Author: Kyle Russell

California Court Debates Language of Controversial Transgender Ballot Measure

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In Sacramento, California, a significant legal battle is unfolding as supporters of a proposed ballot measure, which mandates school staff to inform parents if their child requests a gender identification change, confront the state’s Attorney General over the wording used to describe the initiative. The group is suing Attorney General Rob Bonta, claiming that the title and summary he provided are misleading and bias the public against the proposal.

Currently titled the “Restrict Rights of Transgender Youth” initiative by the Attorney General’s office, the backers of the measure are pushing for it to be renamed to the “Protect Kids of California Act.” They argue that the existing title and summary do not accurately reflect the intent and implications of the measure, which they believe is designed to safeguard children.

Dean McGee, a lawyer from the Liberty Justice Center representing the measure’s proponents, accused the Attorney General of abusing his power. “It’s an abuse of the attorney general’s power to oversee these ballot measures where he’s legally obligated to be neutral and draft a title and summary that’s impartial,” McGee stated. The initiative, if passed, would also prohibit transgender girls from participating in girls’ and women’s sports from grades 7 through college and restrict gender-affirming surgeries for minors, except under certain conditions.

This legal challenge is part of a broader national debate over the rights of parents versus the rights of LGBTQ+ students in school settings. Similar legislative efforts are seen across the United States, with various states attempting to enforce bans on gender-affirming care, restrict transgender athletes, and mandate parental notifications of any significant changes in a child’s emotional health or well-being.

The proponents of the California measure have collected a quarter of the 500,000 signatures required by May 28 to secure a spot on the November ballot. However, they claim that the language issued by Bonta’s office is impeding their efforts to gather sufficient support and are seeking an extension of 180 days to meet their goal.

They specifically object to the current summary’s statements that the initiative would prohibit gender-affirming care for transgender youth “even if parents consent or if the treatment is medically recommended,” and that it requires schools to notify parents about a child’s request to be recognized as a different gender “without exception for student safety.”

Bob Stern, former president of the Center for Governmental Studies, highlighted the significant influence of ballot measure summaries on voter behavior. He pointed out that for many voters, the summary might be the only piece of information they see before casting their vote. Stern advocates for the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office, rather than the Attorney General, to release these summaries to ensure impartiality, especially since the Attorney General, like Bonta, is an elected official with future political aspirations.

Meanwhile, Kathie Moehlig of the TransFamily Support Services in San Diego warns of the detrimental impact such measures could have on vulnerable children. She emphasized that for some children, disclosure of their gender identity at home could pose serious risks. “The unfortunate truth is that there are some kids who are in homes where sharing about their gender identity or sexual orientation would make them unsafe,” Moehlig explained.

As this legal battle continues, it underscores the complex intersection of parental rights, student safety, and the broader societal challenges facing transgender individuals in today’s political and social landscape.

April 25, 2024
Chris Pratt Faces Backlash Over Demolishing Historic LA Home

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Actor Chris Pratt and his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, face backlash after tearing down a historic Los Angeles home to build a new house for their growing family. The couple purchased the landmark Zimmerman House for $12.5 million early last year.

According to the Robb Report, Pratt and Schwarzenegger submitted a proposal to tear down the Zimmerman House and rebuild it shortly after purchasing the property. Their plans included a complete overhaul of the original structure, which caused outrage from architecture enthusiasts and conservationists. The new home will be designed by Ken Ungar, an LA-based architect known for his farmhouse style. It will feature two stories, a backyard swimming pool, and a pool house.

The original Zimmerman House is a one-story mid-century building that spans nearly 3,000 square feet. Emiel Becksy designed it while working in Craig Ellwood’s office, and it was initially constructed in 1950. After learning about Pratt and Schwarzenegger’s plans, the Los Angeles Conservancy called it a “noteworthy example of Modernist design from this era” in an Instagram post. Others also took to social media to express their disappointment with the couple’s decision to demolish the house.

“Unbelievable the notoriously onerous City of LA [that] doesn’t allow anyone to do anything that makes actual sense,” realtor Julie Chang wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), “allowed this mid-century modern house to be TORN DOWN.”

