For the first time in its history, the City of Los Angeles has seen two consecutive years of decline in homelessness, according to new data released by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). The 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count shows a 17.5% reduction in street homelessness since December 2022, when Mayor Karen Bass took office. But while city officials and community leaders are celebrating the progress, advocacy groups caution that the crisis remains severe and systemic change is still urgently needed.
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As outrage mounts over federal immigration raids across California, members of the state legislature gathered at the Capitol on Thursday to urge the state to formally condemn federal raids targeting immigrant communities.
As California enters yet another perilous wildfire season, state lawmakers unveiled a sweeping legislative package aimed at honoring the labor and sacrifice of incarcerated firefighters and removing the reentry barriers they face after release.
L.A. Commons held its 15th annual Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks in Leimert Park over the weekend. The festival features live musical performances, a parade procession and a continuing call to action.
“We’re living in revolutionary times and so, the opportunity to really lean into that, I think is our sweet spot as Black people,” said Karen Mack, founder of L.A. Commons.
“We have been adapting and changing our whole history in America—and we’ve thrived.”
“The Festival of Masks is so important because it celebrates our ancestors, it reminds us from where we come, of our power, of our strength, what we have done in this country,” said State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles).
The soul of Los Angeles has endured significant challenges, from disruptive ICE raids to an overwhelming military presence, transforming peaceful protests against Trump’s immigration policies into violent unrest. Amid this turmoil, the Empowerment Congress’s 4th Annual Juneteenth Experience provided a space for meaningful dialogue, emphasizing the importance of resilience and unity during times of crisis.
The Empowerment Congress commemorated its anniversary and the Juneteenth holiday by holding a community celebration at The Beehive on June 21. Approximately 200 ministers, community advocates, and elected officials attended, including Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas and Assemblymember Mike Gipson.
A California bill that would regulate the use of self-checkout machines at grocery stores moved one step closer Wednesday to the bagged-item area.
The legislation — Senate Bill 442, written by Los Angeles Democratic state Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas — would prohibit grocery stores and retail drug businesses from having self-checkout, unless at least one manual checkout station is staffed. Additionally, self-checkout customers would have a 15-item limit along with signs posted stating that restriction. Customers also couldn’t buy items that require identification at self-checkout.
California Backs South LA Black Cultural District With $3 Million in State Funding
California is moving forward with a plan to create a Black Cultural District in South Los Angeles, backed by $3 million in state funding secured by State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles).
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents attempted to access Dodger Stadium on Thursday morning, but were barred from entering by the Dodgers organization.