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L.A. County Commits Additional $10 Million to Strengthen Food Equity in Local Neighborhoods

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L.A. County Commits Additional $10 Million to Strengthen Food Equity in Local Neighborhoods

 

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County’s chief sustainability office and local nonprofit intermediary Community Partners today announced a second tranche of $10 million in community grants to alleviate food insecurity and build a more resilient food system across the region.

Augmenting the initial set of grants awarded in 2024, this latest round of funding brings total grantmaking from the The LA Food Equity Fund to more than $20 million.

Tapping into federal American Rescue Plan Act or ARPA funding, the county and community partners are now supporting 78 organizations working to create more just access to affordable and nutritious food across the Southland. Nearly 1 in 4 county households experienced food insecurity in 2024, according to USC researchers.

“Nearly all of L.A. County’s food comes from beyond our foodshed and outside of our state, meaning that profits from our billions of dollars of food purchases are not benefiting our County. Increasing localization of our healthy food system by creating more farmer-led food hubs, expanding market match programs, sourcing locally for medically tailored meals, and creating more community gardens and urban agriculture opportunities, among other initiatives, could create many new jobs and bring significant revenue back into our economy,” said Paula Daniels, Executive Director of the LA County Office of Food Systems.

The first tranche of funds, awarded in March 2024, has already yielded significant benefits for more than 66,000 LA County residents. Grants have:

  • supported local job creation
  • underwritten community health fairs and nutrition education workshops
  • boosted refrigeration and warehouse space for food banks
  • established new markets in food deserts
  • assisted residents with CalFresh benefits enrollment

The investments, guided by the ambitious recommendations of the Los Angeles County Food Equity Roundtable Action Plan, range in size from $100,000 to just over $400,000. The new grants will fund a wide array of local community groups striving to improve food access and affordability as well as greater resilience and sustainability within food supply chains.

Food production organizations supported by the fund reflect a wide range of diversity, from Crop Swap LA’s and Grow2Zero’s microfarms feeding local residents in South L.A. and Long Beach, to the WOW Flower Project’s farm that feeds communities and hosts camps for children with mental health challenges in the Antelope Valley.

Supply-chain resilience groups receiving funds include Food Forward and FoodCycle, which recover surplus fresh fruits, vegetables, and other foods to redistribute to partner organizations across the County. The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center is recruiting Japanese-American farmers with small- and mid-sized farms to participate in providing culturally relevant produce for low-income shoppers via a Little Tokyo Farmers Market.

Food access grants range from the Watts Labor Community Action Committee’s food pantry and distribution program to the Thai Community Development Center’s East Hollywood Farmers Market, as well as supporting homeless services organizations The Midnight Mission, Union Station Homeless Services, Hope the Mission, and LA Family Housing to expand their food production and storage capacity to serve tens of thousands of meals daily.

Nutrition education awardees include Pico Union Project, which hires local community members to provide nutrition and wellness services at weekly community farmers markets, and Pools of Hope, which provides culturally appropriate nutritious food preparation classes and safe food handling education in North Long Beach, Compton, and Paramount.

Food as medicine awardees include the Health Consortium of Greater San Gabriel Valley, which works with five area hospitals to expand access to medically tailored meals for MediCal patients living with or at risk of chronic diseases, and South Los Angeles Health Projects, which advocates for postpartum birth parents who are no longer able to participate in WIC and are experiencing diabetes or high blood pressure, or whose infants were born preterm or with congenital issues.

Other grants awarded provide a wide range of support services, from distributing food to local food pantries to incubating small food businesses in underserved communities to training healthcare providers to increase access to and utilization of medically tailored meals.

Details: Read the full list of awarded grantees.

 

City of Carson to Host Mental Health Forum During Mental Health Awareness Month

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City of Carson to Host Mental Health Forum During Mental Health Awareness Month

 

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the City of Carson is hosting a mental health forum open to all age groups. This year’s forum will focus on the critical intersection between technology and mental health.

A lineup of knowledgeable and experienced speakers will present on a variety of timely and relevant topics, including: Social Media Isn’t Your Therapist; Emotional Wellbeing and Stress; Soul Care: Spiritual Health and Mental Wellness; Cyber Bullying

Throughout the day, attendees will have opportunities to participate in scheduled mental health breaks, including guided stretching, laughter yoga, and a relaxing sound bath designed to promote wellness and mindfulness.

Additional highlights include refreshments, a live musical performance, and more than 20 educational vendors offering valuable mental health resources and information.

This important event encourages all members of the community to prioritize their mental wellbeing and embrace opportunities for self-care and connection.

Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 23

Cost: Free

Details: Registration is available at 310- 952-1782 ext. 1471 or https://cutt.ly/OnlineReg,

Venue: Carson Event Center, 801 E. Carson St., Carson

California Awards $52.4 Million to Reinvest in Communities, Increase Economic Opportunity Across State

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California Awards $52.4 Million to Reinvest in Communities, Increase Economic Opportunity Across State

 

SACRAMENTO — The Governor’s office of business and economic development or GO-Biz May 16 awarded $52.4 million to 33 organizations through the California Community Reinvestment Grants (CalCRG) program, which serves communities disproportionately affected by past federal and state drug policies.

The funds come from the cannabis tax revenue generated by The Adult Use of Marijuana Act (Proposition 64, 2016) and aid qualified community-based organizations and local health departments in a range of activities, including:

Job placement

Mental health treatment

Substance use disorder treatment

System navigation services

Legal services to address barriers to reentry

Linkages to medical care

Past federal and state drug policies led to the mass incarceration of people of color, decreased access to social services, loss of educational attainment due to diminished federal financial aid eligibility, prohibitions on the use of public housing and other public assistance, and the separation of families. The CalCRG program aims to advance health, wellness and economic justice for these populations and communities.

Details: Learn more about the CalCRG program here.

Assessor Prang Projects Growth in 2025 Assessment Roll

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Assessor Prang Projects Growth in 2025 Assessment Roll

 

LOS ANGELES — Despite a devastating wildfire season that destroyed thousands of homes and scorched wide swaths of Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu, Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang released the May 15 forecast for the 2025 assessment roll, projecting a 3.25% increase in taxable property values over 2024. This marks the 15th consecutive year of growth for the county’s assessment roll.

The May forecast is an estimate of the assessment roll and may change between now and when it closes in early July. The forecast serves as a planning tool for local governments as they prepare their budgets based on projected property tax revenues. The assessment roll reflects the value of all taxable property in the county and offers a snapshot of the broader real estate market and economic trends.

“The 2025 wildfires impacted more than 23,000 parcels, including the total loss of over 10,000 homes,” said Assessor Prang. “Our office is committed to ensuring property owners receive timely assessment relief. Meanwhile, challenges continue in the downtown office market, which is expected to lower the 2025 Roll by approximately $24 billion.”

This year, the consumer price index or CPI adjustment required by Proposition 13 is expected to add the maximum 2% allowed under the law – equivalent to a $41 billion increase to the 2025 Roll.

While the housing market has shown signs of slowing, median home sales prices remained robust, reaching $950,000 in August 2024. With that being said, property transfers are expected to serve as the single most significant factor contributing to this year’s roll growth – adding $50 billion in additional value.

Although wildfire response efforts diverted resources away from new construction, the Assessor’s Office implemented new strategies to maintain productivity and prioritize high-value projects. As a result, new construction is projected to contribute an additional $6 billion to the 2025 roll.

With the total estimated net value of taxable property exceeding $2 trillion, the resulting property tax revenues — approximately $20 billion — will help fund critical public services, including public education, emergency responders, healthcare services, and other essential county programs. All assessments are based on property values as of Jan. 1, 2025.

Details: View the complete 2025 Forecast at: https://assessor.lacounty.gov/news-information/assessmentroll

City of Carson Designates June as Fire Prevention Month, Reinforcing Safety Commitment

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City of Carson Designates June as Fire Prevention Month, Reinforcing Safety Commitment

 

CARSON — Carson City Council this month voted to designate June as Fire Prevention Month. This decision aligns with the National Safety Council’s or NSC observance of National Safety Month, established in 1996 to raise safety awareness and reduce preventable injuries and deaths.

The Carson city council’s focus on fire prevention in June complements the long-standing recognition of National Fire Prevention Week in October. National Fire Prevention Week was first established by the National Fire Protection Association or NFPA in 1922 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

While October remains a crucial time for nationwide fire safety efforts, the Carson City Council sought to establish prevention efforts earlier in the year, specifically before Fourth of July celebrations, increased outdoor activities, and other summer festivities. Summer inherently brings heightened fire dangers due to factors such as negligence while grilling, overloaded electrical circuits, dry weather conditions, and the improper use of fireworks.

“The truth is, prevention must be a year-round priority,” stated Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes. “Recognizing June as Fire Prevention Month provides us with an early opportunity to educate, prepare, and protect our residents.”

This designation empowers the Carson Fire Department to expand its community outreach, public education campaigns, and preventative actions during both June and October. As the Fourth of July approaches, a time that often brings an increased risk of fires and related injuries, this is important.

