California Wave Staff
67 articles published
LA Museums to Visit for Earth Month 2026
Los Angeles museums are embracing Earth Month with exhibitions featuring living materials, decay, and art that evolves over time this April.
LA Mansion Tax Hurt Affordable Housing Construction
LA's mansion tax raised $1.14 billion, but new UCLA research shows it may have backfired by reducing affordable housing construction permits by 21%.
California Bill Would Transfer State Park to Native Tribe
California lawmakers are weighing AB 2356, which would hand 4,301 acres of Tolowa Dunes State Park to the Tolowa Dee-ni Nation amid concerns over unexamined consequences.
California Districts Misusing Prop 28 Arts Funding in 2026
Only 11% of California schools are using Proposition 28 arts funding as voters intended, leaving disadvantaged students without music and arts education.
How California Hospital Costs Are Shrinking Your Paycheck
Rising hospital bills are quietly cutting California workers' take-home pay through soaring employer insurance premiums that outpace wages.
California Bill Shields Trans and Abortion Records from Trump
California's AB 1930 aims to block federal subpoenas for abortion and transgender care records, but legal scholars question whether it will survive court challenges.
California Bill to Shield Gender-Affirming Care Records
A California bill would require hospitals to notify the AG before complying with federal subpoenas on gender-affirming care, raising legal concerns.
LA DA Investigates Eric Swalwell Over Sexual Assault Claim
The LA County DA and Sheriff's Department have opened investigations into former Rep. Eric Swalwell after a woman alleged he drugged and assaulted her in 2018.
Nearly 500 Ducks Need Homes as California Sanctuary Closes
The Duck Sanctuary in Anza, CA is closing, leaving nearly 480 ducks in need of homes. Riverside County Animal Services has launched a mass adoption effort.
California Cities Scramble Over New Housing Law SB 79
California cities are racing to comply with or fight SB 79, a new state housing law allowing mid-rise apartments near transit stops starting July 1.
Tax Refunds Fell Short of White House Promises in 2026
Average refunds are up 11% to $3,462, but that's far below the $1,000 increase the White House promised for this tax season.
US Blockade Halts Iran Trade as Trump Eyes New Talks
The US military has completely stopped commercial trade through Iran's ports, while Trump says peace talks could resume in Islamabad within days.
FIFA World Cup Events to Close Wilshire at MacArthur Park
MacArthur Park gets a two-day transformation in July as Wilshire Boulevard closes for FIFA World Cup watch parties, food vendors, and family activities.
Dino's Famous Chicken: The Recipe That Defines Pico Union
Dino's Famous Chicken has served Pico Union for 50+ years. Its Greek-Latin marinade reflects the neighborhood's cultural history in every bite.
LA Times Festival of Books vs BookCon: A New Rivalry?
Two major book festivals hit opposite coasts the same weekend, drawing 180,000 readers and sparking talk of a new bicoastal literary rivalry.
LAUSD Teachers Win Paid Parental Leave for the First Time
Los Angeles Unified School District teachers will receive four weeks of paid parental leave under a new contract deal with United Teachers Los Angeles.
Xavier Becerra Makes His Case for California Governor
Xavier Becerra sits down with LAist to discuss his gubernatorial bid, focusing on health care reform and his vision for California's future.
CalPERS Settles, Returning Money to Retirees Hit With Huge Bills
CalPERS dropped a seven-year legal fight, agreeing to refund hundreds of thousands of dollars to retirees hit with shocking debt notices after retirement.
California Fights to Protect Gender Care for Minors in 2026
California AG Rob Bonta sued hospitals that halted gender-affirming care for minors after Trump funding threats, leaving families in legal uncertainty.
California Governor Candidates Must Address Key Issues in 2026
Nine candidates are running for California governor, but voters are still waiting for serious engagement on education, jobs, and population loss.
Court Strikes Down California Dialysis Profit Law
A federal appeals court ruled key parts of California's AB 290 unconstitutional, handing a legal defeat to the state in a dialysis industry profit dispute.
California Cities Fight or Comply With SB 79 Housing Law
California cities are racing to respond to Senate Bill 79, which allows nine-story apartments near transit stops before its July 1 effective date.
India-Linked Gangs Terrorizing California Sikh Community
Indian gangs are extorting California's Punjabi Sikh communities using cross-border threats, targeting families in both the US and India to ensure compliance.
