New on the LA County Channel

You can watch on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here

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Charlie Lebeau is one of thousands of vulnerable youth who are homeless or at risk of becoming unhoused. A unique Homekey-funded property provides young adults like him with a safe place to get on their feet. The Dunamis House is one of a number of new housing projects targeting transition-aged youth, who are 18 to 24 years old.

You can watch more stories like this on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here.

Los Angeles County now has a Racial Equity Strategic Plan to develop a more equitable county over the next 10 years. See what steps the county is taking and how you can get involved – click here to learn more.

Stay Housed LA offers renters information and educational workshops to learn about and understand their rights and to help prevent eviction. We also offer free legal services to eligible tenants who are currently going through the eviction process.

Tenant protections are determined by where you live. To find out more, visit www.stayhousedla.org/get-started.

Discover how to secure a $30 monthly discount off your home internet bill with the Affordable Connectivity Program. Worried about navigating the process? Don’t Be! Our LA County Digital Assistants are here to help, providing FREE assistance with no appointment required.

Welcome aboard Marina del Rey’s Waterbus! The most scenic way to get around the Marina to shop, dine and simply enjoy one of LA’s most beautiful areas!

Visit www.marinawaterbus.com for information on hours of operation, bus stops and tickets.

Click here to access more photos of LA County in action.

Excessive heat will continue, significant heat thru Saturday

LA Black owned vegan burger pop-up suffers loss & needs help

Trans men, butch dykes & gender-nonconforming heroes in cinema

Anti-Hate Mural unveiled in Long Beach’s Bixby Park

LADPH: Take precautions to avoid heat-related illness, especially older adults, young children & people with a chronic medical condition

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LOS ANGELES – Excessive heat will continue this weekend for the desert, mountains, and valleys with highs 97-107 degrees in the hottest areas with 85-95 degrees across the coastal plains.

Expect humidities to drop into the single digits and teens, creating elevated fire weather conditions across areas away from the coast. Any fire start could potentially bring rapid plume dominated fire growth in the region.

The Los Angeles County Health Officer has issued a heat advisory as high temperatures have been forecast for the following areas:

Public Health reminds everyone to take precautions to avoid heat-related illness, especially older adults, young children, outdoor workers, athletes, and people with a chronic medical condition who are especially sensitive to negative health impacts from extreme heat. Public Health offers the following recommendations during high temperature days:

“While it is very important that everyone take special care of themselves, it is equally important that we reach out and check on others, in particular those who are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of high temperatures, including children, the elderly those who are sick or have chronic conditions, pregnant women, those who live alone, and pets,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer.

“High temperatures are not just an inconvenience; they can be dangerous and even deadly. But we can protect ourselves, our families, and our neighbors if we take steps to remain cool and hydrated. It is critically important to never leave children, elderly people, or pets unattended in homes with no air conditioning and particularly in vehicles, even if the windows are ‘cracked’ or open, as temperatures inside can quickly rise to life-threatening levels. If you have an elderly or unwell neighbor or relative, I encourage you to check on them throughout the day to make sure they are safe and well.”

County and City partners have planned ways to safely operate cooling centers during times of high heat. Residents who do not have access to air conditioning are encouraged to take advantage of these free cooling centers. To find a location near you, visit https://ready.lacounty.gov/heat/ or call 211.

City of West Hollywood to extend Cooling Center at Plummer Park through Saturday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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LOS ANGELES – Excessive heat will continue this week for the desert, mountains, and valleys with highs 97-107 degrees in the hottest areas with 80-90 degrees across the coastal plains. Expect humidities to drop into the single digits and teens, creating elevated fire weather conditions across areas away from the coast. Any fire start could potentially bring rapid plume dominated fire growth in the region.

The Los Angeles County Health Officer has issued a heat advisory as high temperatures have been forecast for the following areas:

The Los Angeles County Health Officer has issued a heat advisory as high temperatures have been forecast for the following areas:

Public Health reminds everyone to take precautions to avoid heat-related illness, especially older adults, young children, outdoor workers, athletes, and people with a chronic medical condition who are especially sensitive to negative health impacts from extreme heat. Public Health offers the following recommendations during high temperature days:

“While it is very important that everyone take special care of themselves, it is equally important that we reach out and check on others, in particular those who are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of high temperatures, including children, the elderly those who are sick or have chronic conditions, pregnant women, those who live alone, and pets,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer. “High temperatures are not just an inconvenience; they can be dangerous and even deadly. But we can protect ourselves, our families, and our neighbors if we take steps to remain cool and hydrated. It is critically important to never leave children, elderly people, or pets unattended in homes with no air conditioning and particularly in vehicles, even if the windows are ‘cracked’ or open, as temperatures inside can quickly rise to life-threatening levels. If you have an elderly or unwell neighbor or relative, I encourage you to check on them throughout the day to make sure they are safe and well.”