Carson’s Fire Prevention Month also underscores the city council’s commitment to public safety through its Ordinance No. 25-027, which bans all fireworks within city limits. The city recognizes that fireworks are often part of celebrations but urges residents to remain vigilant in keeping neighborhoods safe and peaceful for all — including veterans, individuals sensitive to loud noises, and pets — by refraining from using fireworks. Violations of the ordinance will result in fines or other enforcement actions.

Details: For more detailed information, refer to City Ordinance No. 25-027 or contact public safety at 310-952-1786. To report the illegal use of fireworks, call 310-830-1123.

POLA Sees Robust Volume in April Ahead of Tariffs Drop and POLB Has Strongest April on Record

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POLA Sees Robust Volume in April Ahead of Tariffs Drop and POLB Has Strongest April on Record

 

LOS ANGELES / LONG BEACH — The Port of Los Angeles handled 842,806 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in April, 9.4% more than last year. After four months, the Port of Los Angeles has processed 3,346,853 TEUs, 6.2% more than the same period in 2024.

“We’ve had nearly two years of robust volume, including 10 straight months of year-over-year growth,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka told more than 90 journalists at a media briefing. “A strong economy and high consumer confidence propelled that growth early on, while more recently it’s been the push by importers to bring cargo in ahead of today’s tariffs.

“Moving forward – at least for the short term – we will see a softening of global trade during this period of elevated tariffs and uncertainty,” Seroka added. “As cargo eases, the Port of Los Angeles will use its strong financial base to invest in infrastructure, technology and workforce development. We’re focused on $230 million in capital projects in the upcoming fiscal year so that we’re ready to go when volume comes back strong.”

WATCH BRIEFING HERE

April 2025 loaded imports came in at 439,230 TEUs, 5% higher compared to the previous year. Loaded exports landed at 128,394 TEUs, a 3% drop from 2024. The port processed 275,183 empty container units, 25% more than last year.

Further, following its strongest April on record and 11 consecutive months of cargo increases, the Port of Long Beach is preparing for a double-digit decline for shipments in May due to tariffs – and retaliatory tariffs – that were paused earlier this month.

Dockworkers and terminal operators moved 867,493 twenty-foot equivalent units in April, up 15.6% from the same month last year and surpassing the previous record set in April 2022 by 5.7%. Imports rose 15.1% to 419,828 TEUs and exports decreased 4.5% to 93,842 TEUs. Empty containers moving through the port jumped 23% to 353,824 TEUs.

“After moving the most containerized cargo of any American port in the first quarter of 2025, we are now anticipating a more than 10% drop-off in imports in May – and the effects will be felt beyond the docks,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “Soon, consumers could find fewer choices and higher prices on store shelves and the job market could see impacts, given the continuing uncertainty.”

The port has moved 3,403,069 TEUs during the first four months of 2025, a 23.6% increase from the same period in 2024.

Gutting the Weather Watchers: When Tyrants Rewrite the Forecast

Thom Hartmann
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Gutting the Weather Watchers: When Tyrants Rewrite the Forecast

 

This is no accident. It’s a coordinated attack on science, safety, and the truth — just in time for hurricane season…

This disaster has me so angry I can barely type straight. Elon Musk and his phony “Department of Government Efficiency” — which isn’t even a real government department, by the way — are systematically destroying the agencies that keep Americans alive when Mother Nature comes calling. And for what? Some twisted ideological experiment that’s going to cost lives.

The National Weather Service is falling apart right before hurricane season. They have 155 empty positions that should be filled with forecasters working around the clock to track storms and save lives.

Tom Fahy from the National Weather Service Employees Organization nailed it when he told The Washington Post:

“For most of the last half century, NWS has been a 24/7 operation. Not anymore, thanks to Elon Musk.”

Picture this: a Category 4 hurricane spinning up in the Gulf, and the people who should be tracking its every move and warning coastal communities just aren’t there anymore. That’s not some dystopian nightmare: that’s what Trump and Musk have done to us.

Want to know how insane this gets? NOAA started the year with over 600 vacant positions. Instead of filling those jobs, Trump’s crew — with Musk’s DOGE cheerleading the destruction — illegally fired or pushed out another 10% of the remaining staff. They’re literally making the problem worse.

The consequences hit immediately. Last month, the National Weather Service had to stop launching weather balloons at several sites and gut their data collection operations because they don’t have enough people. Those balloons aren’t just pretty toys; they’re how we know if that storm brewing in the Atlantic is going to slam into Miami, New Orleans, Houston, or fizzle out at sea.

