Dakota Smith covers City Hall for the Los Angeles Times. She is part of the team that won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize in breaking news for reporting on a leaked audio recording that upended City Hall politics. She joined the newsroom in 2016 and previously covered City Hall for the Los Angeles Daily News. She is a graduate of Lewis & Clark College and lives in Los Angeles.
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In a letter sent to his colleagues, Council President Paul Krekorian said Price and De León would each be added to four committees. He gave no explanation for his action.
May 8, 2024
The Los Angeles mayor has criticized the university for lacking a better security plan, which led to the attack by a violent mob of counterprotesters on an encampment of pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
May 8, 2024
The Bureau of Sanitation is seeking the council’s support for seven sewer fee hikes between now and 2028, more than doubling the amount charged to homes and businesses.
May 4, 2024
The report described a workplace culture that encouraged DWP staff to keep their ‘heads down’ and ‘curry favor’ with management to advance professionally and maximize their pensions.
April 27, 2024
The DWP panel backed a $750,000 salary for proposed General Manager Janisse Quiñones, far higher than the $447,000 earned by the current manager.
April 24, 2024
Faced with rising salary costs and weak revenue growth, Mayor Karen Bass also proposed the elimination of more than 2,100 vacant city positions.
April 22, 2024
Philanthropic and real estate leaders react with hope and skepticism to Mayor Karen Bass’ plan to use outside donations to buy real estate.
April 21, 2024
Three L.A. City Council members assailed a deal to hike the pay of police officers. They’re much more enthusiastic about raises for other city workers.
April 20, 2024
The panel previously rejected a proposed settlement of $11,250 for Moonves because commissioners wanted a tougher penalty. The $15,000 fine approved Wednesday was the maximum allowed.
April 17, 2024
The pitch comes as Bass is working to break a logjam that has limited the city’s ability to move homeless Angelenos out of hotels and into apartments they can afford.
April 16, 2024