Grace Toohey

California launches civil rights probe into botched evacuations in historically Black Altadena California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta announced an investigation into potential civil rights violations during the emergency response to the Eaton fire. West Altadena, a historically Black community, receiv...

In case you missed, @agrobbonta.oag.ca.gov announced yesterday that CA will investigate disparities from the Eaton fire response, particularly related to delayed evac alerts in historically Black west Altadena.

Discrimination can be found without intent.

California launches civil rights probe into botched evacuations in historically Black Altadena California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta announced an investigation into potential civil rights violations during the emergency response to the Eaton fire. West Altadena, a historically Black community, receiv...

California's attorney general has opened a civil rights investigation into delayed evacuations during the deadly Eaton fire. The investigation comes after @latimes.com reporting revealed that people in west Altadena received late evacuation alerts @grace2e.bsky.social www.latimes.com/california/s...

California's iconic Highway 1 is fighting a losing battle against climate change. Can it survive? California marked a milestone this month with the return of an uninterrupted Highway 1 through the perilous, yet spectacular cliffs of Big Sur.

“Sometimes when you live on the edge, the edge falls off. ... You got to be tough to live in Big Sur.”

I talked to residents and experts about how to plan for Highway 1's future -- and if you can
www.latimes.com/california/s...

California's fight with offshore oil firm escalates with lawsuit against Trump administration California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta has filed suit against the Trump administration, alleging it has illegally claimed oversight of, and granted approvals for, oil rig pipelines.

California is suing the Trump administration over its efforts to jump-start offshore oil drilling along the Central Coast: www.latimes.com/california/s... via @grace2e.bsky.social

California's fight with offshore oil firm escalates with lawsuit against Trump administration California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta has filed suit against the Trump administration, alleging it has illegally claimed oversight of, and granted approvals for, oil rig pipelines.

In @agrobbonta.oag.ca.gov's 55th lawsuit against Trump admin, he challenges what he called an 'unlawful power grab' by federal pipeline regulators.

PHMSA usurped CA's oversight of oil lines, part of a controversial plan to restart offshore drilling near Santa Barbara
www.latimes.com/california/s...

Second man shares horrific story of being blinded by officers at anti-ICE rally in Santa Ana A second man says he was blinded by ICE agents shooting a projectile at a protest in Santa Ana. Britain Rodriguez, 31, a resident of Orange County, said he was standing at the bottom of some steps whe...

He is the 2nd man blinded by close-range projectiles fired at protesters by federal agents.

But he won't be deterred: “When I heal up, I’m gonna be back out there, protesting ... this is not the country that I want to live in.”

Via @latimes.com Ruben Vives
www.latimes.com/california/s...

A year after Eaton fire, Altadena man fights to honor late sister's memory. 'Can’t replace what I lost' Lora Swayne was a lifelong Altadenan who loved her community and family. Her brother worries that she and the 30 others who died in the January 2025 firestorm are being forgotten amid a focus on recov...

Lora Swayne, 71, was a lifelong resident of the unincorporated town, spending most of her life in west Altadena where her parents settled in the 1960s — part of a wave of new homeowners who helped form a thriving Black community. @latimes.com @grace2e.bsky.social

After the Fires: L.A.'s double disaster left thousands of scars, and the healing will take years The Eaton and Palisades fires tragically exposed L.A.’s vulnerability. The Times looks back at a devastating year, scrutinizes official response and makes the case for being better prepared next time.

Hard to believe it's Jan. 7. Again.

The devastating fires that ignited this day a year ago continue to challenge and shape Los Angeles -- in loss and grief and anger, but also resilience.

If you missed the @latimes.com special section, today's the day to read:
www.latimes.com/after-the-fi...

Early adopters of 'zone zero' fared better in L.A. County fires, insurance-backed investigation finds A new study found that in the Eaton and Palisades fires, homes that had already adopted proposed regulations on creating vegetation-free buffers were less likely to burn.

Homes that had cleared vegetation within five feet of the walls were less likely to burn in the Eaton and Palisades fire, new investigation funded by the insurance industry finds: www.latimes.com/environment/... via @nohaggerty.bsky.social

These are the 101 best restaurants in Los Angeles Restaurant critic Bill Addison and columnist Jenn Harris rank the 101 best restaurants in Los Angeles.

