David Zahniser

Hollywood writers were already struggling. Now they fear censorship For many, Kimmel’s rebound appears to be a win for free speech and a testament to the power of boycotts against powerful corporate interests. However, for Hollywood writers, the fight over comedy may ...

Hollywood writers were already struggling. Now they fear censorship.

For many, Kimmel’s rebound appeared a win for free speech and testament to the power of boycotts.

However, for Hollywood writers, the fight over comedy may have just begun

Stacy Perman

www.latimes.com/entertainmen...

LAX has fallen in global airport rankings. Will a pre-Olympics transformation help? Los Angeles World Airports Chief Executive John Ackerman describes ongoing challenges at LAX and the $30-billion overhaul be believes will significantly improve the experience.

"LAWA officials said the train was expected to open in January 2026. Then the goalposts moved to 'early 2026.' Now Ackerman said that the hope is for it to open by the 2026 World Cup in June, but officials are working on contingency plans that would rely on shuttles if there’s further delay" 😵‍💫

L.A. won't lay off any city workers this year, mayor says The announcement came on the heels of an agreement with the L.A. City Coalition of Unions, whose tens of thousands of city workers will take up to five unpaid holidays in 2026.

Five months ago, L.A. city leaders announced plans to lay off 1,600 workers to close a $1-billion budget gap. On Tuesday, after months of salary talks with city unions, Mayor Karen Bass said every layoff has been avoided.

@noahmgoldberg.bsky.social has the story

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

California isn't backing down on offshore wind power despite Trump cancellation The Trump administration canceled nearly half a billion dollars in funding for California's largest offshore wind project, but the state is persevering toward its ambitious goals.

California’s plan to generate clean electricity from offshore wind suffered a major blow recently when Trump canceled nearly half a billion dollars in funding. But the industry isn’t slowing the pursuit of the up-and-coming technology.

Hayley Smith

www.latimes.com/environment/...

These two City Hall opposites have one thing in common. At least for now What do Soto-Martinez and McOsker have in common, besides being very lucky so far?

L.A. has two council members who are heading into 2026 with zero challengers: Hugo Soto-Martínez, whose district includes much of Hollywood, and Tim McOsker, who represents L.A.'s harbor.

Will it last?

@sherlyholmes.bsky.social has the details

www.latimes.com/california/n...

L.A. backs $2.6-billion Convention Center expansion amid major warnings about the cost The Los Angeles City Council on Friday voted 11 to 2 to support the project, despite warnings of the strain it would put on the general fund and city services.

On an 11-2 vote, the City Council approved a $2.6-billion expansion of the Los Angeles Convention Center, despite warnings that the project will pull taxpayer funds away from essential city services.

w/ @noahmgoldberg.bsky.social

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

The LA City Council President published an Op-Ed endorsing the Convention Center expansion in the Westside Current, a news site that closely tracks communities represented by Councilmember Traci Park.

Park has not publicly disclosed how she will vote on the project, which is set for a vote Friday.

Protester found not guilty of assault despite top Border Patrol official's testimony A misdemeanor assault case against Brayan Ramos-Brito was the first to go to trial after dozens of people were accused of impeding or attacking federal agents during protests against immigration enfor...

Protester found not guilty of assault against federal officer at L.A. immigration protest despite top Border Patrol official's testimony. Latest w/ @brittnymejia.bsky.social www.latimes.com/california/s...

L.A. Convention Center expansion hits a wall: Council committee endorses repairs instead A narrowly divided Budget and Finance Committee voted to recommend a much smaller package of repairs to the Convention Center, citing concerns about the cost of expanding the facility.

L.A.'s plan for expanding the Convention Center hit a wall, with the council's budget committee recommending that the city halt work on the project and carry out less expensive repairs instead.

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

They call themselves 'trashers.' Together, they’re cleaning L.A.'s streets — and finding friendship Chatsworth resident Jill Mather runs one of the largest volunteer cleanup groups in the city. The group offers a sense of community that keeps volunteers coming back.

L.A.'s streets are filthy. This incredible group of seniors is cleaning them up. www.latimes.com/california/s...

In abrupt turnabout, Mayor Karen Bass withdraws her bill to overhaul L.A.'s mansion tax Bass had pushed for the bill to rewrite Measure ULA in the final days of the legislative session, only to reverse course, saying she needed more time

Well, that was fast

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

Looking to boost housing construction, lawmakers seek to overhaul L.A.'s 'mansion tax' Some Measure ULA backers voiced alarm over the proposal, saying the state Legislature, working with Mayor Karen Bass, is trying to thwart L.A. voters' will.

Critics assail the bill to redo Measure ULA:

“The idea that the state Legislature is going to hop in and override the will of the voters and do it with the support of some powerful local elected officials & interests is outrageous,” said LA Forward’s David Levitus.

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

Looking to boost housing construction, lawmakers seek to overhaul L.A.'s "mansion tax" Some backers of Measure ULA voiced alarm over the proposal, saying the state legislature, working with Mayor Karen Bass, is trying to thwart the will of L.A. voters.

Lawmakers in Sacramento unveiled a proposal to overhaul Measure ULA, the so-called “mansion tax” in Los Angeles, as part of a larger gambit to keep a statewide tax cut measure from making next year’s ballot.

w/ @andrewkhouri.bsky.social & @sherlyholmes.bsky.social

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

Supreme Court allows Trump administration to resume indiscriminate immigration raids in Los Angeles Los Angeles reacts to the Supreme Court's decision to uphold President Trump's immigration raids.

Gov. Gavin Newsom blasted the ruling, saying it would bring "a parade of racial terror" in L.A.

"This isn’t about enforcing immigration laws. It’s about targeting Latinos and anyone who doesn’t look or sound like Stephen Miller’s idea of an American," he said.

www.latimes.com/california/l...

