fixing

Good morning, and welcome to L.A. on the Record — our City Hall newsletter. It’s Rebecca Ellis, with an assist from Julia Wick, giving you the latest on city and county government.

L.A. County officials have been given a task: make sure the embarrassing blunder that led voters to accidentally wipe out a popular ballot measure never happens again.

The board is expected to soon review a policy to ensure “county charter is promptly updated” following the accidental repeal of Measure J — a 2020 ballot measure that promised hundreds of millions of dollars for services that keep people out of jail.

The mistake is complicated, but the root cause is simple: The county never added the measure to its charter, akin to the county constitution.

The county’s top lawyer, Dawyn Harrison, blames the failure squarely on the executive office, which supports the five politicians with the administrative parts of the job — including, apparently, keeping the county code fresh.

But Robert Bonner, the recently forced-out head of the sheriff’s oversight commission, said the county’s top lawyers learned long ago that parts of the code were outdated.

“I always thought it was weird that it would take so long for the county apparatus to get something in the code that the voters said was the law,” Bonner said.

Bonner said it took the county four years to incorporate a March 2020 ballot measure, known as Measure R, which gave his commission the power to investigate misconduct with subpoenas. For years, he said, the commission resorted to citing ballotpedia, an online encyclopedia with information about local measures, in its legal filings. The Times reviewed one such filing from November 2022 as the commission tried to force former Sheriff Alex Villanueva to obey deputy gang subpoenas.

County attorneys said they first discovered the issue in October 2023 and it was fixed by August 2024. It is not clear why it took ten months.

“This underscores the need to reform the system with clear safeguards and accountability,” county counsel said in a statement. “This breakdown made clear that our office must also be systematically included in the administrative process.”

“Fortunately, in our case, it didn’t lead to disaster,” Bonner said of the outdated code.

A few months later, it would.

In summer of 2024, county counsel got its marching orders: To create a ballot measure, known as Measure G, that would overhaul the county government, expand the five-person board of elected supervisors to nine and bring on a new elected executive who would act almost as a mayor of the county.

The office came up with a ballot measure that would repeal most of a section of the charter — called Article III — in 2028. That section details the powers of the board — and, most consequentially, includes the requirement from Measure J that the board funnel hundreds of millions toward anti-incarceration services.

County lawyers rewrote that chunk of the charter with the changes the board wanted in the county’s form of government — but left out the anti-incarceration funding. So when voters approved Measure G, they unwittingly repealed Measure J.

And it turns out, it’s not easy to get back a ballot measure after voters accidentally wipe it out.

The supervisors hoped they could just get a judge to tell them that, actually, Measure J was just fine. After all, voters had no idea they were repealing it — nobody did.

But the supervisors were recently told by their lawyers that getting relief from a judge — considered the easiest, cheapest option — would be legally tricky terrain. One month after the mistake came to light, they’ve yet to go to a judge.

Maybe the state could help by passing legislation that would make a correction to the county’s charter, officials hoped. Not so, according to a memo from Harrison and Chief Executive Fesia Davenport. For the state to help, it would need to pass legislation that mimicked the budget requirements of Measure J — potentially a bigger ask than a charter tweak.

“A court would likely strike down as unconstitutional any changes to the County Charter that were not approved by voters,” read the July 25 memo.

And then there’s the option of last resort: putting Measure J back on the ballot.

It’s high-stakes. It is, after all, no longer November 2020, when Measure J passed handily, buoyed by a wave of support for racial justice and disgust over police brutality after the killing of George Floyd. Voters have leaned in recently to tough-on-crime measures such as Proposition 36, which stiffened the penalties for some nonviolent crimes.

If the county needed proof the atmosphere has changed, the sheriff deputy union, which fought hard against Measure J, has plenty.

The union paid for a poll of 1,000 voters that suggests the measure wouldn’t pass if it were put up for a vote again. Only 43% of respondents said they would vote for the measure if it went back on the ballot, while 44% said they’d vote no. The measure passed in 2020 with 57% of the vote.

