Southern California

Signs advertising the 2020 US Census cover a closed and boarded up business amid the coronavirus outbreak in Seattle, Washington, March 23, 2020.

For Latinos ineligible to vote, US census offers a path to political power

The instability wrought by the pandemic could lead to census counts of historically undercounted Latino communities. Organizers are racing to get people to fill it out before the Sept. 30 deadline.

For Latinos ineligible to vote, US census offers a path to political power
(Left to right) Gwen Muranaka, Mikey Hirano Culross and Mario Reyes, in the newsroom of the last remaining Japanese American daily newspaper, the Rafu Shimpo in downtown Los Angeles, 2010.

A Japanese American newspaper chronicles the ‘searing’ history of immigrant incarceration

A Japanese American newspaper chronicles the ‘searing’ history of immigrant incarceration
An old woman stands in front of a table in a home.

'A classic tale of human greed': California caregivers earn as little as $2 an hour

'A classic tale of human greed': California caregivers earn as little as $2 an hour
A woman sits at her desk with papers in front of her.

These caregivers work in conditions ‘akin to modern-day slavery.’ In California, wage theft is ‘rampant.’

These caregivers work in conditions ‘akin to modern-day slavery.’ In California, wage theft is ‘rampant.’
Massive forest fires can often result in a shifting of ecosystems, as regeneration becomes a more difficult task, especially in drier and warmer areas.

Forest fire surge may be blamed more by human touch than changing climates

Forest fire surge may be blamed more by human touch than changing climates
Firefighters battle flames from a Santa Ana wind-driven brush fire called the Thomas Fire in Santa Paula.

Chumash firefighters battle wildfires and protect sacred sites in California

Some firefighters in the Chumash Fire department in Santa Ynez double as "cultural specialists" to try and protect indigenous cultural sites.

Chumash firefighters battle wildfires and protect sacred sites in California
A firefighter puts out a hotspot at an avocado farm after the Lilac Fire, a fast moving wildfire in Bonsall, California, Dec. 8, 2017.

Firefighters race to get control of California wildfires

Firefighters race to get control of California wildfires
CA wildfire

After wildfires, health risks linger

After wildfires in California, the cleanup process poses another health hazard.

After wildfires, health risks linger
Harvey Weinstein

How Harvey Weinstein used nondisclosure agreements to silence his accusers

Nondisclosure agreements are part of how Harvey Weinstein got away with it for so long.

How Harvey Weinstein used nondisclosure agreements to silence his accusers
boredom

In praise of boredom: Researchers dish on the brain benefits of idle time

When we’re resting, a very important part of our brain gets to work.

In praise of boredom: Researchers dish on the brain benefits of idle time
World City Center Preschool

Listen: A preschool lesson in sharing those post-election feelings

At this dual-language immersion preschool in Los Angeles, teachers were upset by Donald Trump's victory. And they didn't hide it.

Listen: A preschool lesson in sharing those post-election feelings
Kelp forest

How a determined marine biologist and volunteers saved a giant kelp forest off California's coast

Twelve years ago, marine biologist Nancy Caruso and a group of students and volunteer divers began restoring the kelp forests off the coast of Orange County, California. In August 2014, when huge mounds of the giant seaweed started piling up on Laguna Beach — to the consternation of tourists and beach-goers — Caruso knew the project had succeeded.

How a determined marine biologist and volunteers saved a giant kelp forest off California's coast
Business-minded immigrants often turn to gardening work because the start-up costs are relatively modest — namely the price of the truck and the gardening equipment.

California's gardens tell an immigrant story

Well-tended lawns and the sound of leaf blowers have a lot to do with California's immigrant roots, and not just ones that stretch south into Latin America. The history of garden work in California stretches further back to the state's striving Japanese immigrant community.

California's gardens tell an immigrant story
drivers_4

Why some people camped out all night at California DMV offices

Undocumented immigrants in California now have a privilege most Americans have: the right to apply for a drivers' license.

Why some people camped out all night at California DMV offices
A large number of Armenian refugees live in the Los Angeles area. Every year the Armenian Christ Church hosts a Thanksgiving feast featuring traditional American and Armenian dishes.

For these Iranian Armenian refugees, Thanksgiving brings back memories of arriving in the US

Most Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, but what's special about the holiday differs for everyone. There’s family, sure. And food. And football. Yet for an Iranian-Armenian family and their community, it's a chance to celebrate religious freedom, and their lives in the US.

For these Iranian Armenian refugees, Thanksgiving brings back memories of arriving in the US