It’s Thursday, Feb. 27 And Here Are The Stories We’re Following Today

Top of the morning, readers. Thanks to some particularly tropical Santa Ana winds, temperatures have been climbing further and further into the 80s since Tuesday. They’re likely to reach their highest points today, followed by a cooldown — and maybe even rain! — this weekend.

In other news, the grumpiest of SoCal owls finds a happy ending, Los Feliz gets a new homeless shelter and a program providing free doula services to black mothers-to-be — who, along with their newborns, are more likely to die in childbirth than white mothers-to-be and their newborns — gets a second chance.

Here’s what else we’re following:

Covering Today:

• A new study shows that the vast majority of people receiving homeless services in L.A. have held down jobs, reports David Wagner – some right up until the time they became homeless.
• Curry House, the popular Japanese chain, abruptly closed its restaurants across Southern California with little to no warning. LAist food editor Elina Shatkin is bringing you up-to-the-minute updates.
• State Senator Ling Ling Chang will put forth a new bill to ensure that the CA lottery pays what it owes to public education, reports Leo Duran.
• The first African American to work at Disney. An artist who became an animator after being interned. One of the first women in animation. Pop culture writer Mike Roe takes a look at some of the diverse creators through animation's history, and the struggles they've faced.
• As always, check out our list of L.A.’s best weekend events.

In Case You Missed It:

• Organizers in Santa Ana are working to get rent control on the November ballot.
• The lovingly nicknamed “Grumpy Owl,” injured in the Maria Fire, has recovered and is going home.
• Ground has been broken for a new homeless shelter in Los Feliz, on the southeastern edge of Griffith Park.
• A program providing free doula care for black mothers-to-be is being revived following complaints of racial insensitivity.
• We're following the fire that broke out at the Marathon Refinery in Carson.
• Why did Orange County declare an emergency after only one reported case of coronavirus?
• Oh, and California now has the first U.S. case of COVID-19 in a person without a clear connection to an infected individual.
• It’s hot, and getting hotter.
• A friendly reminder that the way you will vote in this election is different than the way you probably voted in the past.

Help Us Cover Your Community:

• Got something you’ve always wanted to know about Southern California and the people who call it home? Is there an issue you want us to cover? Ask us anything >>
• Have a tip about news on which we should dig deeper? Let us know >>

The news cycle moves fast. Some stories don't pan out. Others get added. Consider this today's first draft.