Category: News

LA Philanthropists Push for Community-Focused Journalism

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A collective of Los Angeles media leaders and philanthropists have partnered with the American Journalism Project to bolster community-focused journalism in the city. This new organization, the Los Angeles Local News initiative, successfully raised nearly $15 million for their foundation.

A Response to the Decline in the Media Industry

Within the broader media industry, the local news ecosystem in Los Angeles was hit especially hard, resulting in cuts and layoffs. Even the Los Angeles Times cut 115 staffers in January, having laid off 74 newsroom staffers last year. The cuts affected largely Latino staffers and led much of the senior staff to resign.

Community Before Profit

This new initiative is intended to support a community-first network of media outlets, partnering with nonprofit newsroom CalMatters to emphasize regional accountability.

“L.A. County is far too complicated and diverse a place for any one outlet to serve all local news needs of all residents,” said Michael Ouimette, the chief investment officer at the American Journalism Project.

News Deserts and Media Needs

As of 2022, the American Journalism Project interviewed 845 LA County residents in 244 zip codes and found that many residents felt their needs were not met by local news. They don’t have access to outlets that voice their particular concerns, let alone meet basic needs.

News deserts are on the rise in the United States, and outlets are often stretched too thin to address comparatively minor, but still essential, local matters. Everyone in every zip code needs access to reliable, nonpartisan insight to help make informed decisions about their lives.

“When people think about news deserts,” said Monica Lozano, board chair of the LA Local News Initiative and former CEO of La Opinión, “they’re thinking about rural America, or communities that are off-grid, but we have those same sorts of deserts in the region.”

An Experiment in Hyperlocal News

This kind of “hyperlocal” news model as an interconnected media web is a promising idea, but similar California startups have had mixed success. The Long Beach Post was one such hyperlocal initiative, receiving praise before going through similar layoffs to other news outlets. Earlier this year, however, Look Out Santa Cruz was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News reporting.

Fortunately, the LA Local News Initiative has found the model they want to replicate: Boyle Heights Beat. A bilingual, nonprofit newsroom serving the Latino community since 2010, the Boyle Heights Beat has become a digital news outlet serving East LA, but reporting on the communities they live in.

Boyle Heights Beat has integrated itself with the community, holding quarterly meetings to speak with locals and give voice to their concerns. Their reporters, editors, and coordinators hand deliver print editions to local establishments, including libraries and community centers—all 30,000 of them.

While it is not certain how far their model can spread, the success and community response have been remarkable. To increase accountability journalism and local news coverage in LA, they will use this basis to launch and operate community publications in areas needing greater coverage.

Further Initiatives and Responses in Media

They also plan to launch the LA Documenters initiative, which will act as a local affiliate to the existing Documenters Network. The network has its origins with the Chicago civic media outlet City Bureau, which both trains and pays local residents to attend and cover public meetings, such as school board meetings.

Another hope for LA journalism comes in the form of the California Journalism Preservation Act, a bill proposing that tech companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta pay to link to a news outlet’s work. This would give many struggling news outlets a boost in online spaces and a new stream of income to build better journalism.

September 18, 2024
Will There Be Lasting Benefits From the LA 2028 Olympics?

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Now that the Paris 2024 Olympics are over, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass accepted the Olympic flag in Paris last month, the beginning of the runup to the 2028 Games in the City of Angels has started. The question on many city officials’ minds is: will Los Angeles maximize the opportunities that hosting the Olympics offers?

The Mayor announced this past August that the 2028 Olympics would be “car-free,” which may be challenging in a city that is known for being dependent on its freeways.

However, the car-free announcement isn’t too firm, either, with a spokesperson clarifying last week that “most LA28 venues will not require spectators to drive in their cars and will be accessible by public transportation and Games-specific transportation systems.”

Yet, limiting car travel so significantly in Los Angeles is still an ambitious goal. Even if it is possible, many city leaders are questioning whether such improvements during the 2028 Games will result in lasting effects for the city.

There is a chance the city improvements may not benefit L.A. in the long run, as Olympic planners arrange to borrow 2,700 buses to shuttle athletes and ticket holders to the event, which the regional transportation authority is calling “games enhanced transit.” While these buses will help decrease car traffic, they cannot do anything long-lasting for L.A. because they will need to return to their lenders when the 2028 Games end—ending what enhancement they provide during the games and resuming traffic.

Other temporary measures that the city plans to take during the 2028 Olympics is limiting some streets and freeway lanes for Olympic-related shuttles only. As with the borrowed buses, this will only temporarily relieve city traffic, but the street and freeway limitations could disappear as soon as the torch is passed onto the next city.

The Games do offer L.A. transportation money and benefits, and City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, who sits on the region’s Metro board, stressed the importance of the city not just relying on short-term arrangements to handle the influx of visitors during the Games. It’s crucial, she said, to “use the Olympics to accelerate a lot of the work that we know we need to do anyway, around ‘first-mile, last-mile,’ around connectivity, around bus and bike lanes.”

