OP-ED: Suddenly, Los Angeles Has a Rollicking 2026 Election Slate The 2026 LA election is heating up: Mayor Bass faces Austin Beutner, Controller Mejia takes on Isadore Hall & Zach Sokoloff, and City Attorney Feldstein Soto is challenged by Marissa Roy.

As the 2026 elections approach, something unexpected is happening—the city of L.A. has a hefty batch of competitive races, from the mayoral contest to a 2-person Council District 11 battle. And there's much more. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/elections/op...

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

Ample criticism of Eunisses Hernandez at CD1 forum. "We have not had leadership for three years,” said Lou Calanche. Raul Claros said his CD1 Coalition has "pretty much been the de facto council office." Hernandez didn't attend. @theeastsiderla.bsky.social
www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhood...

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...

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

The six Council District 1 candidates who attended a forum last week had differing ideas on how they would operate if elected. But all agreed on one point: incumbent Eunisses Hernandez has not delivered and needs to go. My @theeastsiderla.bsky.social story. www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhood...

The @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social triumph has people asking what repercussions the Democratic Socialist's win will have on other cities, including Los Angeles? A better question: How did past L.A. elections shape the NYC contest? My UCLA Blueprint story. blueprint.ucla.edu/sketch/from-...

L.A.'s $2.6 billion white elephant? Maybe not Los Angeles put off convention center upgrades for so long that they became extremely expensive. Will the city get more than just a nice 2028 Olympics venue?

Excited to have my first piece published on the new @goldenstatereport.bsky.social. I looked at the verrrrrrry expensive Convention Center renovation. A lot to unpack.
goldenstatereport.substack.com/p/las-26-bil...

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Has Shaken Up County Government, But She May Be Looking for an Even Bigger Job The millennial politician eyes the future, while also facing fire rebuilding and a budget crunch

County Supervisor @lindseyphorvath.bsky.social led the efforts to approve Measure G, and yank county $$ from LAHSA—those 2 big wins are 2 more than many politicians get in their entire career. But with the spotlight comes scrutiny. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/supe...

Inside Eagle Rock’s Canine Intelligence Lab at Occidental College At Occidental College’s Canine Intelligence Lab in Eagle Rock, Dr. Zachary Silver studies how dogs think, remember, and solve problems—one treat at a time.

At Occidental College's Canine Intelligence Lab, Dr. Zachary Silver runs dogs through tests and puzzles, studying how they navigate social situations, while also providing them “cognitive enrichment.” My @theeastsiderla.bsky.social story. www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhood...

Inside Eagle Rock’s Canine Intelligence Lab at Occidental College At Occidental College’s Canine Intelligence Lab in Eagle Rock, Dr. Zachary Silver studies how dogs think, remember, and solve problems—one treat at a time.

On the Only in LA front, an Occidental College professor operates a Canine Intelligence Lab. Yes, it's as cool and unique as it sounds... with some serious research. Check my new @theeastsiderla.bsky.social story. www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhood...

Inside Eagle Rock’s Canine Intelligence Lab at Occidental College At Occidental College’s Canine Intelligence Lab in Eagle Rock, Dr. Zachary Silver studies how dogs think, remember, and solve problems—one treat at a time.

Dr. Zachary Silver founded the Canine Intelligence Lab when he joined Occidental College two years ago. I dropped by the fascinating project for @theeastsiderla.bsky.social. www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhood...

Inside Eagle Rock’s Canine Intelligence Lab at Occidental College At Occidental College’s Canine Intelligence Lab in Eagle Rock, Dr. Zachary Silver studies how dogs think, remember, and solve problems—one treat at a time.

You may have a good dog, but is she or he a smart dog? The Occidental Canine Intelligence Lab has tests and puzzles to find out. Details in my @theeastsiderla.bsky.social story. www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhood...

