Latest news with #MariaL.LaGanga
Los Angeles Times
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Phil Willon promoted to California politics editor at the L.A. Times
The following announcement is sent on behalf of Deputy Managing Editor Maria L. La Ganga: I am delighted to announce a key leadership position in our Sacramento office. Phil Willon has been named California politics editor and will oversee The Times' coverage of the California Capitol and state politics. From regional water boards to the White House, Willon has covered nearly every level of government and politicking. In recent years, he has helped guide The Times' coverage of California politics and the state Capitol from the Sacramento bureau. He previously covered Gov. Gavin Newsom, the 2022 and 2018 governor's races and the 2016 U.S. Senate race. Before heading north, Willon covered Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and roamed Southern California's mountains and deserts as the newsroom's state correspondent in the Inland Empire where, years before, he served as the one — and only — L.A. Times Inland Empire edition editor. Prior to joining The Times, Willon served as the Washington, D.C., correspondent for the Tampa Tribune. At the Tribune, he also covered Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles, Hurricane Andrew and the investigation leading to the arrest of serial killer Danny Rolling. He began his newspaper career as the Kent Island correspondent for the Capital in Annapolis, Md. Willon grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from UC San Diego.
Los Angeles Times
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
We asked readers to share their favorite California books. Here's how they responded
Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. Here's what you need to know: We weren't expecting such a huge response when we asked Essential California readers to recommend your favorite California books. But respond you did! How y'all have the time for all this reading, we'll never know. But with longer days ahead, it's time to build up your outdoor reading list. Below you'll find some of our favorite reader recommendations, and a few from the team. We know how hard it is to narrow it down to one or a few of your favorite California books. Maria L. La Ganga, The Times' deputy managing editor for California and Metro, put it best: 'Our amazing country-within-a-state has inspired so many gifted writers in every genre. John Steinbeck, Mark Twain, Amy Tan, John Muir, Joan Didion, Raymond Chandler, Carolyn See, Tommy Orange, and the list goes on and on.' Additionally, every month, the Los Angeles Times publishes a list of titles to consider. This month's list includes a debut novel about womanhood and a cookbook celebrating California's bounty. Now back to your recommendations: Responses have been lightly edited for style and clarity. ''Less Than Zero' by Bret Easton Ellis portrays a version of 1980s L.A. dominated by wealth, excess and emotional detachment, capturing both the allure and emptiness of the city's culture.' — Tyler Jackson 'I just finished reading 'Eternity Street: Violence and Justice in Frontier Los Angeles' by John Mack Faragher. It focuses on the period from 1830-1870 when California changed hands several times. The book is named after the street now called North Broadway. During this period, it was called Eternity Street and had a cemetery at the end of the road.' — Jake Johnson 'Two novels that really struck me are 'The House of Sand and Fog' by Andre Dubus III and 'IQ' by Joe Ide. 'The House of Sand and Fog' is beautifully written, heartbreaking and incredibly topical, even though it came out 25 years ago. It's about immigration and addiction and love and dignity — and real estate. 'IQ' is the first in a series of detective novels. It's the nickname of one Isaiah Quintabe, a brilliant young Black man and kind of modern day Sherlock Holmes. He has a singular, tragic backstory, is a one-of-a kind protagonist and the novels play out in an unusual place: the gritty streets of East Long Beach.' — Maria L. La Ganga, L.A. Times deputy managing editor for California and Metro 'John Steinbeck's 'East of Eden' is one of those books that always comes up in conversation after a few drinks with my fellow book nerds. I can still see Steinbeck's Salinas Valley in my mind even though I read it many summers ago on a beach. And those chapters about Cathy.' — Hunter Clauss, L.A. Times multiplatform editor, newsletters. (Several of you recommended this book.) 'My two favorite California books for two different reasons are 'Parable of the Sower' by Octavia Butler and 'Inherent Vice' by Thomas Pynchon. Butler creates a post-apocalyptic California that feels closer to reality with each passing year, and Pynchon answers a burning literary question in his detective novel: What if Hercule Poirot was a California stoner?' — Christian Orozco, L.A. Times assistant editor, newsletters. (Several of you recommended 'Parable of the Sower.') Tesla's steep fall from California's green darling to a hated target of protests, violence and fires An L.A. Crips leader turned gang interventionist ran a 'mafia-like' enterprise, the feds allege These California coastal cities face heightened flood danger from tsunami, data show More big stories Get unlimited access to the Los Angeles Times. Subscribe here. Point Reyes' historic dairies were ousted after a legal battle. Locals say it's conservation gone mad Environmentalists are celebrating a legal settlement that will close historic family dairies they say are degrading Point Reyes National Seashore. Locals say the settlement shows no understanding of this place and its people. More great reads How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@ Going out Staying in What widely beloved sitcom, set at a Scranton, Pa., paper company and starring Steve Carell, turns 20 this year? Plus nine other questions from our weekly news quiz. Have a great weekend, from the Essential California team Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on
