Latest news with #KarenBass
CBS News
a day ago
- Health
- CBS News
Billionaire philanthropist Wallis Annenberg known for her work in the arts, sciences dies at 86
Wallis Annenberg, the billionaire philanthropist who supported the arts, science, education and animal welfare causes over decades in Los Angeles, died Monday, her family said. She was 86. Annenberg died at home from complications related to lung cancer, the family said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. "Wallis transitioned peacefully and comfortable this morning to her new adventure," the statement said. "Cancer may have beaten her body but it never got her spirit. We will hold her and her wisdom in our hearts forever." Her children and co-directors of the Annenberg Foundation, Lauren Bon, Gregory Weingarten and Charles Weingarten, released a statement saying their mother's generosity will lift people up for "many generations to come." "To the public, she was a dynamic force in philanthropy, to us, she was a mother, grandmother, friend, mentor, and a force of nature whose life and family remain committed to honoring public service," the statement said. Her name adorns institutions across the Los Angeles area, including the Wallis Annenberg Building at the California Science Center, the Wallis Annenberg GenSpace senior center and the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, the world's largest bridge for animals on the move, will open next year over an LA freeway. Mayor Karen Bass said Annenberg's passing affects more than just LA. Bass said that her impact helped transform the city in "profound and lasting ways." "Put simply — Los Angeles is stronger because of her," Bass said. "Her legacy of generosity will live on forever through the many lives changed by her service. My thoughts are with the Annenberg family during this difficult time." During her 16-year tenure as president and chief executive of the Annenberg Foundation, the nonprofit organization has donated about $1.5 billion to thousands of organizations in Southern California, the Times reported. Under Wallis Annenberg's leadership, the foundation expanded its philanthropic scope beyond media, arts and education to include animal welfare, environmental conservation and healthcare. Gov. Gavin Newsom also released a statement saying she was a "visionary who believed not just in a better world but a kinder one." He added that she was committed to helping people connect with each other and her work helepd fund medical research, economic development and environmental protection. "California is better for all that she did, and for her enormous heart and unbelievable generosity," Newsom said. "Jen and I join all those mourning this remarkable woman, but know that her legacy is carried on by her family, the work she accomplished, and the people she empowered to create a better world." Her father, Walter Annenberg, started the foundation after selling his publishing empire, including TV Guide and other publications, in 1989 to Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. Walter Annenberg died in 2002. Wallis Annenberg was a longtime board member of LA's Museum of Contemporary Art and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, or LACMA. In 2002, she gave $10 million to endow LACMA's director position. "Wallis Annenberg blessed the Los Angeles community not only with her philanthropy, but also with her guidance about how to improve our community," said LACMA Chief Executive Michael Govan, who filled that endowed position in 2006. Born in Philadelphia, she moved to Los Angeles in the early 1970s after marrying neurosurgeon Seth Weingarten. The couple divorced in 1975. Wallis Annenberg received the 2022 National Humanities Medal from President Joe Biden for her life in philanthropy. She is survived by four children and five grandchildren.
