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com

END OF
AN ERA
AT FOX
NEWS
Powerful, polarizing
boss Rupert Murdoch
hands reins to son at
family’s companies.
By Stephen Battaglio
and Meg James

Rupert Murdoch, the

powerful and controversial
mogul who helped trans-
form the modern media
landscape over seven dec-
ades, is stepping down as
chairman of his two family-
controlled companies, Fox
Corp. and News Corp.
Murdoch, 92, who will be
Qian Weizhong VCG succeeded by his son Lach-
DRUG-SMUGGLING suspects in Arizona. Cartels must replace 350 to 370 workers arrested or slain each week, a study says. lan, announced his decision
in a note sent to employees

Thousands at work for cartels

Thursday.
“I am writing to let you all
know that I have decided to
transition to the role of
Chairman Emeritus at Fox
and News,” the mogul said.

Mexican operations employ an estimated 175,000, study says “For my entire professional
life, I have been engaged
daily with news and ideas,
and that will not change. But
ucated estimate: 175,000. That figure, which “It’s really problematic where they get the time is right for me to
By Patrick J. McDonnell would make the cartels collectively the fifth- their data from,” said Benjamin Smith, a his- take on different roles.”
largest employer in Mexico, has steadily risen tory professor at the University of Warwick in The move is meant to be
MEXICO CITY — Ovidio Guzmán López over the last decade, according to a study pub- England. a firm statement that a
is in a Chicago lockup awaiting trial on drug- lished Thursday in the journal Science that Though cartels have been chronicled in succession plan will pro-
smuggling charges after his extradition last relied on a variety of data to build a math- television series, books and high-profile crim- ceed, with Lachlan Murdoch
week. ematical model of the workforce. inal cases, much about them remains un- pushing the influential me-
His father, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán “It’s very important to understand the size known. Estimates of their annual profits start dia companies — owners of
Loera, infamous founder of the Sinaloa cartel, of the problem,” said lead author Rafael Pri- at $6 billion and spiral upward. politically right-leaning
is already serving a life sentence at a federal eto-Curiel, a postdoctoral researcher at the And cartels long ago branched beyond channel Fox News and the
supermax prison in Colorado. Complexity Science Hub in Vienna. “It helps drug trafficking into other lucrative rackets, Wall Street Journal — for-
Back in Mexico, of course, organized crime put the issue into perspective.” including extortion, kidnapping, fuel theft ward with their ideological
continues to wreak havoc. But other researchers not involved in the and migrant smuggling. That implies a vast lean.
But how many people are on the payrolls of study questioned the estimate, given the lack economy — and a huge labor force. “My father believed in
the Mexican cartels? of precise data and the many ways the work- The head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement freedom, and Lachlan is ab-
Now researchers have come up with an ed- force might adapt to changes in the trade. Administration, Anne [See Cartels, A4] [See Murdoch, A9]

COMMENTARY

Taking His TV empire was

revenge
for a slain fueled by outrage
of “The Simpsons” on the

friend Breaking rules in both

entertainment and
journalism, Murdoch
Fox broadcast network, the
in-your-face brashness of
Laura Ingraham or Peggy
Bundy of “Married ... With
Children.” For better or
By the time Deonte leaves a mixed legacy. worse, Fox has changed how
we watch television and
Lee Murray shot two LORRAINE ALI
consume news by breaking
TELEVISION CRITIC
deputies, he was on an the rules in both spaces. But
what’s largely been good for
11-day crime rampage. When Rupert Murdoch the creative expansion of
stepped down as the chair- entertainment TV has been
By Matthew Ormseth Francine Orr Los Angeles Times man of Fox Corp. and News devastating for journalism
MURRIETA VALLEY Unified student Celeste Stoller, next to mother Corp. on Thursday, he left as a whole.
By the time he sidled up Ruqayyah Stoller, identifies as agender and is opposed to the new policy. his son, Lachlan Murdoch, a Murdoch launched the
to a patrol car and shot two media empire forged atop Fox network with the inten-
Los Angeles County Sher- controversy and incitement. tion of competing with the
iff ’s deputies at point-blank
range, Deonte Lee Murray
was in the midst of a crime
Trans students fear being Pushing boundaries and
harnessing outrage has
been a hallmark of the Fox
Big Three television net-
works — ABC, CBS and
NBC. The fledgling network
rampage.
It began 11 days earlier,
when he shot a man in
outed under gender policies brand since its inception in
1986, whether it’s the con-
trarian stance of the hosts
had to distinguish itself
against more conventional
network series like “The
Compton and stole his Mer- on Fox News or characters [See Legacy, A9]
cedes-Benz, Deputy Dist. their deadname,” said Max Ibarra, a high
Atty. Stephen Lonseth told a By Melissa Gomez school senior in the Chino Valley Unified
jury Wednesday in his clos- School District in San Bernardino
ing argument at Murray’s Many students consider them “forced County, referring to a student’s birth
trial on charges of at- outing” policies. And they are already cre- name before they identify as transgender.
tempted murder, assault, ating fallout. “They can’t start their new school year by
robbery and carjacking. It The recent spate of regulations being themselves, because if they do, they
escalated when Murray’s passed by school boards in conservative will be outed to their families, and there
best friend was killed in a pockets of California requiring schools to are many cases where that’s not safe.”
fiery confrontation with notify parents if a student does some- Chino Valley Unified in San Bernar-
sheriff ’s deputies. thing to indicate gender nonconformity is dino County in July became the first dis-
Seeking revenge, Lon- seeping into campus culture in ways trict in the state to adopt a policy requir-
seth said, Murray shot a some students describe as dangerous ing schools to inform parents if a student
man outside the Compton and repressive. And the students most af- appears to identify as transgender or gen-
courthouse whom he mis- fected, they said, are those who have valid der-nonconforming. Under Chino Val-
took for a detective. Angered reasons for not yet being open with their ley’s policy, district staff are required to
the shooting didn’t make the families about their exploration of gender notify parents in writing within three Victoria Jones Press Assn.
news, the prosecutor said, identity. days if they become aware of students us- MEDIA MOGUL Rupert Murdoch in June. His Fox
Murray targeted the two “Multiple trans kids are having to use ing names, pro- [See Gender, A12] broadcast network broke up Big Three homogeneity.
deputies, Claudia Apolinar
and Emmanuel Perez-
Perez, as they sat in a patrol
car parked at a Metro sta-
tion. Lonseth called it a
“miracle” the deputies wer-
Zelensky visits D.C. UCLA dorm project Lessons from Chile’s Weather
Mostly cloudy.
en’t killed. seeking more war aid delayed over room size tech effort 50 years ago L.A. Basin: 75/62. B6
His argument to the jury
Ukrainian president focuses on Residential spaces would rent for A coup ended an attempt to run
came just four days after an-
limiting loss of support from $600, but UC Regents ask whether its economy from one computer,
other sheriff ’s deputy, Ryan
Republicans for additional 318 square feet is too small for columnist Brian Merchant
Clinkunbroomer, was shot
military help. PERSPECTIVES, A2 three students. CALIFORNIA, B1 writes. BUSINESS, A8
[See Murray, A12]

The day’s top stories, at your fingertips.

