L.A. Times - Religious News

Lopez: A second offering to Spencer Pratt, and 5 points about the L.A. mayor's race

Steve Lopez — Sat, 30 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

As election day approaches, L.A.'s future is on the line. Here are a few things to consider.

As poisonings soar to record, health officials urge Californians not to pick or eat wild mushrooms

Karen Garcia — Sat, 30 May 2026 11:00:00 GMT

The state continues to see an unprecedented uptick in poisonings and deaths associated with death cap, or Amanita phalloides; and western destroying angel, Amanita ocreata, mushrooms.

Arellano: Spencer Pratt says Jesus is his role model. His take on homeless people isn't Christ-like

Gustavo Arellano — Sat, 30 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

I urge Pratt to reacquaint himself with the words of the messiah in whose path he professes to follow. Humility, frugality, turning the other cheek — it's what Jesus taught and what Pratt has long rejected.

County supervisor races: Horvath seeks reelection, Durazo running for Solis' seat

Connor Sheets — Sat, 30 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath seeks reelection in District 3, and voters in the District 1 will vote on a successor to Hilda Solis.

California attorney general sues 23andMe for data breach

Caroline Petrow-Cohen — Sat, 30 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta filed suit against the genetic testing company formerly known as 23andMe for failing to protect its customers' data.

L.A. city attorney's role could be weakened under charter reform proposal

Melissa Gomez — Sat, 30 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The proposal is being debated as incumbent city attorney Feldstein Soto seeks to fend off challengers in Tuesday's primary.

Chabria: A Becerra-Steyer race in November? It's possible

Anita Chabria — Sat, 30 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

If Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer were to finish one-two in the primary, the Democrat-vs.-Democrat general election race would force both candidates to answer tough questions.

Fire-prone California could lose hundreds of millions of dollars for wildfire prevention

Noah Haggerty — Sat, 30 May 2026 04:01:20 GMT

Wildfire resiliency advocates warn that reduced funding could leave California more vulnerable to devastation, and are calling on California leaders to act.

Your last minute voter guide to the 2026 California governor's race

Karen Garcia — Sat, 30 May 2026 01:12:03 GMT

Here's what the 2026 California governor candidates have said about ICE, immigration, housing, homelessness and affordability.

After heated debate, California updates key climate limit. Critics say it's a retreat

Hayley Smith — Sat, 30 May 2026 00:43:04 GMT

The updated cap-and-invest program determines how aggressively the state will curb planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions and how billions of dollars in revenue will flow.

Worker with L.A. anti-violence group was active member of 18th Street gang, feds allege

Gavin J. Quinton — Sat, 30 May 2026 00:40:10 GMT

Federal authorities in Los Angeles said a gang interventionist in MacArthur Park was arrested on suspicion of illegal possession of body armor by a convicted felon and alleged he was still an active member of his old crew.

Serial assault suspect arrested at UCLA. Police find zip ties, duct tape, rope

Clara Harter — Sat, 30 May 2026 00:27:44 GMT

The suspect was identified as Olumuyiwa Akindahunsi, a 29-year-old homeless man not affiliated with the university, according to the UCLA Police Department. As part of their investigation, police said they recovered zip ties, duct tape and paracord nylon rope.

Pleas and political attacks fill the homestretch of California governor's race

Nicole Nixon, Seema Mehta, Dakota Smith — Fri, 29 May 2026 23:38:23 GMT

The top candidates for California governor crisscrossed the state Friday, all venturing to friendly political territory to woo voters and undermine their rivals as the June 2 primary election fast approaches.

Union invokes California's landmark environmental law to challenge Newsom's return-to-office mandate

Grace Toohey — Fri, 29 May 2026 23:29:47 GMT

A union representing California legal workers employed by the state invoked CEQA, the state's landmark yet oft-criticized environmental law to challenge a return-to-office mandate.