Voters weren’t big fans of the politicians in charge either. Almost half viewed the board unfavorably.

The union fought hard against Measure J, spending more than $3.5 million on advertising to fight it and following up with a court battle. It’s not not hankering for another go at it.

“Residents are clearly fed up with the shenanigans around Measure G and J,” said union President Richard Pippin. “The fix is to focus on investing in safe communities instead of half-baked ideas.”

The poll was conducted by David Binder Research, a San Francisco-based pollster frequently used by Democratic candidates, from Aug. 5 to Aug. 12, with a sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. The Times was only sent a summary of the poll and did not view the original.

Some advocates argue that if anything goes on the ballot, it should be the measure that contained the poison pill.

“Why aren’t they considering [Measure] G?” asked Gabriela Vazquez, who campaigned for the anti-incarceration measure as a member of the nonprofit La Defensa. “Imagine all the fundraising folks would have to do to defend J if it was put back on the ballot.”

“The defect was in G not in J,” said former Duarte City Councilmember John Fasana, who voted against both measures and first noticed the county’s flub. “You’re overturning an election.”

But the overhaul of county government Take Two would also face an uphill battle, the poll suggests. The measure narrowly passed last November with 51% of the vote.

This time, only 45% of voters like the idea, while 40% said they’d vote no, according to the poll.

The Times asked all five supervisors what they wanted to do.

Supervisors Janice Hahn and Kathryn Barger did not respond. The other three appeared undecided.

Supervisor Holly Mitchell, a vocal supporter of Measure J and opponent of Measure G, said she wants to “explore all solutions” to keep the anti-incarceration measure in good standing. Supervisor Hilda Solis said she wanted to correct the error, but did not say how. Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, the force behind the government overhaul, said she’s not ruling out getting help from a judge and is moving forward with an ordinance that would mirror Measure J. Unlike a ballot measure, an ordinance could be undone by a future board.

She says going to the ballot is the last resort.

“My commitment to fixing this mess hasn’t changed. I’m open to every viable path, and we might need to pursue more than one,” Horvath said in a statement. “Before considering the ballot, we must exhaust every option before us.”

State of play

— A POLITICAL EARTHQUAKE: Come November, California voters will partake in a special election to potentially waive the state’s independent redistricting process and approve new partisan congressional maps that favor Democrats. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s high-stakes fight to counter President Trump’s scramble for GOP control is already sending shockwaves around the state.

—HILDA’S PLANS: The proposed maps would create a new congressional district in southeast L.A. County. Supervisor Hilda Solis has yet to publicly announce her candidacy, but she’s made her intention to run for the redrawn 38th District clear within the close-knit world of California politics.

—THE RICK OF IT ALL: Former L.A. mayoral candidate Rick Caruso was initially quiet about Newsom’s redistricting proposal. But after the Legislature sent the measure to the ballot Thursday, Caruso made his support clear, telling us that “California has to push back” against the Texas redistricting scheme. He plans to financially support the ballot measure, he said. One topic he remained vague on was whether he’ll run for mayor or governor in 2026, saying he was still seriously considering both options.

—AUTHOR, AUTHOR: Brentwood resident and former Vice President Kamala Harris announced a 15-city book tour for her upcoming election memoir “107 Days.” The lineup includes a September event at the Wiltern theater in partnership with Book Soup.

—FIRE JUSTICE: Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson was at the Stentorians office Friday morning to show his support for a package of state bills focused on incarcerated firefighters. He appeared alongside Assemblymembers Sade Elhawary, Celeste Rodriguez and Josh Lowenthal and Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas.

— END IN SIGHT?: Councilmember Tim McOsker’s motion to “strategically and competently” work to wind down the mayor’s declaration of emergency on homelessness narrowly failed Wednesday. The motion called for the legislative body to come back in 60 days, with reports from city offices, to advise on an implementation plan to end the declaration of emergency. McOsker’s goal was to terminate the state of emergency, which has been in effect for more than two years, as soon as possible. His motion failed to pass in a 7-7 vote. The council instead continued to support the mayor’s declaration of emergency and will take up the issue again in 90 days.