An ICE raid breaks a family — and prompts a wrenching decision He came to Los Angeles 33 years ago. Now a man sent back to Mexico and his wife faced an impossible decision. Should she and their U.S. children join him in Mexico? Or stay in Inglewood?

The aftermath of an ICE raid.

I embedded with Jesús Cruz, who was recently returned to Mexico after working for 33 years in the U.S.

He and his wife now face an impossible decision: Should she and their four American children join him in Mexico? Or stay in LA?

www.latimes.com/world-nation...

Bid to repeal L.A.'s $30 hotel minimum wage fails to qualify for the ballot The L.A. Alliance for Tourism, Jobs and Progress needed about 93,000 signatures to qualify the referendum for the ballot, but fell short by about 9,000, according to the City Clerk.

The push to repeal L.A.'s $30-per-hour minimum wage for hotel and airline workers went down in flames on Monday, falling short of the signatures needed to qualify for the ballot.

w/ @suhauna.bsky.social

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

LAPD ends protection of former Vice President Kamala Harris amid criticism over diverting cops, sources say California officials scrambled this week to protect Harris after President Trump revoked her Secret Service protection.

The Los Angeles Police Department discontinued its protection for former Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday, after heavy criticism within its own ranks that officers were being diverted from crime suppression, sources tell the LAT’s Richard Winton.

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

The cost of expanding L.A.'s Convention Center keeps growing. Can the city afford it? Despite cost-cutting efforts, the tab for expanding the facility has gone up again, reaching $2.7 billion — an increase of $483 million from six months ago.

At L.A. City Hall, even some downtown boosters sound nervous about the cost of the Convention Center project.

What "I hear some of my colleagues saying is, 'Do we want a very beautiful Convention Center but a bankrupt city?'" said City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado.

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

In his latest update, City Administrative Officer Matt Szabo said the Convention Center project cost has reached $2.7 billion, up $483 million from just six months ago.

cityclerk.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2...

The cost of expanding L.A.'s Convention Center keeps growing. Can the city afford it? Despite cost-cutting efforts, the tab for expanding the facility has gone up again, reaching $2.7 billion — an increase of $483 million from six months ago.

L.A.'s plan to expand its Convention Center keeps getting more expensive. Inside City Hall, some seriously worry that the project will be built at the expense of basic city services.

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

A judge restricted LAPD's use of force. Then journalists were beaten with batons Reporters say they were injured by LAPD officers during an Aug. 8 protest despite a temporary restraining order restricting police use of force on journalists.

"I think that this is another in a long line of LAPD refusing to obey even the most basic elements of the 1st Amendment,” said journalist Sean Beckner-Carmitchel, who sustained heavy bruising on his ribs after being jabbed by a baton

More from the LAT's Clara Harter

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

Man fleeing Home Depot immigration raid is hit and killed by a car on the 210 Freeway A man fleeing on foot from an immigration raid at a Monrovia Home Depot ran onto the 210 Freeway, where he struck by a vehicle, officials said.

Man fleeing Home Depot immigration raid is hit and killed by a car on the 210 Freeway

'Help me, please!': Video captures ICE arrest outside L.A. courthouse Federal immigration agents arrested a man outside Los Angeles' largest courthouse on Wednesday, once again unnerving attorneys and court officials who say such tactics will discourage people from atte...

'Help me, please!': Video captures ICE arrest outside L.A. courthouse, the latest instance where they've used the much derided tactic here in Southern California www.latimes.com/california/s...

The fliers say 'Save Our Services.' Airbnb is actually pulling the strings Supporters of the plan say it could generate about $80 million in tax revenue annually, especially as tourists descend on Los Angeles for the 2026 World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl, and 2028 Olympics.

L.A. Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez learned of the SOS group after seeing one of its fliers, which didn't mention Airbnb.

"They’re using what I think is pretty deceptive tactics to try to get sympathy from the public," he said.

@noahmgoldberg.bsky.social has more

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

L.A. City Councilman Curren Price to face new corruption charges, sources say Prosecutors are expected to file additional charges against City Councilman Curren Price this week. He was first accused in 2023 of embezzlement, perjury and violating state conflict of interest laws ...

SCOOP: L.A. City Councilman Curren Price to face new corruption charges, sources tell us over @latimes.com www.latimes.com/california/s...

L.A. passed a $30 minimum wage for tourism workers. Then came the warring ballot measures Labor leaders and business groups, looking to gain the upper hand, have submitted proposals that, if approved by voters, would disrupt the city in enormous ways.

L.A. City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez said the battle between business and labor is raging out of control, and no one has brought the parties together to reach a compromise.

“In the absence of that, everyone is taking matters into their own hands," she said.

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

A lil' excerpt

LA County repealed its own justice reforms. Restoring them might require a different electorate | Opinion An unfathomable drafting blunder threatens to wreck years of work to make L.A. County government more responsive.

Sharp take from @robertlgreene.bsky.social on L.A. County's "ballot measure fiasco," where one reform proposal wound up nuking another. Now there's tension between backers of each -- and open talk about whether one measure should be scrapped to preserve the other

calmatters.org/commentary/2...

Mea culpa the handles should be @jaweedkaleem.bsky.social & @danielnmiller.bsky.social

'A continual assault.' How UCLA's research faculty is grappling with Trump funding freeze The Trump administration has suspended $584 million in grants at UCLA over what the U.S. Department of Justice has described as the school's 'deliberate indifference' to Jewish students' civil rights.

With 20 grants now frozen in UCLA's bioengineering department, some are looking at studying overseas.

"This assault on science is making the students think that this is not the place for them," said professor Dino Di Carlo.

@jaweedkaleem.bsky.social & Daniel Miller

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