Friday, April 4, 2025

First-Ever Report on `Hate Incidents’ Released by LA County

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations Thursday released its first-ever Hate Incident Report, showing reported non-criminal hate acts in the county grew 35%, from 609 in 2022 to 821 in 2023.

Hate incidents are non-criminal occurrences motivated by prejudice or bias against a person or group’s actual or perceived identity. Such incidents can include verbal abuse, harassment and displays of offensive material.

According to the survey, reported hate incidents taking place at schools, colleges and universities rose 234% — from 59 to 197. Incidents with white supremacist ideology increased 124% — from 33 to 74, while Middle East conflict-related incidents grew from 2 to 45, an increase of 2,150%.

“Hate incidents can be just as traumatic for victims as hate crimes, and can perpetuate systemic inequality; so all of us must report them, not accept them as `normal’,” Robin Toma, LACCHR executive director, said in a statement. “Understanding hate incident data along with hate crime data is a crucial new dimension for effective prevention and intervention policies and action.”

Friday, April 4, 2025

Caltech to Host Webinar Series Pulling Focus on Lead Contamination Following LA Fires

Researchers to share findings from environmental samples collected during recent blazes

In the wake of the 2025 Los Angeles fires, Caltech is launching a webinar series to explore the environmental impacts of urban blazes, beginning with a session focused on lead contamination.

The first installment of “Conversations After the Fires” will take place Thursday, April 10, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., featuring Caltech geochemist Francois Tissot and graduate students Merritt McDowell and Isaac Aguilar. They will be joined by Christine O’Connell, assistant professor of Biological Sciences at Chapman University.

The researchers will discuss their analysis of ash, soil, and water samples collected during the fires to determine lead levels released into the environment. The session will be moderated by Caltech science writer Lori Dajose.

“When the 2025 Los Angeles fires broke out, Caltech researchers on campus and at JPL, which Caltech manages for NASA, jumped into action, collecting and analyzing data as soon as flames erupted,” Caltech said in the event announcement.

Thursday, April 3, 2025

Pasadena Congresswoman Denounces Trump’s Global Tariff Expansion

Warns new policy will raise costs for American families

Rep. Judy Chu criticized President Donald Trump on Wednesday for signing an executive order immediately imposing tariffs on every single country in the world, including America’s closest allies, calling it “the largest tax increase in history” that will raise costs for American consumers.

The California Democrat, who represents Pasadena and serves on the House Ways and Means Committee overseeing international trade, said the tariffs will increase prices on medications, groceries, gasoline and construction materials needed for rebuilding after the Eaton Fire in her district.

“These tariffs aren’t liberation; they’re stupidity and the clearest sign Trump cares more about being a bully than helping Americans,” Chu said in a statement.

The Congresswoman referenced Trump’s recent comment that he “couldn’t care less” if his tariffs on cars raised prices for Americans, noting that today he is “extending the same treatment to millions of products.”

Chu said the President’s own economic advisor estimates the plan will raise prices for American families by up to $6 trillion,

Thursday, April 3, 2025

Pasadena Community Foundation Announces the Formation of the Altadena Builds Back Foundation

Foundation will provide resources and options for people to stay and rebuild in Altadena

The Pasadena Community Foundation officially announced the establishment of the Altadena Builds Back Foundation on Wednesday. This supporting organization of PCF has been formed to focus on the long-term recovery and rebuilding of Altadena, which was disproportionately affected by the Eaton Fire. ABBF has secured $55 million from generous donors to support its efforts.

Operating as a subsidiary of PCF, ABBF will assist in the leadership and funding of the rebuilding of Altadena through a community-centered process that reflects the strengths, opportunities, and priorities of those directly impacted by the Eaton Fire. The resources of ABBF will be focused on the broad issue of housing with a priority to preserve the demographic, socio-economic, and creative diversity that has always been woven into the fabric of Altadena. ABBF’s goal is to help provide resources and options for people who want to stay and rebuild in Altadena and to preserve and enhance the affordability for both homeowners and renters.

Thursday, April 3, 2025

Altadena Chamber To Host Virtual Business Coffee Chat on Friday

Local entrepreneurs invited to discuss recovery challenges at weekly forum

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce & Civic Association will host its Weekly Business Coffee Chat on Friday, April 4 at 9:30 a.m. The virtual meeting aims to provide local business owners and operators a platform to share concerns, experiences, and insights regarding their path to recovery.

“Your voice matters! Whether you are facing supply chain issues, workforce challenges, or simply need a platform to discuss your ideas for moving forward, this is the space for you. Let’s foster a supportive environment where we can learn from one another and strengthen our community,” Chamber officials said in an announcement.