Designer David Hill also commented on X, writing, “It’s sad to see icons of modernism needlessly destroyed by insensitive McMansion seekers.”

While this is the first time Pratt and Schwarzenegger have been in hot water for their real estate decisions, it is not the first time the couple has caused controversy. Pratt, best known for his roles in Parks and Recreation and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, went through a highly public and somewhat criticized divorce with ex-wife Anna Faris in 2017 after eight years of marriage. The couple shares an eleven-year-old son, Jack. Pratt and Schwarzenegger’s relationship began in 2018, and the couple announced their engagement in 2019. They share two children, three-year-old Lyla Marie, and one-year-old Eloise Christina. Pratt is known for speaking about his strong religious views.

Katherine Schwarzenegger is the oldest child of famed actor and politician Arnold Schwarzenegger and journalist Maria Shriver. She published her first book, Rock What You’ve Got: Secrets to Loving Your Inner and Outer Beauty from Someone Who’s Been There and Back, about body image in 2010. As someone who grew up in the public eye, Schwarzenegger felt that her journey with body image issues could help guide other young women with similar problems. Her second book, I Just Graduated . . . Now What?, a survival guide for recent grads based on Schwarzenegger’s experiences at the University of Southern California, was published in 2014.

Since Schwarzenegger has branched out into children’s literature, Maverick and Me tells how Schwarzenegger adopted her dog, Maverick. Her latest work, The Gift of Forgiveness: Inspiring Stories from Those Who Have Overcome the Unforgivable, is a compilation of stories from twenty-two people, including Elizabeth Smart and Tanya Brown, sister of Nicole Brown Simpson.

April 18, 2024
Traffic Around LAX Could Cause Flight Delays

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Traffic congestion outside LAX caused extreme delays for drivers trying to reach the airport on Sunday morning. The delays were so long that they impacted flight times, causing some delays that extended to other flights throughout the US.

Officials issued a warning on Friday that work on the airport’s automated people mover would necessitate the closure of all eastbound lanes of Century Boulevard between Sepulveda and Airport Boulevard and the westbound lanes between Airport Boulevard and Vicksburg Avenue. The closure would last until 7 a.m. on Sunday. They did add that dates and times were subject to change.

However, KTLA5 reported that the closures still appeared to be in place throughout Sunday morning, and the airport announced via X (formerly Twitter) shortly before 1 p.m. that “LA Airport police, LADOT, and flaggers are on site to aid with airport access. There may be impacts to some flight times.” Reportedly, people were seen exiting vehicles and walking down the roads to reach their terminals. Flight delays appeared to be caused when crew members did not arrive at flights on time.

Users on X posted about the disorder in real-time. One user said, “It took more than an hour to go half a mile. People were walking with bags for miles. Flights were missed. Disgraceful.” Another user responded with a video showing a procession of people hurrying toward the airport on foot, taking their bags with them.

Shortly before noon on Sunday, the LAX Daily Traffic Guide, which offers live estimates of travel time to the airport, reported travel times between 40 minutes and an hour to reach Terminal 1 along the most common routes. For instance, the route from Lincoln-Manchester to the Upper Level posted a 61-minute travel time. According to KTLA5, most travel times were around 40 minutes longer than in regular traffic.

The airport did not announce the resumption of regular traffic until after 3 p.m. on Sunday, saying, “Normal traffic and lane configurations near LAX have resumed. Some flight times may be impacted due to previous traffic congestion.”

Now is a hectic time for travel in and out of LAX, thanks to Spring Breakers going to and from beach destinations. LAX expects to move more than 12 million passengers between March and April, making this the busiest spring break season since the pre-COVID era in 2019. According to the airport, this works out to 195 thousand passengers daily in March and 204 thousand in April.

This means heavier traffic at all times and parking garages at capacity. The airport has issued a blanket recommendation for passengers to plan their travel well ahead to avoid delays and interruptions and gave a reminder before the shutdowns on Sunday night. However, this reminder proved insufficient for the severity of the delays and the incredible number of people impacted, including flight crews. While this event may serve as a lesson for LAX passengers not to underestimate the severity of possible delays, it may also serve as a lesson to officials in charge of deciding closures and managing delays.

