Thursday, June 5, 2025

Young & Healthy Partners With Mental Health Center to Provide Free Therapy for Eaton Fire-Affected Children

Organization expands services to address emotional toll on families through play-based therapy sessions

Young & Healthy has partnered with The Center for Connection to offer free mental health support specifically targeting children ages 2-12 who were affected by the devastating Eaton Fire.

The collaboration, funded by a generous donation from Direct Relief, aims to address the mounting emotional needs of low-income families as they approach the critical six-month mark following the disaster.

“This partnership is about healing hearts and restoring hope,” said Liz Arnold, Co-Executive Director (Interim) of Young & Healthy.

“If your child is struggling in the aftermath of the fire, they need compassionate support. These therapy sessions can help families rebuild emotional resilience, reconnect, and move forward together.”

The program provides play-based family therapy sessions at no cost to enrolled families.

Children can express their feelings, manage stress, and begin healing in a safe, supportive environment through this gentle, engaging therapeutic approach.

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Nearly Five Months After The Eaton Fire, Only 15 Permits Issued To Altadena Homeowners

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

On Monday, Supervisor Kathryn Barger expressed frustration with the lack of building permits issued to homeowners to rebuild following the devastating Eaton Fire.

As of last Friday, just 15 building permits have been issued to property owners that lost their homes in the Eaton Fire.

“We are simply not meeting the mark,” Barger said during her weekly address updating the progress of efforts to rebuild the community.

“I hear your frustrations and quite frankly I share them.”

The fire led to the deaths of at least 18 people, destroyed more than 9,000 buildings and scorched more than 14,000 acres, making it one of the deadliest fires in the state’s history.

After the fire, County officials guaranteed a swift rebuild process.

However, for most people that has not been the case.

Many local residents were underinsured and face further burdens due to the high cost of building permits and delays in the County’s burdensome process.

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Mosquito Control Operation Nears Completion In Eaton Fire Burn Area

Multi-agency effort targets 1,475 fire-damaged pools to prevent disease outbreak by month’s end

The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District expects to complete anti-mosquito treatment of 1,475 fire-damaged swimming pools in the Eaton Fire burn area by the end of June, marking a critical milestone in preventing a potential mosquito-borne disease outbreak.

The unprecedented local operation targets pools that became high-risk breeding sources due to fire-related damage, inaccessibility, or loss of utilities.

“Each untreated pool can produce thousands of mosquitoes every week,” said SGV Mosquito District Manager Jason Farned. “With the help of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, our partner agencies, and the tireless dedication of our team, we are now able to treat every non-functional pool in the burn area. This rapid and effective response will help prevent a second public health crisis in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire.”

The West Covina-based operation represents the first response of its kind in the region, treating pools that pose risks for diseases like West Nile virus and dengue.

Thursday, June 5, 2025

County to Collaborate with City of LA on Establishing an Independent Homelessness Department

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Following the decision to establish a new County department to oversee homelessness programs, the Board of Supervisors is directing the County CEO today to work in collaboration with the City of Los Angeles to define the partnership.

On April 1, supervisors voted to establish a new department to centralize all homelessness funding and programs, including the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, a collaborative project with the City.

City officials had expressed concern over the move, which reduced the County’s investment in Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. In a letter, Mayor Karen Bass argued the decision would only introduce new bureaucracy and hinder ongoing efforts.

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath introduced Tuesday’s motion to delineate shared responsibilities before establishing a new authority.

“Given the urgent threat posed by the homelessness crisis, and the multiplying impact that impaired relationships have on progress, it is necessary that the County and the City of Los Angeles create new channels of direct,

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

LA County Backs Federal Tax Credits For Disaster-Hardened Homes

Board of Supervisors unanimously supports FIREWALL Act following devastating January wildfires

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion yesterday to formally support federal legislation that would provide tax relief to homeowners who upgrade their properties to withstand natural disasters, including wildfires and floods.

The Board endorsed the Facilitating Increased Resilience, Environmental Weatherization, and Lowered Liability Act, also known as the FIREWALL Act. The bipartisan measure was introduced by U.S. Sens. Adam Schiff and Tim Sheehy as S. 1323.

Board Chair Kathryn Barger, in collaboration with Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, introduced the motion.

The proposed legislation would allow homeowners to claim a tax credit for 50% of eligible disaster-hardening expenses, up to $25,000. These home hardening improvements are critical for long-term community resilience and public safety. Households earning less than $200,000 annually would qualify for the full credit. The credit would phase out gradually for those earning up to $300,000.

Qualifying upgrades include fire-resistant building materials,

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,