Greater LA

The LA City Council has passed a motion that aims to curb street racing. According to City Council member Monica Rodriguez, the motion would push multiple government agencies to roll out traffic calming measures like street humps and curb extensions. Then, GLA breaks down local reactions to Gov. Gavin Newsom defeating his opponents in the recall election. Also, we get a preview of Swiss artist Pipilotti Rist’s new multimedia exhibition at MOCA that focuses on people’s TV obsession.

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash is cultivating native plant species in its nursery — as a way to preserve its indigenous culture. Extreme heat is causing preterm pregnancies and even infant death in some cases. A new bill would allow farmworkers to cast remote votes in union elections, and it’s awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature.

California’s recall election has been powered by some small business owners who are disgruntled about pandemic-era restrictions and pessimistic about the state’s future. But in a state where Democrats outnumber Republican registered voters two to one, is there a path toward victory? Plus, LA police officers are collecting social media data on every civilian they stop, regardless of whether they are arrested or accused of a crime. That’s according to documents obtained by the Brennan Center for Justice. The City of Orange is asking Mary’s Kitchen, a nonprofit serving unhoused people, to shut down and vacate its lot by Saturday. Some residents are trying to save the 26-year-old organization. 

Wildfires are often sparked by residents struggling with homelessness. LA County recently banned encampments in some of the highest fire risk areas. Homeowners in Topanga Canyon are glad, but some of their unhoused neighbors don’t want to leave. Also, LAUSD announced today that all students ages 12 and up must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 10, 2022 — unless they have a medical or other exemption. And a new food hall in Montebello is giving Black and Brown entrepreneurs mentorship, kitchen space, and capital to grow their restaurant concepts.

UCSB classes are just two weeks away, and students are using words like “desperate” and “abandoned” to describe their search for housing. Some hope the school can provide motel rooms, while others are planning to live in their cars or quit school altogether. More than two dozen street medicine programs in California hope a new state bill will allow them to be reimbursed by Medi-Cal. One LA-based nonprofit provides unhoused residents with beauty services like haircuts, hair extensions, fake eyelashes, and makeup.

A multi-million dollar grant will expand Judy Baca’s iconic mural called “The Great Wall of Los Angeles” and invest in the area surrounding it. A nonprofit in Pasadena is helping formerly incarcerated firefighters find jobs after getting released. And some Orange County supervisors are making it tough for public health officials to answer questions and update residents on COVID-19.

On this holiday rebroadcast, Greater LA looks at the history of Roslyndale Avenue, a tiny working-class street in the San Fernando Valley that became famous thanks to the film “Back to the Future.” Also, Pico Boulevard is named after Don Pio de Jesus Pico — a real estate baron who became a penniless gambler.

Hawaii is experiencing its highest number of COVID cases, hospitalizations, and deaths since the pandemic began. Despite the governor’s plea to avoid traveling to the islands, visitors continue to flock there, especially those from Southern California. Plus, a new book reveals how popular fast food chains and restaurants started in Southern California. And we offer a guide to the traditional foods of the upcoming Jewish High Holidays.

Federal unemployment benefits and supplements are ending on September 4. Where does this leave folks who can’t find a job or are reluctant to return to public-facing positions such as restaurant servers? Also, vaccine mandates are popping up at companies, universities, and government offices across California. Employees can opt out for medical reasons or “sincerely held religious beliefs." And at the LA Fire Department, leaders are trying to get more than 1,000 firefighters vaccinated before the city’s vaccine mandate goes into effect in October.

With California’s housing shortage, some politicians want to tinker with zoning laws to build denser, multi-family housing in more areas. Two bills passed in the state legislature last week would do that, and they’re sparking a heated debate. Also, the Whale Safe program from UC Santa Barbara's Benioff Ocean Initiative aims to cut down on ship-whale strikes.