city

Los Angeles police solved more than two thirds of all homicides citywide in 2025, a year that ended with the fewest number of slayings in six decades, according to statistics presented by local authorities on Thursday.

Of the 230 homicides logged in areas patrolled by the LAPD, officials said that 156, or 68%, were considered solved. By the department’s definition, a homicide can be “cleared” through an arrest or other factors, including if the killing was deemed legally justified or the suspect dies. Whether the case results in criminal charges or a conviction is not part of the department’s methodology.

Factoring in the 78 homicides from past years that were solved in 2025, the clearance rate rose to 101%, officials said.

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said the department’s success in solving homicides was the result of more data-driven actions against the relatively small number of individuals responsible for an outsize proportion of violent crimes, as well as collaboration with federal law enforcement and other agencies.

McDonnell pointed to an 8% reduction in the number of gunshot victims citywide, a decline he attributed to a significant increase in the number of guns seized by police. In 2025, LAPD officials recovered 8,650 firearms, 1,000 more than the previous year, he said. Gang killings still account for most of the city’s homicides, but are far below where they were in years past, officials said.

The chief said police need to remain diligent since “every life lost was one too many.” The trends for other categories of violent crime were a “mixed bag,” he said, and concerns about property crimes such as burglary and vehicle thefts remain ongoing.

He said that the declining numbers were proof that a depleted department, stretched thin by low recruitment numbers and recent protests and wildfires, was still performing admirably. At the same time, he acknowledged that the decline was likely also the result of other factors that govern the ebb and flow of crime.

Historically, experts have cast a skeptical eye on police-driven explanations for clearance rates, arguing that community attitudes and behaviors, prosecutors’ thresholds for filing homicide charges, and other variables may have more to do with solving homicides more than any particular law enforcement model.

The homicide tally marked the city’s lowest total since 1966, when the city’s population was nearly a third smaller. The downturn mirrors precipitous drops in many other large cities nationwide last year — and has sparked a range of theories about what’s going on.

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, right, points to statistics showing an increase in the homicide clearance rate, a measure of how often detectives are marking investigations as closed.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

For those who view violent crime as a public health issue, the steep decrease is rooted in powerful social forces that are far beyond the control of law enforcement. Those factors include the return of social services that declined during the pandemic, and fatigue from decades of bloodshed.

Still others say it’s simply a matter of numbers: with lighter caseloads, homicide detectives have more time to thoroughly investigate each new killing.

Sal Labarbera, a former supervisor of detectives in South Bureau homicide, called the citywide solve rates a “beautiful” achievement.

“This is how it’s supposed to be. When murders are down, reinforce the teams and solve the older cases. In the past, when homicides were down, they sometimes took detectives away from homicide investigations,” he said. “It’s especially extraordinary considering the number of sworn officers are decreasing.”

According to statistics maintained by the state Department of Justice, homicide clearance rates statewide have hovered around 60% over the past decade, with a high of 64.6% in 2019 and a low of 54.5% in 2021. In Los Angeles, the percentage of slayings that have been solved rose slightly from 2024, but was down from the 79.9% clearance rate that the department achieved in 2023.

The data presented at a news conference Thursday didn’t offer a breakdown of how last year’s solve rates differed geographically in the department’s 21 patrol areas.

A HUGE new food, drink and music venue is coming to Leeds – after success in another major city.

Freight Island has announced it’s opening a new site in the Trinity Leeds shopping centre and will welcome new food stalls and lots of entertainment.

The new venue is part of a £15million expansion at the Trinity Kitchen food court in the Trinity Leeds shopping centre.

It will be huge too as the space will more than double in size from 30,000 square feet to 63,000.

Inside will be street-style food stalls, independent bars, and live entertainment.

The plans also include a new outdoor terrace which will look over City Square.

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Construction is set to start in late spring 2026 – and Trinity Kitchen will remain open throughout the entire time.

Dan Morris, Managing Director of Freight Island, said: “Trinity Kitchen is an iconic Leeds destination with a decade-long reputation for championing independent food traders and creating a genuinely social dining experience.”

He added: “Food will remain at the heart of the venue, with menus driven by independent chefs and operators, alongside a programme of DJs, sports, performances, cultural and family events, all with a strong focus on showcasing and supporting local Leeds talent.”

There are three other cities with Freight Islands already in the UK.

The first to open its doors was in Manchester – it opened in July 2020 as part of the Depot Mayfield development.

There are bars, restaurants, food trucks, shops and even a bike park.

There’s also a New York inspired-roller disco, and a karaoke spot called Queen Samantha’s where visitors can sing their hearts out.

Throughout the year it holds free entertainment too like screenings of the Six Nations Bingo and Drink, Dance, Dine sessions.

Freight Brixton has a tequila-led bar called Casa Amigos and another called Hotel Milano which is inspired by Northern Italy.

Freight Island Newcastle will open in Eldon Square in late 2026.

The 60,000 square foot venue is being developed in the former Debenhams shop.

This site is said to have taken inspiration from Coney Island in New York and Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen.

Along with having street food it will have high energy DJs and live music performances in the evenings.

For more on entertainment, check out this huge new riverfront music and food attraction to open in UK capital, as part of £4billion redevelopment.

Plus, this popular London borough to get huge £10billion makeover with parks, restaurants and ‘flower amphitheatre’.

YOU might think a holiday city break with the entire family would be an expensive staycation – but I’ve found a cheap way to do it.

My family of five stays in a different UK city or town every February half-term for less than £50, thanks to a cheap-as-chips offer from the Youth Hostel Association.

What we especially love about our little break away is that we can get a room in a beautiful building in a luxury location for very little money.

Family rooms and cabins are already pretty affordable at this time of year anyway and the annual YHA January Sale discount code takes an extra 20 per cent off, which makes it incredible value for money.

The deal is still running and covers February half-term and the Easter holidays, so you can take a trip to city, countryside or coastal hostels during the school holidays for next to nothing. 

We love a city break at this time of year as it’s the perfect way to while away the grey days. Generally there are very few tourists about and we can normally find lots of free stuff to do indoors at museums and the like. 