How California's Next Governor Will Change Your Taxes
California's 2026 governor candidates offer stark tax contrasts—from corporate tax hikes to aggressive cuts for working families and businesses.
LA28 Olympics Contracts: Will LA Businesses Get a Share?
LA city officials warn local businesses may be shut out of $4 billion in LA28 Olympic contracts as the 2028 Games procurement plan lacks firm guarantees.
Woman Accuses Eric Swalwell of Violent Sexual Assault
Beverly Hills woman Lonna Drewes accuses Rep. Eric Swalwell of rape and assault at a 2018 hotel meeting, days after he announced his congressional resignation.
Judge Dismisses Trump's $10B Lawsuit Against Wall Street Journal
A federal judge dismissed Trump's $10 billion defamation suit against the Wall Street Journal over Epstein reporting, but left room for an amended complaint.
Israel and Lebanon Hold First Direct Talks in 30 Years
Israel and Lebanon met face-to-face at the State Department for the first time in over 30 years, with Secretary Rubio calling it a historic gathering.
CalMatters Wins $9M Grant to Expand Digital Democracy
CalMatters' Digital Democracy platform wins a $9 million grant to expand AI-powered legislative transparency tools from California to states nationwide.
California May Ban Artificial Stone Countertops Over Silicosis
California could become the first U.S. state to ban engineered stone countertops after a silicosis outbreak killed 29 workers and sickened hundreds more.
LA's Most Unusual Coffee Shops Worth the Visit
From a treehouse in Topanga Canyon to a stunning Art Deco lobby downtown, discover LA's most unique and unforgettable places to get your caffeine fix.
California Wasted $1M in Dolly Parton Literacy Program
A California nonprofit spent over $1 million in a Dolly Parton book program partnership without distributing a single book to a single child.
CalMatters Wins Collier Prize for DMV Investigation
CalMatters earned second place in the Collier Prize for its 'License to Kill' investigation into how California's DMV handles drivers who cause fatal crashes.
Why California's Civil Courts Fill the Criminal Justice Gap
When criminal justice fails victims of government misconduct, California's civil courts become the last resort for accountability and compensation.
California Democrats' Tax-the-Rich Plans Could Backfire
California progressives want to tax the wealthy to offset Medi-Cal cuts, but budget analysts warn the math won't add up amid a $22 billion deficit.
California Billionaire Tax Proposals Won't Fix Budget Crisis
California lawmakers push three bills to tax billionaires and corporations, but budget experts warn the measures won't solve the state's $22 billion deficit.
Vendors Fear Impact of 55-Story Tower at MacArthur Park
Street vendors near MacArthur Park worry about rising rents and lost customers as a 55-story mixed-use tower is proposed above the Westlake Metro station.
Who Benefits From Swalwell's Exit in California Governor Race
Eric Swalwell suspended his governor campaign and resigned from Congress after sexual harassment allegations, reshaping California's Democratic primary field.
Eric Swalwell Drops California Governor Race After Allegations
Rep. Eric Swalwell suspended his California governor campaign after four women made sexual misconduct allegations, including assault claims from a former staffer.
Trump Snubbed as California GOP Rejects His Governor Pick
California Republicans defied Trump at their San Diego convention, failing to endorse Steve Hilton for governor as delegates split between Hilton and Sheriff Chad Bianco.
Eric Swalwell Resigns From Congress After Sexual Assault Claims
Rep. Eric Swalwell announced his resignation from Congress days after sexual assault allegations from four women, including a former staff member, became public.
Pope Leo Brushes Off Trump Criticism Over Iran War Stance
Pope Leo XIV vows to keep speaking out against war despite sharp Trump criticism, as Vatican–U.S. tensions rise over the ongoing Iran conflict.
LAX People Mover Begins Reliability Testing in 2026
LAX's long-delayed Automated People Mover starts reliability testing, but a legal dispute and 60-day timeline push its opening well past the FIFA World Cup.
Why Stingray Stings Are Rising on Southern California Beaches
Stingray stings are surging at Southern California beaches. Learn why round stingrays are the culprit and how to stay safe in the water.
California Bill Uses Malpractice Law to Fight Conversion Therapy
Sen. Scott Wiener's bill would extend malpractice lawsuit deadlines for LGBTQ youth harmed by conversion therapy, responding to a recent Supreme Court ruling.
