Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass summoned to testify as House committee examines homeless spending
A congressional subcommittee has asked L.A. Mayor Karen Bass to testify over homeless funds.
The Los Angeles
Government
He uncovered wasteful LA homelessness spending. He was just demoted, without explanation
L.A. Homeless Services Authority Commissioner Justin Szlasa (left) at a commission meeting with L.A. Mayor Karen Bass (right) on Feb. 28, 2025. (Nick Gerda / LAist) Since joining the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s governing commission nearly two years ago, Justin Szlas...
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to retire in December after transformative and tumultuous tenure
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is retiring at the end of the year, bringing to a close her seven-plus years at the helm of the league and a stewardship that has been transformative and at times tumultuous....
Nithya Raman points to DSA chapter's endorsement as proof of her 'broad coalition'
A competitive and at times nasty Los Angeles mayor's race between two city hall insiders saw an endorsement that could shake things up..
Vice President JD Vance says Iran fight isn't a 'war' as Trump tries to navigate unpopular conflict as election nears
Vice President JD Vance says he wouldn't call the U.S. conflict with Iran a “war,” despite recent escalations.
USC students board Hector the Barber's school bus for curbside cuts
After the pandemic closed his shop, Hector the Barber bought a yellow school bus and turned it into a mobile barbershop parked right outside USC.
Bass, Raman tout their environmental bona fides at L.A. forum
In a forum at L.A. Trade-Tech, the two mayoral candidates differed sharply over the city's environmental performance under Bass's leadership
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert to retire at the end of the year
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert is retiring at the end the year, bringing to a close her seven-plus years at the helm of the league and a stewardship that has been transformative and at times tumultuous. Engelbert is the second-longest tenured WNBA president or commissioner, an...
Replay: Watch LA mayoral candidates talk environmental strategy
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman separately explain their environmental positions at a mayoral forum held Thursday at L.A. Trade Tech in downtown Los Angeles. Topline: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described herself as a proven fighter for environmental justice...
Trump asks Supreme Court to lift block on USPS plan to restrict mail voting
An election worker processes mail-in ballots in June in Industry, Calif. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images) The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to lift a block on the U.S. Postal Service plan for President Trump's attempt to restrict mail-in voting for the midterm ...
Trump again appeals to Supreme Court on mail-voting restrictions with midterm elections looming
The Trump administration on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to reject an order by a federal judge that halts it from implementing a new rule regulating mail ballots,...
LA Mayor Karen Bass called to testify to Congress for fraud hearing on federal homelessness dollars
Mayor Karen Bass speaks at a press conference before LAHSA's annual homeless count at El Rio Community School on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. (Carlin Stiehl / LAist) Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has been called to testify before Congress for an investigation into “p...
Chabria: Trump has a new scheme to surpress the California vote this November. The threat is real
The Voting Rights Project at UCLA files a lawsuit to stop Americans' personal data from being swept up by the federal government to further Trump's false conspiracy about illegal immigrants voting in elections....
LAist is moderating as Bass, Raman lay out their environmental plans. Here's How to watch
Climate, weather and more will be up for discussion tonight in L.A. (Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images) Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and challenger Nithya Raman will each have a chance to lay out their plans for tackling L.A.’s biggest environmental issues, and share their...
EPA proposal could leave the public in the dark on data center plans
A plan by the Environmental Protection Agency could make it harder for the public to learn about and comment on proposed AI data centers that have sparked backlash in communities across the United States and transformed the midterm election landscape. The EPA proposal would elimi...
USC faculty rally in support of unionizing with new, high-placed city allies
USC non-tenure faculty rallied for union recognition with support from Mayor Karen Bass and Nithya Raman as the university appeals the vote.
Democratic socialists endorse Raman in LA mayoral contest
Councilmember Nithya Raman at a campaign news conference in May 2026. (Aaron Schrank / LAist ) Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman on Wednesday won the backing of the Democratic Socialists of America L.A. in her challenge to incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. The DSA-LA is a pot...
LAUSD students barred from AI use, in a surprise to school board
Los Angeles Unified is blocking student access to artificial intelligence tools on district-issued devices. (Robyn Beck / AFP via Getty Images) Los Angeles Unified is blocking student access to artificial intelligence tools on district-issued devices. The district’s decision, ann...
CA groups sue Homeland Security over alleged attacks on naturalized citizens' right to vote
A coalition of immigrant and voting rights groups filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, claiming the department is attacking naturalized citizens' right to vote....
Democratic Socialists endorse Raman in L.A. mayoral race
The Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America endorsed Councilmember Nithya Raman for mayor Wednesday, giving the challenger a boost of left-wing, door-knocking energy as she challenges incumbent Karen Bass in the Nov. 3 election....
Immigrant rights group seeks to block use of federal databases it says could purge legal voters
An immigrant rights group sued the Trump administration Wednesday to block the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from using federal databases that it alleged are being used to target naturalized citizens who are eligible to vote. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Wa...
Generative AI banned on LAUSD-issued devices for students
The use of generative artificial intelligence is unavailable for students using school-issued devices across the Los Angeles Unified School District, board leaders clarified in a committee meeting on Wednesday. Parents and board members met on Wednesday to discuss concerns about ...
Murrieta approves ordinance to penalize parents of underage, reckless e-bike riders
As concerns over e-bike safety rise across communities in Southern California, one Inland Empire city is taking extra steps to control illegal riding. New rules by the city of Murrieta will penalize not only the rider, but the parents, as well, if underage individuals are found t...
