Laura J. Nelson

Staff Writer

Laura J. Nelson covers transportation and mobility issues across Southern California. She was part of the team of reporters awarded the Pulitzer Prize in breaking news for coverage of the 2015 terrorist attack in San Bernardino. Before joining The Times in 2012, Nelson wrote for the Boston Globe, the Tampa Bay Times and the Los Angeles Daily News. She grew up in suburban Kansas City in a family of journalists and graduated from the University of Southern California.

Latest From This Author

California

Light rail to Long Beach will reopen soon — but it won’t be called the Blue Line

California

Light rail to Long Beach will reopen soon — but it won’t be called the Blue Line

The Metro rail line between Long Beach and downtown will reopen Nov. 2 and get a new name: the A Line. The reopening includes three free days of rides.
California

Should Uber and Lyft drivers earn $30 per hour? Los Angeles will study a minimum wage

California

Should Uber and Lyft drivers earn $30 per hour? Los Angeles will study a minimum wage

Los Angeles will consider a $30 hourly wage for Uber and Lyft drivers
California

Uber says LAX’s new pickup system could cause long waits and traffic jams

California

Uber says LAX’s new pickup system could cause long waits and traffic jams

The new pickup area for Uber, Lyft and taxis at LAX may not be big enough to accommodate rider demand, Uber says.
California

San Fernando Valley residents return home as Saddleridge fire containment grows

California

San Fernando Valley residents return home as Saddleridge fire containment grows

Tens of thousands of L.A. residents who fled the Saddleridge fire returned home this weekend as Santa Ana winds died down and cool ocean breezes helped firefighters boost containment.
California

Moving Uber and Lyft at SFO created chaos — at first. Can LAX avoid it?

California

Moving Uber and Lyft at SFO created chaos — at first. Can LAX avoid it?

SFO’s rocky start offers a cautionary tale to Los Angeles International Airport, which will ban Uber, Lyft and taxi pickups from the curb in three weeks.

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How to handle the new LAX Uber, Lyft and taxi pickup system
California

Will ending curbside pickups for Uber, Lyft and taxis help LAX’s traffic?

California

Will ending curbside pickups for Uber, Lyft and taxis help LAX’s traffic?

Starting Oct. 29, curbside pickups for Uber, Lyft and taxi rides will be banned. Travelers leaving LAX will need to board a shuttle bus to a parking lot next to Terminal 1 to catch a ride. Drop-offs at the curb will still be allowed.

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LAX ban on taxi, Uber and Lyft curbside pickups irks passengers: ‘It’s inconvenient’
California

Over critics’ objections, L.A. Metro approves $4.4 million for South Bay internet project

California

Over critics’ objections, L.A. Metro approves $4.4 million for South Bay internet project

Cities say linking municipal buildings with fiber-optic cable will allow government employees to telecommute, reducing traffic congestion.
California

L.A. Metro is running fewer Expo Line trains. Riders say they feel like sardines

California

L.A. Metro is running fewer Expo Line trains. Riders say they feel like sardines

Some trains between Santa Monica and downtown L.A. have been so crammed that passengers with bicycles, wheelchairs and strollers have been stranded on platforms.
California

California boat fire victims: United by a love for ocean, taken in tragedy. These are their stories

California

California boat fire victims: United by a love for ocean, taken in tragedy. These are their stories

The passengers of the Conception dive boat ended their second day in the waters off the California coast with a nighttime swim, exploring a lush, watery world populated with coral and kelp forests.

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Boat where 34 died was a ‘fire trap’ despite passing inspections, experts say. It’s far from alone

Smoke likely killed 34 trapped below deck in California boat fire, raising new questions about origin point
California

100 rainbow ‘halos’ on Los Angeles street corners will honor people killed in car crashes

California

100 rainbow ‘halos’ on Los Angeles street corners will honor people killed in car crashes

Rainbow art installations honor people who died in L.A. traffic crashes