County and City partners have planned ways to safely operate cooling centers during times of high heat. Residents who do not have access to air conditioning are encouraged to take advantage of these free cooling centers. To find a location near you, visit https://ready.lacounty.gov/heat/ or call 211.

With high temperatures across Southern California, the City of West Hollywood will extend its Cooling Center at Plummer Park. The Cooling Center will be open daily through Saturday, July 29, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The City’s Cooling Center is located in Plummer Park’s Community Center Senior Lounge, located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard. The City’s Cooling Center is activated when temperatures rise to 90 degrees or above. Staff members at Plummer Park are available to direct people to the Cooling Center.

The City of West Hollywood provides free transportation to Plummer Park through its Cityline shuttle service. Cityline is a friendly and accessible alternative to the larger bus system and all shuttles are ADA-accessible. Cityline operates Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and shuttles arrive approximately every 30 minutes. For additional information and a detailed route map, visit www.weho.org/cityline — route maps are also available on shuttles.

High heat can make the weather dangerous as well as uncomfortable. The City reminds residents and community members to take precautions to keep as cool as possible during hot days. If possible, stay out of the sun; avoid strenuous activity; drink plenty of water; and wear lightweight clothing.

The City reminds community members that pets and children are particularly vulnerable to high-heat conditions. Every year, children and pets suffer and die when left unattended in parked vehicles. On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked vehicle can soar to 120 degrees in just minutes, and on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 160 degrees in less than 10 minutes – even with windows cracked open. Think twice before ever leaving a child or a pet in a parked vehicle, even for just a moment.

High heat is also extremely hazardous for pet paws. Ground temperatures can be much hotter than the surrounding air and pavement and sidewalks absorb heat quickly. A seven-second test to check whether pavement is too hot can help assess if conditions are too hot to take a furry friend out for a walk. Touch the pavement with the back of your hand for seven seconds. If the surface is too hot to hold for the full seven seconds, then it is also too hot for paws. Avoid concrete, brick, and asphalt during the heat of the day and, instead, walk when the ground is cooler, early in the morning or late in the evening.

For additional tips about coping with high-heat days – as well as more information about where to stay cool around West Hollywood – please visit the City’s Cooling Center website page at www.weho.org/coolingcenters. Sign up for Alert LA County emergency notification system weather alerts by visiting https://ready.lacounty.gov/emergency-notifications. To learn about planned Flex Alerts, West Hollywood community members can call Southern California Edison at (800) 611-1911 or log on to www.sce.com.

For more information regarding the City of West Hollywood’s Cooling Center at Plummer Park, please call (323) 848-6530. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing please call TTY (323) 848-6496.

You can watch on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here

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LA County Library’s annual Lunch at the Library program returns, providing free, nutritious meals to kids and teens 18 and under during the summer months. From June 12 – August 4, fifteen select libraries will be offering lunch on a first come, first served basis from 12 – 1 pm, either Monday – Friday or Tuesday – Friday, depending on the location.

You can watch more stories like this on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here.

Shop Local LA is a County-wide campaign led by the Los Angeles Country Department of Economic Opportunity focused on helping local businesses modernize and compete in a digital world, while encouraging communities to reinvest in local entrepreneurship and businesses, especially those in underserved communities. Through Shop Local, DEO connects small businesses to digital upskilling and resources including social media support, digital marketing, and more! Visit shoplocal.la to get started today.

The Mortgage Relief Program 2.0 has been developed in partnership with the LA County Board of Supervisors, Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County and the Department of Consumer & Business Affairs. This program will provide mortgage relief to L.A. County property owners.

If the property owner has experienced financial distress between March 1, 2020 and March 31, 2023 as a result of COVID-19 and the property is located in a community highly impacted by COVID-19, they should consider applying for mortgage relief.

For more information, please visit dcba.lacounty.gov/mortgagerelief.

LA County Parks and Recreation invites the public to enjoy summer fun at their local splash pads that are now open. Splash Pads are family friendly and accessible way to cool off and beat the heat. And the best part, it’s FREE! Bring your family to your local splash pad and marvel at the wonderful artisitic displays, splash around in the spurts of water and have fun all summer long.

Visit parks.lacounty.gov/splash-pads/ to find a splash pad near you!

Click here to access more photos of LA County in action.

