James Ransone, the actor who played Ziggy Sobotka on The Wire, died on Dec. 19 in Los Angeles; the medical examiner ruled his death a suicide and a family fundraiser has raised six figures.

Patty Glaser has emerged at the center of a dispute between Jeff Shell and R.J. Cipriani over alleged leaks of Paramount deal information, prompting an outside probe and regulatory attention.

With staff on strike, WGA West warned it may cancel its March 8 Los Angeles awards ceremony. The decision deepens an internal labor fight ahead of studio contract talks.

Judy Baca has denied claims from former SPARC staff that she personally profited from a Mellon grant and an archives sale as the Great Wall expansion moves forward. SPARC and outside filings offer differing views of how money and labor were handled.

Watermelon Books opened this weekend at Holy Ground in South L.A., billed by organizers as America’s first Palestinian bookstore. The pop-up pairs readings and screenings with fundraising for community projects.

Michelle Yeoh will be honored with the 2,836th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Wednesday at the TCL Chinese Theatre.

Gustavo Dudamel’s final season with the L.A. Phil centers on a four‑night Hollywood Bowl tribute this August, pairing Beethoven 9 and YOLA with pop crossovers and new venue upgrades.

Pacific Electric will open a 750-capacity room in the Naud Warehouse on Feb. 27, 2026, promising artist-first production, backstage amenities and community programming. The hospitality-forward venue aims to fill a mid-size gap in L.A.’s live scene.

Carnaval Miami launched its 2026 slate this week, with neighborhood events across Little Havana and Coral Gables ahead of the Calle Ocho festival on March 15.

The 127th Golden Dragon Parade returns to LA’s Chinatown on Feb. 21 from 1–4 p.m., with dragon and lion dances, multicultural performances and a firecracker finale.

Kristen Stewart has purchased Highland Park’s nearly century‑old Highland Theatre and says she’ll restore it as a community‑minded cinema, programming films, workshops and events.

Downtown L.A.’s Variety Arts Theater reopens this week for a six‑week, after‑dark takeover of film and video art organized by the Julia Stoschek Foundation.

Freddie Gibbs — the Gary rapper — is credited on Leon Thomas’s Grammy-winning album MUTT, a milestone that local outlets are calling a first for a Gary rapper.