Monday, July 28, 2025

California Schools Regain Federal Money They Counted On After Trump Releases Hold

By Adam Echelman, CALMATTERS

After withholding billions of dollars in school funding for nearly a month, the U.S. Education Department said today it would release the money, starting next week.

But some school officials are still waiting until they have cash in hand before celebrating.

“The only way to know is next week, which is when these funds are supposed to arrive, but I am worried about what sort of hoops they want us to go through to be compliant,” said Kindra Britt, a spokesperson for California County Superintendents, an organization that includes all of the state’s 58 county superintendents.

Normally, California’s department of education begins working with the federal government in the spring so that K-12 and adult schools can start spending federal money on July 1 — but this year is different. On June 30, the state education department learned that the Trump administration planned to withhold more than $800 million intended to support a slew of essential services in California,

Monday, July 28, 2025

Newsom Ramps Up California Redistricting Threat As Texas Weighs New Republican Maps

By Alexei Koseff, CALMATTERS

What seemed a few weeks ago like a far-fetched political fantasy ahead of the 2026 midterms has quickly evolved into a high-stakes showdown enveloping states across the country.

As Texas this week began an off-cycle redistricting process meant to shore up Republicans’ slim House majority, Gov. Gavin Newsom appeared Friday with a group of Democratic legislators from that state, reaffirming his intention for California to respond with new maps of its own that would benefit Democrats.

Following a meeting with the Texas lawmakers at the historic governor’s mansion in downtown Sacramento, Newsom told reporters that “everything is at stake if we’re not successful next year in taking back the House of Representatives” — not only blunting President Donald Trump’s agenda, but protecting American democracy.

“If we don’t put a stake into the heart of this administration, there may not be an election in 2028,” he said. “They’re not screwing around. We can’t afford to screw around either.

Monday, July 28, 2025

Architects Panel to Address Altadena Rebuilding Efforts

Community event focuses on role of design professionals in post-fire recovery

[UPDATED] A panel of architects and designers will discuss their role in Altadena’s rebuilding efforts Wednesday evening, July 30, as the community continues recovery seven months after devastating fires.

The National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) will lead the discussion at Morning Star Church in Pasadena. The event runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

A statement from Pasadenans Organizing for Progress (POP) said the panel aims to educate residents about working with architects during the rebuilding process. Topics include finding the right architect and understanding the design and building phases.

Each panelist brings deep expertise in the field of architecture and design. Charles T. Bryant and Winston Thorne both serve as Principal Architects, holding architectural licensure. Elisabeth Soto D. Angelo is a Principal Designer, and Gary Cheek contributes his perspective as Vice President of Marketing and Design.

Moderating the session is Nicole Buhles, an Associate Principal Practice Technology Leader.

Monday, July 28, 2025

$10,000 Grants Available for Altadena Wildfire-Hit Small Businesses

LISC LA program offers $1.5 million in relief funding with July 28 deadline

Small businesses devastated by January’s Los Angeles wildfires can apply for $10,000 relief grants through a program launched by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) LA.

The LA Wildfire Relief Grant Program will distribute $1.5 million to help local businesses recover from the wind and wildfire events that began Jan. 7.

Applications opened July 22 at noon and will close Monday, July 28 at 11:59 p.m. The short application window requires businesses to act quickly.

The grants aim to help businesses recover, rebuild and continue serving their communities after the devastating fires.

Businesses can use the $10,000 grants for several urgent recovery needs, to include replacing damaged or destroyed equipment and inventory, paying wages and employee benefits, and restoring systems needed for daily operations.

Grants also cover payables such as rent and supplies, plus past-due bills. However, at least 80% of each grant must go toward asset purchases.

Monday, July 28, 2025

State Senator Calls for Fair Compensation as Edison Creates Wildfire Victim Fund

Edison’s compensation program will launch this fall for those affected by deadly January blaze

A California state senator is urging Eaton Fire victims to seek legal advice before participating in Southern California Edison’s new compensation program.

Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, who represents Pasadena and the 25th Senate District, issued a statement Thursday responding to Edison’s announcement of a Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program. The program will launch this fall for people affected by the January fire.

“Whether through the courts or a direct claims process, Eaton Fire victims deserve full and fair compensation,” Pérez said. The Democratic senator represents other communities hit by the blaze.

Edison announced the program Tuesday, saying it would be administered by Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille S. Biros. The pair previously worked on the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.

The Eaton Fire began January 7 in Eaton Canyon near Altadena. It killed 19 people and destroyed 9,418 structures before being contained on Jan. 31.

