latimes--2020-10-22--Thousands of children could be back to school sooner under a new L.A. County waiver policy

County officials have made it easier for elementary schools to reopen for their youngest students under waivers , dropping a requirement for schools to provide a letter of support from employee unions as part of the application , The Times has learned .
The decision streamlines the application process and could potentially reopen classrooms to thousands of children , but it ’ s likely to raise concerns among teachers and other employees about possible exposure to health risks .
The move — previewed by county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer in two conference calls with school and school district leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supervisor Kathryn Barger announced that all schools in L.A. county are now allowed to bring on campus up to 25 % of a school ’ s enrollment to serve students with special needs , especially students with disabilities or students who are learning English .
Combined , the two moves could potentially open the schoolhouse doors for hundreds of thousands of students — the county has about 1.5 million K-12 students .
General operations for all students are not permitted because the county remains in the state ’ s worst , or purple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widespread community transmission of the coronavirus .
Under state guidelines , schools can reopen 14 days after the county moves the next tier , red .
The elementary waiver would apply to students in transitional kindergarten through second grade .
Under state rules , the county could grant waivers allowing schools to operate through sixth grade , but health officials aren ’ t ready for that step .
Ferrer acknowledged that the requirement for letters of support from employee unions had made it difficult for some schools to apply for waivers .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from private schools , followed by charters , which are public schools but mostly nonunionized .
Though county officials had planned to give priority to schools that serve a higher number of low-income students , the requirement for letters of support was apparently proving a hurdle .
In addition to dropping the union-support requirement , the county also will drop a similar requirement for letters of support from representative parent groups .
“ We will now just require a consultation process with your stakeholders , ” Ferrer said in a recording of one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ferrer indicated that the formal announcement of the waiver revision could happen Friday .
As of Wednesday , the county had received waiver applications from 87 private schools , 18 charter schools and five traditional public schools .
Four schools have been approved ; all are private schools .
An additional 30 applications are complete and undergoing final review .
Officials have committed to trying to approve 30 applications per week .
“ This is welcoming news to hundreds of thousands of families and kids , ” Supt .
Alex Cherniss of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The prior waiver system benefited families that can afford private and independent schools , from which over 90 % of the waiver applications were submitted.
” Cherniss was among the public officials who had asked the county to revise its waiver rules .
L.A. schools Supt .
Austin Beutner said last week that waivers , approved 30 schools at a time , are a poor fit for the massive school system and that he was focused instead on efforts such as building a tutoring program and getting campuses ready for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — when it is safe to do so .
The district had no comment Thursday .
In a brief statement , a spokeswoman for United Teachers Los Angeles said the union intends to bargain the terms and conditions of its members ’ return to campus .
On social media Thursday , the union posted a news story about the closing of campuses in Boston because of a coronavirus surge .
Stephanie Yellin-Mednick , a school nurse and teachers union member who worked with the school district over protocols for coronavirus testing , tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the negotiation process with unions ultimately benefited students .
Glendale Unified Supt .
Vivian Ekchian said she ’ s interested in exploring waivers but would seek community input and direction from her school board at its Nov. 2 meeting .
She added that many teachers have told her that they are ready to come back .
She said she plans to keep working with the leadership of the Glendale teachers union to reach common ground .
Ekchian said the district also is working out plans for bringing back small groups of students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November and would probably see how things go before stepping up from 10 % of enrollment — the previous maximum — to the new ceiling of 25 % .
“ We truly believe in a gradual , careful , robust return that is taking all aspects of this experience into consideration , ” Ekchian said .
Las Virgenes Unified is among the few districts to quickly submit a waiver application .
Its teachers union was willing to provide a letter of support .
The four schools that have been issued waivers are Rabbi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Pico-Robertson , Los Encinos School in Encino , Holy Angels School in Arcadia and Kadima Day School in West Hills .
At these private schools the percentage of students who qualify for a free or reduced-price lunch ranges from 2 % to 16 % .
By comparison , 69 % of L.A. County students qualify because they are part of low-income families , according to 2019 data .
Los Encinos and Holy Angels have opted for staggered attendance and will offer hybrid and virtual options to families , according to their waiver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students back full time , although Kadima Head of School Steven Lorch said one to three students in every class will continue to learn remotely through Zoom .
Lorch said his staff began preparing to apply for a waiver in July , before L.A. county opened up its process .
Kadima looked at what other counties were requiring and planned accordingly .
“ We knew that while e-learning had gotten better and better , it would never be equal to in-person learning , ” Lorch said .
“ There ’ s just so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , benefit from in person — the nonverbal cues , the warmth of the room itself , all of which is absent when you ’ re a bunch of disembodied faces on a screen.
” Kadima has installed an 8-foot-wide plexiglass shield in each classroom that separates the teaching area from the students — a “ symbol to teachers that they need to think three times before they cross that barrier over to the student side , ” Lorch said .

Pre-kindergarten teacher Amanda Templeton waves to online students last week with Lizeth Hernandez, left, and Kyleigh Maunaury-Young on the first day of in-person learning at Lafayette Elementary School in San Diego.
County officials have made it easier for elementary schools to reopen for their youngest students under waivers, dropping a requirement for schools to provide a letter of support from employee unions as part of the application, The Times has learned.
The decision streamlines the application process and could potentially reopen classrooms to thousands of children, but it’s likely to raise concerns among teachers and other employees about possible exposure to health risks.
The move — previewed by county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer in two conference calls with school and school district leaders Thursday — came a day after county Supervisor Kathryn Barger announced that all schools in L.A. county are now allowed to bring on campus up to 25% of a school’s enrollment to serve students with special needs, especially students with disabilities or students who are learning English.
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Combined, the two moves could potentially open the schoolhouse doors for hundreds of thousands of students — the county has about 1.5 million K-12 students. General operations for all students are not permitted because the county remains in the state’s worst, or purple, tier for reopening, which signifies widespread community transmission of the coronavirus. Under state guidelines, schools can reopen 14 days after the county moves the next tier, red.
The elementary waiver would apply to students in transitional kindergarten through second grade. Under state rules, the county could grant waivers allowing schools to operate through sixth grade, but health officials aren’t ready for that step.
Ferrer acknowledged that the requirement for letters of support from employee unions had made it difficult for some schools to apply for waivers.
The vast majority of waiver applications were coming from private schools, followed by charters, which are public schools but mostly nonunionized. Though county officials had planned to give priority to schools that serve a higher number of low-income students, the requirement for letters of support was apparently proving a hurdle.
In addition to dropping the union-support requirement, the county also will drop a similar requirement for letters of support from representative parent groups.
“We will now just require a consultation process with your stakeholders,” Ferrer said in a recording of one of her calls with education leaders.
Ferrer indicated that the formal announcement of the waiver revision could happen Friday.
As of Wednesday, the county had received waiver applications from 87 private schools, 18 charter schools and five traditional public schools. Four schools have been approved; all are private schools. An additional 30 applications are complete and undergoing final review. Officials have committed to trying to approve 30 applications per week.
“This is welcoming news to hundreds of thousands of families and kids,” Supt. Alex Cherniss of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District said. “The prior waiver system benefited families that can afford private and independent schools, from which over 90% of the waiver applications were submitted.”
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Cherniss was among the public officials who had asked the county to revise its waiver rules.
L.A. schools Supt. Austin Beutner said last week that waivers, approved 30 schools at a time, are a poor fit for the massive school system and that he was focused instead on efforts such as building a tutoring program and getting campuses ready for the moment when all students would be returning — when it is safe to do so.
The district had no comment Thursday.
In a brief statement, a spokeswoman for United Teachers Los Angeles said the union intends to bargain the terms and conditions of its members’ return to campus. On social media Thursday, the union posted a news story about the closing of campuses in Boston because of a coronavirus surge.
Stephanie Yellin-Mednick, a school nurse and teachers union member who worked with the school district over protocols for coronavirus testing, tweeted her disapproval of the changes, saying that the negotiation process with unions ultimately benefited students.
https://twitter.com/MednickYellin/status/1319373964716634112
Glendale Unified Supt. Vivian Ekchian said she’s interested in exploring waivers but would seek community input and direction from her school board at its Nov. 2 meeting. She added that many teachers have told her that they are ready to come back. She said she plans to keep working with the leadership of the Glendale teachers union to reach common ground.
Ekchian said the district also is working out plans for bringing back small groups of students with special needs around the beginning of November and would probably see how things go before stepping up from 10% of enrollment — the previous maximum — to the new ceiling of 25%.
“We truly believe in a gradual, careful, robust return that is taking all aspects of this experience into consideration,” Ekchian said.
Las Virgenes Unified is among the few districts to quickly submit a waiver application. Its teachers union was willing to provide a letter of support.
The four schools that have been issued waivers are Rabbi Jacob Pressman Academy of Temple Beth Am in Pico-Robertson, Los Encinos School in Encino, Holy Angels School in Arcadia and Kadima Day School in West Hills.
At these private schools the percentage of students who qualify for a free or reduced-price lunch ranges from 2% to 16%. By comparison, 69% of L.A. County students qualify because they are part of low-income families, according to 2019 data.
Los Encinos and Holy Angels have opted for staggered attendance and will offer hybrid and virtual options to families, according to their waiver applications. Pressman and Kadima will bring students back full time, although Kadima Head of School Steven Lorch said one to three students in every class will continue to learn remotely through Zoom.
Lorch said his staff began preparing to apply for a waiver in July, before L.A. county opened up its process. Kadima looked at what other counties were requiring and planned accordingly.
“We knew that while e-learning had gotten better and better, it would never be equal to in-person learning,” Lorch said. “There’s just so much that children, particularly young children, benefit from in person — the nonverbal cues, the warmth of the room itself, all of which is absent when you’re a bunch of disembodied faces on a screen.”
Kadima has installed an 8-foot-wide plexiglass shield in each classroom that separates the teaching area from the students — a “symbol to teachers that they need to think three times before they cross that barrier over to the student side,” Lorch said.
Times staff writer Julia Barajas contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-10-22--Gil Cisneros and Young Kim spar in rematch to represent 39th Congressional District

