Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Altadena Rebuild Sees Surge in Permits, But Review Bottlenecks Persist

County officials reported Monday more than 470 permits issued—including more than 350 residential units—and over 200 projects already under construction or inspection in the Eaton Fire recovery zone, but more than 300 plan sets have been returned to homeowners with comments, reflecting both momentum and persistent review hurdles.

The update came during the Altadena Community Meeting on Monday, Oct. 6, where a Los Angeles County supervisor—who introduced the disaster interim ordinance in early September—outlined the pace of rebuilding and the challenges still facing homeowners.

The ordinance, which streamlines discretionary approvals for property modifications, is scheduled for review at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting and may be extended through next year.

A permanent version is under development and will include meaningful community engagement.

Supervisor Barger spoke about the importance of debris clearance, noting that properties failing to show substantial progress by the Oct. 7 deadline will enter an abatement process, allowing the county to clear remaining ash and debris. Officials said this step is critical to maintaining momentum as residents begin reconstruction.

Monday, October 6, 2025

Businesses Encouraged to Support Breast Cancer Research Through USPS Stamp Sales

STAFF REPORT

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins, the U.S. Postal Service is urging businesses to help fund research by purchasing the Breast Cancer Research stamp, a semi-postal stamp that has raised nearly $98 million since its debut in 1998.

The 90-cent self-adhesive stamp, equal in value to the First-Class Mail 1-ounce rate, is available year-round in sheets of 20. Proceeds benefit breast cancer research, with 70 percent allocated to the National Institutes of Health and 30 percent to the Department of Defense’s medical research program. The contribution is calculated as the difference between the stamp’s purchase price and the prevailing First-Class rate, minus USPS costs.

Authorized by Congress in 1997, the Breast Cancer Research stamp was the first semi-postal stamp in U.S. history. Its sale authority was extended through 2027 under the Stamp Out Breast Cancer Reauthorization Act of 2019.

In addition to the breast cancer stamp, USPS offers three other fundraising stamps: Save Vanishing Species (2011),

Monday, October 6, 2025

Federal judge rebukes Trump administration attempt to deploy Guard units from California, Texas to Oregon

By Mikhail Zinshteyn, CALMATTERS

In an extraordinary Sunday night hearing, federal District Judge Karin Immergut temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying federalized troops from any state to Oregon.

Hours after California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed suit against the Trump administration Sunday seeking to prevent the president from sending 300 California National guard troops to Portland, Ore., a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order blocking federalized deployment from any state to Oregon.

The order came during an extraordinary Sunday night hearing after Oregon and California attorneys revealed that in addition to trying to send California troops to Oregon, President Trump’s War Secretary, Pete Hegseth, had ordered Texas National Guard members to deploy as well.

Oregon District Court Judge Karin Immergut interrupted Department of Justice attorney Eric Hamilton repeatedly during the hearing, saying the administration was trying to circumvent an order she issued Saturday temporarily halting the use of Oregon Guard troops in Portland.

She said that she sees the conduct of the Trump administration,

Monday, October 6, 2025

Pasadena Unified Launches Fiscal Stabilization Process to Address $30+ Million in Reductions

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) has launched a transparent, community-informed process to stabilize its budget and implement reductions of $30-35 million for the 2026-27 school year. The Board of Education is scheduled to take action in November to meet an early December deadline set by the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE). 

The district closed out the 2024-25 fiscal year with a positive balance across all funds – largely due to a $12 million reduction in planned spending for 2025-26 and one-time disaster-recovery funds following the Eaton Fire.

Originally scheduled to cut $27 million to meet a structural deficit, the district made a “conscious decision” to reduce the scale of those cuts in light of the Eaton Fire and its “commitment to caring for our community during recovery.” 

The results, according to the district, is a $30-35 million budget shortfall in 2026-27, driven by a structural deficit, rising costs, declining enrollment, and the volatility of federal funding. 

“Our first priority is students and their classroom experience,” said PUSD Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco,

Monday, October 6, 2025

Newsom Just Vetoed A Bill To Regulate License Plate Readers

By Khari Johnson and Mohamed Al Elew, CALMATTERS

Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have tightened rules on how police in California use automated license plate readers, saying the regulations would impede criminal investigations.

The Legislature approved the proposal last month amid reports police were misusing the data, including a CalMatters story in June showing that officers on more than 100 occasions violated a state law against sharing the data with federal authorities and others outside the state.

The veto comes as new CalMatters reporting shows Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies appear to have violated internal policy by not documenting why they tracked certain license plates.

In his veto message this week, Newsom cited examples of how the proposed restrictions, which would have required police to better document their searches and delete some of their data within two months, could stymie police work.

“For example,” he wrote, “it may not be apparent,

Sunday, October 5, 2025

New California Law Restricts HOA Fines To $100 Per Violation, Giving Homeowners A Break

By Nadia Lathan, CALMATTERS

An ornate balcony or quirky garage door might be in reach for more Californians as homeowners associations across the state are being forced to govern without the power of exorbitant fees to enforce regulations.

