Skip to Content
News

Headlines: L.A.’s ‘Cannabis Czar’ Steps Down; Lakers’ Head Coach Fired

photo: David Vives/Unsplash

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.

—Cat Packer, L.A.'s first "cannabis czar," has stepped down from her position as executive director of the Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation after five years. [High Times]

—A Santa Monica neighborhood has had its USPS mail delivery suspended after carriers in the area have experienced threats and attacks. [NBC]

—On Monday, tenants from across L.A. held a protest against K3 Holdings, owner of over 60 rent-controlled buildings in the city, with accusations of allegedly predatory practices and filthy building conditions. [ABC]

—Karen Bass and Rick Caruso are currently leading the L.A. mayoral race, according to a new poll. [LAT]

—Frank Vogel has been fired as The Lakers' head coach on Monday, despite a year left on his contract. [ESPN]

—Philadelphia has reinstated its indoor mask mandate, citing rising cases of the latest COVID-19 variant. [NYT]

—Several UPS trucks were burned at a UPS customer center in Lancaster on Monday. [NBC]

—25-year-old Cristian Rodriguez grew up in Hawaiian Gardens and now plays for L.A.'s professional rugby team. [ABC]

Authorities are asking the public's help to find Carlos Emmanuel Montalva, a 25-year-old man last seen in East L.A. [Hey SoCal]

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

The World Cup is Still Happening This Summer, But It May Not Look As Planned

There’s a lot of confusion about what has and hasn’t happened with the World Cup in the past month. L.A. Taco separates the fact from fiction.

March 8, 2026

Sunday Taquitos #18: No Taxation Without Refunds

Sunday Taquitos! Art by Ivan Ehlers.

March 8, 2026

Daily Memo: They Met in ICE Detention. Despite a Language Barrier, These Women’s Bond Helped Them Survive

They found a way to spend the nights talking, developing a friendship that got them both through their ordeal. Tania says she saw Masuma as a motherly, grandmotherly figure who took care of her, and Masuma says she wouldn’t have survived without Tania. 

Father of Four Dies After Alleged Medical Negligence in Adelanto, 15th ICE-Related Death in 2026

ICE agents took Cruz Nape last Fall after being confused for another target. Despite not being their initial suspect, they took him anyway. He was soon transferred to Adelanto.

From Prison to Major Museums and His First Book, Mr. Wash Is Now Building a Community Art Center

Mr. Wash will celebrate the release of his book, “Artists In Space,” with a launch and artist conversation at his studio in Compton on March 7.

March 6, 2026

Weekend Eats: Octopus Tentacle Sandwiches Wriggle Into Burbank

Plus Korean burgers, a new Afro-Latin restaurant in Silver Lake, and cereal milk French toast on Japanese milk bread.

March 6, 2026
See all posts