Yaroslavsky stated that such improvement would help visitors during the Games but would also remain after the Games end, relieving Metro of some of the obligations to pay for them and providing long-term improvements for the city.

These projects could exceed $200 million combined, so securing outside support for them as part of the Games would be a significant benefit to local taxpayers, according to Yaroslavsky.

Other improvements being discussed include modernizing stations and improving streets and sidewalks that visitors during the Games will use to get to venues.

While the Los Angeles transit system does need work, the city was chosen for the 2028 Olympics in part because it already has the stadium and many other amenities that hosting the Games requires. Due to this, L.A. could potentially gain less than other cities, like Atlanta, for putting on the two-week multi-sport event.

L.A. already has the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which was the home of both the 1932 and 1984 Games and will be the scene for the opening and closing ceremonies—becoming the first facility to ever perform the role three times. But the area also has the Rose Bowl and SoFi Stadium, as well as many other indoor arenas for basketball, gymnastics, and other sports.

With many projects already in the works for transportation needed to host the Games, local governments cannot expect the Olympics to pay for other major capital investments that are currently underway, which makes Yaroslavsky’s approach reasonable. Let the Games pay for the improvements that would help the 2028 Olympics be a better experience, but that will also create lasting effects and free local dollars to pay for other parts of the growing system.

Yaroslavsky rightly noted, “The Olympics will be a failure if we don’t leverage it to go get what we need.”

September 13, 2024
High Heat Expected for Highly Populated California Cities

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While many Californians are moving inland in search of affordable housing and more space, they may find life isn’t greener on the other side. Some California cities with the biggest recent population booms are at risk for dangerously hot days driven by climate change and sky-high electric bills, according to a CalMatter analysis. This combination of rising populations and alarming extreme heat puts more Californians at risk of illness, posing a serious challenge for unprepared local officials.

As greenhouse gasses continue to warm the planet, many individuals across the globe are experiencing higher temperatures and intense heat waves, and an international panel of climate scientists recently stated that it is “virtually certain” that “there has been increases in the intensity and duration of heatwaves and in the number of heatwave days at the global scale.”

The CalMatters analysis identified which California communities are most at risk, with the top 1% of the state’s more than 8,000 census tracts being communities that have grown by more than 500 people in recent years and are also expected to experience the most intensifying heat due to climate change.

Identified California communities by CalMatters include Lancaster and Palmdale in Los Angeles County; Apple Valley, Victorville, and Hesperia in San Bernardino County; Lake Elsinore and Murrieta in Riverside County; and the Central Valley cities of Visalia, Fresno, Clovis, and Tulare.

Risks of Relocating Inland in California

According to data from researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of Colorado Boulder, and UC Berkeley, it is expected that by 2050 neighborhoods in these 11 inland cities will experience 25 or more high heat days every year. A high heat day is defined as when an area’s maximum temperature surpasses the top 2% of its historic high—essentially when temperatures skyrocket above the highest temperatures recorded there this century.

“We are seeing much more rapid warming of inland areas that were already hotter to begin with,” said UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain.

“There’s an extreme contrast between the people who live within 5 to 10 miles of the beach and people who live as little as 20 miles inland,” he said. “It’s these inland areas where we see people who…are killed by this extreme heat or whose lives are at least made miserable.”

Despite inland California communities expected to experience higher temperatures, neighborhoods along the coast will remain much more temperate. Areas such as San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Long Beach are not expected to experience significantly more high heat days, with San Francisco expected to average six days a year in the 2050s exceeding 87 degrees, compared to four days in the 2020s. On the other hand, Visalia in the San Joaquin Valley of California will jump from 17 days surpassing 103 degrees to 32.

Eric McGhee, a policy director who researches California demographic changes at the Public Policy Institute of California, stated that many people moving inland are low and middle-income Californians looking to expand their families, find more affordable housing, and live comfortably, making them more willing to sacrifice other privileges, like cooler weather.

California is “becoming more expensive, more exclusive in the places that are least likely to experience extreme heat,” Swain said. As a result, he said, “the people who are most at risk of extreme heat”—those with limited financial resources—“are precisely the people experiencing extreme heat.”

Impact of Extreme Heat on California’s Population

The effects of extreme heat on the body can happen quickly and can be deadly, triggering heat strokes and heart attacks, as well as exacerbating asthma, diabetes, kidney failure, and other illnesses in people of all ages.

In The Golden State, extreme heat contributed to more than 5,000 hospitalizations and almost 10,600 emergency department visits over the past decade, with the health effects falling “disproportionately on already overburdened” Black people, Latinos and Native Americans, according to a recent state report.

With hotter days forecasted, city and county officials must grapple with how to protect their residents who are already struggling to stay cool and pay their electric bills, but despite warnings, many local officials are failing to respond adequately.