Monday, July 28, 2025

FEMA to Maintain Services at Recovery Center in Altadena as Los Angeles Site Winds Down

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

Federal disaster assistance will remain available at the Community Center in Altadena even as the Federal Emergency Management Agency prepares to end its in-person support at a Los Angeles rebuilding center on July 31.

The recovery site in Altadena, at 730 E. Altadena Drive, will continue to host the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the U.S. Small Business Administration to aid survivors of the Eaton Fire.

Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency opened the recovery site in Altadena on Jan. 27, 20 days after the fire began.

The fire decimated Altadena, killing 19 people, scorching over 14,000 acres and destroying more than 9,000 structures and forced mass evacuations.

Federal and state programs remain active as rebuilding efforts continue.

The West Los Angeles One Stop Rebuilding Center at 1828 Sawtelle Blvd. will close to Federal Emergency Management Agency staff as demand for walk-in services decreases,

Monday, July 28, 2025

Appeal on Tap Monday in Government’s Bid to Resume Roving SoCal Immigration Raids

By FRED SHUSTER, City News Service

An appellate hearing is scheduled Monday in the Trump administration’s bid for a stay pending appeal of a temporary restraining order halting the federal government’s aggressive, month-long immigration sweeps across Southern California.

In granting the order earlier this month, a Los Angeles federal judge found that the roving immigration patrols were conducted without reasonable suspicion, and that the government was denying detainees access to counsel.

Attorneys for the administration of President Donald Trump are expected to argue before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco that the immigration raids are carefully targeted, not random, and conducted with probable cause to make arrests.

The appeal before a panel of three judges — all nominated by Democratic presidents — will be streamed live Monday at 1 p.m. on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals website and on YouTube.

A coalition of civil rights, immigrant rights and local government agencies sought the TRO,

Sunday, July 27, 2025

County Supervisors to Weigh Price-Gouging Protections, Altadena Crime Rewards, and Capital Investments on Tuesday

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will meet Tuesday morning to vote on extending rental price-gouging protections, renewing Altadena-related crime reward offers, and advancing key development and infrastructure projects, including expanded mental health facilities and new agreements with the FBI, according to the July 29 meeting agenda.

Housing protections at top of agenda

Supervisors Lindsey P. Horvath and Kathryn Barger will introduce a motion to extend price-gouging safeguards in the rental and hospitality sectors through August 30, citing a rise in complaints and the need to protect vulnerable residents.

Altadena crime reward renewals

Supervisor Barger will seek to reestablish a $75,000 reward in connection with the 2016 murder of Salvador Esparza III in unincorporated Altadena, along with a separate $10,000 reward for the 2020 Lancaster homicide of Ismael Zabala. Both motions aim to generate new leads.

Development initiatives and mental health infrastructure

Supervisor Janice Hahn will propose a 99-year ground lease with the State of California to support the LA County Care Community’s expansion at Metropolitan State Hospital.

Sunday, July 27, 2025

‘Joyful Resistance’ Gathering Near Site of ICE Detentions in Pasadena Set for Sunday

Music and resistance will converge Sunday at Villa Parke, where Los Jornaleros del Norte and special guests La Sonora Dinamita will headline “Al Son Del Pueblo: The Sound of the People — Turning Joy Into Justice,” a community event rooted in cultural pride and immigrant advocacy.

The gathering will run from 4 to 8 p.m. today at 363 E. Villa St., near N. Marengo Avenue at the location where two men were taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on June 21.

Organizers describe the event as a “not-a-fiesta fiesta” — part social statement, part celebration — that will transform fear and pain into joy through music, dancing, and unity.

“This is the shape and sound of immigrant resistance today,” said Omar Leon of Los Jornaleros del Norte. “Our attackers want us to disappear — so we show up. They want us to be miserable and silent — so we get loud. And happy.”

For nearly 30 years,

Saturday, July 26, 2025

Trump’s Crackdown On Homelessness: What Does It Mean For California?

By Marisa Kendall, CALMATTERS

President Donald Trump’s new law-and-order approach to homelessness bears several striking resemblances to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s.

Trump wants cities to enforce laws that make it illegal for homeless people to sleep outside. So does Newsom.

Trump threatened to withhold funding from places that don’t. So did Newsom.

And the president wants to make it easier to force homeless people living with serious mental illness or addiction into treatment. So does Newsom.

It’s rare for Trump and Newsom, typically adversaries, to see eye to eye on anything. But when the president signed an executive order this week pushing cities and states to use law enforcement to get unhoused people off the streets, some of it read like déjà vu to Californians.

“I don’t know that there’s a huge contrast between parts of this order and what winds are already blowing toward in California,” said Ryan Finnigan, deputy director of research for the UC Berkeley Terner Center for Housing Innovation.