Friday, May 30, 2025

Altadena Disaster Relief Loan Program Deadline Extended to June 30

Small businesses impacted by January’s Eaton Fire can apply for up to $75,000 in recovery funds

Los Angeles County has extended the application deadline for the Altadena Disaster Relief Small Business Loan Program to June 30.

The program, a joint initiative by Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger and the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), offers loans of up to $75,000 to eligible small businesses recovering from the January 2025 Eaton Fire.

“Small businesses are essential to Altadena’s identity and economic vitality, so I want to ensure they have every opportunity to bounce back,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

“Extending the application deadline and expanding support tools will give more business owners the time and guidance they need to access this vital relief. I encourage every eligible business to apply and take advantage of this opportunity.”

The Altadena Disaster Relief Small Business Loan Program aims to help local businesses recover, rebuild, and retain local jobs in the Altadena community.

Friday, May 30, 2025

Free Legal Clinic Aids Eaton Fire Victims

Low-income residents receive free consultation on FEMA appeals and housing issues

On Tuesday, May 13, Koko Panossian, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services, and the department partnered with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) to provide critical legal assistance to those impacted by the Eaton Fire.

The free Disaster Relief Legal Clinic, held on May 22 at Jackie Robinson Community Center, offered specialized consultation to over 30 registered, income qualified participants facing post-disaster challenges.

Free Legal Clinic Supports Eaton Fire Victims

Low-income residents affected by the Eaton Fire received free legal assistance at a disaster relief clinic held last week.

On May 22, Pasadena’s Parks, Recreation, and Community Services department collaborated with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) to host the clinic at Jackie Robinson Community Center.

More than 30 income-qualified participants registered to seek guidance on FEMA appeals and housing challenges.

The clinic was part of an ongoing effort to assist disaster victims in navigating post-fire recovery.

Friday, May 30, 2025

State Claims There’s Zero High-Risk AI In California Government—Despite Ample Evidence To The Contrary

By Khari Johnson, CALMATTERS

California uses algorithms to predict whether incarcerated people will commit crimes again. It has used predictive technology to deny 600,000 people unemployment benefits. Nonetheless, state administrators have concluded that not a single agency uses high-risk forms of automated decisionmaking technology.

That’s according to a report the California Department of Technology provided to CalMatters after surveying nearly 200 state entities. The agencies are required by  legislation signed into law in 2023 to report annually if they use high-risk automated systems that can make decisions about people’s lives. “High-risk” means any system that can assist or replace human decisionmakers when it comes to encounters with the criminal justice system or whether people get access to housing, education, employment, credit and health care.

The California Department of Technology doesn’t know which algorithms state agencies use today and only reported what agencies told them, state Chief Technology Officer Jonathan Porat told CalMatters. When asked if the employment or corrections department algorithms qualify,

Friday, May 30, 2025

County Honors Eaton Health Village for Wildfire Mental Health Response

Local partnership recognized for providing critical mental health support to Altadena residents affected by devastating fire

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger honored the Eaton Health Village team at this week’s Public Hearing Meeting for their mental health response following the Eaton Fire. The recognition, coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Month in Los Angeles County, celebrated the partnership that provided urgent care to impacted Altadena residents.

“In the aftermath of a disaster, it’s important for survivors to feel seen, supported, and cared for,” said Supervisor Barger. “That’s exactly what this remarkable team of providers delivered—a safe and healing space for individuals navigating one of the darkest chapters of their lives. Their lifesaving mental health support is nothing short of heroic. This month is the perfect time to honor the profound contributions of those behind the Eaton Health Village.”

The initiative, led by Heritage Clinic, MAHI International, Medical Mission Adventures, Molina Healthcare, and local faith-based institutions, provided medical care to over 500 individuals and distributed essential supplies to nearly 3,000 people.

Friday, May 30, 2025

Task Force Charged with Overseeing LA County Governance Changes to Hold First Meeting

CITY NEWS SERVICE

A task force created to oversee sweeping changes to Los Angeles County’s governance structure will hold its inaugural meeting Friday.

The county Governance Reform Task Force was created with voters’ passage in November of Measure G, which called for a series of changes in the way county government operates. Most notably, the measure called for an expansion of the five-member Board of Supervisors to nine members starting in 2032.

Measure G will also make the county CEO an elected position by 2028, and adds the positions of county Legislative Analyst and a director of Budget and Management.

The measure also formalized the establishment of an Ethics Commission – – which the county already began to create prior to the November election — and the hiring of a compliance officer by 2026, along with the creation of a Charter Review Commission to meet every 10 years and consider additional potential governmental changes.

