LOS ANGELES

BCK FILE--Like most holidays celebrated in the United States, the Fourth of July has diverted from its true meaning to become a day known for barbecues, pool parties, and Old Navy sales.

EDUCATION POLITICS--Given the hundreds- if not thousands- of teachers that have been sued by LAUSD for allegations of overpayment

HOME SHARING FALLOUT-It’s getting harder and harder to find housing you can afford in Los Angeles.

CORRUPTION WATCH-Nazification is a waxing and waning process.

LABOR WATCH--The U.S. Supreme Court has just dealt unions a bruising blow.

GELFAND’S WORLD--Recovering from the damage that Donald Trump will ultimately achieve will be like trying to recover from the great depression and both world wars combined.

CAL MATTERS--In a frenzy of Capitol wheeling and dealing this week, California legislators worked to pass new laws that will shorten your November ballot—by placating moneyed interests.

AT LENGTH-I find myself at this moment pondering Benjamin Franklin and his printing press, and Thomas Paine, the radical patriot pamphleteer of the American Revolution.

ALPERN AT LARGE--You like the Expo Line, a Subway to the Sea, and a Subway alternative to the 405 freeway through the Sepulveda Pass? You like good, affordable housing that ISN'T just gentrification and more high-cost housing that's not just helping a few dirt-bag developers? 

DEEGAN ON LA-The phenomenon of Bike-Sharing -- either “station to station” or “dockless” -- is experiencing a rise in popularity similar to the explosion seen in “ride-hailing” services like Uber and Lyft.

CORRUPTION WATCH-Over a thousand books have been written asking why the Germans did not stop the Nazification of Germany in the 1930s.

GUEST COMMENTARY-A new community-based coalition has formed in response to concerns throughout the Westwood community about an opulent senior housing tower that violates the Westwood Specific Plan and offers no community benefits.

THE BUTCHER BLOCK-“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.”~ Henry James 

BELL VIEW--CityWatch gave me the week off last week. Good thing too. I might have said something uncivil. In fact, last week my mood could have been described as antediluvian – all Old Testament retribution and vengeance. Now, I just feel queasy – as if the flood of cleansing righteousness I’ve been praying for is headed directly to my house. 

TRANSPORTATION POLITICS-As New York struggles to fix the subway and several proposals are circulating, a close look at what Los Angeles is doing is instructive. In November 2016, Measure M, the Los Angeles County Traffic Improvement Plan, was approved by 71.15 percent of voters (a two-thirds vote was required). 

EASTSIDER-A few months ago, I wrote an article calling for the termination of Grayce Liu and her merry band, bringing back the first GM, Greg Nelson, and starting over with DONE.

PERSPECTIVE--For more than four decades the Hip Hop culture and rap have been bundled with a range of negative connotations, but while many people struggle to look past the profanity, materialism, and high-risk messages often celebrated within mainstream rap music, the hip hop culture at its core, is built on values of social justice, peace, respect, self-worth, community, and having fun, and because of these values, it’s increasingly being used as a therapeutic tool when working with young people.

@THE GUSS REPORT-Paging LA Mayor Eric Garcetti. Return to Los Angeles today and start solving our problems, most of which have grown worse on your watch. Your presidential dreams, and the continuous tease about them between you and the local media, are over. 

GUEST WORDS--In its June 25 editorial, the Los Angeles Times created the impression that the Expo Corridor Plan presented to the Council’s PLUM Committee was the product of over five years of community input, meetings.

COMMON DREAMS-As progressives nationwide celebrated Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's primary victory in New York's 14th congressional district over establishment 10-term Rep. Joseph Crowley

FOSSIL FUEL FIGHT--California elected officials on Tuesday sent a letter urging Governor Jerry Brown to phase out fossil fuel production in the state. Elected Officials to Protect California, a group whose mission is "to empower bold, courageous leadership from elected officials on climate change from the ground up," sent the letter.