With Swalwell out, where does the governor’s race stand?

With Swalwell out, where does the governor’s race stand?

Eric Swalwell, who had emerged as one of the top candidates in California’s crowded governor’s race, suspended his campaign Sunday evening after a series of women accused him of sexual assault and harassment, including allegations that he raped a former staff member twice. In the short statement posted on social media, he did not address whether he will remain in Congress. Swalwell, a married father of three who represents the East Bay, faced swift calls to resign from his House seat and leave the governor’s race after the allegations were published by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN on April 10. In addition to the political fallout, he’s now facing a criminal inquiry from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in New York and possibly Alameda County — where the 2024 and 2019 alleged assaults each took place. “To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” Swalwell said on X. “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”

You can read the full story at LAist.com.

LAUSD could still see strikes after some unions reach tentative deal with district

Los Angeles Unified reached deals with some of its biggest labor unions on Sunday, ahead of a planned April 14 strike that would shut down the district. On Sunday morning, LAUSD announced a deal with United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), whose members include 35,000 teachers and counselors. In the evening, district officials announced an agreement with Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, which represents 3,000 principals and other school leaders. But educators are expected to honor possible picket lines on Tuesday if a deal can't be reached with the remaining union in negotiation, SEIU Local 99. That union represents bus drivers, classroom aides and other staffers. “Despite [United Teachers Los Angeles] having reached a tentative agreement with the school district, teachers have pledged to stand in solidarity with SEIU Local 99 and join in a sympathy strike," SEIU Local 99 said in a news statement on Sunday. An LAUSD spokesperson said negotiations are continuing into Sunday evening. The three unions gave the district an April 14 deadline to reach agreements or else face a walkout. A strike could shut down district schools and disrupt the education of about 400,000 students and the lives of families scrambling for child care. For more on how negotiations are playing out, and the potential impact on our region if a strike does happen is Mariana Dale, LAist senior reporter covering K-12 education.

With files from LAist.

SoCal History: How California cleaned up its skies

The clear skies of Southern California are something many of us take for granted, but Los Angeles used to be synonymous with smog that blanketed the city. Smog and Sunshine: The Surprising Story of How Los Angeles Cleaned Up Its Air (University of California Press, 2026) details the unlikely coalition that fought back against the pollution to clean up their city. Larry is joined by author Ann Carlson, Shirley Shapiro professor of Environmental Law at UCLA, to talk about the history of environmental activism and regulation that led to transformative change.

What have the results for Inside Safe looked like three years in?

Recent reporting from the Los Angeles Times looked into the city of Los Angeles’s Inside Safe program, which was enacted as soon as Mayor Karen Bass took office. The program looked to address homelessness, as well as public health, during the pandemic by offering unhoused individuals refuge in motel and hotel rooms across the city. But with the program not leading to much progress in transitioning the unhoused to long-term housing, critics of the mayor note that the program’s price isn’t leading to the results many hoped for. So what can be made of the program, after having been instituted more than 3 years ago? Joining us to dig into this are Nithya Raman, L.A. city councilmember and chair of its housing and homelessness committee, and Gary Blasi, homelessness policy researcher and emeritus law professor at UCLA.

The Moth, which marries storytelling and radio, comes to LA and Orange County

In a few days, globally-beloved storytelling institution, The Moth, is bringing its Mainstage back to L.A. and the O.C. On two nights, five seasoned storytellers will share extraordinary, true stories that dig deep into the idea of the American Dream. Does it even exist anymore, and for who? What happens when the dream rubs up against reality? What happens when it’s dashed or deferred? And what happens when the dream comes true? Joining us to preview the event is Jodi Powell, producer and director for The Moth.

The Moth Mainstage will be in Downtown Los Angeles at the Orpheum Theater on April 15, and in Irvine at the Barclay Theater on April 16. Find more information about each event here.

2026 Playoffs Preview: Lakers, Clippers, and the latest in the NHL

Despite knowing they needed both a win and a Denver loss to San Antonio to secure the third seed, Lakers head coach JJ Redick said his group could not worry about factors outside their control. Instead, Redick stressed continuing to build chemistry and continuity with Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique), having sustained injuries that will almost certainly keep Los Angeles’ top two scorers out for the start of the postseason. The purple and gold will host the Houston Rockets for Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs this Saturday. On the other hand, the Clippers have a chance to get to the playoffs after a dismal 6-21 start to the season. They beat the Golden State Warriors last night, 115-110, to set up a rematch in the play-in tournament. So what's to be expected from both of our local teams? Do either have a shot at winning it all this year? Joining us to help preview the 2025 NBA Playoffs is Khobi Price, Lakers beat reporter for the California Post, and Law Murray, Clippers beat reporter for The Athletic. Over on the ice, both the Anaheim Ducks and the LA Kings have not clinched a playoff berth. But they are on the brink of doing so as both teams have put themselves in scenarios to secure their spots in the final days of the NHL season. Joining us to talk about our local hockey teams is Kevin Baxter, staff writer for the LA Times, covering hockey and soccer.

With files from the Associated Press.