David Wagner
Business & Economy Reporter (he/him)I cover the economic reality of life in Los Angeles, a place where vast wealth coexists with millions struggling to make ends meet.
I grew up in Anaheim, where my parents had the car radio constantly tuned to 89.3 KPCC. With that upbringing, it’s probably no surprise I went on to work for California public radio stations. Before coming to this newsroom (which is also home to KPCC), I was a reporter for the NPR affiliate in San Diego, KPBS.
I’ve reported on housing affordability, minimum wage laws and the state’s unemployment system. As someone who briefly lived in New York, my hottest food take is that California has plenty of pizza that rivals the East Coast slice.
What questions do you have about business and the economy in Southern California?
David Wagner focuses on Southern Californians getting left behind in an economy beset by soaring unemployment, pandemic-related business closures and high housing costs.
-
Housing and Homelessness
From 2010 through 2020, California built the least number of homes relative to new jobs of any state. -
Housing and Homelessness
A judge agreed to let the groups join the case as defendants. L.A. landlord Geoffrey Palmer argues in the suit that the city’s eviction moratorium represents an unconstitutional “taking” of private property.
-
Food
The lawsuit claims L.A. County’s failure to comply with state law puts thousands of Angelenos in danger of going hungry each month.
-
Housing and Homelessness
L.A. tenants have been given a chance to apply for rent relief. Now, a new county program is offering help to some employers.
-
Housing and Homelessness
Council members say tech companies using algorithms to purchase homes are driving up prices. But how common is “iBuying” in L.A.?
-
Housing and Homelessness
Language barriers, the digital divide and immigration fears are some of the hurdles preventing tenants in need from seeking help.
-
Health
The state’s supplemental paid sick leave law sunsets after Thursday. Public health officials and workers rights groups are calling for an extension.
-
Housing and Homelessness
Pandemic protections for California renters are set to expire after Sept. 30. But other protections remain. Here’s how you can fight eviction.
-
News
Housing costs consistently make California the highest-poverty state in the country. So why did poverty fall during the pandemic?
-
Housing and Homelessness
With the state taking over the city’s troubled rent relief program, L.A. tenants can once again apply for aid. Now comes the hard part — getting existing applicants to reapply.
