Los Angeles
The Story
The Los Angeles City Council is facing major fallout.
What’s going on?
Over the weekend, leaked audio recordings revealed that three council members — including the council’s first Latina president Nury Martinez — and local labor leader Ron Herrera made racist comments during a meeting last year about the city’s redistricting process. In the recording, Martinez used racist and derogatory language to describe the Black son of white council member, and made crude remarks about Indigenous people and the Los Angeles County District Attorney. The recordings also gave insight into the city’s redistricting process — with the four participants discussing how districts should be drawn to elect more Latinos to the council. And expressing a reported concern that there weren't more Latino council districts, despite a growing population.
Yikes.
You said it. Since the leak, Herrera has stepped down. But people are so infuriated that they've demonstrated outside of Martinez’s home. And scores of protesters disrupted a council meeting calling for Martinez and Councilmembers Gil Cedillo and Kevin de León to resign. Meanwhile, other council members, mayoral candidates, and Dems have demanded the same. But perhaps the loudest call has come from President Biden, who said the remaining three should step down. As of now, all three members have apologized. But none have resigned altogether. Martinez said she’s taking a “leave of absence” and has resigned from her role as president — but still has a seat on the council. While Cedillo has already lost his primary and is on his way out.
theSkimm
In Los Angeles, minorities make up the majority of the city. The racist comments made by multiple city council members have left resident outraged. And people across the country and from all walks of life are demanding accountability.
And Also...This
What wants everyone to put mental health first…
A US task force. Yesterday, a volunteer group of health experts recommended for the first time that all kids eight and over get screened for anxiety — even if they're not showing symptoms. And in another first, it also recommended all kids 12 and up get screened for depression by primary care physicians. (Reminder: Nearly 6 million children under the age of 17 have anxiety. And suicide is the second-leading cause of death in people between 10 and 19 years old.) The task force, which plays a key role in influencing what preventive services should be covered by insurance, says depression can also “negatively affect the developmental trajectories of affected youth.” It hopes the recommendations will help identify mental health conditions earlier. And that insurance companies will create a path for better coverage. But some health experts are worried that this could further strain mental health providers, who are already overwhelmed. Especially since there appears to be a shortage of those specifically trained in helping children.
Who may be ready to keep the peace…
Israel and Lebanon. Yesterday, the neighboring countries agreed on a US-brokered deal over a maritime border. For decades, tensions have remained high between Israel and Lebanon, who are technically at war, over 330 square miles of disputed gas fields in the eastern Mediterranean sea. That's because they could pump billions of dollars into their economies. Now, under the new deal, the fields will be divvied up between the countries — reportedly giving one contested gas field to Lebanon and confirming Israeli control of another field to the south. Even though Lebanese officials said the deal does not equal a “treaty” and will not normalize relations between the two countries, President Biden applauded the “historic breakthrough.” And said it will benefit both countries and create a “more stable and prosperous region.” It’s also good news for Europe, since Israel plans to export gas there ASAP. But first the countries have to formally sign off on the deal, which is expected to happen “as soon as possible.”
Who’s a free man…
Adnan Syed. Yesterday, prosecutors cleared him of charges in the 1999 killing of his high school ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee. ICYMI, Syed’s case was brought to the spotlight in 2014, after it was featured on the podcast “Serial.” Since then, new findings have prompted Syed’s lawyers to push for additional hearings. And last month, a Baltimore judge overturned Syed’s murder conviction at prosecutors' request, giving them 30 days to start a new trial or drop the case entirely. Now, the state is apologizing to Syed, saying additional DNA testing has excluded him as a suspect. And two other potential suspects may have been identified. Meanwhile, Lee’s family says they feel they’ve been “robbed” of having a voice and from obtaining answers.
Who people are remembering…
Angela Lansbury. Yesterday, the British star of film, stage, and TV passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Los Angeles — just five days away from her 97th birthday. The five-time Tony Award winner broke out on Broadway with roles in musicals like “Mame” and “Gypsy.” And captivated generations of fans as a widowed mystery writer on “Murder, She Wrote.” Not to mention that she also voiced the iconic Mrs. Potts in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” Actor Jason Alexander — of “Seinfeld” fame — called Lansbury “versatile, talented, graceful, kind, witty, wise and classy.” While “Will & Grace” actor Eric McCormack said there is “no one like her.” And even NASA honored the beloved actress by tweeting a photo of a “cosmic rose.”
Who’s sending out save the dates…
Blink-182 and King Charles III.
Why we’re saying ‘oh my gourd’...
Pics of this 2,560 pound pumpkin.
Who’s the bear-y largest…
747.
Live Smarter
Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes.