EKA Spotlight
EKA Partner Eric Rose weighed in on the recent vandalism of 13 fiber-optic cables in Van Nuys, California, disrupting service for many in the area. Rose partnered with Thom Weidlich to write – Charter Comms Misleads With Terrorism Label.
Key Updates
LA28 unveils schedule for 2028 Olympics, including Long Beach events
Organizers of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics have unveiled the competition schedule, confirming that Long Beach will play a major role as a venue city. Long Beach is set to host 11 Olympic sports – the most outside of Los Angeles itself – taking advantage of its waterfront and existing facilities. Newly added sports in Long Beach include Beach Volleyball (to be held at Alamitos Beach) and Coastal Rowing, which will debut in the Olympics along the Long Beach shoreline. These join previously confirmed events such as Sailing, Water Polo, Artistic (Synchronized) Swimming, Marathon Swimming, Canoe Sprint, Rowing, Handball, Sport Climbing, and Target Shooting. At a city press event, Mayor Rex Richardson celebrated Long Beach’s expanded Olympic role as a “premier waterfront venue,” noting it presents a generational economic opportunity. The Olympic plans will require significant preparations: the city will partner with LA28 on infrastructure upgrades, and ensure that venues like the Belmont Pool, Marine Stadium, and convention center area are ready to welcome athletes and spectators.
LAUSD: Immigrant families will be significantly impacted by federal funding cuts
Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho announced at a press conference on June 30 that the Trump Administration froze $6.8 billion in federal education funding for the 2025-26 school year. Carvalho explained that the freeze would reduce LAUSD’s budget by $110.2 million, and would cost California schools an estimated $680 million to $800 million. Many of the impacted LAUSD programs service “fragile and certainly immigrant communities”, according to the superintendent, including the following:
- Title I, Part C: Migrant Education Program ($1.4 million lost)
- Title II, Part A: Supporting Effective Instruction ($30.2 million lost)
- Title III: English Learner and Immigrant Program ($10 million)
- Title IV, Part A: Academic Enrichment Activities ($45.4 million)
- Title IV, Part B: Community Learning Centers ($23.2 million)
Carvalho also noted that he considers these federal actions illegal, and that California will take legal action against the cuts.
What's Happening in LA
Record low turnout LA’s neighborhood council elections attract few
Board of Supervisors Appoint First Director of New Department of Homeless Services and Housing L.A
Los Angeles approves plan to spend nearly $425 million in ‘mansion tax’ money
New Metro board chair Fernando Dutra says he’ll focus on transit expansion, local jobs and freeways
LA County Supervisors approve aid plan for immigrant families after SoCal raids
Post-fire rent gouging charges have been rare, but LA County violators could soon be fined
LA hotel owners sound alarm as $30 minimum wage threatens to cause mass closures
Trump administration sues Mayor Karen Bass, L.A. City Council over sanctuary policy
Spotlight Item
The number of people living on the streets dropped nearly 10% countywide this year
Los Angeles County reported a 4% decrease in its homeless population in 2025, marking the first consecutive annual declines since counts began two decades ago. The City of Los Angeles also saw a 3.4% reduction, with even more significant drops noted among the unsheltered population: 9.5% countywide and 7.9% within city limits. Officials attribute much of the progress to urgent new programs such as Mayor Karen Bass’ Inside Safe initiative and the county’s Pathway Home, which have rapidly moved people from the streets into shelter or temporary accommodations.
What We're Reading
24 states sue Trump admin to unfreeze more than $6 billion in education grants
This four-decade veteran of city government thinks Los Angeles is in dire trouble
How much will Long Beach push back on ICE raids? There’s ‘no playbook for this,’ mayor says
CA Senate Passes Bill that Will Allow LA to Buy Fire Ravaged Lots to Build Low Income Housing
New HHS rule bars undocumented kids from Head Start child care
Big buildout begins at Port of Long Beach amid global trade uncertainty
2025 State of the City event to celebrate resilience, growth and Santa Monica’s 150th anniversary
Grocery workers at Ralphs, Albertsons, Pavilions and Vons approve new contract

