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West LA Times

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

News from April 2024

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Access to Firearms Linked to Increased Suicide Risk Among California Youth

By West LA Times | Apr 30, 2024

A recent study conducted by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research has shed light on the concerning relationship between access to firearms and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among Californians ages 15–24. The study, based on data from the 2021 and 2022 California Health Interview Survey, revealed alarming statistics and implications.According to the study, youth who expressed fears of gun violence were nearly twice as likely to report suicidal thoughts compared to those who did not harbor such concerns. Additionally, in 2022, researchers found that young individuals...

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SMPD Bike/Pedestrian Safety Operation Planned for 5/3/2024

By West LA Times | Apr 29, 2024

The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) has announced plans to conduct a Bike & Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation on May 3, 2024, with a focus on reducing collisions between motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The operation aims to address violations that commonly lead to accidents involving these road users.According to the SMPD, officers will be deployed to locations with high rates of pedestrian and bike collisions to enforce traffic laws and promote safety. The enforcement efforts will target violations such as speeding, illegal turns, failure to yield to...

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Santa Monica Public Library Spotlights Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

By West LA Times | Apr 29, 2024

The Santa Monica Public Library is gearing up to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month throughout the month of May. The library will be showcasing the rich and diverse contributions of Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent through various displays, book lists, and special events.One of the highlighted events at the Main Library on Santa Monica Blvd. is on May 11 at 2 p.m. Filmmaker Brian Tadashi Maeda will screen his award-winning feature documentary, "We Said No! No!: A Story of Civil Disobedience," which tells the story of...

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Community Corporation of Santa Monica Breaks Ground on New Affordable Development in Santa Monica

By West LA Times | Apr 29, 2024

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 29, 2024) – Community Corporation of Santa Monica, a non-profit organization, and the city of Santa Monica have come together to commence the construction of Berkeley Station, a new affordable housing development. This project aims to provide 13 units of 100% affordable housing for low-income families and transition-aged youth in Santa Monica.Tara Barauskas, the executive director of Community Corporation, expressed her excitement about the project, stating, "Berkeley Station is an exciting, innovative project and represents two firsts for us –...

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There were 36,568 lawyers in good standing in cities located within Los Angeles County as of March

By West LA Times | Apr 28, 2024

Cities located within Los Angeles County saw 36,568 lawyers in good standing to practice law as of March, according to the State Bar of California.

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West LA Times area weekly mass times

By West LA Times | Apr 27, 2024

The following parishes in the West LA Times coverage area hold weekly mass at these designated times.

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Justice, Equity & Diversity: Santa Monica Council Advances Social Equity in Adult-Use Cannabis Program

By West LA Times | Apr 26, 2024

At last week's meeting, the Santa Monica City Council made significant progress in the development of the city’s ordinance on adult-use cannabis, with a specific focus on advancing social equity within the industry.The council's decision was guided by the goal of ensuring that communities most impacted by cannabis enforcement policies have the opportunity to benefit from the newly legalized industry. As stated by an unidentified council member, "The goal of the cannabis social equity component is to develop a program that helps ensure that the communities most impacted by...

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Sustainable & Connected: City to require use of low-carbon concrete in new construction

By West LA Times | Apr 25, 2024

The City Council of Santa Monica, California, has approved an ordinance mandating the use of low-carbon concrete for all new construction projects, swimming pools, and spas. This move is part of the city's efforts to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce embodied carbon emissions.Chief Sustainability Officer Shannon Parry expressed her enthusiasm for the city's progress, stating, "I’m thrilled to see our city continue to advance towards the goal of carbon neutrality." She highlighted the readiness of the concrete industry to supply low-carbon alternatives and emphasized...

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Santa Monica Introduces New Microforests in Honor of Earth Week

By West LA Times | Apr 24, 2024

In honor of Earth Week, Santa Monica is set to welcome two new microforests, described as "fast-growing, low maintenance, tiny preserves that mimic natural woodlands." The initiative is made possible through a collaboration involving the Malibu Foundation, Santa Monica College (SMC), and the city itself.The microforests, which are designed to capture stormwater, mitigate heat, sequester carbon, and improve biodiversity, are part of a sustainable effort to restore nature in urban areas. The partnership has brought these innovative ecosystems to life within the city,...

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Language that could be clues to suicide differ between men and women

By West LA Times | Apr 24, 2024

A recent study led by UCLA researchers has uncovered significant differences in the language used to describe male and female suicides in public health records. The research, published in the American Journal of Public Health, analyzed 271,998 suicides over a 17-year period in the U.S. National Violent Death Reporting System. The findings show that words associated with male suicides often referenced job loss, alcohol abuse, financial stress, and unusual behavior, while those related to female suicides more frequently mentioned mood, psychological state, and mental health...

