LOS ANGELES

DROUGHT WATCH--For the first time in eight years, California is drought-free. According to the United States Drought Monitor, which uses data from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, parts of the most northern and southern counties are still "abnormally dry," but the state has no drought conditions to show.

ALPERN AT LARGE--Looking at the outgoing flight of Californians to other states (particularly the middle class, and of all political and racial and socioeconomic backgrounds), and how both Sacramento, Downtown Los Angeles (and other major city counterparts in San Francisco, San Diego and elsewhere) are doubling down on stupid, silly, untenable ideas that make no environmental sense ... 

RANTZ & RAVEZ-I find many things wrong with the political leadership in California, especially in the greater Los Angeles region where I have spent my entire life.

EASTSIDER-A number of people corrected my first post on the recent Assembly District Delegate Elections, and they are right. But I’m just an ordinary democrat who wanted to participate in the elections, not a Party Insider who knew that the State Party, not the Local Party, controls local elections. So... 

GUEST COMMENTARY--After Los Angeles voters approved a ballot measure to remake a key part of the police disciplinary process, City Council President Herb Wesson promised a series of hearings around the city on LAPD reform and the kinds of complaints about policing that have riveted the nation’s attention over the last several years: Excessive force. Dishonesty. 

AFFORDABLE HOUSING--Since it was enacted in 1970, California environmentalists have hailed the state’s most sweeping environmental law, the California Environmental Quality Act, as a bulwark against destruction of California’s natural resources and endangerment of its most vulnerable residents.

PLATKIN ON PLANNING-As someone who worked for public agencies most of his career, it is disheartening – but not surprising -- to see data on the growing public distrust of government. While fully understandable, distrust is getting worse for both Trumpian and Garcettian reasons. 

MY TURN-I have always had to smirk when someone turned to me and said, “I am registered as an Independent.”

ONE MAN’S OPINION-As Americans we have become steeped in constant lies. Much of Western Civilization is based on the rejection of facts and rational thought in favor of falsehoods. We sanctify these lies by calling them Faith, then we close our minds to the horrors that Faith and Lies have brought upon the world. 

ANIMAL WATCH-LA Superior Court Judge Carlos Vazquez issued a strong admonition on March 14 to the attorney representing Los Angeles art gallery owner Rosamund Felsen, who was charged with one criminal count of owning a “vicious dog” after her Staffordshire Terrier (Pit Bull-type dog) killed a family's beloved Yorkshire terrier and seriously injured two men in three separate attacks.

BCK FILE--Since last Tuesday, the “college cheating scandal” has been at the top of media (both mainstream and social.) It’s been fodder for both late-night and cable news hosts, as well as a conversation starter around plenty of office water coolers and cocktail parties.

ALPERN AT LARGE--I don't do or relate to "dog whistles" or "false flags". I don't do conspiracy theories or "fake news", but I admit to having more trouble discerning the truth from the fiction.

TAKING ON SACRAMENTO-Sen. Scott Wiener’s SB 50, an extreme version of his defeated SB 827, is under attack by L.A. Democratic leaders because it destroys single-family areas and affordable apartments to make way for 8-story luxury housing.

EDUCATION POLITICS--Lori Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli—two figures at the center of a United States government indictment over a college-admissions scandal—both never went to college themselves.

EDUCATION POLITICS--The assembled 2- to 4-year-olds are halfway through a lesson about walking slowly, not rolling around on the floor when a teacher is talking, and how to identify different parts of the body (the “tummy” is a big hit), when a piercing wail comes from upstairs.

ANIMAL WATCH-A March 6, 2019, report prepared by LA Animal Services GM Brenda Barnette recommended to the Mayor and City Council that the LA Municipal Code (LAMC) be amended to prohibit rodeo events in the city. There was no public notice other than the agenda for the LA Animal Services Commission meeting on March 12. 

DEEGAN ON LA-How school kids and an adjacent massive demolition and construction project will coexist continues to be a strong point of contention, with both sides trying to seek a resolution.

GELFAND’S WORLD--The aftermath of two 737 crashes in a fraction of a year leads to questions ranging from journalism to engineering. What strikes me at this point is that there may be a question about computer software that is being missed. 

PLANNING POLITICS--The Department of City Planning (DCP) never ceases to amaze me. Their absolute contempt for the law is breathtaking.

@THE GUSS REPORT-The University of Southern California may be located a few miles south of downtown Los Angeles, but it did the Texas Two Step last week as an infuriating but delicious scandal of fraud, bribery, fame, wealth and privilege in college admissions unfolded at its doorstep. 

MY TURN-The era of the baby boomers is defined as Americans born during the post-WW II period between 1946 and 1964.