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My favourite was when we stayed at YHA Chester Trafford Hall a couple of years ago, as that was the perfect blend of city and countryside.

It was glorious to be greeted by a carpet of snowdrops as we arrived at the hostel, an old Georgian mansion set in lovely grounds.

You can hop on the bus nearby to get into the city centre in less than half an hour and go for a wander through the historic streets, taking in Roman ruins and the Rows, covered wooden walkways that allow access to shops at first-floor and street level, a famous feature of the city since medieval times. 

Our family room only cost £29.25 (£5.85pppn) and another great element of a hostel stay is that there’s generally a self-catering kitchen, a restaurant where kids eat for £1 and a games room.

We can choose whether to cook for ourselves or order from the restaurant menu and the boys have somewhere to entertain themselves while waiting for food.

It’s lovely staying somewhere that’s got a bit of character and seeing a historic building given a new lease of life for the 21st century.

And it’s great to chat to other guests using the communal areas and pick up tips for where to visit next.

This February, we’re heading for Canterbury to stay in a cosy log cabin for just £34 a night for the five of us – which works out at £6.80 each.

We can’t wait to check out the sights, including the historic cathedral, and hopefully head to the Kent coast if the weather is okay.

It was a bit of a toss up between Canterbury and staying at the iconic Albert Docks in Liverpool for just £28 for a room for four people.

I’ve been visiting this northern powerhouse since I was a child and I love the warm Scouse welcome we always get when we go back.

So if you want to follow in the footsteps of the Beatles or take a ferry across the Mersey, this could be the perfect base for you. 

YHA Manchester also has £40 rooms for a family of five and its canalside location is just a 15-minute walk from the city centre.

One year, we took a trip to YHA Bath, another gorgeous Georgian villa a walk or bus ride away from the city centre.

Bath can get pretty crowded once the weather warms up so going in February is perfect if you don’t want too much hustle and bustle. A stay in a family room there is £72 during half-term.

Using a youth hostel as a base can also be a really affordable way to visit the capital over in the holidays. We stayed in a log cabin at YHA Lee Valley one February, which is next to Cheshunt railway station, where trains stop en route to Liverpool Street.

It was slightly surreal waking up in a nature reserve surrounded by birdsong and then being in the heart of the city within half an hour. The best London deal I’ve spotted for this half-term is at YHA Earls Court, where a six-bed family room costs just £48.

If you’re not a fan of city breaks, the January sale discount code also works for lots of the Lake District hostels and other countryside locations, which often have outdoor cabins and glamping options as well as family rooms. 

We visit YHA Stratford-upon-Avon most years to stay in the deluxe camping pods behind the main building.

They’ve got a little kitchenette and a built-in shower room with toilet, so the pods are a lovely place to get a bit of peace and quiet, before heading into town to enjoy some of the tourist hotspots before they get busy later in the year.

We’ve stayed for less than £20 a night for all of us before, but this half-term, the pods cost £48 using the sale code.

You really can’t beat a YHA stay if you want to bag a bargain and take the family away for a night in half-term for next to nothing. 

For more budget stays here are the UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks, B&Bs and pubs from just £22 a night.

And if you’re heading abroad – here are the most popular hotels in the loveholidays sale with rooftop pools and beautiful beaches… and holidays from £149.

Manchester City’s Kerstin Casparij has been chatting about her life on and off the field – and treating BBC Sport’s ex-England star Alex Scott to her Dutch homeland delicacy oliebollen.

Watch the full episode of Eat & Yap on BBC iPlayer.

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A MAJOR character from Sex and the City was seen looking sexier than ever.

The SATC heartthrob was spotted out and about walking his dogs, and honestly, he’s still looking good more than 20 years after his Sex and the City days.

The 58-year-old actor, who played Carrie’s writer boyfriend, was rocking a seriously shaggy beard during the low-key outing.

Ron Livingston, the star behind the oft-debated Jack Berger character in the series, threw on a blue flannel shirt for the casual dog walk.

Yeah, that’s the guy who had the audacity to break up with Carrie using a Post-it note that said, “I’m sorry. I can’t. Don’t hate me.”

That Post-it breakup is still one of the most talked-about moments in the entire series, and an iconic moment in television history.

For the walk in Hollywood, he added baggy blue jeans to his flannel shirt, a white undershirt, and some dark red leather sneakers.

Wife and fellow actor, Rosemarie DeWitt, joined him on the dog walk in a sporty black and white look with a floppy hat.

Ron’s joked before that he got “death threats from scrunchie nation” after another scene where Berger defended a woman’s hair scrunchie.

Berger is also the one who dropped the legendary, “He’s just not that into you,” line on Miranda during that dinner with all the girls.

Since his SATC days, Ron’s been busy with stuff like The Conjuring, Boardwalk Empire, and his hit show, Loudermilk.

Ron was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and attended Yale along with Anderson Cooper, while singing in the a capella group, the Whiffenpoofs.

He first became known for his lead role as Peter Gibbons in the classic American movie, Office Space.

He’s also well-known for playing Captain Lewis Nixon in Band of Brothers, the HBO war series, for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe.

Unlike SJP, Ron’s kept his personal life pretty private compared to when he was in the Sex and the City spotlight.

He married Rosemarie in 2009, and the pair have two children together.

This casual dog-walking look shows he’s totally fine living a chill life away from all the Hollywood craziness.

Fans were pumped to see him looking good and living his best life.

That shaggy beard gives him a totally different vibe from his clean-cut Berger days — more rugged and distinguished now.

Even after more than 20 years, SATC fans still remember Berger as one of Carrie’s most memorable boyfriends before she met Petrovsky and ended up with Mr Big.

DID you know there’s a town in the UK that is twinned with Disney World?

While Swindon is often overlooked as a destination, it is now even bidding to replace Bradford to be the latest current UK City of Culture.

Every four years, places in the UK are crowned the City of Culture – which in this case will come with £10million of government funding for arts and events.

Swindon is going up against the likes of Plymouth and Portsmouth for the crown in 2029.