March 26, 2024
Debris the Size of a School Bus Washes Ashore in Long Beach

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What lurks beneath the waves? Long Beach got its answer in a big way on Tuesday when a massive chunk of concrete appeared on the sands near Belmont Pier, captivating locals and visitors alike.

Imagine strolling down the beach, the usual suspects of seashells and seaweed at your feet, when suddenly you’re faced with a six-foot-tall, bus-length monstrosity of stone. This was the reality for Long Beach residents and a crowd of perplexed onlookers who could hardly believe their eyes. “I couldn’t distinguish what it was,” one bystander confessed, echoing the widespread astonishment. Another local was more forthcoming: “It’s really big. Probably bigger than a bus. I’ve never seen anything like it in Long Beach.”

The mystery of this concrete leviathan was as dense as the material itself. While this behemoth of the deep didn’t journey from the abyss, it had a more mundane origin, though its arrival is anything but ordinary. The story begins at Hotel Maya, a picturesque resort-style urban beach known for its stunning waterfront views, not its contributions to marine debris. However, nature had other plans during a fierce storm on February 1st. The storm’s fury unleashed the L.A. River’s waters with such force that it snapped the chains binding a massive concrete dock, setting it adrift.

As the dock embarked on its unintended voyage, speculation was rife among Hotel Maya’s staff. Conventional wisdom suggested it would find a watery grave, succumbing to the depths due to its sheer weight and bulk. The dock defied expectations. Buoyed by the turbulent waters, it journeyed through the ocean’s expanse, traversing approximately five miles before making landfall at Junipero Beach.

While beachgoers are no strangers to the oddities that the ocean coughs up, especially in a place as dynamic as Long Beach, the sight of a concrete colossus resting on the sand was unparalleled.

The community’s response was a mix of curiosity and concern. How did such a significant structure float and end up here? Clean-up crews explained that answers lay in the peculiar physics of storm-driven waters and the unexpected buoyancy of the dock. In short, it is just another layer of Long Beach’s complex relationship with the sea and proof that even the mightiest human-made structures are but playthings in the hands of nature’s caprices.

This isn’t Long Beach’s first rodeo with unexpected debris. Past storms have littered the beach with everything from grocery bags to bamboo, necessitating large-scale clean-up efforts. This time, however, the challenge was not just the volume but the sheer size of the debris. “We’re used to trash and debris washing up… But having a floating dock wash up in such a large chunk was quite a surprise,” shared a witness to the spectacle.

As intriguing as it is, this concrete eyesore is not a permanent fixture. Marine crews estimate a two-week timeline to dismantle the giant before it can be hauled off to a local dump, marking the end of its unlikely journey. In the meantime, it serves as a monument to the power of nature and the unpredictability of the sea, drawing crowds eager to catch a glimpse of Long Beach’s newest, albeit temporary, attraction.

March 19, 2024
Fire Department Honors Certified Wellness Canine

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The Glendale Fire Department and Verdugo Fire Communications honored Cooper, a Goldendoodle puppy, for completing his first year on the job last Monday, March 4. Cooper is the first ever certified wellness canine to reach the one-year milestone.

Cooper has been supporting the fire department’s health and wellness program for the past twelve months, working with employees who have experienced trauma during critical incidents. Dogs have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety while improving morale and motivation in trauma patients. The UCLA Health Department reported elevated mood, lower anxiety, mental stimulation, and lower blood pressure as some of the benefits of spending time with a therapy dog.

Korin Peltier, a dispatcher at Glendale Fire Department Headquarters and Cooper’s handler, told Los Angeles Daily News that the fire department chose a Goldendoodle, “because they are bred for this type of work.” Goldendoodles are also allergy-friendly, which allows Cooper to help as many people as possible. Peltier took Cooper to Fire Station 22 in Glendale on Monday to celebrate his achievement. This weekend, the Glendale Fire Foundation is holding its annual Poker Classic fundraiser to benefit the Wellness K9 program.