—”SLUSH FUND” QUESTIONS: An election technology firm allegedly overbilled Los Angeles County for voting machines used during the 2020 election and funneled the extra cash into a “slush fund” for bribing government officials, federal prosecutors say in a criminal case against three company executives. Prosecutors do not indicate who benefited from the alleged pot of Los Angeles County taxpayer money.

QUICK HITS

• Where is Inside Safe? Staff from the mayor’s signature homelessness program visited the council district of Hugo Soto-Martínez, moving an estimated 23 people indoors, according to the mayor’s office. Her Shine LA initiative, which aims to clean up city streets and sidewalks, was postponed to September because of the extreme heat.
• On the docket for next week: The City Council will vote Wednesday on whether to approve the mayor’s appointment of Domenika Lynch to be the new general manager of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, which includes Olvera Street. She would be the first Latina head of the department.

Stay in touch

That’s it for this week! Send your questions, comments and gossip to [email protected]. Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up here to get it in your inbox every Saturday morning.

A “DEVOTED” dad-of-two was crushed to death by a car in a freak accident, an inquest heard.

Mechanic Daniel Burton, 27, was repairing his partner’s dad’s Audi A3 when an axle stand slipped.

2

His neighbours desperately tried to free him after he was discovered trapped under the vehicle in Port Talbot, South Wales.

Tragically, Daniel couldn’t be saved, with his cause of death given as traumatic asphyxiation – also known as “crush asphyxiation”.

An inquest heard the dad-of-two’s partner Abbie had begged him not to do work on the car himself as it was a “big job” and dark outside.

But Daniel, who was about to pass his MOT testers course, decided to do the work on the Audi himself.

He was later spotted by a passer-by lying on his back with his torso and head under the car and his legs stuck out.

The onlooker thought the car looked unsafe but decided not to say anything as she did not think the mechanic would appreciate her opinion, the court heard.

Another woman then stopped to ask Daniel if he had seen her stolen car but when he did not respond she raised the alarm.

A neighbour rushed over and tried to use a jack to lift the car before emergency crews arrived.

Daniel was sadly declared dead at the scene in January this year.

Police launched a probe and discovered a jack and one axle stand lying on its side underneath the car.

Another axle stand was still in its box, the court was told.

Coroner Colin Phillips recorded a conclusion of accidental death at the inquest in Swansea.

He said qualified mechanic Daniel was working on his car when the axle slipped due to the sloped street.

After it tipped on its side, the mechanic was trapped underneath the vehicle.

Paying his condolences to Daniel’s family, Mr Phillips added: “He was very much loved and will be sorely missed and I hope you get a degree of closure now.”

2

SUMMER might be great for your tan but your hair – not so much.

As the heatwave rolls on, hair experts are warning that rising temperatures, sun exposure and sticky humidity could be silently wrecking your locks.

6

6

According to Sam Cinkir, CEO of top UK skin and hair clinic Este Medical Group, the summer months bring a cocktail of factors that can secretly sabotage your strands and lead to frizz, breakage and even bald spots.

Sam warns: “Warmer temperatures, increased exposure to the sun and higher levels of humidity can all combine to cause problems for our hair in summer.”

While we slather on SPF to protect our skin, our hair often gets forgotten and that’s when trouble starts.

The heat can dry out your strands, zap moisture from your scalp, and weaken hair follicles, making hair more prone to thinning and damage.

Humidity adds insult to injury, lifting the cuticle layer of the hair and letting in moisture, which causes swelling, frizz, and that all-too-familiar ‘triangle head’ situation.

“You might find your locks more susceptible to issues such as breakage, split ends, frizziness or even hair loss,” Sam told The Sun.

But it turns out, the real hair hero isn’t sitting on a salon shelf, it could already be in your kitchen.

