Greater LA

Angelenos who lost jobs due to COVID-19 are worrying about making rent payments. Meanwhile, landlords have to cover mortgages, property taxes, and garbage bills. Some renters say their landlords are pounding on their doors and windows at all sorts of hours, demanding rent checks. Other landlords are taking a more civil approach by trying to create payment plans. 

Thousands of people in Los Angeles County who cannot fully care for themselves rely on home care workers for daily tasks like meal prep and bathing. To do their jobs well, home care workers must be physically close to their clients, breaking the rules of social distancing. Now they have a dilemma: How do they protect themselves when their livelihoods are about taking care of someone else? 

Hot weather drove many Angelenos to the beach over the weekend, despite admonitions to stay home. In Ventura County, very few beachgoers wore masks, and many said they felt there was enough room for everyone to socially distance.

Due to stay-at-home orders, LA’s high school seniors are missing out on prom, and worrying about graduation and college.  

Some nurses are now sleeping in donated trailers so they don’t risk spreading COVID-19 to their families. Naomi Barajas, an ER nurse in Ventura County, says her trailer is parked in the driveway and has a little sink, a little fridge, and stove.

Living through this pandemic means many people are stuck at home and glued to the news. Readership and listenership are up. But with so many businesses shut down, fewer people are buying ads, and that spells big trouble for the people who bring you the news.

COVID-19 has hit LA’s economy hard. Non-essential businesses are closed, and some may not survive after this pandemic. LA Mayor Eric Garcetti proposed a $10.6 billion city budget today. It includes a month-long furlough and hiring freeze. The budget still needs approval from the LA City Council.

Every major professional sports league is on hiatus until at least summer, from the NBA to MLB. There’s one exception: esports, in which pro athletes compete via video games. Esports athletes are in prime position to gain new followers, according to Arnold Hur, COO of Gen. G, a professional esports organization.  

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the demolition of four aging buildings at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art has begun. It’s the first major step in the construction of a $750 million redesign. Also, we learn how social workers are conducting virtual home visits. 

Governor Gavin Newsom announced his plan for lifting pandemic restrictions and reopening California’s economy. He'll be coordinating with the governors of Oregon and Washington to slowly resume business and private life as usual.

During COVID-19, animal shelters and rescues are seeing spikes in foster and adoption rates. We look at how foster animals are providing comfort and joy to Angelenos trapped at home. 

A new COVID-19 mobile testing site opened this week at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in South LA. The site will also collect data on the ethnic and racial breakdown of who is getting sick, who is being hospitalized, and who is dying. Early data suggests that the black community across the country is being particularly hit hard.

Comedy clubs and TV tapings are shut down, so local comedians are connecting with audiences online. “Comedians are going to find ways to be comedians however they can. I saw that SNL was canceled and I jokingly said, ‘You know what, I'll do it myself.’ And then before I knew it, that seemed like not the worst idea,” says LA standup comic Ian Abramson.

The earth is getting a break while we all stay out of planes, trains, and automobiles to hunker down at home. If we can do this for a pandemic, why not for climate change?

California has deemed cannabis dispensaries an essential business under the state’s “Stay at Home” order. Dispensaries continue to serve patients and customers across Los Angeles, with some new precautions in place.

The crowded, unsanitary conditions on Skid Row are a breeding ground for disease.  Now the area has its first confirmed case. A driver for the Union Rescue Mission has been hospitalized and is on a ventilator. Eight people who have had direct contact with him have been quarantined off-site, and another 100 workers and residents are quarantined on the third floor of the homeless shelter. 

A lot of places are closed, and you are likely home. That is unless you work for an “essential’ business.” That word conjures up images of grocery stores and hospitals. But what about horseback riding facilities or private jet companies?

Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, talks about the latest numbers and projections for LA County as we battle COVID-19. We also hear from one Postmates driver who recently tried to make 100 deliveries in five days.

When everyone is at home and practicing safe social distancing, how is the government going to count each person for the 2020 Census? Hear how the U.S. Census Bureau plans to overcome counting challenges because of COVID-19.

What are renters and landlords doing when rent is due on April 1? One LA City Councilman is fighting for a rent freeze. Also, big chain movie theaters may have deep enough pockets to close for now, but smaller theaters are struggling.

Today’s entire show is about how Angelenos are helping their neighbors during the coronavirus pandemic. One Huntington Park bakery is offering free bread to kids each day. Filmmaker Lulu Wang is collecting protective gear for local hospitals. A Santa Monica resident is offering to run errands for his neighbors. 

Due to COVID-19, LA County’s criminal and civil trials are suspended, while entire courthouses are shut down. How is the court system that oversees the largest population of jail inmates in the world faring?

Humans are social animals, and social distancing is hard. This weekend, countless Angelenos headed for hiking trails and beaches. We get tips for safely being outside, and a look at how LAUSD teachers are adjusting to online teaching. 

Some people are delivering household items and food while the rest of us are at home. How are those gig economy workers doing?

Grocery stores nationwide are handling an unusually high demand from customers. How are grocery clerks coping? What policies are markets putting in place to maintain the safety of its employees and customers?