Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Adam G. Linder

Alissa Walker

@awalkerinla.bsky.social

Mayor Karen Bass is asking LA's city council to pass an ordinance that would exempt Pacific Palisades transactions from ULA, the city's transfer tax.

Of note: "The letter follows a meeting with Rick Caruso, founder of Steadfast LA, who proposed ideas to help address this issue"

Mayor Bass Takes Action to Provide New Relief to Palisades Fire Survivors, Accelerate Community Recovery

Calls on City Council to Provide Fire-Affected Properties with Time-Limited Exemption, Announces Mayoral Executive Directive

LOS ANGELES – Mayor Karen Bass announced actions to provide new relief to Palisades Fire survivors and accelerate community recovery. She called on the City Council to adopt an ordinance that would assist in the establishment of a one-time exemption to Measure ULA for Palisade homeowners and announced that once the ordinance is adopted she would issue an executive directive to direct the Office of Finance to create the rule providing this exemption. The letter follows a meeting with Rick Caruso, founder of Steadfast LA, who proposed ideas to help address this issue. The Mayor’s plan to create a time limited exemption from the Measure ULA property transfer tax will help homeowners who need to or wish to move from the fire impacted area and speed up sales of these properties and spur rebuilding and rehabilitation of the Palisades.

October 9, 2025 at 10:19 PM

Reposted by Adam G. Linder

Alissa Walker

@awalkerinla.bsky.social

Instead of this ridiculous story quoting one person who doesn’t want a bathroom in Runyon Canyon because of “odors” (have you smelled the dog piss there?), please read my story about how we can and should have beautiful public bathrooms in ALL our parks

September 26, 2025 at 4:35 PM

Reposted by Adam G. Linder

Data + Donuts

@datadonuts.la

What are your plans for Thursday?
Data and Donuts, of course! 🍩

Join us at LACI from 8 - 10am with Jon Neill, Chief Systems Analyst at LA County who will lead an AI Context Simulator – Delivering More Accurate and Relevant Results.

Hosted by a crowd fav, @awalkerinla.bsky.social 🔥

datadonuts.la

Data + Donuts LA

Changing local government from the ground up.

datadonuts.la

August 19, 2025 at 1:04 AM

Reposted by Adam G. Linder

Data + Donuts

@datadonuts.la

Come join us tomorrow! 🍩☕️🚌

We’ll share a #TorchedLA morning with @awalkerinla.bsky.social as our host, and a data-driven presentation from @metrolosangeles.bsky.social about their new Bus Operator Enclosed Barriers. 📈📊

8am - 10am, LACI DTLA.

#DataFirst #Networking #DataAndDonuts #LosAngeles

Data + Donuts @datadonuts.la · Jul 11

Our next #DataAndDonuts! RSVP to attend or to receive the link to the livestream!

📅: 7/22 @ 8-10am
📍: LACI
🎤: @awalkerinla.bsky.social as our guest MC! #TorchedLA
🚇: Boris Suchkov & Jason Thompson of @metrolosangeles.bsky.social’s Bus Operator Security
🎟️: www.linkedin.com/events/data-...

Data + Donuts with Boris Suchkov and Jason Thompson of LA Metro | LinkedIn

Reducing Operator Assaults: A Study of LA Metro's Enclosed Barriers

www.linkedin.com

July 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM

Reposted by Adam G. Linder

Vyki Englert

@vykster.bsky.social

I am super proud of the tiny little team we've built at Compiler. Just a handful of humans with laptops who love public transit.

Trying our best to Move Carefully and Fix Things.

Last year we only hired for one role, this will be our first hire of 2025: compiler.la/jobs/softwar...

Jobs with Compiler: Senior Software Engineer

compiler.la

June 22, 2025 at 3:21 AM

Reposted by Adam G. Linder

Data + Donuts

@datadonuts.la

Tomorrow is a new #DataAndDonuts!

Greg Fair, Digital Identity Chief at the California Department of Technology (CDT) will join us for a timely and important discussion on California’s Digital Identity Framework (D-ID).