September 11, 2024
How to Protect Yourself From Being Fooled by AI

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The “Swifties for Trump” AI images shared by Former President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account may have done more than upset Swifties around the country. With technology evolving at a rapid rate, quantifying the harmful effects AI may have on humans is challenging, but protecting yourself from being fooled by this new technology is still important.

AI has the potential to transform your daily life and advance humankind on a scale not seen since the Industrial Revolution. Yet, it can also create numerous ethical and legal problems. With the advancing technology now intersecting with both politics and popular culture, as highlighted by Trump’s AI-Swift images that falsely suggested the global popstar endorsed him, AI’s growing influence on shaping public perceptions and political discourse cannot be denied.

While AI arguably cannot beat your interpersonal skills, it is still possible to get “beaten” regardless of how strong your interpersonal skills are. One of the easiest pathways where AI can do this is on social media.

Social media, and anything else you could possibly click on the internet, has the potential to influence you—and is often trying to. The goal may not always be to get you to sign up for something or buy a product; sometimes AI is trying to influence you in other ways (like Trump’s AI images of Swift aimed to do). When social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram rely on paid ads, AI is used to target you with algorithms that tailor ads to your interests, using your data to elicit emotions and influence you.

AI’s influence raises critical questions on what the potential risks are for democratic societies, potentially challenging one’s understanding of truth, representation, and the role of technology in politics. Such consequences make it necessary for you to protect yourself from the harmful impacts of AI.

Ultimately, protecting yourself from AI harm primarily falls on you, requiring you to exercise more caution and be able to decipher the truth from falsehoods, especially during political campaigns. You will want to look for confirming information from multiple sources, critically evaluating information and checking sources.

Generative AI amps up the risk of disinformation that requires you to use proven practices for evaluating content, such as seeking out authoritative context from credible independent fact-checkers for images, video, and audio, as well as unfamiliar websites.

With generative AI already being used in the 2024 presidential campaign to mislead and deceive voters, it is critical to avoid getting election information from AI chatbots and search engines that consistently integrate generative AI. To protect yourself, go to authoritative sources like election office websites, as well as experts in the area.

Dr. Lance Y. Hunter, a Professor of International Relations at Augusta University, is an expert in security studies and the democratization effects of emerging technologies like AI. With his research focused on the complex relationships between technology, democracy, and terrorism, Dr. Hunter is an ideal expert to discuss the implications of AI’s influence on the political landscape and its potential effects on global democratic processes.

Social media plays a key role in transmitting disinformation that can impact democracy. Dr. Hunter reported that social media disinformation can manifest in online political polarization, as well as the use of social media to organize offline violence, which reduces the overall levels of democracy.

Disinformation circulating on social media platforms is something you can help limit by maintaining vigilance, staying critical about the information you are taking in, and exercising responsibility when sharing political content that may have been generated by AI, especially during periods of heightened sensitivity like the election.

By staying informed, critical, engaged in civil discourse, and advocating for transparency and accountability, you can help shape the virtual ecosystem to ensure safety and trust are in place.

September 10, 2024
The CIRCLE Program Responses to Nonviolent 911 Calls in LA

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Established in 2022, the Crisis and Incident Response through Community-led Engagement (CIRCLE) program has trained mental health workers to respond to nonviolent 911 calls throughout the Los Angeles area.

A Different Kind of Incident Approach

As homelessness issues expand throughout the city, the program’s 80-person staff take on 911 calls from a perspective of care and concern rather than having the city dispatch armed police officers to the scene, which may escalate the situation unnecessarily.

Calls regarding issues involving unhoused individuals, including loitering, noise disturbances, substance abuse, and indecent exposure, are all more effectively addressed by CIRCLE’s mental health staff working in 24-hour shifts. They even perform more mundane well-being checks for these individuals, demonstrating quality of life concerns and consideration.

CIRCLE’s Origin and Expansion Efforts

When the program began, it only served the Hollywood and Venice areas but moved quickly into downtown and South Los Angeles, the Northeast Valley, Lincoln Heights, and the Harbor Area. Amid the program’s success, Mayor Karen Bass announced CIRCLE’s expansion into Manchester Square, Oakwood, Mar Vista, Palms, Playa Vista, Playa Del Rey, Westchester, and Dockweiler Beach.

CIRCLE has not yet established a decompression center in West Los Angeles. Still, mental health director Latoya Stevenson states that they are essential to the services they provide.

“It’s a place for respite for people experiencing homelessness to come back for a short period of time to meet with the care coordinator, to meet with the mental health worker, get a break from being out in the elements,” Stevenson said.

The Role of Decompression Centers

Rather than a drop-off or walk-up site for immediate crisis attention, these decompression centers are available for CIRCLE staff to use during a mental health interaction. From this point, unhoused individuals and others suffering from mental health issues are encouraged to use established services, such as shelters and clinics. These decompression centers enable CIRCLE staff to meet these individuals in need where they are and help them move forward.

