Libby Rainey
Reporter, Early Childhood (Temporary)
(She/Her)
Childcare is essential to our social fabric, but it's what experts call a "broken market." It's too expensive for parents and guardians, but the pay for the people providing it is often extremely low. I look at what this means for L.A. families, the workforce, and society. And I report on what federal, state and local solutions might look like.
I also cover early education, the rollout of transitional kindergarten in California, and maternal health — from the Black maternal mortality crisis to doula care to the impact of maternity ward closures across the state.
Before this, I produced LAist's local broadcast of All Things Considered, covered labor at More Perfect Union, and produced the daily global news hour Democracy Now!
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The advocate for nonviolent parenting and educator to decades of Angelenos was 81. -
The city recently gave early childhood educators a huge salary boost. It's part of a strategy to attract and retain people in the job.
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The longtime politician who represented South L.A. was 95.
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The city promised a "smooth" transition to non-city providers, but some families are skeptical.
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Enrollment in public preschool and transitional kindergarten increased by more than 35,000 children in the 2023-2024 school year. But potential elimination of Head Start threatens those gains
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Los Angeles expanded childcare during the pandemic, but federal funding is running out. Parents are worried about what happens next.
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The state said the change from a 2024 law will be part of a larger overhaul of California's benefits system.
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Most eligible property owners have opted in.
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On any given day, around 215 crews work to clear the burn zones of the Palisades and Eaton fires while keeping debris out of the air.
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The City Council is considering how to expand an existing policy, the “Fair Work Week” ordinance, to fast food workers.
Stories by Libby Rainey
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