Friedman responds to Netflix bowing out on Warner Bros. bid
U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Burbank, Glendale, West Hollywood, Hollywood) yesterday indicated she is closely following news that Netflix has bowed out of the bid to buy Warner Bros. Discovery.
That after Warner Bros. Discovery’s board determined Paramount Skydance’s $31-a-share bid was superior to Netflix’s offer, ending one of Hollywood’s biggest bidding wars in years — one that drew significant attention in Washington as both sides worked to navigate the regulatory and political landscape.
“For us, Hollywood isn’t just an internationally recognized name, it’s the powerhouse behind our local economy that supports tens of thousands of jobs. From the beginning, I’ve said that any deal needs to bring production and jobs back to the United States and Hollywood and lower costs for consumers,” said Friedman, who, before entering politics, spent nearly a decade as a film and television executive and producer.
“We also know what we really need: a national film tax credit. It’s working in California and it will work across the country. I’ll keep fighting to ensure it gets done and American businesses and workers can compete on a level playing field with the rest of the world,” the federal lawmaker added.
Bass, McOsker celebrate opening of Avalon Pedestrian Bridge
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Tim McOsker yesterday celebrated the groundbreaking of the new $152 million Avalon Pedestrian Bridge and Promenade Gateway project, which will provide pedestrian and bicycle access to the Wilmington Waterfront Promenade and transform 12 acres of former industrial land into community-centered spaces for residents.
The site for the Avalon Pedestrian Bridge and Promenade Gateway is located between Harry Bridges Boulevard to the north and the Pacific Harbor Railroad Lines to the south in Wilmington, extending halfway between Marine Avenue and A Street to the west and Broad Avenue to the east.
“By transforming 12 acres of former industrial land, this project is one of the many ways we are working to revitalize, reimagine, and build connections in communities across the city, “ said Bass. “I want to thank Governor Newsom, Councilmember McOsker, the LA Board of Harbor Commissioners, and the Port for moving this historic investment forward that will benefit residents and local businesses for generations to come.”
The open space will feature a landscaped entry plaza with an iconic 40-foot-tall architectural sundial, a historic walk and overlook, an open terrace seating area, pedestrian pathways, community gathering areas, two parking lots, and public restrooms. The project also includes street improvements, utility improvements, grading, paving, striping, lighting, and landscaping.
“The Avalon Pedestrian Bridge represents another major step forward for Wilmington and the continued transformation of our waterfront,” said McOsker, whose 15th District includes the Port and Wilmington. “This project builds on the success of the Wilmington Waterfront Promenade by adding safe, direct access across the railroad while increasing much-needed green space for families to gather and enjoy. The investment will strengthen the connection between Avalon Boulevard and the waterfront, supporting local businesses and creating new opportunities for the community to thrive.”
Construction is expected to be completed by late summer 2028.
Horvath announces County review of LAHSA finances
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath (D-Western and San Fernando Valley areas including Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Calabasas, Malibu, Universal City, Sherman Oaks) yesterday announced the County sent a formal letter to Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) CEO Gita O’Neill announcing that the it initiating an evaluation and review of LAHSA’s financial and operational practices.
This follows a LAHSA Financial Committee meeting on Friday, February 20, which revealed serious gaps in financial oversight, including long-delayed payments to homeless service providers — even after the County had already transmitted funds to LAHSA for distribution.
“Our communities are done with LAHSA’s mismanagement and payment delays. These failures have destabilized providers and eroded public trust — and they must end,” said Horvath, who has spearheaded the creation of the County’s Department of Homeless Service and Housing (DHSH).
“Los Angeles County is taking decisive action to address continued negligence at LAHSA. Even as we build a new homeless services system rooted in transparency and results, we must also hold the current system accountable. Taxpayers deserve transparency. Providers deserve to be paid on time. People experiencing homelessness deserve a system that works.”
In the backdrop to this announcement, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass will attend the (LAHSA) Commission meeting today. Bass is an advocate for the LAHSA.
Valladares’ pressure leads to new charges against paroled rapist
State Sen. Suzette Martinez Valladares (R-Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Palmdale, portions of the Antelope Valley) and other Senate Republicans appeared to stop the parole and release of convicted serial child rapist David Allen Funston.
In 1999, Funston was convicted on 16 counts of kidnapping and child molestation. Now aged 64, he was granted parole due to California’s Elderly Parole Program. The program was expanded in 2020 with AB 3234, which was rushed through the Senate with no public input and signed into law by Governor Newsom.
However, following the outcry, multiple media outlets reported yesterday that Placer County DA Morgan Gire said his office decided to pursue a separate prosecution against Funston stemming from an alleged child sexual assault that happened in Roseville in 1996.
As a result, instead of being released to the community, Funston’s custody has been turned over to law enforcement officials in Placer County, and he remains behind bars awaiting his arraignment for the new charges.
“Hearing the news of Funston’s parole made me sick to my stomach. It made me sick thinking about the pain and suffering he inflicted on his victims, who were very young children, and sick thinking about how a monster like this could be granted parole,” said Valladares.