Mother of baby Emmanuel Haro, who claimed he had been kidnapped, pleads guilty in his death

Ruben Vives — Fri, 29 May 2026 23:04:27 GMT

As part of the plea agreement, Rebecca Haro was sentenced to 12 years and eight months in state prison, according to prosecutors.

Fire displaces 100 people at apartment complex near UC Riverside

Salvador Hernandez, Jaweed Kaleem — Fri, 29 May 2026 21:05:54 GMT

A large fire in Riverside left more than 100 people without a home Friday after it spread through an apartment complex, fire officials said.

Wildlife officials tranquilize mountain lion spotted in Santa Monica yard

Clara Harter, Summer Lin — Fri, 29 May 2026 20:10:57 GMT

Wildlife officials successfully tranquilized a mountain lion that was spotted roaming in a front yard in Santa Monica, following several tense hours where residents were warned to stay indoors.

Baby crocodile smuggler from Oxnard headed to federal prison

Lila Seidman — Fri, 29 May 2026 20:08:24 GMT

Jose Manuel Perez trafficked reptiles worth more than $739,000 into the U.S. from Mexico and Hong Kong, using social media to make deals, according to federal officials.

Former California mayor pleads guilty to secretly working as foreign agent of China

Brittny Mejia, Rebecca Ellis — Fri, 29 May 2026 18:54:40 GMT

The former mayor of Arcadia appeared in court Friday to formally plead guilty to a charge of acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government.

Los Angeles tops nation in dog attacks on postal workers, again

Summer Lin — Fri, 29 May 2026 17:27:49 GMT

California tops the list of states with the most postal service workers attacked by dogs, according to a recent study released by the U.S. Postal Service.

New 911 records deepen questions about why west Altadena was left vulnerable

Grace Toohey — Fri, 29 May 2026 15:32:51 GMT

Newly released 911 records from the Eaton fire show that Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies were aware of, and reported, the escalating fire threat in west Altadena. Why didn't that critical information trigger earlier evacuation alerts?

Man charged with murder, kidnapping his 5-year-old child before fleeing to Mexico

Summer Lin — Fri, 29 May 2026 13:42:00 GMT

A 40-year-old Los Angeles man was charged with murder after allegedly killing his girlfriend and kidnapping their young child before fleeing to Mexico, according to authorities.

Lopez: Election mystery: Why is Rep. Maxine Waters opposing help for Compton schools?

Steve Lopez — Fri, 29 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Measure CPT would fix and replace aging Compton school sites, but the congresswoman's campaign committee mailer urges a "no" vote.

To combat copper thefts, L.A. city agency seeks its own armed police force

Gavin J. Quinton — Fri, 29 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The Department of Water and Power is seeking authorization to create its own armed security force to protect the city's infrastructure and guard against copper thieves.

Suspect in alleged hate crime against L.A. rabbi freed after state high court bail ruling

Sonja Sharp — Fri, 29 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

A recent California Supreme Court ruling ordered sweeping changes to the state's bail policies, prohibiting cash bail in most cases and strictly limiting the amount judges can impose in others.

'This is a hijacking': UFC White House fight and race cars take over National Park Service land

Jack Dolan — Fri, 29 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The planned spectacles at the White House and National Mall stray so far from the National Park Service's traditional mission and ethos that advocates and career employees are crying foul.

For decades, LAUSD battled over charter schools. This election shows that war might be over

Howard Blume — Fri, 29 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Big-spending LAUSD school board campaigns of the past has all but disappeared this election cycle as charter school advocates step aside and the teachers union scales back.

Candidate's mother bankrolls campaign to oust City Controller Kenneth Mejia

Sandra McDonald — Fri, 29 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Challenger Zach Sokoloff's campaign for controller is being helped by $7.5 million in independent expenditures by his mother.

California could make it easier to strip alleged rapists of child custody

Katie King — Fri, 29 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

'No survivor should be forced to co-parent with the person who raped them,' said state Sen. Caroline Menjivar, who authored Senate Bill 1364.