BREAKING: As Austin Beutner Challenges Karen Bass, the Los Angeles Mayor’s Race Kicks Into High Gear Longtime civic leader says the incumbent has fallen short, but the challenge will not be easy

“Unfortunately the city government we pay for does not live up to the high standards of the people who live here,” Austin Beutner said, explaining why he is challenging Mayor Karen Bass in next year's election. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/news/breakin...

BREAKING: As Austin Beutner Challenges Karen Bass, the Los Angeles Mayor’s Race Kicks Into High Gear Longtime civic leader says the incumbent has fallen short, but the challenge will not be easy

Despite his wealth, Austin Beutner said he will not be using personal funds as he challenges Karen Bass for mayor. He plans to raise money from donors. More in my Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/news/breakin...

BREAKING: As Austin Beutner Challenges Karen Bass, the Los Angeles Mayor’s Race Kicks Into High Gear Longtime civic leader says the incumbent has fallen short, but the challenge will not be easy

In 2022, Austin Beutner voted for Karen Bass. Now, feeling Los Angeles is "adrift," he's running against her. We discussed his attempt to unseat her for Westside Current. www.westsidecurrent.com/news/breakin...

L.A.’s Got a Budget Crisis But No Layoffs, and Now There’s a Huge Convention Center Overhaul. Confused? Join the Club Trying to make sense of the city’s very mixed monetary messages

Los Angeles green lights a $2.6 billion Convention Center overhaul after struggling with a $1 billion budget deficit. And the city went from 1,647 threatened layoffs to 0 pink slips This is a moment of mixed monetary messages. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/colu...

L.A.’s Got a Budget Crisis But No Layoffs, and Now There’s a Huge Convention Center Overhaul. Confused? Join the Club Trying to make sense of the city’s very mixed monetary messages

With a deep city budget deficit, tariffs, ICE raids and more, it's like the Four Accountants of the Apocalypse have stampeded into Los Angeles and plan to stay a while. But there's still big $$ for a Convention Center overhaul. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/colu...

L.A.’s Got a Budget Crisis But No Layoffs, and Now There’s a Huge Convention Center Overhaul. Confused? Join the Club Trying to make sense of the city’s very mixed monetary messages

Is L.A. in a dire financial state, with elected officials kicking the can further down the road? Or do no layoffs and a Convention Center overhaul indicate that things were never nearly as bad as they seemed? I'm confused. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/colu...

As Council Rep Ysabel Jurado Opposes a Home Depot Project, Asserting the Business Is ‘Complicit’ in ICE Raids, Some Wonder If L.A. Is Entering the Political Allegiance Era A politician’s stance could ensure that the dead Eastside space stays empty

Turning a former Macy's in Eagle Rock into a Home Depot would create jobs and activate a dead space. But District 14 Councilmember Ysabel Jurado has 'strong opposition' to the plan. So what happen? My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/colu...

As Council Rep Ysabel Jurado Opposes a Home Depot Project, Asserting the Business Is ‘Complicit’ in ICE Raids, Some Wonder If L.A. Is Entering the Political Allegiance Era A politician’s stance could ensure that the dead Eastside space stays empty

District 14 council rep Ysabel Jurado said "Home Depot has no place in Eagle Rock." Not everyone in Eagle Rock feels the same way, saying the store could fill long-dead space in Eagle Rock Plaza, and create jobs. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/colu...

As Council Rep Ysabel Jurado Opposes a Home Depot Project, Asserting the Business Is ‘Complicit’ in ICE Raids, Some Wonder If L.A. Is Entering the Political Allegiance Era A politician’s stance could ensure that the dead Eastside space stays empty

Council rep Ysabel Jurado has voiced 'strong opposition' to a new #HomeDepot in Eagle Rock. Some cheer the stance. Others worry about city officials making support for a project contingent on someone sharing their politics. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/colu...

