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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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The bacteria levels in the water once again exceed state health standards.
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People are being urged to avoid raw milk and sick birds, and that includes your pets.
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The long-necked animals are among the world’s largest lizards.
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Jurado shares her first time priorities after replacing incumbent Kevin de León to represent district 14.
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Dozens of structures were damaged or destroyed by the more than 4,000-acre blaze.
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No parking signs will be posted in the impacted areas until Thursday morning.
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Officials say they don’t take these decisions lightly, but it’s about saving the lives of the thousands of people who live in the area.
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Between fire-resistant construction and landscaping, the campus is meant to be a fire fortress.
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The lawsuit, filed Monday, alleges that they’ve failed to protect people from the noxious odors and haven’t come up with a plan to actually fix the problem.
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Residents are no longer allowed to sell food outside their home after 5 p.m. at the popular attraction.
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Additionally, less than a fifth of people who did enter interim housing were able to secure permanent housing, which the audit said is “woefully inadequate.”
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Nazarian told LAist about what he's looking to address in his first term at City Hall.
