By Los Angeles County Politics (LACP)
Horvath, Supes push back against Trump’s takeover of fire recovery
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath (D-Western and San Fernando Valley, including Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Calabasas, Malibu, Sylmar, San Fernando, Sherman Oaks) this week saw the Board of Supervisors unanimously approve her motion directing County Counsel to monitor the implementation of President Trump’s recently issued executive order which seeks to preempt and replace state and local permitting and approval processes for rebuilding homes and businesses destroyed by the Palisades and Eaton Fires.
The motion comes as top Trump administration officials met with city, state and county officials yesterday as well as fire survivors. It also comes as Trump has not released Gov. Gavin Newsom’s request for $33.9 billion in federal disaster money, arguing more oversight is needed on how the money is spent.
Horvath, whose district includes the Pacific Palisades, said since the start of last year’s wildfires, she has been on the ground in impacted communities, hearing directly from fire survivors, small business owners, and workers rebuilding—while the Trump Administration has delayed critical federal disaster recovery funding that thousands of Angelenos across Los Angeles County need to move forward.
“Fire survivors don’t need uncertainty, delays, or federal power grabs—they need real help rebuilding their homes and livelihoods. This Executive Order is more of the same from the Trump Administration: empty promises with no meaningful disaster relief,” said Horvath. “Los Angeles County will not abandon our residents while this administration creates confusion for families and small businesses, slowing recovery on the ground. We will continue to urgently rebuild our communities safely and resiliently, guided by what our residents need.”
Horvath’s motion directs County Counsel, in coordination with the Department of Public Works, the Department of Regional Planning, and the Office of Emergency Management, to monitor the implementation of the executive order, and initiate or participate in litigation, among other things.
Read the full motion here.
Hahn, Supes seek to prevent deaths linked to kratom
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn (D-Southeastern LA County including Long Beach, San Pedro, Diamond Bar, Whittier, Cerritos, Downey, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Hacienda Heights) this week saw the Board of Supervisors unanimously approve her motion directing county experts to develop recommendations to prevent deaths and serious harm linked to kratom and the chemical compound known as 7-OH.
Her efforts come after Los Angeles County recorded seven fatal overdoses associated with kratom and 7-OH since January 2025.
Kratom is an herbal substance that can produce opioid-like and stimulant-like effects. 7-OH is the psychoactive component of kratom leaves and is synthetically concentrated into various products that have become increasingly available at gas stations, smoke shops, and online retailers.
Kratom and 7-OH products are unregulated and often marketed as dietary supplements to address a broad range of issues such as pain, anxiety and mood disorders, opioid withdrawal, energy, or general well-being.
“Seven people in LA County died because they took a substance that is being sold openly and marketed as safe,” said Hahn. “I want to explore all of our options to better regulate this substance and save lives.”
In July 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued warnings about the growing risks of 7-OH products, citing illegal marketing practices and the need for regulation and public education to prevent another wave of the opioid epidemic.
Several California jurisdictions—including the cities of San Diego, Oceanside, and Newport Beach, and the counties of San Diego, Orange, and Riverside—have already adopted ordinances banning or restricting the sale or possession of kratom.
At the state level, Assembly Bill 1088 was introduced in 2025 to establish age limits, labeling requirements, child-resistant packaging, and a ban on synthetic alkaloids.
The motion directs the Department of Public Health, in collaboration with the Department of Medical Examiner and in consultation with County Counsel, to report back to the Board within 30 days with recommendations to address and prevent kratom- and 7-OH-related deaths.
West Covina Mayor champions love ahead of Valentine’s Day
West Covina Mayor Letty Lopez-Viado invites couples throughout the community to strengthen their relationships at Couples Connect: A Relationship Workshop.
This free, interactive seminar is designed to help partners improve communication, rebuild connection, and navigate conflict in healthy, productive ways. This unique and heartfelt initiative comes just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Many couples experience challenges such as communication breakdowns, trust issues, unresolved conflict, or emotional distance. Couples Connect offers practical tools and real-world strategies to help partners move forward together, regardless of where they are in their relationship journey.
“Strong relationships build strong communities,” said Lopez-Viado. “This workshop is about giving couples the tools they need to communicate better, reconnect, and support one another through life’s challenges.”
While Couples Connect may be viewed as a creative date-night opportunity, the program goes much deeper. Lopez-Viado, alongside Kelly DuPee, a certified relationship and life coach, has been actively involved in weekly planning sessions to ensure the experience is engaging, fun, and meaningful. Together, they will guide couples through actionable techniques that can be immediately applied at home.
The workshop is slated for between 6-8:30 pm, next Thursday, Feb. 12 at the Cortez Park Community and Senior Center, located at 2501 E. Cortez Avenue in West Covina. Attendance is free, and dinner will be provided.
Space is limited, and advance registration is required. Couples are encouraged to reserve their spot as soon as possible. Registration is available at https://WCCouplesconnect.eventbrite.com.
For more information, visit the City of West Covina’s website at www.westcovina.gov.
Gomez to conduct oversight visit at DTLA ICE facility
U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Downtown LA, Koreatown, Boyle Heights, Eagle Rock) today will conduct a congressional oversight inspection of the federal immigration detention facility inside the Roybal Federal Building in Downtown Los Angeles.
The inspection follows Gomez’s office receiving reports from advocates indicating that families, including minors, infants, and US citizens, may be detained in a section of the facility known as B-17 following ICE check-in appointments. Reports indicate individuals may be held in this area for short periods before being transferred to other detention facilities, including the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas. Advocates also report that families may be denied visitation while individuals are held in B-17, though attorneys may be allowed access.
The oversight visit follows a recent federal court ruling blocking the Trump administration and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem from enforcing a policy requiring Members of Congress to provide seven days advance notice before visiting immigration detention facilities. Gomez is a plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging that policy and has previously been denied entry to this facility multiple times while attempting to conduct lawful congressional oversight.
Gomez’s office has also received reports raising concerns about detainee treatment and ICE check-in practices at the facility. Advocates have alleged two recent incidents in which detainees were reportedly assaulted while being pressured to sign voluntary self-deportation paperwork.
Additional reports indicate that individuals attending routine ICE check-ins may be taken into custody and instructed to return with their children and children’s passports, after which entire families may be detained. Advocates report that the youngest child they are aware of being taken into custody through this process is eight months old.
