The LA Report

In the A.M. edition: The LA County Sheriff has taken steps to investigate and eliminate deputy gangs. Retailers in Orange County are concerned about a proposed ban on balloons. Researchers have discovered that California's snowpack is melting at a faster and earlier rate than usual. Some residents of Los Angeles may be eligible for assistance with their home down payment.

In the P.M. Edition: Actress Raquel Welch dies at 82, Is hydrogen fuel really green?, UCLA researchers need your help finding alien life, and more.

Today: Federal funding for low-cost COVID-19 solutions is at risk as the national emergency comes to an end in May, while California's longest-serving senator, Dianne Feinstein, announces that she won't run for re-election in 2024. LA city councilmembers are looking to provide free legal representation to low-income renters facing eviction, while a California Powerball winner is set to receive almost $1 billion, raising questions about education funds. In response to a rise in anti-Asian attacks, a new bill has been introduced in the California Senate, and lawmakers aim to end police stops for minor traffic offenses to address racial bias.

In the P.M. edition: 89-year-old Feinstein announced she would not run for Senate in 2024; Culver City council passes anti-camping ordinance amid controversy over effectiveness in tackling homelessness; USC graduate students to vote on union formation for improved pay and working conditions; $2B Powerball winner from Southern California finally comes forward; Valentine's Day flower frenzy on the Streets of LA.

Today: Metrolink shares the love with station pop-ups on Valentine's Day, California's COVID state of emergency coming to an end this month, working parents and caregivers face challenges with the expiration of COVID Sick Leave, and the latest news about LA City Council, LAUSD Workers, and Irvine's green power agency.

Tonight: Free public transit an effective method for combatting climate change; City of Los Angeles has started an effort to train people to respond to calls unarmed; Two more thoroughbreds have died at Arcadia's Santa Anita race track; "Medieval Times" workers walked off the job in response to what they see is reprisal for their decision to join a union; U2 to start residency in Las Vegas this fall, and more.

Today: Kansas City Chiefs head to DisneyLand as Super Bowl champs; Tiny gelatinous sea creatures combatting climate change; California remains one of only ten states that doesn't require universal screening for dyslexia; "Magic Mike's Last Dance" won the Super Bowl weekend at the box office; The country's largest theater chain - AMC - is overhauling its ticket pricing; A new documentary is taking a closer look at "grief" and the different ways we all deal with it; Writer-director-producer Jon Favreau to get star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

In this Sunday Edition: Experts agree that having access to books in jail is beneficial, but L.A. County jails don’t have an official library policy. We'll visit one volunteer effort to fill prison bookshelves.

Then, street vendors on Hollywood's Walk of Fame and other tourist spots are being asked to vacate. We'll speak with some hot dog vendors who are fighting to stay in their profitable locations.

And Preston Zeller coped with the loss of his brother by painting every day for a whole year and documenting the process. We talk with Zeller and certified art therapist Lindsay Lederman about the power of art therapy in dealing with grief. 

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.