In 2018 , Gil Cisneros launched his first-ever political campaign , targeting the tri-county 39th Congressional District and stumping on hot-button topics : healthcare , jobs , diverse representation .
Legislative veteran Young Kim , his opponent , remembers that the newcomer didn ’ t have a voting record to attack .
So the former state assemblywoman ran a campaign focusing on her decades working as a top aide to Rep. Ed Royce ( R-Fullerton ) , who had announced his retirement , opening up the seat at a time when the economy was flourishing .
On election night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days later , after a count of mail-in ballots , Cisneros claimed victory by 3.2 percentage points , just over 7,600 votes .
Now both of the candidates are headed for a rematch in one of the hottest races in California .
And what a difference two years can make .
Cisneros , as incumbent , has an advantage .
The former Navy supply officer , who won a $ 266 million-dollar jackpot that allowed him to take up philanthropy and politics , points to his advocacy for bills benefiting veterans and bipartisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic by supporting paycheck protection programs .
Since mid-March , he and his staff have made accessibility a priority , he said , hosting 23 coronavirus-themed town halls “ to make sure we ’ re out there daily , helping to solve citizens ’ problems.
” Kim criticized his achievements , attacking him for constantly voting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
“ He went to Washington telling people he wanted to be a moderate conservative , ” she said , “ but he quickly became a part of the insiders .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kim said she ’ s known as a “ longtime leader in the community , working across the aisle , no matter what position I ’ m in , ” with the skills to shepherd the region through COVID-sparked hardships .
The 39th district spans southern Los Angeles County , including cities like Diamond Bar and Hacienda Heights , to San Bernardino County ’ s Chino Hills , to northern Orange County cities from Anaheim Hills to Buena Park .
Voter registration is 28.7 % independent , 32.9 % Republican and 37 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March primary , Kim surpassed Cisneros by more than 2,000 votes , gaining 48.4 % to his 46.8 % .
But she said she ’ s taking “ nothing for granted — we are trying our best to show how we can offer real leadership , commonsense leadership.
” Although historically , Republicans have outnumbered Democrats , the district went for Hillary Clinton in 2016 , and Democrats flipped the congressional seat in 2018 .
Matthew Jarvis , an associate professor of political science at Cal State Fullerton who lives in the district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kim signs and his Democratic neighbors have Cisneros signs .
“ But there hasn ’ t been a lot of polling ” about the rematch “ because honestly , I think everybody ’ s focused on the presidential election , ” he continued .
“ It ’ s hard to break through when there ’ s the cacophony of lights and sounds of the bigger race.
” Jarvis said that winning a congressional race in California in 2020 “ likely takes a ‘ D ’ after your name.
” “ California has very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , and the bread and butter of every Democratic campaign — if they have a Republican opponent — is to tie that candidate to Trump.
” Cisneros has attempted to do that by noting that Kim backs Trump for a second term .
Yet Kim has publicly criticized the president ’ s repeated use of the term “ kung flu , ” saying such words incite hate against Asian Americans .
Cisneros , 49 , is married and the father of six-year-old twin boys .
He lives in Yorba Linda and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from college .
After winning the lottery , he launched endowments to award scholarships to Latino students at George Washington University , his alma mater , and at USC .
Making college affordable is central to his campaign , along with such issues as universal healthcare , support for abortion rights , LGBTQ rights and fighting gun violence .
One supporter , Cindy Calisher , 63 , a Fullerton resident who worries about the future of healthcare as a breast cancer survivor , said she appreciates Cisneros ’ transparency , sincerity and hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impressed her by helping to speed up delivery of personal protective equipment during the pandemic .
Calisher volunteered for the Cisneros team in 2018 and continues to promote the congressman .
“ When you win the lottery , he could just have bought a private island , took care of his family and had his fun and not decided to be a public servant , ” she said .
“ But this is what he chose , and it ’ s not to turn things back to the dark ages where women couldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and make the choices they choose.
” Kim , 58 , and her husband live in La Habra and are parents to four grown children .
An immigrant from South Korea , she started a small business in the women ’ s apparel industry and cemented her visibility while working for Royce , leading his community outreach projects and juggling stints as a host on Korean-language radio .
In 2014 , she made history as the first Korean American Republican woman to serve in the California Assembly , representing the 65th district and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If elected , she would be the first Korean American woman in Congress .
Kim promises to find solutions to homelessness among veterans and youth and plans to focus on immigration reform , healthcare , and simplifying business regulations .
She said that her online fundraising campaign has more than 50,000 small donors .
Her staff is supervising over 300 high school and college interns who stay in touch with potential voters via text messages and postcards .
Janice Lim , a campaign volunteer , described Kim as a candidate “ who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she and fellow parents in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District were upset about the Common Core curriculum introduced in their schools , not being familiar with how math instruction was changing or how sex education included elements of transgender identities which she thought “ was too permissive.
” “ I worried about not having a chance to talk to my kids about these issues before the schools did , ” Lim recalled .
She contacted then-Assemblywoman Kim , who advised her to share her concerns with school board members and try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listens and offers a plan of action , ” Lim , 51 , said .
Jarvis said that the Cisneros-Kim rematch , “ by all indications , will be a closer contest ” compared to some other Congressional races involving parts of Orange County .
Cisneros is “ largely running a positive name recognition campaign — it ’ s like an infomercial with the amber fields of grain and all-Americana graphics , ” Jarvis continued .
“ Will two years under his belt be enough to win ?
We ’ ll find out @ @ @

In 2018, Gil Cisneros launched his first-ever political campaign, targeting the tri-county 39th Congressional District and stumping on hot-button topics: healthcare, jobs, diverse representation.
Legislative veteran Young Kim, his opponent, remembers that the newcomer didn’t have a voting record to attack. So the former state assemblywoman ran a campaign focusing on her decades working as a top aide to Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton), who had announced his retirement, opening up the seat at a time when the economy was flourishing.
On election night, Kim thought she had won. But days later, after a count of mail-in ballots, Cisneros claimed victory by 3.2 percentage points, just over 7,600 votes. Now both of the candidates are headed for a rematch in one of the hottest races in California.
And what a difference two years can make.
Cisneros, as incumbent, has an advantage. The former Navy supply officer, who won a $266 million-dollar jackpot that allowed him to take up philanthropy and politics, points to his advocacy for bills benefiting veterans and bipartisan recognition for helping business owners survive the pandemic by supporting paycheck protection programs.
Since mid-March, he and his staff have made accessibility a priority, he said, hosting 23 coronavirus-themed town halls “to make sure we’re out there daily, helping to solve citizens’ problems.”
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Kim criticized his achievements, attacking him for constantly voting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
“He went to Washington telling people he wanted to be a moderate conservative,” she said, “but he quickly became a part of the insiders. He’s not to be trusted.”
Kim said she’s known as a “longtime leader in the community, working across the aisle, no matter what position I’m in,” with the skills to shepherd the region through COVID-sparked hardships.
The 39th district spans southern Los Angeles County, including cities like Diamond Bar and Hacienda Heights, to San Bernardino County’s Chino Hills, to northern Orange County cities from Anaheim Hills to Buena Park. Voter registration is 28.7% independent, 32.9% Republican and 37% Democrat.
In this year’s March primary, Kim surpassed Cisneros by more than 2,000 votes, gaining 48.4% to his 46.8%. But she said she’s taking “nothing for granted — we are trying our best to show how we can offer real leadership, commonsense leadership.”
Although historically, Republicans have outnumbered Democrats, the district went for Hillary Clinton in 2016, and Democrats flipped the congressional seat in 2018.
Matthew Jarvis, an associate professor of political science at Cal State Fullerton who lives in the district, said that his Republican neighbors have Kim signs and his Democratic neighbors have Cisneros signs.
“But there hasn’t been a lot of polling” about the rematch “because honestly, I think everybody’s focused on the presidential election,” he continued. “It’s hard to break through when there’s the cacophony of lights and sounds of the bigger race.”
Jarvis said that winning a congressional race in California in 2020 “likely takes a ‘D’ after your name.”
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“California has very, very low approval numbers for Donald Trump, and the bread and butter of every Democratic campaign — if they have a Republican opponent — is to tie that candidate to Trump.”
Cisneros has attempted to do that by noting that Kim backs Trump for a second term. Yet Kim has publicly criticized the president’s repeated use of the term “kung flu,” saying such words incite hate against Asian Americans.
Cisneros, 49, is married and the father of six-year-old twin boys. He lives in Yorba Linda and is the first in his family to graduate from college. After winning the lottery, he launched endowments to award scholarships to Latino students at George Washington University, his alma mater, and at USC. Making college affordable is central to his campaign, along with such issues as universal healthcare, support for abortion rights, LGBTQ rights and fighting gun violence.
One supporter, Cindy Calisher, 63, a Fullerton resident who worries about the future of healthcare as a breast cancer survivor, said she appreciates Cisneros’ transparency, sincerity and hard work on behalf of constituents. He impressed her by helping to speed up delivery of personal protective equipment during the pandemic.
Calisher volunteered for the Cisneros team in 2018 and continues to promote the congressman.
“When you win the lottery, he could just have bought a private island, took care of his family and had his fun and not decided to be a public servant,” she said. “But this is what he chose, and it’s not to turn things back to the dark ages where women couldn’t have the care they needed and make the choices they choose.”
Kim, 58, and her husband live in La Habra and are parents to four grown children. An immigrant from South Korea, she started a small business in the women’s apparel industry and cemented her visibility while working for Royce, leading his community outreach projects and juggling stints as a host on Korean-language radio.
In 2014, she made history as the first Korean American Republican woman to serve in the California Assembly, representing the 65th district and lobbying to protect victims of domestic violence. If elected, she would be the first Korean American woman in Congress.
Kim promises to find solutions to homelessness among veterans and youth and plans to focus on immigration reform, healthcare, and simplifying business regulations.
She said that her online fundraising campaign has more than 50,000 small donors. Her staff is supervising over 300 high school and college interns who stay in touch with potential voters via text messages and postcards.
Janice Lim, a campaign volunteer, described Kim as a candidate “who really cares.” Six years ago, she and fellow parents in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District were upset about the Common Core curriculum introduced in their schools, not being familiar with how math instruction was changing or how sex education included elements of transgender identities which she thought “was too permissive.”
“I worried about not having a chance to talk to my kids about these issues before the schools did,” Lim recalled.
She contacted then-Assemblywoman Kim, who advised her to share her concerns with school board members and try to find common ground.
“She genuinely listens and offers a plan of action,” Lim, 51, said.
Jarvis said that the Cisneros-Kim rematch, “by all indications, will be a closer contest” compared to some other Congressional races involving parts of Orange County. Cisneros is “largely running a positive name recognition campaign — it’s like an infomercial with the amber fields of grain and all-Americana graphics,” Jarvis continued.
“Will two years under his belt be enough to win? We’ll find out soon.”


