Latest news with #KarenGarcia
Los Angeles Times
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Los Angeles Times
Real ID really has a real deadline. Are you ready?
Good morning. Here's what you need to know to start your day. It looks like they actually may be serious this time. After 17 years of extensions, federal officials are adamant that, yes, you will really, really REALLY need REAL ID to board U.S. domestic flights beginning next month. They even have a countdown clock, winding down to the official start of nationwide Real ID enforcement on May 7. 'As of Jan. 1, more than 18.5 million California residents now have their Real ID, compared with last year's January count of 16.9 million according to recent data from the California Department of Motor Vehicles,' my colleague Karen Garcia reported this week. 'There's still a long way to go for the state to reach complete compliance. More than 35 million Californians have either an ID, both an ID and a driver's license, or an ID for people under the age of 16.' If you're among the millions of Californians who haven't made the switch yet (that includes me), Karen put together a short, handy guide. Here's what to know. Real ID isn't the only way to fly domestically Thankfully, there are several other valid forms of ID that the Transportation Security Administration will accept for those of us that put off getting Real ID (or forgot because they never seemed too serious about it). Those include: It seems like the California DMV would prefer you hold off on getting Real ID if you can, so they can process the surge of residents now scrambling to obtain one. A message at the top of their webpage on Real ID states: 'Californians who do not have a REAL ID but already hold a valid passport can comfortably wait to convert to a REAL ID when their driver's license is due for renewal.' California's DMV is adding hours as the deadline approaches You have to apply for Real ID through your local DMV office. In response to the looming federal deadline, 18 offices across the Golden State will open an hour earlier, at 7 a.m., (except Wednesdays) through June 27 for residents who've made an appointment to obtain their Real ID. Here's where: Select DMV offices will be open Saturday, May 3, strictly for Real ID appointments. For more information or to start the appointment process, visit the DMV website. What took so long? The long-delayed nationwide standard for identification was established in 2005, when Congress passed the Real ID Act in a response to the 9/11 attacks. The initial deadline requiring Real ID to travel domestically or enter federal facilities was May 2008. Then came more than a decade and a half of delays and extensions, caused by a number of issues, including public opposition, initial refusal from some states to participate, sluggish bureaucracy, a lack of resources and later a pandemic. Better late than never? Mystery surrounds a man accused of chainsawing trees across downtown L.A. The L.A. Times Festival of Books is back and celebrating its 30th anniversary What else is going on Get unlimited access to the Los Angeles Times. Subscribe here. How an L.A. grocery store's unofficial Instagram blew up — and no it's not Erewhon. What started as a bit has turned the Los Feliz Albertsons into the focus of a beloved neighborhood meme account. Until now, the creators of the account have been a mystery. Here, they tell us why they made it and how it connects the neighborhood. Other must reads How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@ Going out Staying in Email us at essentialcalifornia@ and your response might appear in the newsletter this week. Show us your favorite place in California! Send us photos you have taken of spots in California that are special — natural or human-made — and tell us why they're important to you. Today's great photo is from Times contributor Carlos Jaramillo at a Y2K L.A. quinceañera put on by cultural curator Anita Herrera who uses parties as an artistic medium. Have a great day, from the Essential California team Ryan Fonseca, reporterAndrew Campa, Sunday reporterKevinisha Walker, multiplatform editorChristian Orozco, assistant editorKarim Doumar, head of newsletters Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on
Los Angeles Times
06-04-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
California landlords may have to provide refrigerators, stoves to renters under proposed bill
Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. It's Sunday. I'm your host, Andrew J. Campa. Here's what you need to know: Southern California renters often have a few basic items to secure before moving into a unit. They generally need to provide first and last month's rent along with a security deposit. Two of the less-talked about items, however, are refrigerators and stoves, which are not considered necessities by the state. Many landlords do not offer the appliances to incoming renters, passing on the direct cost to their tenants. That arrangement may be changing in California, due to legislation being proposed in Sacramento. My colleague Karen Garcia broke down the proposed bill and what its passage would mean. Why don't landlords currently provide refrigerators? Simply put, there is no requirement. California law requires any building with a dwelling unit to maintain 'certain characteristics in order to be tenantable.' That means landlords are on the hook for adequate heating and hot water systems. Legally, fridges and stoves are classified as amenities and considered nonessential. That language has made California an outlier. A 2022 Times analysis shows that the number of residents who entered into new leases without fridges and stoves is much higher in California than in any other state. What does the added cost