One hope would be to rebrand the town, even Council leader Jim Robbins said: “I’m bored of just reading those same, old negative comments about Swindon.”

Despite it being slated, the town actually has a number of big claims to fame.

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Back in 2010, Swindon was surprisingly twinned with Florida‘s Disney World after a competition.

Beating 24 other British towns, a promotional video compared the town’s famous Magic Roundabout the the Disney teacup ride.

Afterwards, a plaque at the park read: “Swindon, Wiltshire, UK, the Walt Disney World resort, sharing the magic 2010.”

Not only did British band Oasis took their name from the town’s now-closed Oasis Leisure Centre, but it was mentioned in the BBC‘s The Office starring Ricky Gervais.

And it was was even used as a backdrop for two James Bond movies.

Pierce Brosnan filed scenes in The World is Not Enough at the former Motorola building.

He reportedly called the town a ‘great place’ during his stay – he was spotted at the Chiseldon House Hotel and local pubs.

And Roger Moore also filmed scenes in Swindon at the iconic Renault Building, which is now the Spectrum Building for A View to Kill.

If any of that still hasn’t tempted you, let’s see what Swindon has to offer…

Street Art

Swindon is an artistic town with 127 murals scattered about the town.

There’s a long-standing tradition of street art here which was originally spurred by local artist Ken White in the 1970s.

The most well-known mural in Swindon is the Golden Lion Bridge on the corner of Corporation Street and Fleming Way, dating back to 1976 although was restored last year,

If you want to see the murals, head to StreetArtCities which has all the details – and a handy map so you can see them all.

Kids Activities

High Score Arcades Swindon is a new arcade with over 80 games and for £12.50, you get free reign over all of them for one hour.

There’s old-school classics like Space Invaders and PAC-Man, to pinball, sports games and the newest arcade fun; there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Another place perfect for entertaining the kids, especially during half-term is Roves Farm which has an indoor play and activity barn with huge slides, tunnels and soft play.

It’s also a working farm so there are lots of animals to see too.

Parks and Playgrounds

Swindon is more than a busy town – it’s actually got wide open spaces and some pretty parks.

Lydiard Park is 260 acres and has a Palladian House, a church, Walled Garden, hotel and restaurant.

Throughout the year events are held at Lydiard Park and in the summertime there’s open air theatre, live music and an outdoor cinema.

There’s also an outdoor play area with a huge climbing frame, plenty of slides, poles and rope ladders.

Next to the play area is the Forest Café which serves hot and cold drinks, snacks, pastries, soups, jacket potatoes and toasted panini.

When the weather warms up an Ice Cream Parlour opens next door.

Day ticket entry to Lydiard Park for adults is £6.70, and £3.65 for children (age 3-15).

Road Attractions

One of the strangest tourist attractions in Swindon is The Magic Roundabout in the centre of town.

The ring junction was built in 1972 – it’s made up of five mini-roundabouts arranged in a circle.

People travel from all over to test out the roundabout – it’s even rated the 10th best thing to do in Swindon on Tripadvisor with 126 ‘excellent’ reviews.

One Australian tourist said: “I checked out how it worked on YouTube just to be sure, I’m guessing it’s easy for the locals anyway and love how it’s called “magic roundabout” adds a bit of a laugh to the whole quagmire – love how the Brits think!”

Swimming Pool

Health Hydro pool in Swindon, a Grade II listed swimming pool has just reopened after a £6.5million renovation.

The Victorian structure recently underwent improvements to its pool – which is 33-metres long with four-lanes and gym.

While it might seem like your typical leisure centre, this swimming pool has been part of Swindon since 1891.

It was built by Great Western Railway workers – the washing baths were built in 1891, with the Turkish and Russian baths being added in 1904.

You can book to swim in the new pool for £8.

Heritage Railway

The Swindon and Cricklade Railway is Wiltshire‘s only standard gauge heritage railway – and it’s open for plenty of events throughout the year.

Visitors are welcome to check out vintage locomotives.

In September last year, Swindon & Cricklade Railway opened the last surviving and fully restored railway cinema carriage for a unique event.

Vintage seats were even salvaged from a cinema in Deptford, London, and placed inside the carriage for comfy viewing.

Events include Mother’s Day Cream Tea, Beer and Cider Festival, Jazz Evening and Santa Specials at Christmas time.

There’s even more trains to be seen at Swindon’s STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway.

Here you can learn all about the history of the Great Western Railway, filled with vintage trains and interactive museums.

Tickets for adults cost £14 and entry for children is £10.50.

Restaurants & Bars

There are plenty of eateries in Swindon, but some of the top-rated on Tripadvisor include Del Mundos in the old town, with hundreds of five star reviews.

It serves up full English breakfasts for £14, brunch options, small tapas plates, sharers and cocktails.

Another popular choice is The Choptank Restaurant– the ‘Old Town’s Premier Champagne & Oyster Restaurant’.

When it comes to drinks, head to the Vault Bar & Lounge – this is Swindon’s ‘hidden bar’ found in the vault of the old post office building.

It even has 2-for-£14 on selected Happy Hour cocktails until 9pm every night.

Hotels

When it comes to staying in Swindon, there’s the classic Premier Inn, Holiday Inn and ibis.

But for a more unique stay, there’s the beautiful Chiseldon House – where rooms are available from £75.

The country house hotel built in 1821 is tucked away on the outskirts of Swindon and feels more like a countryside escape.

It has 21 ensuite bedrooms and has a beautiful patio for dining in the summertime – you can book afternoon tea for £27.50.

Plus, this quaint British villages with toy-town cottages, car-free roads and cosy pubs – handpicked by our travel writers.

And the lesser-visited Cotswolds town with one of the UK’s prettiest high streets – and used to film huge Disney TV show.

L.A.’s coastal and canyon communities are resilient and rebuilding since the Palisades fire destroyed nearly 7,000 structures, including some of the city’s most locally beloved and iconic restaurants. Those that survived the blaze have become even more vital as communal linchpins and gathering places of Palisades, Topanga and Malibu residents.

