LA Podcast - Wait Wait... Don't Tell On Me!

Alissa, Mike and Rachel recap Trump’s declared war on cities run by the “radical left” (we wish!) and fresh threats to Cal State campuses. LA County’s long-awaited after-action report on the failure to issue alerts and evacuations during the Eaton Fire raises more questions than answers. And will a $32.35 minimum wage for construction workers help LA build more homes?

“California State University faculty members say they are worried about employee privacy protections and academic free speech after learning that the Trump administration is investigating alleged antisemitism across the 22-campus system,” reports EdSource

AP: “Progressive nonprofits condemn Trump’s targeting of George Soros and his foundations”

ICE is hiring for a social media surveillance team, reports Wired, with a 16-person office in Southern California: “At all times, at least one senior analyst and three researchers would be on duty at the Santa Ana site”

LA County’s after-action review of notification systems and evacuation policies for the Eaton and Palisades Fires

Los Angeles Times: “No 'smoking gun': Why Eaton fire report didn't name names or assign blame” 

Meanwhile, 24-year-old climate scientist Edgar McGregor issued warnings via Facebook that saved hundreds of lives

LAist: “Hours before the Eaton Fire, distribution lines failed and fire started in Altadena”

KNX reporter AB Silverman asked the question on everyone’s mind: why wasn’t there any information about the false evacuation alert that went out to everyone in LA County

Malibu’s rebuilding director resigns and says the mayor should, too

“Confronting Disaster: Curbing Corporate Speculation in Post-Fire Altadena”: A new report from SAJE, Inclusive Action for the City, Morena Strategies, Public Interest Law Project, the UCLA Veterans Legal Clinic, and theworksLA

“22,500 homes lost. Over five years later, only 38% rebuilt”: LA Timesjournalists reported out a major series on how slowly the state is recovering from previous fires, with a video featuring Liam Dillon that summarizes it all

A broad coalition of LA City Councilmembers is looking into establishing a $32.35 minimum wage for residential projects with 10 or more units that are under 85 feet in height

Will it translate to more homes being built? The LA Times’ Roger Vincent reports: “Los Angeles apartment construction has dropped by close to a third in three years as developers struggle with unprofitable economics and regulatory uncertainty”

This week’s episode is produced by Sophie Bridges

The reporting and analysis you hear in the show is put together by our rotating cast of producers and co-hosts every week. All opinions expressed on the show are solely those of co-hosts and may not represent the views of LA Forward

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