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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 look at how many showed up to vote in the March 5 primary, either in person or by mail, and how it compares to previous elections.
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The Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center is hoping to inspire similar facilities across the country to follow in their footsteps.
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The pilot program starts in Van Nuys with more than 100 of the brighter, more resilient, all-in-one systems.
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The Orange County Transportation Authority hopes passenger rail service can start back up some time March.
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The Board of Police Commissioners presented and approved their report on Tuesday. It found that the annual CO2 emissions were 20% less than the controller’s audit and that flight times were proportional to the violent crime rates.
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Jerrid Joseph Powell appeared in court Monday after his arraignment was postponed several times since December.
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The proposed project now heads to the L.A. City Council, Caltrans, and California State Parks for their approval. It includes more than 30 conditions the project must meet in order to break ground.
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The city is expected to lose more than $200 million in funding in the 2026-27 fiscal year.
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Crews tried to keep the rain away with plastic tarps, but water was still able to seep into the ground.
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The atmospheric river-powered system leaves behind battered infrastructure and dangerously saturated hillsides.
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The local library branches don’t just deal in books these days.
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Most of L.A. County is currently under a flood watch through Wednesday, with spots of severe weather, including thunderstorms, expected through Tuesday night.
