Alvin Cailan

Southern California saw its fire risk zones expand by 3.5 million acres in CalFire’s new hazard maps. Homeowners in those areas must now meet safety standards.

Invasive plants are overrunning the Santa Monica Mountains, making fires more destructive and more frequent. Thus, conservationists are trying to grow more native species.

Alex Ballantyne, the subject of the LA documentary “ Possible Selves ,” compares losing his home in the fires to his feelings while in foster care.

Psychologist Tracy Dennis Tiwary says anxiety is on the rise, but avoiding emotional distress only makes us weaker, more fragile and increases anxiety levels.

Fast food workers lose about 16% of their pay every year, a new Northwestern University study found.

Kiso has opened at the site of the oldest gay bar in the urban core. It’s part of a renaissance of queer spaces in Downtown and across the city.

Zach Braff reflects on 20 years of the “Garden State OST,” China Miéville talks 25 years of “Perdido Street Station,” and Cristin Milioti has The Treat.

Housing costs are pushing school employees away from the neighborhoods where they work, creating long commutes and high turnover. LAUSD wants to build them housing nearby.

Utopian vision and how it influenced Black thinkers and leaders in the 1960s is discussed by sociologist Ruha Benjamin and author Aaron Robertson.