mean? The average monthly rent in the city of Los Angeles is $2,347, higher than the national average of $1,995, according to Zillow. First and last month's rent plus a security deposit can force a new renter to have ready several thousands of dollars just to move in. And much more in wealthier parts of the county, where average rents hover near $4,000 — places like Ladera Heights and Larchmont Village. If they don't come with a fridge, plan to fork out another $600 to $2,300 for a new one, product analysts say, or plunge into the underground fridge market for a used one. Assembly Bill 628 would put landlords in charge of buying and repairing the appliances Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Hawthorne), whose 61st District covers communities from Inglewood to Marina del Rey, introduced AB 628 to make refrigerators and stoves required appliances, not amenities. If passed, landlords would have to provide them starting Jan. 1, 2026. 'We know that people are really struggling out there with the high cost of food, gas, household goods, and on top of that, lots of people spend more than half their income on rent,' she said. Ultimately, McKinnor wants renters to have one less payment to think about when entering a new lease. She said the landlord will be in charge of fixing or replacing a refrigerator and stove, as are now with heaters. Would the new requirement hike up rental prices? In Los Angeles apartments subject to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, landlords can only increase the rent once every 12 months by a limited percentage. There are exceptions to the RSO, though, which include single-family homes, affordable housing, luxury housing units exempted by the Los Angeles Housing Department, rentals built after Oct. 1, 1978, and units in commercial buildings that converted to housing after Oct. 1, 1978. What's its future? The bill is currently being read and amended. It will need to pass both the Assembly and Senate before potentially being signed by the governor in the fall. For more on the bill, read the full story here. Los Angeles fires and recovery Trump administration policies and reactions Crimes, court and policing Entertainment news More big stories Get unlimited access to the Los Angeles Times. Subscribe here. Column One is The Times' home for narrative and long-form journalism. Here's a great piece from this past week: There were no vacancies beneath the old neon Farm House Motel sign last Saturday — no guest rooms at all, in fact. But the 1950s Riverside property, now known as the Farm House Collective, was busier than it has been for decades. By 10 a.m., when a ribbon-cutting marked the Farm House's rebirth as a mini-mall, food hall and music venue, the parking lot was full. More great reads How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@ Going out Staying in Get wrapped up in tantalizing stories about dating, relationships and marriage. She lost her home in the devastating fire that struck Pacific Palisades. She, her daughter and her husband bounced around from hotels to Airbnbs and air mattress. Finally, they found a short-term lease after five weeks, but the damage had been done. Her husband said he needed a break from the chaos, from the drama and from his wife, which sent her into a downward spiral. Would she recover and save her marriage, or will the blaze claim one more casualty? Have a great weekend, from the Essential California team Andrew J. Campa, reporterJoe Mozingo, deputy editor Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on
Los Angeles Times
13-03-2025
- Climate
- Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles is definitely under the weather amid the strongest storm of the week
Good morning. Here's what you need to know to start your day. The worst of this week's atmospheric river storm hit Southern California on Wednesday night and should move out later today. So much rain after devastating fires is always a recipe for potential disaster, so officials have urged residents in some burn zones in Pacific Palisades and Altadena to be prepared to evacuate amid concerns of flooding and mudslides. Here's what you need to know this morning. Preparations Los Angeles County officials said they are well prepared for the rains and are hoping to avoid major problems. Crews have been clearing debris basins so they can capture flows, officials told reporter Karen Garcia. Rainfall forecasts look manageable, but intense downpours and mother nature's unexpected twists leave burn zone residents on edge. The worst of the rain should move out later this morning, but officials are warning of a miserable commute, my colleague Hannah Fry reports. The storm is expected to dump 1 to 2 inches of rain along the coast and up to 4 inches in the valleys at rates that could cause problems. Flooding and mudslides 101 The National Weather Service said the greatest chance of flooding is through Thursday afternoon. There's a 30% to 50% chance of significant flooding and debris flows for areas in the flood watch, particularly the burn scars, said Rose Schoenfeld, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. 'The most likely outcome is that we're going to see shallow to minor debris flows, minor flooding and some amount of ponding and flooding on roadways,' Schoenfeld said. The pounding rain raises the possibility of mudflows, which can occur long after a storm passes, according to this ultimate guide to mudflows from Times reporter Rong-Gong Lin II. It's wet, but also dry Despite recent stories about the rain, the Los Angeles area has experienced a dry winter. As of Monday, downtown L.A. received 5.5 inches of rain since the onset of the typical water year, which began Oct. 1. That is below the average for the winter season that typically sees approximately 11.08 inches. The annual average is 14.25 inches. Indeed, these intense drought-like conditions helped fuel the January firestorms. Where water levels stand Northern California had a fairly wet winter, and that is helping with our water supply. California's snowpack, which supplies a key part of the state's water supply, is now 85% of average for this time of year, my colleague Ian James reports. But scientists told Ian they are seeing a long-term trend as a result of climate change: There's less snow at lower elevations in the mountains. 