Los Angeles

Commentary

Why conserving the San Gabriel Mountains is so important to California Latinos

As California attempts to conserve 30% of state land and coastal waters by 2030, expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument would be a significant step, especially for Latinos in the L.A. area who lack access to open spaces.

By Guest Commentary • August 4, 2023

Politics

Why California cities use your tax dollars to lobby the Legislature

Local governments account for about 10% of total spending on lobbying state lawmakers and agencies. Often, they’re seeking state money. Sometimes, they’re trying to get a say on specific bills.

By Sameea Kamal and Jeremia Kimelman • August 3, 2023

Commentary

Increase in Los Angeles homeless population undermines gains under Karen Bass

Despite efforts by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to shelter more than 14,000 people this year, the city's homeless population keeps growing. That does not necessarily mean her signature program is failing. The larger question: How does California measure success?

By Jim Newton • July 27, 2023

Commentary

Ending Mono Lake diversions to Los Angeles would help the environment but hurt the climate

The environmental costs of ending water diversions from Mono Lake to Los Angeles would be mixed: It might help a shore bird habitat but would require changes that increase carbon emissions.

By Jim Newton • July 13, 2023

Health

Why mental health providers say Medi-Cal’s latest reform may force them to cut services

Medi-Cal is changing how it pays mental health providers. Many of those providers say they may no longer be able to afford peer support specialists, home visits and other services.

By Kristen Hwang • July 6, 2023

California Divide

What’s behind the hotel workers’ strike days before national holiday

A union says hotel workers making $20 to $25 an hour aren’t earning enough to live near where they work.

By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • July 2, 2023

Commentary

Decline in political integrity is at the heart of Los Angeles City Council scandals

The misdeeds of the Los Angeles City Council do not rise to the level of treason, but they suggest an indifference to the public and an abiding, destructive hubris that permeates across California.

By Jim Newton • June 29, 2023

K-12 Education

California parents fed up with schools want to make high-quality education a constitutional right

Advocates supporting a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a right to a high-quality education say they want to hold schools accountable. But critics fear its vague language could unleash a barrage of lawsuits.

By Joe Hong • June 27, 2023

Commentary

How Los Angeles school closures inspired a campaign to change the California Constitution

The arguments made by the Los Angeles Unified School District to fight a 2021 lawsuit attempting to reopen schools sparked a campaign to enshrine a constitutional right to a high-quality education. Let the politics begin.

By Jim Newton • June 15, 2023

Commentary

Homelessness is a crisis in California but we can’t treat it like an emergency

Local governments in the Los Angeles area declared a state of emergency on homelessness this year to spur action and marshal resources. But there are drawbacks to applying an emergency label to this issue.

By Guest Commentary • June 8, 2023