Dakota Smith

Los Angeles Times

Bass announces dramatic expansion of Inside Safe homelessness program during State of the City

By: Julia Wick, Dakota Smith, David Zahniser

Mayor Karen Bass gave her first State of the City address Monday evening at City Hall.

Los Angeles Times

Mayor Karen Bass' first budget: more cops, more hotel rooms for L.A.'s homeless

By: Dakota Smith, Julia Wick, David Zahniser

The mayor's spending plan for the coming year includes a key strategy for rebuilding the LAPD: persuading 200 recently retired officers to come back.

Los Angeles Times

L.A. to pay $38 million over downed power line that electrocuted father and daughter

By: David Zahniser, Dakota Smith

DWP workers fanned out across L.A. on Sunday, informing customers about more than 700 power poles that pose a public safety threat. Those poles are slated for repairs in the next three weeks.

Los Angeles Times

Bass' budget proposal for Animal Services is far less than what department requested

By: Dakota Smith

L.A. City Council members on Monday sought answers about the state of Animal Services during the city's budget discussions.

Los Angeles Times

Former top city attorney gets 9 months of home detention in DWP corruption case

By: Dakota Smith

Thomas Peters was sentenced for his role in an extortion scheme related to the Los Angeles DWP's 2013 billing debacle.

Los Angeles Times

A luxury resort in L.A.'s Benedict Canyon? Fierce debate heads to the City Council

By: Dakota Smith

The proposed development in the Santa Monica Mountains is supported by a powerful labor union. Katy Yaroslavsky, the wealthy neighborhood's City Council representative, opposes it.

Los Angeles Times

L.A. on the Record: Where to draw the line on cops

By: David Zahniser, Dakota Smith

Councilmembers Hugo Soto-Martinez and Eunisses Hernandez followed similar paths into City Hall. But this week, the budget put them on opposing sides.

Los Angeles Times

Rich Connell, longtime Times investigative reporter and editor, dies at 71

By: Dakota Smith

Former Times reporter and editor Rich Connell passed away at age 71.

Los Angeles Times

DWP executive placed on leave amid questions about outside bitcoin business

By: Dakota Smith

John Chen, who directs the DWP’s corporate performance office, likened the bitcoin businesses to owning real estate or stock and said he didn't need the utility's permission to work on it.

Los Angeles Times

Bass names new head of troubled Animal Services department

By: Dakota Smith

In announcing the appointment, the Los Angeles mayor said Staycee Dains will "bring strong leadership and a true passion for animal welfare to L.A. Animal Services."