Los Angeles

A green active oil pump jack surrounded by two-story homes and a street intersection in the background.

Environment

Newsom signs law delaying oil industry’s leak detection in communities

The slowdown comes as the governor lauds his record as tough on oil companies. His administration requested several more years to force companies to detect and fix leaks.

By

CalMatters Staff

• September 30, 2024

Environment

New California law will speed cleanup of idle oil wells

Three new oil well laws come after the Newsom administration delayed enforcement of an existing law protecting communities near wells.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• September 25, 2024

A "No Dumping. No Parking. No Trespassing." sign sits behind a double-chain-linked fence. A dilapidated, white, one-story building sits behind the sign. The area looks abandoned.

Commentary

As Caltrans sells homes it bought for defunct road project, some LA residents are being shut out

Caltrans road projects destroyed homes and sliced through neighborhoods often occupied by Black or Latino families. Now the agency is trying to repair the damage by selling back hundreds of homes.

By

Denise Amos

• September 23, 2024

A voter casts a mock-ballot at a voting booth adorned with an American flag and the word "VOTE." The scene is set against a vibrant backdrop, featuring Día de los Muertos decorations and an altar with colorful papel picado, marigolds, and framed photos of loved ones. The cultural ambiance adds depth to the act of civic participation.

Commentary

Imagine if Los Angeles fully activated the voting power of its Latino majority

New polling suggests Los Angeles and California could skew even more liberal if Latino voters turned out in greater numbers, challenging the more consistent bloc of aging and homeowning voters.

By

Jim Newton

• September 19, 2024

LAHSA workers and others in high-visibility gear stand near a tent, surrounded by yellow caution tape. The scene appears to involve a city operation, possibly addressing a homeless encampment. People in the background are observing or engaged in conversation.

Homelessness

CalMatters sues LA homeless authority to obtain secret shelter records

After reports of shelter deaths and assaults, officials grappling with the state’s biggest homeless crisis have denied repeated requests for incident reports created by government contractors.

By

Lauren Hepler

• September 9, 2024

People walk through an underground subway station in Los Angeles.

Commentary

Will the 2028 Olympics create lasting benefits for Los Angeles?

The transit situation in Los Angeles underscores a paradox of the 2028 Olympics: The city was chosen in part because it already has the stadia and other amenities needed, but because of that, it stands to gain less than many cities get in return.

By

Jim Newton

• September 5, 2024

A politician, wearing a blue cardigan and black shirt, stands behind a podium with a microphone during an event at a park.

Commentary

Los Angeles County needs better representation, but adding more politicians is a tough sell

Los Angeles voters will get a chance to boost representation and accountability on the Board of Supervisors this fall, but convincing voters to increase the number of politicians that serve them has long been a tough sell.

By

Jim Newton

• August 22, 2024

Homelessness

Report blasts LA for criminalizing homelessness

Lea esta historia en Español When the Supreme Court and then Gov. Gavin Newsom gave the green-light to crack down on homeless encampments this summer, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass loudly took issue with that approach — setting herself apart from other big-city leaders. But despite Bass’ public stance against it, and her efforts to […]

By

Marisa Kendall

• August 14, 2024

A view of San Francisco on July 12, 2023. Photo by Semantha Norris, CalMatters

Economy

Californians: Your rent may go up because of rising insurance rates

The state’s landlords see rising insurance costs, so they say they’re going to have to raise rents. But they complain about laws that limit how much they can do so.

By

Levi Sumagaysay

• August 13, 2024

Gov. Gavin Newsom, dressed is brown pants, a black jacket and a grey baseball hat, picks up trash from a homeless encampment.

Commentary

Newsom tries shifting blame for homelessness crisis to local officials

Gov. Gavin Newsom says homelessness is "the biggest scar on the reputation of California" and accuses local officials of dragging their feet to resolve it.

By

Dan Walters

• August 13, 2024