Leslie Berestein Rojas
My focus is on our coverage of L.A.’s communities of color and immigrant diasporas. Before this, I spent 10 years covering immigrant communities for KPCC.
When I was a kid, my family left Cuba and landed in Huntington Park. I grew up there, speaking Spanish at home and steeped in Southeast L.A.’s beautiful Latinidad. I love telling the stories of L.A. and its people. Now, I get to help shape those stories and work with talented reporters to hone their craft.
I’ve also covered immigration on the U.S.-Mexico border, reported stories in Mexico and other parts of Latin America, and done lots more for large newspapers and national magazines.
Among the things I love about L.A.: family, food from everywhere, signs in dozens of languages, the smells of chaparral and dusty freeways, the downtown skyline as you cross a bridge from the east. Mostly, I love that it’s home.
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County officials have voted to rename the park "Gloria Molina Grand Park" in honor of the former L.A. County supervisor, who announced last week that she has terminal cancer. -
Over the years, Molina fought forced sterilizations, a prison, and the Exide battery recycling plant. She also pushed for more hospital beds and made sure transit lines connected to the Eastside.
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Molina was the first Latina elected to the California Legislature, the L.A. City Council, and the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.
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Three progressive councilmembers want to protect the policies against changes by a future city administration.
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We get a sneak peek at the preparations for September’s exhibit at Cal State San Bernardino, which will focus on the life and culture of the 2% of Mexico’s population who identify as Black or of Black descent.
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Friday marks the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Some families who’ve made it to L.A. are putting down roots, while others feel like they’re in limbo.
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Efforts include donation pickup by a Turkish-owned delivery company, with local Turkish American groups pitching in.
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Vendors say they’d rather face hefty fines than abandon these lucrative areas. They’ve sued to do away with no-vending zones.
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Gov. Newsom vetoed a similar bill last year, citing its cost as one reason.
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Russian air attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have left millions without power as temperatures drop. Ukrainians in L.A. are gathering generators and other critical cold-weather aid to send.
