Saturday, June 21, 2025

ICE Reportedly Conduct Raid at Pasadena Apartment Complex Early Saturday

Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation officers were reported early Saturday at an apartment complex located in the 500 block of Marengo Ave. in the Villa Park area of Pasadena.

Witnesses described at least three unmarked vehicles—a Ford Explorer, a Dodge Charger, and a Hyundai SUV—converging on the property.

Several workers were detained, though the exact number remains unclear. One source reported three individuals were taken into custody.

The complex is known to house many local workers, and the unannounced federal presence stirred unease in the neighborhood.

In response to social media reports of what appears to be federal enforcement activity at Villa Parke Saturday morning—and concerns about the potential for conflict—the City of Pasadena announced it is canceling all programming today, June 21, including swim lessons and other events at Villa Parke, Robinson Park, and Victory Park.

Officials cited an abundance of caution to ensure the community’s safety. Parks remain open at this time.

Saturday, June 21, 2025

Newsom’s New AI Report Could Shape Legislation

By Lynn La, CALMATTERS

When Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed California’s most high-profile artificial intelligence regulation last fall, he simultaneously asked the state’s deep bench of AI researchers to recommend guardrails that balance safety and innovation. The result of that work, The California Report on Frontier AI Policy report, was released earlier this week.

The report stresses transparency-focused regulations such as whistleblower protections and audits by independent third-parties — mirroring a draft of the report released in March. It also highlights how AI has changed in the past three months, including improvements in its ability to act independently and to help people make dangerous weapons or carry out cyber attacks.

In one example, a language model from the AI company Anthropic threatened to blackmail engineers and tell their partners they cheated on them, according to an evaluation by the company. Another assessment found that highly advanced AI models, known as “frontier models,” can tell when they’re being evaluated.

Saturday, June 21, 2025

Joint LA County/UCLA Commission Presents Wildfire Recovery Recommendations

A rebuilding authority tasked with helping finance and accelerate fire-resistant construction and the formation of a fire control district designed to create buffer zones and coordinate building in vulnerable neighborhoods are among the chief recommendations for recovery in the wake of the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades wildfires, according to a joint Los Angeles County-UCLA report issued Friday.

The independent commission launched in February by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk suggests methods for immediate recovery and longer-term strategies to rebuild physical and social infrastructure, improve insurance systems, promote resiliency and advance efforts to deal with the effects of climate change over the long term in fire-damaged areas.

The commission’s 82-page report, “Climate Action and Fire-Safe Recovery,” recommends, among other things, the establishment of a resilient rebuilding authority for the Eaton and Palisades burn areas, expansion of a federal debris removal program, and standardized soil testing and remediation.

In terms of remedies for people affected by the disaster, the commission seeks to ensure worker health and safety during the cleanup,

Saturday, June 21, 2025

LA Foundation Awards $50,000 Grant for Pasadena Foster Care Facility Upgrades

United Charity Foundation supports historic cottage renovations at Five Acres children’s home

A Los Angeles-based nonprofit has donated $50,000 to help renovate historic cottages that house foster children in Altadena.

United Charity Foundation awarded the grant to Pasadena nonprofit Five Acres, a child welfare agency that has served vulnerable children for 137 years. The money will support the agency’s cottage renovation project, which has raised more than $270,000 total.

The foundation was established by Dr. Carl Moy and Linda Moy, first-generation immigrants from China and Taiwan who arrived in Los Angeles in the early 1980s. Dr. Moy works in healthcare while Linda Moy is a business entrepreneur. Both are known for their philanthropic work in the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles County.

“United Charity Foundation supports non-profit organizations that support children and families,” Linda Moy said. “Dr. Moy and I feel that Five Acres embodies the saying, ‘Everybody needs somebody.'”

She described Five Acres staff as the children’s “somebody”

Friday, June 20, 2025

LA County Arboretum Offers Free Community Day for Eaton Fire Victims

Event provides healing space for families affected by recent wildfire

The Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia will open its gates free of charge Sunday to residents affected by the Eaton Fire.

The special community day runs from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. June 29 at the 127-acre botanical garden in Arcadia.

Fire victims can explore the gardens through scavenger hunts and visit curiosity carts. The day includes microscope tables, a wish tree and a free seed giveaway.

Visitors can learn about seed dispersal, soil science and wildlife at curiosity carts from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The microscope table offers close-up views of plants and insects during the same hours.

Raptor visits are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free poppy seed packets will be distributed while supplies last to support California’s pollinator population.

All-day activities include garden scavenger hunts and a wish tree where visitors can tie community wishes.

The Georgina Fredrick Children’s Foundation in Pasadena presents the event.