California GOP Rejects Trump's Pick Steve Hilton for Governor
California Republicans failed to endorse any gubernatorial candidate, splitting between Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco despite Trump backing Hilton at the San Diego convention.
Swalwell Suspends CA Governor Race After Assault Allegations
Rep. Eric Swalwell ended his California governor campaign after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct, including rape allegations he calls false.
California Republicans Torn Between Trump and Swing Districts
At their annual convention in San Diego, California Republicans face a difficult balancing act: embracing Trump's base while appealing to competitive district voters.
LAUSD and Teachers Union Reach Deal, Averting Strike
LAUSD and United Teachers Los Angeles reached a tentative two-year deal, averting a strike with an 11.65% salary increase and $650 million in new costs.
Route 66 at 100: The Dark History Behind the Iconic Road
Route 66 turns 100 in 2026, but behind the nostalgia lies a complex history of race, crisis, and inequality that rarely makes the gift shops.
Melania Trump Denies Jeffrey Epstein Ties in Rare Statement
Melania Trump addressed cameras Thursday, denying she was an Epstein victim or that he introduced her to Donald Trump in a rare prepared statement.
Best Allergy-Friendly Restaurants in Los Angeles
Discover LA restaurants that take food allergies seriously, from strict allergen protocols to manager-led ordering for a safe, delicious dining experience.
California Botanic Garden Opens Kids' Nature Play Space
The California Botanic Garden in Claremont opened Children's Woodland, a freeform outdoor play space connecting kids to native California plants.
Artemis II Splashdown Off SoCal Coast: What to Expect
NASA's Artemis II crew splashes down in the Pacific off San Diego after a historic 10-day mission that took humans farther from Earth than ever before.
Could the 2028 Olympics Bankrupt Los Angeles?
LA city officials warn a missing cost-reimbursement agreement with LA28 could leave taxpayers exposed and push the city toward bankruptcy by 2029.
LAUSD Strike Could Close Schools Indefinitely: What to Know
Three major LAUSD unions representing 68,000 employees are set to strike, potentially closing schools for 400,000 students with no set reopening date.
California Rural Health Care Crisis and the 340B Program
Glenn Medical Center's closure spotlights California's rural hospital crisis and raises questions about the 340B drug discount program's true beneficiaries.
Palisades Fire Survivor Learns Carpentry to Rebuild His Home
After losing his home in the Palisades Fire, Hudson Idov enrolled in carpentry school to help rebuild his neighborhood amid LA's construction worker shortage.
California Voters Face Dueling Ballot Propositions in 2026
California voters will encounter competing ballot propositions designed to cancel each other out, a political tactic dating back to the landmark Prop. 13 battle of 1978.
Trump's Endorsement Divides California GOP Convention
Trump's endorsement of Steve Hilton over Chad Bianco at California's GOP convention sparked backlash, complicating the party's already fragile 2026 prospects.
California Billionaire Tax: Why Progressives Have Doubts
Despite celebrity backing, California's proposed 5% billionaire tax faces surprising private opposition from progressive lawmakers and union leaders.
59 People from 110 Freeway Encampments Now in Housing
Fifty-nine unhoused Angelenos who lived along the 110 Freeway are now indoors, thanks to a $6 million state grant and months of outreach work.
Unsealed Warrants Reveal Weak Basis for Bianco Ballot Seizure
Search warrants behind Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco's seizure of 650,000 ballots reveal no informants, witnesses, or forensic evidence.
Trump Warns Strikes Will Resume If Iran Breaks Peace Terms
Trump threatens to resume military strikes against Iran as a fragile ceasefire falters, oil hits $97 a barrel, and the Strait of Hormuz reports swirl.
New Spring TV Shows Set in California: Full Cast Guide
Keanu Reeves, Nicole Kidman, and Oscar Isaac headline a wave of new spring TV shows and films set across California, streaming this April.
LA Mansion Tax Changes: Are Proposed Fixes Enough?
Los Angeles officials propose amendments to Measure ULA, but housing advocates say the fixes don't address the tax's broader impact on housing development.
California Must Fix Boom-and-Bust Budgeting and Build Reserves
California faces structural deficits of up to $35 billion. Experts say the next governor must rethink spending and boost reserves to end boom-and-bust cycles.