latimes--2020-10-23--L.A.'s budget crisis worsens as deficit projections climb to $600 million

The pandemic-driven financial crisis at Los Angeles City Hall has deepened significantly over the past three months , with budget analysts warning the city ’ s shortfall could reach $ 400 million to $ 600 million by the end of the fiscal year .
The grim forecast poses some tough choices for city leaders , with a local economy battered by coronavirus shutdowns that have sent unemployment soaring , caused many small businesses to close and now threaten major cuts in municipal services .
In an update sent Friday to Mayor Eric Garcetti and various council members , City Administrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest projected revenue shortfall , which covers the fiscal year ending June 30 , “ can not be understated.
” A $ 400-million budget gap would represent 6 % of the 2020-21 budget and exhaust all but $ 14 million of the city ’ s various reserve funds , wrote Llewellyn , the city ’ s top budget official .
“ A $ 600-million revenue shortfall equates to 9 % of the 2020-21 budget , well above any available reserves and any currently identifiable solutions , ” he wrote .
Llewellyn had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200 million to $ 400 million , according to the report .
With taxes , fees and fines still coming in below projections , and some of the city ’ s cost-cutting measures delayed by several months , the city will need to reduce spending aggressively , relying on “ all available fiscal restraint tools , ” the report said .
Garcetti has already instructed city department heads to prepare for a “ potential layoff scenario , ” compiling lists of positions that could be eliminated .
On Friday , an aide to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government steps in with assistance , the COVID-19 outbreak will force the city to pursue “ catastrophic service cuts.
” “ The mayor is addressing this shortfall with a variety of cost-saving measures , and has directed departments to prepare for layoffs , ” said Garcetti spokesman Alex Comisar .
“ But this report shows that we , along with cities and states across the country , need Washington to step up , and we need that help now.
” Garcetti first proposed that the city address its budget crisis , at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effectively a 10 % pay cut — forcing civilian city employees to take one unpaid day off every 10 days .
That move was expected to cut costs by up to $ 139 million .
But Garcetti and the council changed course after conferring with the city ’ s unions , who recommended that the city pursue a buyout program instead , offering workers eligible for retirement up to $ 80,000 to leave .
The buyout initiative was expected to save as much as $ 58.7 million if every eligible worker took part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoped for and on Friday , Llewellyn said the program is on track to save just $ 2.6 million this year .
Council members also voted in July to cut the Los Angeles Police Department Budget by $ 150 million , saying at least a portion of the money would likely be used to delay employee furloughs .
They also reached a deal to have civilian city workers take two unpaid days off in November and April , in exchange for a new floating holiday .
Those workers could still see 11 furlough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the report .
While Garcetti and Llewellyn drew a link between the financial crisis and the COVID-19 outbreak , city leaders are also facing rising costs , with employees receiving a series of raises , bonuses and other benefit increases .
Police officers are slated to receive a combined 4.8 % increase over the current fiscal year , as well as new bonuses for those who have college degrees .
The increased costs from their contract were expected to add $ 123 million to the city ’ s budget this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the activist group Ground Game L.A. , said the city should move quickly to have civilian workers take on more of the assignments currently being handled by police officers , including traffic enforcement , noise complaints and nonviolent mental health calls .
That shift would reduce the city ’ s salary costs , he said .
If layoffs are needed , the LAPD — which is projected to consume roughly $ 3 billion this year — will need to do its part , Przylucki added .
“ The most bloated part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question , ” he said .
“ That would be , in my opinion , the first place to look if cuts are going to have to be made.
” Dustin DeRollo , spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Protective League , the LAPD ’ s largest union , said city leaders should look elsewhere if reductions are needed .
The council already cut 250 officers from the department ’ s budget earlier this year , he said .
“ With murders up 26 % and shootings up 23 % , and no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police resources make zero sense and put Angelenos at risk , ” he said .
“ We ’ ve already made sacrifices to support city budget shortfalls.
” The city ’ s firefighter union received a 4.75 % pay increase on July 5 and is poised to receive another 3 % next summer .
And the Coalition of L.A. City Unions , which represents a half-dozen non-sworn employee groups , is slated to receive a 2 % raise in January and another 2 % in June .
Councilman Paul Krekorian , who heads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he ’ s still hoping the federal government will provide financial relief to cities and states battered by coronavirus .
If that funding does not arrive , furloughs and more drastic cuts will be necessary , he said .
“ Given the severity of the budget crisis we are facing , all options are on the table — including layoffs , ” he said .
Bob Schoonover , president of Service Employees International Union Local 721 , said in a statement that he plans to work with city leaders on cost-saving measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he also cautioned that “ much is developing weekly ” in terms of the COVID-19 crisis .
“ It is still too soon in this fiscal year to make any drastic decisions , ” he said .

Mayor Eric Garcetti during his state of the city address in April.
The pandemic-driven financial crisis at Los Angeles City Hall has deepened significantly over the past three months, with budget analysts warning the city’s shortfall could reach $400 million to $600 million by the end of the fiscal year.
The grim forecast poses some tough choices for city leaders, with a local economy battered by coronavirus shutdowns that have sent unemployment soaring, caused many small businesses to close and now threaten major cuts in municipal services.
In an update sent Friday to Mayor Eric Garcetti and various council members, City Administrative Officer Rich Llewellyn voiced alarm over the magnitude of the latest projected revenue shortfall, which covers the fiscal year ending June 30.
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A $400-million budget gap would represent 6% of the 2020-21 budget and exhaust all but $14 million of the city’s various reserve funds, wrote Llewellyn, the city’s top budget official.
“A $600-million revenue shortfall equates to 9% of the 2020-21 budget, well above any available reserves and any currently identifiable solutions,” he wrote.
Llewellyn had previously forecast a shortfall ranging from $200 million to $400 million, according to the report. With taxes, fees and fines still coming in below projections, and some of the city’s cost-cutting measures delayed by several months, the city will need to reduce spending aggressively, relying on “all available fiscal restraint tools,” the report said.
Garcetti has already instructed city department heads to prepare for a “potential layoff scenario,” compiling lists of positions that could be eliminated. On Friday, an aide to the mayor said that unless the federal government steps in with assistance, the COVID-19 outbreak will force the city to pursue “catastrophic service cuts.”
“The mayor is addressing this shortfall with a variety of cost-saving measures, and has directed departments to prepare for layoffs,” said Garcetti spokesman Alex Comisar. “But this report shows that we, along with cities and states across the country, need Washington to step up, and we need that help now.”
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Garcetti first proposed that the city address its budget crisis, at least in part, by imposing furloughs — effectively a 10% pay cut — forcing civilian city employees to take one unpaid day off every 10 days.
That move was expected to cut costs by up to $139 million. But Garcetti and the council changed course after conferring with the city’s unions, who recommended that the city pursue a buyout program instead, offering workers eligible for retirement up to $80,000 to leave.
The buyout initiative was expected to save as much as $58.7 million if every eligible worker took part. But the response was weaker than hoped for and on Friday, Llewellyn said the program is on track to save just $2.6 million this year.
Council members also voted in July to cut the Los Angeles Police Department Budget by $150 million, saying at least a portion of the money would likely be used to delay employee furloughs. They also reached a deal to have civilian city workers take two unpaid days off in November and April, in exchange for a new floating holiday.
Those workers could still see 11 furlough days during the first half of 2021, according to the report.
While Garcetti and Llewellyn drew a link between the financial crisis and the COVID-19 outbreak, city leaders are also facing rising costs, with employees receiving a series of raises, bonuses and other benefit increases.
Police officers are slated to receive a combined 4.8% increase over the current fiscal year, as well as new bonuses for those who have college degrees. The increased costs from their contract were expected to add $123 million to the city’s budget this year.
Bill Przylucki, who heads the activist group Ground Game L.A., said the city should move quickly to have civilian workers take on more of the assignments currently being handled by police officers, including traffic enforcement, noise complaints and nonviolent mental health calls.
That shift would reduce the city’s salary costs, he said. If layoffs are needed, the LAPD — which is projected to consume roughly $3 billion this year — will need to do its part, Przylucki added.
“The most bloated part of the budget is the police budget, without question,” he said. “That would be, in my opinion, the first place to look if cuts are going to have to be made.”
Dustin DeRollo, spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the LAPD’s largest union, said city leaders should look elsewhere if reductions are needed. The council already cut 250 officers from the department’s budget earlier this year, he said.
“With murders up 26% and shootings up 23%, and no sign of slowing, more cuts to police resources make zero sense and put Angelenos at risk,” he said. “We’ve already made sacrifices to support city budget shortfalls.”
The city’s firefighter union received a 4.75% pay increase on July 5 and is poised to receive another 3% next summer. And the Coalition of L.A. City Unions, which represents a half-dozen non-sworn employee groups, is slated to receive a 2% raise in January and another 2% in June.
Councilman Paul Krekorian, who heads the council’s budget committee, said he’s still hoping the federal government will provide financial relief to cities and states battered by coronavirus. If that funding does not arrive, furloughs and more drastic cuts will be necessary, he said.
“Given the severity of the budget crisis we are facing, all options are on the table — including layoffs,” he said.
Bob Schoonover, president of Service Employees International Union Local 721, said in a statement that he plans to work with city leaders on cost-saving measures that protect “vital” services. But he also cautioned that “much is developing weekly” in terms of the COVID-19 crisis.
“It is still too soon in this fiscal year to make any drastic decisions,” he said.