Why CIRCLE Is Expanding

Mayor Bass acknowledged the program’s effectiveness on Monday, saying, “If you can address a person who is having a mental health crisis early, you can prevent that person and that crisis from deteriorating to the point where you have to have police because that individual has become violent, or that individual has hurt someone.”

As much of the Los Angeles community has voiced quality-of-life concerns regarding the unhoused population, CIRCLE’s program offers a beneficial solution. Theirs is a preventative tool, responding to community concerns while addressing the crises these unhoused individuals face.

Helping Refocus Police Efforts

Over 14,000 nonviolent 911 calls were handed over to CIRCLE teams just last year, demonstrating the program’s reliability and effective response to issues involving unhoused individuals and those experiencing a mental health crisis. Their efforts have enabled armed police officers to focus on fighting crime rather than entering preventable altercations.

As Mayor Bass has apparently realized, the city of Los Angeles stands to benefit from police officers’ free allocation of resources toward more pressing matters. CIRCLE has made a lasting impact on the community and how a city can respond to various activities and crimes, making realistic distinctions between where resources need to be allocated at a given time and where one response would be more beneficial than another.

As former Mayor Eric Garcetti said when he first expanded the program in 2022, “CIRCLE is about strengthening the human bonds that are essential to public safety, and using a nonviolent response to homelessness so that we can help, not punish, our most vulnerable Angelenos.”

September 6, 2024
Mental Health First Responders Expand Reach in Los Angeles

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Los Angeles Expands CIRCLE Program to Address Non-Violent 911 Calls

Los Angeles is broadening its approach to non-violent 911 calls involving homeless individuals by expanding the Crisis and Incident Response through the Community-led Engagement (CIRCLE) program. Mayor Karen Bass announced on Monday that CIRCLE will now serve additional areas in West Los Angeles, including Manchester Square, Oakwood, Mar Vista, Palms, Playa Vista, Playa Del Rey, Westchester, and Dockweiler Beach.

Overview and Impact of CIRCLE Program

Launched in 2022, CIRCLE dispatches mental health professionals and individuals with lived experience of homelessness instead of armed police officers to handle specific non-violent situations. The program began in Hollywood and Venice before extending to downtown Los Angeles, Lincoln Heights, South Los Angeles, the Northeast Valley, and the Harbor Area.

CIRCLE’s team of 80 staff members operates on 24-hour shifts, responding to diverted 911 calls related to unhoused individuals. These calls typically involve issues such as loitering, well-being checks, noise disturbances, substance abuse problems, and indecent exposure.

In the past year alone, CIRCLE teams have been dispatched to over 14,000 calls, demonstrating the high demand for their specialized services. The teams have also helped over 1,600 people acquire essential documents like social security cards and IDs, connected more than 1,000 individuals with mental and behavioral health services, and successfully intervened in multiple opioid overdose situations.

“We are responding to the mental health crisis with solutions that are long-term and sustainable. At the same time, we are freeing up our LAPD officers to fight crime. Our work does not stop here. We will continue working on this important issue and continue to make our city safer,” Mayor Bass said during the news conference.

Mayor Bass emphasized the program’s role as a preventative measure, addressing community concerns about quality of life issues related to the unhoused population. “If you can address a person who is having a mental health crisis early, you can prevent that person and that crisis from deteriorating to the point where you have to have police because that individual has become violent, or that individual has hurt someone,” Bass stated.

The program’s impact is significant, with CIRCLE teams responding to over 14,000 calls in the past year. This high volume of responses underscores the demand for specialized services in addressing non-violent issues involving the homeless population.

CIRCLE’s mental health director, Latoya Stevenson, highlighted the importance of decompression centers in the program’s operations. These centers provide temporary respite for individuals experiencing homelessness, offering a break from the elements and an opportunity to meet with care coordinators and mental health workers.

Stevenson clarified that these centers are not open for public drop-offs or walk-ins. Instead, they are accessed exclusively through interactions with CIRCLE program staff. “It’s a place for respite for people experiencing homelessness to come back for a short period of time to meet with the care coordinator, to meet with the mental health worker, get a break from being out in the elements,” Stevenson explained.

Despite the program’s expansion, challenges remain. Stevenson noted that a decompression center has yet to be established in the newly served West Los Angeles area, potentially limiting the program’s effectiveness in these communities.

The CIRCLE program represents a shift in how the city addresses non-violent issues involving the homeless population. By utilizing mental health professionals and those with firsthand experience of homelessness, the program aims to provide more appropriate and effective assistance.

Stevenson emphasized the program’s approach: “When it comes to the individuals we work with, who are experiencing homelessness, it’s meeting them where they are, but also encouraging the utilization of those existing services.”

