Greater LA

Two refugees who escaped Nazi Germany on the Kindertransport meet for the first time since 1939, recounting stories of how they left Europe as children. Ammon Bundy, an anti-government militant, started a national group that’s gaining traction in LA among disaffected people on the extreme political right. Jessica Taylor Bellamy’s artwork tackles climate change and class inequality. Her first solo show opens on January 21 at Anat Ebgi gallery.

Heavy rains bring destruction to SoCal, and thousands of residents in Santa Barbara County remain stranded. President Biden declared a state of emergency. Where is the water coming from? Will it help alleviate the ongoing drought? New York publications often condescend to Los Angeles. The New York Times recently published a piece about NYC turning into LA, with all the usual clichés.

An e-bike lending library hopes to get people out of their cars in the San Fernando Valley. But it’s an uphill battle. The wholesale price of gas is way down in most of the U.S. and Europe. So why are prices in CA spiking, and what can you do to weather this increase? Last November’s elections brought slim conservative majorities to the Orange and Capistrano school boards. In recent weeks, there have been major shake-ups and firings in those OC districts. 

Massive solar projects will help California reach renewable energy goals, but not without costs to fragile desert ecosystems. After years of advocacy from the community and professors, East LA College is introducing a new major in 2023: Central American Studies. Pasadena Playhouse’s 2023 season celebrates the late Stephen Sondheim, and its first show is “Into the Woods.” 

Street medicine providers aim to meet — and treat — unhoused people where they are. And new state regulations are making it a lot easier for them to do that. Last year, the LA City Council passed an ordinance requiring most new buildings to be fully electric. Without gas, how people cook could fundamentally change. 

Repairing the Whittier Narrows Dam was reclassified in 2016 from “high urgency” to “very high urgency” by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. If the dam fails, the damage could be catastrophic. With major infrastructure projects underway and a wave of new female mayors in Orange County’s biggest cities, will 2023 bring big changes or more of the same? Varissa Brum — known as Miso Hungry on TikTok — shares her LA food experiences with hundreds of thousands of followers.

Three KCRW listeners share stories about their family relationships and special moments that happened on Christmas. For the first time in decades, the OC Board of Supervisors will soon be turning Democratic. But before the board changes hands in January, members pulled the plug on a deal with a renewable energy authority.

Traci Park joins the LA City Council at a time of turmoil and division. The moderate Democrat defeated a more progressive challenger, despite the council shifting left. During Hanukkah, Jews celebrate the miracle of oil, and cooking with oil is a tradition for Jewish Angelenos from around the world. Kwanzaa was created in 1966 to honor African American culture and heritage. Now, more than five decades later, how is the holiday celebrated?

After the pandemic led to financial troubles, Downey’s float returns this year to the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. It’s thanks to a community effort and beauty pageant fundraiser. People with properties worth over $5 million are trying to get around Measure ULA, while some advocates for ULA want to amend it for other reasons. Big Bear Mountain Resort has purchased property it plans to develop into worker housing, and for the past five seasons, it’s been focusing on increasing diversity on the slopes.

P-22, the mountain lion who lived alone around Griffith Park, was euthanized over the weekend. As people are mourning, what will happen with his remains and legacy? The U.S. economy shrank during the pandemic, but some industries thrived, including private air travel. Residents near Van Nuys Airport say it’s harming their health.