In the Palisades, Sunset Boulevard snakes past swaths of burned-out lots, some punctuated by scaffolding and excavators beginning the rebuilding process. It winds past signs for road closures, park closures, business closures, and past signs that declare “REBUILDING TOGETHER” and “THEY LET US BURN.”

Neighboring Topanga Canyon saw fewer destroyed structures than the Palisades but faces its own extended rebuilding. Powerline repairs and landslides blocked the canyon’s PCH entry for much of 2025, and this access point, when open, is often whittled down to a single lane. Restaurants, the weekly farmers market and other businesses regularly post to social media to raise awareness that “Topanga is open.”

Farther north along PCH, Malibu restaurants are just beginning to recover. The scenic highway closed to nonresidents for the first five months of 2025. In the time since, business has gradually returned — but chefs, restaurateurs and staff say it still feels far more depleted than before the fire. Even toward the northern edge of the city, where Lily Castro sells burritos far from the Palisades fire’s reach, the popular restaurateur says business fell as much as 50% last year.

Some online listings and maps still mark destroyed restaurants as currently open, misrepresenting how affected many of these businesses remain.

A few restaurants managed to relocate and reopen, such as Flour Pizzeria in Brentwood and Cinque Terre West in Venice, both previously in the Palisades. Others already had additional locations, such as Cholada Thai’s Long Beach outpost or Cafe Vida’s in Culver City and El Segundo. Some are gradually rebuilding and readying to reopen, such as Duke’s, which survived the fire but suffered more than a year of closure due to the ensuing mudslides and flooding. Some, like the Reel Inn, are navigating an arduous rebuilding process rife with red tape and mixed messages.

You can help by visiting and supporting local dining spots. Here’s how to eat your way through some of the best restaurants of the coast and Topanga Canyon, including new Malibu destinations for sake, sushi and oysters; one of L.A.’s most scenic farmers markets; some of the city’s best burritos; and the sibling restaurant to the iconic Moonshadows.

Despite visiting this city numerous times, I’ve never managed to navigate my way without getting lost – from confusing roads and tram lines to the maze-like train station

With the aid of my phone maps and clear road signs, you’d think I’d be able to comfortably navigate myself around a UK city that I’ve visited countless times. But no matter how many times I drive and walk around Birmingham, I always end up confused and lost, and my recent visit was no different.

As a convenient halfway point to meet my family or friends, and with its Utilita Arena for concerts, I’ve visited the UK’s second-largest city on a number of occasions. I’ve driven into it multiple times, but I’m always left permanently scarred. I mean, have you seen Spaghetti Junction?

I should note that I’m a competent driver and often travel long distances, but driving into Birmingham is no mean feat. I’ve found myself driving back on myself, taking the wrong turning, hitting a dead end, encountering unexpected roadworks, and constantly circling roundabouts – even with the help of Google Maps!

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The worst panic of all came when I was driving through the city a few years ago and found myself, alarmingly, driving down the same road as a tram line. My maps had led me in this direction, so I followed, yet the anxiety set in as I saw the tramlines, expecting the trolly-car to come hurtling up into me.

I continued to follow the road with nowhere else to turn, before I thankfully came back to a normal road. Little did I know that this could happen in some areas of Birmingham, as the West Midlands Metro shares some parts of the street with cars.

West Midlands Metro warns of the potential danger. “Please don’t obstruct the tramway – it sounds obvious, but remember we are on fixed rails and can’t get around you,” it pleads.

“Wherever possible, avoid driving directly on the tracks, particularly at speed, because they can become slippery, especially when wet. Please pay attention to highway regulations and remember that trams have different signalling systems to those of cars and other vehicles – even when we are using the same stretch of road.”

Those caught in restricted areas of tram roads could be fined. But it can be confusing for visitors. One resident shared on Facebook: “There are certain parts of the network where you can’t avoid sharing with the trams, Beeston/Chilwell springs to mind, but there are others.”

Another added: “Depends where in the city. There are places where you can drive in the tracks and places where you can’t, normally places where you can’t, you will get stuck.”

Personally, for me, it’s a route I won’t risk again.

Birmingham is sometimes known as the ‘workshop of the world’, thanks to its historical transformation from a medieval market town into a major ‘motor city’. The city prioritised cars as the future of transport, introducing inner ring roads, flyovers, and interchanges to welcome more people into the area and facilitate easier travel.

Yet for me, I vowed never to drive in the city again. And it’s not just me who has failed to navigate the impressive yet complicated roads of Birmingham, including its residents.

One person shared on Facebook: “A lot of drivers in Birmingham are confused by red lights, give way, traffic priority, roundabouts, timed bus lanes, and lane closures.”

Another shared: “I haven’t driven in Birmingham city centre for years now, it’s been confusing for a long time now not just recently.” A third also confessed: “I don’t ever drive in town. Either I would be heading to Scotland or a dead-end street due to getting lost because of the changes.”

From my driving experiences, it meant my recent trip to Birmingham was by train. I wrongly thought it would be the easier option. I boarded the overcrowded, stuffy but thankfully direct train to Birmingham on a Saturday morning, and was relieved to be dodging the traffic and avoid the fear of navigating the roads. But I still found myself lost.

Birmingham New Street Station is large, stretching out across 12 platforms, yet what confused me was the different zones. While they’re clearly labelled and colour-coded for the different platforms, I still found myself lost and confused with various directions and barriers to navigate. Plus, finding the exit was another ordeal for me.

Locating a toilet at the station was even more complicated. I followed the signs, but still had to go back through a barrier with my train ticket. And meeting people at the station is a challenge in itself, requiring me to go through yet another barrier to reach my family, who were in a completely different area.

I must have spent a good 20 minutes wandering around the station, trying to get my bearings and failing miserably. But to my defence, I’ve only boarded the train to Birmingham on a handful of occasions, and it sure beats the roads and extortionate car parking prices.