Will AI be banned in LAUSD classrooms? New committee to weigh rules
Should artificial intelligence have a place in the classroom? That's the question the Los Angeles Unified School District is taking up, just months after the district voted to limit screen time for students....
Amid public outcry, Tarrant County, Texas cuts polling locations ahead of 2026 midterm elections
Officials in Texas' third most populous county voted on Tuesday to reduce polling locations by 92.
House passes short-term funding bill to avoid federal government shutdown before election
The House passed a short-term measure Tuesday to fund the federal government into early December, a move designed to avoid a chaotic shutdown as lawmakers campaign for reelection....
LA County rolls out revamped public comment system for Board of Supervisors meetings
The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors meeting on April 15, 2025. (Samanta Helou Hernandez / LAist) Los Angeles County rolled out a new way to participate in Board of Supervisors meetings Tuesday with a revamped registration system that officials say will make it easier for residen...
Convicted MAGA election denier declines job in California amid pressure from Newsom
Tina Peters, who served prison time for tampering with election equipment in Colorado, has declined a job offer in Shasta County, her attorney said.
Bill that could block Forest Lawn Drive safety fix heads to Newsom
Forest Lawn Drive, which has become a contentious street safety topic in the run up to the mayoral election, provides access to Griffith Park. (Robyn Beck / /AFP via Getty Images) Topline: A bill that threatens a long-planned project to slow cars on Forest Lawn Drive near Griffit...
How will LAUSD students use AI? Here’s how you can help decide
LAUSD's current policy allows students 13 and older to use AI tools. (Robyn Beck / AFP via Getty Images) The Los Angeles Unified Board is reevaluating how students, educators and schools use artificial intelligence as some parents call for an in-classroom moratorium. A new board ...
Raman gets key labor endorsement in mayor's race, although most unions are backing Bass
Most local labor unions are backing Mayor Bass, but the powerful Unite Here Local 11 representing hotel workers endorsed council member and challenger Nithya Raman....
California lawmakers pass restrictions on hiring former immigration agents, ban on electric-shock gloves
California lawmakers on Monday voted to ban federal immigration agents from being hired for many local and state government jobs and outlaw electric-shock gloves....
‘Sloppy, rushed': USPS whistleblower warns of system for Trump's mail voting order
The U.S. Postal Service is poised to launch a hastily built, error-riddled computer system that could jeopardize the process of mail voting relied upon by one-third of all voters, according to a whistleblower statement released Tuesday by Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal. The e...
New digital billboards spark controversy in Santa Monica after nearly 40-year ban
New digital billboards are operating above Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade, with as many as 16 potentially coming to the city.
Voters would decide on a $7.5-billion science bond to fund state research if Newsom approves
California lawmakers sent a $7.5-billion science research bond measure to Gov. Gavin Newsom. If signed, it would go before voters on the March 2028 ballot....
State lawmakers back environmental carve-out for new San Diego stadium
California state lawmakers on Sunday voted to fast-track a San Diego stadium and housing project by helping it avoid lawsuits over its impacts to the environment....
Planned bikes lanes on Forest Lawn Drive targeted in last-minute language added to bill
A street safety project at the center of a debate between Mayor Karen Bass and mayoral candidate Nithya Raman could be affected.
Train Operator Taneisha Moody credits the women of SEPTA for their leadership and mentorship
When Taneisha Moody stepped aboard her first train as an operator 22 years ago, she relied on the women of SEPTA to train, support and mentor her.
Lawmakers send bills to Newsom shoring up ballot security, transparency for paid political posts
California lawmakers on Sunday approved bills aimed at preventing interference in this fall's midterm elections and requiring more transparency from social media influencers who are paid by political campaigns....
California lawmakers vote to change childhood sex abuse law
The 2019 law resulted in billions of dollars in payouts from local governments.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford premier answers Donald Trump’s ‘Lake America’ with giant ‘Lake Ontario’ sign
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has responded to President Trump’s “Lake America” decree with a billboard declaring “Lake Ontario. Now and Always.”
Sen. Ted Cruz calls for elections in Venezuela to proceed ‘rapidly'
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, on Sunday renewed his call for free and fair elections to be held in Venezuela, just two days after the Trump administration announced that the U.S. would take over 65 billion barrels of oil from the South American nation. “There need to be democratic, fre...
Will Forest Lawn Drive go down to 3 lanes? A last-minute bill change aims to block the project
Forest Lawn Drive, which has become a contentious street safety topic in the run up to the mayoral election, provides access to Griffith Park. (ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images / AFP) In a last-minute move, state legislators added language to a bill on Friday evening that street s...
Long Beach mayor, city manager, council and department heads set to get more pay as city proposes deep cuts and layoffs
Long Beach is proposing deep cuts and hundreds of layoffs and eliminated positions as it tries to close a $58.2 million budget deficit. But at the same time, the city’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget shows higher pay for some of the people at the top of City Hall, including the...
Arellano: Racist 'Magic Deportation Bus' isn't the way for Trump to keep Latino voters
If the GOP wants any chance of holding on to Congress in the midterms and winning other key races, they need to get down on their hands and knees and beg Latinos for forgiveness,...
Colorado River plan to cut water brings uncertainty for cities and farmers
On the outskirts of Phoenix, a small town with a huge reliance on the Colorado River has capped growth, revived old wells and struck water deals. But Cave Creek Mayor Robert Morris can’t shake the real possibility that it’s not enough to keep the desert community of about 5,000 p...