Barger Completes Altadena’s First Historic District
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger (R – Palmdale, Lancaster, Santa Clarita, San Marino, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, portions of the San Gabriel Valley) yesterday shepherded the final administrative step to establish Los Angeles County’s first-ever historic district and landmark designation in Altadena.
The Historic Highlands Historic District encompasses 77 parcels of predominantly early-20th-century single-family residences in the northern portion of the Historic Highlands neighborhood. It is known for its rich collection of Craftsman, Spanish Colonial Revival, Tudor, and other period architectural styles that reflect Altadena’s growth during the 1920s economic boom.
More than 50 percent of affected property owners supported the designation, which will take effect on July 9.
“Today’s action marks the completion of a significant effort to formally recognize and protect one of Altadena’s most historically significant neighborhoods,” said Barger. “With County Counsel’s review now complete and the ordinance approved, we have taken the final step necessary to preserve the Historic Highlands’ unique character and architectural heritage for future generations. The Eaton Fire changed Altadena forever, destroying thousands of structures and dramatically altering parts of our community. Preserving neighborhoods like the Historic Highlands helps maintain the sense of place that makes Altadena special. As residents rebuild and recover, these historic homes serve as a reminder of our community’s resilience and enduring identity.”
The new historic district designation establishes guidelines to protect the neighborhood’s defining architectural features while allowing appropriate property improvements and community growth.
Solis Leads County in Marking 83rd Anniversary of Zoot Suit Riots
Los Angeles County Supervisor and Board Chair Hilda L. Solis (D – East Los Angeles, El Monte, Baldwin Park, Azusa), led the full board yesterday in recognizing June 3 through 8 as Zoot Suit Riots Remembrance Days, marking the 83rd anniversary of the 1943 attacks that swept through Los Angeles County neighborhoods and targeted Mexican American, African American and Filipino American communities.
The violence erupted after years of discriminatory policing, segregation, economic inequality, and anti-Mexican sentiment. Beginning on June 3, 1943, groups of U.S. servicemen moved through neighborhoods across Los Angeles County and attacked people associated with the zoot suit, a style of dress closely identified with Mexican American youth known as pachucos. Many victims were arrested instead of being protected. Military authorities ultimately restricted servicemen’s access to Los Angeles County, bringing the violence to an end on June 8, 1943.
The riots followed the 1942 Sleepy Lagoon case, in which Mexican American youths were arrested and prosecuted despite weak evidence linking them to the death of José Gallardo Díaz near what is now the City of Bell.
“The Zoot Suit Riots targeted people of color in Los Angeles County who were asserting identity, culture and belonging while being pushed to the margins,” said Solis. “It reflected racism and discriminatory policing, including how individuals were singled out for their clothing and appearance. As we mark this anniversary, we honor those who lived through it, acknowledge the harm that was done, and reaffirm the importance of preserving this history.”
The motion also recognizes pachucas — young Mexican American women who challenged social norms through their style and cultural pride — and the Hello Stranger Foundation for its work preserving cultural memory and elevating underrepresented stories through art and storytelling.
Hahn and Horvath Proclaim June Pride Month
Los Angeles County Supervisors Janice Hahn (D, San Pedro, Long Beach, Compton, Carson, Lakewood, Hawaiian Gardens, Cerritos) and Lindsey P. Horvath (D, Western Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley, including Pacoima, Panorama City, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Calabasas, Malibu, Sylmar) yesterday led the Board of Supervisors Tuesday in unanimously proclaiming June 2026 as Pride Month in Los Angeles County, recognizing the history and contributions of the county’s LGBTQ+ community.
The proclamation accompanies a countywide tradition Hahn and Horvath established in 2023 — flying the Progress Pride Flag over every county facility every June, including over the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration.
Los Angeles County is home to one of the largest LGBTQ+ communities in the nation, with an estimated 665,000 LGBTQ adults — nearly 9 percent of the county’s adult population — living in the county. The county also hosts Pride events at 59 of its parks throughout June in collaboration with local groups.
“This month, we celebrate the history of Pride, born out of the Stonewall Uprising, but we also celebrate something just as important: the resilience, creativity, and joy of the LGBTQ+ community,” said Hahn. “My hope is that this proclamation as well as the Progress Pride flag flying high over every County building will serve as a reminder to everyone who may be struggling to find acceptance that they are seen, they are valued, and they are not alone. And that Los Angeles County will continue to stand unapologetically with its LGBTQ+ residents.”
“June is Pride Month, and Los Angeles County celebrates it fully — the joy, the community, the hard-won progress, and the work still ahead,” said Horvath. “To every member of our LGBTQ+ community and every ally: we see you, we stand with you, and we’re not backing down. Love is love. Happy Pride, LA County.”
Torres Blasts GOP Reconciliation Package as Blank Check for ICE
U.S. Rep. Norma Torres (D – Pomona) came out swinging yesterday against the Republican reconciliation package, calling it a reckless spending bill that pours billions into immigration enforcement while doing nothing to address the rising costs crushing working families across her district and the country.
The Republican proposal includes an additional $69.5 billion in new spending, with $38 billion directed to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and $26 billion to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — both agencies that Torres said are already receiving historic funding increases through last year’s reconciliation package.
Meanwhile, Torres argued, families across Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire are facing rising costs for groceries, gas, rent, and healthcare with no relief in sight from Washington.
“Working families are being crushed by the rising cost of living, yet Republicans are pushing another reckless spending package that does absolutely nothing to lower costs for everyday Americans,” said Torres. “Instead of investing in affordable housing, healthcare, education, and economic relief, they are writing more blank checks for ICE and CBP to abuse the law and our Constitution without consequences. Americans want lower costs, safer communities, and economic stability, not more taxpayer dollars wasted on fearmongering and political stunts.”
The Torres statement comes after Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and state lawmakers this week marked the one-year anniversary of the Trump Administration’s immigration enforcement surge in Los Angeles, and as the Board of Supervisors separately advanced immigrant health care protections at yesterday’s meeting.