“He was diagnosed with a concussion later after he was released. This deputy committed multiple felonies against my client”

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LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is facing more outrage and rising concerns over its personnel’s use of force, after the video of a Black trans man was released over the weekend showing a violent arrest by a deputy over a minor traffic infraction that escalated.

“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department takes all use of force incidents seriously. The Department is investigating the information and allegations brought forward by Mr. Brock and his attorney. Unfortunately, we cannot comment any further at this time due to the pending litigation in this matter,” the the LASD said in a statement released Monday.

Emmett Brock, 23, a high school teacher, had pulled into the front parking spaces of the 7-Eleven on Mills Avenue in Whittier last February 10 at approximately half past noon, and as he exited his Black Honda Civic he was confronted by an LASD deputy, identified by the Los Angeles Times as Deputy Joseph Benza.

The confrontation was caught on the deputy’s body cam as well as the convenience store’s video surveillance system. The audio of the arrest, captured by Benza’s body-worn camera, records the deputy telling Brock:

“Come here. I just stopped you,”

“No, you didn’t,” Brock replied.

“Yeah, I did,” Benza said and video shows he grabs Brock and violently slams him onto the parking lot.

“Oh, my god. What the fuck is happening,” Brock is heard saying.

Speaking with KTLA 5’s Carlos Saucedo, Attorney Thomas Beck, who represents Brock, said that his client continued to struggle on the ground, screaming for help the entire time, yelling that the deputy was going kill him and that he was not resisting arrest. This was documented by the audio from both videos.

In the 7-11 video surveillance system footage, Benza is seen on top of Brock, pressing him into the concrete and punching him multiple times in the head. The altercation lasted around three minutes before Brock was cuffed and put into the patrol vehicle.

Beck told KTLA that the deputy’s official reason for pulling his client over was an air freshener hanging from the vehicle’s rearview mirror but that he believes the deputy became enraged after the 23-year-old flipped him off as he was driving by.

“The video speaks for itself. He was pounding at the kid’s head. He was diagnosed with a concussion later after he was released. This guy committed multiple felonies against my client, and he’s gotten away with it so far,” the attorney stated.

Brock and his attorney say that Benza used excessive force and that the traffic stop was solely because the deputy was enraged after Brock flipped him off.

Beck also told KTLA that the L.A. County Sheriff’s department has so far not launched an investigation into the arrest. “I mean, if there’s an investigation that needs to be conducted, you would talk to the people who would give you the information you need. They didn’t do it,” Beck said.

Brock, who was taken to the Norwalk Sheriff’s Station after his arrest says that when he informed Sheriff’s personnel of his gender identity, he became humiliated when they asked to see his genitals before deciding which holding cell to put him in.

The Times reported:

It wasn’t long before authorities asked Brock for a statement, during which he explained that he is transgender.

“So you’re a girl?” he said one jailer asked.

Brock said he wasn’t.

Then the man asked whether he had a penis — and Brock said he did.He explained what surgeries existed, and said that he’d been on hormones for years.

After one jailer asked for proof, Brock said, he spent a few awkward minutes in a bathroom showing her his genitalia and explaining the effects of testosterone.

Brock, who has since lost his job as a teacher and according to The Times, although he’d been booked on three felonies and a misdemeanor, the LA County District Attorney ultimately decided to move forward with two misdemeanor charges: resisting arrest and battery on an officer. A judge reduced his bail from $100,000 to nothing.

Hot and dry conditions for the valleys, mountains, and deserts continue through this week. There will be little to no relief from the heat

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LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Health Officer has issued a heat advisory as high temperatures have been forecast for the following areas:

The National Weather Service issued the following forecast for early Monday Hot and dry conditions for the valleys, mountains, and deserts continue through this week. Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to experience high temperatures in the 100-108 degree range. There will be little to no relief from the heat overnight, with warm low temperatures in the 70s and 80s giving little relief from the heat. For coastal areas, a lingering marine influence is expected to keep these areas cooler. There’s the potential for slight cooling this coming weekend.

Public Health reminds everyone to take precautions to avoid heat-related illness, especially older adults, young children, outdoor workers, athletes, and people with a chronic medical condition who are especially sensitive to negative health impacts from extreme heat. Public Health offers the following recommendations during high temperature days:

“While it is very important that everyone take special care of themselves, it is equally important that we reach out and check on others, in particular those who are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of high temperatures, including children, the elderly those who are sick or have chronic conditions, pregnant women, those who live alone, and pets,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer. “High temperatures are not just an inconvenience; they can be dangerous and even deadly. But we can protect ourselves, our families, and our neighbors if we take steps to remain cool and hydrated. It is critically important to never leave children, elderly people, or pets unattended in homes with no air conditioning and particularly in vehicles, even if the windows are ‘cracked’ or open, as temperatures inside can quickly rise to life-threatening levels. If you have an elderly or unwell neighbor or relative, I encourage you to check on them throughout the day to make sure they are safe and well.”

