Thursday, October 1, 2026

LA County Warns of Medi-Cal Eligibility Changes for Some Noncitizens

CITY NEWS SERVICE

New federal rules taking effect Thursday could change federally funded Medi-Cal eligibility for some noncitizens in Los Angeles County.

The changes stem from H.R. 1, a federal law that changes how the government classifies some immigration statuses and determines whether certain adults qualify for federally funded, full-scope Medi-Cal, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services.

Certain Cuban and Haitian entrants, people from the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau who qualify under the Compacts of Free Association, and lawful permanent residents who have completed the five-year waiting period or are exempt from it will remain eligible for federally funded full-scope Medi- Cal, subject to other eligibility requirements, county officials said.

Other qualified noncitizens who may be affected include lawful permanent residents who have not met the five-year waiting period and do not qualify for an exemption, refugees, asylees, Amerasian immigrants, people granted withholding of deportation or removal, certain conditional entrants, people paroled into the United States for at least one year,

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

United Teachers of Pasadena to Host Community Candidate Forum for PUSD School Board Race

United Teachers of Pasadena will host a community forum Saturday for candidates seeking seats on the Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education.

The forum, organized by members in Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre, begins at 2 p.m. at First Church of the Nazarene, 3700 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena.

The forum, which will follow a moderated Q&A format, gives PUSD school board candidates the opportunity to share their priorities and vision with educators, parents, and the broader Pasadena community.

Questions will be drawn from United Teachers of Pasadena members, which include librarians, counselors, psychologists, speech pathologists, nurses, and teachers.

“Pasadena Unified School District’s education professionals who work most closely with students have burning questions for our prospective school board members.  The education professionals we represent are looking for true leadership from a school board that will prioritize safe, stable, fully-staffed schools,” says Jonathan Gardner, UTP President.

The announcement did not identify which candidates have accepted invitations to appear.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Pasadena Unified Urges High School Seniors to Apply to College Early as Federal Aid Form Opens

Pasadena Unified School District seniors have been able to apply for federal college aid for 2027-28 since Sept. 23, and California’s Dream Act Application opens Thursday, Oct. 1, as the district urges early filing.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, went live ahead of the Oct. 1 public launch listed in the U.S. Department of Education’s testing plan, and the department called it the earliest launch in the program’s history.

Students need to complete only one of the two applications, according to the California Student Aid Commission. March 2, 2027, is the priority deadline for most colleges and universities and the final deadline for Cal Grant applications, the commission said.

In its Sept. 28 update to families, the district encouraged seniors to apply early and explore the financial aid that may be available to help pay for college or career education. The district pointed families to the commission for information on aid options. The district and the commission both gave Oct.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Officials to Break Ground Saturday on Rebuilding Altadena’s Fire-Burned Charles White Park

Officials will break ground Saturday, Oct. 3, on the rebuilding of Charles White Park in West Altadena, the five-acre county park that, along with its new playground, was consumed by the Eaton Fire in January 2025.

The program is scheduled to include the planting of a large oak tree with a backhoe, a ceremonial dirt toss by dignitaries, an art activities corner, T-shirt printing, and displays of the future park, the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation said.

Expected guests include U.S. Rep. Judy Chu, Assemblymember John Harabedian, state Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez, Supervisor Kathryn Barger, artist Ian White, Charles White’s son, officials from the Los Angeles County Parks Foundation and the county parks department, and the Gabrieleno San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, the department said.

The restoration plans include dozens of native trees, a new playground designed by Disney Imagineers, a new recreation center, and public art and displays honoring Charles White, the park’s namesake, the department said. The department credits funding from Harabedian and The Walt Disney Co.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

UCLA Forecast: California Growth Strong, Employment Remains Weak

CITY NEWS SERVICE

California’s economy continues to outpace the nation in economic growth despite a weak labor market, while inflation and elevated interest rates remain concerns nationally, according to a UCLA Anderson Forecast being released Wednesday.

The September forecast found California’s economy grew at an annual rate of 3.7% in the first quarter of 2026, compared with 2.1% nationally, with only Washington state growing faster.

Over the year ending in the first quarter, California’s gross domestic product grew 3.3%, compared with 2.7% nationally, according to the forecast.

But the state’s economic growth has not translated into broad employment gains. California’s unemployment rate stood at 5.1% in August, the highest of any state and one percentage point above the national rate, according to the forecast.

UCLA economists said the “employment recession” they identified six months ago has continued even as California has outperformed the nation in the production of goods and services.