Here’s another insane part of this: NOAA’s weather data generates $9 in economic value every year for every $1 of expense, and benefits the US to the tune of over $5 billion a year. That’s the kind of return on investment that would make venture capitalists weep with joy. But Musk and Trump are torching it anyway, because their real goal isn’t efficiency, it’s blinding Americans to the climate crisis.

This attack on NOAA fits perfectly with their broader war on climate science. We can’t have people understanding the true cost of extreme weather if they and their fossil fuel funders want to keep pumping carbon into the atmosphere, right? Better to leave everyone stumbling around in the dark while the planet burns.

And don’t even get me started on what they’re doing to FEMA. They’re gutting the agency that coordinates disaster relief that, ironically, benefits Red states that get pummeled by hurricanes and tornadoes every year the most. Remember Hurricane Helene tearing through North Carolina last fall? Instead of supporting relief efforts, lunatics like Marjorie Taylor Greene spent their time attacking FEMA and spreading conspiracy theories.

Greene actually tweeted: “Yes, they can control the weather.” If that were true, maybe she could ask Trump and Musk to turn on those magical Jewish space lasers and give us all a break.

But this isn’t really about controlling weather, it’s about controlling information. It’s about making sure Americans don’t have the tools to prepare for disasters or understand why they’re getting worse. It’s about putting ideology ahead of human lives, and we should all be sick of it.

Was it Putin or the fossil fuel billionaires who told Trump and Musk to do this? Because I can’t think of any other reason why they’d be working so hard to bring death and destruction to millions of Americans.

People are going to die because of these cuts. Not might die, not could die: will die. Families will lose everything. Communities will be wiped off the map. All because two billionaires decided their war on our “socialist” government and the tax dollars that support it was more important than keeping ordinary Americans safe.

The National Weather Service, NOAA, and FEMA aren’t bloated bureaucracies wasting taxpayer money. They’re the thin line between advance warning and mass casualties. They’re the difference between evacuation and devastation.

We can’t let them finish this demolition job directed against our nation. Call your representatives. Raise hell. Make noise. And, if we can’t stop them, let’s make sure that when the next big storm hits and the warnings don’t come in time, we’ll all know exactly who’s responsible for the bodies.

Rep. Barragán Raises Alarm Over GOP Plan to Cut Health Care for Millions

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Rep. Barragán Raises Alarm Over GOP Plan to Cut Health Care for Millions

 

Washington, D.C. – After a 26-hour markup last week, House Republicans on the energy and commerce committee May 17 advanced their piece of Donald Trump’s budget reconciliation plan — with no Democratic votes. The bill slashes $715 billion from Medicaid and other critical health care programs — combined with the provisions passed by the Ways & Means Committee this week and a proposed regulation from the Trump Administration, 13.7 million Americans now stand to lose their health care.

“This bill is nothing short of an assault on the health care of working families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities,” said Rep. Barragán. “The Republican reconciliation bill, along with the actions of the Trump Administration and Republicans’ failure to extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies, will cause almost 14 million people to lose their health care. Republicans forced us to debate this bill in the dead of night, when they knew most Americans would not see their attempt to take health care away from millions of people. House Democrats will continue to fight this bill and make sure all Americans know that these painful cuts to essential services and programs are so that Republicans can give even larger tax breaks to their billionaire donors.”

Throughout the marathon markup, Rep. Barragán and Democratic committee members introduced amendments to reverse, blunt, or improve upon the harms of the bill, which Republicans, as a whole, rejected. This bill will now be combined with the Republican reconciliation bills that have passed out of other House committees for full House consideration.

The approved bill text includes harmful provisions that will:

Make it harder for people to enroll and keep their health coverage:

Burdensome new paperwork for Medicaid enrollees, designed to reduce access — not improve care.

Barriers to enrolling and renewing coverage for people on Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Shortened enrollment period for Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace coverage, reducing time to sign up.

Make it more expensive to access care:

New copays for Medicaid recipients.

New fees and documentation requirements for people seeking ACA subsidies.

Barriers to programs that help low-income seniors on both Medicare and Medicaid afford health care.

Decrease access to high-quality, affordable care for hospitals, community health centers, nursing homes, and at-home services:

Delays implementation of nursing home minimum staffing standards, putting elderly residents at risk.

Restricts states’ use of provider taxes, which support payments to health care providers and expansion of covered services.

Cuts federal Medicaid support for states that use their own funds to cover undocumented immigrants.

Beyond health care, the bill also includes sweeping attacks on environmental protections, clean energy investments, and telecommunications infrastructure:

Guts clean energy and environmental investments — including pollution reduction programs in schools and low-income communities.