County and City partners have planned ways to safely operate cooling centers during times of high heat. Residents who do not have access to air conditioning are encouraged to take advantage of these free cooling centers. To find a location near you, visit https://ready.lacounty.gov/heat/ or call 211.

He informed LA County Sheriff’s personnel of his gender identity & was humiliated when they asked to see his genitals

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WHITTIER, Calif. – Surveillance footage of the violent arrest of a 23-year-old Black trans man outside of a 7-11 store last February 10 at approximately half past noon and released yesterday, shows a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy using what the man’s attorney categorizes as excessive force.

Emmett Brock, a high school teacher, told the Los Angeles Times in an interview published Sunday that he’d left his high school teaching job early after a co-worker had harassed him for being transgender. It wasn’t the first time, and he was getting fed up.

A few blocks from the school, Brock spotted a deputy who appeared to be having a heated conversation with a woman on the side of the road. As he drove by, Brock threw up his middle finger. He didn’t even think the deputy would see it, he told The Times.

A few seconds later, he spotted a patrol cruiser following close behind him.

The Times reported that Brock grew nervous and dialed 911 to report that he was being followed by the patrol unit but that there was no actions being taken to iniate a traffic stop:

“Hi, um, I’m being followed by a police car,” he said in a recording shared with The Times. He told the dispatcher that the car was copying his turns, but not pulling him over. He said he wanted to make sure it was a “real police car” and that he wasn’t being stalked.

The two kept talking, and eventually the dispatcher asked: “What is it that you want us to do? If he hasn’t pulled you over, he hasn’t pulled you over.”

Two minutes into the call, Brock cursed and hung up. He kept driving, pulling up outside the 7-Eleven on Mills Avenue in Whittier.

Brock pulled up in front of the 7-11 and as he exited his Black Honda Civic he was confronted by an LASD deputy, identified by the Los Angeles Times as Deputy Joseph Benza.

The confrontation was caught on the deputy’s body cam as well as the convenience store’s video surveillance system. The audio of the arrest, captured by Benza’s body-worn camera, records the deputy telling Brock:

“Come here. I just stopped you,”

“No, you didn’t,” Brock replied.

“Yeah, I did,” Benza said and video shows he grabs Brock and violently slams him onto the parking lot.

“Oh, my god. What the fuck is happening,” Brock is heard saying.

Speaking with KTLA 5’s Carlos Saucedo, Attorney Thomas Beck, who represents Brock, said that his client continued to struggle on the ground, screaming for help the entire time, yelling that the deputy was going kill him and that he was not resisting arrest. This was documented by the audio from both videos.

In the 7-11 video surveillance system footage, Benza is seen on top of Brock, pressing him into the concrete and punching him multiple times in the head. The altercation lasted around three minutes before Brock was cuffed and put into the patrol vehicle.

Beck told KTLA that the deputy’s official reason for pulling his client over was an air freshener hanging from the vehicle’s rearview mirror but that he believes the deputy became enraged after the 23-year-old flipped him off as he was driving by.

“The video speaks for itself. He was pounding at the kid’s head. He was diagnosed with a concussion later after he was released. This guy committed multiple felonies against my client, and he’s gotten away with it so far,” the attorney stated.

Brock and his attorney say that Benza used excessive force and that the traffic stop was solely because the deputy was enraged after Brock flipped him off.

Beck also told KTLA that the L.A. County Sheriff’s department has so far not launched an investigation into the arrest. “I mean, if there’s an investigation that needs to be conducted, you would talk to the people who would give you the information you need. They didn’t do it,” Beck said.

Brock, who was taken to the Norwalk Sheriff’s Station after his arrest says that when he informed Sheriff’s personnel of his gender identity, he became humiliated when they asked to see his genitals before deciding which holding cell to put him in.

The Times reported:

It wasn’t long before authorities asked Brock for a statement, during which he explained that he is transgender.

“So you’re a girl?” he said one jailer asked.

Brock said he wasn’t.

Then the man asked whether he had a penis — and Brock said he did.He explained what surgeries existed, and said that he’d been on hormones for years.

After one jailer asked for proof, Brock said, he spent a few awkward minutes in a bathroom showing her his genitalia and explaining the effects of testosterone.

Brock, who has since lost his job as a teacher and according to The Times, although he’d been booked on three felonies and a misdemeanor, the LA County District Attorney ultimately decided to move forward with two misdemeanor charges: resisting arrest and battery on an officer. A judge reduced his bail from $100,000 to nothing.

