Why is affordable housing so expensive to build in Los Angeles? It’s all about the money — where it comes from and how long it takes to get it. Some developers are changing the traditional funding model to save on time and costs.

In the aftermath of the Atlanta shootings of six Asian women, some AAPI Angelenos are fearing their parents’ safety.

Michelle Gonzales tells KCRW she has forbidden her mother from taking walks in their predominantly Filipino neighborhood in Carson. “That was just our way of protecting her from violence that could actually happen in our community, when before we would never have thought that something like that would ever be possible,” Gonzales says.

Others, like Van Nguyen, describe why they’re worried for their own safety. “I just want to run errands and go home. I don't need to be walking down the street in an area that's unfamiliar to me. I'm a small Asian woman. I'm super petite, 5’2.’’ Who knows what would happen?”

Live music has mostly been on hold for the last year, but as LA County begins to reopen and allow for more activities, music venues are looking at potential in-person events. Venues with outdoor options are at an advantage, but there are still uncertainties about when events can take place and how big the crowd can be. KCRW hears from music industry insiders about how they are planning for future live shows to return.

The pandemic has altered streetscapes all across Southern California. In the San Fernando Valley, there is perhaps no better example of this than Van Nuys Boulevard. Brick and mortar stores have suffered the most, with “For Lease” signs visible on just about every block. KCRW speaks with business owners along a stretch of the boulevard.

Hawaiian Gardens has one of the lowest vaccination rates in LA county — 9%. That’s partly because there aren’t many vaccination sites nearby, and the closest appointments are typically 10 miles away in Downey. There’s been a lot of bureaucracy in trying to set up a vaccination site in Hawaiian Gardens  

“We’ve been asking for these mobile unit sites, and we haven’t received any, and we haven’t received any leads either. So I don’t know. It’s just a waiting game, I guess. ... And we’re left to fend for ourselves in what seems to be like a Wild Wild West situation,” says Hawaiian Gardens Councilmember Myra Maravilla. 

Today LA County restaurants received the green light to reopen indoors at 25% capacity as soon as March 15.  Some think it's way too soon. Others restaurant owners are cautiously optimistic. 

Elderly people were among the first in line to get the COVID-19 vaccine, but many are now getting left behind as eligibility widens. There are language barriers and transportation issues. But the biggest problem has been the digital divide, especially for older people who live alone. KCRW shares the story of an elderly landlord, without family nearby, who gets help from his tenant.

As scientists and political leaders continue to fight climate change with new technologies and initiatives, a global movement of people are popularizing one of the oldest methods of conservation. They’re reusing, repurposing, and regifting.

California is banning the sale of new gas cars starting in 2035, as part of its goal to curb carbon emissions. People working in the automotive industry are nervous about what that means for their livelihoods. And people looking to purchase new automobiles must turn to the two main alternatives: electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen fuel cell cars.

Santa Barbara is the latest city in California to consider phasing out fossil fuels by requiring new construction to be all-electric. But with extreme weather events that can knock power out in an instant, some residents worry putting all our eggs in the electrical basket is unsafe. Supporters say making smart investments in solar panels and batteries will boost our safety and self-reliance while the electric grid becomes more secure.