The entire process will be overseen by the Governance Reform Task Force,

Friday, May 30, 2025

Altadena Petition Demands Environmental Testing at Arts Magnet School After Eaton Fire

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

More than 300 Altadena residents have signed a petition calling on the Pasadena Unified School District to conduct comprehensive environmental testing and remediation at Altadena Arts Magnet Elementary School, after the destructive Eaton Fire tore through nearby residential and commercial properties.

The school’s Calaveras Street campus lies within 250 yards of more than 75 structures destroyed in the blaze, including several businesses—such as laundromats and grocery stores—known to release hazardous chemicals when burned. While the District has performed some limited surface testing for ash and soot, petitioners argue that no meaningful indoor environmental testing has been completed, raising serious concerns about student and staff safety.

The petition urges the District to hire a Certified Industrial Hygienist to conduct full-spectrum testing for contaminants often found after urban wildfires. These include substances like asbestos, lead, and dioxins, as well as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals commonly found in industrial products such as fire retardants,

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Local Congresswoman Demands FEMA Expand Housing Aid As Eaton Fire Survivors Face Ongoing Crisis

Federal and state officials clash with California congresswoman over need for direct rental program in Los Angeles County

U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (D-Pasadena) demanded expanded federal housing assistance Tuesday for survivors of January’s devastating Eaton Fire during a roundtable with 15 community groups and emergency management officials, criticizing current aid programs as insufficient amid ongoing displacement. The May 27 event at Altadena Library included representatives from Federal Emergency Management Agency, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, and nonprofits, according to a statement from Chu’s office. 

Chu urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency to activate its Direct Lease program, which would allow the agency to rent apartments directly for displaced residents unable to secure housing through existing vouchers. The fire destroyed nearly 13,000 homes, with more than half the losses in Altadena and surrounding communities, displacing over 20,000 residents, her office reported May 28. 

“Survivors of the Eaton Fire are slipping through the cracks,” Chu said at a press conference following the roundtable,

Thursday, May 29, 2025

CA Continues Fight With Other States Over Reproductive Care

By Lynn La, CALMATTERS

After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned federal abortion protections in 2022, California lawmakers moved quickly to make the state a “safe haven” for reproductive health care. But while California has some of the strongest laws ensuring abortion rights, other states’ restrictions can make performing or seeking the procedure from California doctors more complicated.

On Tuesday California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with 19 other attorneys general, urged the American Medical Association to do more about protecting prospective OB-GYNs seeking certification. To become board certified, OB-GYN candidates must travel to Dallas, where the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology is headquartered, to complete their in-person certifying exam.

Under Senate Bill 8, Texas has a near-total ban on abortions and penalizes abortion providers. Because of this, the attorneys general argue that the in-person requirements lead some candidates from their states to fear for their legal and physical safety in Texas.

Thursday, May 29, 2025

SoCal Grocery Workers Union Announces Strike Authorization Votes Next Week

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The union representing more than 30,000 grocery workers in Southern California Wednesday announced an upcoming strike authorization vote following alleged labor violations by Kroger and Albertsons.

United Food and Commercial Workers members at Ralphs, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions will start taking unfair labor practice strike authorization votes the first week of June, the union said.

Results will be announced after voting ends and members are informed on June 11, UFCW said.

“When we started negotiating with Kroger and Albertsons on a new contract in February, we came to the table willing to put in the time and work to get a fair deal,” according to the union. “But instead of working with us towards a reasonable contract, our employers would rather disrespect us to our faces, offer proposals that grossly underestimate our value and their wealth, and engage in multiple labor violations.”

UFCW says that Kroger and Albertsons’ alleged unfair labor practices include unlawful surveillance of members who have been active in the campaign for a new contract,

Thursday, May 29, 2025

LA County Supervisors Set to Tackle Mental Health Bed Crisis and Homelessness at Tuesday Meeting

May 6 agenda includes reports on mental health care, homelessness missions, and funding for stranded sea mammals

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will convene Tuesday, May 6, to address pressing issues affecting County residents, focusing on mental health and homelessness.

The Board will receive a report on the Continuum of Care for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Beds, while Supervisor Barger introduces a motion to streamline mental health bed reporting. A report on homelessness missions will be continued to June 3 at Supervisor Horvath’s request.

Supervisors Horvath and Hahn propose emergency funding for the Marine Mammal Care Center, allocating $100,000 immediately and identifying up to $600,000 for 2025-26 to address stranded marine mammals affected by toxic algae blooms.

The consent calendar includes 61 items, featuring:

• Support for Assembly Bill 851, prohibiting unsolicited offers to purchase residential property in certain ZIP codes
• Enhanced transparency for Care First Community Investment funding
• Proposals for reducing population at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall
• Ensuring access to education for immigrant students
• Labor nominees to the Governance Reform Task Force
• Cancellation of the May 20 Board meeting

The Board will consider reward motions for unsolved murders and proclaim May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month,