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Random Happening: Grand Annex Launches Monthly Cumbia Night Concert & Dance Series in San Pedro

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Random Happening: Grand Annex Launches Monthly Cumbia Night Concert & Dance Series in San Pedro

The Grand Annex Music Hall announces Grand Annex Cumbia Nights, a monthly dance party and concert series celebrating the vibrant sounds of cumbia with live bands and DJs from across Southern California.

Held in the heart of downtown San Pedro, the series transforms the intimate music venue into a lively dance hall featuring an eclectic lineup of musicians blending traditional cumbia rhythms with punk, rock, pop, and mariachi influences. Each evening begins with a DJ set at 8:30 p.m. to get the dance floor moving before the featured band takes the stage at 9:30 p.m.

Cumbia Nights Schedule

Time:

Friday, Aug. 21

Betty’s Mustache & DJ Serj

DJ Set: 8:30 p.m. Live Show: 9:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 25

Laura Christina y Los Picositos & DJ Nativity

DJ Set: 8:30 p.m. Live Show: 9:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 23

Maria Chingona & DJ Nativity

DJ Set: 8:30 p.m. Live Show: 9:30 p.m.

Additional Cumbia Nights are planned for Nov. 21 and will continue throughout 2027.

The Grand Annex Music Hall is an all-ages venue located in the San Pedro Arts District, presenting live music that reflects the cultural diversity of the Los Angeles region.

Cost: $13 in advance or $15 at the door with table and VIP options available.

Details: https://grandvision.org/event/grand-annex-cumbia-night-ft-cara-borracho/

Venue: Grand Annex Music Hall, 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro

Supervisors Approve Water Safety and Swim Lessons for Youth in Probation Facilities

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Supervisors Approve Water Safety and Swim Lessons for Youth in Probation Facilities

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Aug. 5 approved a motion to provide swim lessons for incarcerated young people in LA County juvenile halls and camps.

“The pools we have at our juvenile facilities are great opportunities for the young people in our care to exercise and find some peace– but many of them don’t know how to swim,” said Supervisor Hahn. “Every young person deserves an opportunity to learn to swim. And while these young people are incarcerated, I think we have an obligation to provide swim lessons so they not only are safer around water but can learn a skill they can enjoy for the rest of their lives.”

During an especially hot summer season, this motion ensures that youth in probation’s care can take full advantage of the swimming pools located at nearly all probation juvenile facilities. In recent weeks, thanks to a new partnership between the Probation Department and the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, several probation staff members became certified lifeguards, allowing youth to safely enjoy weekly pool time for the first time in years.

However, many incarcerated young people do not know how to swim. National data shows that youth of color have disproportionately low swimming ability, with significantly higher percentages of Black and Hispanic children reporting poor swimming skills compared to white children. Given that approximately 95% of youth in Probation facilities are Black or Hispanic, the need for structured swim instruction is both urgent and essential.

With the passage of this motion, the Probation Department will collaborate with LA County Parks to bring the Learn-to-Swim program directly to facilities with pools, including Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, Barry J. Nidorf in Sylmar, Campus Kilpatrick in Malibu, the Dorothy Kirby Center in Commerce, and Camp Afflerbaugh in La Verne. The departments will establish program protocols, identify funding, and create a consistent instructional schedule during this year’s swim season.

Through this partnership, youth will receive swim lessons that build confidence, strengthen physical and mental health, and teach water safety. The motion also requires a written report back within 150 days evaluating program outcomes, including participation rates, demographic information, and lessons learned.

LASD, Federal Partners Arrest Armed Suspect During Security Investigation at Trump National Golf Course

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LASD, Federal Partners Arrest Armed Suspect During Security Investigation at Trump National Golf Course

 

On August 2, about 3:28 p.m., deputies assigned to the Lomita Sheriff’s Station responded to Trump National Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes after plain clothes Federal agents reported a suspicious individual on the property. The individual was observed walking throughout the golf course grounds taking photographs and videos and appearing to monitor security-planning activities.

Lomita Sheriff’s deputies contacted the individual, an adult male identified as 38-year-old Jeanine John Taele from Downey, and determined he was being investigated for robbery by the El Segundo Police Department. Deputies detained Taele and located his vehicle in a parking lot on the golf course. During the detention, deputies recovered a 16-round magazine containing hollow point ammunition from Taele’s pants pocket. Deputies subsequently searched Taele’s vehicle and recovered a loaded pistol with a round chambered, along with an additional loaded magazine containing hollow point ammunition.

