David Zahniser

This rural hospital closed, putting lives at risk. Is it the start of a 'tidal wave'? Glenn Medical Center in Willows closed Oct. 21 after losing 'critical access' status. Many other California hospitals face the threat of a similar fate.

This rural hospital closed, putting lives at risk in Northern California. Is it the start of a ‘tidal wave’? www.latimes.com/california/s... by @jessicagarrison.bsky.social

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...

L.A. firefighters propose hike in sales tax to pay for new stations, equipment and more “This is the most important thing for the LAFD really ever,” said Doug Coates, acting president of the city firefighter union.

NEW: The LAFD union plans to propose a ballot measure to increase sales tax a half cent — in perpetuity — to fund 30 new fire stations, buy new rigs, and add more than 1,000 firefighters and civilians to the force. It would raise about $10 billion by 2050

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

City Controller Kenneth Mejia's 'Sherlock corgi' image, featuring a pipe and magnifying glass, appears on the cover of a recent report from Mejia's office.

Jane Nguyen, a Mejia campaign spokesperson, pushed back on the idea that the controller failed to comply with city law. She also suggested that Mejia's opponent is “jealous of our cute corgi graphics.”

L.A. city controller's race gets ruff, as a candidate targets Kenneth Mejia's corgis A former state lawmaker questioned whether Mejia's logos, corgi images and other graphics violate a law barring the use of city resources for election campaigns. Mejia's team disputed the claims.

L.A. City Controller Kenneth Mejia loves his corgis so much that he puts them on his website, his financial reports and his campaign signs.

Now, his 'Sherlock Corgi' images are part of an unusual ethics complaint lodged by one of his rivals.

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

Green bins clog L.A. curbs as city’s organic waste program goes into overdrive L.A. residents are seeing a glut of green bins invading their neighborhoods. The city says they're vital to keep up with laws on diverting organic waste.

In Koreatown, city crews delivered 13 green bins to the apartment building that Scott Lyness manages on New Hampshire Avenue. Three more were left at the building he manages right next door.

“Our neighborhoods are being inundated with green waste bins,” he said.

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

Huang could complicate Bass’ reelection bid, luring away left-of-center voters at a time when the mayor faces criticism over the Palisades fire, the budget and several other issues.

The larger the pool of candidates, the more work Bass will have to do to avoid an expensive runoff campaign.

Green bins clog L.A. curbs as city’s organic waste program goes into overdrive L.A. residents are seeing a glut of green bins invading their neighborhoods. The city says they're vital to keep up with laws on diverting organic waste.

Some L.A. neighborhoods are being bombarded by 90-gallon green recycling bins, as the city scrambles to comply with the state's organic waste rules

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

L.A. City Council District 1 candidates unite in critique of incumbent Eunisses Hernandez Lincoln Heights—The six candidates on the stage of the Sacred Heart High School gymnasium last week offered different ideas about how they would operate if elected to represent L.A. City

Six candidates attended a recent District 1 City Council forum. When the moderator announced “We have not heard from Councilperson Eunisses Hernandez,” the crowd booed. Hernandez team said she had “previously scheduled commitments.” @theeastsiderla.bsky.social www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhood...

Judge blocks Trump administration push to fine UCLA $1.2 billion for alleged antisemitism A federal judge late Friday issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration from imposing a $1.2-billion fine on UCLA for alleged civil rights violations over antisemitism, its recog...

In a major win for UC faculty groups and unions that sued, a federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump from imposing a $1.2-billion fine on UCLA along with stipulations for deep campus changes in exchange for being eligible for federal grants: www.latimes.com/california/s...

Los Angeles will nearly double recycled water for 500,000 residents Los Angeles is set to double the size of a planned facility that will transform wastewater into purified drinking water, recycling enough water to meet the needs of 500,000 people.

A major shift in where L.A. gets water: The city will double the size of a project to transform wastewater into purified drinking water, producing enough for 500,000 people. The recycled water will allow L.A. to stop taking water from creeks that feed Mono Lake. www.latimes.com/environment/...

Austin Beutner assails Karen Bass over rising city fees he says are 'crushing families' L.A. mayoral candidate Austin Beutner, standing in front of Van Nuys City Hall, said Mayor Karen Bass has contributed to a cost-of-living crisis that is “crushing families.”

Mayoral candidate Austin Beutner criticized Mayor Karen Bass over the rising cost of city services this week, saying higher rates for trash pickup, sewer service, water and electricity are contributing to an “affordability crisis” in L.A.

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

With L.A.'s mayor focused on trash-strewn streets, her top sanitation official moves on Barbara Romero told sanitation employees in an email on Monday that she will leave at the end of the year. She did not say what prompted her departure or whether she has another job lined up.

Bruce Reznik, who heads the environmental group LA Waterkeeper, said he's convinced that Barbara Romero, the head of the city's sanitation bureau, is being forced out of her position. Romero has been a crucial voice on the environment at City Hall, he said.

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

Is Austin Beutner preparing a run against Mayor Karen Bass? It sure looks that way The message 'Austin Beutner for Mayor' popped up on Beutner's social media accounts on Saturday, only to be removed by 1:30 p.m. So far, he's not talking.

Is @austinforla.bsky.social preparing a run against L.A. Mayor Karen Bass in June 2026? It sure looks that way!

@sherlyholmes.bsky.social & I break it down

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

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...