'That's really a signature of warmer temperatures,' Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA, told Ian. 'There has been precipitation in the mountains in many cases, but that has been more in the form of rain than snow for much of the season.' LAPD cops shot 21 bystanders in 10 years. How does it keep happening? As Trump steamrolls ahead, Democrats see a growing 'heartbeat' of resistance What else is going on Get unlimited access to the Los Angeles Times. Subscribe here. Can fire-gutted suburbs rebuild safer? Here's what the experts say. It might sound counterintuitive, but increased density can actually be safer if structures are built to the latest standards and landscaped with fire-resistant plants, experts say. Simply put, flames have less room and fuel to spread. Other must reads How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@ Going out Staying in It's another rainy day in Southern California. Do you have a favorite book to read when the weather sucks? Email us at essentialcalifornia@ and your response might appear in the newsletter this week. On March 13, 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina became the first pope from the Americas and the first from outside Europe in more than a millennium. Former Times reporter Henry Chu wrote about how the new Pope Francis was immediately confronted with daunting challenges. Have a great day, from the Essential California team Ryan Fonseca, reporterDefne Karabatur, fellowAndrew Campa, Sunday reporterKevinisha Walker, multiplatform editorHunter Clauss, multiplatform editorChristian Orozco, assistant editorStephanie Chavez, deputy metro editorKarim Doumar, head of newsletters Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on
Los Angeles Times
25-02-2025
- Climate
- Los Angeles Times
More big fires will come. Our new newsletter series will help you prepare
Good morning. I'm Karen Garcia, a reporter for the breaking news team. Today I'm filling in for Ryan Fonseca all the way from sunny Redondo Beach. Here's what you need to know to start your day. And here's today's e-newspaper. When people were forced to abandon their cars and flee on foot from the advancing flames of the Palisades fire in the afternoon of Jan. 7, Times staff was there to report on the chaos. Hours later, reporters were in Altadena as fire trucks raced to the Eaton fire, navigating the pitch-black streets. In the weeks that followed the devastation, the entire newsroom worked around the clock to investigate what the fires destroyed, lives that were lost, what state and federal officials were doing to support fire survivors as well as the complicated road to rebuilding. I had the opportunity to offer another type of reporting: I spent my time thinking about how the fires were upending people's lives and what reporting could give Times readers agency in a situation that felt out of your hands. I and several other colleagues began figuring out what questions possible evacuees, fire survivors and the greater community had about the fires and how best to answer them. The questions were: This type of reporting is what I've been passionate about since I joined The Times in 2021 because the goal of these how-to articles and explainers is to provide you with answers to your questions in a way that's easy to understand and can help you solve problems and make decisions about your life. One thing I realized while compiling this work is that readers don't just want to know how to deal with fire disasters in the moment. They want to be able to prepare for the next one. In that spirit, we have compiled all the Los Angeles-area wildfire explainers into a disaster preparedness newsletter guide so that anyone in California and beyond can be better equipped for the worst-case scenario. Sign up here and you'll get installments in your inbox every Thursday with instructions for how to prepare your property, family and yourself. You may be thinking, 'I don't live in a fire-prone area so this information doesn't pertain to me.' It's time to reconsider that assessment. Engineers at UC Irvine found that 'very high wildfire density' hot spots were increasing. Data from 1920 to 1999 showed only one such hot spot: Los Angeles County. Data from 2000 to 2019 showed several. 'In the past 20 years, that designation has expanded greatly in Southern California to include Ventura County, portions of Riverside, San Diego and San Bernardino Counties,' according to the report published in 2021. This finding isn't isolated to just the Golden State. Colorado, Texas, Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico, Idaho and Montana have an increased risk of property damage and loss due to wildfires, according to a recent Statista report. Climate change and suburban sprawl are fueling more dangerous fire behavior. Fifteen of the 20 largest wildfires in California history have occurred since 2000, and 10 of the most costly and destructive fires to life and property in the state have occurred since 2015, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported. What adds fuel to the fire? Wildfires are influenced by a number of factors including temperature, humidity and lack of moisture in trees, shrubs, grasses and forest debris. Warmer