley, a stark contrast to June’s messy primary contest.
California lawmakers call for faster DACA renewals amid prolonged processing delays

A California Assembly resolution is urging the federal government to speed up DACA renewals as prolonged processing delays leave some educators unable to work.
Firefighters warn of worse response times, overburdened stations as city debates cuts to LBFD

Long Beach is trying to close a large budget gap with cuts across many departments.
New bills seek to protect neighborhoods from a future disaster like the Lineage warehouse fire

The bills would require companies like Lineage maintain contingency funds for emergencies and would raise possible fines when they violate local regulations.
Audit of COVID-era contracts in OC finds millions awarded with little accounting

A new report finds several top executives brushed aside concerns from subordinates about conflicts of interest with disgraced former Supervisor Andrew Do.

Listen 0:37
LA City Council approves deal with LA28 on Olympics spending. Huge financial risks remain

The city is still on the hook for a potentially infinite amount of money if the 2028 Olympics are a financial failure.
Irvine considers more job protections for grocery workers. Here’s what the proposed law would do

City staff will draft an ordinance barring workers from being laid off during ownership changes.
Long Beach will soon restore a piece of its hip-hop history, and they want your advice

After years in storage, the World Famous VIP Records sign will soon be displayed in a small park. Planners will take feedback at a public meeting on Aug. 13.
AP exclusive: ICE plans to give officers gloves that can deliver painful electric shocks

ICE officers may soon be outfitted with gloves that can deliver painful electric shocks that are intended to gain compliance from combative individuals.
OC voters finally know what measures did — and did not — make it to the 2026 general election ballot

Voters will be asked to decide on several ideas, including changes to local governance and tax increases.
LAPD cop recorded colleagues' racist and sexist remarks. Will his prosecution chill whistleblowers?

Los Angeles Police Officer Daniel Flores secretly recorded colleagues he says were making racist, sexist and homophobic remarks.

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Civics & Democracy