Only adding to the complications of visiting Birmingham is navigating the roads and paths on foot. In a bid to find my hotel, I turned to my trusty phone maps and followed the route, but I mistakenly risked a shortcut, only to find a boarded-up path and roadworks – Birmingham really doesn’t like shortcuts.

I also encountered a long-winded route to get to dinner that evening, and then on my way back to the station, I was taken through a pedestrian underpass under a roundabout, which was equally confusing. Perhaps my maps were just as confused as I, or maybe it was simply user error.

Whatever the reason, travelling around Birmingham has left me defeated. While it’s a fantastic city with brilliant transport links and a catalogue of restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, and a vibrant nightlife, I have to build up the momentum with every visit, bracing myself for getting lost in the well-connected yet confusing city.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to approve a law aimed at boosting transparency at the Charter Reform Commission, by requiring that members of that panel disclose any private talks they have with the city’s elected officials.

The vote comes about two months before the commission, which began its work in July, is scheduled to finish its deliberations and deliver a list of recommendations to the council.

Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, who proposed the ordinance, said she has been trying since August to pass a measure requiring the disclosure of such private conversations, known as “ex parte” communications. That effort was greeted with “nearly six months of stonewalling,” she said.

“While this is an important victory for oversight and transparency, government accountability shouldn’t be this hard to secure,” she said.

The ordinance, which also applies to communications between commissioners and elected officials’ staff, is expected to go into effect in about a month. Meanwhile, the 13-member Charter Reform Commission approved its own policy a week ago requiring the disclosure of private conversations between its members and city elected officials.

Some government watchdogs say the disclosures are needed to prevent council members and other city elected officials from seeking to dictate the details of the recommendations that are ultimately issued by the commission. The volunteer citizens panel is currently looking at such ideas as increasing the size of the council and potentially changing the duties of citywide elected officials.

“If the public is going to trust the outcomes of our charter reform process, it has to be transparent and credible,” Commissioner Carla Fuentes, who pushed for the new disclosure policy at its Jan. 21 meeting.

The commission has not yet voted on a proposal to also require disclosure of communications with elected officials’ staff.

It is also looking at the idea of adopting ranked choice voting, where voters list all of the candidates in order of preference, and switching the city to a multi-year budget process.

Councilmember Bob Blumenfield raised warnings about the council’s vote on Tuesday, saying charter reform is substantively different from the 2021 redistricting process. Council members should be engaging in conversations with its volunteer commissioners, to help them better understand how the city is run, Blumenfield said.

Those communications will ensure the commissioners make an informed decision what to recommend for the ballot later this year.

“I don’t want this message to be that it’s somehow bad for council members and mayor and elected officials to be engaging in this process,” he said. “To the contrary, I think we need to double down our engagement. We need to speak to those commissioners. They need to learn a lot more about how this city really works for this thing to be effective.”

The commission is scheduled to take up the motion to disclose staffer conversations at its next meeting on Feb. 7.

Rob Quan, an organizer with the group Unrig LA, said he doesn’t want to see a repeat of 2021, when members of the citizens commission on redistricting were regularly contacted by council members’ aides. Those ex parte communications were not disclosed, he said.

“If it didn’t apply to staff, we would simply be reinforcing the power of the staff, which have from day one been the most problematic aspect of this commission,” said Quan, whose group focuses on government oversight.

He and a group of other transparency activists have proposed a total ban on ex parte communication, which hasn’t been considered by the current commission.

President Donald Trump has announced an executive order to allow victims of the Los Angeles wildfires to rebuild without dealing with “unnecessary, dupicative, or obstructive” permitting requirements.

The order, which is likely to be challenged by the city and state, claimed that local governments have failed to adequately process permits and were slowing down residents who are desperate to rebuild in the Palisades and Altadena.

“American families and small businesses affected by the wildfires have been forced to continue living in a nightmare of delay, uncertainty, and bureaucratic malaise as they remain displaced from their homes, often without a source of income, while state and local governments delay or prevent reconstruction by approving only a fraction of the permits needed to rebuild,” Trump wrote in the executive order, which he signed Friday.

The order called on the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to “preempt” state and local permitting authorities.

Instead of going through the usual approval process, residents using federal emergency funds to rebuild would need to self-certify to federal authorities that they have complied with local health and safety standards.

The order comes as the city and county approach 3,000 permits issued for rebuilding. A December review by The Times found that the permitting process in Altadena and Pacific Palisades was moving at a moderate rate compared to other major fires in California. As of Dec. 14, the county had issued rebuilding permits for about 16% of the homes destroyed in the Eaton fire and the city had issued just under 14% for those destroyed in the Palisades fire.

While Mayor Karen Bass did not immediately provide comment, the executive order drew intense pushback from Gov. Gavin Newsom.

A spokesperson for Newsom, Tara Gallegos, called Trump a “clueless idiot” for believing the federal government could issue local rebuilding permits.

“With 1625+ home permits issued, hundreds of homes under construction, and permitting timelines at least 2x faster than before the fires, an executive order to rebuild Mars would do just as useful,” Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote in a post on X, citing the number of permits issued solely by the city of Los Angeles.

Newsom said that the federal government needed to release funding, not take over control of the permitting process. The governor said that what communities really lack is money, not permits.

“Please actually help us. We are begging you,” Newsom wrote.

Instead of descending into the permitting process, Newsom called on the president to send a recovery package to congress to help families rebuild, citing a letter from a bipartisan delegation of California legislators that called for federal funding.

“As the recovery process continues, additional federal support is needed, and our entire delegation looks forward to working cooperatively with your administration to ensure the communities of Southern California receive their fair share of federal disaster assistance,” wrote the California legislators on Jan 7.

Some in the Palisades agreed that money was a bigger issue than permitting.

“When I talk to people it seems to have more to do with their insurance payout or whether they have enough money to complete construction,” said Maryam Zar, a Palisades resident who runs the Palisades Recovery Coalition.

Zar called the executive order “interesting” and said that it was fair of the president to call the recovery pace slow and unacceptable.

