MICHAEL R. BLOOD

AP Political Writer
Jonathan Wright, 39, holds up the T-shirt he was given when he first went to MacLaren Children's Center in El Monte as an 8-year-old during a news conference in Los Angeles, June 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Christopher Weber, File)
LA County reaches $4 billion agreement to settle sexual abuse claims at juvenile facilities
Officials say Los Angeles County has reached a $4 billion agreement to settle nearly 7,000 claims of sexual abuse in juvenile facilities since 1959.
 
U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra speaks at the Linen Building in Boise, Idaho, June 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, File)
Biden’s top health official, Xavier Becerra, enters the race to succeed California Gov. Gavin Newsom
Former Biden administration Health Secretary Xavier Becerra is the latest Democrat to join the crowded field seeking to become California’s next governor. Becerra is a former U.S. House member who also served as California attorney general.
 
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, left, welcomes President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump upon their arrival on Air Force One at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)
Amid 2028 speculation, California governor’s podcasts with Trump loyalists anger Democrats
Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing a backlash from members of his own party after a series of podcasts that featured Steve Bannon and other supporters of President Donald Trump. Newsom is a potential 2028 presidential candidate.
 
U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., smiles as she prepares to address supporters at an election night party, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Long Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
Former US Rep. Katie Porter steps into crowded California governor’s race
Former Democratic U.S. House member Katie Porter is entering the crowded 2026 contest for California governor. Porter became a social media celebrity by brandishing a white board at congressional hearings.
 
Former Los Angeles Fire Dept. Chief Kristin Crowley attends a city council meeting Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Former Los Angeles fire chief fails to get job back after ouster following historic deadly wildfire
The former Los Angeles fire chief ousted by Mayor Karen Bass after the most destructive wildfire in city history has failed to reclaim her job. Former Chief Kristin Crowley appealed to the City Council to reverse Bass’ Feb. 21 decision.
 
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley talks during a news conference at Harbor–UCLA Medical Center in the West Carson area of Los Angeles on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)
LA mayor dismisses fire chief over response to most destructive wildfire in city history last month
Six weeks after devastating wildfires, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ousted the city’s fire chief amid a public rift over preparations for the fires and finger-pointing between the chief and City Hall.
 
An array of mirrors at the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating site is shown near Primm, Nev., Aug. 13, 2014. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
11 years after a celebrated opening, massive solar plant faces a bleak future in the Mojave Desert
What was once the largest solar power plant of its type in the world appears headed for closure just 11 years after opening.
 
Cracks emerge in House GOP after speaker’s threat to saddle California wildfire aid with conditions
Some U.S. House Republicans in California are breaking with Speaker Mike Johnson over his suggestion that federal disaster aid be coupled with as-yet unspecified conditions on the wildfire-ravaged state.
 
An aerial view shows the devastation by the Palisades Fire Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 in Malibu, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Ash and other dangers mean LA area residents who fled fires a week ago won’t be going home soon
It could be a week or more before homeowners in the Los Angeles area are allowed to check on their fire-damaged properties.
 
The Palisades Fire burns above a home in Mandeville Canyon, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office confirms wildfire death toll rises to 16
The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office says the confirmed death toll from the wildfires ravaging the area has risen to 16.
 
Los Angeles City Fire Captain Frank Lima, greets Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, as she joins California Governor Gavin Newsom, right, and Senator Alex Padilla, D-Calif., while surveying damage during the Palisades Fire Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, Calif. (Jeff Gritchen/The Orange County Register via AP)
LA Mayor Karen Bass faces critical leadership test as questions emerge about wildfire response
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing withering criticism for her response to the firestorm ravaging her city. Bass was part of a White House delegation to Ghana when the fires erupted and had to fly back on military aircraft.
 
Visitors to the Santa Monica pier look out at smoke from a wildfire in the Pacific Palisades blows over the beach in Santa Monica, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
Far from wildfire flames, residents of sunny Los Angeles go about their lives in disquiet and fear
As fires raged from the seaside enclave of Pacific Palisades to the hillsides above Pasadena — with at least five dead and thousands of homes and other buildings leveled or damaged — residents accustomed to radiant sunshine and balmy weather reckoned with an unsettling reality.
 
FILE -Central Valley Assembly members, Democrat Adam Gray, of Merced, center, and Republican Heath Flora of Ripon, right, confer during the Assembly session at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
Unlikely battleground California plays key role -- again -- in setting US House’s political balance
Democrats and Republicans agreed on at least one thing before November’s election: California would play a central role in determining which party controls the U.S. House. Indeed it did.
 
FILE -Central Valley Assembly members, Democrat Adam Gray, of Merced, center, and Republican Heath Flora of Ripon, right, confer during the Assembly session at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
Democrat Adam Gray captures California’s 13th US House District, ousting Republican Rep. John Duarte
Democrat Adam Gray has won election to a U.S. House seat representing California’s Central Valley, defeating Republican Rep. John Duarte in the final House contest to be determined this year.
 
FILE - House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., greets Derek Tran during a campaign event at Golden Sea Restaurant, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)
Democrat Derek Tran defeats GOP Rep. Michelle Steel in Southern California swing House district
Democrat Derek Tran has defeated two-term Republican U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel in a Southern California House district that was specifically drawn to give Asian Americans a stronger voice on Capitol Hill.
 
FILE - Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
Tight US House races in California as GOP maintains control over the chamber
Republicans and Democrats are clawing for crucial U.S. House victories in California even as the GOP has now clinched control of the chamber. In a rematch from 2022, Rep.
 