With this latest expansion, CIRCLE aims to provide targeted assistance to more areas of the city, potentially improving outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness and mental health crises.

September 4, 2024
LA to Pay $38.2M in Settlement Over Disability Housing

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Los Angeles Settles Accessibility Lawsuit for $38.2 Million

The city of Los Angeles has agreed to pay $38.2 million to settle a lawsuit filed in 2017 alleging that it falsely claimed compliance with federal accessibility requirements for affordable housing units built with federal funds. The settlement, announced on Tuesday, resolves a complaint filed by the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of Mei Ling, a wheelchair user, and the Fair Housing Council of San Fernando Valley.

The lawsuit accused Los Angeles of failing to make its multifamily affordable housing options accessible to people with disabilities for at least six years. Specific issues cited included excessively steep slopes, counters that were too high, and entryways that did not permit wheelchair access. Additionally, the city was charged with failing to maintain a publicly available list of accessible units and their features.

Mei Ling, 57, has used a wheelchair since 2006 and has experienced homelessness or lived in housing without necessary accessibility features, according to the lawsuit. Her case highlights the real-world impact of the city’s alleged non-compliance on individuals with disabilities seeking affordable housing.

Federal Obligations and Misrepresentation

The legal action stemmed from the city’s obligations under federal law when receiving grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for building and rehabilitating affordable multifamily housing. These requirements mandate that 5% of units in certain types of federally assisted housing be accessible for people with mobility impairments and an additional 2% be accessible for those with visual and auditory impairments.

In the six years leading up to the 2017 lawsuit, Los Angeles received nearly $1 billion in various funds from HUD, which were used for at least 28 multifamily housing projects. The plaintiffs alleged that none of these projects contained the minimum number of accessible units required by law.

The lawsuit also accused the city of violating the False Claims Act by “knowingly and falsely” certifying to HUD that it complied with accessibility requirements. This misrepresentation allegedly caused HUD and the public to believe that Los Angeles was fulfilling all federal obligations related to the receipt of housing and community development funds.

Settlement and Future Implications

Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto stated in an email that while the city denies violating the False Claims Act, they are “pleased to have reached this $38.2 million settlement, particularly in light of the federal government’s initial claim that it was entitled to well over $1 billion in alleged damages.”

The settlement amount will be shared between Mei Ling and the Fair Housing Council of San Fernando Valley, though the exact distribution has not been determined.

This is not the first time Los Angeles has faced legal action over accessibility issues in federally funded housing. In 2016, the city settled a similar lawsuit, indicating a pattern of challenges in meeting federal accessibility standards.

The case underscores the ongoing struggle for adequate, accessible housing in major urban areas and the importance of strict adherence to federal accessibility laws. It also highlights the potential consequences for municipalities that fail to comply with these regulations or misrepresent their compliance status.

As cities across the nation grapple with affordable housing shortages, this settlement serves as a reminder of the critical need to ensure that such housing is accessible to all residents, including those with disabilities. The outcome of this lawsuit may prompt other municipalities to review and strengthen their compliance with federal accessibility requirements in federally funded housing projects.

Moving forward, it remains to be seen how Los Angeles will address these issues and improve its affordable housing accessibility to prevent similar legal challenges in the future. The settlement marks a significant step toward accountability, but the real measure of success will be in the tangible improvements made to the city’s affordable housing landscape for residents with disabilities.

September 3, 2024
2 Chainz Lost $1.5M After Investment in LA Cannabis Company

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Tauheed K. Epps, who is better known by his stage name 2 Chainz, is claiming that he invested $1.5 million into a Los Angeles cannabis company in a deal that quickly went south, which has left the famous rapper out of nearly his entire investment. The situation has brought to light a few of the ongoing legal battles surrounding the cannabis industry in California.

According to a report made by Law360.com, an investment company called Antimatter Holdings filed a lawsuit in early August claiming that the rapper had been scammed by the Pineapple Express dispensary in Hollywood. The lawsuit has stated that the Atlanta native was introduced to the company by Damien Roderick, who is Shoop Dog’s tour manager, and that 2 Chainz later arranged to invest $1.5 million in the dispensary.

2 Chainz is a Grammy-award-winning rapper who won his first award in 2017 as a featured artist on Chance the Rapper’s single “No Problem.” 2 Chainz has also been nominated for other Grammy awards and is one of the most well-known rappers in the trap style—a genre that originated in Atlanta and is known for slower deep bass beats. 2 Chainz is a noted fan of marijuana and has appeared in a Vice series that follows him as he samples weed products.

The Pineapple Express dispensary’s owners reportedly told 2 Chainz that the shop would be running by April 2021. However, the opening did not happen until March 2022 due to several issues. The lawsuit has also stated that 2 Chainz’s investment had a monthly dividend and that he could reclaim 110% of his money back whenever he liked as long as he gave a 30-day notice.

