Los Angeles has approved a $2.62 billion expansion of the Convention Center, with Mayor Karen Bass signing off on $990 million in bonds to fund the project, to be repaid through 2058. The plan will link the West and South Halls, adding 190,000 square feet of exhibit space, 40,000 square feet of meeting rooms, and 95,000 square feet for a multi-service room, while creating an estimated 9,000 union jobs and 1,600 apprenticeships. Officials project $1.8 billion in new business sales and $103 million in tax revenue, with construction set to begin in October and required to be complete before the 2028 Olympics. Critics, including City Controller Kenneth Mejia, warn of financial risks, while Bass emphasized fiscal responsibility and downtown revitalization efforts during construction.
Mayor Karen Bass signed an executive order streamlining infrastructure approvals for Los Angeles World Airports, the Port of Los Angeles, and LADWP, aiming to fast-track major projects before the 2028 Olympics. The directive bypasses City Council by allowing departments to send requests directly to the mayor, with contracts advanced within 15 business days if requirements are met. Projects slated to benefit include the $2.6B Convention Center expansion, LAX modernization, Port of LA cruise terminal upgrades, and undergrounding utilities in Pacific Palisades. The order also requires detailed budget, debt, and capital improvement plans every two years, updating and replacing a 2005 Villaraigosa directive.
Supervisor Hahn Details “Real Consequences” of LA County Budget Cuts
Mayor Bass Secures Agreement to Avert City Employee Layoffs Through Labor Negotiations
LA County leaders, frustrated with report on January fire response, vote to take action
LA’s regional homelessness agency (LAHSA) hits pause on plans to reform internal audit unit
LADWP free solar for low-income households
Barger Warns of Fiscal Strain as L.A. County Approves $52.5 Billion Supplemental Budget
An after-action report on January’s Eaton and Palisades fires found that outdated, unclear, and contradictory evacuation protocols, along with poor coordination and delayed alerts, hampered the emergency response, contributing to 31 deaths and widespread devastation. The report, compiled by the McChrystal Group, highlighted hours-long delays in sending evacuation orders, confusion over agency authority, and technological breakdowns such as downed cell towers and degraded signals. County leaders including Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Kathryn Barger pledged reforms, with recommendations including restructuring the Office of Emergency Management, modernizing alert systems, expanding staffing, and investing in regional training and public education. Fire and law enforcement officials emphasized that while reforms are underway, extreme winds and fire conditions made the blazes particularly deadly.
What a government shutdown means for Californians, from Social Security to national parks
Who’s winning the redistricting fight? Here’s how to read the polls
Santa Monica Reaffirms Airport Closure Despite JSX Application
Cal State system targeted for antisemitism probe by the Trump administration
Long Beach launches early childhood mental health program
Tariffs weigh on China-Los Angeles port trade ties
Salvage of containers in Port of Long Beach completed
Almost no one is building new apartments in Los Angeles. Here’s why
EKA Partner Eric Rose will be participating in a webinar on October 14, 2025 at 6:00 PM (CEST) to discuss how the Government sets the tone for international business and what to do to protect a company’s reputation when they suddenly get called out by the Government.