FILE – U.S. Rep. David Valadao, R-Calif., poses for a photo in Washington on Jan. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
Republican David Valadao, Democrat George Whitesides win US House races in California
Republican Rep. David Valadao has won reelection in California’s 22nd Congressional District, defeating Democrat Rudy Salas for the second time.
 
FILE - Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif., departs as Republicans meet to decide who to nominate to be the new House speaker, Oct. 24, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Last GOP congressman anchored in Democratic LA county concedes in race against former NASA exec
Whitesides said in a statement that he had spoken with Garcia and thanked him for his service to the district and the nation. He said he would fight in Congress for good jobs and lower household costs.
 
FILE - U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., a candidate for the U.S. Senate, talks to the media on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Glendale, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes,File)
California Democrat Adam Schiff wins US Senate seat long held by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein
Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff has won the California U.S. Senate seat long held by the late Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein. The Los Angeles-area congressman defeated Republican former baseball star Steve Garvey after a low-key campaign.
 
FILE - State Sen. Dave Min, D-Irvine, listens as lawmakers discuss a bill before the Senate at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., July 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
Tight races emerge in key California congressional districts that could determine House control
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rival candidates were closely matched Tuesday in a string of hotly contested U.S.
 
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a campaign rally at the Calhoun Ranch, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Coachella, Calif. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Donald Trump holds a rally in California, a state he’s almost certain to lose
The White House election is expected to come down to battlegrounds such as Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. So why did Donald Trump venture into California on Saturday, just weeks before Election Day?
 
Former MLB star Garvey makes play for Latino votes in longshot bid for California US Senate seat
Republican former baseball star Steve Garvey is making a late-hour push for Latino support in his longshot U.S. Senate campaign against Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff.
 
FILE - Vice President Kamala Harris is reflected in a table as she speaks while meeting with state legislators about protecting reproductive rights, Friday, July 8, 2022, in her ceremonial office inside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
What do marijuana, the death penalty and fracking have in common? Harris shifted positions on them
Politicians often recalibrate in the face of shifting public opinion and circumstance. Across two decades in elected offices, Vice President Kamala Harris is no exception.
 
Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz acknowledges the cheering crowd after speaking at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Convention in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Walz launches 5-state fundraising blitz in LA, warns Trump will wage ‘war’ on working people
Kicking off a five-state fundraising swing, Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz warned a second administration under Donald Trump would wage “war” on working people while threatening Medicare and Social Security.
 
FILE - A man walks past a homeless encampment in downtown Los Angeles, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
Takeaways from AP’s story on inefficient tech slowing efforts to get homeless people off the streets
Los Angeles is the nation’s epicenter of homelessness, where more than 45,000 people live in weather-beaten tent encampments and rusting RVs.
 
FILE - A tarp covers a portion of a homeless person's tent on a bridge overlooking the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
Can tech help solve the Los Angeles homeless crisis? Finding shelter may someday be a click away
Can tech help solve Southern California’s homeless crisis? A Los Angeles nonprofit is developing software intended to revolutionize shelter and services in the nation’s epicenter of homelessness.
 
FILE - Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux speaks during a news conference in Visalia, Calif., Feb. 3, 2023. Boudreaux suspended his campaign for the U.S. House seat once held by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California and endorsed a fellow Republican, Rep. Vince Fong, who captured a May 2024 special election to fill out the remainder of McCarthy's term. (Ron Holman/The Times-Delta via AP, File)
Sheriff suspends bid for US House seat once held by ex-Speaker McCarthy
A Central California sheriff has suspended his campaign for a U.S. House seat once held by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The move by Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux clears the way for a fellow Republican — Rep.
 
People sleep outside their tents set on the sidewalk early morning Wednesday, June 26, 2024 in the West Lake area of Los Angeles. The number of homeless residents counted in Los Angeles County has dipped slightly, decreasing by about 0.3% since last year as California continues to struggle with the long-running crisis of tens of thousands of people sleeping in cars and encampments. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Number of homeless residents in Los Angeles County decreases in annual count
The number of homeless residents counted in Los Angeles County has dipped slightly, decreasing by about 0.3% since last year as California continues to struggle with the long-running crisis of tens of thousands of people sleeping in cars and encampments.
 
FILE - An aerial photo shows the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, California's last nuclear power plant, in Avila Beach, Calif., June 20, 2010. On Thursday, June 13, 2024, former state and federal officials joined environmentalists to spotlight soaring cost estimates for keeping the plant running beyond 2025. (Joe Johnston/The Tribune via AP, File)
California legislators break with Gov. Newsom over loan to keep state’s last nuclear plant running
The California Legislature is signaling that it could cancel a $400 million loan payment to help finance a longer lifespan for the state’s last nuclear power plant. The votes in the state Senate and Assembly exposed a rift with Democratic Gov.
 
FILE - Bakersfield Assemblyman Vince Fong addresses supporters March 9, 2024, in Bakersfield, Calif. Fong and Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, both Republicans, are vying for the vacant 20th Congressional District seat in the state's Central Valley farm belt. That's the seat formerly held by Kevin McCarthy. (John Donegan/The Bakersfield Californian via AP, File)
California lawmaker Vince Fong wins special election to finish ousted House Speaker McCarthy’s term
A Republican California legislator backed by former President Donald Trump has won a special election to complete the remainder of the term of deposed former U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, which runs through January.
 
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