Barger announces county workshop for seniors impacted by Eaton Fire
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger (R – Palmdale, Lancaster, Santa Clarita, San Marino, Pasadena, La Cañada-Flintridge, portions of the San Gabriel Valley) announced yesterday the county is hosting a special workshop to support residents aged 62 and older who hold reverse mortgages and are facing property damage or loss due to the recent Eaton Fire.
The workshop will help participants take the first steps to better understand their existing reverse mortgage agreements and the financial and legal implications tied to disaster-related property damage.
“Seniors navigating the aftermath of the Eaton Fire shouldn’t have to face uncertainty alone—especially when it comes to complex issues like reverse mortgages,” said. “That’s why I’ve brought together the Los Angeles County Department of Aging and Disabilities, the Los Angeles County Development Authority, and the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs to partner with local experts for this workshop. Our goal is to offer clarity, guidance, and trusted advice to help seniors make informed decisions during a challenging time.”
Participants will gain insight into their rights, responsibilities, and next steps as they recover from the fire and assess the impact on their homes and finances.
A group workshop will be led by Aimee Williams, Associate Vice President of Justice for Tenants, Homeowners, and Unhoused Individuals at Bet Tzedek Legal Services. Ms. Williams will provide critical guidance and answer questions related to reverse mortgages in the context of disaster recovery. There will also be representatives from various housing and legal services agencies–including the Federal Housing Administration, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and pro bono legal private firms–on hand to help with more individualized consultations.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, at MonteCedro Senior Living Community, located at 2212 El Molino Avenue, Altadena, CA 91001. Spanish and Armenian translation services will be available to ensure broader access for attendees.
Chu slams DOJ’s Cancellation of gun violence & victim advocacy grants
U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (D- Monterey Park, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Pasadena) this week condemned the Department of Justice (DOJ) for abruptly canceling hundreds of grants to community organizations and local governments, slashing critical funding for gun-violence prevention, addiction services, and crime-victim advocacy programs.
“As someone who has looked into the eyes of families who have just lost loved ones to gun violence, it’s deeply troubling to hear that efforts to prevent more deaths and tragedies are being dismissed as ‘wasteful spending’ by the Attorney General. This alarming justification ignores the devastating human toll of gun violence across our nation and unnecessarily risks more Americans’ lives,” said Rep. Judy Chu, whose congressional district includes Monterey Park, where 11 people died in Los Angeles County’s worst-ever mass shooting in January 2023.
“This is a crushing setback for our community and the rest of our country, but we will not waver,” she added.
Since the shooting, Chu has introduced and co-led several bills to help prevent future mass shootings and gun violence in America, including the Language Access to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Act, which would ensure that individuals with limited English proficiency can access gun violence prevention resources through in-language materials and culturally competent outreach.
“I’m fighting to pass legislation that depends on the DOJ for proper implementation,” continued Rep. Chu. “By undermining these critical efforts, Republicans are endangering lives. They bear responsibility for future gun violence in America.”
Bass announces settlement between Oscars and LA Marathon date conflict
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) announced yesterday that an agreement has been reached between the organizers of the LA Marathon and the organizers of the Oscars Awards show that allows both events to take place in LA in March of 2026.
Before Bass stepped in to mediate, both events were scheduled to take place on the same day next year, creating logistical conflicts such as overlapping routes.
“My mission is always to ensure that L.A.’s signature events are safe and successful for visitors and Angelenos to enjoy,” said Bass. “I’m pleased we were able to reach an agreement that sets up the LA Marathon and the Oscars to continue reflecting all that our city has to offer while establishing a long-term partnership to benefit the organizations for years to come.”
“Under the leadership of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, the ASICS Los Angeles Marathon and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have finalized dates for the 2026 calendar that will enable each to occur on separate dates in March. The 2026 Oscars will take place on March 15, 2026, and the ASICS Los Angeles Marathon will take place on a date in March 2026 that will be announced in the coming days,” said Murphy Reinschreiber, COO, McCourt Foundation, and Bill Kramer, CEO, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in a joint statement.
In future years, all parties have agreed that the Marathon will take place on the third Sunday in March. The ASICS Los Angeles Marathon and the Academy Awards have also agreed to establish a partnership to promote each other’s events to benefit the greater Los Angeles community.
Previously, Bass established the Office of Major Events, headed by Council President Emeritus Paul Krekorian, to ensure that the City is well prepared to host the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
