The people of HARD: Day of the Dead, held last weekend at Los Angeles State Historic Park. All Photos by Guruboyfriend and Emus the Don. Coverage of Day One is here.

HARD: Day of the Dead ~ Day Two

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<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Blending her time in the kitchen as a line cook with her passion for storytelling, Lauren Bethke writes about community, inclusivity and the city she loves the most—Los Angeles.</span></p>


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Lauren Bethke

<p><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif">Emilio Valdez is a street-level photographer with a special interest in documenting the ever-changing neighborhoods of Central and East Los Angeles</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif">. His work focuses on bringing the past and present discrimination of marginalized people of color to light.</span></p>


Emilio Valdez

a woman dressed as a clown pulls a ribbon from her vagina as a bit

Party Pics

This Clown Sex Party Creampied 12 Brave Souls in DTLA (for Charity)

Sean Maung

<p>Julianne Lê graduated from UCLA in 2025 with a major in English and minor in Asian American Studies. Maybe it&#8217;s because she isn&#8217;t jaded yet, but she is super eager to peek into the overlooked corners of L.A. and write about them. Lê is the former editor-in-chief of UCLA&#8217;s Pacific Ties Newsmagazine and was a finalist for the Associated Collegiate Press&#8217; &#8220;Podcast of the Year&#8221; award in 2024.</p>


Julianne Lê

Photo Essay

Photo Essay: East Hollywood Gay Club Famous for Its “Vaquero Nights” Turns 35

two women with art and stacks of dollar bills

An Art Show Honoring Sex Work Is Hidden Inside a Fashion District Gallery

A nude model has food put on her by a hand with long nails

Events

Microdosing World Peace at Downtown L.A.’s Michelin Restaurant-Themed Sex Party

A clown face is plastered on top of a building next to a cross and the words "SOUL REPAIR"

Culture

Cryptids, Comedians, and Artists All Got Freaky at Albert Reyes’ Annual Haunt

<p>Erwin Recinos is a seasoned visual artist with an eye for capturing life as a working commuter aboard public transportation in and around Los Angeles. For 20 years now, Recinos has been documenting the urban landscape, street culture, and Hispanic communities of Los Angeles utilizing his daily routine and the city of Los Angeles as an inspiration. Recinos also works with popular food and event websites such as LATACO.com and Eater LA to capture the cuisine and culture that is so important to the city of Los Angeles and across Southern California.</p>


Erwin Recinos

Photos: 100 Portraits, Bloody Gums Collective ~ West Adams

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Celebrating the Taco Lifestyle in Los Angeles, CA

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<p>Karina Soriano is a Los Angeles-based journalist who covers the crossroads of music, food, art, and social issues. She spotlights the everyday people who really keep L.A. moving. Usually, while stuck in traffic, looking for a good place to eat.</p>


Karina Soriano

a man in a cowboy hat grills steak in a cast iron skillet on a grill while steaks and onions grill

Food

Asada Inflation: A Rare Look at How L.A. Taqueros Are Handling Soaring Beef Prices

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<div class="html-div xexx8yu xyri2b x18d9i69 x1c1uobl x1gslohp x14z9mp x12nagc x1lziwak x1yc453h x126k92a x18lvrbx" dir="auto">Myriam Gurba is a California-born writer. Her next book, POPPY STATE: A LABYRINTH OF PLANTS AND A STORY OF BEGINNINGS, will be published by Timber Press in October.</div>
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Myriam Gurba

Obituary

An Anarchist Feminist’s Personal Eulogy for Dolores Huerta

Aisha Wallace-Palomares

<p>Jaylyn Preslicka is a reporter from the greater Los Angeles area who specializes in investigative reporting. She has covered immigration, health, politics, and policy for various outlets.</p>


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Jaylyn Preslicka

a man sits while federal immigration agents stand around him

Escondido Resident Is 58th to Die in ICE Custody Under Trump Administration

Site News

Investigations Newsletter: When Social Media Breaks the News of Your Friend’s Murder

<p><span style="font-size: large"><strong>Dr. Gabriel Buelna</strong> holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Claremont Graduate University and serves as a faculty member in the Chicana/o Studies Department at California State University, Northridge. He is the founder and principal attorney of The Buelna Law Firm, A.P.C., based in South Pasadena, where he focuses on Family and Criminal Law. In addition to his academic and legal work, Dr. Buelna serves as an elected Trustee for the Los Angeles Community College District.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: large">Dr. Buelna is <strong>fully bilingual in English and Spanish</strong>, allowing him to effectively serve and advocate for diverse communities across Los Angeles. He can be reached at <strong><a href="mailto:gabriel@buelnalaw.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gabriel@buelnalaw.com</a></strong>. Follow him on TikTok <strong>@TacosAndLaw</strong> or visit <a href="http://www.buelnalaw.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.buelnalaw.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750964813950000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Njv5I6LbOH4Mhu0M6otpZ">www.buelnalaw.com</a>.</span></p>
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Gabriel Buelna

<p style="text-align: left"><span style="font-weight: 400">Enrique M. Buelna is a faculty member in the History Department at Cabrillo College. He specializes in Chicano history with an emphasis on class, race, labor, radical activism, civil rights, immigration, culture, and identity. He is the author of Chicano Communists and the Struggle for Social Justice (2019). Dr. Buelna earned his doctorate in history from the University of California, Irvine, and holds an M.A. in Public Administration from the University of Washington, Seattle.  </span></p>


Enrique M. Buelna

Opinion

Final Notice: Democrats Must Abolish ICE If They Win On Election Day

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<div>Frank Shyong is a freelance journalist who writes the Lunch Box newsletter on Substack, which publishes original reported essays on food, diaspora, and history. He was a reporter and columnist for the <em>L.A. Times</em> for more than 12 years, covering the San Gabriel Valley, AAPI communities, and life in Los Angeles.</div>
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Frank Shyong

Politics

SGV Organizers Step Up to Stop Data Centers By Running Against the Politicians Who Failed Them

L.A. TACO STAFF

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Lowriders and Classics ~ Photos From the Azalea Classic Car Show in South Gate Park