Wednesday, October 15, 2025

California Senator Proposes State Research Funding After JPL Layoffs

Pérez co-authors bond measure seeking voter-approved funding for research institutions amid federal cuts

Senator Sasha Renée Pérez is responding to massive layoffs at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory by proposing state-level investment in scientific research. The Pasadena Democrat announced her co-authorship of legislation that would ask California voters to fund research institutions as federal support becomes unstable.

“The recent layoffs underscore the broader instability of federal funding, especially at a time when the Trump Administration is implementing severe cuts to essential research programs and highlight the need for California to take decisive action in protecting its research environment,” Pérez stated.

JPL announced it is laying off 550 skilled and talented employees, representing 11% of its workforce at the La Cañada Flintridge facility. The cuts come just months after many employees were evacuated during the Eaton fire, with some losing their homes.

Pérez called the layoffs “both shocking and deeply concerning.” She highlighted JPL’s role as a global leader in scientific research where teams of scientists and support staff enable groundbreaking work vital to the community,

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

LA Fire Justice Cuts Attorney Fees for Fire Survivors, Launches Oral History Project

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

The law firm’s new fee reduction applies to all Eaton Fire survivor clients

LA Fire Justice, the law firm representing hundreds of victims of the Eaton Fire, announced Thursday that it is reducing its attorneys’ fees to 25 percent for all current and future clients—a move intended to return more of survivors’ settlements directly to those rebuilding their lives.

The announcement came during the firm’s annual Client Appreciation Dinner, where leadership underscored their commitment to transparency and community partnership.

“Promises made, promises kept,” said former Councilmember and LA Fire Justice CEO Chris Holden in a statement. “Starting now, we are reducing our attorneys’ fees to 25 percent. This fee reduction applies to all current and future clients—those who signed prior to today and any who sign up after today.”

Clients do not need to take any immediate action. According to the firm, staff members will contact each client in the coming weeks to execute new contracts reflecting the updated fee schedule.

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Newsom Signs Controversial Bill Letting Relatives Care For Kids If Parents Are Deported

By Jeanne Kuang, CALMATTERS

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday signed a bill allowing a broad range of relatives to step in as children’s caregivers if their parents are deported, a measure that had provoked a firestorm of conservative criticism.

Assembly Bill 495 will also bar daycare providers from collecting immigration information about a child or their parents, and allow parents to nominate a temporary legal guardian for their child in family court.

“We are putting on record that we stand by our families and their right to keep their private information safe, maintain parental rights and help families prepare in case of emergencies,” Newsom said in a press release.

It was one of several measures the Democratic-dominated Legislature pushed this year in response to the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation crackdown in Los Angeles and across California. Newsom, a Democrat, signed several of those other bills — banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from wearing masks in the state and requiring schools and hospitals to require warrants when officers show up — in a ceremony in L.A.

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Storm System Brings Heavy Rain, Flood Risk to Pasadena and Altadena Tuesday

A strong storm system is bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds to Pasadena Tuesday morning, prompting a flash flood watch for burn scar areas, according to the National Weather Service.

The cold front entered Los Angeles County around 6:00 a.m. and is expected to exit by 10:00 a.m., with showers and thunderstorms continuing for several hours afterward. Forecasters said rainfall totals in Pasadena could reach between 1 and 2 inches, with peak rates of up to 1 inch per hour.

The NWS warned of debris flows and road flooding, especially near first- and second-year burn scars. Residents in affected areas were urged to monitor weather alerts and follow instructions from emergency officials.

Winds ahead of the front could gust up to 20 mph in Pasadena, with stronger gusts of 45 to 55 mph reported in mountain and desert areas. Temperatures are significantly below normal, with a high near 61 degrees forecast for Tuesday.

Rain chances diminish by late afternoon and early evening,

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Congresswoman Chu Condemns JPL Layoffs, Warns of Impact on Pasadena Workforce and U.S. Space Leadership

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory announced Monday it will lay off 550 employees, approximately 11% of its workforce, marking the third round of staff reductions at the Pasadena-based NASA center in two years.

JPL, which is administered by the California Institute of Technology, did not immediately release details about which departments or missions would be affected. The announcement was made in a public statement issued by the lab.

Rep. Judy Chu, who represents California’s 28th Congressional District including Pasadena, issued a statement calling the layoffs “an absolute tragedy” and expressing concern for the local impact.

“My thoughts are with all the impacted workers and their families,” Chu said. “These layoffs are an absolute tragedy, especially as they come at a time when our community is still recovering from the Eaton Fire that destroyed thousands of homes and disrupted so many lives and livelihoods just nine months ago.”

Chu’s statement emphasized that the latest round follows two previous waves of layoffs last year that affected more than 850 JPL employees.