Requests for comment by Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna or his designated official has been made by the Los Angeles Times, KTLA, and the Blade.

With continued High Temperatures, WeHo Cooling Center will be open Saturday, July 22 through Wednesday, July 26 with varying hours

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LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Health Officer has issued an excessive heat warning as high temperatures have been forecast for the following areas:

A heat advisory has been issued for the following areas:

Public Health reminds everyone to take precautions to avoid heat-related illness, especially older adults, young children, outdoor workers, athletes, and people with a chronic medical condition who are especially sensitive to negative health impacts from extreme heat. Public Health offers the following recommendations during high temperature days:

“While it is very important that everyone take special care of themselves, it is equally important that we reach out and check on others, in particular those who are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of high temperatures, including children, the elderly those who are sick or have chronic conditions, pregnant women, those who live alone, and pets,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer. “High temperatures are not just an inconvenience; they can be dangerous and even deadly. But we can protect ourselves, our families, and our neighbors if we take steps to remain cool and hydrated. It is critically important to never leave children, elderly people, or pets unattended in homes with no air conditioning and particularly in vehicles, even if the windows are ‘cracked’ or open, as temperatures inside can quickly rise to life-threatening levels. If you have an elderly or unwell neighbor or relative, I encourage you to check on them throughout the day to make sure they are safe and well.”

County and City partners have planned ways to safely operate cooling centers during times of high heat. Residents who do not have access to air conditioning are encouraged to take advantage of these free cooling centers. To find a location near you, visit https://ready.lacounty.gov/heat/ or call 211.

With continued high temperatures across Southern California, the City of West Hollywood will open its Cooling Center at Plummer Park.

The Cooling Center will be open from Saturday, July 22 through Wednesday, July 26 with varying hours, as follows:

Saturday, July 22: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, July 23: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday, July 24: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesday, July 25: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesday, July 26: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Cooling Center is located at the Plummer Park Community Center Senior Lounge, located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard. The Cooling Center in West Hollywood is activated when temperatures rise to 90 degrees or above. Staff members at Plummer Park are available to direct people to the Cooling Center.

The City of West Hollywood provides free transportation to Plummer Park through its Cityline service. Cityline is a friendly and accessible alternative to the larger bus system and all shuttles are ADA-accessible. Cityline operates Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and shuttles arrive approximately every 30 minutes. For additional information and a detailed route map, visit www.weho.org/cityline — route maps are also available on shuttles.

High heat can make the weather dangerous as well as uncomfortable. The City reminds residents and community members to take precautions to keep as cool as possible during hot days. If possible, stay out of the sun; avoid strenuous activity; drink plenty of water; and wear lightweight clothing.

The City reminds community members that pets and children are particularly vulnerable to high-heat conditions. Every year, children and pets suffer and die when left unattended in parked vehicles. On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked vehicle can soar to 120 degrees in just minutes, and on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 160 degrees in less than 10 minutes – even with windows cracked open. Think twice before ever leaving a child or a pet in a parked vehicle, even for just a moment.

High heat is also extremely hazardous for pet paws. Ground temperatures can be much hotter than the surrounding air and pavement and sidewalks absorb heat quickly. A seven-second test to check whether pavement is too hot can help assess if conditions are too hot to take a furry friend out for a walk. Touch the pavement with the back of your hand for seven seconds. If the surface is too hot to hold for the full seven seconds, then it is also too hot for paws. Avoid concrete, brick, and asphalt during the heat of the day and, instead, walk when the ground is cooler, early in the morning or late in the evening.

For additional tips about coping with high-heat days – as well as more information about where to stay cool around West Hollywood – please visit the City’s Cooling Center website page at www.weho.org/coolingcenters.

Sign up for Alert LA County emergency notification system weather alerts by visiting https://ready.lacounty.gov/emergency-notifications.

To learn about planned Flex Alerts, West Hollywood community members can call Southern California Edison at (800) 611-1911 or log on to www.sce.com.

For more information regarding the City of West Hollywood’s Cooling Center at Plummer Park, please call (323) 848-6530. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing please call TTY (323) 848-6496.

Highs will increase to 100-110 degrees in the hottest areas with 95-105 degrees across the coastal valleys and Santa Monica Mountains

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LOS ANGELES – The National Weather Service warned that another heat wave will affect the area again starting Thursday, with Advisory level heat. Excessing (Warning level) Heat will return to the desert, mountains, and valleys Friday through Sunday.

