Los Angeles County is lifting its universal mask mandate on Friday. That means face coverings will no longer be required in public indoor settings -- whether or not you're vaccinated.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

A new podcast -- “Idolo: the Ballad of Chalino Sanchez” -- follows the remarkable story of a Mexican singer, whose career was cut short at its peak when he was murdered in the early 1990s. Both Sanchez and the creators of the podcast have deep roots in Southern California.

Reporter: Blanca Torres, KQED

A recently released report shows that California is way behind in helping people with COVID-related hardships pay their back rent. The study from PolicyLink finds that in a year of operation, only 16 percent of applicants have received aid. 

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

Immigrant and worker rights advocates gathered in Sacramento on Thursday in support of the first-ever bill to give unemployment benefits to undocumented immigrants.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Bars and restaurants have been hit hard by the pandemic -- in fact, more than 90,000 have closed across the country. And many are now seeking some type of federal funding to help keep them afloat, as COVID-19 restrictions are eased.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report 

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