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Addressing Homelessness: Updates on the city’s housing efforts

By West LA Times | Apr 24, 2024

The city’s Housing and Human Services Department is making significant strides in addressing the housing crisis and providing support to the homeless population. In a recent update, a spokesperson for the department highlighted some of the positive changes and initiatives that have been implemented.One of the key priorities for the department is funding permanent supportive housing and partnering with nonprofits on affordable housing projects. According to the spokesperson, efforts are also being made to help residents stay housed through voucher programs and supportive...

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South L.A., Antelope Valley lead L.A. County in preventable hospitalizations

By West LA Times | Apr 23, 2024

Los Angeles County residents living in lower-income areas like South Los Angeles and the Antelope Valley face a considerably higher risk of preventable hospitalizations or emergency department visits, according to a recent study by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.The study revealed that South Los Angeles has the highest rate of preventable hospitalizations (1,252 per 100,000 adults), followed by the Antelope Valley (888). Ninez Ponce, director of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, emphasized that these disparities highlight the healthcare system's...

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Summer Recreation Registration Opens in Santa Monica

By West LA Times | Apr 23, 2024

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 23, 2024) — The city of Santa Monica is gearing up for its summer recreation programs as registration opens for residents and non-residents. According to the announcement, registration will commence on Wednesday, April 24, at 6 a.m. for Santa Monica residents, and a week later on Wednesday, May 1, at 6 a.m. for non-residents.The summer recreation programs offer a variety of indoor and outdoor classes for individuals of all ages. These activities are held at city parks, the Santa Monica Swim Center, and the Annenberg Community Beach House...

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A Note from the City of Santa Monica’s New Director of Recreation and Arts

By West LA Times | Apr 23, 2024

The new director of Santa Monica's Recreation and Arts Department shared a heartfelt message with the community, expressing their love for the city and excitement to serve its residents. The director emphasized the importance of community engagement and collaboration in shaping the future of recreational and artistic offerings in Santa Monica.Reflecting on their newfound love for Santa Monica, the director stated, "Though I couldn’t tell you exactly when I fell in love with Santa Monica, I just knew it -- I was home." They expressed gratitude to the community for the warm...

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Historic $1 Million Gift Advances Latino Legal Scholarship at UCLA School of Law

By West LA Times | Apr 22, 2024

UCLA School of Law has received a $1 million donation from Alicia Miñana de Lovelace, chair of The UCLA Foundation board, to enhance its Critical Race Studies program, marking the largest-ever single contribution to the initiative. The program, founded in 2000, is the sole law school-based program in the nation devoted to Critical Race Theory and related scholarship.Alicia Miñana de Lovelace's generous gift aims to advance Latino legal scholarship at UCLA Law by establishing the Laura E. Gómez Teaching Fellowship on Latinx People and the Law in honor of retiring UCLA Law...

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Which former West LA Times area high school standouts will be in action in the week starting Mon April 22?

By West LA Times | Apr 21, 2024

These former West LA Times area high school standouts will be in action in the week starting Mon April 22.

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West LA Times area weekly mass times

By West LA Times | Apr 20, 2024

The following parishes in the West LA Times coverage area hold weekly mass at these designated times.

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Symposium on fair housing laws and youth poster contest finalists announced

By West LA Times | Apr 18, 2024

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 18, 2024) — The city of Santa Monica is commemorating Fair Housing Month this April with a series of events aimed at raising awareness about fair housing laws and celebrating the creativity of local youth. The city will be hosting a free symposium on local fair housing laws and housing discrimination at the Main Library, along with announcing the student finalists of the annual youth poster contest.The 2024 Fair Housing Symposium, scheduled for Wednesday, April 24, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. in the Main Library Multipurpose Room, will feature...

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Mutations in noncoding DNA Linked to Cancer Pathways and Patient Survival, UCLA Study Finds

By West LA Times | Apr 18, 2024

A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has revealed a significant connection between mutations in noncoding DNA and genes associated with cancer pathways, as well as their impact on cancer patient survival.According to corresponding author Xinshu “Grace” Xiao, a UCLA professor of integrative biology and physiology, the research aimed to address the challenge of understanding the functions of mutations in noncoding regions. Xiao explained, “Predicting the outcomes of mutations in protein-coding regions is...

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Los Angeles County Residents' Quality of Life Hits Record Low Due to High Cost of Living, UCLA Survey Shows

By West LA Times | Apr 17, 2024

Los Angeles County residents are experiencing a record-low level of satisfaction with their quality of life, largely due to concerns over the high cost of living. The annual UCLA survey revealed that worries about affordability have pushed the overall rating down to 53, marking the second time in three years that it has fallen below the survey's midpoint of 55.Zev Yaroslavsky, director of the study at UCLA, highlighted the impact of rising housing costs on renters, who are feeling particularly pessimistic about their futures. Yaroslavsky noted, "Housing costs have gone...