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Many Angelenos have never set foot in Monrovia, the mountain-view town nestled in the San Gabriel foothills, or even heard of it — unless they read their Trader Joe’s labels, many of which name the city as the distribution site. It’s still a bit of an insider’s secret, which locals like myself tend to appreciate.

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Monrovia embodies the word “picturesque” in a way Thornton Wilder would’ve appreciated: Neat little historic homes — many designed in the Arts and Crafts and New Mediterranean architectural styles — line neighborhood streets abundant with native plants. Residents, by turns sweet and quirky, seem like they could be plucked right out the “Gilmore Girls” town of Stars Hollow: You might meet an award-winning whistler who hosts an annual music festival in Library Park or a mayor whose husband campaigns for her by strolling the streets wearing a sandwich board. Monrovians are intensely proud of their city, telling their stories through a historical museum and an archive called the Legacy Project. On Friday evenings, they often come together in Old Town Monrovia, where four blocks of the main thoroughfare of Myrtle Avenue are shut down to traffic for a street fair complete with bounce houses, food trucks and a petting zoo. Their event calendars are peppered with frequent festivals in Library Park and the county fair-esque Monrovia Days town birthday celebration.

Los Angeles County’s fourth-oldest city, Monrovia was incorporated in 1887 after William N. Monroe, a former superintendent for Southern Pacific rail company, along with James F. Crank, Edward F. Spence and John D. Bicknell, plotted a 120-acre town centered at Orange (now Colorado Boulevard) and Myrtle Avenue. Historic gems can be found all around: You can still admire the Mayan Revival-style architecture of the century-old Aztec Hotel or look for the brass plaques displayed on more than 40 of Monrovia’s “first houses” built before the end of 1887. Just be on the lookout for the bears: They’re the unofficial mascot of Monrovia, since they languidly amble our streets, inspire our art (you’ll find bear murals and sculptures throughout town) and even bathe in our hot tubs.

In general, daily life in Monrovia feels mellow, slow and friendly. Seeing and being seen isn’t as much of an objective as savoring a breakfast of runny eggs while reading a newspaper, meandering by the lit-up park fountain or hiking through the 80 acres of wilderness at Monrovia Canyon Park. Don’t expect to get anywhere in town fast, especially during rush hour along Huntington Drive, Foothill Boulevard or the 210. In getting around, public transit can come to the rescue: the GoMonrovia Lyft Pass offers $6 local Lyft rides, and the city is connected by Metro to Pasadena, Highland Park, Union Station, Azusa, Long Beach and other locations. Monrovia isn’t for everyone but it’s as close to paradise as anything I’ve ever found in Los Angeles County. I hope to someday be considered one of the city’s quirky characters who has long called this place home.

WASHINGTON — Eleanor Holmes Norton, the 18-term delegate for the District of Columbia in Congress and a veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, has filed paperwork to end her campaign for reelection, likely closing out a decades-long career in public service.

Norton, 88, has been the sole representative of the residents of the nation’s capital in Congress since 1991, but she faced increasing questions about her effectiveness after the Trump administration began its sweeping intervention into the city last year.

Mayor Muriel Bowser congratulated Norton on her retirement.

“For 35 years, Congresswoman Norton has been our Warrior on the Hill,” Bowser wrote on social media. “Her work embodies the unwavering resolve of a city that refuses to yield in its fight for equal representation.”

Norton’s campaign filed a termination report with the Federal Election Commission on Sunday. Her office has not released an official statement about the delegate’s intentions.

The filing was first reported by NOTUS.

Her retirement opens up a likely competitive primary to succeed her in an overwhelmingly Democratic city. Several local lawmakers had already announced their intentions to run in the Democratic primary.

An institution in Washington politics for decades, Norton is the oldest member in the House. She was a personal friend to civil rights icons such as Medgar Evers and a contemporary of other activists turned congressional stalwarts, including Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) and the late Reps. John Conyers (D-Mich.) and John Lewis (D-Ga.).

But Norton has faced calls to step aside in recent months as residents and local lawmakers questioned her ability to effectively advocate for the city in Congress amid the Republican administration’s aggressive moves toward the city.

The White House federalized Washington’s police force, deployed National Guard troops from six states and the federal district across the capital’s streets and surged federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security into neighborhoods. The moves prompted outcry and protests from residents and a lawsuit from the district’s attorney general.

Norton’s retirement comes as a historically high number of lawmakers announce they will either seek another public office or retire from official duties altogether. More than 1 in 10 members of the House are not seeking reelection this year.

Norton’s staunch advocacy for her city

As the district’s delegate, Norton does not have a formal vote in the House. But she has found other ways to advocate for the city’s interests. Called the “Warrior on the Hill” by her supporters, Norton was a staunch advocate for D.C. statehood and for the labor rights of the federal workers who called Washington and its surrounding region home.

She also secured bipartisan wins for district residents. Norton was the driving force behind the passage of a law that provides up to $10,000 per year for students who attend public colleges outside the district. It also provides up to $2,500 per year for students who attend select private historically Black colleges and universities across the country and nonprofit colleges in the D.C. metropolitan area.

In the 1990s, Norton played a key role in ending the city’s financial crisis by brokering a deal to transfer billions of dollars in unfunded pension liabilities to the federal government in exchange for changes to the district’s budget. She twice played a leading role in House passage of a D.C. statehood bill.

Steeped in the civil rights movement

Norton was born and raised in Washington, and her life spans the arc of the district’s trials and triumphs. She was educated at Dunbar High School as part of the school’s last segregated class.

“Growing up black in Washington gave a special advantage. This whole community of blacks was very race conscious, very civil rights conscious,” she said in her 2003 biography, “Fire in My Soul.”

She attended Antioch College in Ohio and in 1963 split her time between Yale Law School and Mississippi, where she worked as an organizer during the Freedom Summer of the Civil Rights Movement.

One day that summer, Evers picked her up at the airport. He was assassinated that night.

Norton also helped organize and attended the 1963 March on Washington.

In an interview with the Associated Press in 2023, Norton said the march was still “the single most extraordinary experience of my lifetime.”

