Monday, July 14, 2025

County to Explore Boosting Life Sciences Ecosystem with Ambitious Funding Strategy

Supervisors set to vote on comprehensive plan to attract, support, and grow biotechnology industry in Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will convene on Tuesday, July 15, at 9:30 a.m. in the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration to consider a transformative life sciences initiative proposed by Supervisor Holly Mitchell. The comprehensive strategy aims to position the county as a competitive biotechnology hub by deploying $5,792,000 from the County Bioscience Loan Fund and investing up to $2,000,000 in targeted workforce development programs.

The proposed plan goes beyond simple funding, creating a multifaceted approach to support emerging life sciences firms. It includes prioritizing loans for graduating incubator companies, developing multi-tenant spaces for growing businesses, and establishing a clear permit classification system. The strategy emphasizes supporting historically underrepresented communities and creating a comprehensive business attraction and retention program.

Alongside the life sciences initiative, the board will address several critical issues. Supervisors will consider supporting state and federal legislation to enhance transparency during immigration enforcement,

Monday, July 14, 2025

Global Outpouring Helps Rebuild, Restore Altadena’s Bunny Museum After Devastating Fire

STAFF REPORT

Six months after the Eaton Fire reduced the world’s largest bunny collection to ash, The Bunny Museum has received more than 22,000 replacement items from donors around the globe.

Co-founder Candace Frazee reports an outpouring of support from around the world.

The Bunny Museum at 2605 Lake Avenue was among the last buildings in Altadena to burn when the Eaton Fire swept through the town on January 7 and 8.

Frazee said the museum and its contents burned to the ground after she and co-founder Steve Lubanski spent the night trying to protect it, only to see winds shift and flames rush in.

“We stayed up all night with a garden hose saving the museum and the apartment building to the north of the museum,” Frazee recalls.

Frazee and co-founder Steve Lubanski lost more than 60,000 bunny-themed artifacts in the fire — including catalogued figurines, jewelry, toys, books, paintings and personal items such as wedding albums and Frazee’s wedding dress.

Monday, July 14, 2025

California’s Wind and Solar Projects Face New Federal Hurdles

By Alejandro Lazo, CALMATTERS

California’s drive to run its electric grid entirely on wind, solar and other clean sources of energy just got harder after President Donald Trump signed a sweeping new budget law.

The changes in federal tax incentives could affect the feasibility of new solar and wind projects as the state is counting on them to provide more electricity for Californians. A state law requires 100% of electricity to be powered by renewable, carbon-free sources by 2045, at the same time it’s moving to electrify cars and trucks.

Incentives championed by former President Joe Biden were rolled back, shortening the timeline for the industry to obtain tax credits. Developers of wind and solar projects now face a new, shorter deadline for obtaining tax credits — most now expire at the end of 2027 instead of no sooner than 2032.

In addition, the new federal rules bar companies from accessing tax credits if they rely on major components from China or other “foreign entities of concern.” This restriction could hit California’s solar and wind industry especially hard,

Monday, July 14, 2025

One-Click Charity Drives Friends In Deed’s Back-to-School Push for Educational Equity

Friends In Deed, a 131-year-old Pasadena nonprofit, is leveraging Amazon wishlists to accelerate community giving for its annual Back-to-School backpack and supply drive. The organization hopes to distribute 400 complete kits to students from local low-income families by August 9, with priority access for food pantry clients on August 2.

After launching their digital call for donations on June 10, Friends In Deed saw Amazon deliveries start to arrive within 24 hours—a shift Food Pantry Program Director Tim Nistler calls “pretty quick” and a rewarding indicator of strong community engagement.

The deadline for donating backpacks is August 1, while school supplies must be received by July 25, Nistler said.

Distribution will occur at 444 E. Washington Blvd. during the first two Saturdays in August, with Thursday, Friday and Saturday collection times available in July.

The dual-distribution model prioritizes food pantry families before opening to the broader public, a structure intended to balance accessibility with resource availability.

The nonprofit’s Amazon wishlist offers an immediate way for donors to contribute items such as sturdy backpacks,

Monday, July 14, 2025

“Fighting Back Against ICE” Talk Anchors Foothills Democrats’ July Gathering

The Pasadena Foothills Democrats will center their July 17 general meeting around a keynote address by Jose Madera titled “Fighting Back Against ICE.” The event, held at 505 Lakeview Road in Pasadena from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., is expected to draw local activists, residents, and officials concerned with immigration justice and enforcement reform.

Madera, director of the Pasadena Job Center and a representative of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), will speak at 7:55 p.m. on the impact of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in local communities. He will also represent the Immigration Justice Working Group of DSA–LA. A Q&A will follow his remarks.

Before the main program, a potluck social mixer will take place from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.