Highs will increase to 100-110 degrees in the hottest areas with 95-105 degrees across the coastal valleys and Santa Monica Mountains. During this heat wave expect humidities to drop, creating elevated to brief critical fire weather conditions across areas away from the coast. Any fire start could potentially bring rapid plume dominated fire growth in the region.

Here are some recommended actions. Look before you lock! Check vehicle for children, elderly, or pets. Reduce exposure to heat and hydrate. Watch for heat related illnesses and seek medical attention. Take care with possible fire ignition sources such as weed trimmers and dragging trailer chains on vehicles.

The Los Angeles County Health Officer has issued a heat advisory as high temperatures have been forecast for the following areas:

Public Health reminds everyone to take precautions to avoid heat-related illness, especially older adults, young children, outdoor workers, athletes, and people with a chronic medical condition who are especially sensitive to negative health impacts from extreme heat. Public Health offers the following recommendations during high temperature days:

“While it is very important that everyone take special care of themselves, it is equally important that we reach out and check on others, in particular those who are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of high temperatures, including children, the elderly those who are sick or have chronic conditions, pregnant women, those who live alone, and pets,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer. “High temperatures are not just an inconvenience; they can be dangerous and even deadly. But we can protect ourselves, our families, and our neighbors if we take steps to remain cool and hydrated. It is critically important to never leave children, elderly people, or pets unattended in homes with no air conditioning and particularly in vehicles, even if the windows are ‘cracked’ or open, as temperatures inside can quickly rise to life-threatening levels. If you have an elderly or unwell neighbor or relative, I encourage you to check on them throughout the day to make sure they are safe and well.”

County and City partners have planned ways to safely operate cooling centers during times of high heat. Residents who do not have access to air conditioning are encouraged to take advantage of these free cooling centers. To find a location near you, visit https://ready.lacounty.gov/heat/ or call 211.

Los Angeles County residents and business owners, including people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs can call 2-1-1 for emergency preparedness information and other referral services. The toll-free 2-1-1 number is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 211 LA County services can also be accessed by visiting 211la.org.

You can watch on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here

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The LA County Fire Department is working with the Orange County Fire Authority and Southern California Edison to bring cutting edge technology to the region.

You can watch more stories like this on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here.

About 1 in 3 Americans have a record. Despite numerous research revealing that system impacted individuals performance at work is equal to or better than that of their co-workers, they continue to register an astounding national unemployment rate of over 27%.

In spite of the recent re-orientation towards diversity, equity, and inclusion in many of our organizations, system impacted individuals continue to suffer from stigma and prejudice. It’s time to change this.

Learn more about Fair Chance. Visit bit.ly/LACountyFairChance today.

Looking for help on your path to US Citizenship? LA County Library offers Citizenship in a Bag, a toolkit with resources for customers seeking to obtain US Citizenship.

This toolkit in a bag contains a variety of educational materials for the naturalization exam, including flash cards, multimedia tools, and a FREE citizenship folder with valuable resources that customers can keep.

Borrow or place a hold on a Citizenship in a Bag toolkit here.

For more details and questions, please call your nearest LA County Library location.

Now in its 23rd year, the Marina del Rey Summer Concerts present exciting symphonic and pop concerts at beautiful Burton Chace Park. Enjoy a serene sunset by the water & brilliant music under the stars… for free!

To learn more and to RSVP, visit beaches.lacounty.gov/concerts.

Click here to access more photos of LA County in action.

The strike has already led to delays or dozens of projects killed, upending the Fall TV schedule & next few years of planned film releases

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By Rob Salerno | HOLLYWOOD – The Screen Actors Guild called a strike effective Thursday, July 13, joining the Writers Guild on the picket lines and bringing most of Hollywood to a halt.

SAG represents 160,000 performers who appear in Hollywood film and television productions, including actors, musicians, puppeteers, stunt performers, voiceover artists, and dancers. They’re saying the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers – an organization representing the largest producers in Hollywood – has refused to be reasonable as working conditions for actors have deteriorated.

The SAG’s demands are similar to the WGA’s demands – increased pay, better working conditions, and restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence to replace workers.

In particular, SAG is looking for substantially increased minimum rates for the lowest-paid workers in the union, other minimum rates to keep up with inflation, increased streaming residual payments, and increased limits to contributions to health and pension funds by producers.

SAG actors have said that the pay scales negotiated before streaming services fundamentally altered the industry are no longer sustainable. Streamers like Netflix are currently able to pay substantially less to union writers and actors in both fees and residuals.

Actors also want regulations on self-tape auditions, which have become the industry standard since the beginning of the COVID pandemic. They’re looking for minimum turnaround times and limits to the number of pages that need to be prepared.

