Deidra Hamrick Schwartz Archives

Sprawling network of brothels in Ventura and L.A. counties busted by authorities February 14, 2026

A massive Southern California brothel ring was busted by authorities, leading to two arrests, officials said.

Summer Lin

Factory-built housing hasn't taken off in California yet, but this year might be different February 14, 2026

This year, state legislators in California believe that with a little state assistance, they want to make 2026 the Year of the Housing Factory.

Ben Christopher

Who pays for Newsom's travel? Hint: It's not always taxpayers February 14, 2026

Gov. Gavin Newsom's international travel is paid for by the California State Protocol Foundation, a nonprofit that is funded primarily by corporate donations and run by a board Newsom appoints.

Melody Gutierrez

Activists celebrate as immigration agents depart Terminal Island. 'The people kicked them out' February 14, 2026

Federal immigration agents departed from the Coast Guard site at Terminal Island in San Pedro, which they had used as a base for months while the Trump administration conducted immigration raids across Southern California.

Jenny Jarvie, Clara Harter

Lopez: In 50-year fight to protect California's coast, they're the real McCoys, still at it in their 80s February 14, 2026

Imperial Beach couple Mike and Patricia McCoy have inspired generations of coastal conservationists.

Steve Lopez

L.A. streetlights take a year to fix. Council members say solar power is the answer February 14, 2026

Broken streetlights have emerged as an hot-button issue in this year's election, with council members scrambling to find ways to restore them.

Melissa Gomez, David Zahniser

Notoriously hazardous South L.A. oil wells finally plugged after decades of community pressure February 14, 2026

A two-acre Los Angeles oil drill site near the St. Vincent Elementary School in University Park, had been releasing noxious fumes for years. Finally, the wells have been shut down.

Tony Briscoe

Commentary: How SoCal became the nation's dairy queen February 14, 2026

President Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are on a dairy kick. That's big news for California. One in every five glasses of milk that's drunk in this country comes from California dairy companies.

Patt Morrison

California coffee growing pioneers die of unknown causes, leaving behind 3 children February 14, 2026

Authorities are investigating the sudden deaths of Jay and Kristen Ruskey a Central Coast couple who were the first to grow coffee in the state.

Karen Garcia

Trump administration drops appeal of court order blocking $1.2-billion UCLA settlement February 14, 2026

The Trump administration dropped its appeal of a major higher education case in which a federal judge blocked its $1.2-billion settlement proposal to UCLA over alleged civil rights violations. It will continue to litigate a legal challenge from UC system workers in a lower court.

Jaweed Kaleem

Deidra Hamrick Schwartz is living proof that retirement does not mean retreat. At over 60 years young, this Birmingham, Alabama native has traded boardrooms for…