“A food hall and sanctuary for us all. Mercado La Paloma embodies the Los Angeles we love.”

Such a perfect pick for @latimes.com Restaurant of the Year. So many others to try. Happy eating!!!

www.latimes.com/food/list/10...

Pregnant immigrants held for months in detention despite rules against it With the immigration crackdown, more pregnant women are being detained. The ACLU alleges a woman was shackled while miscarrying and others were denied prenatal care.

Heartbreaking reporting from @racheluranga.bsky.social. A must read:
www.latimes.com/california/s...

This mother and son are sowing purpose and hope, one wildflower at a time Their vision is to transform L.A.'s vacant, fire-scarred neighborhoods into fields of California poppies and other native wildflowers.

Loved this profile of the mother+son duo helping bring wildflowers back to L.A. fire-ravaged neighborhoods (and there's a link to support their mission, timely for Giving Tuesday!!)
via @jmarantosplants.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/lifestyle/ne...

Toxic L.A. port fire burned for hours before emergency alerts were sent Time lags and errors in the issuing of shelter-in-place alerts during a massive hazardous materials fire at the Port of L.A. have, once again, raised concerns about the effectiveness of regional emerg...

Annnnddd more issues with emergency alerts in LA...

It took 6 hours for officials to send out a shelter-in-place order for residents near a toxic fire burning at the port of Los Angeles, via Clara Harter
www.latimes.com/california/s...

thanks for sharing @sammyroth.bsky.social !

A scenic L.A. suburb with ocean views went off grid. How are residents surviving? When public utilities indefinitely cut power to the Portuguese Bend community in Rancho Palos Verdes last year following months of devastating landslide movement, most residents saw it as the neighbor...

Ranchos Palos Verdes landslide is so bad that a lot of folks have been forced to go off-grid with solar and storage. Interesting stuff from @grace2e.bsky.social: www.latimes.com/california/s...

A scenic L.A. suburb with ocean views went off grid. How are residents surviving? When public utilities indefinitely cut power to the Portuguese Bend community in Rancho Palos Verdes last year following months of devastating landslide movement, most residents saw it as the neighbor...

As if the damaging landslides in this area of Palos Verdes weren't enough, residents have now -- begrudgingly-- become one of California's largest off-grid communities.

Cut off from key utilities for over a year: It's "what we have to do to stay in our homes."
www.latimes.com/california/s...

Even a full reservoir wouldn't have ensured water in Palisades fire, California officials say During the Palisades fire, a nearby reservoir was empty for repairs. State officials say even if it had been full, the water system would have been quickly overwhelmed.

Remember that reservoir that sat empty near the Palisades fire, as hydrants ran dry?

A new state report found that even if the reservoir had been full, the water system still would have been quickly overwhelmed and lost pressure.

From @ianjames.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/environment/...

She died in the Eaton fire. Her family says emergency alert software was to blame The complaint blames a company's predesigned evacuation zones for keeping residents east of Lake Avenue from getting timely evacuation orders.

Stacey Darden died in an area of west Altadena that got the latest evac alerts.

A new suit claims the 5:43am alert came too late. East Altadena was evacuated ~11 hours prior. Attorneys call it "digital redlining."
@jennyja.bsky.social @castleman.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/world-nation...

California cracks down on water theft but spares data centers from disclosing how much they use Gov. Newsom vetoed a bill that would have required data centers to report their projected water use when applying for a business license.

Gov. Newsom vetoed a bill that would have tracked data centers’ growing water footprint. He says California is “well positioned” to support the AI-driven data center boom, and he is reluctant to impose “rigid reporting requirements.” www.latimes.com/environment/...

How grand plans to restart oil drilling off Santa Barbara’s coast hit California’s green wall A Texas company wants to drill for oil off Santa Barbara County's coast. Experts say its path to oil sales is looking more and more challenging.

My latest on the offshore oil battle in Santa Barbara:

The company trying to resurrect 3 rigs wants to pivot from contentious pipelines, but it keeps hitting more legal + regulatory hurdles in CA.

Experts say the situation casts doubt on the project’s future:
www.latimes.com/california/s...

