Read the full article here

The post 8 new stores at Universal CityWalk Hollywood appeared first on The LA Monitor.

The United States is experiencing the worst measles outbreak in recent years, the supervisors reported. As of May 16, 1,024 measles cases have been confirmed in 31 jurisdictions, including California. There have been 11 confirmed cases in the state and four of those were in Los Angeles County as of May 12, the county reported.

One recent case involved a county resident who recently traveled internationally. The county Department of Public Health is interviewing 700 people who may have been in contact and therefore, been exposed. They are determining if they have been vaccinated or are immune because they had the measles. If neither, or they don’t know, they’ll need a blood test and may need to quarantine for 21 days.

The supervisors voted 5-0 to construct a plan for its health department to give out vaccinations to adults and children and to track vaccination coverage. Tracking vaccinations and pinpointing areas with low vaccine rates is something not done for measles vaccines.

“I believe it is critical the county continue to identify opportunities to keep county residents safe from measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs),” said Supervisor Hilda Solis, who authored the motion.

Making things more difficult is misinformation on the internet about the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is both a safe and highly effective method for preventing people from getting measles and spreading the disease, the county reported.

Meanwhile, 63% of adults and 61% of parents have been exposed to the false claim that the MMR vaccine causes autism, which the county DPH and an overwhelming number of doctors and medical institutions say is completely without…

Read the full article here

The post Concerned over federal cuts, LA County steps up measles vaccines, prevention programs appeared first on The LA Monitor.

Read the full article here

The post LA tourism workers rally against referendum to overturn $30 minimum wage appeared first on The LA Monitor.

In a surprise move, attorneys for the LA Alliance for Human Rights on Tuesday, June 3, withdrew their subpoenas seeking testimony from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and two council members, saying they feared the city would use the fight over their appearances to delay a court case on homelessness.

The Alliance’s attorney, Matthew Umhofer, told reporters the group feared the city would appeal any decision to compel the testimony of the elected officials, which could stall the hearing for months while the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals weighed in. Instead, he said, the Alliance believes there is already enough evidence on the record for the judge to rule.

“We’re taking away the city’s ability to delay a decision on this issue,” said Umhofer, an attorney with Umhofer, Mitchell & King LLP.

In a statement to Southern California News Group, Theane Evangelis, a lawyer from the law firm, Gibson Dunn, which is representing the city, said subpoenas lack legal merit.

“The Alliance lawyers apparently recognized that there was no legal basis for their subpoenas – they should never have issued them in the first place,” she said. “The city is complying with the agreement settling a 2020 lawsuit and it is indisputable that thousands of new housing units have been built and homelessness is down in L.A. for the first time in years.”

The move came as a sometimes-contentious evidentiary hearing entered its final stretch. The hearing, presided over by U.S. District Court judge David Carter, stems from a 2020 lawsuit brought by the Alliance, a coalition of business owners and residents that accuses the city and county of failing to adequately address the homelessness crisis.

At the center of the case is a 2022 settlement, in which the city agreed to create 12,915 new shelter beds over five years and provide housing for at least 60% of unhoused people in each council district.

The LA Alliance contends the city has failed to meet those terms and is asking the court…

Read the full article here

The post LA Alliance withdraws subpoenas for Mayor Bass, councilmembers in homeless court hearing appeared first on The LA Monitor.

Read the full article here

The post Trump administration publishes list of immigrant-friendly cities in Southern California appeared first on The LA Monitor.

Read the full article here

The post San Pedro, Wilmington waterfront projects get boosts by LA harbor commission appeared first on The LA Monitor.

Parents and teachers at Los Angeles Unified School District will soon have a new tool to help identify students who may be struggling to read—before they fall too far behind.

The school board on Tuesday, May 13, adopted the use of a state-approved reading test to assess all kindergarten through second grade students annually for reading difficulties, including the risk of dyslexia, starting in the 2025-2026 school year.

The district’s move brings it into alignment with a statewide mandate included in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 23-24 budget. The requirement, signed into law in July 2023 as part of Senate Bill 114, came after a decade-long effort by advocates to implement universal testing for reading difficulties in early grades.

Supporters note that California was among the last states to adopt such a mandate, despite nearly a decade of advocacy and growing national consensus around early testing.

“We think it’s exciting that the largest district in the state is taking such a strong lead on literacy,” said Marshall Tuck, CEO of EdVoice, a co-sponsor of the initial bill that led to the passage of SB 114 in 2023.

But during LAUSD’s board meeting on Tuesday, several board members raised concerns about how the new tests would be conducted–particularly the potential for over-testing young students. Some asked for a clearer timeline and asked if parents would have the option to opt out.

Boardmember Kelly Gonez said she’s concerned that the testing requirements could lead to more testing time for the district’s youngest learners, which is “not ideal,” she said

Boardmember Nick Melvoin said it would be helpful for the district to provide a calendar for the tests, so families can better understand which tests are required and which tests they may have the option to opt out of.

“A lot of these things are created in isolation, either some are school-specific, a lot are district-specific, some are state-specific … and they’re happening maybe in silos…

Read the full article here

The post LAUSD Board approves early literacy test for K-2 students appeared first on The LA Monitor.

Read the full article here

The post LA City Council committee advances plan to raise pay of hotel and airport workers appeared first on The LA Monitor.

One of the most ambitious developments proposed in the San Fernando Valley in years–a massive complex combining housing, shops and offices, anchored by Los Angeles Rams’ future headquarters–is drawing a mix of optimism and concern from residents in Woodland Hills and surrounding neighborhoods.

Planned as a 52-acre Rams Village by billionaire team owner and real estate developer Stanley Kroenke, the project has the potential to transform the traditionally quiet West Valley into a major hub for jobs, housing and entertainment.

Stuart Waldman, president of the Valley Industry & Commerce Association, said on Friday, May 2, that Rams Village has the potential to boost the Valley’s economy by attracting tourism, generating jobs, and turning the area into a year-round destination–during football season and beyond.

“It’s going to benefit all of the Valley,” Waldman said. “It’s going to be an awesome thing to have and I look forward to us having it.”

Diana Williams, CEO of the West Valley–Warner Center Chamber of Commerce, called the project a “transformative investment in our community” and “a major milestone” not just for Woodland Hills, but for the entire region the chamber serves.

“This world-renowned team brings vibrancy, prestige, pride, and economic opportunity through job creation and increased local spending,” Williams said. “We look forward to the positive impact on our region’s growth and vitality.”

While many residents acknowledge potential benefits, they’re also urging developers to address concerns about increased traffic, burdened infrastructure, and the overall impact on neighborhood life. Many also want continued communication with the Kroenke Organization as the project moves forward.

Residents who live closest to the Rams Village project site have voiced some of the strongest concerns.

At a webinar on April 23 held by the Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization (WHHO), residents heard from representatives…

Read the full article here

The post San Fernando Valley residents voice hope and concern over Rams Village project appeared first on The LA Monitor.

Read the full article here

The post Ex-CHP officer from Azusa indicted on suspicion of slapping JetBlue flight attendant’s buttocks appeared first on The LA Monitor.