Scan the code to download the app.
A2 F R I DAY , S E P T E M B E R 22 , 2 0 23 L AT I M E S . C O M

PERSPECTIVES

Zelensky visits D.C. to seek more war aid

phasis on air defense.”
In Capitol meetings, In a news conference,
White House national secu-
Ukrainian president rity advisor Jake Sullivan
focuses on limiting the said Biden would announce
a “new package of military
loss of support among assistance” that would “in-
Republicans for funds. clude significant air defense
capabilities to help Ukraine
protect its people,” as well as
By Erin B. Logan other weapons and equip-
ment to enable the belea-
WASHINGTON — guered nation to “maintain
Ukrainian President Volody- its momentum in the coun-
myr Zelensky came to Wash- teroffensive.”
ington on Thursday with a “These capabilities will
problem to solve. help Ukraine harden its de-
A year and a half after fenses ahead of what is likely
Russia invaded Ukraine, to be a tough winter filled
once-bipartisan support for with renewed Russian at-
U.S. military funding for his tacks on Ukrainian critical
embattled nation has evapo- infrastructure,” he said.
rated. The Pentagon has opted
Seventy-one percent of not to send Army Tactical
Republicans — along with Missile System long-range
55% of independents but missiles to Ukraine, but Bid-
just 38% of Democrats — en “has not taken it off the
said in a CNN poll in July table” in the future, Sullivan
that Congress should not added.
authorize additional fund- Hours before Zelensky
ing for the war. met with McCarthy, Ukraine
Some GOP members was hit with the biggest bar-
have followed their constitu- rage of Russian missiles in
ents’ lead. In August, 70 more than a month.
House Republicans, nearly a Evan Vucci Pool Photo Overnight, 43 Russian
third of their caucus, voted AFTER President Zelensky’s meetings on Capitol Hill and at the Pentagon, he and President Biden met at the cruise missiles struck cities
for an amendment that White House, where he thanked the U.S. leader for providing continued support to combat “Russian terror.” from east to west, including
would have cut off all U.S. aid the capital, Kyiv; the coun-
to Ukraine. Rep. Doug When the meeting ended, ate the GOP base in their publicans are doing the fully repeating that propa- try’s second-largest city,
LaMalfa of Richvale was the McCarthy bolted to wrangle districts. But voting against same of Biden over his strat- ganda, Gomez said. Kharkiv, close to the Rus-
sole California Republican far-right members to back Ukraine aid, which Demo- egy for Ukraine, Conant Congress must “send a sian border; and Lviv, near
to vote for the measure, legislation to advance Pen- crats still support, could lim- noted. loud message ... across the the Polish frontier. Ukraine’s
which failed after Demo- tagon funding. The measure it their crossover appeal. “They’re the opposition, globe that we stand by our military said it had shot
crats voted with the major- failed in a floor vote, adding Peter Harris, a political so they’re not invested in his friends and we’re not going down 36 of the projectiles, in-
ity of the House GOP to kill to the list of McCarthy’s scientist at Colorado State policies,” he said. to let them get taken over by cluding 20 over Kyiv.
it. problems as the federal gov- University, told The Times Conant added that there a rogue country,” he said. Over a period of hours
Zelensky, fresh from a ernment barrels toward a that some Republicans op- is a small but growing num- “The role of the United lasting until early morning,
visit to the U.N. General As- shutdown by the end of this pose approving funding be- ber of Republicans who are States and its stature the repeated blare of air
sembly in New York City, ar- month. cause they believe the “very skeptical of foreign in- around the globe relies on us alarms sent people scram-
rived at the Capitol on Senate Minority Leader United States should be terventions” and that a following through on our bling for shelter, many with
Thursday under heavy secu- Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) more focused on defeating “small faction can cause big word,” Gomez added. “And if small children and pets in
rity. His top priority: to make was more enthusiastic after another world power: China. problems.” Still, a majority we allow a country like Rus- tow. In Kyiv, falling debris
sure the number of Republi- his meeting with the Ukrain- Harris also predicted that of the GOP backs sending sia to invade another coun- damaged several buildings
cans unwilling to continue ian president. support for Ukraine will military aid, especially in the try, it might create a willing- and left at least four people
funding the war effort “American support for probably continue to wane Senate. ness of other countries to injured.
doesn’t get any bigger. Ukraine is not charity,” he as the war drags on. Though support for the take action through military Zelensky made grim note
A meeting with House said after they met. “It’s an “I wouldn’t be surprised if war has also slipped among might.” of the wave of strikes, writing
Speaker Kevin McCarthy investment in our own direct a pretty sizable faction Democratic voters since the Zelensky left the Capitol in a post on the messaging
(R-Bakersfield), who’s also interest — not least because within the Republican Party invasion, the party’s law- before noon, traveling to the app Telegram that air de-
facing a looming govern- degrading Russia’s military came to the determination makers remain overwhelm- Pentagon to meet with De- fense is “among the top is-
ment shutdown and a po- power helps to deter our pri- that it would be politically ingly supportive of approv- fense Secretary Lloyd J. sues” as he seeks to win sup-
tential leadership coup by mary strategic adversary: prudent to end the war ing military aid. Austin III. port in the U.S. Congress for
far-right members of his China.” rather than supporting In an interview with The The Ukrainian leader more aid.
caucus, was first on Zelen- Zelensky emphasized Ukraine,” he said. Times, Rep. Jimmy Gomez also met with Biden at the Russia’s defeat is an
sky’s agenda. The meeting Ukraine’s gratitude for U.S. Some Republicans vying (D-Los Angeles) said that White House in the after- absolute necessity, Linda
was attended by committee assistance — and expressed for the White House have al- “when there is contention noon. Thomas-Greenfield, U.S.
and party leaders, including thanks to “both parties” in a ready made that call. During within any political party, Seated next to Biden in ambassador to the U.N., told
House Minority Leader Ha- tweet Thursday afternoon. the GOP primary debate in people try to distinguish the Oval Office, Zelensky CNN this week.
keem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). Ze- “We have accomplished August, Florida Gov. Ron themselves from one anoth- thanked the president for “Ukraine has to win, be-
lensky later met with sena- much together to safeguard DeSantis and tech entrepre- er.” providing continued sup- cause if Ukraine loses this
tors behind closed doors. democracy, freedom, and neur Vivek Ramaswamy He said that many port to combat “Russian ter- war, we all lose,” she said.
McCarthy declined Ze- dignity — values shared by said they would stop aid Republicans on the House ror.” “They are fighting on behalf
lensky’s request to address a both of our nations,” he add- to Ukraine if elected presi- Intelligence Committee do “It’s good that our coun- of democracies around the
joint session of Congress, ed. dent. understand the stakes: If tries are really truly allies,” world.”
saying there was not enough Many of California’s Re- “It’s not unusual for the American military aid stops, he said. “Today I’m in Wash- The U.S., she added, “will
time. He also reportedly de- publican House members opposition party to be skep- it will make the war even ington to strengthen our stand with Ukraine as long
clined a White House offer to are in a particularly difficult tical of an administration’s more challenging for Ukrai- ability to defend Ukrainian as they need us.”
give House lawmakers the position. Of the 18 Republi- policies,” Alex Conant, a Re- nians. children, our families, our
same classified briefing the cans from districts nation- publican strategist, told The Propaganda pushed out homes, freedom and democ- Times staff writers Tracy
Senate received this week. wide that President Biden Times. by the Kremlin is convincing racy in the world.” Wilkinson and Courtney
Asked by reporters about won in 2020, five — nearly a Democrats were the first many voters that the United He added that he looked Subramanian in
the meeting with Ukraine’s third — are in California. If to critique then-President States should not be in- forward to their discussion Washington and Laura King
leader, McCarthy said only they continue to back the George W. Bush over the war volved in Ukraine — and on military support from in Kyiv contributed to this
that “it was good.” war effort, they could alien- in Iraq, and now some Re- some Republicans are glee- the U.S., with a “special em- report.

