Welcome to L.A. TACO’s daily news briefs, where we bring our loyal members, readers, and supporters the latest headlines about Los Angeles politics and culture. Stay informed and look closely.
—A CBS analysis of FBI crime data found that LAPD's homicide clearance rate has dipped in the last few years "in a way that is concerning," primarily as it comes to Black and brown murder victims. [CBS]
—L.A. County Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer is warning everyone of a significant spread of COVID-19 in the next few weeks. [Deadline]
—Billy Eilish, Alicia Keys, Jose Andres, and Paul McCartney will join other stars Sunday for an NBC special called "Ukraine: Answering the Call" to bring attention to the war-torn country's struggle. [Billboard]
—The City of L.A.'s minimum wage goes up to $16.04 today. [NLR]
—Yesterday the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Biden administration has the authority to end the Trump-era immigration policy known commonly as "Remain In Mexico," requiring asylum seekers to remain in the country while their applications are processed. [The Hill]
—A look at the battle between anti-gentrification activists and a new restaurant in Glassell Park, including tagged windows, a physical altercation outside a neighboring bar, and a protest campaign to shut the business down. [LAT]
—Sonny Barger, the founder of the Oakland chapter of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, died Wednesday from liver cancer at the age of 83. [NPR]
—An emerging technology offers some hope for reducing the ills of plastic pollution, with a possible upside for reducing carbon emissions, too. [Science Direct]
-California is phasing out single-use plastics in the country's most sweeping anti-plastic law, signed by Newsom. [CM]
—A commissioner with the FCC wants Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores, saying, "At its core, TikTok functions as a sophisticated surveillance tool that harvests extensive amounts of personal and sensitive data” owned by a company in China. [CNBC]
—Victims of the LAPD's botched fireworks demolition continue to struggle with displacement and loss a year after the disaster that leveled homes in South Los Angeles. [LAT]
—Hollywood's Cinerama Dome will reopen, with license to build two bars and a restaurant on the site. [Variety]
—L.A. Animal Services will be waving adoption fees for the first 250 dogs adopted through July 8. [LAAS]
—The L.A. City Attorney swears he's going after your illegal fireworks this weekend, with fines up to $1,000. [Westside Today]