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

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

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East LA residents overwhelmingly support a community council

Interim findings show residents want elected representatives, greater transparency and more influence over county decisions.
California pension ruling limits how many vacation hours workers can count for retirement

A new California Supreme Court ruling upholds limits on how many vacation hours government workers can cash out and apply toward the pension formulas.
Immigration agents used racial slurs during LA sweeps, court records show

Records released as part of a lawsuit challenging racial profiling show that immigration agents used slurs to refer to Latino targets.
California bill would let abuse victims use trauma as legal defense for violent crime

For the fourth year in a row, California lawmakers are weighing whether to give violent criminals the legal right to cite abuse in their defense.
More people are showing up to hospitals in ICE custody. A new report teaches staff how to respond

Doctors, nurses and other staff are learning how to make legally valid requests of federal immigration agents — and what to do if officers refuse to comply.
Feds move to drop case against LA labor leader David Huerta

Prosecutors filed a motion Monday to drop their case against Huerta, a year after he was arrested for protesting an ICE raid.
Will becoming a charter city solve Orange's financial struggles? Voters will decide this fall

Voters will be asked in November if the city should adopt the charter model. Other OC cities like Santa Ana and Huntington Beach have adopted charters.
Nearly 150,000 mail ballots rejected in California’s primary despite efforts to count every vote

The number of ballots represent a spike from recent elections.
California sues Trump over emergency funding rules that pressure states on elections

California is suing the Trump administration over conditions on emergency grants that tie funding to the president's priorities on elections and immigration.
A defiant Trump imposes replacement tariffs on biggest US trading partners

The administration timed a new set of tariffs on all of its largest trading partners to take effect at the same time the old, global tariff ended.
Billboard ads and stadium taxes head to Inglewood voters this November

The Inglewood City Council cleared two initiatives to go before voters this fall, but one still faces a court battle.
Men’s Central Jail was supposed to close in 2021. LA County's latest report pushes it beyond 2031

A 2020 vote by L.A. County supervisors called for the facility to close without a replacement in one year. A commission says that's not feasible anytime soon.

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Civics & Democracy