Pope to speak up for migrants; will EU leaders listen?

future, he said last weekend reach Europe. on governments to respect
By Nicole Winfield, about his upcoming trip to The encounter will bring international human rights
Trisha Thomas Marseille, “will only be pros- together leaders of Mar- principles.
and Sylvie Corbet perous if it is built on frater- seille’s various faith groups “Does that translate into
nity, putting human dignity, — Muslims, Jews, Armenian any kind of political pres-
VATICAN CITY — Ten real people and especially and Orthodox Christians, sure? I simply don’t know,”
years after Pope Francis the most needy first.” and Roman Catholics — and Crisp said in a telephone in-
made a landmark visit to the Francis has long made will feature testimony of mi- terview. “But I think you
Italian island of Lampedusa the plight of migrants a pri- grants, rescue groups and could probably argue that it
to show solidarity with mi- ority of his papacy, starting the pope. The speakers’ list could only have been worse
grants, he is joining Catholic from that remarkable 2013 suggests a united voice to without his interventions.”
bishops from the Mediterra- visit to Lampedusa, his first call for a culture of tolerance Young men who arrived
nean this weekend in France trip since becoming pope. toward migrants, and in Italy amid the recent wave
to make the call more united. There, he celebrated Mass lament that the Mediterra- of migrants hope someone
The question is whether on an altar made of ship- nean has become, in Francis’ will listen. On a recent day, a
anyone in European corri- wrecked wood, tossed flow- words, “the world’s biggest group from South Sudan
dors of power will listen as ers in the sea in tribute to mi- cemetery.” stopped in Rome en route
they scramble to stem a new grants who had drowned, Gregorio Borgia Associated Press The question is whether from Lampedusa to the
tide of would-be refugees and decried the “globaliza- POPE FRANCIS, shown in Lampedusa, Italy, in anyone in power will listen. French border. One particu-
setting off from Africa. tion of indifference” that the 2013, has long focused on the plight of migrants. President Emmanuel Mac- larly tall man said he wanted
Francis’ overnight visit world shows people who risk ron, whose government has to go to France to play
Friday to the French port their lives to flee poverty, neglected.” nians; people from France’s shifted rightward on migra- basketball; another said he
city of Marseille to close out conflict and climate disas- In Marseille, one of the former colonies in North Af- tion and security issues, will wanted to go to Britain to be
a meeting of Mediterranean ters to seek a better life. most multicultural, multi- rica, West Africa and the join Francis on Saturday. a doctor. Their only belong-
bishops was scheduled Since then, he has made religious and multiethnic Comoros Islands — have set- The centrist president has ings were the clothes on
months ago. But it comes as some other high-profile ges- cities on the shores of the tled in the city center, open- taken a firm stance on mi- their backs; volunteers gave
Europe’s migrant problem is tures to draw attention to Mediterranean, the pontiff ing shops and restaurants gration after coming under them shoes.
once again making head- the Gospel-mandated call to will be joined by about 60 that contribute to the city’s criticism from conservatives After they spent a few
lines, given the nearly 7,000 welcome strangers, most bishops from North Africa, reputation as a melting pot. and the far right. He is push- nights sleeping on the
migrants who came ashore spectacularly when he the Middle East, Balkans “Marseille is indeed like a ing to strengthen the Euro- ground below a noisy high-
on Lampedusa in a day last brought back a dozen Syrian and Southern Europe, along city that embodies this di- pean Union’s external bor- way overpass near Rome’s
week, briefly outnumbering Muslims aboard his plane with young people from versity of France,” said ders and wants the bloc to be main bus station, a nonprof-
the resident population. after a 2016 visit to a refugee those regions. It’s the third Camille Le Coz, associate di- more efficient in deporting it bought them cheap bus
The drama has sparked camp in Lesbos, Greece. His Mediterranean conference rector of Migration Policy those refused entry. tickets north. That evening,
another round of hand- mantra: Welcome, protect, of its kind after the first two Institute’s Europe office, in As a result, France’s cur- 16 boys left on a bus bound
wringing and pledges of soli- promote and integrate, with were held in Italy. Paris. “This great tradition rent political climate and its for Marseille.
darity from European capi- the last exhortation an ac- The location is not coinci- of migration, but also a city tradition of laicite, or secu- They were planning to
tals, with even talk of a naval knowledgment that govern- dental. Marseille for cen- that is concentrating so larism, suggest neither Mac- get off before the French bor-
blockade to prevent depar- ments have limits in their turies has been character- many difficulties in terms of ron nor other European der, where police checks
tures. It’s a policy Francis abilities to accept new- ized by a strong presence of access to public services, in- leaders will necessarily heed have increased amid Italy’s
has long condemned given comers and truly integrate migrants living together in a security, drug trafficking. Francis’ call. new migrant influx, and to
that an European Union- them well. tradition of tolerance, even It’s a very complicated “I think given our compli- try to cross on foot. One of
funded operation to return “The message that he is though today France’s sec- place.” cated relationship with the them, a 16-year-old named
migrants to Libya lands conveying is that the Medi- ond city is also known for its One of the highlights of church and with religion, we Dot, was wearing new yellow
them in what he has called terranean is our responsibil- high crime and unemploy- Francis’ trip will be an inter- don’t expect this to have so Converse sneakers provided
modern-day concentration ity,” said Cardinal Michael ment rates, poverty and lack faith prayer Friday at a Mar- much impact, to be honest,” by volunteers.
camps. Czerny, the Vatican’s top mi- of social services. seille monument dedicated Le Coz said. “We walked from South
For Francis, the shocking gration expert and himself a Unlike many other to sailors who died at sea, in Jeffery Crisp, a research Sudan,” Dot said before
scenes of men, women and refugee. “In other words, you French cities where foreign- this case honoring the 28,000 fellow at Oxford University’s boarding the bus. “We can
children packed into a ref- can’t look at it as each one ers tend to live on the out- migrants estimated by the Refugee Studies Center, said walk to France.”
ugee center in Lampedusa has a bit of coastline and is skirts, in Marseille migrants International Organization Francis does have a moral
have underscored that mi- responsible for that bit. and their descendants of of Migration who have authority and has been Winfield, Thomas and
gration as a phenomenon There’s a collective respon- diverse backgrounds — Ital- drowned in the Mediterra- wielding it to speak out on Corbet write for the
must be tackled jointly. The sibility which is largely being ians, Spaniards and Arme- nean since 2014 trying to migration, calling especially Associated Press.
L AT I M E S . C O M F R I DAY , S E P T E M B E R 22 , 2 0 23 A3

