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LA Explained

A black and white archive view of a store front that say "Valley Plaza Surplus" in big lettering. The windows have words on them that advertise the merchandise such as blankets for two dollars. Three white men in button up shirts are standing in front of the doors and posing for the camera.

North Hollywood’s defunct Valley Plaza was once a West Coast legend

We look into its pioneering beginnings and why Angelenos were so fond of it.

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How the tiny city of San Fernando in the Valley avoided being swallowed up by LA

A black and white archival view from above looking down onto a main road with vehicles and rows of buildings. There are small sections of open land as well.

What happened to Dairy Valley? How LA's top cow city became Cerritos

A black and white archival view of a row of cows lined up and sticking their heads out of a feeding enclosure to eat hay on the ground.

Burbank's air traffic control tower shut down last week. How dangerous was it?

A close up of a tall traffic tower that has windows only at the top and antennas above. In the background is a sunset skyline with a silhouette of hills.

Want to rip up your lawn and install native plants? Here’s how to do it for free

bushes, plants and flowers surround the exterior of a beige stucco home

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More Stories

Transportation & Mobility

LA Explained: Is There Too Much Parking or Never Enough?

There is too much parking in LA. There is too little parking in LA. Discuss.
Criminal Justice

LA Explained: The Police

There's the LAPD. And the L.A. Sheriff's Department. And 45 smaller departments. And every Cal State has a department. Also UCLA. And CHP. And FBI. And DEA. And ...
Climate & Environment

LA Explained: The LA River

Is it a river? A sewer? A flood control channel? A place to film awesome drag racing scenes? A tool of gentrifiers to raise property values? What's the deal with the L.A. River, and why should I care about it? Let's find out.

Los Angeles is a sprawling region. The problems and solutions facing our communities are complex.

L.A. Explained makes sense of everyday issues so that you can stay informed. We untangle convoluted systems, unpack how we got here, and show how you can make an impact on L.A.

News

Glendale just nixed its ICE deal. Why did it have one in the first place?

Under the California Values Act, local agencies in California are prohibited from helping with federal immigration enforcement.
LA History

What is the city of Industry? A brief history of its eyebrow-raising origins

We look into how corporate interests and land control influenced how the city formed.
Transportation & Mobility

For 50 years, Culver City DMV had an iconic Chicano mural on its walls. Then the state painted over it

Muralist David Botello is now working to get his artwork restored.
Climate & Environment

LA fruit season is here, but should you eat produce from the burn zones?

Loquats are one of the many ripe fruits that Angelenos may find now around the Palisades and Eaton fire areas.
LA History

What is May Day? A brief history of LA’s labor rallies

International Workers' Day, also known as May Day, has grown to have an immigrant and workers' rights focus in Los Angeles.
Civics & Democracy

Your non-politician’s guide to LA’s incoming city budget

Here's an explanation of what the documents are, how to use them to find what you’re interested in and more.
LA History

Why is there a SoCal freeway with a 40-mile gap?

Route 90 covers only a few miles today, but 1950s freeway planners meant for it to connect inland Orange County to Pacific Coast Highway in Marina del Rey.
Transportation & Mobility

Why California spent $13 million on controversial freeway only to abandon it

When their neighborhood was threatened by the proposed El Toyon Freeway, community members got together to stop construction.
Transportation & Mobility

Whittier will finally own its namesake boulevard. Why didn't it?

Whittier Boulevard is an iconic thoroughfare across L.A. County. But the state route hasn't been under the city of Whittier's control. Here's why.
Climate & Environment

Here’s an easy way you can help California native wildflowers thrive

A new study found that simple raking can help more native plants grow.
Climate & Environment

Fire debris has washed up as far as the South Bay. Is it safe to go to the beach?

After the storms, we’re getting a better idea of how the January wildfires affected the coastline.
How To LA

Serena Williams’ crip walk is more than a Drake dis. What it means to LA and Black culture

The tennis star made a surprise appearance during the Super Bowl halftime show. Some say her dance move wasn't just part of a knock on the rapper Drake, but an expression of 'radical joy.'