Taele was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm (25400(a)(1) PC) and Possession of Armor-Piercing/Prohibited Ammunition (31310 PC).

Recognizing the potential security implications surrounding the incident, detectives from the Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau assigned to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) obtained and executed a search warrant Aug. 3, for Taele’s residence in the city of Downey.

During the search, investigators recovered:

  • An illegally modified AR platform rifle
  • A 1911 .45 caliber pistol
  • An AR platform upper receiver
  • Body armor
  • High-capacity magazines
  • Bulk pistol and rifle ammunition
  • Multiple notebooks containing concerning statements
  • Two radio signal devices

The investigation is being conducted in close coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the United States Secret Service. Additional charges could be added as the investigation continues. Taele remains in custody. The investigation is ongoing.

Investigators have presented the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.

California Briefs: Newsom Calls on Trump to Release Overdue Wildfire Recovery Aid During Los Angeles Trip and One Appointment

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California Briefs: Newsom Calls on Trump to Release Overdue Wildfire Recovery Aid During Los Angeles Trip and One Appointment

 

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Newsom Aug. 4 called on President Trump to use his trip to Los Angeles to deliver on a promise he made 18 months ago. Since February 2025, when President Trump pledged he would “take care” of wildfire survivors, Gov. Newsom has submitted multiple supplemental funding requests to the federal government.

None have been approved, and the federal government continues to delay funding it has already committed to.

In June, the Trump White House requested over $80 billion in supplemental funding from Congress for war costs, an Ebola outbreak response in Central Africa, and farm relief, including storm aid, for Florida. It did not include even a mention of much-needed assistance for Los Angeles wildfire survivors. The president has yet to transmit a disaster recovery funding request to Congress, leaving his promise to survivors unfulfilled.

While Washington, D.C. sits on their hands, California builds

Since the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires, California has processed and submitted more than $1.5 billion in FEMA reimbursement claims for emergency response, infrastructure repair, and public facility restoration. FEMA has obligated only $37 million of that amount, approximately 2.5%. In the meantime, the state has advanced its own matching funds so recovery work continues without delay, including debris removal from more than 12,000 properties, emergency housing assistance for thousands of families, and reconstruction of damaged schools and public facilities.

California has also streamlined permitting, deployed strike teams to help survivors navigate insurance claims and FEMA applications, and opened one-stop recovery centers that have served more than 50,000 survivors.

Congress has yet to pass disaster supplemental appropriations for long-term recovery in the communities devastated by the Eaton and Palisades fires, including funding for affordable housing reconstruction and economic recovery programs. This spring, in coordination with local governments, Gov. Newsom transmitted an updated request to Trump administration officials focused on the highest-priority programs and immediate local needs. Still, not a dollar of supplemental funding has arrived.

Gov.Newsom traveled to Washington in May to discuss recovery directly with U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, and separately with congressional leaders from both parties. Last month, the Governor warned lenders against practices that improperly delay or deny homeowners’ access to insurance payouts they’re owed, as survivors continue to face difficulty accessing coverage more than 18 months after the fires.

The Governor is also standing up for the Altadena, Palisades, and Malibu communities by advocating for long-term federal disaster funding for survivors of last year’s catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires.

Gov. Newsom has made multiple requests since February 2025, when President Trump promised he would “take care” of survivors. However, the federal government has yet to approve these funding requests and continues to delay delivering FEMA funding that was already approved.

The federal government plays a critical role as a partner to the state in this long-term recovery effort. Funding in this supplemental appropriation would:

  • Fund the rebuilding of schools, childcare centers, homes, and vital community facilities.
  • Keep small businesses open, support the economy, and maintain jobs.
  • Restore damaged water systems, underground and harden critical infrastructure, and improve sidewalks, streets, and traffic safety.

 

Gov. Newsom Announces Appointment

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom July 20 announced the following appointment:

Norma Cumpian, of Los Angeles, has been reappointed to the Board of State and Community Corrections, where she has been serving since 2020. Cumpian has been the chief of staff for the Anti-Recidivism Coalition since 2026, where she was the director of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition from 2016 to 2026. She was a volunteer coordinator at the Center for Restorative Justice Works from 2010 to 2015. Cumpian is a member of the Council on Criminal Justice women’s advisory board. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Cumpian is a Democrat.

Iran War Takes a Heavy Toll on Women Worldwide

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Iran War Takes a Heavy Toll on Women Worldwide

 

The catastrophic conflict leaves behind a permanent global crisis. From Iran to Bangladesh to the U.S., the costs of the economic wreckage caused by imperialists are being borne by working-class women.