THE WORLD

Thousands more are crossing Darien Gap

The migrants had fewer the U.S. Border Patrol with
Migrants waiting to complaints about their taking migrants into cus-
journeys beyond the jungle tody.”
hop trains in Mexico through Panama, Costa
describe a large-scale Rica and Nicaragua, saying ::
officials in those countries
smuggling operation mostly seemed to want to For many, the idea of
through risky jungle. move them through to the hitching a train ride was
next country quickly. daunting.
In contrast, almost all of “If I had known how dan-
By Mark Stevenson the migrants said that while gerous it was going to be, I
traveling through Guatema- would have stayed to die in
HUEHUETOCA, Mexico la, they encountered re- Venezuela with my family,”
— Thousands of migrants peated sexual abuse and ex- said Félix Rodríguez of Bar-
riding atop railway cars in tortion by the police. quisimeto, Venezuela, who
Mexico this week or waiting But it is in Mexico where was traveling with his wife
in mile-long lines by the they face perhaps the dead- and two sons, ages 13 and 14.
tracks to hitch a ride to liest part of their journey Rodríguez refused to
the U.S. have triggered the since the Darien Gap: hop- jump on a train that passed
closure of one U.S. border ping aboard freight trains. by Huehuetoca on Tuesday
crossing and forced Mexico’s Migrants have long trav- night, judging it too risky.
largest railroad to suspend eled through Mexico aboard Instead, he walked away
dozens of freight trains. the trains, known collec- from the tracks, saying he
But the surge has also re- tively as “the Beast,” at lev- and his family would sell
vealed a much larger phe- els that have fluctuated with snacks in the streets or wash
nomenon: an almost un- efforts to keep them off. car windows to raise enough
broken chain of migrants They usually board when money for bus tickets to the
being shuffled from Colom- a train stops to switch border.
bia through the Darien Gap tracks. They prefer climbing “It’s dangerous to get on
jungle into Panama on an in- onto freight cars, which have board with children, but a lot
dustrial scale that could ap- Eduardo Verdugo Associated Press flat tops with ladders and of people die to reach their
proach 500,000 this year. MIGRANTS WAIT in Huehuetoca, Mexico, hoping to catch a ride north. Sixty railings they can hold on to. dream,” Rodríguez said.
Those migrants are then freight trains were halted because of recent injuries and deaths among migrants. But in their desperation, His approach carries its
moving steadily up through some migrants also crowd own risk. Migrants prefer
Central America into Mexi- lished camps and rudimen- move people through as those already aboard a train. onto the narrow, unrailed the train not just because it
co and on to the U.S. border. tary trail markers that start quickly as possible,” Vene- tops of tank cars, where fall- costs nothing to ride, but be-
“Behind us, there are in Necocli, Colombia. zuelan migrant Jose Javier :: ing asleep or being jostled cause Mexican police and
thousands more. It’s contin- Venezuelan migrants in Fereira said of the gangs can lead to a fatal fall. immigration agents often
uous,” Juan Carlos Leal, a Huehuetoca said the Darien running the smuggling. Migrants continue to be Mexico’s largest railroad, pull migrants off buses, say-
Venezuelan migrant who operation appears to be “This is not going to stop un- preyed upon by corrupt offi- Ferromex, said Tuesday it ing the humanitarian visa or
was waiting with his 5-year- dominated by Colombian til they put a stop to the cials, gangs, thieves and sex- had temporarily halted 60 asylum application papers
old son on Wednesday be- paramilitary groups that mafia in Necocli.” ual abusers almost every freight trains because so they carry don’t allow them
side railroad tracks about 35 funnel part of their proceeds A former taxi driver, Fer- step of the way. many migrants had climbed to travel into Mexico’s north.
miles north of Mexico City. to Panama’s autonomous eira said he couldn’t earn a At least half a dozen of aboard that it was unsafe to The current surge is not a
He and others waiting to Indigenous groups. living in Venezuela because the migrants in Huehuetoca move the cars. caravan of the kind that saw
hop on passing trains — Panama’s government gasoline is too expensive for described seeing the same In recent days, there were 10,000 to 15,000 migrants —
some still moving — in the said last week that it would those who are not well con- decomposing bodies of a about a “half-dozen regret- mainly from Central Ameri-
Mexican town of Huehue- increase deportations to nected. But he left his family woman and her newborn table cases of injuries or ca — walk and hitchhike
toca said some 3,500 people confront the record-break- behind because the journey baby, a young couple and an deaths” among migrants, across Mexico in disciplined
a day were being moved ing flow of migrants through seemed too dangerous. older, heavy-set man along Ferromex said in a state- groups in 2018 and 2019.
through jungle camps or- Darien. That was not the case the jungle trail in Darien. ment. The migrants crossing
ganized by smugglers in Co- The smuggling network for everyone. Many people Migrants also shared The company said some Mexico on trains this week
lombia, on the other side of can now get migrants from were waiting with their en- matching descriptions of migrants were even jumping often did not know which
the Darien Gap, because Venezuela to central Mexico tire families to hop freight the smuggling industry in on moving freight cars “de- border town they would
that is how many people can in as little as just over two cars in Huehuetoca. Colombia: They said smug- spite the grave danger that head to, and they were trav-
fit in each camp. weeks, an odyssey that once Mayerlin Bracamontes glers attach two concert- represents.” eling only with relatives or a
could take months. cuddled and played with her style bracelets to the wrists The flood of migrants small group of friends.
:: Detentions along the 5-month-old daughter as of migrants who have paid into Eagle Pass, Texas, led “We Venezuelans take
U.S.-Mexico border soared she waited for a train. the minimum $350 smug- U.S. Customs and Border care of each other — that is
The amount of time it 33% from June to July, ac- “It is dangerous,” she gling fee. One bracelet signi- Protection to close one of something we have,” one mi-
takes to make the dangerous cording to U.S. government acknowledged. fies that the migrant has two bridges into the city grant said as he offered to
jungle crossing has been re- figures, reversing a plunge For this leg of the journey, paid the gang; the other sig- from the Mexican town of help boost Bracamontes’
duced from over a week to as after new asylum restric- she said, she was accompa- nifies that a cut has been giv- Piedras Negras. The agency baby aboard a train.
little as two days for the tions were introduced in nied by fellow Venezuelans en to Panamanian Indige- said the bridge was tempo-
strongest walkers, due to a May. who would help pass her nous groups through whose rarily closed “in order to re- Stevenson writes for the
network of guides, estab- “It’s in their interest to baby to waiting hands of territory the migrants pass. direct personnel to assist Associated Press.
A4 F R I DAY , S E P T E M B E R 22 , 2 0 23 L AT I M E S . C O M

Azerbaijan claims
victory in restive
region, holds talks
restored its sovereignty in
Separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The Azerbaijani army
Nagorno-Karabakh unleashed artillery and
will receive fuel and drone attacks Tuesday
against the outnumbered
humanitarian aid. and under-supplied pro-Ar-
menian forces in the region,
associated press which is internationally rec-
ognized as part of Azerbai-
Representatives from jan.
Nagorno-Karabakh and the The fighting worsened an
Azerbaijani government already grim humanitarian
held a first round of talks situation for residents who
Thursday on the future of have endured shortages of
the breakaway region that food and medicine for
Azerbaijan now says it fully months under Azerbaijan’s
controls after a military of- blockade of the road con-
fensive this week. necting Nagorno-Karabakh
The discussions in the to Armenia.
city of Yevlakh focused on Nagorno-Karabakh hu-
the “reintegration” of man rights ombudsman Gary Coronado Los Angeles Times
Nagorno-Karabakh, along Gegham Stepanyan said at A POLICE OFFICER guards an outpost in Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico, near territory contested by opposing
with its ethnic Armenian least 200 people, including 10 cartels. The study in Science didn’t account for police or other officials on cartel payrolls, one expert noted.
population, into Azerbaijan civilians, were killed and

