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Nick Gerda
What I cover
I’m a reporter focusing on government accountability in Southern California, including around the homelessness crisis. I try to find answers to questions like: Why does it often seem like there’s so little progress around homelessness? What can be done to make systems more effective? And how are people in charge of these systems using their authority?
My background
I grew up in L.A. and Orange County and previously covered the county government in Orange County for more than a decade — often reporting on issues like homelessness, public safety, mental health and the role of money in politics. At LAist, my reporting on corruption spurred a criminal investigation that led one of Orange County’s most powerful officials to resign, plead guilty and get sentenced to years in prison for a scheme that diverted millions in food money from needy seniors. For that work, in 2025, I was honored to be named journalist of the year for California, SoCal and Orange County and to receive the national Dan Rather Medal for News and Guts.
My goals
I want my coverage to inform the public and inspire positive change by identifying areas for improvement in the ways leaders are exercising power.
Best way to reach me
Email:
ngerda@laist.com
. Signal: @
ngerda.47
Stories by Nick Gerda
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L.A. County veterinary officials reported that many of the affected dogs are experiencing neurologic signs, cardiac arrest and "acute death."
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Prosecutors are requesting closer to $880,000 as restitution for a corruption scandal in which the former O.C. politician will soon report to prison.
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The L.A. regional homelessness agency says it was correcting errors to comply with federal requirements.
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The complaint by Aloha Financial Investment hints at the legal wrangling to come in the corruption case of the former supervisor that has rocked Orange County.
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Rhiannon Do, the younger daughter of former O.C. Supervisor Andrew Do, graduated from UC Irvine’s law school in May. Her father has been sentenced to five years in prison for a bribery scheme that involved both of his adult daughters.
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Among the directives is to make sure officials know how to respond to federal immigration enforcement at city properties or facilities.
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Here’s a list and a map of the affected beaches.
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In the wake of the tragedy in Texas, LAist set out to get answers about the flood situation here.
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Federal judge orders stepped up monitoring and criticizes city officials for failures that "undermined public trust."
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Recent court drama follows five years of disputes between the L.A. Alliance for Human Rights and the city.
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$2.4 million in bank accounts and and two properties — including a house bought by former Supervisor Andrew Do’s daughter — were ordered immediately transferred to the control of the U.S. government.
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Thanh Huong Nguyen, 61, of Santa Ana was arraigned on three federal charges on Monday.