🎟️: lnkd.in/gPg-aqwJ
📅: Tuesday, June 17
🕘: 8:00-10:00a
🍩☕️🗣️

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

lnkd.in

June 17, 2025 at 1:35 AM

Reposted by Adam G. Linder

Joe Linton

@lintonjoe.bsky.social

More Metro bike-share coverage at @lapublicpress.bsky.social lapublicpress.org/2025/05/lyft...

Did Lyft cheat to win a $200 million LA bike share contract?

LA transportation officials delayed a major contract decision amid explosive allegations surfaced about bid rigging and insider access.

lapublicpress.org

May 23, 2025 at 1:02 AM

Adam G. Linder

@adamglinder.bsky.social

Today’s #DataAndDonuts is just 30 minutes away! We’re talking Demand-Based Parking with @ladotofficial.bsky.social.

Come get some donuts, or check in online for the live stream link. 🍩📊

www.eventbrite.com/e/data-donut...

The opening slide of today’s presentation showing a parking meter and the title of the presentation “Inside LA’s Data-Driven Parking Rates,” with photos of our speakers. Peter Ahlstrom, Graham Rossmore, and Nghia Trinh.

May 22, 2025 at 3:33 PM

Reposted by Adam G. Linder

Alissa Walker

@awalkerinla.bsky.social

I received quite a few messages from city employees after posting these earlier today. If you want to discuss how the evisceration of your department will affect your ability to deliver services, you can message me on Signal at awalkerinla.99 or call/text my Google Voice at 323 207 5607‬

Alissa Walker @awalkerinla.bsky.social · Apr 24

"With no concrete plan in place, Los Angeles should give up hosting the 2028 Olympics."

The letters from the many angry city employees are also worth reading.

Read these and the many more sure to come here: cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm?fa=ccfi.viewrecord&cfnumber=25-0600

Comments for Public Posting:
04/24/2025 07:22 AM
25-0600
As a current city worker, I am beyond disappointed by these proposed cuts. The city is proposing to layoff 1600+ civilian workers due to the negligence of the Mayor's Office and the incompetence of the Police Officers who are being sued. -Proposing cuts to 403 civilian jobs from LAPD just to backfill them with Sworn officers who have cash OT considerations and are generally paid more than their civilian counterpart. Zero accountability to sworn nor are there any layoffs for those who caused much of this financial crisis. Higher overall cost, cash OT, expertise gap, are just some of the many issues with this. The Mayor and Chief have complained about the lack of new officers yet you want to take away actual police work to put them into administrative positions. -Proposing cuts to 196 positions from Transportation in a time when the infrastructure for transit and transit related services should be expanded due to all the future events. LA is already gridlocked 24/7. Proposing to cut the funding and staff will result in even more inadequate traffic planning, reduced service in quality and more frequent delays just in time for major events. -Proposing cuts to 80 positions in Animal Services when the already strained department is handling record numbers of animal related complaints and overflowing shelters -NOT proposing cuts to the Mayor's office. There are currently 94 filled positions at the Mayor's Office and no cuts are being made there. In fact, 36 positions additional positions are budgeted "as needed." During the wildfires, you had 9 Deputy Mayor's act in your absence yet, complaints were made of Chief Crowley and the FD for not communicating. Couldn't 1 of the 9 Deputy Mayor's reach out? Or did Chief Crowley not have any phone numbers of those 9? If so, those 9 Deputy Mayor's who acted on your behalf should also be laid off. Los Angeles is turning into a global embarrassment. The short term economic impac…

Comments for Public Posting:
Civil Servant #33042 04/24/2025 07:44 AM 25-0600
I have to refer to myself as a number. That's all we are to you, a line-item in your budget, Karen Bass, all members of the City Council, and Kenneth Mejia. It is deplorable and beyond my comprehension how you, Karen Bass, and your cohort believe that the solution to your and Kenneth Mejia's mismanagement, irresponsibility, and waste is to lay off the civil servants who have served your constituency selflessly and without your support. After having started my career with the City of Los Angeles in 1988 and within a few years of retirement, only to suffer the consequence of Kenneth Mejia's inexperience. Within the last few years, you, Karen Bass, have already subjected your workforce to furloughs and layoffs; yet, we find ourselves back here again. Please answer my question. After a 37-year career with the City, within 3 years of retirement and 56 years old, what are my options?