Experts question cartel study

in the decades-old conflict, more than 400 were
according to the office of Az- wounded in the fighting. The
erbaijan President Ilham figures could not immedi-
Aliyev. ately be independently veri-
Representatives from fied.
the region asked for fuel and Authorities in Nagorno- [Cartels, from A1] run global contraband net- allure and the romanticizing wrote, “drug market trends
food, and Azerbaijani offi- Karabakh accused Azerbai- Milgram, told Congress in works. of drug trafficking in popu- might suggest the need for
cials agreed to provide hu- jan on Thursday of violating July that Mexico’s two most The authors acknowl- lar culture. smaller, not larger staffs.”
manitarian aid, including the cease-fire agreement by powerful criminal organiza- edged that their findings The authors ruled out The legalization of can-
energy to heat kindergar- firing on Stepanakert, ac- tions — the Sinaloa cartel are “imperfect.” Research- addressing the issue using nabis in many U.S. states
tens and schools, a state- cording to the Russian news and the Jalisco New Genera- ers made an “educated mass incarceration — a con- has reduced demand for
ment from Aliyev’s office agency Interfax. Azerbai- tion cartel — had almost guess” as to what share of troversial policy that El Sal- marijuana from Mexico, and
said. There were reports of jan’s Defense Ministry de- 45,000 members, associates, murder victims and inmates vador’s President Nayib Bu- the emergence of the syn-
blackouts in Stepanakert, nied there had been any at- facilitators and brokers in were cartel members, Pri- kele has implemented in his thetic opioid fentanyl may
the regional capital, and tack, the Azerbaijani news more than 100 countries. eto-Curiel said. battle against gangs — say- have trimmed the market for
some people had to use agency reported. Mexican President Smith, author of the 2021 ing it was not a feasible strat- Mexican-produced heroin.
campfires to cook what food Azerbaijan’s move to re- Andrés Manuel López Obra- book “The Dope: The Real egy in a nation as large as “Perhaps cartel labor is
they could find. claim control over Nagorno- dor, a frequent skeptic of History of the Mexican Drug Mexico. The model suggests increasingly employed to de-
Nagorno-Karabakh has Karabakh raised concerns Washington’s drug policies, Trade,” pointed out that the that the number of cartel fend drugs and workers from
been deprived for months of that a full-scale war in the re- scoffed at those numbers. model failed to capture the members would continue to attacks by rivals, or to intim-
basic supplies, including gion could resume. Both For the Science paper, re- number of police officers, rise even if their impris- idate officials, not to pro-
medicine, because of a sides have been locked in a searchers crunched stat- military personnel, politi- onments were to double. duce or distribute drugs,”
blockade by Azerbaijan that struggle over Nagorno- istics on incarceration and cians and other officials on The paper did not ad- the accompanying article
severed the only road link to Karabakh since a separatist casualties in the last decade. cartel payrolls. dress how to diminish stated.
Armenia in the southern war there ended in 1994. A They estimated that Mexi- He also questioned the Americans’ demand for nar- Cartel activities are wide-
Caucasus Mountains re- six-week war in 2020 killed can cartels must recruit value of using incarceration cotics, the engine driving ly viewed as contributing to
gion. more than 6,700 people and 350 to 370 people each week and homicide numbers in a drug trafficking. the weakening of democracy
The quick capitulation saw Azerbaijan reclaim to replenish the ranks di- country where relatively few In an article accompany- in Mexico, a country of 127
by the separatists reflected large parts of the region, and minished as workers are ar- murderers are ever jailed. ing the study, three U.S.- million, while escalating
their weakness from the Russia dispatched 2,000 rested or slain. And, he said, identifying based experts called the pa- U.S.-Mexico tensions.
blockade. Another round of peacekeepers after it bro- Being a cartel worker is cartel members among the per an “important contrib- Cartels are the major
talks will be held soon, kered a truce. “like playing Russian rou- more than 100,000 people ution.” But they faulted it for driver of rising violence in
Aliyev’s office said. The U.N. Security Coun- lette,” Prieto-Curiel said. listed as “disappeared” in not recognizing the adapt- Mexico. In 2021, the paper
The talks came after local cil scheduled an urgent The study cites a greatly Mexico seems questionable. ability of organized crime, said, Mexico recorded 34,000
Armenian self-defense meeting Thursday on the fragmented panorama of 150 Still, he called the study a saying that cartels have the intentional homicides, more
forces in the region, in the Azerbaijani offensive at the cartels. Many are small re- “useful exercise,” as it pro- financial muscle to raise than quadruple the total in
southern Caucasus Moun- request of France. gional bands that are not vides “an indication of the wages or take other steps to 2007, when the government
tains, agreed Wednesday to French President Em- necessarily affiliated with depth and extent of organ- offset personnel shortfalls. launched a futile crackdown
disarm and disband follow- manuel Macron spoke with sophisticated, transnation- ized crime in Mexico.” “Cartel members are not on cartels.
ing a military operation Aliyev and condemned Az- al syndicates. Using their mathemati- billiard balls or atoms locked Fentanyl — much of it
launched by Azerbaijan in erbaijan’s decision to use The estimate of 175,000 cal model, the authors of the into mechanistic reactions churned out in clandestine
the decades-long separatist force “at the risk of wors- “active cartel members” in study concluded that in- to external shocks,” they Mexican labs — has flooded
conflict. A Russian-mediat- ening the humanitarian cri- Mexico at the end of 2022 creasing education and job wrote. “Cartels are adaptive the U.S. in recent years,
ed cease-fire ended the lat- sis in Nagorno-Karabakh,” includes full-time and occa- opportunities for young men organizations often run by causing tens of thousands of
est round of fighting in the the French presidential of- sional employees, Prieto- — who make up the majority intelligent people who can deaths and straining rela-
region, which has run its fice said. It added that Mac- Curiel said. Their ranks in- of recruits — is the only way alter behavior in response to tions between the countries.
own affairs since the early ron “stressed the need to re- clude peasants who culti- to thwart the cartels and re- changing conditions.” Some Republican law-
1990s. spect” the cease-fire and vate opium poppies, pis- duce violence. They also questioned makers have even backed
Aliyev declared victory in provide guarantees for “the toleros who guard metham- “We have made cartels the conclusion that cartel the idea of dispatching U.S.
a televised address to the na- rights and security of the phetamine and fentanyl desirable,” said Prieto- staffing levels have been ris- troops to combat Mexican
tion, saying his country had people of Karabakh.” laboratories, and capos who Curiel, noting the financial ing at a time when, they cartels.

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A6 F R I DAY , S E P T E M B E R 22 , 2 0 23 L AT I M E S . C O M

THE NATION

Thousands of Venezuelans in
U.S. to be allowed to seek work
Biden is granting
temporary legal status
to the migrants.
J. Scott Applewhite Associated Press The move may help
SEN. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and other members of the overwhelmed cities.
House Freedom Caucus speak outside the Capitol.
By Rebecca Santana

McCarthy dealt a and Elliot Spagat

WASHINGTON — The

crushing defeat as Biden administration says

it’s granting temporary legal
status to hundreds of thou-
sands of Venezuelans who

