Civic participation on the Westside of Los Angeles happens through a patchwork of neighborhood councils, community councils, and neighborhood associations — each operating within different city structures but sharing a common purpose: giving residents a direct line into local government decisions. Understanding who these bodies are, where they operate, and what authority they actually hold...

One of the most closely watched races on the Los Angeles June 2, 2026 ballot is playing out right here on the Westside. Three candidates have filed to run for the District 11 seat — incumbent Councilwoman Traci Park, Faizah Malik, and Jeremy Wineberg. For residents of Venice, Mar Vista, Playa del Rey, Westchester, and...

The California coast belongs to everyone. That’s the foundational promise of the California Coastal Act of 1976 — one of the most powerful land use laws in the nation. But for decades, that promise has fallen unevenly across racial and economic lines. Low-income communities and communities of color have historically faced the greatest barriers to...