Millions of California residents could get a break if they violate their homeowners association rules due to a new law that caps fines at $100, down from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Amid an affordability crisis, lawmakers and groups that represent homeowners have characterized the cap, which took effect July 1, as protecting the pocketbooks of middle- and low-income residents. However, HOA boards worry the new restriction will limit their authority to enforce rules.

Attorneys for homeowners and HOAs say it will get rid of extreme cases where board members impose unfair and egregious fines to retaliate against homeowners they dislike.

“I have seen the worst of the worst and HOAs fine thousands of dollars and foreclose on those homes,” said Edward Susolik,

Sunday, October 5, 2025

Chu Slams Trump’s Proposed Film Tariff, Calls for Incentives to Protect Industry Jobs

U.S. Rep. Judy Chu is urging Congress to reject President Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 100% tariff on films made outside of the United States, warning the measure could cripple the domestic film industry and jeopardize millions of American jobs. Instead, the Altadena and Pasadena representative is calling for expanded federal incentives to keep production rooted in the United States.

Chu said the tariff plan, floated by Trump as a way to counter the offshoring of film and television production, would backfire by triggering global retaliation and undermining one of America’s most influential export sectors.

“Tariffs will not bring film production back to the United States,” Chu said. “They will devastate our industry, provoke international backlash, and threaten the livelihoods of millions of American workers.”

Chu acknowledged that Trump correctly identified the problem of production moving abroad but said tariffs are not the solution. She emphasized the need for incentives that support American workers and grow the creative economy, pointing to the looming expiration of Section 181—the only federal tax deduction for domestic film,

Saturday, October 4, 2025

At Fair Oaks and California, Keck Medicine Debuts New State-of-the-Art Clinic

BY EDDIE RIVERA | PHOTOGRAHY BY Ricardo Carrasco III

The October rain had rinsed the sidewalks clean by the time a small crowd pressed into a glassy new lobby at Fair Oaks Avenue and California Boulevard on Friday morning. University leaders, city officials and neighbors gathered beneath floor-to-ceiling windows framing the San Gabriel Mountains to cut a ribbon and walk the halls of a four-story medical office building that Keck Medicine of USC says will change how — and where — many San Gabriel Valley residents get advanced care.

“This newest addition to Keck Medicine’s renowned health system solidifies our reputation as a health care leader in the San Gabriel Valley and brings world-class clinical care closer to home,” Rod Hanners, the health system’s chief executive, told guests.

The building — at 590 S. Fair Oaks Ave. — is Keck Medicine’s largest and most advanced outpatient site to date, a 100,000-square-foot complex that more than doubles Keck Medicine’s capacity to deliver care in Pasadena.

Saturday, October 4, 2025

Barger Introduces Motion to Investigate Alleged Fraud in Childhood Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Against County

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger on Friday introduced a motion directing County Counsel to investigate alleged fraud tied to civil claims filed under AB 218, a California state law that extended the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse lawsuits.

The motion comes amid a historic $4 billion settlement involving approximately 11,000 plaintiffs—many of whom were formerly in the foster care and probation systems. It is the largest financial settlement in County history, with additional settlements expected.

Barger, who represents Altadena and Pasadena, cited a recent Los Angeles Times investigation that raised concerns about attorney misconduct, including allegations that some lawyers may have offered cash incentives for fabricated claims. Her motion calls for immediate inquiry into the allegations, potential referrals to the California State Bar, enhanced oversight of settlement agreements, and the creation of a fraud hotline.

“Fraudulent claims not only jeopardize taxpayer dollars, they also revictimize survivors of childhood sexual abuse by diminishing the legitimacy of their pain and experience,” Barger said in a statement.

Friday, October 3, 2025

Hypnotherapy Initiative Offers Emotional Recovery Help for Altadena Fire Victims

Residents affected by the Eaton Canyon fire now have access to free, personalized hypnotherapy sessions through a grassroots collaboration between Rahban Development, a local LA construction firm and Certified Hypnotherapist Ted Moreno. The initiative aims to help survivors release trauma, reduce stress and regain emotional stability.

“This program helps people let go of negative memories and focus on moving forward in a healthy way,” said Rahban Development Customer relations director, Mathew Rahban. “I’ve seen a complete change in my life since working with Ted.”

Moreno said trauma and grief after a fire are stored not just in the mind but in the body. “Hypnotherapy helps people release stress, grief and loss that have built up inside,” he said. “The sessions are tailored to each individual’s needs, allowing them to feel safe while working through their emotions.”

To reinforce healing, Moreno records hypnosis sessions for clients to use at home, supporting relaxation and recovery between visits. While one session may offer relief, he recommends multiple appointments for lasting impact.