Antimatter Holdings tried to recoup the money in May 2022, but Pineapple Express made no payments. In December 2022, 2 Chainz reached out to the co-founder of the dispensary, Vincent Zadeh, about the repayment, but according to the lawsuit, he was told that the company would not honor the terms of their deal.

In a statement made to SFGATE, Matthew Feinstein, a co-founder of Pineapple Express, said that the lawsuit is filed with false claims and that arbitration will be filed where the matter can be settled outside of court.

This isn’t the first time that Pineapple Express has been hit by a lawsuit, as they’ve previously been sold by several investors, and allegedly never filed income taxes while owing almost $1.69 million in back taxes.

The store Pineapple Express has since been closed, but Feinstein claims he will try to reopen the location in September.

2 Chainz has managed several other business deals that are currently going strong. A previous report by AFROTECH™ notes that 2 Chainz and Mychel “Snoop” Dillard co-own the Atlanta, GA-based Esco Restaurant and Tapas, which established its first location in Columbus, OH in 2022.

“It’s more lounge with great food and great atmosphere. Of course, we have the best drinks in town,” 2 Chainz told Franchise Times.

2 Chainz’s portfolio also includes Smoothie King. He is now a franchisee along with his friend Philip Jones, and they have a location in the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA.

“As we continue to expand, we’re thrilled to welcome 2 Chainz to our franchisee family—not to mention in collaboration with one of our great partners in the Atlanta Hawks,” said Wan Kim, Smoothie King CEO, in a news release. “2 Chainz’s passion for health and wellness aligns perfectly with our mission to inspire a healthy and active lifestyle; that coupled with his entrepreneurial spirit, embodies the essence of our brand and makes this a perfect match.”

August 29, 2024
Why LA’s Recent Earthquake is a Cause for Concern

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On Monday the 12th, a 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Los Angeles area, hitting a lesser-known but potentially significant fault system: the Puente Hills thrust fault. Experts have pointed to the similarities to the well-known San Andreas fault that runs along the outskirts of the city, but the Puente Hills fault lies directly beneath some of the most densely populated places in the Los Angeles and Orange counties, including the heart of downtown Los Angeles. The fault could one day produce a massive earthquake, say experts, warning of a magnitude as high as 7.5.

The Vulnerable Underbelly of Los Angeles

“We have an incredibly dense concentration of vulnerable buildings right on top of the Puente Hills fault, so that’s what makes it so particularly dangerous,” said Lucy Jones, a seismologist and a research associate at Caltech. Many of the structures on top of the fault were built in the 1950s and 60s and have yet to be retrofitted to meet modern seismic safety standards. The unreinforced concrete common in these buildings poses a particular risk in predictive earthquake models, as their likely collapse will have a more significant fallout.

“Concrete is heavy,” Jones said, and went on to say, “When we’ve run these models, those are the buildings that are killing a lot of people.” Some models analyzing a potential 7.5 magnitude earthquake have predicted as many as 18 thousand deaths in the Los Angeles area.

The Complex Problem of the Puente Hills Fault

The Puente Hills fault is one of a complicated series of thrust faults that are described as “blind” because they are hidden beneath layers of rock and sediment. This makes them difficult to predict until they become a problem. This system includes faults that are stacked and oddly inclined, running through the Los Angeles basin. While it isn’t clear that the Puente Hills fault is the specific one responsible for Monday’s quake, experts see it as a top candidate because of its proximity to the epicenter.

Blind thrust faults are notorious for their destructive potential. A similar fault caused the 1994 Northridge quake, a magnitude 6.7 event that caused widespread damage across Los Angeles. An earlier quake, the 1987 Whittier Narrows quake, hit just a branch of the Puente Hills fault and registered a magnitude of 5.9. That earthquake killed eight people and caused $358 million in property damage.

Puente Hills vs. San Andreas: Disasters Waiting to Happen

Southern California, and Los Angeles in particular, is built atop a seismically active landscape full of active fault lines. The Puente Hills and San Andreas faults are only two of these faults, but they carry disproportionate potential for destruction.

The San Andreas fault is one of the largest and most active faults in the world and is regularly responsible for some of California’s most significant earthquakes. It runs from the Southern California desert to Northern California’s coast and is the main plate boundary between the Pacific and North American plates. It is capable of causing large quakes that span great distances. But its last truly major event was the 1857 Fort Tejon earthquake, retroactively estimated to have been a 7.9 magnitude quake that caused significant damage. The area had been only sparsely populated at the time.

“Summed up over the next few thousand years, the San Andreas is going to do more to us than the Puente Hills,” says Jones, though this is “because the Puente Hills will move once and the San Andreas is going to move 20 times.”

The Puente Hills fault threatens the Los Angeles Valley with the potential for a single, history-changing cataclysm that would directly strike urban centers. Area seismologists have pointed out that, while Southern California had been relatively quiet in terms of significant quakes over the past two decades, this year has already seen 13 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater. “We really are earthquake country,” warns Jones, “And we’ve been lulled into a sense of complacency.”