Becerra leads governor's race, with Hilton and Steyer in tight contest for second spot, poll finds

Seema Mehta — Fri, 29 May 2026 04:19:57 GMT

On the cusp of California's gubernatorial primary, voters are closely split among three candidates to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, according to a new poll.

Raging fire burned millions of his bees. But what comes next really worries him

Terry Castleman — Fri, 29 May 2026 00:08:45 GMT

A Riverside County beekeeper lost some 96 hives — consisting of millions of bees — in last week's Verona fire.

Friends' skydiving outing ends in tragedy in Perris

Clara Harter — Thu, 28 May 2026 23:55:02 GMT

The skydivers were good friends traveling to the Skydive Perris center from overseas. One was found dead in a field and the other transported to a hospital.

Staffer got pregnant after abusing teen at L.A. County youth home, legal claim says

James Queally — Thu, 28 May 2026 23:04:10 GMT

Female staff members at a facility for Los Angeles County youth allegedly sexually abused at least two teenage boys under their care, according to a legal claim filed Thursday.

Los Gatos 'party mom' who got teens drunk, pressured them to have sex gets maximum prison sentence

Hannah Fry — Thu, 28 May 2026 22:41:37 GMT

Shannon O'Connor, a Northern California woman who hosted alcohol-fueled parties for her son and other teens, was sentenced to 35 years 10 months in prison.

Murder suspect got into fight with his mom before killing Caltech astrophysicist, officials say

Summer Lin — Thu, 28 May 2026 20:19:40 GMT

Freddy Snyder pleaded not guilty in the killing of Carl Grillmair after being charged with felony counts of murder, carjacking and first-degree residential burglary.

Ex-California National Guard member sold ghost guns, tipped off drug dealer to raids, feds say

Jazmin Alvarado — Thu, 28 May 2026 18:52:41 GMT

A former member of the California National Guard was caught text messaging a drug dealer after the dealer's phone was seized and searched, authorities say.

Evidence suggests L.A. mom pulled trigger in murder-suicide that left 4 dead, including kids, sources say

Richard Winton, Genaro Molina, Clara Harter — Thu, 28 May 2026 18:20:32 GMT

Officers discovered two adults and two young children with fatal gunshot wounds inside their North Hills home Wednesday after being called to the scene around 7:50 p.m.

Photo shows missing child from L.A. Amber Alert at Mexico border with kidnapping suspect

Summer Lin — Thu, 28 May 2026 15:58:05 GMT

Surveillance footage appears to show a Los Angeles man with his 5-year-old daughter, whom he's accused of kidnapping, at the U.S.-Mexico border.

'We need answers.' Politicians demand accountability from GKN Aerospace after hazmat crisis

Clara Harter — Thu, 28 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

In the aftermath of a six-day chemical crisis that displaced tens of thousands of Orange County residents, elected leaders want answers from GKN Aerospace.

Newsom endorses Bass days before L.A. mayoral primary

Noah Goldberg — Thu, 28 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The governor's endorsement comes just days before Angelenos head to the polls to make their choice for the mayoral primary. The top two vote-getters in the primary advance to a Nov. 3 runoff.

Arellano: O.C.'s most overlooked city weathers chemical crisis

Gustavo Arellano — Thu, 28 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Stanton, with about 40,000 residents, has long been a regional afterthought, the type of community that makes the news only when a tragedy happens

Sale of Oceanwide Plaza graffiti towers in L.A. delayed

Roger Vincent — Thu, 28 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

In a recent filing, L.A. officials expressed doubt about proposed buyer KPC's ability to finish the project, which is to include housing, a hotel and stores.