Comments for Public Posting: Please consider furloughs. The layoffs are unexpected,
unnecessary, and devastating not only for potentially laid off city
staff but also their families and LA residents. City workers give
their very best every day to the millions of LA residents. Please
reconsider layoffs.

Comments for Public Posting: I am writing to you not only as a proud civil service employee of
the City of Los Angeles for the past seven years, but as someone
who has dedicated more than two decades to public service,
including over 15 years as a contractor with Channel 35. For the
last two years, I have served as the Principal Public Relations
Representative for the Youth Development Department (YDD). I
urge you in the strongest possible terms to vote against Mayor
Bass’ proposed layoffs. I am among the many employees whose
positions are being eliminated. These cuts will have a devastating
personal impact—causing severe financial hardship for me and
my family. But even more alarming is the irreparable harm this
will cause to the youth we serve. These layoffs will dismantle a
vital department that has been instrumental in changing lives and
creating opportunities for some of the most underserved youth in
Los Angeles. There must be alternative solutions—whether
furloughs, the implementation of a Separation Incentive Program
(SIP), or a temporary pause on salary increases. Have these been
seriously considered? Since joining YDD, I have put my heart and
soul into fulfilling our mission. Under the guidance of our
exceptional General Manager, Lisa Salazar, we have made
significant progress in keeping youth engaged, educated, and on a
path to success. Our Youth Councils have empowered young
people to pursue higher education and meaningful careers—many
even joining the ranks of City employees. The recent Youth
Summit drew participants from across the country who shared
moving testimonials about the life-changing impact of YDD’s
programs. These results are not theoretical. They are real. They
are measurable. And they matter. This department may be small,
but its reach is vast and its importance is undeniable. In fact,
recent commentary highlighted that YDD reduces crime in Los
Angeles at a rate eight times more efficiently than traditional law
enforcement. This is the kind…

April 25, 2025 at 2:24 AM

Reposted by Adam G. Linder

Data + Donuts

@datadonuts.la

We are moments away from @awalkerinla.bsky.social taking the mic to introduce today’s speaker, Eric Plosky of #MobilityData. #Data #Networking #Transit #LosAngeles

April 24, 2025 at 3:55 PM

Reposted by Adam G. Linder

Data + Donuts

@datadonuts.la

If you’re not here in person, check out our live stream!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxMH...

Public Transit Ecosystem with MobilityData

YouTube video by Data and Donuts

www.youtube.com

April 24, 2025 at 4:05 PM

Reposted by Adam G. Linder

Alissa Walker

@awalkerinla.bsky.social

This is tomorrow! Data! Donuts! A lot of smart people who are working hard to make your buses and trains fast, frequent, and fabulous. Did I mention donuts?

Data + Donuts @datadonuts.la · Apr 5

Save the Date for a #DataAndDonuts special event, celebrating the 1 year anniversary of @awalkerinla.bsky.social’s Torched newsletter!

🗓️ 4/24/25 from 8-10am

📊 Eric Plosky of #MobilityData will speak about data standards at an international scale.

📍 LACI in #DTLA

🎟️ datadonuts.la/event/data-d...

April 24, 2025 at 2:00 AM

Reposted by Adam G. Linder

NPR

@npr.org

Israeli strikes on Gaza killed at least 32 people, including over a dozen women and children, local health officials said Sunday, as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu headed to meet President Trump.

Israeli strikes on Gaza kill at least 32, mostly women and children

Israeli strikes on Gaza killed at least 32 people, including over a dozen women and children, local health officials said Sunday, as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu headed to meet President Trump.

www.npr.org

April 6, 2025 at 8:15 PM

Adam G. Linder

@adamglinder.bsky.social

I had so much fun at #CicLAvia today. Also, this sausage. #Austrian #PublicTransit #Luigi #Hollywood

April 7, 2025 at 3:01 AM

Reposted by Adam G. Linder

Alissa Walker

@awalkerinla.bsky.social

Can you believe I've been doing this for a year? And what a year it's been for LA.

