Tag
677 storiesnewest firstlatest September 16, 2026page 11 of 34
The California High‑Speed Rail Authority revealed that consultants used taxpayer funds for first‑class airline tickets and bar visits, adding to ongoing scrutiny of the project's multi‑billion‑dollar budget and spending oversight.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 1392, known as Leno's Law, expanding smog‑check exemptions for classic cars after advocacy by Jay Leno, altering California's vehicle emissions program.
Los Angeles Unified School District is reviewing school closures, renovations and rebuilds to align declining enrollment with billions of voter‑approved bond funds. Final recommendations are expected in the coming months.
Mellody Hobson announced her resignation from the LA28 organizing committee on September 16, 2026, citing pressure from local activists concerned about the Olympics. The LA28 committee continues its preparations for the 2028 Summer Games despite the leadership change.
A Public Policy Institute of California poll finds that voters are frustrated by the 14‑item November ballot and feel pessimistic about the state's and nation's direction, raising concerns about voter fatigue and turnout.
A review found Los Angeles County had no formal recovery or repopulation plans after the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton wildfires, despite using a joint‑information center, unified access pass system, and a recovery task force during the response. The findings point to gaps in the county’s post‑fire preparedness.
A 69‑year‑old man was arrested on September 15, 2026, by LAPD on suspicion of lewd conduct after being linked to hidden‑camera photography of women at Burbank Empire Center.
A review found Los Angeles County had no formal recovery or repopulation plans after the fatal Palisades and Eaton wildfires in January 2025, despite using an information center, access pass system and recovery task force during the response.
Burbank police arrested a 42-year-old man on Wednesday after he tried to steal meat and took a dog from a grocery store on West Burbank Boulevard; the dog was later returned to its owner.
Federal agents seized over 42 kilograms of fentanyl, firearms and a pet alligator from a downtown Los Angeles apartment, arresting two men on intent‑to‑distribute charges. The operation is part of a broader federal effort to curb fentanyl trafficking in the city.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law requiring California insurers to cover smoke residue cleanup for thousands of homes damaged by last year’s Los Angeles wildfires, closing a gap in fire‑damage coverage.
American Idol will move its production from Southern California to a studio complex in Atlanta, Georgia, for its 25th season, as announced on September 15, 2026, by Fremantle and 19 Entertainment.
LAPD data shows an 8% rise in fatal traffic crashes through August 2026, prompting safety advocates to demand stronger enforcement and infrastructure measures.
Representative Ken Bass skipped a congressional hearing on Los Angeles homelessness spending, labeling the investigation political. The hearing, part of a Republican-led review of California’s regional finances, continued without him, emphasizing ongoing partisan disagreements over oversight.
Metro’s plan to add 1,750 buses for the 2028 Olympics depends on $1 billion in federal aid that has not yet been received, putting the transit expansion at risk.
Los Angeles analysts forecast that the 2028 Summer Olympics will boost Southern California’s revenue, employment and tax collections, contrasting with earlier unmet expectations from the Paris Games.
Three individuals were arrested in California on September 15, 2026, for their role in a large gold investment fraud that originated in Texas, as part of an ongoing multi‑state investigation.
Scientists report that Hurricane Marie caused extensive erosion, destroying homes and beaches along Southern California’s coast during September 8‑14, 2026, and warn that the approaching El Niño could worsen similar damage soon.
The FAA ended a brief pause on certain LAX arrivals on September 14, 2026, after staffing constraints at Southern California TRACON were resolved, allowing normal flight operations to resume.
Several shipping containers fell from a cargo ship into the water at the Port of Los Angeles on September 14, 2026, prompting officials to monitor the spill and assess any environmental impact.