Poll shows Bass, Raman and Pratt locked in tight race ahead of Tuesday's mayoral primary

Noah Goldberg — Thu, 28 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Mayor Karen Bass leads Councilmember Nithya Raman by one percentage point, with Spencer Pratt close behind

A bitter slugfest in Central Valley exposes divisions in the Democratic Party

Nicole Nixon — Thu, 28 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Two Democrats, Jasmeet Bains and Randy Villegas, battle for a chance to face Republican Rep. David Valadao in a southern Central Valley congressional seat after he voted to cut Medicaid funds.

How private money helps bankroll the LAPD and gives boosters access to top officials

Libor Jany — Thu, 28 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The LAPD has long turned to wealthy boosters to supplement its multi-billion-dollar annual budget, but the influx of private money is prompting concerns.

Your last-minute voter guide to California's 2026 primary election

Karen Garcia — Thu, 28 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Everything you need to know about how to vote in the 2026 California primary election. How to register and check you status, where to vote and more.

Luna faces off against ex-Sheriff Villanueva in crowded primary rematch

Connor Sheets — Thu, 28 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna is seeking a second term in Tuesday's primary. Former Sheriff Alex Villanueva and six other candidates stand in his way.

MS-13's 'Salvadoran rules' led gang to cut out man's heart, prosecutors say at L.A. trial

Gavin J. Quinton — Thu, 28 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Federal prosecutors said at the trial of suspected MS-13 members in Los Angeles that a series of ritualistic machete murders were linked to the gang's local leaders adopting a brutal code of conduct that required aspiring members to kill in order to prove their loyalty.

SoCal teen is graduating from high school. And college. And another college

Andrew J. Campa — Thu, 28 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Hailey Contreras is graduating from Hesperia High School after graduating from Chaffey College, and she'll also graduate from Victor Valley College.

2 adults and 2 children fatally shot in possible murder-suicide in North Hills home

Clara Harter — Thu, 28 May 2026 04:24:36 GMT

L.A. police responded to a shooting at 7:50 p.m in the 16000 block of Londelius Street, according to a department spokesperson. Four people were found dead inside.

O.C. chemical crisis prompts safety-record review, Newsom says

Iris Kwok, Rong-Gong Lin II — Thu, 28 May 2026 02:28:22 GMT

Gov. Gavin Newsom said California officials are starting to review safety records of GKN Aerospace after a pressurized tank nearly exploded over the weekend.

Anger over closed doughnut shop sets off SoCal man's rampage, police say

Andrew J. Campa — Thu, 28 May 2026 02:01:57 GMT

Simi Valley police arrested Frank Blessing on Wednesday after they said the 58-year-old ran his SUV into a doughnut shop before attacking an officer with his car.

Newsom vows to levy 100% tax on California recipients of Trump's $1.8-billion 'slush fund'

Iris Kwok — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:55:24 GMT

Gov. Gavin Newsom has threatened to tax 100% of the money Californians receive from President Trump's 'anti-weaponization' fund for his political allies.

Late-season snow helps Mammoth Mountain extend skiing season

Angela Osorio — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:03:56 GMT

Mammoth Mountain takes advantage of late-season storms and cooler weather to extend the snow season until June 7.

Citing 'severe' math deficits, UC faculty demand a return to SAT tests for STEM applicants

Jaweed Kaleem — Wed, 27 May 2026 22:31:16 GMT

Hundreds of University of California professors are urging the system to reinstate the SAT or ACT requirement for STEM majors by 2027, saying that the test-optional policy has created a widening preparation gap that threatens the value of UC science, technology, engineering and math degrees.

ICE agent who killed L.A. man allegedly threatened criminal charges over being identified

James Queally, Libor Jany — Wed, 27 May 2026 21:44:15 GMT

Brian Palacios, the immigration agent who fatally shot an L.A. man while off duty on New Year's Eve, allegedly threatened to have the person he suspected of leaking his name criminally prosecuted.

Truckloads of illegal fireworks found in South L.A., prompting evacuations

Andrew J. Campa — Wed, 27 May 2026 20:30:58 GMT

L.A. police said they were investigating a domestic violence call when they discovered truckloads of illegal fireworks near the 100 block of East 85th Street.