At 7:15 p.m., the general meeting will begin with sign-in, a land acknowledgment, and approval of June minutes and officer reports. Committee updates will be presented at 7:30 p.m., covering campaigns, legislation, and digital media efforts.

Members will consider several motions,

Sunday, July 13, 2025

California, Epicenter of the Nation’s Housing Crisis, is Finally Getting a Housing Agency

By Ben Christopher, CALMATTERS

After years of soaring rents, increasingly out-of-reach home prices and an enduring homelessness crisis that touches every corner of the state, California is finally creating a state agency exclusively focused on housing issues.

You might wonder what took so long.

Earlier this year, Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced a proposal to split up the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency — an awkward grabbag of disparate bureaucratic operations — into two fresh agencies: One just for housing and homelessness-related departments and one for everything else.

The Legislature had until July 4 to veto the plan. It didn’t (though some Republicans tried). Now the work of standing up California’s first housing agency begins.

Supporters of the bureaucratic reshuffle say the move is long overdue. In surveys, Californians regularly name housing costs and homelessness as among the state’s top concerns. That alone warrants the creation of a new cabinet-level adviser to the governor,

Sunday, July 13, 2025

Rep. Judy Chu Honors San Gabriel Valley Leaders at Annual Awards Ceremony

Congresswoman Judy Chu recognized a slate of community leaders and organizations Saturday during the annual Congressional Leadership of the Year Awards Ceremony at the Arcadia Community Center, commending their service and impact across the San Gabriel Valley.

The July 12 event drew attendees from across California’s 28th Congressional District to celebrate honorees nominated by local residents. Nominations closed June 22, according to the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce. The awards spanned fields including government, education, activism and nonprofit service.

Recipients included:

• Building Bridges Award: Nic Arnzen, vice chair of the Altadena Town Council and chair of its Communications Committee, is also a commissioner on Los Angeles County’s first LGBTQ+ Commission. Arnzen, who was first elected in 2020 and is now serving his third term, lost his home during the January 2025 Eaton Fire, which destroyed nearly 90 percent of the census tract he represents.
• Businesspersons of the Year: Jason Kim and Johanna Quach, developer and store manager of Paris Baguette San Gabriel,

Saturday, July 12, 2025

Sen. Pérez Applauds Federal Court Ruling Limiting Immigration Raids, Introduces New Legislation

State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena) issued a statement Friday praising a federal court ruling that limits immigration enforcement actions in California’s Central District, calling the decision “a powerful statement against the Trump Administration.”

Pérez said federal attorneys failed to present compelling evidence justifying their immigration enforcement tactics, which she described as racially discriminatory.

“This is appalling to hear, but not surprising,” Pérez said.

The ruling was issued by U.S. District Court Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong, whom Pérez commended for exposing what she called the “flimsy and discriminatory manner” in which federal immigration raids have been conducted.

Pérez said the judge’s decision would help curb aggressive enforcement actions in communities and workplaces.

Pérez also announced she is authoring Senate Bill 805, the No Vigilantes Act, which seeks to expand California’s police impersonation laws and establish new standards for law enforcement identification. The bill would:

• Require law enforcement operating in California to clearly display identification featuring either a name or badge number.

Saturday, July 12, 2025

County Health Leaders Condemn Federal Policy Denying Undocumented Access to Vital Services

Three Los Angeles County health officials on Friday sharply condemned a federal directive barring undocumented people in California from accessing federally funded health and social service programs, warning of sweeping threats to public health and community equity.

In a joint statement issued by Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of Public Health; Dr. Christina Ghaly, Director of Health Services; and Dr. Lisa Wong, Director of Mental Health Services, the officials described the policy change as deeply saddening and said it “threatens to undermine” the county’s mission of providing care for all residents.

“We are guided by the fundamental belief that health care is a human right,” the statement read. “We stand united in our commitment to ensuring that every person — regardless of immigration status — can seek the healthcare services they need without fear or barriers.”

The directive from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is expected to impact programs administered by county health departments, including physical and mental health care as well as substance use services.

Saturday, July 12, 2025

LA County Offers Virtual Workshop on Alternative Housing for Eaton Fire Survivors

Mobile homes, manufactured housing among options to speed rebuilding process

Los Angeles County officials will host a virtual workshop next week to help Eaton Fire survivors explore faster, more affordable rebuilding options.

The online event will focus on mobile homes, manufactured homes and factory-built housing as alternatives to traditional construction. In a statement, county Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger said these options could help residents return home sooner.

“These alternative housing types offer residents a path to return home sooner while meeting modern safety and code requirements,” Barger said. “This is an essential opportunity for Eaton Fire survivors to learn about innovative and practical solutions for rebuilding.”

The workshop will feature experts from the California Department of Housing and Community Development, Los Angeles County Public Works and the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning.

Presenters will explain definitions, benefits and permitting requirements for each housing option. The session targets homeowners, designers and building professionals exploring rebuild strategies.