Freedom Socialist newspaper, Vol. 47, No. 4, August-September 2026

socialism.com

By Brooke Sassi

The 2026 U.S. war on Iran has unleashed a global catastrophe, fracturing the international economy as deeply as the Covid-19 pandemic. Over four months of unrelenting violence, it engulfed the entire Middle East and paralyzed the Strait of Hormuz. By choking off 20% of the world’s oil and gas transport, a blockade of this crucial shipping lane has inflicted the largest energy shock in modern history. And hostilities continue.

While mainstream media fixate on market recovery and diplomatic truces, the true, long-term costs of this imperialist wreckage are seen in the international working class where women act as the shock absorber for global capital mayhem.

Ruin across the Middle East and Asia

Inside Iran, the conflict triggered absolute societal fracture. The brutal U.S. aerial bombing did not just destroy military hardware; along with the naval siege of ports, it annihilated the state’s economic foundation. Hyper-inflation caused basic foods to vanish overnight. The war economy also destroyed jobs and led to a mass exodus of women from the labor market.

These conditions create a grueling domestic front. Women perform endless manual labor just to guarantee baseline survival. To shift economic resources into military spending, the authoritarian Iranian regime stripped social safety nets that working-class women rely on. Many have fallen into dire poverty.

When oil tankers were blocked at Hormuz, global crude prices instantly exploded past $100 a barrel. In the energy-dependent Asian nations, this sparked systemic fuel shortages and panic. Major manufacturing hubs like Bangladesh and Cambodia suffered severe power blackouts that crippled industries. Assembly lines ground to an immediate halt. Factory owners responded with mass layoffs and by withholding back-wages that women had already earned. This wiped out the livelihoods of millions of female garment workers and shattered their hard-won financial independence.

Furthermore, the hostilities threw the vital Middle Eastern migrant labor pipeline into absolute chaos. Over 30 million workers from South and Southeast Asia form the backbone of the region’s service and domestic workforces. The outbreak of war trapped millions of them — mostly vulnerable female workers — behind active, shifting front lines. They faced heightened physical abuse, canceled exit visas, and complete isolation. Crucially, the crisis halted financial remittances, suddenly plunging millions of rural families back home in the Philippines, India, and Nepal into acute starvation.

Working-class downgrade in the U.S.

The economic violence is not a distant foreign phenomenon; in the United States, it inflicts deep, lasting damage. While the Trump administration weaponized nationalist rhetoric to market the war as a swift security victory, independent data reveals a devastating domestic toll. Driven by global energy speculation, the national average gas price soared to $4.56 per gallon in May, and California’s prices went over $6 per gallon. Inflation reached a three-year high, triggering a spike in already costly grocery baskets.

These numbers translate directly into class warfare. Working-class families with single-mother households are suffering the sharpest economic shocks. They are caught in a vise between paying rising utility bills or buying costly food. The crisis heavily punishes immigrant communities and people of color. In states like Arizona, hard-working Latinx gardeners, day laborers, and house cleaners who drive from job to job and rely on gasoline-powered equipment saw their daily operating costs soar.

Worse, the fallout is structural and long lasting. Economists warn that because shipping costs surged astronomically, a massive secondary wave of food inflation will hammer grocery stores for the next six months or longer. Utilities will also be affected. Even as gasoline prices fluctuate, elevated everyday costs have outstripped wage growth in the private sector, eroding worker buying power.

Ultimately, this conflict proves that the impacts of imperialist war are never gender-neutral or class-blind. A temporary diplomatic truce that preserves the capitalist status quo is no solution. True peace requires an uncompromising, internationalist solidarity that directly links the struggles of the housewife in Tehran, the laid-off factory worker in Dhaka, the squeezed single moms in Detroit and the hard-working immigrants in Phoenix. We must organize to dismantle a global war machine that relies on imperialist resource extraction to secure billionaire wealth, while refusing to see that the real cost of its destruction is always paid in the bodies and labor of women.

Gas prices spike

From Feb. 28 to July 9, 2026, the average increase in gas prices in the U.S. was 28%. The national average rose to $3.86/gal., with the highest price in California, which hit an average of $5.38 on July 9. Source:gasprices.aaa.com

Supervisors Designate Los Angeles a Purple Heart County, Honoring Veterans Wounded or Killed in Service

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Supervisors Designate Los Angeles a Purple Heart County, Honoring Veterans Wounded or Killed in Service

 

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Aug. 4 officially declared Los Angeles County a Purple Heart county, honoring all members of the United States armed forces who have been wounded or killed in action while serving. In a related motion, the board also proclaimed August 7 as Purple Heart Day in the county. Commander Zeferino John Madrigal III from the Department of California Military Order of the Purple Heart spoke during today’s meeting, saying that the Purple Heart “represents the moment when service became sacrifice.”