August 27, 2024
Jack Flaherty Comes Home to the Los Angeles Dodgers

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The Los Angeles Dodgers have been aggressive at the trade deadline, as many anticipated, and have not come home empty-handed. Rather, they have acquired arguably one of the best options on the market: Detroit Tigers ace Jack Flaherty. A longtime Dodgers fan, Flaherty is coming home to Hollywood, and his presence is sure to bolster the Dodgers pitching staff, which has been damaged by numerous injuries all season long.

Even with Clayton Kershaw back in the mix, Los Angeles has struggled to field a healthy five-man rotation for weeks. But with Flaherty, all of that could be about to change. The 28-year-old is experiencing possibly his best season to date, posting a 9-5 record through 20 starts with a 2.97 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. His 150 strikeouts through 118.1 innings is one of the best ratios in the league.

Jack Flaherty’s Long-Awaited Move to the Dodgers

Flaherty has long loved pitching in Los Angeles, as he was born and raised in California. As a toddler, Flaherty even wore a Dodger uniform, dreaming of playing for the team one day. Now, in many ways, his dreams have all come full circle, bringing him back to the Dodgers as a pro.

How Flaherty Strengthens the Dodgers’ Pitching Roster

But beyond just achieving his own childhood dreams, Flaherty is also stepping into an ideal team set-up. Flaherty isn’t just pitching for the Dodgers. He’s pitching for what some would argue is the National League’s most talented team, possibly the best team in the league right now. But despite its talent, the team has been in desperate need of a reliable, uninjured pitching roster. With Flaherty on the mound, everything could very well go the team’s way.

Once the playoffs arrive, there’s a good chance Los Angeles can field a dominant starting rotation despite the onslaught of injuries. That is especially true of Flaherty. After struggling post-deadline last season, when traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Baltimore Orioles, Flaherty is looking to avoid a repeat of history.

Flaherty has long been effusive in his adoration for the Dodgers and his new fandom. Based on his love of the team, fans can assume this was the move Flaherty had been dreaming of for decades, and one he was almost certainly hoping for at the trade deadline, whether he’ll admit it or not. Speaking with Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times, the hard-throwing righty called playing in Dodger Stadium as a kid “an unforgettable experience.” Now, he gets to play there regularly.

It seems only natural then, that the St. Louis fandom became jealous. There was a lot of semi-justified outrage when Flaherty waxed poetic about the Orioles fanbase and the Camden Yards experience after the 2023 trade deadline. “I haven’t had to turn my PitchCom up at home in a while,” he said.

To some, that statement read as a blatant shot at St. Louis. Few would ever call the Cardinals’ fanbase disengaged, but last season was a disappointment for many, and the fanbase struggled with many of the outcomes. The Orioles were doing well for the first time in ages, and the Cardinals were struggling. Of course, there was more fan engagement in Baltimore down the stretch.

One can assume that Flaherty didn’t mean to insult the St. Louis crowd, nor does he intend to now. The breakup may not have gone over smoothly, but Flaherty has expressed no ill will toward the Cardinals organization.

Flaherty’s results have been mixed through several Dodgers starts, but he has been at the top of his game for the majority of this season. Los Angeles is counting on a monster finish to the campaign, and Flaherty is on track to deliver.

August 21, 2024
LA Churches Respond to Housing Crisis with Affordable Projects
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Los Angeles is facing a severe shortage of housing for low-income renters. Making matters even more difficult is that buying land in such an expensive part of the state is often challenging for affordable housing developers. Together, these two issues create a self-perpetuating cycle, making affordable living a struggle across the city.

Fortunately, California lawmakers offered one possible answer for where to build when they passed SB 4, a statewide law that took affect earlier this year. It allows religious groups to fast-track new housing on properties they already own, effectively making it so that churches are legally allowed to build housing properties for sale or rental purposes.

The Catholic Church’s Response to L.A.’s Housing Crisis

Now, the Catholic church in L.A. plans to do just that. The Archdiocese of L.A. announced Wednesday it will partner with a newly formed nonprofit called Our Lady Queen of Angels Housing Alliance to develop affordable housing in Southern California.

The church, known for assisting immigrants and feeding unhoused people, aims to use its extensive land holdings to help address the region’s housing crisis. Their first project will be located on Archdiocese land currently used by Catholic Charities. They plan to use the property to construct affordable apartments next to L.A. City College. The goal is for these apartments to be utilized by community college students and youth transitioning out of foster care.

Amy Anderson, the executive director for Queen of Angels Housing, said the mission is to confront one of the region’s biggest moral dilemmas head-on. “We’re losing a generation of people to housing insecurity,” said Anderson, who served as L.A.’s Chief Housing Officer under former Mayor Eric Garcetti. “It’s very difficult for people to live in health — mental health, physical health — and for them to get ahead when there’s no physical foundation, no home for which to do that.”