“Together, we can navigate this journey towards recovery with resilience and creativity.”

The Weekly Business Coffee Chat is designed as a relaxed and open forum where businesses can engage with one another, discuss challenges they are facing, and brainstorm collaborative solutions. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with fellow business owners while contributing to community resilience.

Thursday, April 3, 2025

Xavier Becerra Jumps Into Crowded Race For California Governor

By Alexei Koseff, CALMATTERS

As Californians wait to find out whether one prominent veteran of the Biden administration is running for governor, another jumped into the crowded race on Wednesday.

Xavier Becerra, the former attorney general of California and longtime member of Congress who most recently served as secretary of health and human services under President Joe Biden, announced his campaign with a short video in which he promised to “rebuild the California Dream.”

In an interview with CalMatters, Becerra lamented that California has become too expensive for working people to live near their jobs and that the experience of his parents, who raised their family on the salaries of a construction worker and a clerical worker, is no longer achievable.

“I’m a native son of this state. I’ve done everything I can most of my career for this state. It’s in my blood,” he said. “We’ve reached this break-glass point.”

Becerra said that as governor he would work with the building industry to reduce barriers to housing construction and potentially seek to provide more down payment assistance to buyers.

Thursday, April 3, 2025

Remains of 18th Eaton Fire Victim Found in Altadena

Death toll from Southern California wildfires rises to 30

Human remains discovered Wednesday in Altadena have been confirmed as the 18th victim of the Eaton Fire, bringing the total death toll from recent Southern California wildfires to 30.

The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner Special Operations Response Team responded to the 900 block of Boston Street where they investigated and confirmed the remains were human.

Officials report 18 deaths are now attributed to the Eaton Fire and 12 to the Palisades Fire.

The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner faces challenges identifying remains due to their condition, relying on dental records, DNA comparison, medical records review and radiographs to look for medical prosthetics or devices with associated serial numbers.

Authorities are working with law enforcement agencies to gather information on suspected missing persons and conduct follow-up with families. Officials caution that the complex identification process may take considerable time to confirm a decedent’s identity in these types of cases.

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

LA Health Services Achieves Excellence In Patient Care And Innovation

Annual report highlights improved access, quality benchmarks and community health initiatives

The Los Angeles Department of Health Services has released its 2024 Annual Report documenting significant achievements in patient care, healthcare innovation, and improved access for vulnerable populations. The report said Los Angeles Health Services (LA Health Services) exceeded quality benchmarks and implemented new programs.

“Trust is at the heart of everything we do, which is why I am so proud to work alongside a team of dedicated professionals who are steadfast in their commitment to delivering high quality and timely care to each and every patient,” said Dr. Christina Ghaly, Director of Los Angeles County Department of Health Services,

The report showcases LA Health Services’ exceptional performance across multiple quality measures, surpassing the 90% percentile for California state benchmarks.

LA General Medical Center received two consecutive ‘A’ grades from Leapfrog Group, a nationally recognized authority on hospital safety, reflecting commitment to maintaining the highest standards of care for every LA County resident through unprecedented improvements in mortality rates,

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

LA County Declares April As Armenian History Month

Board of Supervisors recognizes cultural heritage and community contributions

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a motion to designate April 2025 as Armenian History Month. The proclamation, authored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn, aims to honor the cultural heritage, resilience, and significant contributions of the Armenian community in Los Angeles County.

“My district is home to the largest Armenian diaspora in the world,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger. “Thousands of my constituents are proud members of the Armenian community, and I have seen firsthand how their culture, resilience, and values are deeply woven into the diverse fabric of Los Angeles County. Proclaiming April as Armenian History Month is not just about remembrance—it is also a celebration of the strength, contributions, and enduring impact of Armenians who continue to shape our region in meaningful ways.”

The Board’s recognition provides a platform to remember the past and advocate for the future.

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Los Angeles County Explores Efforts to Embrace Neurodiversity Employment

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The County Board of Supervisors is directing agencies Wednesday to study ways of increasing “neurodiversity” job opportunities for people with conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome or other such disorders.

The board on Tuesday directed the departments of Aging and Disabilities and Economic Opportunity to work with the County Librarian, County Counsel and the CEO and report back to the board in 180 days with recommendations.

The motion passed unanimously and Supervisors Janice Hahn and Holly Mitchell cited reports noting that people with disabilities face challenges securing employment.

“Neurodiversity is the recognition that people have diverse ways of thinking, learning and interacting with the world. It includes conditions such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia — natural variations of the human mind that do not necessarily impact job performance,” Hahn said.

“People with autism or other developmental differences have immense potential and valuable skills to offer, yet, are far too overlooked in the hiring process.”