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.
—Highland Park: Kill The Runts, a northeast L.A. hardcore punk band, raised more than $4,000 for the Los Angeles Tenants Union and an additional $500 in grocery gift cards for families in need, thanks to the hundreds of fans that came out to see them at Lodge Room. "A special shout to @lodgeroom for allowing us to have this event and contributing their share as well. There are not many venues that will do this," the band said on Instagram. "We hope that you take the energy from that night and find ways to help your local communities." [KTR]
—San Pedro: Fake "no parking" signs were spotted in San Pedro. "Residents parking only," the signs read. "Trail parking use Paseo Del Mar." [Reddit]
—Long Beach: A woman is speaking out about the alleged Morningland cult in Long Beach. "Handmaid’s Tale’s got nothing on me,” the woman said. The alleged cult was reportedly started in 1973 by Daniel Sperato, or "Donato," as his followers called him. The whistleblower first came in contact with Morningland supporters in the mid-70s, after the alleged cult was founded, when her family was invited to a “parents without partners" meeting in North Long Beach. [Signal Tribune/IG]
—Compton: Two masked people recently broke into Birrieria Gonzalez's brick and mortar location in Compton. Fortunately, nothing was taken from the empty register. "Thank god it happens like this and not when there is employees or customers let’s keep praying for nothing major to happen," the family-run business wrote on Instagram. Apparently, the burglars broke into several other businesses within the Compton strip mall. [Birrieria Gonzalez/IG]
—Speaking of birria...it's one of the top ten food items being added to American menus, according to a market researcher. "The dramatic rise in the U.S. Latino population is reshaping the national palate — and sending restaurant operators south of the border (or thereabouts) to freshen up their menus," Axios reports. [Axios]
—Chavez Ravine: The Los Angeles Dodgers resigned Andrew Toles, a former Dodger who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The team has no intention of putting Toles on the field but, as a Dodger employee, he'll have access to the team's health insurance and mental health services. [ESPN/Twitter]
—Long Beach: An Arizona woman was booked on two counts of assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly driving erratically for hours on streets in Long Beach, which were shut down for last weekend's Grand Prix. A spokesperson for the Long Beach Police Department said there were no reports of injuries. [LB Post]
—Eagle Rock: Vidiots, Santa Monica's beloved video store, has found a new home in Eagle Rock after closing down their Westside location in 2017. Their new 11,000 square-foot spot in Eagle Rock will include a 271 seat movie theater and video store, as well as a beer and wine bar. [LAT]
