LOS ANGELES

BCK FILE--On Wednesday of last week, we learned fashion designer Kate Spade had hanged herself in her New York apartment. Just two days later, celebrity chef and travel documentarian Anthony Bourdain (photo above) had ended his life in a Strasbourg hotel. 

GUEST WORDS--In November, Californians will have a historic opportunity to vote for a ballot measure — the Affordable Housing Act — that would restore the rights of California cities to implement strong rent control laws.

@THE GUSS REPORT-Los Angeles, we have a problem…and a pattern.

DTLA SKID ROW-The culmination of recent presentations and reports have led to an eye-opening glimpse into the collective mindset of the City of Los Angeles and how it plans to “attack” the widespread, out-of-control existence of homelessness across the city. 

DEEGAN ON LA-A special interest group composed of parents who are speaking up for their kids is emerging as a loud voice in a Fairfax area community dispute with developer Ira Smedra.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?--You live in a lovely, single family neighborhood, tree-shaded, consisting mainly of single story homes. Sadly, your elderly neighbor, who raised her family in the home next door, dies, leaving it to her children. 

420 FILE--Amid all the excitement around marijuana legalization in America, another newly legal crop has received comparatively little attention: hemp. And yet hemp may prove to be even more transformative, especially in the West's arid landscapes.

PLATKIN ON PLANNING-In cities like Los Angeles, where private greed, not human need and adopted plans, control the real estate development process, we are no longer surprised when new luxury apartment towers spring up next to homeless encampments.

ALPERN AT LARGE--Well, THIS dumpster fire of a primary is over!  Jungle, indeed!  As in a dangerous, wild, and uncivilized/uncouth experience that probably made everyone feel a little less happy about themselves and their state. 

PERSPECTIVE—(Editor’s Note: The US Supremes handed down a long anticipated decision on whether a cake shop in Colorado could refuse to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. The justices split 7-2. The decision left many people … it would appear even some of the justices … a bit befuddled. Clarity was in order. So, we call on our friend and attorney Jason Lyon for help. What the hell does this court Masterpiee Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission decision really mean. Here is his response.) 

GELFAND’S WORLD-Forgive me, but I actually like the primary system we use here in California.

RANTZ & RAVEZ-Time after time, I’ve heard comments from so-called experts -- including members of the media, commissioners, elected officials and judges -- as they criticize the actions of dedicated, professional police officers who must deal with uncooperative or hostile suspects and motorists they need to question while performing their duty to Protect and Serve the public.

BELL VIEW--I intended to write this week about the Supreme Court’s decision in the wedding cake fiasco.

CHANGING JEWISH POLITICS?--Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his conservative Republican Jewish supporters in the United States and President Donald Trump are trying to influence the upcoming U.S. elections with a toxic mixture of religion and right-wing politics, helping to turn the country against constitutional protections for ethnic minorities, including Jews. 

@THE GUSS REPORT-The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s building in the obscure, semi-suburban City of Norwalk is the typical governmental monolith with its weekday beehive of activity for mundane government records and licenses, and a flow of people dressed up to get married there.

WHO GETS A PASS?-No one is immune to sexual harassment and misconduct. Women across the planet have been subjected to it for centuries, and many do not have a voice to speak out against it.

CONSIDER THIS--Despite the speculation of commentators, Tuesday’s California primary was less “jungle” and more “zoo.”

TURNED DOWN AND OUT--Did Antonio Villaraigosa make a horrendous political mistake when he chose not to run for California's open U.S. Senate seat two years ago, when the presidential election voter turnout was certainly greater than it was Tuesday? 

ALPERN AT LARGE--In short, the Top Two priorities of the next governor are as follows:

BCK FILE-The June 5 primary is a doozy in California, with top-two primaries for the gubernatorial and Senate race, as well as primaries for a slew of state offices, from Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State to Controller, State Treasurer, Attorney General, and Insurance Commissioner up for grabs and numerous propositions. 

ANIMAL WATCH-The enigmatic campaign which began with "Ban Pit Bulls" flyers and "Pit Bull Facts," posted widely in Los Angeles, California, and Boca Raton, Florida, in April caught Pit Bull advocates by surprise, and was reported in CityWatch on April 23.