Friday, June 20, 2025

NAACP Branches Host Community Recovery Event in Pasadena

Dena Days offers resources for rebuilding, plus family-friendly activities

Two NAACP branches will host a community recovery event Saturday, June 21, to help residents navigate rebuilding challenges while celebrating unity.

The NAACP Pasadena Branch and NAACP Altadena Branch, partnering with the National NAACP, will present “Dena Days: Stronger Together” from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Harambee Ministries, located at 1609 Navarro Ave. in Pasadena.

The event targets families affected by recent challenges in Altadena and Pasadena communities. Attendees can access real-time solutions for permitting, insurance claims, consumer protection and loan forbearance.

“This is more than an event – it’s a declaration that we are stronger together,” said Brandon D. Lamar, president of the Pasadena NAACP. “We are committed to supporting our community not just in times of celebration but in times of hardship, recovery, and healing.”

The gathering combines essential recovery resources with family entertainment. Free food, a live DJ and a bounce house will be available.

Friday, June 20, 2025

Volunteers to Canvas Pasadena Commercial Areas For Relocation Spaces On Behalf of Fire-Displaced Altadena Businesses

Community teams will search for affordable relocation spaces along four major corridors

Fourteen volunteer teams will canvas commercial corridors from June 22-29 to help businesses displaced by the Eaton Fire find affordable relocation spaces.

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce’s “Back in Business” program will deploy volunteers along Fair Oaks Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, North Lake Avenue and Washington Boulevard. Teams will contact property and business owners directly to identify underutilized commercial spaces outside traditional real estate listings.

“Businesses are an essential part of a community,” said Julianna Delgado, Ph.D., the program’s director and a Pasadena Planning Commissioner. “Their return—through compassion, commitment, and cooperation—is at the very core of successful rebuilding.”

The grassroots initiative launched in January and has contacted more than 200 businesses. The program offers personalized support including needs assessments, relocation guidance and assistance with permits and funding resources.

Volunteers will focus on finding spaces south of the Eaton Fire burn area that could accommodate displaced small businesses and nonprofits seeking temporary or permanent relocation.

Friday, June 20, 2025

Latino Parents Challenge Pasadena School Closures in Ongoing Lawsuit

Civil rights group alleges discrimination in 2019 shuttering of three majority-Latino elementary schools

A status conference is scheduled for Friday in a discrimination lawsuit against the Pasadena Unified School District pursued by seven Latino parents over the 2019 closure of three elementary schools with predominantly Latino student populations.

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court in January 2023 on behalf of parents Luz Becerra, Jose Flores, David Chavez, Belen Cid-Garcia, Carla Ponce, Jess Mancia and Danae Tapia, according to MALDEF.

The lawsuit challenges the district’s September 2019 decision to close Roosevelt, Jefferson and Franklin elementary schools. Roosevelt Elementary was 88 percent Latino, Jefferson was 86 percent Latino and Franklin was 76 percent Latino during the 2019-20 school year, according to state Department of Education data cited in Yahoo News.

“Pasadena Unified School District failed to take into account basic racial equity when it decided to close three majority-Latino schools,”

Friday, June 20, 2025

Home Prices Rise Slightly in LA Metro Area

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Home prices continued to rise slightly in the Los Angeles metro area and in Orange County last month, as May’s sales pace fell 5.1% statewide, the California Association of Realtors announced Thursday.

Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 254,190 in May. Last month’s sales pace fell 5.1% from the 267,710 homes sold in April and was down 4.0% from a year ago, when 264,850 homes were sold on an annualized basis.

May’s sales level was the lowest in four months. The year-over-year decline was the largest since December 2023, and the monthly decline was the first in 17 months. Year-to-date sales barely exceeded the same time frame in 2024 and could dip below last year’s level in June if the market continues to lose momentum.

“With home prices leveling off and more homes coming onto the market, it’s a great time for well-qualified buyers to enter the market,”

Friday, June 20, 2025

California Politicians Agree On School Money, But Poor Test Scores Need Attention

By Dan Walters, CALMATTERS

Historically, the annual process of writing a state budget has often stumbled over how much money California should spend on its public school system and its nearly 6 million students.

However, as Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders negotiate a final budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, dealing with a multi-billion-dollar deficit, they have only small disagreements on school finance.

Both Newsom’s latest budget and the Legislature’s alternative draft would peg state spending on schools at $80.5 billion, including transitional kindergarten, a new education subcategory.

That’s $4.5 billion less than the current budget allocates, but with anticipated increases in education’s share of local property taxes, total spending would remain roughly even.

With schools off the table, politically, Newsom and legislators are wrangling over more contentious issues, particularly the reductions in medical and social services for poor, elderly and disabled Californians that Newsom seeks to close the budget gap.