Where the suspension-rattling, bone-jarring Eastside potholes are If you were driving this spring near the 10 Freeway on- and off-ramps where Soto Street meets Charlotte Street, then you might have felt the suspension-rattling, bone-jarring impact of hitting

Did you hit a pothole near a freeway entrance in Boyle Heights, or on Wayne Avenue in Los Feliz, or on Collis Avenue in El Sereno? If so, you were not alone. For @theeastsiderla.bsky.social I look at where the Eastside potholes pop up. @crosstownla.bsky.social
www.theeastsiderla.com/news/governm...

A few months ago Los Angeles leaders were touting a year-over-year #homicide rate decline of over 20%. That's evaporating. According to LAPD Compstat, city has recorded 209 murders through Sept. 20. Last year at this time it was 215. lapdonlinestrgeacc.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/lapdonlineme...

Hilda Solis leans on Eastside track record as she eyes a run for Congress County Supervisor Hilda Solis says she has “unfinished business” as she considers a 2026 run for Congress, with housing and affordability as top priorities.

If #Prop50 passes and California gets new Congressional lines, then @hildasolis.bsky.social will seek to return to the US House. She'll be touting some of her moves on LA's Eastside. My story for @theeastsiderla.bsky.social. www.theeastsiderla.com/news/governm...

Hilda Solis leans on Eastside track record as she eyes a run for Congress County Supervisor Hilda Solis says she has “unfinished business” as she considers a 2026 run for Congress, with housing and affordability as top priorities.

Why is County Supervisor @hildasolis.bsky.social considering running for Congress in 2026, more than 15 years after she left the House? "I still feel that there is unfinished business for Hilda Solis," she said recently. My @theeastsiderla.bsky.social story.

LA Gets a Spectacular City Controller Battle, as Isadore Hall Takes On Incumbent Kenneth Mejia Contest to serve as L.A.’s fiscal watchdog will be fierce. It may also involve corgis and bowties

The primary for the LA City Controller election is next June. Incumbent Kenneth Mejia and challenger Isadore Hall are already sniping at each other. My Westside Current column on the contest to be LA's fiscal watchdog. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/la-g...

LA Gets a Spectacular City Controller Battle, as Isadore Hall Takes On Incumbent Kenneth Mejia Contest to serve as L.A.’s fiscal watchdog will be fierce. It may also involve corgis and bowties

The Kenneth Mejia vs. Isadore Hall contest for LA City Controller will be a bruiser. I looked at the burgeoning race for Westside Current. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/la-g...

LA Gets a Spectacular City Controller Battle, as Isadore Hall Takes On Incumbent Kenneth Mejia Contest to serve as L.A.’s fiscal watchdog will be fierce. It may also involve corgis and bowties

In 2022 Kenneth Mejia became City Controller, beating a City Hall insider at an anti-incumbent, “throw da bums out” moment. Now Mejia is the incumbent, and is being challenged by former state legislator Isadore Hall. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/la-g...

LA Gets a Spectacular City Controller Battle, as Isadore Hall Takes On Incumbent Kenneth Mejia Contest to serve as L.A.’s fiscal watchdog will be fierce. It may also involve corgis and bowties

The joke among City Hall observers is that the City Controller actually controls nothing. Success often hinges on knowing how to play politics, understanding when to pinch, and when you need allies. My Westside Current column looks at the 2026 race. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/la-g...

LA Gets a Spectacular City Controller Battle, as Isadore Hall Takes On Incumbent Kenneth Mejia Contest to serve as L.A.’s fiscal watchdog will be fierce. It may also involve corgis and bowties

The 2026 City Controller contest will be fierce and fascinating, with new entrant Isadore Hall and incumbent Kenneth Mejia already sniping at other. Expect big money, big billboards, and possibly bowties and corgis. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/la-g...

Wow! Yet another challenger to Eunisses Hernandez for the District 1 City Council seat! Newest to enter is Nelson Grande, who bills himself as "a business owner in the Westlake and Pico area." That's six people trying to take down the incumbent. Primary is in June 2026.