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Today, LA County Board to Consider Local Emergency Proclamation Due to Immigration Raids

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The county Board of Supervisors will consider declaring a local state of emergency Tuesday in response to ongoing federal immigration enforcement raids, alleging they are preventing people from going to work and forcing some businesses to close.

The board last week, on a 4-1 vote, directed county staff to draft the proclamation and bring it back for approval.

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath introduced the motion calling for the drafting of the emergency proclamation in response to a report presented to the board by county attorneys on options for possibly enacting an eviction moratorium or other protections for people impacted by the raids.

The Los Angeles Tenants Union advocacy group has been pushing the board for weeks to enact such a moratorium, saying the raids are creating enough fear to prevent people from going to work, or prompting businesses to temporarily close, leaving their employees unable to work.

The county attorney report presented to the board last week noted that an eviction moratorium could be enacted during a declared local emergency,

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Evacuation Orders Possible for Altadena Burn Areas as Storm Intensifies, Barger Warns

Nearly 400 properties in Altadena and other high-risk burn areas could face mandatory evacuation as Los Angeles County officials escalate debris flow projections in response to a strengthening storm system.

County emergency officials confirmed Monday that conditions have shifted from Phase 1 to Phase 2, signaling increased risk of debris flows in areas previously impacted by wildfire. The change could trigger evacuation orders affecting standing homes in Altadena’s burn zones, though no official directive had been issued as of press time.

“As today’s storm intensifies, I cannot emphasize strongly enough the importance of heeding evacuation warnings and orders,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger in a statement released by her office. “These alerts are issued to protect lives. Conditions can change quickly, and once debris flows begin, it may be too late for emergency crews to reach you.”

Barger acknowledged the disruption evacuation orders may cause but urged residents in warning zones to prepare for immediate departure if orders are issued.

Monday, October 13, 2025

Barger Highlights New Wildfire Recovery Laws in Open Letter to Altadena Residents

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued an open letter Monday to Altadena residents and survivors of the Eaton Fire, outlining three newly signed state laws aimed at strengthening wildfire recovery efforts and protecting disaster-affected communities.

The letter, released by Barger’s office, praised Governor Gavin Newsom’s approval of Assembly Bill 468, Senate Bill 571, and Senate Bill 782 over the weekend. Barger said the legislation will help safeguard rebuilding families from looting, accelerate infrastructure restoration, and provide new financial tools for local governments.

AB 468, authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, and SB 571, introduced by Senator Bob Archuleta, increase penalties for theft and looting in disaster zones. Barger cited post-fire crime in Altadena as a key concern, noting that nearly 200 Eaton Fire rebuilds are currently underway, with homes under construction and inspections in progress. She said the new laws, combined with increased patrols from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, will help protect families during reconstruction.

Barger also acknowledged Newsom’s veto of Senate Bill 629,

Monday, October 13, 2025

Evacuation Warning Issued for Altadena’s Eaton Fire Burn Scar Area Amid Mudflow Risk

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department issued an evacuation warning Monday afternoon for residents near the Eaton Fire burn scar in Altadena, citing potential mud and debris flows in the San Gabriel Foothills.

The emergency alert, released at 12:00 p.m. on Oct. 13, urges residents in vulnerable areas to prepare for possible evacuation. Those requiring extra time to leave — including individuals with mobility challenges, pets, or dependent family members — are advised to consider evacuating immediately.

The warning applies specifically to neighborhoods adjacent to the burn scar zone, where recent fire damage has destabilized terrain and increased the risk of post-fire runoff during storms.

Residents are encouraged to gather essential supplies and monitor updates through AlertLA.org, the county’s official emergency notification platform.

The Sheriff’s Department did not indicate whether mandatory evacuations were imminent but emphasized the importance of readiness.

Monday, October 13, 2025

County Offices To Be Closed Monday For Indigenous Peoples Day

By STEVEN HERBERT, City News Service

Los Angeles city and county offices will be closed Monday for Indigenous Peoples Day while federal offices will be closed for Columbus Day, which remains a federal holiday.

Indigenous Peoples Day is not a state holiday, so state courts and other state offices will be open. A bill approved by the Legislature in 1998 and signed into law by then-Gov. Pete Wilson designated the fourth Friday in September as Native American Day, a state holiday when state courts and other state offices are closed.

Schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District will also be open. Buses, rail services and Metrolink trains in Los Angeles run on a regular schedule.

The U.S. Postal Service does not deliver regular mail on Columbus Day, and post offices will be closed as will most major banks.

A 2017 ordinance declared the second Monday in October in Los Angeles as Indigenous Peoples Day, replacing Columbus Day as a holiday on the city calendar.