- Social:
Los Angeles Daily News
City Hall Bureau Chief for the Los Angeles Daily NewsPROFILE
Rick Orlov
Guest
FROM Rick Orlov
The Mixer
As Goes California, So Goes the Nation (Or Not) This week's midterm elections gave Republicans control of the U.S. Senate, and the party took more governorships than had been expected. But that supposed GOP wave may have diminished into a small ripple when it hit the California state line Tuesday night.
Which Way, L.A.?
LAPD Will No Longer Hold All Undocumented Jailees for ICE On Monday, LA Mayor Eric Garcetti ordered the LAPD to suspend most “immigration holds” requested by ICE, the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Yesterday, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky asked if LA County should do the same thing.
Which Way, L.A.?
The New Power Dynamics at LA City Hall LA's Department of Water and Power was a big issue in this year's election for Mayor, with the workers' union supporting the losing candidate, Wendy Greuel. Contract negotiations were scheduled to start next year, but on Friday of this week, the City Council will hold a closed, all-day session. New Mayor Eric Garcetti has been invited. His office says he'll be monitoring the proceedings.
Which Way, L.A.?
There's the Mayor's Race and then There's the City Council There are 15 members on the Los Angeles City Council, currently 14 men and one woman. Four seats are still undecided, and run-off elections are on the ballot next week. We speak with three journalist who are following the races. 1st District Jose Gardea Gil Cedillo 13th District Mitch O'Farrell John Choi 6th District Nury Martinez Cindy Montañez 9th District Ana Cubas Curren Price
Which Way, L.A.?
Villaraigosa's Final Budget The candidates for Mayor of Los Angeles have been criticized for not making specific about proposals about a revenue shortfall. Now Mayor Villaraigosa has released his final budget proposal . Is it good news, bad news or no news at all? Rick Orlov covers City Hall for the Daily News .
Which Way, L.A.?
L.A. Medical Marijuana Ban Caps Years of Controversy There’s talk of a referendum to repeal this week’s ban on medical marijuana clinics by the LA City Council. Will the State Supreme make a decision before voters get to the polls?
Which Way, L.A.?
LA Approves Plastic Bag Ban By a vote of 13 to one, with Bernard Parks dissenting, the Los Angeles City Council has voted to phase in a ban on plastic bags in retail checkout lines. Rick Orlov covers City Hall for the Daily News .
Which Way, L.A.?
More Trouble at LA's Department of Animal Services The Los Angeles Department of Animal Services has had six general managers in the past 10 years. Three of the five commissioners who oversee the Department have resigned in the past six weeks, and the Mayor's Office says it's actively looking for replacements. The current General Manager is Brenda Barnette.
Which Way, L.A.?
GLAZA Formally Submits Its Bid for Zoo The Los Angeles Zoo costs $26 million a year, $11 million from the city's general fund. So the City Council issued a request for proposals from private groups to form a private-public partnership. On Monday, the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association met the deadline. Rick Orlov is City Hall Bureau Chief for the Daily News .
Which Way, L.A.?
One NFL Stadium…or Two? With applause from downtown business leaders and union officials, the LA City Council today approved what's called a "non-binding" memorandum of understanding -- 12 votes to zero. AEG, which owns Staples Center and LA Live, can now begin to arrange financing for a football stadium next to them near the intersection of westbound Interstate 10 and the northbound Interstate 110 freeways. It's already been named Farmers' Field for Farmers' Insurance.
Which Way, L.A.?
Mayor Villaraigosa's Chief of Staff Gives Notice There's more upheaval at Los Angeles City Hall. Mayor Villaraigosa's Chief of Staff, Jeff Carr, announced today that he's stepping down. It's been just two years since he was hired after criticism over the disorganization and indecisiveness of the office. Rick Orlov covers local government for the Daily News.
Which Way, L.A.?
LA Tries an Anti-Wisconsin Approach to Unions This Friday, some 19,000 Los Angeles workers will vote to accept or reject what Mayor Villaraigosa calls "a watershed moment" in city history. A coalition of six union leaders agreed last week to increase their members' contributions to pension funds and to establish retiree healthcare contributions for the first time. The Mayor said that would save the jobs of 600 workers and spare the entire workforce from furloughs.
Which Way, L.A.?
Politics and a Fragile Economy Los Angeles' Community College system is the biggest in the nation, and it's been the target of a week-long investigative series by the Los Angeles Times. Four of seven seats on the Board of Trustees are on the ballot citywide. We hear about those races, city council races and several local measures . We also get an update on the municipal and recall elections in the City of Bell.
Which Way, L.A.?
Update with Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner Austin Beutner has been Los Angeles' First Deputy Mayor since Antonio Villaraigosa appointed him in January. Reportedly, that came at the urging of former Mayor Richard Riordan, Eli Broad and other business and political leaders. Some think Beutner should run for the top job himself when Villaraigosa is termed out in 2013. When Villaraigosa made the appointment he declared the dawn of a new "era of accountability." Aides to Beutner have drawn up a paper called "Nine Months on the Job."
Which Way, L.A.?
Low Census Returns Costly to California The US Census helps to determine how much money comes from Washington to fund state and federal programs. It also determines how many seats a state gets in Congress. In the City of Los Angeles, just 68% of the residents have returned their forms, compared to 72% nationwide. In Malibu and Avalon, the return rate is even worse. Rick Orlov is City Hall Bureau Chief for the LA Daily News .
Which Way, L.A.?
LA's Financial Reputation: Saved at the Bell? During this week's dispute over rate hikes demanded for the Department of Water and Power, City Council members compared Mayor Mayor Villaraigosa to Alice in Wonderland. Today, Councilman Paul Koretz said, "We're crawling out of the rabbit hole." That was after Interim City Administrator Ray Ciranna found $30 million in unexpected revenue.
Recommended
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
To the Point
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
To the Point
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.