Jim Newton

Mayor Karen Bass' challenge is to persuade voters she has command over the city's recovery process, despite the early struggles during the fire. 

Homelessness numbers in Los Angeles are down but not enough for many voters to notice. It's also no longer the main issue of Karen Bass's reelection bid.

After a year of effort — and despite ICE’s military theatrics — L.A.’s iconic MacArthur Park is just beginning to regain some of its mojo. It still struggles with drugs and homelessness, though.

Witnesses at a congressional hearing describe nightmarish experiences while in ICE custody, highlighting the cruelty and stupidity of federal detention.

As L.A. Mayor Karen Bass' runs for re-election, will Austin Beutner, former L.A. schools chief, developer Rick Caruso or President Trump be factors?

L.A. will spend $2 million fencing MacArthur Park. Critics say it will just hide homelessness and addiction issues in the neighborhood. Supporters say it'll make the area safer.

The proposed congressional maps under Proposition 50 simply create more districts with Democratic majorities. Congressional candidates will still have to convince voters they're worth electing.

Statistics don't do much to convince people of the seriousness of homelessness or persuade them that it's getting better or worse. What matters is how it brushes up against them.

Sen. Alex Padilla says "there's too much at stake" for Democrats to remain idle in a political arms race between red and blue states. Meanwhile, he plans to introduce legislation that would establish independent redistricting commissions in every state.

A controversial California bill that would enable denser housing near transit hubs violates the most basic principles of American federalism, substituting far-away authority for local expertise.