“Cooper is here to help reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety and to help lower blood pressure and your heart rate,” said department officials. “When (Glendale Fire Department) members see Cooper, their faces light up. He brings joy to everyone he meets and boosts morale.”

Cooper, who will be two years old in May, holds three American Kennel Club certifications and a Therapy Dog certification. Peltier is also trained in peer support and critical incident stress and is certified in psychological first aid and pet first aid.

Heartland Fire and Rescue Department in El Cajon, California was the first fire department in the state to launch a canine therapy program. It launched as a pilot program in 2019 after disturbing statistics about firefighter suicides were released by FEMA. In partnership with K-9 Caring Angeles, an organization based in Virginia, the department acquired Yara, a black labrador retriever, who lives at the fire station. She completed her one-year probation period, marking the program as a success, and was an inspiration for cities like Glendale.

Other fire departments across California have followed suit. The Los Angeles Fire Department also has a thriving Canine Therapy program. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, first responders experience high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety from witnessing tragic incidents. To combat these alarming trends, the LAFD Canine Therapy Program was launched in December 2020. Willow, the department’s current therapy dog, assists all 3,500 members of the department, and the LAFD Foundation is attempting to secure funding for a second therapy dog. Like Cooper, Willow has undergone special training and is dispatched to different fire departments throughout the city with her handler, Chief Takeshita.

Orange County runs a similar program with a three-year-old yellow lab named Pax. Claremont’s fire department therapy dog, Jackson, went viral on TikTok thanks to clips filmed by the fire chief’s daughter. Firefighters and first responders across the state are being comforted by these adorable helpers. Next time a firefighter saves the day, do not forget to thank their dog too.

March 14, 2024
L.A. Woman Detained in Russia Following Donation to Ukraine Charity

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In late December, Ksenia Karelina, a 33-year-old Los Angeles-based spa aesthetician passionate about ballet, packed her bags, excited about the prospect of reuniting with her family in Yekaterinburg, Russia. This journey wasn’t just a routine visit; it symbolized a bridge between her present life in the United States and her roots in a city nestled east of the Ural Mountains, a place she had bid farewell to more than ten years ago to carve out a new existence in America.

Today, Karelina’s life has taken a dramatic and unforeseen detour. Currently, she is detained in Russia, facing charges of treason. This situation has plunged her family and friends into a state of deep anxiety and drawn sharp criticism from U.S. officials about the growing hazards for Americans in Russia.

The charges against her, as announced by Russia’s primary security agency, are linked to her financial support of a New York-based Ukrainian charity dedicated to aiding Ukraine’s military efforts amidst the prolonged and brutal conflict instigated by Russia’s invasion.

Karelina’s former mother-in-law, Eleonora Srebroski, expressed profound despair over the Russian judicial system, fearing the worst for Karelina under a regime that has tightened its grip on dissent and freedom since the war’s onset. “I don’t have hope for Russian justice. It does not exist,” Srebroski lamented, highlighting the severity of Karelina’s predicament and the bleak outlook for her future.

This distressing episode has elicited a stern warning from the White House, urging U.S. citizens to leave Russia immediately. This advisory, articulated by spokesperson John F. Kirby, underscores the palpable risks faced by Americans, including those holding dual citizenship like Karelina, within Russian borders.

The State Department’s ongoing attempts to secure consular access to Karelina underscore the complexity of her case, complicated by Russia’s stance on dual nationals, who are treated primarily as Russian citizens in legal matters. This stance presents a significant barrier to providing diplomatic assistance and support.

Amidst this international and legal quandary, there’s speculation about the potential use of detained Americans as leverage in diplomatic negotiations, reminiscent of past prisoner exchanges that have seen Americans returned home in exchange for notable Russian figures.

Karelina’s story is a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of international politics and its profound impact on individual lives. Her transition from a hopeful visitor, eager to reconnect with her roots, to a detainee facing grave charges paints a stark picture of the complexities and dangers of navigating dual citizenship in a politically charged environment.