latimes--2020-10-23--CSU graduation rates continue to climb, but stymied by stubborn equity gaps

Halfway through a 10-year initiative to increase the share of graduating students , the nation ’ s largest public university continues to make steady progress on improving overall graduation rates but remains stymied by stubborn equity gaps and faces the threat of backsliding amid state budget cuts and the COVID-19 pandemic , which has forced almost all instruction online .
The California State University awarded nearly 110,000 baccalaureate degrees in May .
Across the system ’ s 23 campuses , the four-year graduation rate for first-time freshmen now stands at 31 % , up significantly from 19 % in 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 % by 2025 , according to figures released by the university Friday .
The six-year graduation rate is now 62 % .
Nationally , about 44 % of students at any type of four-year institution graduate in four years , and 62 % of students graduate in six years , according to the most recent federal data .
Among transfer students , CSU has also demonstrated steady improvement , with 44 % of transfer students graduating in two years .
That number is just shy of the 45 % goal set for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 31 % two-year graduation rate among transfer students in 2015 .
“ For an institution of this size , this complexity and this scale ... the progress the system has been able to make while enrolling a greater number of students and while also enrolling a more diverse student body is in my view pretty remarkable , ” said assistant Vice Chancellor James Minor , who leads the system ’ s efforts to improve graduation rates .
The “ Graduation Initiative , ” launched in 2015 by Chancellor Timothy P. White , aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first-time and transfer students while also eliminating so-called equity gaps for students who receive federal Pell grants — a proxy for low-income status — and Black , Latino and Native American students ( referred to in the data as “ underrepresented minority ” students ) .
White has maintained a targeted focus on the initiative , and many say it will be a hallmark of the outgoing chancellor ’ s legacy .
The university system has spent more than $ 300 million on the initiative to date , adding course sections and faculty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they need , stepping up advising and early interventions , and increasing academic , financial and other supports .
While progress is steady on the overall graduation rates , low-income and underrepresented minority students are still graduating at rates of about 10 percentage points lower than than students who are not in these groups .
The gaps “ are stubborn , and they ’ re not where we want them to be for sure , ” Minor said .
He noted that the results of some policies put in place in recent years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the graduation data .
For example , the elimination of non-credit remedial education beginning in 2018 “ is going to have perhaps one of the biggest impacts on closing equity gaps , [ but ] it ’ s going to take a year or two more to start to see the results of those changes , ” Minor said .
He added also that campuses must look with increasing precision at the source of their equity gaps — at the college , department and down to the course level .
After showing little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northridge , which has one of the largest student bodies of a Cal State and a high share of low-income students , made notable strides in its 2020 graduation rates .
Almost 23 % of freshmen who began in 2016 graduated four years later , up from about 16 % a year ago and under 13 % in 2015 .
The two-year graduation rate for transfer students has jumped from 30 % since the start of the initiative to 44 % this year — surpassing the campus ’ individual goal of 43 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the university has focused specifically on supporting freshmen , since success in these students ’ first year is crucial to whether they continue their education .
The school established a central advising center for freshmen , with more advisors per student than in the upper grades , to help students map out their paths to degrees and identify courses that fit their schedules .
It also implemented an “ early alert ” system to identify and reach struggling students early in the semester , when they still have a chance to catch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to create a campus culture where students feel they belong .
Last year Northridge made “ a decided push , ” Walker said , to encourage all freshmen to take five courses , or 15 credits , their first semester , based on literature that suggests students who do so persist and succeed at higher rates , even if they don ’ t keep up the course load in later years .
“ If you really can complete 30 units in your first year , you really have shown that you can do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You ’ re showing it to yourself , to your family.
” Cal State Long Beach , too , has been a standout for its success — partly because it began efforts to improve graduation rates before the system as a whole did .
The four-year graduation rate for freshmen at Long Beach is about 38 % , just shy of the 39 % goal in 2025 .
Among students graduating in six years , there is almost no gap between students who receive Pell grants and students who don ’ t , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minority groups and students who aren ’ t from those groups stands at about 6 percentage points .
Provost Brian Jersky has said that redesigning “ bottleneck courses ” that historically had low completion rates but were necessary for certain majors , improving advising , increasing course availability , and removing administrative hurdles have all been part of the university ’ s strategy .
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and recession on graduation rates remain to be seen .
Systemwide , only 7 % of classes are being offered with some in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to internet , technology and academic supports in the virtual environment — not to mention the disease itself and job losses — have especially affected the low-income and Black and Latino students whom the system is trying desperately to help catch up .
At the same time , 85.5 % , a record share , of first-time freshmen returned for a second year this year , and the system ’ s overall fall enrollment of nearly 486,000 stands at an all-time high , signaling students ’ desire to persist in their education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now , ” Minor said .
“ We are concerned , and we are doing everything we can to support students who on a good day in a good year would have struggled to make progress on a degree.
” Financial resources are also a concern .
Faced with a massive deficit , the state reduced its allocation to the CSU ’ s operating budget by $ 299 million , with no money for the Graduation Initiative this year .
In its budget request for next year , the CSU plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initiative .
“ The initiative ’ s positive momentum and aspirational timeline are at risk , ” noted a preliminary summary of the budget request in September .

Cal State Northridge is among the CSU campuses that made notable strides this year in improving student graduation rates and reducing gaps between historically under-represented groups and their peers.
Halfway through a 10-year initiative to increase the share of students who graduate, the nation’s largest public university continues to make steady progress on improving overall graduation rates but remains stymied by stubborn equity gaps and faces the threat of backsliding amid state budget cuts and the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced almost all instruction online.
The California State University awarded nearly 110,000 baccalaureate degrees in May. Across the system’s 23 campuses, the four-year graduation rate for first-time freshmen now stands at 31%, up significantly from 19% in 2015 and about halfway to the goal of 40% by 2025, according to figures released by the university Friday. The six-year graduation rate is now 62%.
Nationally, about 44% of students at any type of four-year institution graduate in four years, and 62% of students graduate in six years, according to the most recent federal data.
Among transfer students, CSU has also demonstrated steady improvement, with 44% of transfer students graduating in two years. That number is just shy of the 45% goal set for 2025 and a marked increase over the 31% two-year graduation rate among transfer students in 2015.
“For an institution of this size, this complexity and this scale ... the progress the system has been able to make while enrolling a greater number of students and while also enrolling a more diverse student body is in my view pretty remarkable,” said Assistant Vice Chancellor James Minor, who leads the system’s efforts to improve graduation rates.
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The Graduation Initiative, launched in 2015 by Chancellor Timothy P. White, aimed to increase the graduation rates for all first-time and transfer students while also eliminating so-called equity gaps for students who receive federal Pell grants — a proxy for low-income status — and Black, Latino and Native American students (referred to in the data as “underrepresented minority” students).
White has maintained a targeted focus on the initiative, and many say it will be a hallmark of the outgoing chancellor’s legacy. The university system has spent more than $300 million on the initiative to date, adding course sections and faculty to ensure students can take the courses they need, stepping up advising and early interventions, and increasing academic, financial and other supports.
While progress is steady on the overall graduation rates, low-income and underrepresented minority students are still graduating at rates of about 10 percentage points lower than students who are not in these groups.
The gaps “are stubborn, and they’re not where we want them to be for sure,” Minor said. He noted that the results of some policies put in place in recent years have yet to be borne out in the graduation data. For example, the elimination of non-credit remedial education beginning in 2018 “is going to have perhaps one of the biggest impacts on closing equity gaps, [but] it’s going to take a year or two more to start to see the results of those changes,” Minor said.
He added that campuses must look with increasing precision at the source of their equity gaps — at the college, department and down to the course level.
After showing little progress over four years, Cal State Northridge, which has one of the largest student bodies of a Cal State and a high share of low-income students, made notable strides in its 2020 graduation rates. Almost 23% of freshmen who began in 2016 graduated four years later, up from about 16% a year ago and under 13% in 2015. The two-year graduation rate for transfer students has jumped from 30% since the start of the initiative to 44% this year — surpassing the campus’ individual goal of 43% in 2025.
Provost Mary Beth Walker said the university has focused specifically on supporting freshmen, since success in these students’ first year is crucial to whether they continue their education. The school established a central advising center for freshmen, with more advisors per student than in the upper grades, to help students map out their paths to degrees and identify courses that fit their schedules. It also implemented an “early alert” system to identify and reach struggling students early in the semester, when they still have a chance to catch up, and trained faculty and staff to create a campus culture where students feel they belong.
Last year Northridge made “a decided push,” Walker said, to encourage all freshmen to take five courses, or 15 credits, their first semester, based on literature that suggests students who do so persist and succeed at higher rates, even if they don’t keep up the course load in later years.
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“If you really can complete 30 units in your first year, you really have shown that you can do it,” Walker said. “You’re showing it to yourself, to your family.”
Cal State Long Beach, too, has been a standout for its success — partly because it began efforts to improve graduation rates before the system as a whole did. The four-year graduation rate for freshmen at Long Beach is about 38%, just shy of the 39% goal in 2025. Among students graduating in six years, there is almost no gap between students who receive Pell grants and students who don’t, while the gap between students from underrepresented minority groups and students who aren’t from those groups stands at about 6 percentage points.
Provost Brian Jersky has said that redesigning “bottleneck courses” that historically had low completion rates but were necessary for certain majors, improving advising, increasing course availability, and removing administrative hurdles have all been part of the university’s strategy.
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and recession on graduation rates remain to be seen. Systemwide, only 7% of classes are being offered with some in-person instruction this fall, and difficulties with access to the internet, technology and academic supports in the virtual environment — not to mention the disease itself and job losses — have especially affected the low-income and Black and Latino students whom the system is trying desperately to help.
At the same time, 85.5%, a record share, of first-time freshmen returned for a second year this year, and the system’s overall fall enrollment of nearly 486,000 stands at an all-time high, signaling students’ desire to persist in their education.
“It’s an unknown right now,” Minor said. “We are concerned, and we are doing everything we can to support students who on a good day in a good year would have struggled to make progress on a degree.”
Financial resources are also a concern. Faced with a massive deficit, the state reduced its allocation to the CSU operating budget by $299 million, with no money for the Graduation Initiative this year. In its budget request for next year, the CSU plans to ask for $150 million for the initiative.
“The initiative’s positive momentum and aspirational timeline are at risk,” noted a preliminary summary of the budget request in September.


