A few months ago, District 13 Council rep Hugo Soto-Martinez appeared to have a free ride to a second term. That has changed, as 4 people are now trying to topple him. A quick look at the race for @theeastsiderla.bsky.social. www.theeastsiderla.com/news/governm...

For those keeping track, election day in Los Angeles (and, yes, the rest of California) is 6 months from today--on June 2. Angelenos will vote for mayor, city attorney, controller & 8 council seats. My recent Westside Current look at 5 compelling races. www.westsidecurrent.com/elections/op...

The unexpected asterisk of watching a kid play high school football—during the season, you see a lot of different parts of Los Angeles. My piece for @theeastsiderla.bsky.social. www.theeastsiderla.com/education/ea...

A season of watching the Eagle Rock high school football team took me across the breadth of Los Angeles, from Woodland Hills to South Gate and beyond. I broke it down for @theeastsiderla.bsky.social. www.theeastsiderla.com/education/ea...

Six months from now, mail-in ballots will be in homes across California, ahead of the June 2 election. L.A. residents in particular have a clutch of intriguing contests. For Westside Current I look at 5 of them. #Election2026 www.westsidecurrent.com/elections/op...

As the 2026 elections approach, something unexpected is happening—the city of L.A. has a hefty batch of competitive races, from the mayoral contest to a 2-person Council District 11 battle. And there's much more. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/elections/op...

Ample criticism of Eunisses Hernandez at CD1 forum. "We have not had leadership for three years,” said Lou Calanche. Raul Claros said his CD1 Coalition has "pretty much been the de facto council office." Hernandez didn't attend. @theeastsiderla.bsky.social www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhood...

Six candidates attended a recent District 1 City Council forum. When the moderator announced “We have not heard from Councilperson Eunisses Hernandez,” the crowd booed. Hernandez team said she had “previously scheduled commitments.” @theeastsiderla.bsky.social www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhood...

The six Council District 1 candidates who attended a forum last week had differing ideas on how they would operate if elected. But all agreed on one point: incumbent Eunisses Hernandez has not delivered and needs to go. My @theeastsiderla.bsky.social story. www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhood...

The @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social triumph has people asking what repercussions the Democratic Socialist's win will have on other cities, including Los Angeles? A better question: How did past L.A. elections shape the NYC contest? My UCLA Blueprint story. blueprint.ucla.edu/sketch/from-...

Excited to have my first piece published on the new @goldenstatereport.bsky.social. I looked at the verrrrrrry expensive Convention Center renovation. A lot to unpack. goldenstatereport.substack.com/p/las-26-bil...

County Supervisor @lindseyphorvath.bsky.social led the efforts to approve Measure G, and yank county $$ from LAHSA—those 2 big wins are 2 more than many politicians get in their entire career. But with the spotlight comes scrutiny. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/supe...

At Occidental College's Canine Intelligence Lab, Dr. Zachary Silver runs dogs through tests and puzzles, studying how they navigate social situations, while also providing them “cognitive enrichment.” My @theeastsiderla.bsky.social story. www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhood...

On the Only in LA front, an Occidental College professor operates a Canine Intelligence Lab. Yes, it's as cool and unique as it sounds... with some serious research. Check my new @theeastsiderla.bsky.social story. www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhood...

Dr. Zachary Silver founded the Canine Intelligence Lab when he joined Occidental College two years ago. I dropped by the fascinating project for @theeastsiderla.bsky.social. www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhood...

You may have a good dog, but is she or he a smart dog? The Occidental Canine Intelligence Lab has tests and puzzles to find out. Details in my @theeastsiderla.bsky.social story. www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhood...

“Unfortunately the city government we pay for does not live up to the high standards of the people who live here,” Austin Beutner said, explaining why he is challenging Mayor Karen Bass in next year's election. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/news/breakin...

Despite his wealth, Austin Beutner said he will not be using personal funds as he challenges Karen Bass for mayor. He plans to raise money from donors. More in my Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/news/breakin...

In 2022, Austin Beutner voted for Karen Bass. Now, feeling Los Angeles is "adrift," he's running against her. We discussed his attempt to unseat her for Westside Current. www.westsidecurrent.com/news/breakin...

Los Angeles green lights a $2.6 billion Convention Center overhaul after struggling with a $1 billion budget deficit. And the city went from 1,647 threatened layoffs to 0 pink slips This is a moment of mixed monetary messages. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/colu...

With a deep city budget deficit, tariffs, ICE raids and more, it's like the Four Accountants of the Apocalypse have stampeded into Los Angeles and plan to stay a while. But there's still big $$ for a Convention Center overhaul. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/colu...

Is L.A. in a dire financial state, with elected officials kicking the can further down the road? Or do no layoffs and a Convention Center overhaul indicate that things were never nearly as bad as they seemed? I'm confused. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/colu...

Turning a former Macy's in Eagle Rock into a Home Depot would create jobs and activate a dead space. But District 14 Councilmember Ysabel Jurado has 'strong opposition' to the plan. So what happen? My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/colu...

District 14 council rep Ysabel Jurado said "Home Depot has no place in Eagle Rock." Not everyone in Eagle Rock feels the same way, saying the store could fill long-dead space in Eagle Rock Plaza, and create jobs. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/colu...

Council rep Ysabel Jurado has voiced 'strong opposition' to a new #HomeDepot in Eagle Rock. Some cheer the stance. Others worry about city officials making support for a project contingent on someone sharing their politics. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/colu...

