Hahn announces illegal fireworks removed from Commerce warehouse
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn (D-Long Beach, San Pedro, Diamond Bar, Whittier, Cerritos, Downey, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Hacienda Heights) on Friday thanked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Cal Fire, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department for their joint efforts in removing 75 tons of illegal fireworks found in a warehouse in the City of Commerce.
Cal Fire and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives discovered the fireworks when they raided the warehouse in late May. They were deemed hazardous material and, therefore, outside the LA County Fire Department’s authority to remove them.
However, Hahn and LA County Fire Chief Marrone raised concerns when they learned mid-July that the materials would not be moved until mid to late August. On Jul 16, Hahn and Marrone wrote a letter to US EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin requesting the urgent and expedited removal of the fireworks and pallets of hand sanitizer found in the warehouse.
“This was a disaster waiting to happen and needed to be dealt with immediately before someone got hurt,” said Hahn. “I appreciate both the EPA and Cal Fire for hearing my and Chief Marrone’s concerns and acting as quickly as they could. This was a challenging situation, and it took coordination across all levels of government to solve.”
The EPA will destroy the fireworks.
Norwalk Mayor lauds City’s homeless reduction
Norwalk Mayor Anthony “Tony” Ayala last week lauded the City’s huge reduction in homelessness, according to the 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count.
The count found the number of unsheltered individuals in Norwalk has dropped by 67% compared to 2024, and the number of observed encampments has fallen by 45%.
“We’re seeing the results of focused, hands-on work in our neighborhoods,” said Ayala. “This is a citywide effort, from our field staff to our service providers, and we remain committed to long-term strategies that are effective, balanced, and community-supported.”
A key driver behind this progress is the work of Norwalk’s Social Services Department, which has connected more than 150 individuals to supportive agencies since 2024. Of those, 108 have successfully transitioned into housing. This is a direct result of person-centered casework and sustained outreach to residents in crisis.
That work is reinforced by the City’s Homeless Operations Prevention & Engagement (H.O.P.E.) Team, which leads routine outreach across Norwalk and works closely with Social Services to connect individuals with long-term support. The team brings together Norwalk social workers, Public Safety outreach personnel, and Public Services staff, offering coordinated, wraparound care to those in need.
Norwalk residents who are facing housing instability or homelessness can reach out to our Social Services Department at 562-929-5544 or visit the Social Services Center at 11929 Alondra Blvd.
Schiff questions Israel’s Gaza City Occupation plan
U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) on Friday was highly critical of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to occupy Gaza City.
His criticism comes one week after he and Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) led a broad group of 44 Senators expressing alarm about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and urging the Trump Administration to resume diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire agreement and end the war.
“Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s plan to occupy Gaza, in a military operation that the Israeli military itself opposes and that could extend for years, will only result in further loss of life among the hostages, Palestinian civilians, and the members of the IDF required to undertake such a calamitous task. The situation in Gaza is unendurable; this will make it worse. This war must end, not escalate,” said Schiff.
“Already, Palestinians are starving, including substantial numbers of women and children, even as Hamas terrorists starve and murder Israeli hostages. Both the United States and Israel have a moral obligation to bring this conflict to an end and surge humanitarian aid to Gaza, including massive amounts of food and medicine.
“To be clear: Hamas must be held to account for its mass murder, torture, and rape of Israelis, and for any diversion of food from those who are hungry. No call upon the Israeli government to act to stop this unendurable suffering by civilians in Gaza can ignore the barbaric acts committed by Hamas that brought this war about, the need to ensure they can never threaten Israel again, and the even more urgent need for the release of all of the hostages.”
Friedman lauds fed transportation investment ahead of LA Olympics
U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Burbank, Glendale, West Hollywood, HollywoodCA-30) on Friday joined Foothill Transit and Rose Bowl leadership in front of the Rose Bowl to tour one of the Transit system’s new zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses and the grounds of the historical Rose Bowl venue, which is set to host part of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Foothill Transit plays a critical last-mile role connecting transit riders to the historic Rose Bowl, and we need to make sure we invest in these services so that athletes, spectators, and locals can move around LA when the Olympics and Paralympics come to town,” said Friedman.
“I’m proud to have secured a commitment from the federal government from Transportation Secretary [Sean] Duffy to invest in our public transit ahead of the games, but I won’t stop working to ensure those federal promises turns into actual dollars,” she added.
In July, Friedman secured a commitment from Duffy to work with her and Los Angeles in preparing for and delivering the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