latimes--2020-10-23--Violent hate crimes in L.A. hit highest level in more than a decade; white supremacist acts jump 38%

Los Angeles County reported the highest number of violent hate crimes last year in more than a decade , with white supremacist crimes jumping by 38 % , while attacks on the transgender community surged 64 % , according to a new report .
Of the 524 hate crimes reported in the county last year , 343 were of a violent nature , the largest number in this category since 2008 , according to the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations 2019 annual report .
There was one reported case of attempted murder .
Black individuals remained the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the report , which gathers data from law enforcement agencies , educational institutions and community-based organizations .
Hate crimes can range from slurs against an individual of a targeted group to vandalism to disorderly conduct and violent assaults .
Black people were targeted in 47 % of the racially motivated hate crimes in 2019 while constituting only 9 % of the county ’ s population , said Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas .
“ For those who believe that racism is no longer a problem , I invite you to review the examples this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crimes , more than 70 % of which were classified as violent in nature , ” Thomas said .
Though the overall number of hate crimes was up only slightly from 523 the previous year , the increase continues a six-year upward trend .
The overall rate of hate-motivated violence in 2019 increased from 61 % of total hate crimes to 65 % , the highest percentage reported since 2007 .
By comparison , LAPD statistics showed hate crimes rose in Los Angeles for the fifth straight year in 2019 , increasing 10.3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their highest level since 2002 .
A total of 322 hate crimes were reported last year — compared with 292 in 2018 — including 77 assaults .
Blacks and the LGBTQ community were the most frequently targeted .
“ It is troubling that hate crimes in L.A. County have been rising for six years in a row , ” Robin Toma , LACCHR executive director , said of the commission ’ s report .
“ We also saw the highest rate of violence in 12 years.
” After declining for two years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 116 , and accounted for 22 % of all hate crimes , according to the report .
Seven out of 10 white supremacist crimes involved vandalism and more than half targeted persons from the Jewish community .
“ Marginalized communities continue to be targeted and discriminated against , ” said L.A. County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis , noting the county launched the L.A. vs .
Hate campaign to urge residents to stand against hate .
“ L.A .
County must continue to combat racism , homophobia , transphobia , xenophobia , and white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report shows more needs to be done .
“ We have to ensure that Los Angeles County is truly a place where everyone can be who they are without fear.
” Anti-transgender crimes increased rom 25 to 41 , the largest number ever reported .
The rate of violence was the highest of any victim group at 92 % , according to the commission , which has been gathering data since 1980 .
Crimes targeting gay men , lesbians , and other members of the LGBTQ community comprised nearly a fifth of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of five of these crimes were violent .
County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl .
a Democrat and LBGTQ political stalwart , blamed President Trump ’ s inflammatory rhetoric for inciting those who would commit hate crimes .
“ The county can not be fully insulated from the results of the torrent of hatred and intolerance that has emanated from the White House for four long years , ” Kuehl said .
“ I am deeply saddened by this year ’ s report , including recording the largest number of anti-transgender hate crimes ever.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Latinos were the most likely racial/ethnic group to be targeted , particularly for racial slurs , according to the report .
Anti-immigrant slurs were used in 48 % of anti-Latino attacks .
Meanwhile , crimes targeting Asians and Pacific Islanders increased by 32 % last year , and anti-Middle Eastern crimes rose from seven to 17 .
Geographically , the largest number of hate crimes took place in the area that stretches from West Hollywood to Boyle Heights , followed by the San Fernando Valley region .

L.A. Councilman Mitch O’Farrell speaks during a press conference held outside the LAPD Hollywood Station on Aug. 20 about an arrest in the robbery and assault of two transgender women in Hollywood on Aug. 17. The case was classified as a hate crime.
Los Angeles County reported the highest number of violent hate crimes last year in more than a decade, with white supremacist crimes jumping by 38%, while attacks on the transgender community surged 64%, according to a new report.
Of the 524 hate crimes reported in the county last year, 343 were of a violent nature, the largest number in this category since 2008, according to the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations 2019 annual report. There was one reported case of attempted murder.
Black individuals remained the most frequently targeted victims of hate, according to the report, which gathers data from law enforcement agencies, educational institutions and community-based organizations. Hate crimes can range from slurs against an individual of a targeted group to vandalism to disorderly conduct and violent assaults.
Black people were targeted in 47% of the racially motivated hate crimes in 2019 while constituting only 9% of the county’s population, said Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.
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“For those who believe that racism is no longer a problem, I invite you to review the examples this report provides of these vile and cowardly crimes, more than 70% of which were classified as violent in nature,” Thomas said.
Though the overall number of hate crimes was up only slightly from 523 the previous year, the increase continues a six-year upward trend. The overall rate of hate-motivated violence in 2019 increased from 61% of total hate crimes to 65%, the highest percentage reported since 2007.
By comparison, LAPD statistics showed hate crimes rose in Los Angeles for the fifth straight year in 2019, increasing 10.3% over the year before and reaching their highest level since 2002. A total of 322 hate crimes were reported last year — compared with 292 in 2018 — including 77 assaults. Blacks and the LGBTQ community were the most frequently targeted.
“It is troubling that hate crimes in L.A. County have been rising for six years in a row,” Robin Toma, LACCHR executive director, said of the commission’s report. “We also saw the highest rate of violence in 12 years.”
After declining for two years, white supremacist crimes jumped from 84 to 116, and accounted for 22% of all hate crimes, according to the report. Seven out of 10 white supremacist crimes involved vandalism and more than half targeted persons from the Jewish community.
“Marginalized communities continue to be targeted and discriminated against,” said L.A. County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, noting the county launched the L.A. vs. Hate campaign to urge residents to stand against hate. “L.A. County must continue to combat racism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, and white supremacy.”
But Solis said the 2019 report shows more needs to be done.
“We have to ensure that Los Angeles County is truly a place where everyone can be who they are without fear.”
Anti-transgender crimes increased from 25 to 41, the largest number ever reported. The rate of violence was the highest of any victim group at 92%, according to the commission, which has been gathering data since 1980. Crimes targeting gay men, lesbians, and other members of the LGBTQ community comprised nearly a fifth of all reported hate crimes, and four out of five of these crimes were violent.
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County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. a Democrat and LBGTQ political stalwart, blamed President Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric for inciting those who would commit hate crimes.
“The county cannot be fully insulated from the results of the torrent of hatred and intolerance that has emanated from the White House for four long years,” Kuehl said. “I am deeply saddened by this year’s report, including recording the largest number of anti-transgender hate crimes ever.”
When it comes to racially motivated crimes, Latinos were the most likely racial/ethnic group to be targeted, particularly for racial slurs, according to the report. Anti-immigrant slurs were used in 48% of anti-Latino attacks. Meanwhile, crimes targeting Asians and Pacific Islanders increased by 32% last year, and anti-Middle Eastern crimes rose from seven to 17.
Geographically, the largest number of hate crimes took place in the area that stretches from West Hollywood to Boyle Heights, followed by the San Fernando Valley region.


latimes--2020-10-23--Photos: Aurelio Jose Barrera, a Pulitzer-winning Los Angeles Times photojournalist

An argument between police and civilians erupted before a rock- and brick-throwing incident at the corner of Vermont and 1st @ @ @ @ @ the L.A. riots in April 1992 .