Toddler and father stranded in snow during bike ride in Lake Tahoe high country

Hannah Fry — Wed, 27 May 2026 18:08:27 GMT

A man took his 18-month-old son on a bike ride through the Lake Tahoe high country, only to be stranded in the snow. Authorities used a helicopter to rescue the two from the shoulder of Freel Peak.

Garden Grove crisis exposes Southern California's hidden industrial risks

Hayley Smith — Wed, 27 May 2026 18:07:51 GMT

Southern California still runs on heavy industry. Garden Grove's chemical tank crisis was just a reminder.

Southern California teacher accused of sexually abusing student

Summer Lin — Wed, 27 May 2026 16:43:50 GMT

A Riverside County teacher has been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a minor, according to authorities.

Ranch seasoning sold at Walmart recalled due to salmonella risk

Summer Lin — Wed, 27 May 2026 15:09:50 GMT

A ranch seasoning sold at Walmart has been recalled due to salmonella risk, according to authorities.

Parental mental health — not medication — drives autism correlation, new study finds

Corinne Purtill — Wed, 27 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

A new study finds no evidence that antidepressant medications cause autism.

Industry knew about chemical 'runaway' dangers for years. Then came near-catastrophe in O.C.

Hannah Fry, Rong-Gong Lin II — Wed, 27 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

A failing tank holding 7,000 gallons of a highly reactive chemical at a Garden Grove aerospace plant forced 50,000 evacuations and nearly triggered a catastrophic explosion.

Mayor Karen Bass is in the toughest reelection fight of her career. She says she intends to win it

David Zahniser — Wed, 27 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Bass will likely be forced into a runoff in Tuesday's primary. Critics say her problems go well beyond the homelessness crisis and the Palisades fire.

'Monster who killed him': Matthew Perry's former assistant gets more than three years in prison

Brittny Mejia — Wed, 27 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Kenneth Iwamasa, who made $150,000 a year as a live-in assistant to Matthew Perry, is sentenced to 41 months in prison for his role in the actor's death.

'Easily discarded': Processing delays leave DACA recipients jobless and fearing deportation

Andrea Castillo, Brittny Mejia — Wed, 27 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

DACA renewal delays are costing some recipients their jobs and exposing them to deportation risk as the Trump administration chips away at protections for immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.

All evacuation orders lifted in O.C. chemical crisis. Threat is over, officials say

Clara Harter, Salvador Hernandez — Wed, 27 May 2026 03:08:28 GMT

The rest of the approximately 50,000 evacuees in Orange County are safe to return after authorities said there was no remaining danger of a chemical tank explosion.

SoCal man dies after attack outside his Trump-themed home

Clara Harter — Wed, 27 May 2026 00:59:10 GMT

A 69-year-old man known in his San Diego County neighborhood as the owner of the 'Trump house' has died from injuries suffered in an attack outside his home.

Orange County leaders say previously evacuated area is safe. Experts say risks linger

Tony Briscoe, Clara Harter — Tue, 26 May 2026 23:02:42 GMT

Although many environmental experts praised the efforts of first responders, they remained skeptical that no toxic substances had been released.

Justice Department sues UCLA for the third time, alleges antisemitism against students

Jaweed Kaleem — Tue, 26 May 2026 21:39:45 GMT

The Trump administration sued UCLA, alleging it allowed an antisemitic environment against Jewish and Israeli students to grow.

Cooling system at chemical tanks likely failed, forcing mass O.C. evacuations, fire officials say

Hannah Fry — Tue, 26 May 2026 21:03:37 GMT

The crisis at a Garden Grove aerospace firm that required the evacuation of 50,000 people was likely caused by the failure of a cooling system designed to regulate the temperature of the chemical tanks, officials told The Times.

