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Jacob Margolis
What I cover
I cover science, with a focus on environmental stories and disasters, as well as investigations and accountability.
My background
I created, wrote and hosted the LAist Studios podcasts, The Big One: Your Survival Guide and The Big Burn: How To Survive In The Age of Wildfires. I was part of the team that won the 2021 Investigative Reporters and Editors Audio Journalism Award for the series "Hot Days: Heat’s Mounting Death Toll On Workers In The U.S. "Most recently, I’ve published investigations into large scale illegal dumping in L.A. County and previously unreported heavy metal concentrations in fire retardants.
My goals
To uncover how science, policy, and power intersect — so people have the information they need to hold decision-makers accountable and protect their communities.
Best way to reach me
You can reach me by email: jmargolis@laist.com. Or for encrypted communications, I'm on Signal: @jacobmargolis.1.
Stories by Jacob Margolis
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Forecasted rainfall rates don't look like they'll be high enough to trigger debris flows in recently burned areas.
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The area of biggest concern is around the Eaton Fire. Parts of Malibu and the Pacific Palisades should also be prepared.
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LAist dives into the science behind the claim that the brush clearance would have 'significantly mitigated' the destruction and losses.
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The fire broke out at about 10:25 a.m. Friday and was quickly doused by water-dropping aircraft.
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The fire broke out in the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve.
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LAPD suspends resident visits to fire area as search for more bodies continues. The fire, which has killed 11 people, has burned through more than 23,500 acres.
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While the northern part of the state is looking good, the southern part is looking bleak.
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The last time downtown L.A. saw significant rain was 276 days ago.
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Don't despair just yet.
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Shaking was likely felt as far away as Santa Maria and briefly prompted a tsunami warning.
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We’re heading into the peak of Santa Ana wind season.
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The rainy season is off to a slow start.