As school enrollment declines and membership in religious orders dwindles, Queen of Angels Housing could also develop former Catholic schools or convents into housing developments.

“The properties are in transition because our communities are constantly changing,” Anderson said. “It does create this opportunity to re-evaluate what can be done with that land.”

According to figures provided by the church, the Archdiocese of L.A. has:
- 288 parishes
- 265 elementary and high schools
- 4.35 million Catholic attendees
Last year, Muhammad Alameldin, a researcher with UC Berkeley’s Terner Center, and his colleagues published a study that found faith-based organizations and nonprofit colleges across California own enough land suitable for housing development to equal nearly five times the city of Oakland.

However, Alameldin said it’s one thing for churches to support the idea of new housing on their property — it’s another to construct it.

At this early stage, it is unclear precisely how much land the Archdiocese intends to put toward housing development. However, local Catholic leaders are signaling that housing will be a growing part of the church’s charitable mission.

Collaborating with Communities to Build Affordable Housing

L.A. Archbishop José Gomez will chair the board for Queen of Angels Housing. In a statement, he said, “Through Catholic Charities and our ministries on Skid Row and elsewhere, we have been working for many years to provide shelter and services for our homeless brothers and sisters. With this new initiative, we see exciting possibilities for making more affordable housing available, especially for families and young people.”

The Catholic church isn’t the only religious organization in L.A. pursuing affordable housing development. The Jewish congregation Ikar is working on a 60-unit project on the site of its offices in L.A.’s Pico-Robertson neighborhood, and the multi-faith organization L.A. Voice has been helping local churches develop early plans for their projects.
August 20, 2024
Antoine Griezmann’s Potential Move to LAFC

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As the football world buzzes with the latest transfer rumors, one name that stands out is Antoine Griezmann. The French star is reportedly on the verge of a move to Major League Soccer (MLS), specifically to Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC). While the deal isn’t finalized yet, the possibility of Griezmann donning the black and gold jersey has sparked considerable excitement and speculation. This potential transfer, which could be completed before the MLS transfer window closes on August 14, or possibly in a later window, could have significant implications for both Atletico Madrid and MLS.

Atletico Madrid’s Strategic Overhaul

Atletico Madrid is currently in the midst of a squad overhaul, and Griezmann’s potential departure could be a key part of this strategy. The club has been active in the transfer market, bringing in talents like Conor Gallagher from Chelsea and Julian Alvarez from Manchester City. These acquisitions suggest a shift in Atletico’s tactical approach, focusing on younger, more dynamic players to compete against La Liga giants like Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Griezmann, despite having a stellar season with 23 goals and seven assists, is now 33 years old. Atletico’s move towards a younger squad signals that Griezmann might no longer be central to their future plans. With Alvarez potentially stepping into the role currently occupied by Griezmann, and Alexander Sorloth already in the squad, Atletico seems to be preparing for life without their French star. This strategic move could also help reduce the average age of the team, making them more competitive in the long run.

The LAFC Opportunity: A New Challenge for Griezmann

For Griezmann, a move to LAFC could represent a new chapter in his illustrious career. MLS has become an increasingly attractive destination for top European players, especially with the league’s growing competitiveness and global visibility. Griezmann’s potential move would not only boost LAFC’s profile but also add another layer of excitement to MLS, particularly with the growing rivalry in Los Angeles between LAFC and the Los Angeles Galaxy, known as El Trafico.

Joining LAFC would also reunite Griezmann with fellow French nationals Oliver Giroud and Hugo Lloris, who have already made the move to MLS. This camaraderie could ease his transition and help him quickly adapt to the league’s style of play. Moreover, with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, MLS is becoming a hotspot for international stars looking to make an impact on the American soccer scene.

MLS’s Growing Appeal and the Messi Factor

Griezmann’s potential transfer also reflects a broader trend in MLS, where clubs are increasingly signing global stars to elevate the league’s status. The recent arrival of Lionel Messi at Inter Miami has set a new benchmark, and teams like LAFC are keen to keep pace. With Denis Bouanga already a key player for LAFC, adding a player of Griezmann’s caliber could make them serious contenders for MLS supremacy.

The move would also align with the league’s ambitions to attract top talent ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host. The influx of international stars like Griezmann could help MLS grow its global fanbase and enhance the league’s overall quality, making it a more attractive destination for both players and fans.

A Win-Win Scenario

In summary, Antoine Griezmann’s potential transfer to LAFC makes sense on multiple levels. For Atletico Madrid, it allows for a strategic refresh of their squad, positioning them for future success. For Griezmann, it offers a new challenge in a growing league where he can continue to shine. And for MLS, it represents another step toward becoming a global football powerhouse. As the August 14 transfer deadline approaches, all eyes will be on this potential deal, which could be a game-changer for all parties involved.

August 16, 2024