Sam explains that a few simple dietary tweaks can play a big role in restoring shine, strength and scalp health during the hotter months.

He recommends focusing on foods rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and key nutrients like vitamins A, C and E, along with iron and zinc.

These are all crucial for keeping the hair follicle strong, encouraging healthy growth, and locking in moisture.

And don’t forget hydration. A dry scalp is an unhappy scalp and not drinking enough water can leave both your hair and skin looking parched.

So what should you be eating?

Oily fish

6

Sam highlights oily fish, like mackerel, herring and tuna, as one of the top summer saviours.

These fish are packed with omega-3s, which help nourish the scalp and improve blood flow to hair follicles, key for reducing inflammation and preventing shedding.

Leafy greens

6

Leafy greens are another smart swap.

Spinach, kale and bok choy are rich in iron and vitamin C.

Vitamin C helps your body produce collagen, a protein that keeps your hair strong and structured.

Eggs

6

Sam also notes that eggs are a brilliant source of keratin.

Keratin is the main protein your hair is made of and plays a big part in preventing thinning.

So it’s important to add this breakfast staple into your diet if you want to combat thinning hair.

Greek yogurt

6

For a tasty way to end the day, try a bowl of Greek yogurt.

Not only is it high in protein, but it also contains vitamin B5, which supports healthy hair texture and cell renewal. It even helps with dandruff by keeping the scalp nourished.

With tubs going for around £3.50 in most supermarkets, it’s a small price to pay for big results and certainly cheaper than an emergency trip to the salon.

You can also add nuts and seeds for added benefits.

Nuts and seeds, such as almonds, pumpkin seeds and flaxseeds, are packed with biotin and healthy fats that boost keratin production and encourage growth.

So, if your hair’s looking limp, frizzy or falling out more than usual, it might not be your shampoo to blame.

The answer could be on your plate and a few simple swaps could be all it takes to save your summer strands.

Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK’s benefits system is broken and fixing it is a “moral imperative”, a day after a backbench Labour revolt saw him forced into a U-turn on welfare cuts.

The prime minister told the Welsh Labour Party conference in Llandudno that the government would not take away the welfare “safety net that vulnerable people rely on”.

But he said he could not let benefits “become a snare for those who can and want to work”.

Despite the government’s concession on its plans to reform welfare, some Labour MPs want further changes, while the Unite union has called for the proposal to be dropped altogether ahead of a vote on Tuesday.

The BBC understands whips and cabinet ministers – including Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves – have been phoning or texting Labour MPs over the weekend, going through the names of the initial rebels in a bid to get an accurate assessment of potential voting.

Some MPs are saying they have yet to make their mind up on how to vote and are awaiting a statement on Monday from Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall that will spell out government concessions.

Speaking at the conference in north Wales on Saturday, Sir Keir said fixing the “broken” benefits system needed to be done because it was “failing people every day”, leaving “a generation of young people written off for good and the cost spiralling out of control”.

“Fixing it is a moral imperative, but we need to do it in a Labour way,” he added.

The government’s initial plans, aimed at bringing down the welfare bill, would have made it harder for people to claim personal independence payment (Pip), a benefit paid to 3.7 million people with long-term physical or mental health conditions.

But following a rebellion among Labour MPs and the likelihood the government would be defeated in the Commons, the government announced the stricter criteria would only apply to new claimants.

It reversed its plans to freeze the health-related component of universal credit, and the payment will now rise in line with inflation for existing recipients.

Ministers will also carry out a review of the Pip assessment process, with input from disability organisations.

A £1bn support package to help people into work, originally scheduled for 2029, will be fast-tracked.

A new “reasoned amendment” to the bill will be put down on Monday by rebel MPs, which will reflect government concessions but is expected to be similar to the now-withdrawn earlier amendment that sought to block changes to the benefits system.

The BBC understands that around 50 Labour MPs currently back that new amendment.