The Purple Heart is one of the oldest and most distinguished military decorations in the United States. Its origins date back to August 7, 1782, when General George Washington, unable to promote soldiers based on merit due to restrictions from the Continental Congress, created the Badge of Military Merit. In his order he authorized the badge, a purple heart-shaped cloth symbol, to recognize soldiers who performed “singularly meritorious action.” Last year’s Purple Heart Day proclamation, also brought forward by Hahn, was the first in the county’s history.

Among other things, today’s declaration instructs the county’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to install Purple Heart County signage at key county entry points and facilities and to collaborate with the Military Order of the Purple Heart on annual commemorative events, educational outreach, and veterans’ recognition ceremonies.

“Purple Heart Day is about recognizing service that came at an extraordinary cost. It is an opportunity to honor those who were wounded or gave their lives in defense of our nation, acknowledge the families who have shared in that sacrifice, and reaffirm our commitment to supporting those who continue to carry the lasting impact of combat. We owe them more than our gratitude. We owe them the continued care, support, and respect they have earned,” said Jim Zenner, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MVA).

In February Hahn dedicated the Louis Dominguez Veterans Resource Center in San Pedro, named in honor of Louis Dominguez, a Purple Heart Recipient who was seriously wounded by machine-gun fire while serving in Vietnam and later dedicated his life to public service, local government, and teaching.

Justice Department Announces Funding Opportunities to Advance Public Safety Efforts Across Tribal Nations

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Justice Department Announces Funding Opportunities to Advance Public Safety Efforts Across Tribal Nations

 

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department Aug. 4 announced the opening of the fiscal year 2026 Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation or CTAS Notice of Funding Opportunity NOFO for comprehensive funding to American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes to develop comprehensive approaches to public safety and victimization issues.

The department anticipates awarding more than $107 million in grant funding. Administered by the office of justice programs or OJP and office of community oriented policing services or COPS office, the NOFO includes guidance on how federally recognized tribal governments and tribal consortia can apply for funding to aid in the development of a comprehensive and coordinated approach to public safety and victimization.

This NOFO responds to tribal leaders’ requests to improve and simplify the DOJ grant-making process by combining many of its tribal government-specific funding opportunities into one NOFO and requiring only one application. CTAS funding can be used for a range of public safety and justice-related projects and services, including strengthening law enforcement through hiring, training, and purchasing equipment; improving Tribal justice systems to address and prevent crime; improving justice system physical infrastructure; increasing access to substance use treatment and recovery support services; and reducing juvenile delinquency and improving youth outcomes. In addition, the grants serve American Indian and Alaska Native victims of child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence and elder abuse.

In FY 2025, the department awarded 108 CTAS grants, amounting to more than $99 million in CTAS funding to tribes and tribal consortia across the United States.

The grants.gov application deadline for CTAS is Oct. 15, at 8:59 p.m. ET, and the JustGrants deadline is Oct. 22, at 8:59 p.m. ET.

The department will also facilitate a series of webinars to guide applicants through the application process. The full list of available webinars and registration links are available here.

LA County Foster Youth to Benefit from New Federal Investment Accounts

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LA County Foster Youth to Benefit from New Federal Investment Accounts

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Aug. 4 approved a motion authored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger to help current foster youth access newly established federally backed “Fostering the Future Accounts,” an investment program designed to build long-term financial security for eligible children.

“Foster youth deserve the chance to benefit from every financial resource available to help them succeed,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “These new investment accounts have the potential to change lives, but only if eligible young people, their foster families, and social workers know they exist and receive the support needed to access them. We have a responsibility to ensure foster youth don’t miss opportunities that can help them pursue build savings and achieve greater financial independence.”

The new federal program establishes tax-advantaged investment accounts for eligible U.S. citizen children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, including eligible foster youth.

Each qualifying child receives an initial $1,000 federal contribution that, based on historical market performance, could grow to approximately $6,000 by age 18. Once they reach adulthood, the funds may be used for qualified expenses such as higher education, purchasing a first home, or retirement savings.

Supervisor Barger’s motion directs the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services or DCFS)= to return within 90 days with a plan to educate staff about available state and federal financial accounts for foster youth, conduct outreach to eligible foster youth and resource families through 2028, assist families with enrollment and Social Security card applications, evaluate any potential impacts on public benefit eligibility, and coordinate with state and federal partners to maximize participation in the program.