Did you hit a pothole near a freeway entrance in Boyle Heights, or on Wayne Avenue in Los Feliz, or on Collis Avenue in El Sereno? If so, you were not alone. For @theeastsiderla.bsky.social I look at where the Eastside potholes pop up. @crosstownla.bsky.social www.theeastsiderla.com/news/governm...

A few months ago Los Angeles leaders were touting a year-over-year #homicide rate decline of over 20%. That's evaporating. According to LAPD Compstat, city has recorded 209 murders through Sept. 20. Last year at this time it was 215. lapdonlinestrgeacc.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/lapdonlineme...

If #Prop50 passes and California gets new Congressional lines, then @hildasolis.bsky.social will seek to return to the US House. She'll be touting some of her moves on LA's Eastside. My story for @theeastsiderla.bsky.social. www.theeastsiderla.com/news/governm...

Why is County Supervisor @hildasolis.bsky.social considering running for Congress in 2026, more than 15 years after she left the House? "I still feel that there is unfinished business for Hilda Solis," she said recently. My @theeastsiderla.bsky.social story.

The primary for the LA City Controller election is next June. Incumbent Kenneth Mejia and challenger Isadore Hall are already sniping at each other. My Westside Current column on the contest to be LA's fiscal watchdog. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/la-g...

The Kenneth Mejia vs. Isadore Hall contest for LA City Controller will be a bruiser. I looked at the burgeoning race for Westside Current. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/la-g...

In 2022 Kenneth Mejia became City Controller, beating a City Hall insider at an anti-incumbent, “throw da bums out” moment. Now Mejia is the incumbent, and is being challenged by former state legislator Isadore Hall. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/la-g...

The joke among City Hall observers is that the City Controller actually controls nothing. Success often hinges on knowing how to play politics, understanding when to pinch, and when you need allies. My Westside Current column looks at the 2026 race. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/la-g...

The 2026 City Controller contest will be fierce and fascinating, with new entrant Isadore Hall and incumbent Kenneth Mejia already sniping at other. Expect big money, big billboards, and possibly bowties and corgis. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/la-g...

Wow! Yet another challenger to Eunisses Hernandez for the District 1 City Council seat! Newest to enter is Nelson Grande, who bills himself as "a business owner in the Westlake and Pico area." That's six people trying to take down the incumbent. Primary is in June 2026.

A backyard pool remains the quintessential Southern California amenity. Where are they rising? The Valley's still popular, and if you're on the Westside, look to Brentwood. My dive into permits for the Westside Current, with @crosstownla.bsky.social data. www.westsidecurrent.com/news/splash-...

Is 2025 Los Angeles' wildest political year ever? With a bomb threat plea deal, a city-county homelessness fight, a fired @lafd.bsky.social fire chief, #wildfires and #IceRaids, it may be—and all that is just the start. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/colu...

In L.A. we don't need to wait until December for a "10 Most Important Political Stories of the Year" rundown. It's September, but we've already got 11 major happenings: #homelessness, a bomb threat plea deal and more. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/colu...

For @theeastsiderla.bsky.social I take an early look at the race to replace Maria Elena Durazo in the state Senate District 26 post. The territory holds over 490,000 registered voters. Primary is next June. www.theeastsiderla.com/news/race-to...

Usually, the firing of an #LAFD chief, or a $1 billion city budget deficit, would be the biggest political story of the year. But in 2025 Los Angeles, things are different. Much different. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/colu...

It is easy to overlook state Senate races, but a battle is brewing for the District 26 seat (Los Feliz, Boyle Heights etc), with 5 people campaigning and hoping to succeed Maria Elena Durazo. The primary is next June. My @theeastsiderla.bsky.social story. www.theeastsiderla.com/news/race-to...

In any normal year a ranking of the top 10 political stories comes in December. But 2025 in Los Angeles is so bonkers that in September we already have a top 11 stories. Fires and #ICEraids are just the start. My new Westside Current piece. www.westsidecurrent.com/opinion/colu...

City of LA elections are next June, but candidates are already trying to fill their war chests. Who's got the big money? Details in my Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/elections/co...

In the first 6 months of 2025 Karen Bass raised $180,000 for her re-election bid. It's a paltry sum, but she was in a tough spot. Raise a lot, and people would accuse her of raking in cash amid wildfires and ICE raids. My Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/elections/co...

Post-Labor Day people pay more attention to politics. So which city candidate raised the most $$ in the first half of 2025? Not Mayor Karen Bass. It's District 11 incumbent Traci Park with $649,000. More campaign finance info in my Westside Current column. www.westsidecurrent.com/elections/co...

Plans to bring a #HomeDepot to Eagle Rock, filling the site of a dead former Macy's, generated a lot of talk in the neighborhood. Now Council rep Ysabel Jurado is opposing the move, citing ICE raids at Home Depots. Check @theeastsiderla.bsky.social story. www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhood...

Inbox: County Supe @hildasolis.bsky.social makes official what many have been chatting about for days—she'll run for Congress if state redistricting happens. She says, "I wish Proposition 50 wasn’t necessary – but Trump and his allies in Texas and across the nation are undermining our democracy."

In 2018, a total of 49 business licenses for restaurants were issued in Eastside LA neighborhoods. The count last year? A very healthy 74. So yeah, the food scene in the area is still happening. My @theeastsiderla.bsky.social story. www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhood...

A @theeastsiderla.bsky.social data dive shows the increasing number of business licenses for local #restaurants. Numbers exceed pre-COVID totals. www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhood...

The LA economy may be a mess, but there's a rush of restaurant permits being issued in Boyle Heights, East Hollywood, Echo Park and Highland Park, among other #eastside neighborhoods. Detail in my @theeastsiderla.bsky.social story. www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhood...