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Makenna Sievertson
What I cover
I cover the daily drumbeat of Southern California — the events, processes and nuances that make it such a unique place to call home. I break down government meetings, evolving policies and community events with a focus on the housing and homelessness challenges confronting some of our most vulnerable residents.
My background
I’ve been helping audiences make sense of Southern California since I started at LAist in 2023. After growing up in Eagle Rock, I wrote and reported for L.A.-area radio stations, covering emergency services and entertainment and more. I defected to the East Coast for a few years to coordinate broadcast media coverage in the U.S. Capitol.
My goals
I want my reporting to help readers make sense of everything the region has to offer and feel more connected with their neighbors — whether they’re across the street or across the county.
Best way to contact me
I would love to hear your feedback, questions and ideas. You can reach me by email at msievertson@laist.com. Or if you have a tip you’d like to share more privately, you can reach me on Signal. My username is @makennas.78. You can follow this link to reach me there or type my username in the search bar after starting a new chat. For instructions on getting started with Signal, see the app's support page.
Stories by Makenna Sievertson
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Court officials said it's one small way they can provide relief for affected communities.
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The library is looking for donations of native plant seeds that can help restore the ecosystem.
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Big Bear’s internet famous bald eagle couple is getting another shot at parenthood.
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Around 38,000 people are under evacuation warnings after the fire quickly grew to more than 10,300 acres.
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Wet weather and cooler days to bring relief.
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Musicians, artists, and creatives are donating their time and talents across Southern California.
![A white sign with red text reads "We [love] u beautiful Altadena" is affixed to a tree on a sidewalk. A two story home can be seen in the background with yellow caution tape hanging down from the roof towards the left.](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d59cf27/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4447x3335+277+0/resize/208x156!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F24%2F47%2F1345aa6b4b3b9c943ea58dbdad8a%2Fgettyimages-2193703889.jpg)
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Here are some common mistakes or misconceptions you may run into.
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Here’s what local animal organizations are doing and how to get in contact with them.
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L.A. County has released a searchable, preliminary map for each area.
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The forest is closed to everyone, including to people who own cabins.
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If you’ve been ordered to leave because of fire, here’s some CalFire tips for protecting your property and making it easier for firefighters.
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Roughly 82,400 residents remain under evacuation orders or warnings across Los Angeles County.
![A white sign with red text reads "We [love] u beautiful Altadena" is affixed to a tree on a sidewalk. A two story home can be seen in the background with yellow caution tape hanging down from the roof towards the left.](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5fa461b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3335x3335+833+0/resize/232x232!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F24%2F47%2F1345aa6b4b3b9c943ea58dbdad8a%2Fgettyimages-2193703889.jpg)