As an intern, Barrera shot black-and-white photos of everyday moments in overlooked Latino communities, which his team felt were covered only when crime occurred. Their project won the 1984 public service award, despite initial skepticism from The Times’ editor.


latimes--2020-10-23--Aurelio Jose Barrera, L.A. Times photographer who helped paper win Pulitzer, dies

Aurelio Jose Barrera , a longtime L.A. Times photographer who helped the paper win a Pulitzer Prize with a groundbreaking series on Los Angeles ’ overlooked Latino communities and in retirement launched a one-man crusade to deliver food to the homeless in those communities , has died .
A self-proclaimed stay-at-home father who doted on his grandkids , Barrera died Tuesday after a fall , said his wife , Lorena Villegas .
He was 60 .
Barrera was a young intern at The Times in 1983 when a team of Latino journalists banded together and brainstormed ideas for covering communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote about only when there was crime , unrest or immigration raids .
What emerged was a gripping series of stories and powerful black-and-white images of the struggles and successes of those living in East L.A. and other largely Latino communities .
The 1983 series examined art , politics , family , religion , culture , education and the constant drumbeat of racism .
The hard work was often taken on long after work hours over pizza and beer in the paper ’ s satellite office in Downey , where they tossed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get behind such a project .
The group was large enough that the journalists were able to field their own softball team , the Chicano Cubs .
“ We complained that Publisher Otis Chandler , in a 1978 TV interview , had basically written off Mexican Americans and Blacks as Times readers when he said : It ’ s not their kind of newspaper .
It ’ s too big , it ’ s too stuffy .
If you will , it ’ s too complicated , ' '' former Times editor Frank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the project .
The team of journalists was left dejected when the paper ’ s then-editor , Bill Thomas , twice rejected their request that the series be entered in the Pulitzer contest , saying it wasn ’ t worthy of such a nomination .
The Latino journalists prevailed , and the series won the 1984 Pulitzer for public service , generally considered the most prestigious of the awards .
For Barrera , the 22-part series altered his career trajectory .
His internship blossomed into a full-time staff photographer job .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 years and became the morning assignment bureau in Los Angeles , a job that required him to get up in the predawn hours and take stock of Southern California , dispatching photographers to hot spots across the region .
He left the paper in 2009 .
Barrera also worked on the Edward James Olmos book “ Americanos : Latino Life in America.
” His black-and-white photos from the book were part of a show at the Smithsonian Institute .
Villegas said her husband was so modest about his career accomplishments that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he even mentioned he ’ d helped the paper win a Pulitzer .
But he remained forever proud of the project .
“ He really felt the paper overlooked his community , that it only went to the brown communities to cover crime , ” she said .
“ He felt proud about shining a light on the place where he lived.
” Genaro Molina , a Times photographer who was Barrera ’ s colleague for years , said there was a quiet dignity about his friend .
“ He had a humanistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with love and respect .
His black-and-white photo essay on Cesar Chavez Boulevard in East Los Angeles celebrated the everyday characters living along that famous boulevard , ” Molina said .
“ His photography always revealed those quiet moments that so many overlook.
” In retirement , Barrera continued to wake up when it was still dark , but this time to deliver groceries to the homeless men and women huddled in the dark corners of East L.A. , Montebello and the City of Commerce — his home turf .
On a bike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the frame , he ’ d glide through the alleys and darkened storefronts passing out oranges , tangerines , peaches and bananas his neighbors allowed him to pick .
He ’ d finish up in a parking lot of a discount store just as the sun was rising .
One cold winter he collected sweaters and handed them out to help the street people stay warm .
Villegas said she wasn ’ t even aware of his sweater drive until she read about it in a local paper .
“ That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ He believed in doing good work in your community , and he never saw a reason to take credit for it.
” He is survived by his wife , four children and three grandchildren .

Aurelio Jose Barrera, a longtime L.A. Times photographer who helped the paper win a Pulitzer Prize with a groundbreaking series on Los Angeles’ overlooked Latino communities and in retirement launched a one-man crusade to deliver food to the homeless in those communities, has died.
A self-proclaimed stay-at-home father who doted on his grandkids, Barrera died Tuesday after a fall, said his wife, Lorena Villegas. He was 60.
Barrera was a young intern at The Times in 1983 when a team of Latino journalists banded together and brainstormed ideas for covering communities of color that they believed the paper wrote about only when there was crime, unrest or immigration raids.
Advertisement
What emerged was a gripping series of stories and powerful black-and-white images of the struggles and successes of those living in East L.A. and other largely Latino communities. The 1983 series examined art, politics, family, religion, culture, education and the constant drumbeat of racism.
The hard work was often taken on long after work hours over pizza and beer in the paper’s satellite office in Downey, where they tossed out ideas and worried their editors would never get behind such a project. The group was large enough that the journalists were able to field their own softball team, the Chicano Cubs.
“We complained that Publisher Otis Chandler, in a 1978 TV interview, had basically written off Mexican Americans and Blacks as Times readers when he said: It’s not their kind of newspaper. It’s too big, it’s too stuffy. If you will, it’s too complicated, ‘“ former Times editor Frank O. Sotomayor later wrote about the motives for the project.
The team of journalists was left dejected when the paper’s then-editor, Bill Thomas, twice rejected their request that the series be entered in the Pulitzer contest, saying it wasn’t worthy of such a nomination.
The Latino journalists prevailed, and the series won the 1984 Pulitzer for public service, generally considered the most prestigious of the awards.
Advertisement
For Barrera, the 22-part series altered his career trajectory. His internship blossomed into a full-time staff photographer job. He worked in the Orange County bureau for 13 years and became the morning assignment bureau in Los Angeles, a job that required him to get up in the predawn hours and take stock of Southern California, dispatching photographers to hot spots across the region. He left the paper in 2009.
Barrera also worked on the Edward James Olmos book “Americanos: Latino Life in America.” His black-and-white photos from the book were part of a show at the Smithsonian Institute.
Villegas said her husband was so modest about his career accomplishments that they were five years into their marriage before he even mentioned he’d helped the paper win a Pulitzer. But he remained forever proud of the project.
“He really felt the paper overlooked his community, that it only went to the brown communities to cover crime,” she said. “He felt proud about shining a light on the place where he lived.”
Genaro Molina, a Times photographer who was Barrera’s colleague for years, said there was a quiet dignity about his friend.
“He had a humanistic eye and always photographed the Latino community with love and respect. His black-and-white photo essay on Cesar Chavez Boulevard in East Los Angeles celebrated the everyday characters living along that famous boulevard,” Molina said. “His photography always revealed those quiet moments that so many overlook.”
In retirement, Barrera continued to wake up when it was still dark, but this time to deliver groceries to the homeless men and women huddled in the dark corners of East L.A., Montebello and the City of Commerce — his home turf.
A view of Aurelio Jose Barrera’s grocery route (Aurelio Jose Barrera)
On a bike with a pair of blue crates attached to the frame, he’d glide through the alleys and darkened storefronts passing out oranges, tangerines, peaches and bananas his neighbors allowed him to pick. He’d finish up in a parking lot of a discount store just as the sun was rising.
One cold winter he collected sweaters and handed them out to help the street people stay warm. Villegas said she wasn’t even aware of his sweater drive until she read about it in a local paper.
“That’s just who he was,” she said. “He believed in doing good work in your community, and he never saw a reason to take credit for it.”
He is survived by his wife, four children and three grandchildren.


latimes--2020-10-23--'Gimme Shelter': Making sense of the Proposition 19 property tax measure

California voters face a complicated ballot measure about property taxes in Proposition 19 .
The measure , backed by the California Assn .
of Realtors , would expand a property tax break for homeowners 55 and older when they move .
It would also curtail a tax break for the children of homeowners who currently keep their parents lower property tax payments upon inheritance — even when those properties are used as rentals or second homes .
On this episode of “ Gim me Shelter : The California Housing Crisis Podcast , ” we break down the intricacies of Proposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s potential winners and losers .
Our guests are David Wolfe , a consultant with the Yes on 19 campaign and Sara Kimberlin , a senior policy analyst with the California Budget & Policy Center , who has analyzed the measure .
“ , ” a biweekly podcast that looks at why it ’ s so expensive to live in California and what the state can do about it , features Liam Dillon , who covers housing affordability issues for the Los Angeles Times , and Matt Levin , data and housing reporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gim me Shelter ” on , , , , and .

California voters face a complicated ballot measure about property taxes in Proposition 19. The measure, backed by the California Assn. of Realtors, would expand a property tax break for homeowners 55 and older when they move. It would also curtail a tax break for the children of homeowners who currently keep their parents lower property tax payments upon inheritance — even when those properties are used as rentals or second homes.
On this episode of “Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast,” we break down the intricacies of Proposition 19 and talk about the measure’s potential winners and losers. Our guests are David Wolfe, a consultant with the Yes on 19 campaign and Sara Kimberlin, a senior policy analyst with the California Budget & Policy Center, who has analyzed the measure.
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“ Gimme Shelter ,” a biweekly podcast that looks at why it’s so expensive to live in California and what the state can do about it, features Liam Dillon, who covers housing affordability issues for the Los Angeles Times, and Matt Levin, data and housing reporter for CalMatters .


latimes--2020-10-23--Several L.A. City Council members back law to ban homeless camps near city shelters

