Group texts show Downey City Council routinely violates California’s open meeting laws
By most accounts, Downey City Council is a sinking ship: Mayor Blanca Pacheco has faced allegations of corruption by her own Council...
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Political Life
Apr 12, 20225 min read
Other than Robert and Cristina Garcia, who else is running for the 42nd Congressional District?
Without an incumbent on the ballot, the race to represent California’s newly drawn 42nd Congressional District is one of the most...
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Political Life
Feb 10, 20224 min read
Texts show El Monte Council Member Morales, a USC diversity officer, harassing senior citizen
El Monte City Council Member Dr. Maria Morales was elected in 2018 as a member of “Team El Monte,” a political action committee headlined...
5,145 views
Political Life
Dec 14, 20214 min read
Records reveal El Monte paying City Attorney 2.29 million in 2021
Political Life has been covering developments in El Monte, California for well over a year. Notably, we interviewed the former City Clerk...
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Political Life
Nov 16, 20214 min read
As Downey's Blanca Pacheco draws scrutiny over El Monte contract, texts add intrigue
Downey City Council Member Blanca Pacheco, who usually escapes criticism at Council meetings in light of the controversies surrounding...
1,265 views
Political Life
Nov 5, 20212 min read
Alleging assault by Downey's Mayor, noted City critic files $120,000 claim
Armando Herman is the most notable and the longest-running critic at Downey City Council. He speaks at every meeting, at every...
1,610 views
Political Life
Oct 9, 20213 min read
Following protests of Hilda Solis, El Monte's City Manager, Attorney push to punish protestors
El Monte has become the latest L.A. County City to limit engagement between residents and members of local government. At the October...
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Political Life
Sep 10, 20212 min read
Cudahy, Downey, Whittier Council Members attend anti-Newsom Larry Elder event
Larry Elder, the leading Republican candidate to replace California Governor Gavin Newsom in the recall election, stopped in Downey on...
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Political Life
Sep 7, 20212 min read
Whittier community rallies against Newsom recall, plans Larry Elder protest in Downey
On Labor Day 2021, community members from Whittier and the surrounding South/East Cities rallied against the recall of Governor Gavin...
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Political Life
Sep 7, 20214 min read
Downey pays out $10,000 to settle lawsuit involving Council Member Alvarez
Political Life has obtained a copy of a $10,000 settlement agreement in a lawsuit involving Downey Council Member Catherine Alvarez and...
1,661 views
Political Life
Aug 24, 20213 min read
“Smells like the Bell scandal”: As water rates increase, Central Basin raises Manager’s salary
Consumers across the Southeast L.A. region have been voicing opposition to rising water rates. Now, Political Life has learned that...
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Political Life
Aug 10, 20213 min read
El Monte’s newest Council Member caught deleting public records
Martin Herrera is El Monte’s newest Council Member. His recent Facebook posts show that he has attended almost all City events in the...
1,115 views
Political Life
Jul 25, 20213 min read
Downey Mayor plans to push Council vote on DA Gascón
In the closing minutes of the heated Downey City Council Meeting on July 13th, Downey City Mayor Claudia Frometa disclosed her intent to...
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Political Life
Jun 10, 20212 min read
Court rejects bid from Water Board majority to stop official from using letterhead
An L.A. Superior Court Judge has tossed a request to restrain Water Director Leticia Vasquez-Wilson from using the letterhead of the...
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Political Life
Jun 8, 20211 min read
Lakewood City Council boosts its monthly pay to more than average apartment in City
The Lakewood City Council is set to boost its monthly pay to $1,731.00. The amount represents more than the average 1-bedroom apartment...
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Political Life
May 27, 20212 min read
Activists protest Downey Mayor’s support of Israel
During the May 25h, 2021 meeting of the Downey City Council, around two dozen pro-Palestine protesters rallied in opposition to Mayor...
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Political Life
May 23, 20212 min read
In response to water contamination, constituents protest Santa Fe Springs official
On Saturday May 22nd, 2021, a group of water activists protested outside the Downey home of Santa Fe Springs Public Works Director Neo...
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Political Life
Apr 23, 20214 min read
Downey Mayor orders City Manager to take belongings from the homeless
In recent comments at City Council, Downey Mayor Claudia Frometa has mentioned being concerned about "transient activity in the evening...
2,159 views
Political Life
Apr 13, 20212 min read
Pico Rivera and Bell mobile home parks battle rent hikes
The struggle for the right to housing in Southeast Los Angeles is now taking the form of alliances between residents of different mobile...
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Political Life
Mar 21, 20213 min read
Downey City memo proves PFAS contamination, as Coca-Cola continues to export City water
For decades, Downey’s City Council has prided itself on the quality of Downey’s groundwater. Yet, in 2011, resident Andrew Davis...
2,722 views
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