Recognizing that a valid Social Security number is required to participate, the motion also builds on Los Angeles County’s previous efforts to ensure foster youth receive essential identifying documents before leaving care.

Port Police Officers Help Drive Major Regional Drug and Theft Investigations

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Port Police Officers Help Drive Major Regional Drug and Theft Investigations

 

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Port Police Aug. 3 announced significant breakthroughs in multiple regional criminal investigations through the agency’s specialized task force officers. Port police officers play a critical role in combating narcotics trafficking, precursor chemical importation, illegal manufacturing operations, and large-scale cargo theft investigations throughout the region.

In January 2026, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration or DEA New York Field Division or NYFD and the DEA Los Angeles High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area or HIDTA Group 48 initiated a joint investigation into a Sinaloa Cartel drug trafficking organization operating in the Los Angeles area. Over a six‑month period, the collaborative effort resulted in the seizure of 20,000 fentanyl pills and 20 pounds of methamphetamine through confidential investigative methods.

Investigators later used ground surveillance, electronic monitoring, and aerial reconnaissance to locate a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory operating in a remote desert area of Los Angeles County.

On July 28, HIDTA 48, DEA Special Response Team, DEA Clandestine Laboratory Unit, Los Angeles Port Police, Hawthorne Police Department, and El Segundo Police Department executed a search warrant on the suspected methamphetamine production site. The operation resulted in the seizure of 1,378 pounds of methamphetamine—both crystal and highly condensed liquid—valued at approximately $12.5 million. Investigators also recovered roughly $80,000 in U.S. currency, and three Mexican nationals responsible for manufacturing the narcotics were taken into custody.

This major seizure follows another successful narcotics investigation in Riverside County, where officers recovered 119 kilograms of cocaine, two firearms, and identified three suspects. In a separate commercial crimes operation, cargo theft task force officers dismantled a sophisticated theft ring responsible for stealing more than $2 million in Nike merchandise. That investigation led to felony indictments against 12 individuals.

Two Long Beach Homicide Investigations, Grand Ave. and Anaheim St.

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Two Long Beach Homicide Investigations, Grand Ave. and Anaheim St.

Murder Investigation and Arrest – 2600 Block of Grand Avenue

The Long Beach Police Department has arrested a suspect for the murder of a female adult, following an Aug. 1, incident in the 2600 block of Grand Avenue.

On Aug. 1, about7:26 p.m., officers responded to the 2600 block of Grand Avenue regarding an assault.
Upon arrival, officers located a female adult victim who was unresponsive. Long Beach Fire Department personnel rendered medical aid and determined the victim deceased.

The suspect was arrested near the scene. She was identified as 69-year-old Estela Jaramillo Rodriguez, a resident of Long Beach. She was booked at Long Beach City Jail for murder. Bail was set at $2,000,000.

Homicide detectives responded to the scene. The preliminary investigation indicates the suspect physically assaulted the victim. The investigation is ongoing.

The victim’s identity is being withheld pending the next of kin notification by the Los Angeles County Department of the Medical Examiner.

Detectives will present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office for filing consideration.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact homicide detectives Gamboa and Asato at 562-570-7244, or anonymously at 800-222-8477,www.lacrimestoppers.org.

 

Shooting Investigation and Arrest – W. Anaheim Street LB

Homicide detectives are investigating a shooting that occurred on July 10, which later resulted in a male adult victim’s death. A male adult suspect was arrested.

On July 10, 2026, about 7:13 a.m., officers responded to the 300 block of West Anaheim Street regarding a shooting. Officers located two male adult victims with gunshot wounds and rendered medical aid. Long Beach Fire Department personnel transported the victims to a local hospital.

A 44-year-old male victim sustained life-threatening injuries. A male victim, in his 50s, sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival.

Through their investigation, Homicide detectives identified the suspect. On July 10, special investigation division detectives arrested Brian Medina, a 24-year-old resident of Long Beach, in the 2300 block of Linden Avenue. He was booked for two counts of attempted murder. Detectives presented the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, where two counts of attempted murder were filed.

On July 30, homicide detectives were notified that the 44-year-old victim succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. He is identified as Long Beach resident William Davis.

Following the victim’s death, the district attorney’s office was notified, and a murder charge is pending. Bail is currently set at $3,025,000.

The circumstances and motive of the shooting are under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact homicide detectives Juan Carlos Reyes and Lisette Temblador at 562-570-7244, or anonymously at 800-222-8477,www.LACrimestoppers.org.

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