Her life in the United States, characterized by her artistic pursuits and professional role in the upscale environs of Beverly Hills, starkly contrasts her current reality. This narrative serves as a sobering reflection on the fragile nature of freedom and the perilous intersection of personal and political realms.

As Karelina’s story unfolds, it serves as a vivid illustration of the challenges and risks faced by individuals caught in the crossfire of geopolitical tensions, highlighting the urgent need for vigilance, advocacy, and international dialogue to protect those whose lives have been altered by forces beyond their control.

February 28, 2024
Mayor Bass Takes Steps Towards Prioritizing Small Businesses

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The mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, convened her Small Business Cabinet to continue to help drive an economic agenda that will prioritize the needs of small businesses in the city. Bass established the cabinet to help serve as a platform for dialogue and collaboration between business owners and the city government, which will help make sure that the city is responsive to the needs of more than 450,000 small businesses. The mayor’s intent to help the companies of Los Angeles proves that she is committed to helping the city improve and flourish in the process and will support the goal of building a thriving business economy in Los Angeles.

In January, Mayor Bass said, “Business owners are feeling the challenges of rising costs, the lingering impacts of the entertainment industry strikes and bureaucratic requirements.” She also states, “We will continue to do all we can to be responsive and cut through red tape at City Hall. We also know that opening Los Angeles for business also means confronting homelessness and increasing public safety. Last year, we brought more than 21,000 Angelenos inside, and homicides and violent crime were down compared to 2022. We have made progress, but there is still more work to be done.”

The members of the Small Business Cabinet include a myriad of representatives and directors, including Maria Contreras-Sweet, the 24th U.S. Small Business Administrator; Stephen Cheung, CEO and President of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation; Julie Clowes, Director of the Small Business Administration LA. Also included were Angela Gibson-Shaw, CEO And President of the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce; Kim Hunter, CEO of LAGRANT Communications; Lilly Rocha, CEO and Executive Director of the Latino Restaurant Association; and Maria Salinas, CEO and President of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.

Stephen Cheung of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation stated that Mayor Bass “knows that supporting business means addressing all of the issues that impact businesses, from homelessness to housing to public safety.” Cheung added that Bass “is continuing to make real change in the city, and the Small Business Cabinet is pleased to continue supporting her work and our shared priorities to further open Los Angeles for business.”

In her first year in office, Mayor Bass committed to helping provide businesses with the best possible support. This included establishing a small business policy team within the Mayor’s Office of Business and Economic Development and developing a permanent Al Fresco outdoor dining program, helping deliver two small business summits that drew 2,000 attendees. She also prioritized impacted businesses during emergency responses and issued Executive Directive 4 to help support small business creation, growth, and development in Los Angeles. Implementing these practices, such as providing virtual and in-person counter services for businesses looking to open or expand, helped bolster the Los Angeles community, with more than 20,000 businesses opened within the last year.

February 27, 2024
What Is Behind the Almost 300% Increase in Graffiti in Downtown LA?

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An alarming increase in graffiti vandalism in downtown Los Angeles is causing local government and business leaders more and more trouble. With its three skyscraper towers, the Oceanwide Plaza building was originally thought to be a symbol of urban rejuvenation. However, with over 30 floors covered in vibrant, illegal art, it has become a canvas for taggers. The damage continues despite increased security and a constant police presence, extending from Oceanwide Plaza to neighboring buildings and streets.

Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) have surrounded the Oceanwide Plaza location around the clock, every day of the week, in an attempt to ward off vandals. Nevertheless, their attempts have not been successful in deterring dedicated taggers from causing damage to the property. The LAPD Chief, Michel Moore, disclosed that more than 3,000 hours had been devoted to neighborhood patrols in recent weeks, resulting in a substantial cost burden projected to exceed $150,000.

One passionate tagger said “I’m going to get my art up no matter what it is,” illustrating the tenacity of those prepared to circumvent security protocols to make their imprint on the urban landscape.

Vandalism instances involving graffiti persist despite the LAPD’s constant watchfulness. The blatantness of the vandals was demonstrated in a recent incident that was caught on camera by NBCLA. One of the perpetrators admitted to rerouting their efforts to another building after being unable to gain entry to Oceanwide Plaza.