She went on to become the first woman to lead the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which helps enforce anti-discrimination laws in the workplace. She ran for office when her predecessor retired to run for Washington mayor.

Brown writes for the Associated Press.

I’VE been waiting ten years for this moment.

Ever since my first gondola ride — a short jaunt around The Venetian hotel in Las Vegas — I’ve wanted to experience the real thing, in Venice.

Now I am with a group of fellow journalists, so it’s not as romantic as it could be, but two Italians in stripy shirts and wide-brimmed hats are rowing me across the Floating City. Bucket list: tick.

Venice is a place you need to see at least once in your life.

From the breathtaking Piazza San Marco to the mesmerising mosaics of St Mark’s Basilica, astounding architecture of the Doge’s Palace and view from the 323ft high Campanile di San Marco bell tower, your phone’s battery will pay the price as you snap the spectacular sights.

From this Saturday to February 17 the historic Venice Carnival will burst on to the streets — this year’s theme is Olympus, The Origins Of The Game, in honour of the Winter Olympics being hosted in Milan and Cortina.

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Expect masks and dressing up everywhere as locals and visitors embrace the festival, plus parades, performances and themed shows.

Festival aside, winter and spring are brilliant times to explore the city without the crowds.

A tour of the bacari, or wine bars, is a great way to delve into the alleys between the canals and waterways. Over three hours we stop at four wine bars for cicchetti — Italian tapas — washed down with local wines or spritz cocktails.

The latter feature Aperol, Campari or, in Venetian style, Select — a spirit made using juniper berries.

A Bellini in Harry’s bar, though almost £20, is a must — this was Ernest Hemingway’s favourite bar, where the cocktail was invented.

Hawaiian rituals

Then a 25-minute water-taxi ride across the lagoon and a 20-minute cab journey take us to our 5H resort, Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa on the Lido di Jesolo — a purpose-built seaside resort on Italy’s Adriatic coast, with nine-mile sandy beach and vibrant promenade.

I’m staying in one of 50 huge suites, which have one, two and three-bedroom options, with separate bathrooms, living and kitchen areas, TVs and sea-view balconies.

The smell from the ground-floor restaurant is oh, so Italian — pizza, pasta and risotto. With buffet breakfasts and Michelin-starred dinners at the poolside restaurant, luckily I can run along the promenade to work it off.

Or there’s a gym at the hotel, and yoga and fitness classes. But I’m on holiday to relax, so it’s off to the Acqua Pura spa, which has a panoramic sauna with privacy glass, meaning I can take in the sea view.

An hour-long massage inspired by Hawaiian rituals, which starts with meditation, is, and I don’t say this lightly, the best I’ve ever had.

There is a babysitting service, plus a play room, kids’ pool area and playground on the beach.

Bicycles are available at the hotel, and cycle lanes throughout the town lead us to Europe’s longest shopping street, the Via Bafile — all eight miles of it.

This is a wonderfully relaxing beachside break in a traditional Italian town — as well as a bucket-list trip to the city of romance.

What’s not to love?

Vienna has topped the Global Liveability Charts for three years in a row – and with return flights from the UK costing as little as £35, Austria’s capital makes the perfect affordable weekend break

A breathtaking European capital has been crowned the continent’s “best” city, and it’s just a short three-hour flight from Britain. Even better news for budget-conscious travellers – you can jet off to this stunning destination for as little as £35 return.

Vienna, the Austrian capital, has claimed the top spot in the Global Liveability Charts for three consecutive years. The city of approximately two million residents outranked popular destinations including Copenhagen, Zurich, and Geneva, earning top marks for its stability, cultural offerings, and excellent local infrastructure.

The city is also a cultural treasure trove, celebrated for its musical heritage, exquisite art scene, and charming coffee houses.

YouTuber Ed Chapman made the journey to discover whether it truly deserved its reputation as “the greatest city in the world”. His itinerary included the Danube Tower, which boasts Europe’s tallest slide, a round-the-clock amusement park, and the internationally renowned Cafe Central.

Situated in Vienna’s Innere Stadt district, this historic establishment once welcomed legendary figures including Sigmund Freud, Leon Trotsky, and Josef Stalin. The venue earned the nickname “Chess school” due to its popularity amongst elite chess players who used it as their gaming headquarters, reports the Express.

Ed sampled beef goulash, hot chocolate, and cake during his visit. Reflecting on his meal, he remarked: “That is beautiful, what a delight, lovely and warm, great flavours. Proper hearty food.”

When asked whether Vienna deserves its crown as the world’s finest city, Ed remarked: “It’s a beautiful place. It’s lovely. Buildings are amazing, astonishing. It’s got some history knocking about. Mozart is, you know, his place is out here somewhere. There’s something to walk past. All sorts of museums.”

He continued: “I’m very impressed by this place. But is it the greatest city in the world that I’m not sure about. It’s a very, very good city. I can absolutely see why it’s been given the most livable tag in both Europe and the world. And I could absolutely imagine living here myself.”

Beyond the celebrated coffee house scene that Ed experienced in Vienna, visitors will find no shortage of attractions throughout the city. Austria’s capital boasts an array of stunning Baroque churches alongside architectural gems such as the vibrant Hundertwasserhaus and the Wiener Riesenrad, an impressive 64-metre-high Ferris wheel.

Travel expert Mark Wolter, from Wolter’s World, was full of praise for Vienna’s culinary offerings. He explained: “The cakes, the food, yeah you have your Wiener Schnitzel and your hot dogs but there’s so many great foods, pork, duck, all this food from all over the holy Roman empire, because you have Hungarian goulash or pasta from those times.”

Mark describes Austria as a “really cool” tourist destination, particularly highlighting the quality of accommodation and transport links. He noted: “Whether it’s trains, buses or trams they have this all out there, which is really cool to use as a tourist.

“The museums will have things usually in German but they’ll have cards in English to help you.”

Beyond Austria’s charming historic towns, Mark urges visitors to explore the country’s rich cultural offerings and stunning natural landscapes. “I like to tell people, if you want to get cultured come to Austria, because there’s so much of the museums, architecture and history,” Mark added.