Fox News
a day ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Bass, Newsom more interested in ‘sheltering' illegal immigrants than rebuilding from fires: Stephen Miller
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass could have used their efforts to safeguard illegal immigrants to rebuild areas of Los Angeles that were devastated by wildfires earlier this year, according to White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller. "For the amount of effort Bass and Newscum have put into sheltering criminal illegal aliens they could have fully rebuilt the Palisades by now with time and money to spare," Miller said in a post on X on Sunday. Bass and Newsom attracted the ire of President Donald Trump in January after massive wildfires ravaged Los Angeles in January. Specifically, Trump accused Bass of "gross incompetence" and said Newsom should resign due to his state's response to the natural disaster. Altogether, Los Angeles suffered roughly $28.0 billion and $53.8 billion in property damage due to the fires, according to the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation's Institute for Applied Economics. Meanwhile, Trump and the California leaders have continued to spar – particularly after Trump chose to deploy and federalize thousands of National Guard troops along with hundreds of Marines in response to riots in LA that broke out in June, following Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests in the city. In response, Newsom blasted the Trump administration for federalizing the National Guard, labeling the move an "unmistakable step toward authoritarianism." The Los Angeles City Council voted in November to establish Los Angeles as a sanctuary city, barring city resources and personnel from assisting with federal immigration enforcement like ICE. Miller also took aim at Bass in a separate post on X on Sunday, in response to an interview she conducted with the New Yorker, where she said that "no city should have to go through an unjustified federal seizure of power." "According to the Mayor of Los Angeles, her city is not part of the federal union, and she is free to import and subsidize infinity illegals," Miller said. Spokespeople for Newsom and Bass did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
LA Mayor Karen Bass finally admits that her trip to Ghana while city burned in wildfires was a mistake
Months after deadly wildfires tore through Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass has finally admitted her trip to Ghana during the crisis was a mistake. In an interview with Vice News, Bass expressed regret for being out of the country while flames destroyed homes, displaced thousands, and scorched over 40,000 acres across Los Angeles and surrounding areas. 'I was asked, "Do I regret going?" Hell yeah,' Bass said. 'I mean, let me just do a comparison. If you are out of town and your kid or a member of your family gets sick or hurt, it doesn't matter where you were or why you were there. You feel horrible.' The mayor had traveled to West Africa as part of a U.S. delegation attending the presidential inauguration in Ghana - despite multiple fire weather warnings issued for Los Angeles prior to her departure. The Los Angeles Times later reported that Bass's team had been made aware of the fire risks before the trip. Still, Bass insists she was caught off guard. 'I'm really not trying to give excuses, but there was no way in the world I knew that the city was in danger when I left,' she said. 'Absolutely no way.' Bass expressed regret for being out of the country while flames destroyed homes, displaced thousands, and scorched over 40,000 acres across Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Pictured: The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, January 7, 2025 Upon returning, Bass said she questioned fire officials about the lack of advance warning. 'I did ask the chief when I came back, like, "Why didn't you tell me?" and basically the response was: "Because we have Santa Anas all the time, and nobody expected hurricane-force winds."' 'I didn't get briefed. That's true,' she admitted. 'But again, people did not anticipate the historic wind. And it wasn't just LA - it was the county too.' Bass said she spent much of the 12-hour flight back to the 'city on fire' on the phone preparing an emergency declaration. She landed back in the U.S. the day after wildfires began ravaging neighborhoods like Pacific Palisades. Despite her admission of 'wrongdoing,' Bass continued to deflect criticism during the interview with Vice News' Shane Smith, shifting blame to the county's fire leadership. 'What typically happens is that if there's going to be a big weather event, there are these briefings that happen,' she explained. 'It's either initiated by the fire department or the emergency department. I was used to the fire chief calling me and telling me, "This is getting ready to happen, come over, I need to brief you." Everything goes into motion. That didn't happen - in the city or in the county.' When she eventually returned from Ghana, the embattled mayor received harsh criticism. In a now-viral moment, Bass was confronted by Sky News reporter David Blevins, who pressed her on why she had traveled abroad while her city was in crisis. But, she refused to answer his questions and walked away. 'Do you owe your citizens an apology for being absent while their homes were burning?' Blevins asked as Bass remained silent. The reporter continued pressing: 'Do you regret cutting the fire department by millions of dollars, Madam Mayor? Have you nothing to say today?' 'Do you think you should've been visiting Ghana while this was unfolding back home?' The controversy deepened after it was revealed Bass had proposed slashing the Los Angeles Fire Department's budget by $23 million in 2024 - the final approved cut amounted to a whopping $17.6 million, Daily Mail previously reported. Amid growing backlash, Bass dismissed Fire Chief Kristin Crowley in February. However, Crowley pushed back, accusing city leaders of failing to support emergency operations during the fires. But, Bass defended her actions during the all-encompassing interview. 'Yes, there were broken fire engines,' she said. 'We find out later that those fire engines were there broken because they're used for spare parts. But there were 40 fire engines that were idle because they didn't have the staff that [Crowley] sent home.' She also insisted the fire department's budget was never truly cut - only delayed during labor negotiations. 'And the budget cut - I don't know the reasons for it - and then the budget cut that never happened,' Bass added. 'What we did when we did the budget was we put money aside for fire because we were in labor negotiations. When the labor negotiations were done, we put it back in the budget. Which is a common thing. We're doing that right now.' Still, Crowley told Fox News she believed city leadership had failed her during the crisis, responding with a firm 'yes' when asked directly if she felt let down by those in charge. Bass's actions were deeply criticized back in January when, as flames spread and families fled, she posted updates on social media from abroad - thanking first responders and sharing shelter resources while physically half a world away. Her visit to Ghana included attending President John Dramani Mahama's swearing-in and meetings with the country's first female vice president. The trip was designed to foster international relationships and cultural ties - but the timing, in the midst of one of LA's worst fire disasters in recent memory, shadowed any intended goodwill.