In the biggest sex abuse settlement in U.S. history, some claim they were paid to sue Seven people told The Times they were paid to sue L.A. County over sex abuse, raising questions about whether some claims that led to a record $4-billion settlement may have been colored by the promis...

Read this story, you won't regret it.

WILD findings about the largest sex abuse settlement in U.S. history, and it's not what you think

www.latimes.com/california/s...

Texas firm proposes major change in California offshore oil project amid mounting troubles Sable Offshore Corp. is looking to pivot away from a fraught network of pipelines that have faced increasing legal and regulatory scrutiny in California.

The latest in a controversial plan to bring offshore oil back near Santa Barbara: the Texas-based firm pushing the project is considering a move that could avoid further California regulation -- after it's amassed lengthy legal and regulatory hurdles
www.latimes.com/california/s...

Aftermath of late summer storm includes destroyed homes, a closed highway and a child death Last week's storm dumped inches of rain on the San Bernardino County mountains and foothills and unleashed a torrent of mud, rocks and trees, particularly in burn scars near Oak Glen and Forest Falls.

Aftermath of late summer storm includes destroyed homes, a closed highway and a child death

'The original slow food people': Why this California tribe spent $500,000 on a global food gathering Sacramento this week will host Terra Madre Americas, an international food event affiliated with the "slow food" movement, which originated in Italy.

'The original slow food people': Why this California tribe spent $500,000 on a global food gathering

via @sleavenworth.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/california/s...

Company faces criminal charges as it seeks to restart California offshore oil operation A Texas company is trying to restart a controversial oil operation off Santa Barbara County’s coast. It now faces criminal charges alleging it violated environmental laws.

A Texas company is trying to restart an oil operation off the California coast. It now faces criminal charges alleging it knowingly violated environmental laws. @grace2e.bsky.social @latimes.com www.latimes.com/environment/...

Charlie Kirk was killed in their town. Residents refuse to be consumed by hate In Orem, Utah, where conservative star Charlie Kirk was assassinated, family, faith and patriotism run deep. How can this city move forward?

No one wants their town overrun with media after political violence.

And while the people of Orem, Utah, were heartbroken and shocked (and many angry), most were still gracious and warm.

Here’s my dispatch from this conservative, faithful city:
www.latimes.com/california/s...

'I lost me': How frontotemporal dementia changed a mind and a marriage A Westlake Village man living with frontotemporal dementia has something few people with the condition do: the ability to describe his disease.

‘I lost me’: How frontotemporal dementia changed a mind and a marriage

By @corinnepurtill.bsky.social @latimes.com www.latimes.com/science/stor...

Here's how SoCal's intensifying heat wave could set temperature records, even overnight The system’s length and strength will be compounded by some offshore winds, which will help keep any marine influence at bay and keep temperatures high, even overnight.

SoCal's worst heat wave this year kicked off HOT, but tonight may feel worse.

“The entire L.A. Basin...[is] not getting below the low 70s,” @weatherwest.bsky.social said. High overnight temps are "hugely consequential from a human health & ...wildfire perspective.”
www.latimes.com/california/s...

He was delivering strawberries in L.A. when Border Patrol stopped him. 'The wrong place at the wrong time' Angel Rodrigo Minguela Palacios was delivering strawberries to a tearoom in Little Tokyo when Border Patrol agents massed nearby where Gov. Gavin Newsom was holding a news conference. Minguela ended u...

Last week, Border Patrol agents massed outside of a @governor.ca.gov news conference. They wound up arresting Angel Rodrigo Minguela Palacios, a strawberry delivery driver with no criminal record and just there to drop off fruit to a tea room.

This is his story

www.latimes.com/california/s...

He was delivering strawberries in L.A. when Border Patrol stopped him. 'The wrong place at the wrong time' Angel Rodrigo Minguela Palacios was delivering strawberries to a tearoom in Little Tokyo when Border Patrol agents massed nearby where Gov. Gavin Newsom was holding a news conference. Minguela ended u...

Another masterful story from @brittnymejia.bsky.social on the recent immigration raids.

So many heartbreaking details, but can't get over how this fruit delivery driver was detained for days w/ no change of clothes, yet friends weren't allowed to bring him socks
www.latimes.com/california/s...