Both the writers and actors unions want hard limits on the use of AI to replace workers. SAG is particularly concerned that studios may not use an actor’s likeness or performance in AI-generated content without the actor’s consent and compensation for each use.

SAG President Fran Drescher – yes, the star of The Nanny – who had been criticized early in the contract negotiations for appearing out of touch with the majority of working-class actors, delivered a blistering speech Thursday, in which she laid the blame for the strike squarely at the AMPTP.

“We had no choice. We are the victims here,” Drescher said. “I cannot believe it, how far apart we are on so many things. How they plead poverty when they are giving hundreds of millions of dollars to their CEOs. The jig is up, AMPTP. We stand tall. You have to wake up and smell the coffee.”

Disney CEO Bob Iger drew headlines over the weekend for telling CNBC that the unions’ demands are “just not realistic.” The studios also drew strong rebukes after an unnamed executive was quoted in Deadline saying that their strategy was to allow the strike “to drag on until union members start losing their apartments and losing their houses.”

Financial analysis company Moody’s released a report Monday that said the annual cost of the WGA and SAG demands, coupled with additional concessions won by the Directors Guild of America in its recent negotiations could cost the studios between $450-600 million annually.

To put that number in perspective, Warner Bros-Discovery CEO David Zaslav was compensated $498 million for the five-year period from 2018-22, according to a report from The Los Angeles Times. Variety has reported that the networks spent approximately $54 billion on creating streaming and linear television content excluding sports in 2022, and that number doesn’t include spending on feature films. That means the workers’ demands would represent less than a 1 percent increase in spending.

Drescher said she appreciated that the strike is going to be hard on people who are out of work, but cautioned that if SAG didn’t fight now, employers were only going to demand more and more concessions.

“Our heart bleeds that we had to make this decision, but we can’t not get what these members deserve because it’s only going to get worse. This is where we drew the line in the sand,” she said.

The vast majority of SAG members are not wealthy or particularly well-known. They are background performers and featured or guest performers who used to be able to count on a decent working-class income from regular performance work but have noticed a marked decline in pay since the industry’s move to streaming.

Actors have pointed out that 87% of its membership does not earn the $26,000 minimum that would qualify them for the union’s health insurance plan. And, that $26,000 minimum represents income before agent and manager fees and taxes.

Openly gay character actor and dancer Anthony Marciona, who’s worked in Hollywood since the 1960s and is known for appearing in shows like Gaslit, B-Positive and Welcome to Chippendales, was picketing in front of Netflix Friday.

“We are striking because we haven’t been able to make a sustainable living for many moons. I made more money in my teens and 20s than I do as a senior,” Marciona says. “The producers used to be making millions of dollars and we’d be making thousands, but now they’re making billions and our wages aren’t even keeping up with the cost of living.”

Studios have offered some wage increases for performers in high-budget streaming that appear to be huge – like bumps of 76% for foreign residuals, or 58% for guest stars. But Marciona says these bumps are miniscule given how little actors receive from streaming now.

“Wages need to go up immensely. We’re just being gaslit,” he says.

Out actor Stephen Guarino, known for memorable turns on broadcast and cable shows like ABC’s Happy Endings and HBO’s The Sex Lives of College Girls, worries that residuals could disappear as the industry moves increasingly toward streaming.

“I still have a pretty good passive income from residuals, so I’ve never really worried about that, but we’re moving toward streaming so that could be going away,” he says.

Guarino is also known for playing Quincy on the queer Netflix series EastSiders, a role for which he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy.

“I get no Netflix residuals, so ironically the thing I have my Emmy nomination for I get no residuals,” Guarino says.

Genderqueer actor Nicky Endres, who has appeared on shows such as Netflix’ One Day at a Time and CBS’ NCIS: Los Angeles, says these concerns are compounded by a lack of job security.

“Being a gig worker is hard enough, but all we sacrifice to be an actor, and what, we get covid and lose a job? AI being programmed to steal our voices and faces? It’s all too much,” they say.

Many Hollywood productions had already been shut down by the ongoing writers’ strike, which has been in effect since May 2, but the SAG strike brings to a halt any productions that were still ongoing featuring SAG members. That includes productions overseas where WGA was not picketing, voiceover recordings, and anything being produced from scripts that studios had banked in preparation for the writers strike.

The writers have welcomed the actors joining their job action, which is now in its twelfth week.

“It’s going to be great to have more actors officially on strike on the picket lines,” says Rob Forman, co-chair of the WGA LGBTQ+ Committee. “The biggest part of SAG going on strike is it is an immediate damage to the bottom line of the companies of the AMPTP. It really impacts what they thought were their strike-proof plans.”