shutdown looms are already in the country —

quickly making them eligi-
ble to work — as it grapples
with growing numbers of
people fleeing the South
rary bill just to keep the gov- American country and else-
House speaker’s latest ernment open. That stop- where to arrive at the U.S.-
gap measure would fund Mexico border. Gary Coronado Los Angeles Times
attempt to appease government for another The move — along with AMBAR, 28, and her 10-year-old daughter, who are from Venezuela, at MacAr-
his hard-right flank month but was in serious promises to accelerate work thur Park in June. They came by bus from Texas and were trying to go to Utah.
doubt. It too had catered to permits for many migrants
through a defense other hard-right priorities to — may appease Democratic jungle in Panama. arrived migrants to be able announced a state of emer-
funding bill collapses. slash spending by 8% from leaders who have pressured Venezuelans who arrive to work legally so that they gency Wednesday because
many services and to bolster the White House to do more in the U.S. after July 31 of this can support themselves. of a “severe undocumented
security at the U.S.-Mexico to aid asylum seekers, while year will not be eligible for Democratic officials in immigrant surge.”
By Lisa Mascaro border. providing grist for Republi- the protection. Those who New York, Massachusetts, Maverick County Sheriff
and Stephen Groves Many on the right flank cans who say President Bid- are now eligible have to ap- Chicago and elsewhere have Tom Schmerber said about
want to see progress on the en has been too lax on immi- ply to get it. complained about the strain 2,700 migrants crossed into
WASHINGTON — 12 individual appropriations gration. Homeland Security Sec- that newly arrived migrants Eagle Pass on Tuesday and
House Speaker Kevin Mc- bills that would fund the var- The Homeland Security retary Alejandro N. May- are putting on their re- about 3,000 on Wednesday.
Carthy’s latest plan to pre- ious federal departments at Department plans to grant orkas granted the expansion sources, especially in New The administration also
vent a looming federal the lower levels these law- temporary protected status and an 18-month extension York, where the government said Wednesday that it was
shutdown by appeasing his makers are demanding be- to an estimated 472,000 Ven- for those who already have is required to provide hous- using Defense Department
hard-right flank quickly col- fore they give their votes for ezuelans who arrived in the temporary status because of ing for anyone who needs it. forces to support Homeland
lapsed Thursday, a crushing any short-term measure. country as of July 31, making “Venezuela’s increased in- The city is paying to house Security staff on the border.
defeat that makes a disrup- Many opposed the deal Mc- it easier for them to get au- stability and lack of safety about 60,000 newly arrived Homeland Security already
tion in government services Carthy struck with Biden thorization to work in the due to the enduring humani- migrants. uses about 2,500 National
almost certain. this year over the spending U.S. That’s been a key de- tarian, security, political, New York Gov. Kathy Guard troops to help Cus-
A government closure is levels and are trying to dis- mand of Democratic mayors and environmental condi- Hochul said in a statement toms and Border Protec-
increasingly likely as time mantle it now. and governors struggling to tions,” the department said late Wednesday that she was tion. In the news release,
runs out for Congress to act. Then the test vote on the manage an increased num- in a statement. “grateful the federal govern- Homeland Security said as
The bid by McCarthy (R- defense bill shattered Mc- ber of migrants in their care. The administration said ment has acted so speedily many as 800 new active-duty
Bakersfield) to move ahead Carthy’s strategy. That’s in addition to it would accelerate work au- to grant one of our top pri- troops would also be de-
with a traditionally popular He commands a narrow about 242,700 Venezuelans thorizations for people who orities: Temporary Pro- tailed to the border for tasks
defense funding bill as a first majority in the House, and who qualified for temporary have arrived in the country tected Status to Venezuelan such as logistics to free up
step toward keeping the gov- Republicans appeared on status before Wednesday’s since January through a asylum seekers and mi- customs officials for more
ernment running was shat- track, in a tight roll call, to announcement. mobile app for appoint- grants who have already ar- front-line responsibilities.
tered by a core group of Re- advancing the measure The protections for Vene- ments at land crossings with rived in this country.” Homeland Security said
publican colleagues when Thursday. Then the Demo- zuelans are significant be- Mexico, called CBP One, or The city’s mayor, Eric it was also taking other steps
they refused to vote with the crats who had not yet voted cause Venezuelans account through parole granted to Adams, has been especially to deal with immigration,
increasingly endangered began rushing into the for such a large number of Cubans, Haitians, Nicara- critical of the Biden admin- such as scaling up a process
speaker, whose job is on the chamber. the migrants arriving in the guans and Venezuelans who istration. On Wednesday, he started in May to quickly
line. New York Rep. Alexan- U.S. in recent years. have financial sponsors and praised the decision to grant remove families found to
A test vote to advance the dria Ocasio-Cortez and fel- Venezuela has plunged arrive at an airport. It will protections to Venezuelans have no basis to stay in the
bill failed, 212 to 216, as a low Democrats yelled out to into a political, economic aim to give them work per- and thanked the adminis- country.
handful of Republicans hold open the vote. She was and humanitarian crisis mits within 30 days, com- tration for listening to the It said it has increased
joined with Democrats to a “no.” A few others came in over the last decade, push- pared with about 90 days city’s concerns. the number of people ex-
stop it. It was the third time behind her and tipped the ing at least 7.3 million people currently. The number of migrants pelled from the U.S. Since
that McCarthy has been tally toward defeat. to migrate and making food The promise of acceler- trying to cross the southern May 12, the agency said it has
stymied on the defense bill, The Democrats oppose and other necessities unaf- ated work permits does not border is rising. That poses a removed 253,000 people to
an unheard-of loss for a the military bill on many fordable for those who re- apply to people who cross severe challenge for the ad- slightly more than 150 coun-
speaker. Once again the fronts, including the Repub- main. The vast majority who the border illegally and seek ministration, which has tries around the world. That
House came to a sudden lican provisions that would fled settled in neighboring asylum, who, by law, must struggled to show it is in con- compares with 180,000 re-
standstill. gut diversity programs at countries in Latin America, wait for six months to re- trol of the border in the face moved during the same pe-
“This is a whole new con- the Pentagon. As passage but many began coming to ceive work permits. of Republican criticism. The riod in 2019.
cept of individuals who just appeared doomed, atten- the U.S. in the last three Mayors and governors city of Eagle Pass, which bor-
want to burn the whole place tion turned to the five Re- years through the danger- have been clamoring for Bid- ders Mexico along the Rio Santana and Spagat write
down,” McCarthy said after publican holdouts to switch ous Darien Gap, a stretch of en to find a way to get newly Grande in southern Texas, for the Associated Press.
the vote, acknowledging he their votes.
was frustrated. “It doesn’t GOP leaders spent more
work.” than an hour on the floor try-
The open revolt was fur- ing to recruit one holdout,
ther evidence that McCar-
thy’s strategy of repeatedly
giving in to the conserva-
tives is seemingly only em-
Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.),
to vote “yes.”
Bishop said afterward
that he would have been will-
Senate confirms 3 military leaders
boldening them. A handful ing to flip his vote in support
of GOP lawmakers, urged on but that he felt that the pre- infantry officer who has
by Donald Trump, the par- vious evening’s long meet- Votes come after commanded at every level
ty’s early front-runner for ing, when McCarthy con- and served multiple tours in
the 2024 presidential nomi- vened lawmakers for two delays caused by GOP Afghanistan and Iraq, in-
nation, have run roughshod hours in the Capitol base- lawmaker holding up cluding time in Fallujah and
over their own House major- ment, did not provide him Ramadi during heavy com-
ity. the assurances he needed. nominations and bat in 2004 and 2005 in Oper-
Trump urged the conser- When asked what it promotions. ation Iraqi Freedom.
vatives to hold the line would take to gain his vote, A host of military officers
against the higher funding Bishop said, “I think a have spoken out about the
levels McCarthy had agreed schedule of appropriations By Mary Clare damage of the delays for
to with President Biden ear- bills over Kevin McCarthy’s Jalonick service members at all lev-
lier this year and to end the signature would be mean- and Lolita C. Baldor els. While Tuberville’s holds
federal criminal indictments ingful to you [and] to me.” are focused on all general
against the former presi- Others were dug in, in- WASHINGTON — The and flag officers, the delays
dent. cluding some who had sup- Senate has confirmed three block opportunities for
“This is also the last ported advancing the de- top military leaders, filling Mariam Zuhaib Associated Press more junior officers to rise.
chance to defund these po- fense bill just two days ago the posts after months-long AIR FORCE Gen. CQ Brown was confirmed as the Shortly after the Senate
litical prosecutions against when it failed. delays and as a Republican next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. vote, George was sworn in by
me and other Patriots,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor senator is still holding up Army Secretary Christine
Trump wrote on social me- Greene (R-Ga.), a chief op- hundreds of other nomina- always approved in large lvin is the vice chief of the Air Wormuth.
dia. “They failed on the debt ponent of more aid for tions and promotions for groups by unanimous con- Force. Franchetti is cur- “While this is a great day
limit, but they must not fail Ukraine in the war against senior officers. sent, meaning no objections rently serving as acting for the Army, I am keenly
now. Use the power of the Russia, said she voted On Thursday, Gen. from senators. Tuberville chief. aware that hundreds of
purse and defend the Coun- against the defense bill this Randy George was con- has upended that tradition The blockade has frus- apolitical military officers
try!” time because her party’s firmed as Army chief of staff, by objecting, and he has said trated members on both still have their nominations
A federal shutdown leadership refused to sepa- and Gen. Eric Smith was he will continue to object un- sides of the aisle, and it is still blocked in the Senate by a
looms Sept. 30, the end of the rate out the war money. Her confirmed as commandant less the Pentagon reverses unclear how the larger blanket hold,” Wormuth
budget year, if Congress can- stand came as Ukraine’s of the U.S. Marine Corps. On its new policy of paying for standoff will be resolved. said, adding that the holds
not pass the bills needed to president, Volodymyr Zelen- Wednesday, the Senate con- travel when a service mem- Schumer did not say if he are a “discouraging signal
fund the government or ap- sky, was at the Capitol dur- firmed Gen. CQ Brown as ber has to go out of state to would put additional nomi- for the talented junior and
prove a short-term measure ing a high-profile visit to the next chairman of the get an abortion or other re- nations on the floor. field grade officers as they
to keep Washington running Washington. Joint Chiefs of Staff, putting productive care. George, nominated by contemplate their future as
while negotiations continue. McCarthy had pledged to him in place to succeed Gen. In an effort to force Tu- President Biden in April, senior Army leaders.”
“We need the extreme keep lawmakers in session Mark Milley when he retires berville’s hand, Senate Ma- was confirmed on a 96-1 vote. After Brown was con-
MAGA Republicans to get this weekend for as long as it at the end of the month. jority Leader Charles E. The current vice chief of the firmed, Defense Secretary
their act together,” said took to finish their work. But Democrats are still try- Schumer (D-N.Y.) had origi- Army, he is also a decorated Lloyd J. Austin III said the
House Democratic leader as he runs out of options, the ing to maneuver around nally said he would not move infantry officer, who com- holds are endangering na-
Hakeem Jeffries of New next steps are uncertain. holds placed on more than any of the nominations, in- manded at all levels and did tional security and military
York, referring to Trump’s Many Republicans were 300 nominations by Republi- cluding the top leaders, until multiple tours in Iraq and readiness.
campaign slogan. starting to speak up more can Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville lifted the holds. Afghanistan. He has been fo- “It is well past time to
“End the civil war,” Jef- forcefully against their hard- Tuberville over the Penta- But Tuberville has dug in, cused on efforts to modern- confirm the over 300 other
fries urged the Republicans. right colleagues. New York gon’s abortion policy. Tu- repeatedly coming to the ize the Army and revamp re- military nominees,” Austin
The White House and Rep. Mike Lawler, who rep- berville has been blocking floor to object to the nomi- cruiting as the service ex- said in a statement.
Democrats, along with some resents a swing district, said the Senate from the routine nations. pects to fall short of its en- In a closed, classified
Republicans, warn that a he would not “be party to a process of approving the On Wednesday, Schumer listment goal this year. Senate briefing on the
shutdown would be devas- shutdown.” military nominations in reversed course and said the Smith is a decorated Ukraine war Wednesday
tating for people who rely on “There needs to be a real- groups, forcing Democrats Senate would hold votes on Marine officer who has been evening, Austin again took
their government for every- ization that you’re not going to bring the nominations up the three military leaders. involved in the transforma- the opportunity to criticize
day services and would to get everything you want,” one by one — a process that “Sen. Tuberville is forcing us tion of the force to be better Tuberville’s holds.
undermine America’s he said. “Just throwing a could take months and delay to face his obstruction head able to fight amphibious “It wasn’t flattering, but
standing in the world. temper tantrum and stomp- other priorities. on,” Schumer said. wars in the Pacific after I’m sure he’s a little dis-
Moving forward with the ing your feet — frankly, not The Senate usually holds The nominated service years of battling terrorist gusted by what’s going on,”
defense bill was supposed to only is it wrong, it’s just pa- roll call votes to confirm top leaders for the Navy and Air groups. He was confirmed Tuberville said Thursday.
be a way for McCarthy to thetic.” Pentagon leadership such as Force have not gotten votes on a 96-0 vote. “It doesn’t bother me.”
build goodwill among the Brown, George and Smith. yet. Adm. Lisa Franchetti is Nominated by Biden in
GOP House majority as he Mascaro and Groves write But lower-ranking promo- the current vice chief of the May, Smith is the assistant Jalonick and Baldor write
tries to pass a more tempo- for the Associated Press. tions and nominations are Navy, and Gen. David W. Al- commandant and a career for the Associated Press.
A8 FR I DAY , S E P T E M B E R 22 , 2 0 23 S L AT I M E S . C O M