and dryer conditions on top of previous drought effects are leading to longer and more active fire seasons. As we experience more destructive fires in our backyards you'll realize there's a lot to think about when it comes to creating wildfire defense for your home, how to prepare in the event of an evacuation, understanding health risks associated with a fire, how to rebuild if the worst happens and how to cope with the devastation. I'm here to walk you through these topics with best practices and experts' guidance so you know how to handle the worst-case scenario and how to support others who experience loss caused by a wildfire. Sign up here, and forward this to your friends, neighbors and relatives. After all, it takes a village. Southern California's wild winter continues Fire debris is washing up on L.A.'s beaches What else is going on Get unlimited access to the Los Angeles Times. Subscribe here. 'We are here; we see you': Making quilts for fire victims resonates far beyond L.A. People from all over the country are donating and sewing quilts for victims of the Eaton fire in Altadena. The quilts feel like a hug. Textile artist Shaadee Ighanian started a grassroots quilt campaign, Stitch by Stitch: Quilts for Altadena, to benefit people in Altadena who lost their homes. She knew she couldn't replace what the Altadena community had lost, but her quilt campaign could offer comfort to people living in temporary housing. 'I thought of it as a gesture to let them know that we are here; we see you,' she said. How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@ Going out Staying in Raymond Ballesteros writes: 'Bob's Burgers!! The characters are so relevant and unique at the same time, and the music is unforgettable and original! My wife and I love watching no-holds-bar animated sitcoms, and this is up there for us!' Email us at essentialcalifornia@ and your response might appear in the newsletter this week. Show us your favorite place in California! Send us photos you have taken of spots in California that are special — natural or human-made — and tell us why they're important to you. Have a great day, from the Essential California team Ryan Fonseca, reporterDefne Karabatur, fellowAndrew Campa, Sunday reporterKevinisha Walker, multiplatform editorHunter Clauss, multiplatform editorChristian Orozco, assistant editorStephanie Chavez, deputy metro editorKarim Doumar, head of newsletters Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on
CairoScene
14-02-2025
- CairoScene
How Karen Garcia Became the Go-To Guide for Mexican Travellers in Egyp
How Karen Garcia Became the Go-To Guide for Mexican Travellers in Egyp When Karen first moved to Egypt from Mexico, she didn't plan on staying. Now, nine years later, she travels around the country, documenting it for Spanish-speaking travellers. When Karen Garcia first stepped onto Egyptian soil on a cool January night in 2016, the plan was simple: teach Spanish for a short while, then move on. But plans, as she quickly learned, have a way of shifting when you're in Egypt. The first week was a blur of uncertainty—loud voices, honking cars, the sheer density of life. For seven days, she barely left the compound where she was staying, wondering if she had made a mistake. But then she allowed herself to step outside. Cairo wrapped itself around her like a chaotic embrace—warm, unfiltered, and full of contradictions. Shopkeepers called out greetings, the scent of freshly baked baladi bread wafted through the air, and— despite the apparent disorder—she found an unexpected rhythm to it all. Her world expanded in ways she hadn't foreseen. A chance encounter led her to begin helping Spanish-speaking travellers navigate Egypt. At first, it was just a favour—friends of friends staying in her spare room, people asking for advice on where to go. Before she knew it, she was collaborating with tour agencies, ensuring Spanish-speaking visitors experienced more than just pyramids and papyrus shops. She wasn't a licensed guide, but she was something else—a bridge between Egypt and people who, like her, were about to discover a whole new world. 'I wish I had someone like me when I first arrived,' Karen tells SceneTraveller. 'It would have made everything easier.' Now, she does for others what she once needed herself. She helps them settle in, find the right places, and get comfortable with the chaos of Cairo. Some stay in her home, renting out a room for a few nights or weeks, and through them, she gets to see Egypt for the first time again and again. 'Sometimes, people arrive feeling overwhelmed, so, if there's one special thing I do, it's to make them feel at home.' Karen's approach is refreshingly unpretentious, which is perhaps the key to her success. She doesn't call herself a guide, nor does she see what she does as a business. 'If I have an extra bed, why not let someone stay? If I'm going to Luxor and someone else wants to come, why not go together?' Yet, despite Karen's nine-year run in the country of pharaohs, she still wavers. Every year, she tells herself she might leave, that this will be the year she moves on. Yet, every year, she stays. The idea of Kuwait or Saudi Arabia hovers on the horizon, but so does something deeper—the realisation that Egypt has shaped her in ways she never anticipated. She no longer fights the system. Where once she bristled at inefficiencies, she now watches a sunset from a stalled taxi and sees beauty instead of delay. 'Every time you go out of your house in Egypt you will have an experience—either good or bad—but you will have something to tell after. That's the magic of this country.' Egypt, she has come to understand, isn't a place you control—it's a place you surrender to. And in that surrender, she has found something close to home.
