-
Listen Listen
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
-
The L.A. County Probation Department says all of the sworn officers were placed on leave this year pending internal affairs investigations into allegations of misconduct or arrests.
-
As of Sunday, Vroman’s Bookstore on Foothill Boulevard is no more.
-
As more people ditch gas-powered vehicles for fuel efficient or electric cars, the drain on gas tax revenue has worsened.
-
Sam Rubin died suddenly Friday.
-
State officials approved a new billing structure for the millions of California customers served by investor-owned utilities.
-
California wildlife officials announced Tuesday that they've detected two cases of chronic wasting disease in dead deer found in the Sierra National Forest.
-
O.C. officials announced the latest homeless count found that 7,322 people are experiencing homelessness.
-
Dozens of bus lines were affected Friday as the transit agency tried to deploy more staff to fill in the gaps.
-
The maritime fire killed 34 people near Santa Cruz Island in 2019.
-
Six people across the state have become ill from an outbreak in recalled organic walnuts.
-
Now that dozens of girders have been installed over the southbound side, crews are turning their attention to the northbound lanes.
-
The action by authorities began about nine hours after the initial order to disperse was issued around 6:15 p.m. Wednesday. Shortly after 5 a.m. the area was cleared, with just a small amount of protesters remaining.