Flight comparison site Skyscanner reveals that travelling to Vienna can be remarkably affordable, with one-way tickets from Manchester Airport starting at just £19, whilst return flights from Bristol can be snapped up for around £35.

SWANSEA is getting a massive revamp and new plans for its ‘waterfront district’ have now been revealed.

Renders show off what the Swansea Civic Centre area could look like in a matter of years with plans for a saltwater lido and even a pier.

Plans created by Urban Splash, a regeneration company, include the addition of new waterfront cafes, bars, beach sports shops and even what appears to be a new pier.

Other attractions will be an aquarium and a new saltwater lido – which will be a first for the city.

The plans have been developed by Urban Splash which was appointed by Swansea Council as part of a 20‑year regeneration partnership covering key sites around the city.

The company has described the ‘waterfront district’ as being a place “where the city truly meets the beach”.

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Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “These emerging proposals for the Civic Centre mark another important chapter in Swansea’s ongoing regeneration story.

“This site has the potential to become a vibrant new focal point on our waterfront, bringing together homes, leisure, culture and public spaces in a way that complements the huge investment already transforming our city.

“By reimagining how this area can be used, we can support local jobs, boost our economy and create new opportunities for residents and visitors.

The plans are not final and have been released ahead of a public consultation at the end of the month where residents will get a chance to give feedback.

Other areas around the city set to be regenerated by Urban Splash include the Hafod Copperworks and Porth Copr.

Urban Splash initiatives, including the unveiling last autumn, of plans for a riverside site in St Thomas.

In autumn, the company revealed its plans for the riverside site in St Thomas where it plans to build a six-storey building, as well as a central green street, shared gardens and improved river walkways.

The waterfront area of Swansea isn’t the only part of the city getting a new look as revamped Castle Square is expected to be completed by late 2026.

Work began in summer 2025 to transform the square with much more usable public space along with new cafes with shaded areas for families.

There will be new water jets with mini-fountains from the paved area which will take the place of the popular water features.

On another level is a viewing platform across the square, along with a large screen showing live sporting events.

Below will be a bandstand-style stage with a large screen for public events, new seating areas and upgraded paving.

These works form a wider part of the regeneration project in Swansea costing £1billion.

For more upgrades, here are the English seaside towns and cities getting multi-million pound upgrades next year – with new rides and attractions.

Plus, this town in the UK is getting a huge new beachfront attraction costing £100million – and work has finally started.

I would love to take my girlfriend out on a romantic date in L.A. There is no special occasion but instead “just because.” She loves movies, food and new experiences. She is very adventurous. She’s a horror fan but also a hopeless romantic. I want to give her a date she will never forget.— Daisy Vargas

Looking for things to do in L.A.? Ask us your questions and our expert guides will share highly specific recommendations.

Here’s what we suggest:

Daisy, this is so sweet. It sounds like you love your girlfriend a lot. Lucky for you, there are several places around L.A. where you can give her an unforgettable experience.

Since she’s into horror films, she’d probably love Horror Row, the stretch of Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank that is densely populated with spooky, spine crawling horror-themed shops and attractions you can enjoy year round. You’ll find the terror-themed coffee shop Horror Vibes Coffee, a convenience store known as the Horror Boodega, a year-round Halloween store called Halloween Town and the Mystic Museum, which Times contributor Jess Joho calls “a perfect date spot for oddity-inclined couples” in a guide about nightmare inducing spots in L.A. The museum sells occult essentials, cursed antiques and movie merchandise. In the back of the shop, there’s an interactive maze that changes seasonally.

For movie screenings, check out the VHS (Variety Horror Screenings) Society, which hosts monthly events. The next screening, happening on Feb. 22 at Benny Boy Brewing, will be a double feature of horror romance films, “Warm Bodies” and “Lisa Frankenstein.” (Goth fashion and ‘80s-themed outfits are encouraged.) After the event, if you’re hungry, Times food writer Stephanie Breijo suggests the nearby Macheen, which sells “amazing tacos” and was featured in our 101 best restaurants list or OG taco shop Guisados.

Brain Dead Studios in the Fairfax District also hosts film screenings throughout the month, and don’t sleep on the concession stand, Breijo tells me. It’s stocked with “some of the best snacks in all of L.A.” including Burritos La Palma and La Morra Pizzeria, she says. The independent theater and retail shop is also down the street from “all the hits on Fairfax” including the new location of Genghis Cohen, Lucia, Canter’s and Badmaash,” she adds.

Chances are that at least a few of your girlfriend’s favorite movies were filmed in L.A. so here’s a date idea you can steal from my colleague Jaclyn Cosgrove. For Valentine’s Day in 2020, they took their wife to different locations around the city where scenes from films she loves were shot. “I had the shots on my phone,” Cosgrove tells me. “It was both movie-focused and romantic, and a nice adventure before the shutdown.” You can also check out this list of 12 iconic L.A. film and TV horror homes to add to your tour.

For a thrill-inducing date, consider taking your girlfriend to a rock climbing gym. In this guide, Dakota Kim writes about seven gyms, including Sender One, which has three locations around the city, all of which “make indoor climbing feel luxurious.” Or if soaring across the sky is more your jam, go on a zip lining adventure. Cosgrove recently visited Highline Adventures near Solvang, which boasts the fastest and longest zip line in the state. The third zip line on the course, which is about 2,650 feet long, can reach up to 60 mph. Make it a weekend trip.

Times entertainment and features editor Brittany Levine Beckman suggests the Santa Monica Trapeze School, which is where her husband/then boyfriend took her on a birthday date years ago. “We had a good time and it was adventurous,” she tells me. Afterward, you can take a walk along the Santa Monica Pier or the beach, then grab what food columnist and critic Jenn Harris calls “the best grilled cheese in the universe” at Pasjoli.

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, so I hope these recommendations help you plan the perfect, memorable date for you and your girlfriend. The beautiful thing about love is that anything can feel romantic when you’re with the right person, so I’m sure whatever you end up doing will be amazing. Sending love. <3 <3 <3