Amber Alert issued for missing girl, 5, after mother found slain. Father sought by police

Alex Wigglesworth — Tue, 26 May 2026 19:36:12 GMT

Daleyza Fregoso, 5, was last seen Sunday near Ferndale Street and Alsace Avenue in West Adams, according to investigators.

Tesla driver infamous for California road rage attacks goes to prison for another one in Hawaii

Salvador Hernandez — Tue, 26 May 2026 18:33:23 GMT

A Tesla driver convicted for a series of road rage incidents across Southern California was sentenced to prison in Hawaii.

'May Gray has leveled up': Southern California can expect a cloudy, drizzly week

Grace Toohey — Tue, 26 May 2026 17:31:35 GMT

Cool, drizzly weather is settling across Southern California this week, as a cold system moves in from the north.

Photos: Garden Grove chemical crisis highlights the danger of living near industrial companies

Allen J. Schaben, Kayla Bartkowski, Jason Armond — Tue, 26 May 2026 16:57:58 GMT

Thousands of evacuated residents still are not able to return to their homes after a chemical storage tank at an aerospace company in Garden Grove overheated, creating the possibility of an explosion.

Most O.C. residents forced by chemical crisis to evacuate can return home, officials say

Sandra McDonald — Tue, 26 May 2026 11:16:01 GMT

The vast majority of the 50,000 people evacuated because of a damaged chemical tank in Garden Grove that officials feared would explode have begun returning home as conditions are deemed safe.

Record-setting outside money pouring into California governor's race

Seema Mehta — Tue, 26 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Corporations, labor unions, tech titans, tribes and other special interests have donated $79.6 million to independent committees focused on swaying the volatile California governor's race ahead of the June 2 primary.

PG&E goes after gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer. He welcomes the fight

Dakota Smith — Tue, 26 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

PG&E has plowed at least $13.5 million into efforts to oppose Steyer's bid for California governor, according to campaign records.

Raman says she's running for mayor because L.A. is headed in wrong direction

Noah Goldberg — Tue, 26 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Raman says L.A. needs new leadership to address housing affordability and homelessness. Critics say she hasn't done enough to forge alliances.

After raids, U.S. citizens and immigrants seek millions for shootings, injuries, trauma

Andrea Castillo — Tue, 26 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Dozens of U.S. citizens and immigrants are seeking millions in damages, alleging excessive force, wrongful detention and other abuses by federal agents during immigration raids.

Threat of massive explosion in Garden Grove 'eliminated' but danger remains, officials say

Meg James, Christopher Goffard, Eric Licas — Mon, 25 May 2026 23:55:45 GMT

Concerns remained that an explosion at the aerospace plant in Garden Grove was still possible, fire officials said.

Southern California could get 85% of its water locally and avoid Delta tunnel, groups say

Ian James — Mon, 25 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

In a new plan, environmental groups call for a "water renaissance" in California, saying the state needs to invest much more in local water.

The next few hours critical in battle to prevent O.C. chemical explosion

Rong-Gong Lin II, Hailey Branson-Potts, Deborah Netburn, Summer Lin — Mon, 25 May 2026 03:40:49 GMT

Days after mass evacuations were ordered in Orange County, the next few hours could be crucial in dealing with a volatile chemical tank at a Garden Grove aerospace company that has threatened to either explode or cause a major spill.

Oil-covered birds rescued after pipeline rupture sends crude into L.A. River

Hailey Branson-Potts — Mon, 25 May 2026 01:43:42 GMT

Wildlife officials said they found oiled birds after a pipe ruptured in East Los Angeles on May 22, 2026.

Crews knock down South Gate fire at tire recycling center that prompted shelter-in-place order

Deborah Netburn — Sun, 24 May 2026 23:49:09 GMT

South Gate residents have been asked to shelter in place as industrial fire rages at a tire recycling facility.

