The LA Report

Here's your morning news: COVID hospitalizations now below 2,900 in L.A. County, offering hope for looser restrictions; Teenage boy shot while sleeping in Palmdale apartment; Vote centers open for 49th District special election; Newsom calls special election to fill seat vacated by Assemblywoman Autumn Burke; Sacramento bill seeks to give patients a voice in doctors' disciplinary hearings; Airport workers union getting renewable energy commitments in effort to improve air quality; How L.A. is making strides to be more water self-sufficient; Mayor Garcetti signs measure intended to phase out oil and gas drilling in L.A.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

What's happening today: More signs that Omicron is loosening its grip on L.A.; Experts advise keeping N95 masks even after current surge; Kaiser Permanente strikes deal with Gov. Newsom to allow it to select its MediCal members; Santa Ana winds sticking around through the weekend; L.A. Memorial Coliseum will host NASCAR race for first time.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Imperfect Paradise, produced by LAist Studios, is a longform narrative podcast showcasing California stories with universal significance. Each of our stories takes on something essential about California – its progressiveness, its reputation as a home for dreamers and schemers, its heartbreaking inequality, its varied and diverse communities, its unique combination of dense cities and wild places – and breaks it down into three, 20-30 minute episodes that will be released occasionally.

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This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Here's your morning news: L.A. County edging closer to loosening mask rules; Newsom enjoying solid approval ratings; Non-profit legal group says there is evidence to claim that Mayor Garcetti committed felony perjury over former advisor's misconduct; New corruption trial date set for José Huizar; Tongan-Americans offer assistance to nation devastated by recent volcanic eruption. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

In this Sunday edition: Last year, 294 people were killed in car crashes in Los Angeles, according to preliminary data provided by the Los Angeles Police Department. That’s a 22% increase in traffic deaths from 2020. By comparison, there were 379 homicides reported last year in the city of L.A. In addition to traffic deaths, 1,479 people were severely injured in crashes — 30% more than in 2020. That averages out to roughly four people injured every day. Los Angeles has a goal – Vision Zero – to eliminate traffic deaths in the city by 2025. But since Vision Zero was launched in 2015, traffic deaths have jumped 58%. What can be done to bring these numbers down and make Los Angeles streets safer for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists?

In this episode, AirTalk's Larry Mantle discusses the increase in traffic deaths and what can be done to bring that number down with reporter Ryan Fonseca who covers transportation and mobility for LAist, and John Yi, executive director of the local pedestrian advocacy group Los Angeles Walks.

Read Ryan’s piece here

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

In this weekend edition: If you’re going to the Super Bowl, congratulations – though you may want to start figuring out now how you’re going to get to SoFi Stadium. If you’re planning on driving from afar and parking, that could become a major, costly headache. 

Of course, that's not your only option. There’s also public transportation. From community engagement reporter Carla Javier.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

What's happening today: Is the end of the Omicron surge in sight? After exposé, civilian oversight commission demands investigation into sheriff's deputies' conduct in Twin Towers jail; Federal judge orders former UCLA lecturer who threatened violence held without bail; New corruption trial date set for José Huizar.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Here's your morning news: Omicron surge continues to taper off as deaths remain high; Proposed law would require parents and guardians of public school students to report firearms in home; Two suspects in killing of LAPD officer due in court today; Congressman calls for DOJ to investigate gangs in L.A. Sheriffs Dept.; High wind warnings and advisories in L.A. area; With lack of precipitation in January, hopes to end drought are fading. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.