Is There a Cure for LA’s Flaky Voters? The turnout in LA City elections is falling fast—and next month might see the worst ever. You might not have known, but there’s an election next month—with two Charter amendments designed to increase local turnout. Why is there so little interest in who runs the second largest city and school district in the United States?

Can Guerilla Gardeners Transform Food Deserts? Two years ago, LA Times columnist Steve Lopez reported on Ron Finley, a resident of South Los Angeles. In what’s often called a healthy-food “desert,” Finley had planted a vegetable garden for himself and his hungry neighbors. But the food was growing on the city-owned strip of land between the street and the sidewalk, and Finley was ordered to cease and desist. City Council President Herb Wesson promised to change the anti-food law. Now—two years later—Lopez finds that nothing has changed.

Council Tries Spreading Pain of Tough Times to Homeowners and Landlords The Los Angeles City Council is trying to spread the pain of economic hard times to homeowners and landlords. Who should pay for sidewalk repairs? Should owners of rent-controlled apartments have to freeze increases for tenants?

Second District County Supervisor Candidates Debate LA County Supervisors are seldom challenged for re-election. Kenneth Hahn held the 2nd district seat from 1952 until he died 40 years later. Since then, the incumbent has been Yvonne Burke who is stepping down this year. The 2nd District stretches from Koreatown to Culver City, including Inglewood, Watts, Compton and Carson. Historically it’s been a predominantly black district, but 25% of the voters are now Latinos. Leading the race to succeed Yvonne Burke are two familiar public figures who’ve joined us tonight. Bernard Parks served the LA Police Department for 38 years, retiring after 5 years as Chief and he’s now on the LA City Council. Mark Ridley-Thomas headed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference for 10 years. He was an LA City Councilman for 10 years, served 4 years in the State Assembly, and has been a State Senator since 2006.