Several Los Angeles City Council members are pushing for a new law that would make it illegal for homeless people to set up camps near freeway overpasses and the city ’ s new temporary “ bridge ” shelters .
A motion to be considered by the council Tuesday asks City Atty .
Mike Feuer to draft a new ordinance that would allow the removal of tents and other makeshift shelters close to the nearly two dozen shelters that have opened in the last two years under Mayor Eric Garcetti ’ s A Bridge Home program , as well as other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a lawsuit currently being heard in federal court .
Feuer issued a statement Friday saying he supports the motion , co-authored by council members Joe Buscaino , Bob Blumenfield , Monica Rodriguez and Paul Krekorian and seconded by three others .
“ My office has been working with council member Blumenfield on this approach , which I ’ ve long supported , ” the statement from Feuer said .
“ I support this rule for two reasons : It may reduce the temptation of any shelter resident to fall back into life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encourage neighborhoods to more readily accept desperately needed homeless housing and services in their communities.
” After a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic , the City Council voted in July to resume cleanups of camps near the shelters .
But those cleanups , conducted by the city ’ s Bureau of Sanitation , are not intended to force campers to leave .
The city ’ s authority to enforce its anti-camping law has been successfully blocked in court decisions .
The council members , in effect , are asking the city attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the needle between the public interest of preventing the buildup of camps around the shelters and the constitutional right of homeless people to live in public spaces .
The motion , scheduled to be heard by the council Tuesday , asks the city attorney to replace the city ’ s anti-camping law with a new one consistent with a 2018 federal appeals court decision that declared laws that prohibit camping in public spaces unconstitutional when no alternative shelter is available .
The city had already ceased enforcing its anti-camping ordinance as a result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the new ordinance to “ ban sitting , sleeping or lying ” within 500 feet of a designated freeway overpass , underpass , ramp , tunnel , or pedestrian subway or “ a facility opened after January 1 , 2018 , to provide housing , shelter , supportive services , safe parking or storage to homeless persons.
” The proposal adds a new layer to the city ’ s response to a court case in which federal Judge David O. Carter is pressing city officials to build more shelters to allow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which he views as a health hazard .
Responding to that pressure , individual council members are developing plans for tiny-house villages , safe parking sites and additional shelters .
Blumenfield and Councilman Curren Price , who seconded the motion , have asked Carter for more clarity on how they can prevent encampments from forming around the new shelters .
Attorney Shayla Myers , who represents homeless advocates intervening in the case , criticized the proposal as an “ insidious ” criminalization of homelessness that will only worsen the crisis .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t help , ” Myers said .
“ It forces people to move away from the services they need .
It traumatizes them .
It does nothing to help address the issues of homelessness.
” An announcement of the proposal on Buscaino ’ s Twitter account Wednesday touched off a wave of criticism from homeless advocates .
“ Using the city ’ s resources to disrupt the lives of the city ’ s most vulnerable is despicable and inhumane , ” said one comment typical of the hundreds responding to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to public spaces.
” A spokesman for Buscaino defended the proposal as part of a strategy to encourage more temporary housing for people living on the street .
The councilman “ fought long and hard ” in the face of bitter neighborhood opposition to get three shelters in his district , senior advisor Branimir Kvartuc said .
The majority of homeless people near the shelters have gone inside , but a small percentage who refuse are damaging public support and thus dampening the prospects for additional shelters elsewhere , he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other neighborhoods , other municipalities to build so we can get everybody off the street , ” Kvartuc said .
“ If all of a sudden you put up a bridge home and it gets better , everybody else is going to want to put up a bridge home .
That ’ s the motivation.
” Kvartuc said the neighboring cities of Torrance and Carson have no shelters and exacerbate problems in Los Angeles by making homeless people unwelcome .

City leaders are considering an ordinance that would allow the removal of makeshift housing near the sites of L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti’s A Bridge Home homeless shelter program. Above, a woman sits beside her belongings on a 6th Street sidewalk in Los Angeles.
Several Los Angeles City Council members are pushing for a new law that would make it illegal for homeless people to set up camps near freeway overpasses and the city’s new temporary “bridge” shelters.
A motion to be considered by the council Tuesday asks City Atty. Mike Feuer to draft a new ordinance that would allow the removal of tents and other makeshift shelters close to the nearly two dozen shelters that have opened in the last two years under Mayor Eric Garcetti’s A Bridge Home program, as well as other facilities planned around the city in response to a lawsuit currently being heard in federal court.
Feuer issued a statement Friday saying he supports the motion, coauthored by council members Joe Buscaino, Bob Blumenfield, Monica Rodriguez and Paul Krekorian and seconded by three others.
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“My office has been working with council member Blumenfield on this approach, which I’ve long supported,” the statement from Feuer said. “I support this rule for two reasons: It may reduce the temptation of any shelter resident to fall back into life on the street, and may help encourage neighborhoods to more readily accept desperately needed homeless housing and services in their communities.”
After a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City Council voted in July to resume cleanups of camps near the shelters. But those cleanups, conducted by the city’s Bureau of Sanitation, are not intended to force campers to leave. The city’s authority to enforce its anti-camping law has been successfully blocked in court decisions.
The council members, in effect, are asking the city attorney to write a new law that threads the needle between the public interest of preventing the buildup of camps around the shelters and the constitutional right of homeless people to live in public spaces.
The motion, scheduled to be heard by the council Tuesday, asks the city attorney to replace the city’s anti-camping law with a new one consistent with a 2018 federal appeals court decision that declared laws that prohibit camping in public spaces unconstitutional when no alternative shelter is available.
The city had already ceased enforcing its anti-camping ordinance as a result of earlier litigation.
The motion calls for the new ordinance to “ban sitting, sleeping or lying” within 500 feet of a designated freeway overpass, underpass, ramp, tunnel, or pedestrian subway or “a facility opened after January 1, 2018, to provide housing, shelter, supportive services, safe parking or storage to homeless persons.”
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The proposal adds a new layer to the city’s response to a court case in which federal Judge David O. Carter is pressing city officials to build more shelters to allow the removal of homeless camps from freeway underpasses, which he views as a health hazard. Responding to that pressure, individual council members are developing plans for tiny-house villages, safe parking sites and additional shelters.
Blumenfield and Councilman Curren Price, who seconded the motion, have asked Carter for more clarity on how they can prevent encampments from forming around the new shelters.
Attorney Shayla Myers, who represents homeless advocates intervening in the case, criticized the proposal as an “insidious” criminalization of homelessness that will only worsen the crisis.
“Criminalizing people for being on the sidewalk doesn’t help,” Myers said. “It forces people to move away from the services they need. It traumatizes them. It does nothing to help address the issues of homelessness.”
An announcement of the proposal on Buscaino’s Twitter account Wednesday touched off a wave of criticism from homeless advocates.
Today, I gave direction to the City Attorney to draft an ordinance that prohibits tents and personal property on any street or sidewalk in proximity to homeless facilities. Neighborhoods that provide solutions to homelessness deserve to have their public spaces returned to them. pic.twitter.com/Y6gw6tnIKN — Joe Buscaino (@JoeBuscaino) October 21, 2020
“Using the city’s resources to disrupt the lives of the city’s most vulnerable is despicable and inhumane,” said one comment typical of the hundreds responding to the proposal. “Everyone has the right to public spaces.”
A spokesman for Buscaino defended the proposal as part of a strategy to encourage more temporary housing for people living on the street.
The councilman “fought long and hard” in the face of bitter neighborhood opposition to get three shelters in his district, senior advisor Branimir Kvartuc said.
The majority of homeless people near the shelters have gone inside, but a small percentage who refuse are damaging public support and thus dampening the prospects for additional shelters elsewhere, he said.
“It’s a way to compel other neighborhoods, other municipalities to build so we can get everybody off the street,” Kvartuc said. “If all of a sudden you put up a bridge home and it gets better, everybody else is going to want to put up a bridge home. That’s the motivation.”
Kvartuc said the neighboring cities of Torrance and Carson have no shelters and exacerbate problems in Los Angeles by making homeless people unwelcome.


latimes--2020-10-23--Deputies seize 780 pounds of marijuana during traffic stop in Lake Los Angeles

Calling it the “ WOW arrest of the month , ” the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department announced the seizure of more than 780 pounds of marijuana during a routine traffic stop in Lake Los Angeles , authorities said Friday .
A deputy was patrolling the area near 240th Street East and Avenue J-8 on Thursday when he stopped a Ford F-150 towing a trailer that had a “ very strong odor of marijuana coming from it , ” the Sheriff ’ s Department said in a statement .
An image posted on the department ’ s Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high inside the two-wheeled trailer .
Two people inside the truck were arrested on suspicion of transporting marijuana , officials said .
Possession of small amounts of marijuana is legal in California , Ali Villalobos , a spokeswoman for the sheriff ’ s Lancaster station , said .
But the transportation of the amount seized Thursday far exceeds the amount allowed for personal use .
“ This was an unheard of amount for someone to be transporting and have in their private collection , ” she said , noting that it “ may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of marijuana seized by the department .
Marijuana seizures in unincorporated areas are often accompanied by other crimes like trespassing and water theft , Villalobos said .
Detectives are still investigating the source of the marijuana , which will be turned over to the department ’ s narcotics division to be photographed and documented before being destroyed .
“ We don ’ t dispute whether marijuana is safe or unsafe , or should be legal or illegal , ” Villalobos said .
“ We just follow the law .
”

Calling it the “WOW arrest of the month,” the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced the seizure of more than 780 pounds of marijuana during a routine traffic stop in Lake Los Angeles, authorities said Friday.
A deputy was patrolling the area near 240th Street East and Avenue J-8 on Thursday when he stopped a Ford F-150 towing a trailer that had a “very strong odor of marijuana coming from it,” the Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.
An image posted on the department’s Twitter feed appeared to show the marijuana piled high inside the two-wheeled trailer.
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WOW arrest of the month: over 780 pounds of marijuana confiscated during routine traffic stop in Lake LA! https://t.co/ORDBeuNjVX#LASD #AV411 pic.twitter.com/vEJAui5Iix — LASD Lancaster Stn. (@LANLASD) October 23, 2020
Two people inside the truck were arrested on suspicion of transporting marijuana, officials said.
Possession of small amounts of marijuana is legal in California, Ali Villalobos, a spokeswoman for the sheriff’s Lancaster station, said. But the transportation of the amount seized Thursday far exceeds the amount allowed for personal use.
“This was an unheard of amount for someone to be transporting and have in their private collection,” she said, noting that it “may very well be” a record amount of marijuana seized by the department.
Marijuana seizures in unincorporated areas are often accompanied by other crimes like trespassing and water theft, Villalobos said.
Detectives are still investigating the source of the marijuana, which will be turned over to the department’s narcotics division to be photographed and documented before being destroyed.
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“We don’t dispute whether marijuana is safe or unsafe, or should be legal or illegal,” Villalobos said. “We just follow the law.”


