Solis, Hahn move to boost county ads in local media
Los Angeles County Board Chair Hilda L. Solis (D-Downtown LA, East LA, Boyle Heights, El Monte, West Covina, Pomona) and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn (D-Long Beach, San Pedro, Diamond Bar, Whittier, Torrance, Redondo Beach) won unanimous Board approval Tuesday of their motion directing the county to develop a strategy for steering more advertising and outreach to local, ethnic, community and hyperlocal media.
The motion directs the Chief Executive Officer to report back in 120 days on the feasibility of a countywide framework, including a possible set-aside of a percentage of departmental advertising budgets for those outlets; on partnering with philanthropic and academic groups for an independent review of county advertising spending; on adding equity tools to county media contracting; and on input from local news organizations.
A 2020 Board directive found the county lacked comprehensive data on where its advertising dollars go. The motion draws on New York City, where a 2013 study found 82% of city advertising went to mainstream outlets. After the city set a goal of steering at least half to community and ethnic media, those outlets ended up receiving 84% of print and digital ad allocations, about $72 million over five years, according to Solis’ office. California has lost more than 12,000 local journalists since 2002.
“Local and ethnic media are often the primary source of news and public information for communities that larger news organizations do not adequately reach. They report in the languages residents speak, cover the neighborhoods they know and bring attention to issues that might otherwise go unreported. The County must take a closer look at how we distribute public information and advertising dollars and ensure these outlets have a meaningful opportunity to compete for County business. How we communicate with residents matters, and so does where we invest our public resources,” said Solis.
“When we’re trying to get the word out about County programs and services, we should be advertising with the local media outlets and small papers our residents already depend on and trust. It would help our departments better reach the communities that need them most – and the advertising dollars would be a lifeline for small newsrooms that are hanging by a thread. This would be a win for local journalism, a win for our communities, and a win for the County,” said Hahn.
Barger brings utility box art to fire-scarred Altadena
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger (R-Palmdale, Lancaster, Santa Clarita, San Marino, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge) won unanimous Board approval Tuesday of the county’s first utility box art program, which will turn 10 utility boxes in Altadena into public art by local artists as the community rebuilds from the Eaton Fire.
The Board approved a $59,000 agreement, paid from the Fifth District’s civic art funds, with Altadena artist Austin Scott, who will lead community outreach, select and hire 10 local artists and oversee the project. Scott has completed nine murals since March 2025, including an 85-foot mural along the Altadena Crest Trail painted with more than 80 volunteers.
“Rebuilding Altadena includes restoring the spirit of a community that suffered and lost a lot. Altadena has a rich artistic history and I believe its local artists deserve to be part of shaping what comes next. This project will put their talents on display and create meaningful opportunities for creative expression. It will also bring a little more beauty to Altadena’s streets as families return home. It’s a small investment that will make a lasting impression,” said Barger.
The artwork will be printed on graffiti- and weather-resistant vinyl wraps on boxes along Altadena Drive, Lake Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Woodbury Road and New York Drive. More than 3,900 building permits have been issued and more than 220 homes have been completed in Altadena since the fire, according to Barger’s office.
Cisneros bill would give small businesses a tariff hotline
U.S. Rep. Gil Cisneros (D-Covina, West Covina, Baldwin Park, El Monte, Azusa, La Puente) introduced the Small Business Tariff Relief Hotline Act, which would create a hotline in the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy for small businesses to report tariff and tariff-refund problems.
The bill, co-led by Reps. Analilia Mejia (D-N.J.) and Kelly Morrison (D-Minn.), would also require the office to report to Congress each year on the issues raised and recommend fixes. In 2025, 60% of small businesses reported higher costs because of tariffs, and more than 80% called tariffs a major worry, according to research by Small Business Majority, which supports the bill.
“Tariffs are crushing our small businesses by driving economic uncertainty, job loss, and rising costs across the country. In 2025, small businesses with fewer than 10 employees lost more jobs than any other year in recent history. For the small businesses that tried to voice their concerns on the effects of Donald Trump’s economic chaos, they were dismissed with the Office of Advocacy telling Congress it is ‘out-of-scope’,” said Cisneros.
“I introduced the Small Business Tariff Relief Hotline Act to give our small businesses a voice on tariffs and the refund process, and require the SBA Office of Advocacy to actually listen to small businesses across the country and work with Congress to provide relief,” he added.
Valladares hears from Antelope Valley town councils
State Sen. Suzette Martinez Valladares (R-Lancaster, Palmdale, Santa Clarita, portions of the Antelope Valley) met with town council presidents and members from Juniper Hills, Pearblossom, Lake Los Angeles and Littlerock to discuss the needs of their rural communities.
The four unincorporated communities sit in the Antelope Valley’s high desert southeast of Palmdale: Littlerock, a farming community known for its fruit orchards, and neighboring Pearblossom along Pearblossom Highway; Lake Los Angeles, a rural residential community to the east; and Juniper Hills, in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.
With no city government of their own, they’re governed directly by the county, and their town councils serve as advisory voices. The discussion covered affordability, illegal dumping, public safety, road conditions, infrastructure, animal control and community development, and possible legislative solutions, according to Valladares’ office.
“These town councils represent some truly incredible communities, and it is vital to me that they have a voice in Sacramento. I’m grateful for their time and their ideas about the major issues facing our neighbors in the high desert. I’m committed to these partnerships and focused on making sure these communities get the attention and resources they deserve,” said Valladares.