Los Angeles Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Mayor Bass Issues New Executive Orders to Streamline Wildfire Rebuilding
Six months after the January wildfires, families in Pacific Palisades and surrounding communities are still on the long road home to recovery. On July 23, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued two executive actions she hopes will speed up rebuilding efforts for victims who lost their homes. 'While our recovery is on track to be the fastest in modern California history, I know that nothing will erase the unimaginable pain and loss that the Palisades community has endured,' Mayor Bass said in a press release. 'With debris removal months ahead of expectations, construction underway, and new action taken today to further streamline the rebuilding process, we continue to push forward in our all out effort to get families home.' For many survivors, the permitting process has been frustratingly slow and expensive, adding a level of complexity to their recovery that can be overwhelming. These new orders aim to remove some of the red tape and give residents more flexibility in how they rebuild. Before these new orders, wildfire victims hoping to use recovery as an opportunity to make changes to their homes did not have easy paths for faster permitting. Only homes with a 'like-for-like' build qualified for the city's expedited permitting process. Now, wildfire victims can add more space to their rebuilds or bring their home up to modern standards and add wildfire protection. Bass's executive order allows them to expand, redesign, or add an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to their property as long as their plans meet zoning and environmental requirements. This also applies to properties in the Coastal Zone, which usually undergo complicated and time-consuming reviews. The executive order also waives many local reviews and hearings that previously slowed down the permitting process. But protections for certain requirements, such as bluff setbacks and sensitive habitats, still remain in place. Residents of Altadena, who lost their homes in the Eaton fire, are not covered by these executive orders, since Altadena is located in unincorporated Los Angeles County. Along with more paths for quicker permitting, the city is launching a Pre-Approved Standard Plan Pilot Program. This new virtual library will house a growing collection of code-compliant, architect-designed plans for single-family homes. Homeowners will be able to browse pre-approved designs, select a plan that fits their lot, and submit it for quick permitting. This will reduce the financial burden for some residents by removing the need to hire an architect and pay the cost for a custom plan. This will also reduce the back-and-forth of the city plan review process. The library is expected to go live within the next month, and architects across the city are expected to add their designs as options for residents. The city says new, faster timelines are possible because Mayor Bass's emergency orders have cut out multiple layers of review and set strict deadlines for city departments. Building permit applications for wildfire survivors will be reviewed within 30 days if all necessary paperwork is complete. Inspections will be scheduled in 2 business days and utility releases will be processed in 5 days of approval. To qualify, property owners must have their lot officially cleared of debris. From there, homeowners can rebuild as before, expand or redesign their home, or select a pre-approved plan from the city's upcoming library. Some things remain the same. The city has also clarified that temporary housing is still allowed on properties while homes are being rebuilt. There are some restrictions, but survivors can stay on site in trailer homes and tiny houses during the construction period. If you're considering your options, start by verifying your property's debris clearance and gathering old blueprints or photos of your home to speed up insurance claims, and be ready to answer questions about your project's size or scope during the city's review. Then, determine whether you want to rebuild what you had or take advantage of the opportunity to expand or redesign your home. A pre-approved plan could also save you time or money, so make sure to browse through the library when it's launched, if that is an option you want to explore. Contact the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety at (213) 482-0000 to learn more about how the new rules apply to your property or visit their website for updates.
Fox News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
WATCH LIVE: Tomi Lahren dives into deeply suspicious response to California FireAid scandal
Joel Pollak joins to expose how Governor Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass have prioritized illegal immigrants over California natives.