The impact of this vandalism goes beyond the immediate region of Oceanwide Plaza; business leaders in the downtown area have seen an alarming increase in graffiti. While Nick Griffin, Executive Vice President of the DTLA Alliance, reported a startling 500% rise in vandalism occurrences over the last week alone, Blair Besten, Executive Director of the Historic Core Business Improvement District, reported a tripling of graffiti-related service calls.

The frequency of destruction caused by graffiti has led local officials to demand immediate action. Mayor Karen Bass was pushed to declare a state of emergency by Earl Ofari Hutchinson, President of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable, to allow the city to obtain extra state and federal resources to address the issue.

“It’s not only an eyesore. It’s an embarrassment for the city of LA,” Hutchinson emphasized, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

Some taggers are unaffected by the LAPD’s efforts to enforce the ban because they believe there are legal loopholes. Despite the LAPD’s claim that trespassing and vandalism are punishable by arrest, the ongoing nature of the vandalism indicates that more extensive measures are required to deal with the underlying causes of the problem.

When the Chinese developer ran into financial difficulties in 2019, work on the Oceanwide Plaza development came to a halt, leaving the building unfinished and open to vandalism. The property’s incomplete nature has made matters worse by giving taggers lots of opportunities to express themselves at the expense of both public and private property.

As the downtown Los Angeles graffiti pandemic worsens, worries about the city’s image and public safety are growing. Although there is still work to be done, the issue of taggers’ tenacity highlights the necessity of a multimodal strategy that targets the enforcement of current laws as well as the underlying causes that motivate people to commit vandalism. Downtown Los Angeles’s streets cannot be freed from the grasp of graffiti vandalism unless law enforcement, community leaders, and stakeholders work together in unison.

February 20, 2024
6K Volunteers Recruited to Count L.A.’s Homeless as Numbers Skyrocket

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Los Angeles County has initiated a massive effort to enumerate its homeless population amid a worsening crisis. This comprehensive task, led by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, is enlisting around 6,000 volunteers for a three-day street tally. This large-scale operation, which started on Tuesday night, is not just a mere count; it’s a crucial step toward understanding and addressing the escalating challenge of homelessness in the city.

The initiative, known as the “point-in-time” count, is more than just a headcount. It’s a strategic approach to gauge the scope of homelessness, aiming to identify the needs of the unhoused, including essential medical services, mental health care, and support for substance abuse issues. This count is particularly significant in light of the staggering increase in homelessness in the area. Reports indicate a 70% rise in Los Angeles County and an 80% surge in the city since 2015.

Recent statistics paint a grim picture of the situation. In 2023, over 75,500 people were reported homeless on any given night in L.A. County, marking a 9% increase from the previous year. The city of Los Angeles alone accounted for about 46,200 of these individuals. These figures highlight the urgency of the issue, which has seen a proliferation of temporary shelters, including cars, tents, and makeshift structures in public spaces like parks and sidewalks.

The plight of homelessness has not gone unnoticed by local government officials. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who declared a state of emergency on homelessness on her first day in office in December 2022, underscored the crisis during the count’s kickoff in North Hollywood. “Homelessness is an emergency, and it will take all of us working together to confront this emergency,” Bass stated, emphasizing the count’s importance in tackling the crisis.

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Mayor Bass’s administration has taken steps to mitigate the situation, moving over 21,000 unhoused individuals into temporary shelters, including leased hotels, in 2023. The city has also been actively clearing outstreet encampments and working on additional housing projects.

The yearly homeless census is not solely a local endeavor; it’s a mandated federal obligation. Conducting this count is essential for Los Angeles and other cities to remain eligible for certain types of federal funding. This makes the accuracy and thoroughness of the count critical for securing the resources needed to combat the homeless crisis effectively.

As California residents grow increasingly frustrated with the escalating homeless population, this count comes at a crucial juncture. It reflects the community’s commitment to understanding and addressing the complex needs of its unhoused residents. The results of this count, expected to be released in late spring or early summer, will be pivotal in shaping the city’s approach to a problem that has become a defining challenge for Los Angeles.

