Bass, Park advocate Palisades recovery priorities
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Traci Park (D-Pacific Palisades, West Los Angeles) led a delegation to Sacramento yesterday to advocate for key priorities related to the ongoing wildfire recovery effort in Pacific Palisades.
While hundreds of homes have started construction, one of the biggest hurdles Palisades residents continue to face are delays, underpayments, and denials from the core institution meant to help them recover: the insurance industry.
The delegation discussed several important reforms and protections for wildfire survivors, including ending the “Adjuster Shuffle,” in which survivors report multiple adjusters cycling through a claim, combating loss undervaluation, and mandating toxic substance testing and remediation.
“Recovery should never feel harder than the disaster itself, but for so many Palisades residents, delays, underpayments, and denials from insurers and ongoing mortgage payments are making it impossible to rebuild,” said Bass. “I organized today’s delegation to ensure State legislators and officials from the Department of Insurance heard directly from Palisades survivors about what they need – and deserve – to rebuild and return home. The Palisades community deserves stronger enforcement and economic support from the State to meet the scale of this disaster, and I look forward to continuing to work with the partners we met with today to ensure survivors get the support they need to rebuild safely.”
“The scale of this recovery requires strong state partnership,” said Traci Park. “From infrastructure repairs to insurance reform, we’re here to push for solutions that allow families to rebuild faster — before delays turn into displacement.”
Pérez lauds court’s upholding No Vigilantes Act
State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Altadena, Arcadia, Burbank, Claremont, Duarte, Glendale, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, South Pasadena, Upland) yesterday lauded the United States District Court for the Central District of California’s ruling against the Trump Administration’s lawsuit challenge to SB 805, the No Vigilantes Act.
The state law, which Pérez authored, requires all law enforcement operating in California to display identification and prohibits bounty hunters from conducting immigration enforcement.
“Today, U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder has upheld my SB 805, the No Vigilantes Act, marking a major legal victory for California and a stinging defeat for the Trump Administration. This ruling to uphold SB 805, the No Vigilantes Act, is vindication that California has the right to pass laws requiring all law enforcement operating in our state to display identification,” said Pérez.
Pérez also saw the glass as half full in the Court’s decision against the State’s No Secret Police Act, which would ban enforcement agents from wearing of masks.
“Although the judge’s order is temporarily paused from taking effect until February 19, this legal clarity from the courts is a significant step in protecting the safety and civil liberties of all Californians,” she said.
Long Beach celebrates Black History Month with local youth performances
The City of Long Beach will once again host performances of “Black Mosaic,” a free music and dance showcase that celebrates and honors the history and contributions of the Black community – this year featuring local elementary school students.
“Black Mosaic” is a collection of literature, poetry, music and plays that illuminate the richness of Black history and culture through creative and engaging performances by professionally trained actors and, new this year, local youth just learning the art of acting. Students from Burbank Elementary School’s LB WRAP After School Program join this year’s cast, providing them the opportunity to express their creativity and learned skills to their community.
“This year, as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, it is inspiring to see our local youth bring the stories of Black culture and history to life,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “These performances remind us that this history is living and carried forward by the next generation as we build a more inclusive future together.”
Performances are free and will feature works ranging from William Shakespeare to Maya Angelou, weaving together the layered, complex moments of Black history through humor, reflection, resilience, and critique.
This year’s performances of “Black Mosaic” will take place at 2 pm, Saturday, Feb. 14, at Martin Luther King Jr. Park (1950 Lemon Ave.); at 6 pm, Thursday, Feb. 19, at Doris Topsy-Elvord Community Center at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.); and at 6 pm, Monday, Feb. 23, at Long Beach Senior Center (1150 E. 4th St.).
Santa Monica Mayor holds one-on-one constituent meetings
Santa Monica Mayor Caroline Torosis announced yesterday that she is inviting community members to meet one-on-one during new monthly office hours at City Hall.
The mayor’s office hours will be held on the fourth Monday of each month from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 1685 Main St., beginning on Feb. 23. Residents can visit the online portal to book a 20-minute meeting with Mayor Torosis.
For any questions or concerns with booking a meeting, email Council.Mailbox@santamonica.gov.