That number is likely to increase but the expectation is it will not reach the 80-plus needed to put the government in danger of defeat. However it would still represent a significant rebellion.

Rebel MPs are also expected to hold a briefing on Monday night at Westminster with various disability charities.

Labour MP Diane Abbott earlier told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that she thought the result of a vote on the new plans would be tight, partly because backbenchers are still “upset about the lack of consultation” and because of “the notion of a two-tier benefit system”.

But former Labour justice secretary Lord Falconer told the programme that “sensible” changes to the welfare reforms were “pretty significant”, and that he believed opposition among Labour MPs was “shrinking and shrinking”.

Debbie Abrahams, the Labour MP who chairs the Work and Pensions Select Committee, told the BBC on Friday: “The concessions are a good start, they are very good concessions and they will protect existing claimants.

“However there are still concerns about new claimants. It would not be right for me not to do anything just to spare the prime minister an inconvenience.”

Ahead of Sir Keir’s conference speech, Unite called for the “entire welfare bill to be dropped and for the government to start again”, with general secretary Sharon Graham accusing Labour of “attacking the most vulnerable in our society”.

“The government’s latest plans for disabled benefits cuts are divisive and sinister,” she said.

“Creating a two-tier system where younger disabled people and those who become disabled in the future will be disadvantaged and denied access to work and education, is morally wrong.”

Bitcoin Hyper is building something real and powerful. It is a Layer 2 solution created specifically for the Bitcoin blockchain. The platform’s core mission is to make BTC faster, cheaper, and more useful.

Bitcoin Hyper uses a custom-built Canonical Bridge that lets users deposit their BTC into the Layer 2 network. Once deposited, an equivalent amount of BTC is minted on Bitcoin Hyper’s sidechain in a trustless and verifiable way. This BTC is now fully usable on the Layer 2 network with near-instant transaction speeds.

All of this is powered by the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM). Solana is known for its speed, and Bitcoin Hyper integrates the same engine to process transactions at high throughput. Users can send and receive BTC, interact with DeFi platforms, use apps, and stake their assets without waiting for long confirmations or paying high fees.

And it doesn’t stop there. Bitcoin Hyper regularly compresses and commits its data back to Bitcoin’s main chain, using zero-knowledge proofs to ensure full security and consistency. That way, you’re always getting the speed of Layer 2 with the security of Layer 1.

The $HYPER token is the native token of the ecosystem. This token does a lot. It’s the fuel for transaction fees, it powers staking rewards, it’s used for governance decisions, and it’s also how developers and early adopters are rewarded.

Holding $HYPER gives users access to network services, special features, early launches, and staking rewards.

Cutting-Edge Technology With Real Use Cases

Bitcoin Hyper is built with real performance and sustainability in mind. The platform runs a proof-of-stake system, which is far more energy-efficient than traditional mining. It processes transactions using batch settlements and smart contract execution that’s both fast and eco-friendly.

Its architecture combines Bitcoin’s security with Solana’s performance. The Canonical Bridge ensures seamless BTC transfers in and out of Layer 2. And the SPL-compatible token standard opens the door to all kinds of DeFi tools, NFT platforms, and web3 applications.

On top of that, Bitcoin Hyper supports everything from high-speed payments to gaming and mobile interfaces. Developers get access to SDKs and APIs, while users enjoy low fees and a fast, fluid experience.

Unique Staking System With High Rewards

Tokenomics Designed for Growth

Roadmap: From Launch to Long-Term Vision

Bitcoin Hyper’s roadmap is detailed and focused. It’s rolling out in multiple phases:

Phase 1 (Q2 2025) kicked off with the website and branding, community growth on platforms like X and Discord, and the release of technical documentation.

Phase 2 (Q2–Q3 2025) is where we are now. This phase is all about the presale and staking. Participants can buy and stake $HYPER right now. Security audits are ongoing, and the team is forming partnerships.

Phase 3 (Q3 2025) will mark the launch of the mainnet, activation of the Canonical Bridge, and deployment of the Solana Virtual Machine. This is when dApps will start going live.

