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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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A former student allegedly stabbed staff members and indicated he placed pipe bombs in the area.
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City officials say community input is a key part of the planning process, and they want to hear from you.
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Moonbridge Doughnut Studio creates pop culture-inspired designs, including from “Spirited Away” and “The Office.”
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Each ADA-accessible unit includes touchless toilets, faucets and soap dispensers, as well as more than 20 sensors to detect motion, water and waste levels.
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A proposal to build a gondola that would connect Union Station and Dodger Stadium has faced years of opposition from community groups and coalitions.
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Nom. Nom. Nom. The event destroyed the internet when it was first announced — and sold out in minutes.
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Library officials say the event can be an opportunity to process, connect and feel heard, especially in the wake of January’s devastating fires.
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The city initially agreed to pay just $900,000 to Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, but the budget was blown in the first few days.
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Some submissions to the Pasadena Humane Society were made by extremely talented artists. The others … tried their best.
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A federal judge has urged both the city and county of L.A. to maintain sites that detail homelessness spending for accountability and transparency reasons.
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The move stems from a long-standing federal legal settlement over the city's response to the homelessness crisis.
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The sign, in the shape of a tall 10-gallon hat, disappeared in recent weeks, leaving some Angelenos wondering where it went.
