It was a night that made it feel like we were finally returning to normal. Four days later I was in bed feeling the symptoms of COVID-19. — “Who left the bag of idiots open? Who drank the bottle of bad ideas?” - Midnight Oil The pandemic, and the seclusion that it forced, hit the music world hard. Tours scheduled prior to the shutdown had to be rescheduled and then rescheduled again, depriving musicians and their crew of…

Dr. Rocio Rivas is headed to a runoff in LAUSD Board District 2 after earning 9,584 votes more than Monica Garcia’s hand-picked successor. — “As a working-class, immigrant Mexican child who grew up in Los Angeles, I understand the importance of an educated mind and directly experienced how the world can open up through learning.” - Dr. Rocio Rivas Accused felon José Huizar began his political career representing LAUSD Board District 2. His Chief…

Even without the endorsement of his union, teacher Marvin Rodriguez has forced incumbent Kelly Gonez into a runoff on November 8, 2022. — “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” - Wayne Gretzky In their stump speeches supporting LAUSD Candidate Dr. Rocio Rivas, both Scott Schmerelson and Jackie Goldberg have both expressed frustration with being in the minority on the LAUSD School Board. Along with George McKenna, they are the board…

Last week may have ended any dreams Nick Melvoin had for using a seat on the LAUSD School Board to jump-start a long political career. — “Voters on the right should know Nick believes parents deserve choices…[including] charter schools.” - Nick Melvoin’s Campaign Site The night before the election, Nick Melvoin got a preview of his standing in the public school community. At the graduation ceremony for Hollywood High School, valedictorian Axel Brito “ripped into Los…

Ignored by the leaders of the city and the school district, a school for young adults with special education needs celebrates its graduates. — “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” - Henry Brooks Adams The graduating class at Hollywood High School was provided with the pomp and circumstance that the occasion deserves. Held at the historic Hollywood Bowl, the LAUSD’s Superintendent, Alberto M. Carvalho, was a featured speaker…

The LAUSD could not silence this brave student as he called out the damage caused by school board members Nick Melvoin, Kelly Gonez, and Monica Garcia. — “Destabilize the status quo.” - Axel Brito Earning the highest Grade Point Average in a class of 300 students is a spectacular achievement. For his hard work, Axel Brito earned the chance to address his classmates at their graduation ceremony and rally them as they all took a step into…

Under Nick Melvoin’s leadership, LAUSD’s Local District West shows a pattern of ignoring the serious concerns of public school parents. — “I felt ignored and not taken seriously.” - Parent at Marvin Elementary When parents send their children to school, they should not be “worried for [their] safety.” If they confront a principal with these concerns, they should be listened to and made to feel like the issues raised will be…

Was it unethical for Luis Sanchez to serve on the LAUSD Redistricting Commission while his wife, Maria Brenes, was planning to run for a board seat? — “We maintain an impartial, unbiased approach to our work.” - LAUSD Redistricting Commission Every ten years, the board districts of the LAUSD are redrawn based on census data. Even though the school district’s boundaries include cities other than Los Angeles and unincorporated portions of LA County, this process is controlled…

Trump-supporting state Assemblywoman opposed a bill to provide universal healthcare in California. She also opposes safe and legal abortions. — “There is only one clear, local choice for State Assembly” - Campaign flyer With the Supreme Court set to overturn Roe V. Wade, eliminating federal privacy protections that women have enjoyed for almost 50 years, it will be left for individual states to protect abortion rights. While 77% of adult…