Bass declares lights, cameras, action
Los Angeles City Mayor Karen Bass (D) yesterday issued an executive directive to support local film and TV jobs by making it easier for studios and independent producers to shoot movies, television shows, and commercials in Los Angeles.
Bass’ directive lowers costs and streamlines city processes for on-location filming and increases access to iconic city locations, including the Central Library, Port of LA, and Griffith Observatory, to make the City more friendly and supportive of local filming.
“The City is taking bold action to support our legacy industry,” said Bass. “Keeping entertainment production in L.A. means keeping good-paying jobs in L.A., and that’s what we are fighting for. I am taking action alongside Councilmember Adrin Nazarian to make sure L.A. is always the best place for film and TV production while we continue to champion making California’s production tax credit more powerful. Hard-working people across Los Angeles are counting on us.”
Herzzoner also renewed her call on the state legislature to pass Governor Newsom’s proposal to make historic investments in the state film tax credit to make California more competitive with the other states and countries that offer powerful financial incentives to attract productions.
Sherman, Chu host fire recovery roundtable
U.S. Reps Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks, Encino, Studio City, Valley Village) and Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Pasadena) yesterday hosted a roundtable in the nation’s capital with California Members of Congress and Los Angeles County officials to discuss ongoing recovery efforts following January’s devastating Palisades and Eaton Fires.
The discussion offered congressional members an opportunity to hear directly from Los Angeles County leaders, including Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Board and Supervisor for Altadena and Pasadena, about the ongoing challenges facing fire-impacted communities and the work being done to ensure they can rebuild swiftly and safely.
The Members also emphasized the need to protect the federal agencies carrying out disaster recovery operations for their communities from the Trump administration’s mass layoffs of federal workers, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and AmeriCorps.
“We have both consistently voted for disaster aid to Republican-led states regardless of whether we strongly disagreed with their policies, because disasters have no political affiliation. Our constituents have demonstrated so much strength and resolve throughout the course of this catastrophe, and they urgently need and deserve additional federal resources to rebuild their lives,” Sherman and Chu said in a joint statement.
“Disaster relief is not and should never be a partisan issue, and we will continue to work with Congressional leadership and President Trump to deliver relief to our communities. Far too many families are still living in uncertainty as we work to rebuild after the fires. We are committed to working alongside our local partners to deliver every possible resource to help our communities recover.”
County Supervisors: Everybody’s gotta eat
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors yesterday announced the second installment of $10 million in community grants to alleviate food insecurity and build a more resilient food system across the region.
The allocation augments the initial set of grants awarded in 2024, bringing the total grantmaking to The LA Food Equity Fund to more than $20 million.
“This investment is a powerful example of how Los Angeles County is stepping up to tackle food insecurity head-on,” said LA County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger. “We’re re not just funding programs. We’re also empowering community-based organizations to deliver real, lasting change in people’s lives. These grants will expand access to nutritious food, create local jobs, and support families in every corner of our County.”
LA County Chair Pro Tem and Supervisor Hilda L. Solis said she is a strong advocate for the LA Food Equity Fund.
“This program is essential for addressing the critical needs of our most vulnerable residents, many of whom face the difficult choice between paying rent and putting food on the table. By providing resources to organizations like God’s Pantry, Homeboy Industries, and Union Station Homeless Services, we are directly combating food insecurity by offering fresh, nutritious, and culturally relevant food. These nonprofits are vital in supporting our communities, and this investment not only supports their immediate efforts but also strengthens our long-term commitment to advancing equity, economic opportunity, and climate resilience throughout the County,” Solis said.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell said there is a collective responsibility to do everything possible to end hunger.
“This additional round of funding to organizations – who are working on the ground alongside the County to improve access to nutritious food for our most vulnerable residents – reaffirms our commitment to ensuring that no child or family has to worry about getting the food they need to survive,” she said.