Lets fossil fuel companies pay to bypass safeguards, including a $1 million fee to fast-track LNG exports and $10 million to expedite pipeline permitting.

Raises $88 billion through a spectrum auction and diverts those funds to tax cuts for billionaires, rather than investments in internet affordability and NextGen 911.

The legislation now moves to the House floor, where it will be considered as part of the broader Republican budget reconciliation package.

Annual Grant Opportunities Now Open at Arts Council for Long Beach

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Annual Grant Opportunities Now Open at Arts Council for Long Beach

The Arts Council for Long Beach or ArtsLB announces this year’s annual grant opportunities. These grants are designed to support artists, arts organizations, and cultural projects that enhance the vibrancy of the community. Whether you’re an individual artist, a local arts organization, or an emerging creative leader, there’s a funding opportunity for you.

Three Grant Programs Available:

1. Community Project Grants

Supports exemplary artistic, cultural and arts educational projects in Long Beach. This grant aims to encourage innovative and diverse programming, support arts and cultural projects that address community needs, and assist local organizations with a track record of effective arts programming. Funding: $1,000 – $5,000 (based on available funds and merit of proposals)

2. Operating Grants I & II

Provides unrestricted funding for arts and cultural organizations with an annual budget of $250,000 or more. Organizations must focus on presenting, collecting, or commissioning exemplary works of art, performances, or exhibitions for public benefit. Note: Measure B Grantees are no longer eligible for this program. New applicants must schedule a consultation with the grants department between now and June 6. Contact grants@artslb.org to book an appointment.

3. Professional Artist Fellowship

This grant honors living Long Beach-based artists who have demonstrated excellence and impact in their field(s). Eligible disciplines include: Visual, Performing; Audio, Literary; Media; and Culinary Arts; Folk; Traditional; Multidisciplinary; and Interdisciplinary Arts. Awards are based on artistic merit and professional achievement.

Grant Assistance Workshops Join the free virtual workshop to help you navigate the application process: May 20 (Zoom Workshops) – covering community project and professional artist grants. Operating grants require one-on-one consultations instead of a workshop. RSVP: https://artslb.org/programs/grants/grant-assistance/Apply now. Applications close June 13 at 5 p.m.

Details: Applications are open now – visit https://artslb.org/programs/grants/ to learn more and submit your application.

134,000 LA County Residents to Get Medical Debt Relief Notices This Week

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134,000 LA County Residents to Get Medical Debt Relief Notices This Week

More than 134,000 Los Angeles County residents will begin receiving notices this week as a part of the first wave of medical debt relief, marking a significant step in addressing the financial strain caused by medical costs. The notices, sent by LA County and national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt inform the resident that their medical debt has been permanently retired and offer helpful information for individuals who need help with additional medical bills or are seeking financial assistance.

The amount of debt being relieved through this first round of notices is $183,580,711.32.

Launched in December 2024, the Los Angeles County Medical Debt Relief Program provides immediate financial relief by purchasing and eliminating medical debt for qualifying residents. Through an initial $5 million investment approved by the LA County Board of Supervisors, the program aims to retire $500 million in medical debt for low-income residents, with plans to eliminate up to $2 billion by seeking additional contributions from philanthropic partners, hospitals, and health plans. Through this program, Undue Medical Debt acquires qualifying debts in bulk for a fraction of their face value from provider partners like hospitals and health systems along with collection agencies, meaning on average one dollar donated can erase $100 or more of medical debt.

Eligible residents will receive an Undue Medical Debt and Los Angeles County branded envelope in the mail without any need to apply. The program also includes preventive measures to reduce future medical debt through improved eligibility tools for financial assistance programs and increased access to resources.

This medical debt relief is source-based, meaning only qualifying debts held by participating providers or collectors can be canceled. Relief cannot be requested. To qualify for relief, current LA County residents must be either four times (400%) or below the federal poverty level or have medical debt that totals 5% or more of their annual income.

A key component of existing efforts to reduce medical debt accumulation rests in ensuring that hospitals and health care providers have robust systems in place to help those with few resources manage a chronic illness and/or medical emergency. To assist with these efforts, the LA County Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance on September 10, 2024 requiring hospitals in unincorporated Los Angeles to report on debt and financial assistance activities. On April 29, 2025, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously advanced a motion, led by Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, to extend medical debt data collection to 34 additional hospitals within the city limits. This expansion builds upon efforts to improve the quality of financial assistance programs and debt collection practices in order to reduce medical debt by the LA County Board of Supervisors in September 2024 which apply to hospitals in unincorporated areas.

Details:http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/hccp/medicalDebt/prevent.htm

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