Nick Gerda
Why does it often seem like there’s so little progress around homelessness? What can be done to make systems more effective? From the halls of government to the streets, I follow money and policies to examine what’s working, what’s not, and how it’s affecting people in Southern California.
I grew up in L.A. and OC, and previously spent more than a decade at Voice of OC covering the county government in Orange County — often reporting on issues like homelessness, public safety, mental health, and the role of money in politics.
My reporting on corruption in Orange County spurred a federal investigation that led to a powerful O.C. supervisor — Andrew Do — pleading guilty to a federal bribery charge and resigning. That work won the Dan Rather Medal for News and Guts and was a finalist for an Investigative Reporters and Editors award.
If you have a tip, you can reach me on Signal. My username is ngerda.47.
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And if you're comfortable just reaching out by email, I'm at ngerda@scpr.org.
I’m always eager for story ideas and feedback. Your insights help inform my reporting.
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Davenport requested the settlement for “reputational harm, embarrassment and physical, emotional and mental distress caused by the Measure G.” -
CalFresh is one of several safety net programs facing a funding cliff if the shutdown — which has shown no sign of ending — drags on. -
The agreement is labeled “confidential” and was not reported out publicly by the county. -
The county’s chief operating officer, Joe Nicchitta, will serve as acting CEO.
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State law says the public must get access within two business days to public records of officials’ gifts and outside income. L.A. County attorneys say it may take months, not days, to make the information avaiable. -
The agency has been without a formal policy as it oversees hundreds of millions in contracts. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/30b2650/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5997x4198+27+0/resize/180x126!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
The U.S. attorney handling the case called Do a "Robin Hood in reverse" for stealing money from the poor to enrich himself. -
Beyond the restitution payment, Do has been ordered to turn himself in to serve a five-year federal prison term by the end of this week. -
City Council members say they were surprised by the cost overrun.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e068700/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5997x4198+27+0/resize/360x252!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
