Julia Paskin
I think of myself as a reverse engineer when it comes to the experiences of Southern Californians. I work to understand and highlight stories from often unheard voices and work backwards to demonstrate how and why that experience is possible. From immigration, law enforcement, to homelessness, to the environment, how do laws and policies impact our lives? And what social, political, and environmental forces inform our experiences? What solutions work and who do they serve?
I grew up in an old New York City tenement, raised by a working-class, single mom (shout out to Mama Paskin). I came to California to study at CalArts and in search of lower rents (the misguided irony!) so issues of economic equity and the arts are both close to my heart. I came to journalism after working in the performing arts and then social justice and political organizing.
While I may have left NYC fleeing an unlivable economy, I stayed here after falling in love with Greater Los Angeles and all that our diverse communities have to offer. I have now spent nearly half my life here and have made an art of defending LA from anyone who dares to talk trash-- because anyone who doesn’t have anything nice to say about our town, just doesn’t know enough about it.
Julia is the host of All Things Considered on weekdays on LAist 89.3 and The L.A. Report podcast.
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Witnesses reported an explosion shortly before noon. It took 140 firefighters about an hour to get the fire under control. -
At today's hearing, Costa Mesa plans to ask the federal court to extend the temporary injunction until the public's safety can be assured. -
The daredevil was killed Saturday when the self-made rocket he was riding in crashed after launching in the desert south of Barstow. -
SoCal Health Officials Release Dozens Of Public Places Latest Measles Patients Went While ContagiousA baby too young to be vaccinated and a Long Beach man who was vaccinated -- but still contracted the highly-contagious disease -- are the latest cases in Southern California. Another non-resident also traveled through L.A. while infected in recent days. -
The English actress/writer/comedian on standing up to Hollywood abusers and protecting women on her own film sets. -
Is it time to bring back the air raid siren for evacuation zones? Los Angeles County plans to explore its options. -
City Council President Herb Wesson, who represents Koreatown, told us what went wrong the first time around and how the city was able to reach an agreement with the community. -
Visitors can get an up-close look at all kinds of sharks the lab studies, as well as the equipment researchers use and the people who swim with sharks for a living -- or a grade. -
"710, Beyond Present" captures the phantom imprint of a road that never was and how it shaped the communities it would have changed -- or even destroyed. -
Mario and his human companion Ehrler captured our hearts in 2011 when they formed a unique friendship at the Echo Park Lake. Back then, he went by Maria.
