Skip to Content
News

Headlines: L.A. River Sewage Spill Closes LBC Beaches; Hate Crimes Skyrocketed in 2021

Photo: Davecito/Flickr CC

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.

–12,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the L.A. River in Compton on Jan. 31, causing beach closures in Long Beach. [The Hill]

–Metro has approved a $8.5 billion light rail that runs through southeast L.A., from Artesia to Union Station. The full line is expected to open in 2043. [GCR]

–A woman was shot and injured by the L.A. River in Long Beach on Sunday, with the bullet possibly coming from a car. [LBP]

–LAPD shot and killed 23-year-old Jonathan Murillo in Pacoima on Monday morning, alleging he was high and coming at them with a knife. [AP]

–The Harvard Law Review has named 24-year-old, Downey-born-and-raised Priscila Coronado as its president. The daughter of Mexican immigrants is the first Latina to serve as president in the Review's 135 year history. [Reuters]

–Los Angeles had the most recorded hate crimes among big cities in the nation in 2021, among an overall 71% spike in incidents. A majority of these incidents found Black residents being targeted. [LAT]

–The California Attorney General is reviewing several L.A. Sheriff's Department investigations that appear to some to be politically motivated and signs of Sheriff Alex Villanueva abusing his power. [KTLA]

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

Border Patrol Detains Three at La Puente Chilaquiles Stand Before Seizing Its Cash Box

A screaming woman in an apron was seen running from the stand into the safety of a nearby firetruck, while the stand's other employees weren't so lucky.

Daily Memo: Feds Detain U.S. Citizens and Take Street Vendor’s Cash Box

Federal immigration raids are escalating in intensity, with more people being profiled and taken without due process.

L.A. City Council Rejects Proposal To Limit LAPD’s Use of Tear Gas and ’40mm Foam Launchers’

Prior to June 8, the LAPD had not used tear gas in crowd-control settings in almost 50 years, an LAPD spokesperson told L.A. TACO.

December 3, 2025

Update: Border Patrol Agents Raid Huntington Park Home Depot, As Fleeing Man Is Struck By Vehicle

“I denounce the Trump Domestic Terrorism Campaign that continues to target law-abiding residents in Huntington Park and across the nation,” said Huntington Park Mayor Arturo Flores. “I have faith that those who choose to violate human rights and constitutional rights will be held accountable for their crimes. Not to mince words . . . FUCK TRUMP and FUCK ICE.”

December 3, 2025

Daily Memo: Border Patrol Is Back, Targeting Southeast Los Angeles and Ripping Parents From Their Children

Border Patrol Is Back after their week-long hiatus, targeting Southeast Los Angeles and other areas, ripping parents from children, chasing workers and almost killing one, arresting a U.S. citizen, and targeting street vendors again.

‘If We Don’t Laugh, We’ll Cry’: Meet the Indigenous Activists Behind L.A.’s Chapter House

In 2020, executive director and environmentalist Emma Robbins founded The Chapter House, now home to an annual drag show, Indigenous art galleries, and improv comedy events.

December 2, 2025
See all posts