Potential crack found on Garden Grove chemical tank, reducing explosion risk

Deborah Netburn, Rong-Gong Lin II, Summer Lin — Sun, 24 May 2026 22:56:21 GMT

Orange County fire official says a potential crack found on a pressurized chemical tank in Garden Grove might alleviated internal pressure, reducing risk of a catastrophic explosion.

Rescuers airlift hiker by helicopter out of Runyon Canyon; man is in grave condition

Summer Lin — Sun, 24 May 2026 22:16:20 GMT

The Los Angeles Fire Department airlifted a man out of Runyon Canyon on Sunday morning, according to authorities.

Barabak: The 'greatest threat' to rule of law in decades. That's how lawyers, judges see Trump

Mark Z. Barabak — Sun, 24 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

A new survey finds deep concern about presidential overreach, persecution of enemies and other unchecked abuses of power. The poll shows the stakes in November.

News Analysis: Uncertainty, frustration define messy midterm battles for mayor, governor and Congress

Kevin Rector — Sun, 24 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

California's primary election has been buffeted by a lack of front-runners, redrawn political maps, party infighting and competing voter resentment for President Trump and the state's Democratic establishment.

L.A. is safer than it's been in decades, but crime is an issue dominating the mayor's race

Libor Jany — Sun, 24 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Although homicides and other violent crimes are down to near-historic lows, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass' challengers have zeroed in on homelessness and public drug use.

Dungeons, dragons and democratic socialists: a leftist fundraiser in Hollywood

Sandra McDonald — Sun, 24 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Democratic Socialists of America candidates in Los Angeles raised $30,000 for their campaigns during a fundraiser where they played Dungeons & Dragons.

As influencers rise in politics, some call for tighter regulations on payments

Ben Wieder — Sun, 24 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Some campaign finance advocates are concerned that voters could increasingly be influenced by social media posts that they don't know are sponsored.

L.A. voters will cast ballots in eight City Council districts, two with open seats

Melissa Gomez — Sun, 24 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The June 2 primary will include two City Council districts where the incumbents are leaving office, one uncontested seat and a Westside race that has topped all others in campaign spending.

Defying Trump, California continues to bet big on offshore wind

Hayley Smith — Sun, 24 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The Port of Long Beach aims to become an assembly hub for floating offshore wind turbines, while the state awaits a more favorable federal administration for their deployment.

Explosion would cause significant damage around Garden Grove plant, blast zone map shows

Rong-Gong Lin II, Sean Greene — Sun, 24 May 2026 01:39:25 GMT

If the failing chemical tank in Orange County does explode, the aerospace plant where it sits and dozens of homes surrounding it could suffer severe damage, according to a map released by authorities Saturday.

With conditions worsening, how will the Orange County chemical crisis get resolved?

Rong-Gong Lin II, Emily St. Martin — Sat, 23 May 2026 23:34:16 GMT

The battle to keep a highly toxic chemical from exploding took a step backward Saturday.

Garden Grove's chemical crisis: Thousands flee as conditions worsen at damaged tank

Rong-Gong Lin II, Hannah Fry, Corinne Purtill, Emily St. Martin — Sat, 23 May 2026 23:20:19 GMT

A failing chemical tank at GKN Aerospace in Orange County sparks mass evacuations. Firefighters battle rising temperatures to prevent a massive MMA blast.

Thousands flee their homes in O.C., unsure when they can return

Suhauna Hussain, Andrew Turner, Eric Licas, Hailey Branson Potts — Sat, 23 May 2026 23:14:39 GMT

Thousands fled their homes in Orange County due to the chemical leak at a Garden Grove aerospace plant, but it remains unclear how long they will need places to live.

Photos: Honoring heroes on Memorial Day

Christina House — Sat, 23 May 2026 20:15:51 GMT

Hundreds of Scouts from the Western Los Angeles County Council, Scouting America, along with veteran groups and community volunteers, gathered Saturday morning at the Los Angeles National Cemetery to place 90,000 American flags before Memorial Day.