latimes--2020-10-23--Powerful winds, high wildfire danger are forecast for Northern California

Extraordinary wildfire conditions are forecast for Northern California on Sunday , with the National Weather Service predicting powerful and dry Diablo winds — the kind that quickly spread the devastating wine country fires of 2017 and 2019 .
The potentially dangerous winds — probably the strongest so far this year — will likely begin Sunday afternoon , peaking Sunday night and overnight into Monday .
There will be no low clouds or fog in the San Francisco Bay Area , “ so even the valleys will be bone dry , ” forecasters with the weather Service said .
“ In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on par with the 2017 wine country fires and last year ’ s Kincade fire , ” which occurred in October of last year and burned more than 77,000 acres , the weather service said .
“ This pattern shows strong signals to some memorable Sierra East Wind events where the winds howl down the corridors of Interstate 80 and [ Highway ] 50 pouring out across the Bay Area.
” Winds from the north and northeast are forecast for 25 to 35 mph , with gusts of up to 40 to 60 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as low as 5 % on Sunday .
“ Any new fires that start will spread rapidly , ” the weather service said .
Residents should be prepared for utilities to shut off power in advance of the wind event to help prevent ignitions .
The National Weather Service said the first burst of winds will likely spread over the North Bay Sunday afternoon , with winds coming down from the Sacramento Valley , and then spreading throughout the Bay Area .
A strong burst of winds is expected around sunset .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brunt of the wind , much of the East Bay , [ the San Francisco ] Peninsula and Santa Cruz mountains will see high wind potential as well as the Highway 1 corridor Sunday night , ” the weather service said .
Daniel Swain , climate scientist with UCLA and and the National Center for Atmospheric Research , wrote in a blog post that “ vegetation is now at or near record dryness levels — much as it was prior to the North Bay firestorm in October 2017.
” “ This is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The strong winds — Northern California ’ s version of the Santa Ana winds — are being caused by an unusually strong cold low pressure system sinking over the Rocky Mountains this weekend , Swain wrote , causing a change in air pressure that will drive strong winds near the surface across Northern and Central California , Swain said .
“ These strong winds will be funneled through the valleys along the Sierra Nevada western slopes , warming and accelerating as they do so , ” Swain wrote .
“ In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occur as air flows east to west over the coastal mountains and downward toward sea level nearer the coast.
” Swain urged people to do everything possible to avoid accidental fire ignitions .
“ We may well get lucky and make it through this very strong wind event without any major new fires — that is my sincere hope , ” Swain wrote .
“ But one thing is clear : California ’ s fire season is far from over , and dangerous fires will continue to be very possible under widespread significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still not on the horizon.
” Critical fire weather conditions are also expected across parts of Southern California from Monday afternoon through early Tuesday .
Fire risk will still be high in Southern California , although the winds there will be less anomalously strong compared with Northern California .

Extraordinary wildfire conditions are forecast for Northern California on Sunday, with the National Weather Service predicting powerful and dry Diablo winds — the kind that quickly spread the devastating wine country fires of 2017 and 2019.
The potentially dangerous winds — probably the strongest so far this year — will likely begin Sunday afternoon, peaking Sunday night and overnight into Monday. There will be no low clouds or fog in the San Francisco Bay Area, “so even the valleys will be bone dry,” forecasters with the weather Service said.
“In simple terms this event looks to be on par with the 2017 wine country fires and last year’s Kincade fire,” which occurred in October of last year and burned more than 77,000 acres, the weather service said. “This pattern shows strong signals to some memorable Sierra East Wind events where the winds howl down the corridors of Interstate 80 and [Highway] 50 pouring out across the Bay Area.”
Winds from the north and northeast are forecast for 25 to 35 mph, with gusts of up to 40 to 60 mph. Humidity levels could drop to as low as 5% on Sunday. “Any new fires that start will spread rapidly,” the weather service said. Residents should be prepared for utilities to shut off power in advance of the wind event to help prevent ignitions.
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The National Weather Service said the first burst of winds will likely spread over the North Bay Sunday afternoon, with winds coming down from the Sacramento Valley, and then spreading throughout the Bay Area. A strong burst of winds is expected around sunset.
“Though the North Bay may take the brunt of the wind, much of the East Bay, [the San Francisco] Peninsula and Santa Cruz mountains will see high wind potential as well as the Highway 1 corridor Sunday night,” the weather service said.
Daniel Swain, climate scientist with UCLA and and the National Center for Atmospheric Research, wrote in a blog post that “vegetation is now at or near record dryness levels — much as it was prior to the North Bay firestorm in October 2017.”
“This is a very concerning forecast,” Swain wrote.
The strong winds — Northern California’s version of the Santa Ana winds — are being caused by an unusually strong cold low pressure system sinking over the Rocky Mountains this weekend, Swain wrote, causing a change in air pressure that will drive strong winds near the surface across Northern and Central California, Swain said.
“These strong winds will be funneled through the valleys along the Sierra Nevada western slopes, warming and accelerating as they do so,” Swain wrote. “In the Bay Area, a similar process will occur as air flows east to west over the coastal mountains and downward toward sea level nearer the coast.”
Swain urged people to do everything possible to avoid accidental fire ignitions.
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“We may well get lucky and make it through this very strong wind event without any major new fires — that is my sincere hope,” Swain wrote. “But one thing is clear: California’s fire season is far from over, and dangerous fires will continue to be very possible under widespread significant precipitation occurs. Currently, that is still not on the horizon.”
Critical fire weather conditions are also expected across parts of Southern California from Monday afternoon through early Tuesday.
Fire risk will still be high in Southern California, although the winds there will be less anomalously strong compared with Northern California.


latimes--2020-10-23--Bay Area high school suspends on-campus learning after reports of parties, sleepovers

Citing “ disturbing ” reports of sleepovers and at least one large party , a Bay Area private high school has suspended on-campus learning for two weeks .
Marin Catholic School Principal Chris Valdez said in a that several sources had reported the gatherings , which are considered breaches of the school ’ s guidelines , to the school ’ s leadership team .
“ We can not tolerate behavior outside of school that places our faculty , staff and students at increased risk of COVID transmission or exposure , ” Valdez said , adding that he hoped the closure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our entire community that our family ’ s decisions outside of school have a significant impact on all of us.
” The school had been operating under a “ hybrid ” model that combined face-to-face instruction with online learning .
The suspension will last through Nov. 2 and includes the cancellation of extracurricular activities and athletic practices .
Marin Catholic has not reported a surge in infection from the gatherings but said it will be expanding COVID testing for students and faculty .
The county reported its this week .
“ I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this situation , ” Valdez said .
“ All of us , faculty and staff alike , are making sacrifices in our personal lives in order to make in-person learning happen for our families.
” Meanwhile , Los Angeles County announced Wednesday that it will be increasing the capacity of students allowed on school campuses from 10 % to 25 % , with a focus on high-needs students who rely on on-site support systems .
The decision comes despite the fact that the county is in the state ’ s “ purple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four-tier reopening plan , which indicates the highest widespread risk of infection .
As of this week , L.A. 's case rate is at 10.1 new COVID-19 cases a day for every 100,000 residents — higher than the threshold required to move down from the state ’ s most restrictive purple tier into the red tier .
Under the state ’ s four-tiered , color-coded reopening system , campuses can reopen for widespread in-person instruction only after a county spends 14 days in the red tier , although local health authorities can impose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced Thursday dropped requirements for schools to provide a letter of support from employee unions as part of the application process , potentially reopening L.A. 's classrooms to thousands of children .
The changes come amid mounting evidence that students are faring poorly in online learning .

Marin Catholic School has suspended in-class learning after reports of a large house party over the weekend.
Citing “disturbing” reports of sleepovers and at least one large party, a Bay Area private high school has suspended on-campus learning for two weeks.
Marin Catholic School Principal Chris Valdez said in a statement that several sources had reported the gatherings, which are considered breaches of the school’s guidelines, to the school’s leadership team.
“We cannot tolerate behavior outside of school that places our faculty, staff and students at increased risk of COVID transmission or exposure,” Valdez said, adding that he hoped the closure would send a “clear message to our entire community that our family’s decisions outside of school have a significant impact on all of us.”
The school had been operating under a “hybrid” model that combined face-to-face instruction with online learning. The suspension will last through Nov. 2 and includes the cancellation of extracurricular activities and athletic practices.
Marin Catholic has not reported a surge in infection from the gatherings but said it will be expanding COVID testing for students and faculty. The county reported its 100th coronavirus death this week.
“I am very sorry that we have found ourselves in this situation,” Valdez said. “All of us, faculty and staff alike, are making sacrifices in our personal lives in order to make in-person learning happen for our families.”
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Meanwhile, Los Angeles County announced Wednesday that it will be increasing the capacity of students allowed on school campuses from 10% to 25%, with a focus on high-needs students who rely on on-site support systems.
The decision comes despite the fact that the county is in the “purple tier” of the state’s four-tier reopening plan, which indicates the highest widespread risk of infection.
As of this week, L.A.’s case rate is at 10.1 new COVID-19 cases a day for every 100,000 residents — higher than the threshold required to move down from the state’s most restrictive tier into the red tier. Under the state’s reopening system, campuses can reopen for widespread in-person instruction only after a county spends 14 days in the red tier, although local health authorities can impose further restrictions.
But a waiver policy introduced Thursday dropped requirements for schools to provide a letter of support from employee unions as part of the application process, potentially reopening L.A.’s classrooms to thousands of children.
The changes come amid mounting evidence that students are faring poorly in online learning.