BUSINESS
ON TECHNOLOGY AND THE INTERNET

Lessons from Chile’s utopian experiment

A coup 50 years ago ended
one of the boldest tech
efforts: to manage a nation’s
economy from a computer.

BRIAN MERCHANT

his month marks the

T 50th anniversary of the

so-called “other 9/11” —
the military coup in
Chile, led by Gen. Au-
gusto Pinochet, that ended in
the death of the democratically
elected president, Salvador
Allende.
The milestone has spurred
difficult retrospectives,
commemorations and reexamina-
tions of the ensuing decades of
violent dictatorial rule, yet some-
thing else died that day too: A
utopian experiment to use cut-
ting-edge technology and the
study of cybernetics to equitably
— and efficiently — manage the
nation’s entire economy.
It was called Project Cybersyn.
Forty years before big data or
smart tech became buzzwords,
and decades before the rise of the
open internet, Chile’s engineers
were building a complex informa-
tion network out of spare parts
and sheer will. At the time, it was a Gui Bonsiepe

deeply futuristic idea: Factories THE HEXAGONAL ops room for Project Cybersyn, designed by Gui Bonsiepe, which would have been located in Santiago, Chile.
and businesses would transmit
real-time data to an operations the priority of maximizing profits essentially, the study of dynamic chase the ideal equipment. For killed. And Cybersyn, which had
room, or ops room, in the seat of — even when that means, say, systems, and how different inputs another, Chile was broke.) barely begun to operate — the ops
Chile’s government, so that it promoting misinformation on create feedback into those sys- “In a sense, it was about build- room was still considered a proto-
could predict economic outcomes, their platforms or exploiting the tems — to business operations. ing a primitive form of AI that type — was destroyed.
head off problems before they workers toiling on their apps. We Together they set about building a would help address the manageri- But the hope for what it set out
occurred and coordinate the pro- think of the government as hope- system that would empower work- al issue,” Morozov tells me, “by to achieve, with or without a so-
duction and distribution of crucial lessly out of touch with technolo- ers, coordinate production and separating routine and random cialist program, lives on. It is very
goods. gy, perpetually struggling to rein identify pain points before they problems” — which could be ig- much of this moment, in fact, as
“Project Cybersyn was concep- in its excesses. became debilitating. nored — “from potentially exist- writers, actors, artists and work-
tually much more advanced than Now imagine, for a second, if all Oversight of businesses and ential ones.” ers protest the way studio bosses
the limited technical infrastruc- of that was reversed. What if it was factories was reorganized into The telex machines, which and corporations aim to use of AI
ture available in Chile 50 years the government that was known committees staffed by workers could send text-based messages against them, and as gig workers
ago,” Gui Bonsiepe, one of the for its high-tech ways, that was and government representatives. over established phone networks, call on Uber and Lyft to stop using
project’s designers, tells me. “It keen on wiring together workers, Then, factory floors and busi- were a smart workaround — the their proprietary algorithms to
was an audacious experiment to consumers and the whole econo- nesses were stocked with telex data from those messages would slash their wages and keep them in
reduce dependency,” he says, and my? Government, working on machines, which were used to be processed by the central com- the dark about their status.
to “increase autonomy, to get hold behalf of the people, that sought to send data up the supply chain. puter. What if technologies were used
of your future, overcoming the deploy technology to empower The information would ultimately “Many of the American ob- with, not against working people?
claws of the market and interna- laborers and streamline efficien- be routed to the ops room in an servers couldn’t believe that a Today’s AI enthusiasts often
tional finance.” cies — not for profit but for the office in downtown Santiago, relatively underdeveloped country say that with enough progress, a
Long relegated to a curio, in betterment of society? where the data would be proc- like Chile could pull off something benevolent general intelligence
recent years, Cybersyn has at- “Today, we have it all essed by a computer. like this; some were even busy could take over and run our insti-
tracted renewed attention. Eden backwards, with venture capi- “These data were fed into stat- writing letters to the editor de- tutions and machinery more effi-
Medina, now a professor at MIT, talists funding technologies that istical software programs de- nouncing Cybersyn’s existence as ciently than we can — and that one
published “Cybernetic are then imposed on societies,” signed to predict future factory what today we would call ‘fake day, it could be used to solve cli-
Revolutionaries,” a work of history Morozov tells me. “The tech solu- performance,” Medina writes in news.’ ” Morozov tells me. “And yet mate change, world hunger and
that offers a deep exegesis of the tions [Chile’s engineers] were “Revolutionaries.” “The system it was real, it was ahead of its time, inequality. It’s an idea that’s long
project. More recently, she co- seeking were not imposed by tech included a computerized econo- and it was an organic fit to the on the optimism — and near-term
curated an exhibit, “How to De- vendors needing to close a sale. mic simulator, which would give needs of the country’s economic Silicon Valley profits — and short
sign a Revolution,” at the Centro Rather, their tech projects came government policy makers an development.” on the details. Fifty years, ago,
Cultural La Moneda, in Santiago, from the acutely perceived needs opportunity to test their economic And it worked. In one famous Chile’s proto-AI engineers tried to
that includes a life-size replica of of the national economy.” ideas before implementation.” example, a strike organized by do it the other way around: getting
the ops room. And a new project In 1970, Allende won an election The sleek, hexagonal ops room, truck owners opposed to Allende into the trenches, wiring the econ-
from veteran technology writer on an openly socialist platform, with chairs outfitted with control sought to grind the economy to a omy with data-transmitting
Evgeny Morozov, “The Santiago and was immediately beset by a panels, was designed by Bonsiepe halt, and Cybersyn helped feed machines, aiming to expand the
Boys,” renders the story as a series of potentially catastrophic to look cutting-edge too — it re- the government data necessary role of workers in the equation,
dramatic and illuminating nine- challenges. The Cold War was on, sembled the bridge of “Star to work around it — without re- and cutting down on inefficiencies
part narrative podcast series. For the U.S. viewed his victory as Trek’s” Enterprise, perhaps, or the sorting to crushing the strike. and waste in the process. Whether
a story about a half-century-old dangerous Soviet influence creep, high-tech environs of “2001: A Allende’s vision for socialism was or not this utopian plan could have
tech project, it makes for a surpris- and Nixon vowed to strangle the Space Odyssey.” The idea was, as different from the Soviet strain; worked, or ever lived up to its
ingly riveting listen. nation’s economy. Meanwhile, Medina puts it, that it would be a he wanted to preserve Chile’s ideals, is impossible to say — but it
And the time couldn’t be better Chile’s economy had long been place where Allende and other democratic institutions, and was a plan.
for all the reappraisals. tanking, Allende’s domestic politi- “members of the government transition to public-owned insti- “Allende’s radical techies were
After all, today most of us large- cal opponents were mobilizing and could convene, quickly grasp the tutions peacefully. And he saw not poring over texts about singu-
ly think of technology in terms of many of the nation’s most educat- state of the economy, and make Cybersyn as a way to help achieve larity or existential risk of AI,”
new consumer products and serv- ed and skilled professionals were rapid decisions informed by recent that. Morozov tells me, “they were busy
ices, of chatbots and iPhones. We lured abroad. data.” In the end, Allende’s govern- reading about the unequal nature
think of Silicon Valley, a place that So a cadre of radical engineers Remember, this was the early ment was the one that was of the global economy.” And they
turned vast government invest- and technologists decided to tap 1970s. Computers were clunky, crushed. Backed by Nixon, were trying to harness technolog-
ment in defense and internet the technologies of the day for enormous and expensive — and Pinochet seized power, sending ical power to fix it. “I’d like us to
infrastructure into one of the help. They recruited an eccentric Chile could get its hands on only tanks and troops into Santiago. imagine that such a world is still
biggest corporate engines for the British management consultant one. (For one thing, the U.S. trade Salvador Allende took his own life, possible even today,” Morozov
economy, giving rise to the tech named Stafford Beer, who applied embargo imposed on the nation and thousands of his supporters says.
giants that build products with pioneering cybernetic theory — made it nearly impossible to pur- were rounded up, imprisoned and Me too.