This extensive volunteer effort, one of the largest of its kind, is a testament to the community’s resolve to tackle an issue that affects not just the homeless population but the entirety of the city’s social fabric. As volunteers traverse the streets of Los Angeles, their findings will lay the groundwork for strategies and solutions to one of our time’s most pressing social issues.

February 2, 2024
$100,000 Classic Car Stolen From Woodland Hills Home

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In a bizarre twist of events, a classic car worth $100,000 was stolen from a home in Woodland Hills, only to break down during the thieves’ escape attempt. The incident, which occurred on January 11, has left the owner, Seth Wayne, and the local community in shock.

Seth Wayne had plans to celebrate his birthday when he discovered that his prized 1962 Chevy Impala convertible was missing. The car was last seen in Wayne’s possession just a couple of weeks earlier, having been bought on Christmas Eve. Its sudden disappearance marked the beginning of a strange tale of theft and misfortune.

Security footage from Wayne’s home showed the classic Chevy being driven away by an unidentified individual. The car, known for its distinctive style and elegance, was not just any vehicle. It was a customized masterpiece, equipped with a dozen batteries and used for hydraulic hopping.

But the getaway did not go as planned for the thieves. The Chevy, which had been undergoing repairs on its radiator, suffered a breakdown mid-escape. In an unexpected turn of events captured on video, the driver of the stolen car was seen frantically yelling at the occupant of a trailing Toyota Prius, urging them to “Push me!” This desperate act was an attempt to keep the malfunctioning car moving, highlighting the thieves’ determination to flee with the stolen vehicle.

“They broke down at that point, so they started pushing it with the Prius as you can see in the video,” recounted a dismayed Wayne. This scene, almost comical in its desperation, was a stark contrast to the usual serene atmosphere of Medina Road, where the theft occurred.

Wayne, a car enthusiast who has owned numerous vehicles, expressed a particular fondness for the stolen Chevy. “I had a lot of cars but that one was definitely special,” he said. His attachment to the car was evident, not just in his words but also in the timing of its purchase, which coincided with the festive season.

The theft of this classic car has raised concerns in the Woodland Hills community. Classic cars, especially those as well-maintained and unique as Wayne’s Chevy Impala, are not just vehicles; they are cherished possessions that embody history, artistry, and personal memories. The loss of such an item extends beyond its monetary value and strikes a chord with collectors and car enthusiasts.

Wayne’s hope now lies in the power of community vigilance. He is appealing to anyone who might recognize the distinctive car to come forward with information. The unusual circumstances of the theft, particularly the breakdown and the subsequent pushing of the car by a Prius, might jog someone’s memory, leading to clues about the whereabouts of the classic Chevy.

Local police are investigating the incident, examining the security footage, and seeking witnesses who might have seen the unusual scene of a classic car being pushed down the road by a Prius. The theft of such a high-value item is not just a personal loss for Wayne but a matter of public interest, given the rarity and value of the vehicle.

As the community rallies to support Wayne, there is hope that the classic 1962 Chevy Impala convertible will be recovered and returned to its rightful owner.

January 26, 2024
39th Annual Kingdom Day Parade Held in LA to Celebrate the Great Martin Luther King’s Birthday

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Los Angeles reverberated with joy as it became the festive stage for the 39th Annual Kingdom Day Parade, a heartfelt tribute to the great Martin Luther King Jr. on his 95th birthday. Boasting a large turnout, individuals gathered at Leimert Park to pay homage to the civil rights leader’s profound impact and to contemplate his enduring legacy.

The LAUSD All District Honor Marching Band took the lead, commencing the three-mile parade along MLK Jr. Boulevard in Leimert Park. The resonant theme for the momentous event was “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop, Going to the Promised Land,” serving as a rallying cry for parade attendees and special guests alike.

Inspired by the unforgettable legacy of Dr. King, Congresswoman Maxine Waters walked the entirety of the parade route, expressing how fighting for the people drives her. Leading the parade as the grand marshal was LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, who chose a unique mode of participation. Mitchell biked on two wheels to convey a message of health and environmental awareness. The supervisor emphasized the connection between Dr. King’s commitment to health equity and climate justice as she declared climate to be king.

