Bass Mourns Nate Holden
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) today mourned the death of Nate Holden, a longtime local political lawmaker and civic leader. He was 95.
Holden’s career in public service spanned more than 30 years, including roles as a California State Senator, Los Angeles City Councilmember, and assistant chief deputy to a Los Angeles County Supervisor. He is also credited with being a central point person in rebuilding the Crenshaw area after the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
“Nate Holden leaves behind a legacy of service and strength. Throughout his life, he put the South Los Angeles community front and center,” said Bass.
“As an organizer, I learned from the way he served — always working to ensure vital services were delivered directly to the residents he represented. For decades, he was a trusted advisor. My thoughts are with the Holden family during this difficult time. Flags in the City of Los Angeles will fly at half staff as our city mourns,” she added.
Horvath, Hahn give marine mammals love
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Lindsey P. Horvath (D) and Janice Hahn (D) yesterday saw the Board of Supervisors pass their co-authored motion to urgently support the rescue and rehabilitation of stranded marine mammals impacted by a surge in domoic acid poisoning along LA County beaches.
The motion comes as there has been a dramatic rise in marine mammals stranded along the LA County coastline in recent weeks, caused by a harmful algal bloom producing domoic acid – a naturally occurring neurotoxin that leads to seizures, disorientation, and death in marine animals.
It also comes as the Marine Mammal Care Center (MMCC), the only NOAA-authorized responder in the region, is facing a significant funding and resource gap in responding to daily rescues.
“We are facing an urgent crisis along our coastline—marine mammals are washing up sick and dying from domoic acid poisoning, and the situation is only getting worse,” said Horvath. “This motion delivers critical support to the frontline responders rescuing and caring for these animals, while also helping us prepare for a future where these events will be more frequent and more severe due to climate change. We must act urgently and continue to invest in solutions to protect both public health and our coastal ecosystem.”
The motion directs County departments to take the following actions:
- Immediately issue a $100,000 purchase order to the MMCC to support emergency rescue and medical care.
- Report back in 5 business days with funding options up to $600,000 to cover emergency marine mammal rescue and medical care.
- Create an emergency response plan for future mass-stranding events and toxic algal blooms in partnership with MMCC and the Office of Emergency Management.
- Develop a long-term funding strategy, including engagement with philanthropic partners, donation programs at beach concessionaires, and parking pass initiatives to support ongoing marine mammal welfare.
- Launch a public education campaign to inform beachgoers about best practices for coexisting with marine mammals and how to report animals in distress.
“The Marine Mammal Care Center has done extraordinary, often unsung work for years to care for our ocean life. But their staff and volunteers are overwhelmed by yet another domoic acid crisis. They need our help now,” said Hahn, who represents San Pedro where the Center is located. “I’m grateful to MMCC’s leadership, staff, and volunteers for their tireless work to save marine mammals and to keep people safe. Help is coming.”
To report an animal in distress, call the MMCC Rescue Hotline at 1-800-39-WHALE.
Avila lauds Baldwin Park’s homeless reduction
Baldwin Park Mayor Alejandra Avila (D) said this week that the city’s recent receiving of the Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability Award from the Southern California Association ofGovernments (SCAG) for its groundbreaking efforts to address homelessness is a direct result of strong community collaboration.
The SCAG Sustainability Awards celebrate regional leadership in environmental stewardship, economic resilience and social equity. Baldwin Park’s recognition underscores how Esperanza Villa and Serenity Homes have successfully integrated long-term sustainability with life-changing impact.
Opened in 2021 and 2022, Esperanza Villa and Serenity Homes represent a bold shift in the City’s approach to homelessness. Developed during the COVID-19 pandemic and led by the City’s Recreation and Community Services Department, these projects showcase the power of cross-department collaboration in delivering equitable, community-driven solutions.
Esperanza Villa was the first tiny home village in the San Gabriel Valley, offering 25 units for unhoused individuals. Serenity Homes introduced 16 units tailored for families experiencing homelessness.
“By investing in supportive, sustainable housing solutions, Baldwin Park has reduced homelessness by 70% over four years, demonstrating what’s possible when compassion meets collaboration and innovation,” said Avila.
“These facilities represent a new standard in transitional housing. We’re proud to serve as a model for how cities can support individuals and families with dignity, stability and sustainability. Our success is a direct result of strong community collaboration, and we’re incredibly grateful to our partners who helped bring these projects to life,” the lawmaker added.
