For @lamag I look at whether you can survive in L.A. on $100K. Many will scoff, dismissing the woes of 6-figure households as the ultimate first-world problem when over 75,000 county residents are unhoused. Still, many question if they can afford it here.

Which neighborhoods on the Eastside of LA suffer the most severe injuries in traffic collisions? And how do these communities compare with the rest of the city? I broke it down for @TheEastsiderLA, with some help from @CrosstownLA.

One of the best political parlor games in LA is guessing what office @RickCarusoLA will run for in 2026. Whatever it is, he's laying the groundwork by being everywhere, and lashing out, in the wake of the #wildfires. More in my @WestsideCurrent piece.

In the wake of the local wildfires, a disturbing realization is emerging: Incidents of #arson are rising, with over 600 last year--and that's just in areas patrolled by the @LASDHQ. @CrosstownLA story by @TheMatthewRoyer has all the details and data.

I have no idea if @RickCarusoLA has seen #Hamilton. But the mall master is everywhere in the wake of the fires, and like the title character in the musical, he's not throwing away his shot. My @WestsideCurrent piece.

RT @WestsideCurrent: His produced videos, media appearances, and $5M donation to LAFD Foundation (now $20M with outside contributions) have…

In the wake of the wildfires, @RickCarusoLA is blasting elected officials, dropping videos and starting a nonprofit. He's epitomizing the adage "never let a crisis go to waste." But what's his play? My new @WestsideCurrent piece.

RT @MicheleMcPhee: Can’t wait to share the unfettered bravery of @LAFD firefighters assigned to Fire Station 69 in this feature: ‘GRAB A HO…

As the fires spread, new Assemblymember Jessica Caloza was hearing from worried constituents. “Seniors were texting me,” @AsmCaloza said, adding, “Thousands of people have my phone number. My phone was blowing up." More in my @TheEastsiderLA story.

RT @TheEastsiderLA: 🔥 As wildfires threatened her district, rookie Assemblymember Jessica Caloza stepped up. From emergency response to com…

On Jan. 6 the California Assembly convened, a first day for rookie District 52 rep Jessica Caloza. Then the fires broke out. For @TheEastsiderLA I spoke with @AsmCaloza about the following frenetic weeks.

Finally, a look at the @KarenBassLA re-elect machine: the @MayorOfLA raises about $1.4 million in her first 7 months of fundraising. Her campaign spent $379K and has $1.05 million in cash on hand. Nearly 2,000 contributions listed.

Another election cash reveal: City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto pulls in $232,000. That's 7 months of fundraising. No declared competitors... yet. Primary is in June 2026. @ElectHydee

Always fun to see the first LA campaign reporting figures and know who's trying to scare off competitors: In CD11, incumbent @TraciParkforLA raises $306,000 and has $294K in cash on hand. And that's in 1 month of fundraising. Primary in June 2026.

There were 302 traffic deaths in the city of Los Angeles in 2024. That's the second year in a row where the count exceeded the number of murders (though both did decline from 2023). More in my @CrosstownLA story.

The city of Los Angeles ended 2024 with 302 traffic fatalities. The good news is that's down 12.5% from the previous year. The bad news is the roads remain far deadlier than in the pre-pandemic era. More in my new @CrosstownLA story.

Some want @MayorOfLA to quit in the wake of the fires. While anger is understandable, anyone who really wants @KarenBassLA out has not thought this through. We'd need an interim mayor, a special election, then the 2026 election. My @WestsideCurrent piece.

Did @MayorOfLA make mistakes in her handling of the fires? Yep. Is she also getting blamed for things beyond her control? Yep. Are some opponents seeking to use all this and more to their advantage? Again, yep. My new @WestsideCurrent piece.

With the recent blazes more under control, @MayorOfLA faces a different kind of firestorm. For the @WestsideCurrent I look at missteps, well-timed moves and a boatload of political opportunism.

A story on @TheEastsiderLA by John Rabe digs into the shattered egg statues in Cypress Park, and how big plans for Confluence Plaza never materialized. And bonus: cool drone footage.

What LA neighborhood made the most 311 reports last year? Boyle Heights; of nearly 50,000 reports, 59% were for graffiti removal. Next was Van Nuys with 41,000 calls--the most-needed service was bulky item pick-up. More in my @CrosstownLA story.