Wednesday, June 4, 2025

California Accelerates Wildfire Plant Ban Despite Scientific Opposition

Governor expedites regulations requiring homeowners to clear vegetation within five feet of structures, but researchers question the science behind blanket prohibitions

California is fast-tracking controversial regulations that would ban most plants and vegetation within five feet of homes in high-risk wildfire areas, following Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order to accelerate implementation of long-delayed Zone 0 rules. The regulations aim to create “ember-resistant zones” around structures to prevent wind-blown embers from igniting homes during wildfires.

“These steps will spur proactive actions to defend the most vulnerable homes and eliminate combustible material within five feet of homes to reduce the risk of a home igniting in an ember-driven fire,” said Wade Crowfoot, California Natural Resources Secretary.

The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection must complete rulemaking by December 31, 2025, under Newsom’s Executive Order N-18-25 signed February 6. The regulations stem from Assembly Bill 3074, authored by Assemblymember Laura Friedman and passed unanimously in 2020, but implementation has been delayed over two years from its original 2023 deadline.

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Los Angeles County’s Chief Executive Will Be One Of California’s Most Powerful Political Gigs

By Dan Walters, CALMATTERS

After California became a U.S. state in 1850, its Legislature grappled with how state and local governments would be structured. One decree was that counties, beginning with Los Angeles, would have five-member boards of supervisors.

Almost everything about California’s governance has changed in the last 175 years — even the size of its Legislature, which an 1879 constitutional amendment set at 80 members in the Assembly and 40 in the Senate.

With one exception, the city and county of San Francisco, California’s counties have had five-member governing boards ever since, including tiny Alpine County, with scarcely 1,000 residents, and Los Angeles, with nearly 10 million.

That’s going to change. Last year, after decades of unsuccessful efforts to overhaul how Los Angeles County is governed, a minor miracle occurred when its voters approved an expansion of its Board of Supervisors to nine members after the 2030 census. It was miraculous not only that it occurred but that the reform was proposed by the current board itself — albeit not unanimously — in a remarkable display of willingness to dilute members’ powers.

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

County Supervisors Support Bills to Modernize Film, TV Tax Credit Program

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday affirmed its support of two state bills that would modernize and expand the Film and Television Tax Credit Program in hopes of halting runaway production.

Assembly Bill 1138 and Senate Bill 630 were introduced by Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur, D-Hollywood, and Sen. Ben Allen, D-El Segundo, in conjunction with Assemblyman Isaac Bryan, D-Los Angeles.

The bills would modify the credit program’s requirements through an array of moves including raising the base tax credit rate from 20% to 35%, increasing incentives for independent productions and expanding the definition of “Qualified Motion Picture.”

The bills would also grant the California Film Commission with more flexibility to move tax credit money across different categories to meet demands.

These bills came in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to increase the allocation for the state’s incentive program from $330 million to $750 million, beginning July 1.

“The film and television industry plays a vital role in the economy and culture of Los Angeles County,

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Harabedian Advances Bill To Expand Mental Health Support For Wildfire Victims

STAFF REPORT

Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) advanced legislation this week aimed at addressing the growing behavioral health needs of Californians impacted by wildfires.

The legislation comes in the wake of wildfires like the 2024 Eaton Fire, which led to the deaths of 18 people, destroyed more than 9,000 structures, scorched over 14,000 acres, forced evacuations, and left lasting trauma in Altadena and Pasadena. Mental health professionals and emergency response teams have reported a sharp increase in anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms in the months following the disaster.

“My community members are witnessing a 62% surge of all calls related to mental and behavioral health needs coming from Southern California as a result of the wildfires,” said Harabedian. “Alongside Speaker Rivas, I am committed to addressing these urgent needs by ensuring equitable access to mental health care and providing avenues for long-term recovery through expert support.”

Assembly Bill 1032 would require health care plans and insurers to cover up to 12 additional annual visits with a licensed behavioral health provider — beyond a patient’s existing in-network access — for up to a year following the end of a declared emergency.

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

LA County Issues More Than 100 Home Kitchen Business Permits in Six Months

Program allows residents to legally operate mini-restaurants from their home kitchens while meeting health standards

Los Angeles County has issued more than 100 permits for Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations since launching the program in November 2024. The initiative creates a legal pathway for residents to transform their home cooking into permitted food businesses while ensuring compliance with health and safety standards.

“I am immensely proud that this new program has issued over 100 permits, a significant milestone that highlights the tremendous potential of this program to empower our residents—especially women, immigrants, and communities of color,”  said Hilda L. Solis, Los Angeles County Chair Pro Tem and Supervisor for the First District.