Join me to celebrate Torched's first birthday. I'm hosting an entire week of talks and toasts. Some will be on Zoom, some will be in person. It's a look back at what we've made together — and what's still to come

Torched turns 1: A week of talks and toasts April 21-25

In a time of great uncertainty, Torched will always be about people coming together for LA

www.torched.la

April 4, 2025 at 4:45 PM

Reposted by Adam G. Linder

Data + Donuts

@datadonuts.la

Save the Date for a #DataAndDonuts special event, celebrating the 1 year anniversary of @awalkerinla.bsky.social’s Torched newsletter!

🗓️ 4/24/25 from 8-10am

📊 Eric Plosky of #MobilityData will speak about data standards at an international scale.

📍 LACI in #DTLA

🎟️ datadonuts.la/event/data-d...

April 5, 2025 at 3:04 AM

Adam G. Linder

@adamglinder.bsky.social

Cheers. #ShakeyGraves

April 1, 2025 at 5:02 AM

Adam G. Linder

@adamglinder.bsky.social

My #Luigi bound from #WonderCon this weekend. #WonderCon2025 #EatTheRich

March 31, 2025 at 4:25 AM

Adam G. Linder

@adamglinder.bsky.social

My favorite cosplay from this weekend at #Wondercon. This sexy minion was so excited to show me his tape measurer. 🙈😍 #wondercon2025

March 31, 2025 at 4:24 AM

Reposted by Adam G. Linder

Data + Donuts

@datadonuts.la

We’ll bring the donuts, if you bring the data! Jk, we got that too! 📈

Barbara Andres from the City of Santa Monica DoT is our guest speaker this morning, and we hope to see you all here.

March 20, 2025 at 2:43 PM

Adam G. Linder

@adamglinder.bsky.social

My favorite statistic… feelings. 🙄

BART @bart.gov · Mar 17

News: There’s been a decline in the number of riders who say they’ve witnessed fare evasion on BART as we have installed Next Generation Fare Gates in 23 stations in the system.

Meanwhile, participation in the Clipper START discount program is skyrocketing.

Thread⬇️

March 18, 2025 at 1:56 AM

Reposted by Adam G. Linder

jamelle

@jamellebouie.net

"dei medal" you might as well just put "n*gger medal" because that's what they mean to say

Brandon Friedman @brandonfriedman.bsky.social · Mar 16

This is blood-boiling. Charles Rogers was awarded the Medal of Honor in Vietnam after being wounded three times leading the defense of a position.

Google his name and the entry below comes up. When you click, you'll see the page has been deleted and the URL changed to include "DEI medal."

Wikipedia image of Major General (Ret.) Charles C. Rogers

Defense.gov google return: Medal of Honor Monday: Army Maj. Gen. Charles Calvin Rogers

https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/2824721/deimedal-of-honor-monday-army-maj-gen-charles-calvin-rogers/

March 16, 2025 at 4:09 AM

Reposted by Adam G. Linder

Data + Donuts

@datadonuts.la

🍩 One week away from our next Data + Donuts! 📊

🗣️Barbara Andres with the City of Santa Monica!

🗓 March 20th 8:00-10:00am

📍 La Kretz Innovation Campus
525 S Hewitt St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

🎟️ www.eventbrite.com/e/data-donut...

#DataAndDonuts #Networking #GovTech @cityofsantamonica.bsky.social

Data + Donuts with Barbara Andres of the City of Santa Monica

Data + Donuts is a morning speaker series and networking event that brings together the makers and doers that are changing local government.

www.eventbrite.com

March 13, 2025 at 10:07 PM

Adam G. Linder

@adamglinder.bsky.social

I’m at the @uclalewiscenter.bsky.social Inter/Actions forum on Advancing Housing & Transportation Solutions for Compiler.la with @vykster.bsky.social!