Archie Williams, a contestant from America’s Got Talent, found immense resonance with Dr. King’s message, emphasizing the pervasive truth that injustice anywhere poses a threat to justice everywhere. Williams, who faced wrongful conviction and spent an agonizing 36 years in prison until the Innocence Project cleared his name through DNA evidence, shared that this is a day he dreamed of and he felt privileged to honor Dr. King at the event.

The theme “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop, Going to the Promised Land” was a fitting tribute to the late civil rights leader. The event, distinguished as the world’s largest and longest-running celebration in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Los Angeles as a cherished tradition. The lively procession traversed west on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and down Crenshaw Blvd., culminating near Leimert Park, where the festivities continued with a vibrant community festival.

Dr. Adrian Dove, chairman, and executive producer of the parade, shared that the enduring success of the Kingdom Day Parade is fundamentally attributed to “the people.” The parade drew participation from esteemed officials, including L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who proudly marched to demonstrate their relentless commitment to Dr. King’s vision. Mayor Karen Bass emphasized the day’s significance, underlining that it was an opportunity not just to celebrate but to recommit to Dr. King’s vision, believing the holiday to be a time to work and think about what lay ahead.

As the sun set on this empowering day of celebration, the Kingdom Day Parade stood as a living testament to the enduring impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. It brought together a diverse community of individuals from various walks of life to honor his revolutionary vision of equality, justice, and unity. The great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life remains a powerful reminder of the ongoing journey toward a more just and harmonious society.

January 23, 2024
La Crosse Food Bank Wraps Up Holiday Food Drive

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The Hunger Task Force (HTF) of La Crosse has wrapped up its inaugural “virtual” campaign, a ground-breaking effort to combat food scarcity over the Christmas season. The nonprofit organization urgently appeals for last-minute food and cash gifts as the year ends.

The Hunger Task Force’s executive director, Shelly Fortner, recently used the La Crosse Talk segment on WIZM to discuss the campaign’s continued success. Fortner stressed the necessity of necessities that can contribute to a full supper while expressing the gravity of the issue. Products that were especially listed as essentials that may make a big difference for families experiencing food shortages were spaghetti, pasta sauce, and canned tuna.

The initiative’s online component, housed on the Hunger Task Force website, offers a convenient means for individuals to make contributions easily. The website allows users to give money to specific food categories, such as pasta dinners, cereal, or canned fruit. A $25 payment, for example, might buy 24 tuna cans, whereas a $250 donation could buy 110 jars of peanut butter. This adaptability enables contributors to customize their gifts to the particular requirements of the campaign.

From the neighborhood and beyond, the Virtual Food Drive has received support since it began on November 1. A concentrated effort is made to optimize donations in the final days as the program draws to a close on New Year’s Eve. Because the campaign is longer, those who have yet to have the chance to engage earlier still have the opportunity to have an influence.

Fortner emphasized the value of each gift, stressing that these contributions are essential to helping families during the holidays. The campaign’s transparency is demonstrated on the organization’s website, which provides a detailed explanation of the impact of the financial contributions while highlighting the observable results of each gift.

Being the only food bank in the area between Madison and Rochester is what makes the Hunger Task Force special. The group is essential to distributing commodities to 120 meal locations, food pantries, youth programs, and backpack projects in the area. The HTF’s extensive support network and broad geographic reach underscore its significance in tackling food insecurity in the local community.

The pitch to the community is hitting home as the campaign moves into its last stretch. Shelly Fortner invites everyone to visit the Hunger Task Force website to contribute to a worthwhile project for a good cause. The virtual food drive’s success highlights the ability of community-driven efforts to bring about positive change and signify individuals’ kindness.

The virtual food drive organized by the Hunger Task Force of La Crosse is evidence of the kindness and resiliency of the local population. The combined efforts to fight food insecurity during the holidays as the campaign ends will have a lasting effect on those less fortunate.

January 2, 2024