Mayor Karen Bass’ nominees — Crystal Lee and Joone Kim‑Lopez — were unanimously confirmed by the City Council to lead LA’s engineering and sanitation bureaus as the city ramps up major infrastructure work.

Sen. Josh Becker’s SB 493 would add “war” to California’s price‑gouging law, letting prosecutors pursue suspected wartime profiteering as pump prices spike. Supporters point to a persistent California premium at the pump.

A judge refused to toss L.A.’s price‑gouging suit against Airbnb, which alleges algorithm‑driven rate spikes on thousands of listings after the Jan. 2025 fires. The city now moves into discovery.

City Council approved a Swiss Winter Village for the Pier parking deck this winter, promising vendors, a faux ice rink, community perks and an expected 250,000–400,000 visitors.

Senate Democrats unveiled a program to train and deploy staff as official observers in close Senate races, aiming to document intimidation and support oversight this fall.

Robert William, a lifelong Glendalian and 24‑year department veteran, has been appointed the city’s permanent police chief after serving as interim. City leaders say he’ll focus on modernization, accountability and staff wellness.

Vice President J.D. Vance stopped in Downtown Santa Monica for a recorded interview Friday, prompting temporary street closures and an FAA no-fly zone.

Councilmembers asked staff to draft a $25 minimum-wage ordinance for frontline health-care workers even as state law phases in similar increases. The move could fill gaps or duplicate state rules.

Santa Monica–Malibu officials warn LAUSD's tightened outgoing‑permit rules could force appeals, disrupt students and shave millions from local classroom budgets.

The state would split the top violation category and raise minimum fines for health‑related pesticide breaches, with a public comment window and virtual hearings in July.

A California bill to let insurers use smartphone and in‑car telematics for rates has drawn sharp criticism from consumer and privacy groups over tracking, retention and equity risks.

A White House executive order plus a VA-DOJ guardianship agreement have advocates warning that court-ordered guardianships could sweep unhoused veterans into involuntary care.

Kitty Felde says a fictional 'Papa' in her Fina Mendoza mysteries was modeled on Xavier Becerra — a detail that feels timely after Becerra topped the June primary.