“Hopefully it means a faster resolution or a better resolution for the writers and actors and all the unions who negotiate next.”

SAG has also advised members that they are not to participate in any promotion of work produced for the studios, including attending red carpets, appearing on talk shows, participating in award campaigns, or even posting about shows on social media. Disney held a red carpet event for its upcoming Haunted Mansion film on Saturday night, using costumed performers from Disneyland in lieu of the film’s stars.

Out performer Oscar Montoya, who plays Richie in the cult hit television series Minx, which premieres its second season July 21, skirted the rules with an Instagram post just before the strike began.

“We’re officially on strike which ABSOLUTELY HELL YES but being on strike means not posting anything about upcoming projects. So I’m taking the last hour of the day to gush about season 2 of @minxstarz! Every single person worked so hard and it’s such a labor of love,” he wrote.

The strikes are not only affecting the actors and writers who’ve walked off the job. The shut down on Hollywood productions has also cut back work for union crews, including the 168,000 members of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. IATSE represents a variety of trades on sets, including camera and sound operators, electricians, carpenters, prop and costume designers, and hair and makeup artists. IATSE has a contract with the AMPTP in place until May 2024.

The shutdown also affects film workers not represented by IATSE, such as producers and managers, who typically work on a freelance basis and are not members of a union. The Producers Guild of America issued a statement in support of the striking workers Thursday.

“We believe that fair compensation and essential benefits, including access to health care—are a critical concern and the inherent right of every individual working in this industry. We stand in solidarity with our colleagues,” the statement says.

Christopher Terrell has been working as an associate producer in both scripted and unscripted television production since he moved to Los Angeles, but he says he hasn’t been able to find work in television all year as studios preemptively postponed television shows out of fear they’d be disrupted by the strikes.

While he supports the strikes and adds that workers in less glamorous jobs like production assistants also deserve to be paid more, he says he’s had to get work outside the industry to make ends meet.

“Right now, I’m working the front desk at a doggy daycare, and it’s cute, looks good on a resume, but you lose heart,” Terrell says. “To have to question the livelihood of being in entertainment, it blows. I’ve been out of the game and so disheartened in this period.”

The Directors Guild reached an agreement with AMPTP in June, so while directors are not on strike, they’re also not working.

“We are proud to stand with actors and writers in their fight to win agreements that address their unique and important concerns, just as they supported us in our negotiations. The Directors Guild is extremely disappointed that the AMPTP did not fairly and reasonably address the important issues raised by SAG-AFTRA in negotiations. Together, we are all in a shared fight for a vibrant, sustainable industry that fairly values all of our unique contributions,” DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter said in a statement.

The lack of Hollywood productions also has ripple effects throughout the economy. Many ancillary businesses that service productions, including prop and costume warehouses, caterers, cleaners, camera and truck rental companies, and recording studios have already reported a drop in business. The WGA has estimated that their strike was costing the Southern California economy up to $30 million each day. But with the actors now striking, the slowdown in production will have ripple effects in other regions that have seen growth in film and television production.

Mayor of Burbank Konstantine Anthony, who is also a SAG member joined the picket lines Friday in a show of solidarity with striking workers.

“At the end of the day, I have to remember that studios don’t vote. The workers who live here, who are residents of the city of Burbank, they’re the constituents,” he says. “If the studios aren’t showing up to the bargaining table and paying the workers the wages they deserve, that money is not going to stay here in Burbank. It goes to CEO pay, it goes to corporate pay, which leaves the local economy. But if they pay the workers fair wages, you have local mom and pops, dry cleaners, restaurants, the school district, all of these local institutions that thrive off the money in the pockets of the workers.”

The strike has already led Hollywood to delay or kill dozens of projects, upending the fall television schedule and the next few years of carefully planned film releases. The Los Angeles Times is reporting that if it’s not resolved by October, there may not be any new scripted shows until next year.

That’s already put a freeze on season two of the Nickelodeon series The Really Loud House, in which Guarino plays one half of the network’s first live-action gay couple.

“They might come back. They’re waiting to see what happens with the actors’ strike. I’m hoping it happens not only for the representation, but also for my livelihood,” Guarino says. “I haven’t auditioned since March or April, and my agents don’t think I’ll have any auditions until September.”

Some production can still go ahead with SAG performers, because these are governed by different agreements than the one SAG has with AMPTP. SAG performers can still work in commercials, video games, reality television, variety shows, talk shows, game shows, soap operas, animation, and audio books. Of course, none of these productions can go ahead if they employ WGA writers.

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Rob Salerno is a writer, journalist and actor based in Los Angeles, California, and Toronto, Canada.

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