The program allows individuals to prepare and sell meals directly from their home kitchens to consumers. Under state law and the LA County MEHKO Ordinance, operators may serve up to 30 meals per day and 90 meals per week, with annual gross sales capped at $100,000.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health administers the program through permitting,

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Eaton Fire Collaborative Forms Long-Term Recovery Group

New initiative aims to provide sustained support for fire survivors in Altadena

On Wednesday, the Eaton Fire Collaborative announced the formation of a Long-Term Recovery Group to address the ongoing needs of Altadena families and individuals affected by the Eaton Fire. This coordinated effort is planned to unite local nonprofits, government agencies, faith-based organizations, and community leaders to support survivors through their recovery journey.

“The aftermath of a disaster like the Eaton Fire goes far beyond the initial emergency response,” said Jill Hawkins, a founding member of the Eaton Fire Collaborative. “Recovery can take months or even years, and it requires a unified, compassionate effort. The Long-Term Recovery Group is here to walk with our neighbors through that journey.”

The LTRG’s mission centers on ensuring equitable access to resources, services, and support for all fire survivors. By fostering collaboration and streamlining recovery efforts, the group’s statement said it intends to address unmet needs and build long-term community resilience.

Valerie Nash &

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Supervisor Barger Leads Effort for Faster Veteran Death Certificates to Help Families

Board backs federal legislation to require VA doctors to sign documents within 72 hours

Los Angeles County supervisors are pushing federal lawmakers to end lengthy delays that can leave grieving military families waiting weeks or months for death certificates after a veteran dies.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion Tuesday introduced by Chair Kathryn Barger that calls for supporting federal legislation requiring Department of Veterans Affairs physicians to sign veteran death certificates within 72 hours of being notified of a death.

Currently, no federal law guarantees such a timeframe, and families can wait up to eight weeks for the crucial documents under the existing VA system.

“This is about compassion, accountability, and basic decency,” Barger said. “Families who have lost a loved one who served our country deserve our full support, not delays caused by bureaucratic red tape.”

The delays create significant hardships for bereaved families beyond emotional grief. Without signed death certificates, survivors cannot access financial accounts,

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Pasadena Lawmaker Pushes FEMA for Soil Testing After LA Fires

High lead levels found in nearly half of unscraped areas following Eaton, Palisades blazes

Nearly six months after devastating wildfires tore through Los Angeles County neighborhoods, federal lawmakers are pressing emergency officials to address a toxic legacy left behind: soil contaminated with dangerous levels of lead and other heavy metals.

Rep. Judy Chu, who represents Pasadena and the California 28th District, and 27 other California congressional delegation members sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) this week demanding comprehensive soil testing and cleanup programs for properties affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires.

The push comes after alarming test results revealed widespread contamination in fire-damaged areas. Los Angeles County health officials found that 27% of soil samples from the Eaton Fire burn zone exceeded California’s residential lead standards. In areas where debris hadn’t been scraped away, that figure jumped to 44%.

Independent testing by The Los Angeles Times confirmed the findings, with some locations showing lead levels more than three times the state’s safety benchmark.

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

National Weather Service Enters High Fire Season Operations For Southern California

The National Weather Service officially entered fire weather high-season operations Monday, launching twice-daily fire weather forecasts for Southern California. The enhanced monitoring comes as the region faces elevated wildfire risks throughout the summer months.

“We do want people to start thinking about our next fire season,” said Rose Schoenfeld, National Weather Service meteorologist. “It’s important the public start thinking about what they need to do to prepare their homes, their family, their go bags, learn evacuation routes and sign up to get emergency notifications.”

The stepped-up operations provide fire suppression agencies and emergency managers with more frequent updates on critical weather conditions. Fire weather forecasts help identify fire-prone weather conditions and are produced by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group within the National Weather Service.

Southern California faces challenging conditions this summer. The region continues experiencing severe to exceptional drought, especially across the South Coast and Colorado Desert. Fire weather danger will increase in the summer, when Southern California typically sees scant rainfall and high temperatures.

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

CA Mental Health Phone Line Faces Steep Budget Cuts

By Lynn La, CALMATTERS

As California grapples with a $12 billion budget deficit, that state’s peer-run phone service that provides free 24/7 mental health support to thousands of residents across the state could face deep funding cuts, or even a shutdown.

The California Peer Run Warm Line — which is different from 911 and the federal 988 mental health crisis line because it is intended for non-emergencies — receives an average of 20,000 calls, texts and chats a month from people seeking emotional support and mental health resources. In May, during mental Mental Health Awareness Month, the line received more than 40,000 calls and messages.

The Mental Health Association of San Francisco, or MHASF, oversees the line. It received funding in 2019 during the pandemic to expand its services statewide. From 2022 to 2025, the line operated on a total budget of $40 million, says CEO Mark Salazar. For the next three years, it has requested $15 million a year in renewed funding,