Greater LA

Southern California has some of the worst road conditions in the country. That’s just one of the many reasons why community activists, entrepreneurs, and local politicians are keeping tabs on President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure spending plan that’s currently being debated on Capitol Hill. Regardless of the final dollar amount, Southern California could experience a flood of investment, money for construction projects, and new job opportunities.

On this holiday, Greater LA replays two episodes of our “What’s In a Street Name?” series. Gaylord Wilshire — a land speculator, billboard tycoon, failed politician and inventor — built Wilshire Boulevard, which became LA’s primary escape route from the horse-drawn era. But as the city got bigger, Gaylord Wilshire got smaller. A stroll through Hollywood history reveals over 100 years of boulevard branding. But can the “Main Street of the movies” maintain its historic integrity — and keep its small businesses alive — while absorbing billions of private investment dollars?

A statewide program called Project Homekey converts motels, hotels, or vacant apartment buildings into long-term supportive housing for people living on the streets. The project is set to benefit thousands of homeless Angelenos and is much cheaper than building new affordable housing. But is it an effective permanent solution?

WE RISE is an initiative from the LA County Department of Mental Health that features 21 art experiences focusing on connection. It tries to raise awareness about what harms communities, and reduce mental health stigmas. 

One year after the murder of George Floyd, an event that catalyzed racial justice movements across the country, organizers in LA gathered at City Hall to encourage activists to continue putting pressure on local officials.

One year ago this week, George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis at the hands of former police officer Derek Chauvin. The killing set off the largest civil rights movement the U.S. has seen since the 1960s. For months, millions of Americans took to the streets to protest police brutality and demanded justice for Floyd and others who were killed by police. KCRW talks with Black Southern Californians about how their lives changed in the year since.

LA Councilman Mike Bonin, representing the Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, and Venice, is proposing that parts of some city-owned land, including parks and beach parking lots, be turned into sanctioned campground sites for unhoused Angelenos. But the idea is gaining criticism from some residents who want to keep the area free from encampments. KCRW speaks with Bonin about his proposal and the public outcry.

The number of businesses in the U.S. that no longer accept cash has doubled since the pandemic began, according to a recent survey by Square. Many made the switch based on guidelines from the CDC. Staff like it too, and most customers don’t mind. However, some cities have passed laws preventing businesses from banning cash, saying such rules are discriminatory. LA is buying into a cashless future and has an initiative to support business owners from low-income and disadvantaged communities.

Pico Boulevard may be the hardest working street in Los Angeles. Jonathan Gold called it “one of the most vital food streets in the world.” Today KCRW visits some of Gold’s favorite Boulevard eateries and finds the spirit of Pio Pico, the boulevard’s namesake, flourishing.  

California officials say they'll adopt the CDC’s relaxed mask guidelines on June 15, giving the state a month to boost vaccination rates. But several major retail and grocery chains like Trader Joe’s and Walmart already no longer require masks for vaccinated customers. Public health experts are divided on the issue, and grocery store workers are worried unvaccinated people will lie about their status.