Phase 4 (Q4 2025) will focus on expanding the ecosystem. Developer tools will be released, more partnerships in DeFi, gaming, and NFTs will be announced, and $HYPER is expected to hit major exchanges.

Phase 5 (Q1 2026) will move into decentralization with the launch of a DAO, incentives for node operators, and full community governance.

How to Join the Presale and Start Earning

If you already have crypto in your wallet, head to the project’s website and click “Buy” or “Connect Wallet.” You can choose to buy $HYPER and stake it in the same transaction. This lets you start earning rewards right away.

For those using a card, just connect a browser wallet like MetaMask or a mobile wallet like Trust Wallet. After this, select the card option on the website and follow the steps.

VISIT THE BITCOIN HYPER COMMUNITY

   Website  |     X  (Twitter)    |   Telegram

This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide financial advice. Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile, and the market can be unpredictable. Always perform thorough research before making any cryptocurrency-related decisions.

LUCAS PAQUETA is getting ill and feeling stressed by the delay to his spot-fixing probe.

And West Ham boss Graham Potter wants the FA to resolve his case before next season so the club know if he will be part of a rebuild.

2

2

In May 2024, the Brazilian playmaker, 27, was charged with four counts of spot-fixing and two of obstructing an FA investigation.

This followed allegations he intentionally got a yellow card for betting purposes in four Prem games between November 2022 and August 2023.

The club say they have NO idea when the findings of this will be revealed, so do not know if he will be banned for life or found not guilty.

Being in limbo is taking its toll on Paqueta, who denies any wrongdoing, and he broke down in tears of frustration after being booked in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham on May 4.

Today’s clash against seventh-placed Nottingham Forest is the Hammers’ final home match of the season and it could be the last time he ever dons the claret-and-blue colours.

He was an unused sub against Manchester United last week with a  cold.

Potter said: “The week he had was  particularly tough  for him personally, which I think everybody can  understand.

“And then, as a result of that, he was feeling under the weather on the day before the game at Manchester United and during the game.

“So I didn’t want to risk him and make it worse for him. But he’s trained really well, he wants to be part of the team to help and we’ll see how to use him for the weekend.”

When he broke down in tears against Spurs, wife Duda Fournier took to Instagram to express her concerns about her husband’s mental state.

She said: “My husband has a posture and a strength that I admire and impresses me. We have been living this nightmare for two years.”

Asked if the situation was taking  its toll on Paqueta, Potter replied: “Obviously, you know what it’s like, sometimes you are in stress and  pressure, it can manifest itself in a different way.”

Asked if he wants clarity by the start of next season, Potter said: “For everybody concerned, yes. The sooner the better for everyone.

“In fairness to Lucas, he’s handled it brilliantly. Generally he’s come in and conducted himself in a really good way. He’s just ready to help the team.

“I think coming into work is a  distraction for him. It takes his mind off things.

“For me, I’m just there to support him, the same with his team-mates.”

The FA declined to comment when approached by SunSport.

It will be an emotional afternoon in East London also for the likes of Aaron Cresswell, Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal and Danny Ings.

The quartet, who were part of the 2023  Conference League-winning squad, have not been offered new contracts and will leave this summer.

Czech defender Coufal, 32, joined in 2020 from Slavia Prague.

And in a message to Hammers fans, he said: “I knew that once this time would come but I could not imagine how emotional it would be for me and my family.

“I can say with all honesty in my heart that I enjoyed every minute of being at West Ham. I am taking a lot of unforgettable memories with me.” 

Yet there are NO guarantees any of them will play a role today and be given a proper send-off as Potter is eyeing up a possible 13th-place finish.

He added: “There’s a lot at stake in the Premier League in terms of our points and what Forest are fighting for, so we have to make sure we pick the right team to try to win.

“Of course, emotion is always part of football so that can help. But we have to make the decision based on everything to try to win.”