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.
—Long Beach: The City of Long Beach received more than $7 million in a class action settlement with Monsanto Company. The lawsuit accused the agrochemicals company (owned by Bayer) of polluting waterways with its products, which include "weedkillers" such as Roundup. Long Beach first sued Monsanto in 2016 but the lawsuit was dismissed later that year. The city later joined Oakland, San Francisco, San Diego, and L.A. County in the class action suit that was recently settled. In total, Monsanto's parent company Bayer is on the hook for more than $500 million. But under the settlement, avoid having to admit any wrongdoing. [LB Post/IG]
—South L.A.: A motorcyclist was killed near a weed dispensary in South L.A. after colliding with a driver in a Mercedes Benz, according to ANG News. The motorcyclist was traveling at such a high rate of speed they lost their shoes and helmet when they were ejected, according to witnesses. [ANG News/IG]
This week L.A. County hit the "high" COVID level (again). A mask mandate could be issued as soon as early January if COVID hospitalizations continue to increase. [LAT]
On Thursday, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to ban styrofoam and certain single-use plastics throughout the city. According to estimates, about 80 percent of styrofoam ends up in landfills. The rest gets littered around communities. [Gizmodo]