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It’s Wednesday, Jan. 29 And Here Are The Stories We’re Following Today

With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today. 

Welcome to Wednesday. It’ll be sunny and breezy with a high around 74 degrees and an overnight low of 53 (at least downtown). The countdown to the March 3 primary election continues, and a lot is changing, from where we vote to the machines we vote with. We’ve launched a special guide to help you get prepared. We’re calling it your Voter Game Plan.

What We’re Covering:

  • On the election front, we’ll be live-streaming a debate among the candidates for Los Angeles County District Attorney. The debate, hosted by KPCC and the L.A. Times, features incumbent DA Jackie Lacey, former San Francisco DA George Gascon and former federal public defender Rachel Rossi. If you miss it, you’ll be able to catch highlights and analysis tomorrow. Libby Denkmann, who covers politics for KPCC and LAist, will represent our newsroom as one of the moderators.
  • As a palate cleanser, food contributor Stefan A. Slater will tell you everything you ever need to know about olive oil — its history, what makes it “extra virgin,” how to pick the best stuff, and more.
  • Reporter David Wagner will have a report on pushback from cities in Orange County to a draft of new state housing goals that would significantly increase development in wealthy, coastal parts of Southern California.
  • Also on the housing front, the state legislature is considering a controversial bill to zone more units near transit hubs. Senate Bill 50 aims to help alleviate the housing crisis, but some cities and counties chafe at the idea of ceding control to the state. Reporter Caroline Champlin will have more on the impact and reactions here locally.
  • Reporter Yingjie Wang talked to the Chinese community about why Kobe Bryant was so popular.
  • We’re also continuing to track developments on the coronavirus outbreak that has left more than 100 people dead in China and put travelers on high alert. Late last night we got word the plane carrying Americans from Wuhan will no longer land at Ontario Airport.

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. Stories sometimes get postponed or simply don't pan out. As such, this list is not final.

At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.

But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.

We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.

Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.

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