Payroll employment increased by 138,500 jobs in California over the 12 months ending in August,

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Experts: LA County is Prepared for Earthquakes, but More is Needed, Public Action Key

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Los Angeles County is generally well-prepared to respond to a major earthquake, but a powerful temblor would still cause severe damage and residents should take steps now to prepare for a disaster, experts told the Board of Supervisors Tuesday.

Seismologist Lucy Jones and a variety of county officials involved in emergency preparedness and response briefed the board on the readiness of county employees and facilities, gaps in preparedness and plans to maintain services following a major earthquake.

Jones noted that Los Angeles is obviously at high risk for earthquakes and said fires following a major temblor could significantly increase the destruction. She said post-earthquake fires could destroy “10 times the number of buildings as burned in the combined Palisades and Eaton fires.”

“And that will be on top of the earthquake that we have, so as we get ready for it, we’ve got to think about more than just earthquakes and look at a holistic picture,”

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Letter to the Editor: Stop Voting for “Nice” School Board Candidates—We Need Grit and Thick Skin

When we vote for a school board member, we usually look for friendly faces, neighbors, or people who tell us exactly what we want to hear. We do so because we don’t always understand the brutal realities of school district governance. But after 14 years as a Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) parent and serving in roles from PTA and ELAC to School Site Council chair, district-level CAC chair, and chair of the district’s LCAP Parent Advisory Committee, I can tell you definitively: being a “nice” person is not a qualification for office.

School board members are the ultimate stewards of our children’s education, our tax dollars, and our community’s future. They manage multi-million dollar budgets and hire, fire, and evaluate the superintendent. It is a grueling, unpaid job. Yet, we frequently treat these critical local races like a high school popularity contest.

True integrity on a school board means prioritizing the right decision over the comfortable one. To do that, a board member needs remarkably thick skin.

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Town Hall Tonight Highlights Last 100 Days to File Many Eaton Fire Claims Against Edison

LA Fire Justice reports January 7, 2027, is the cutoff for personal injury, emotional distress and wrongful death suits

LA Fire Justice, a coalition whose attorneys are suing Southern California Edison on behalf of Eaton Fire survivors, will hold a free town hall tonight at the Pasadena Masonic Temple, 100 days before what the group says is the deadline to file certain claims against the utility.

The group says that deadline — January 7, 2027, two years after the fire began — applies to personal injury, emotional distress and wrongful death claims. California law generally allows two years to sue over an injury or death caused by another’s wrongful act or neglect.

The town hall runs from 6 to 8 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. and the presentation at 6:30 p.m., according to LA Fire Justice.

Attorneys Mikal Watts and Doug Boxer and LA Fire Justice CEO Chris Holden, a former Pasadena mayor and former state Assemblymember, are scheduled to walk through where the litigation stands and what families need to know before January 7.

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Guest Opinion | Chris Holden: One Hundred Days To Secure Your Rights

By CHRIS HOLDEN

In the final 100 days, we face a choice that will define whether Altadena rises again—or fades into memory.

I can still recall the night of the fire. Families fled in the dark with only what they could carry. Neighbors stood outside waiting for alerts that never arrived and elders who had spent lifetimes building homes, churches, and family legacies watched those foundations turn to ash in hours. Our community had no say so in what was lost, but what returns is up to us.

We have 100 days. After January 7, 2027, our community will lose certain rights. Forever.

One hundred days to secure the rights of every survivor still waiting for justice after the Eaton Fire. One hundred days before the door closes on the largest opportunity this community will ever have to hold Southern California Edison fully accountable—and to bring home the billions required to rebuild what was taken away.

If we miss this window,

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

LA County to Get Earthquake Preparedness Update, Offer Public Simulator

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Los Angeles County supervisors will receive an update Tuesday on the county’s earthquake preparedness efforts, while the public will have an opportunity to experience simulated shaking from a major earthquake at Grand Park.

Seismologist Lucy Jones and county officials involved in emergency preparedness and response will make a presentation to the Board of Supervisors beginning at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration.

The presentation will address the readiness of county employees and facilities, gaps in preparedness and plans to ensure continued services to residents and businesses following a major earthquake, according to Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s office.

The presentation stems from a motion authored by Barger in August that noted Los Angeles County has not experienced a large-scale, damaging earthquake since the magnitude 6.7 Northridge earthquake in 1994.

The motion cited a media report indicating that tectonic strain has accumulated on segments of the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults near the Cajon Pass,