MARKET ROUNDUP

Stocks slump amid signs rates will remain high in ’24

investments. Why stomach cuts in response to a smaller back to where it was in June.
By Stan Choe the chance of their big growth threat, similar to the The Dow dropped 370.46
swings when Treasurys are Major stock indexes insurance cuts of 2019, or points to 34,070.42, and the
Wall Street fell sharply paying more in interest than Daily Daily % YTD % substantial cuts in response Nasdaq lost 245.14 points to
Thursday in an ugly day for before? And they’re paying Index Close change change change to a full recession,” he wrote close at 13,223.98.
stocks worldwide on expec- much more. Dow industrials 34,070.42 -370.46 -1.08 +2.79 in a report. London’s FTSE 100
tations that U.S. interest A 10-year Treasury is of- S&P 500 4,330.00 -72.20 -1.64 +12.78 In 2019, the Fed cut inter- slipped 0.7% after the Bank
rates will stay high well into fering a yield of 4.48%, up Nasdaq composite 13,223.98 -245.14 -1.82 +26.35 est rates amid fears that of England left interest rates
next year. from 4.40% late Wednesday high rates could help send steady. The expectation had
S&P 400 2,498.86 -46.36 -1.82 +2.82
The Standard & Poor’s and from 0.50% three years the economy into a recession been for another rate in-
500 index lost 1.6% for its ago. It’s near its highest level Russell 2000 1,781.83 -28.27 -1.56 +1.17 as trade tensions flared crease, but a surprising re-
worst day since March. That since 2007. EuroStoxx 50 4,212.48 -63.50 -1.49 +11.08 around the world. port this week showed a
followed a 0.9% drop The two-year Treasury Nikkei (Japan) 32,571.03 -452.75 -1.37 +24.82 High rates slow the econ- drop in British inflation.
Wednesday after the Federal yield, meanwhile, wavered Hang Seng (Hong Kong) 17,655.41 -230.19 -1.29 -10.75 omy and raise the pressure Stock markets elsewhere
Reserve indicated it may cut after mixed reports on the Associated Press across the financial indus- around the world were much
interest rates next year by economy. It slipped to 5.14% try. This spring, they helped weaker.
only half of what it had earli- from 5.17% late Wednesday region is contracting by point from there through lead to three high-profile col- Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell
er predicted. after climbing earlier in the much more than economists 2024. Three months ago, Fed lapses of U.S. banks. They 1.4%, South Korea’s Kospi
The Fed has already morning. expected. A third report officials were indicating a also hurt prices for all kinds dropped 1.7% and France’s
raised its main interest rate One report showed that showed sales of previously full percentage point of cuts of investments, but they CAC 40 lost 1.6%.
to the highest level since fewer U.S. workers applied occupied U.S. homes were would be the most likely often hit hardest on those New Zealand’s bench-
2001, which helps slow infla- for unemployment benefits weaker last month than path. They want to ensure that are bid up on hopes for mark index fell less than 0.1%
tion but at the cost of hurt- last week than expected. It economists expected. inflation gets back down to big growth far out in the fu- as figures released Thurs-
ing investment prices. was the lowest number since Manufacturing and the the Fed’s target of 2%. ture. That’s why tech stocks day by Statistics New Zea-
High-growth stocks are January and the latest sig- housing industry have felt Wednesday’s projections in particular often swing land indicated the economy
typically among the hardest nal of a remarkably resilient the sting of higher interest may be an indication that with expectations for rates. expanded at a 3.2% annual
hit by high rates, and Big job market. rates in particular and have “raises the bar for rate cuts Cisco Systems took a hit pace in the April-through-
Tech stocks again took the Such a solid labor market struggled more than the next year,” according to after it said it would buy June quarter. Finance Min-
brunt of the pain for a sec- helps calm worries about a broad job market. Goldman Sachs economist Splunk, a cybersecurity ister Grant Robertson said
ond straight day. The possible recession. But it Interest rates may stay David Mericle. He pushed company, for roughly $28 bil- the economy was turning a
Nasdaq composite dropped may also give U.S. house- high if the Federal Reserve out his forecast for the first lion in cash. Cisco fell 3.9%, corner and growing at twice
1.8% as Amazon fell 4.4%, holds fuel to keep spending, follows through on the latest cut in interest rates to the fi- and Splunk jumped 20.8%. the rate predicted by econo-
Nvidia dropped 2.9% and which could encourage com- forecasts from its policy- nal three months of 2024, af- On the winning side of mists.
Telsa lost 2.6%. The Dow panies to try to raise prices making officials. ter earlier thinking it could Wall Street, FedEx rose 4.5%
Jones industrial average further and keep upward Policymakers have indi- happen during the spring. after it reported stronger Choe writes for the
shed 1.1%. pressure on inflation. cated they could raise the He sees the Fed on a path profit for the latest quarter Associated Press. AP
Stock prices tend to fall A separate report, mean- federal fund rate one more where it can “simply wait un- than analysts expected. writers Matt Ott, Elaine
when rates rise because while, suggested manufac- time this year, and then cut it til something goes wrong All told, the S&P 500 fell Kurtenbach and Nick Perry
stocks are historically risky turing in the mid-Atlantic by only half a percentage and then deliver either small 72.20 points to 4,330.00 and is contributed to this report.
L AT I M E S . C O M S F R I DAY , S E P T E M B E R 22 , 2 0 23 A9

Real-life ‘Succession’ inside media empire

chairman of Fox, the televi- stake, but not voting shares.
As Lachlan Murdoch sion arm that includes Fox The siblings, particularly
News, Fox Sports and the Lachlan and James, haven’t
takes the reins from Fox broadcast network. Be- always been aligned in busi-
his father, analysts cause Lachlan Murdoch has ness priorities or in politics.
been at the helm as Fox’s James Murdoch served
expect few changes. chief executive since March as chief executive of 21st
2019, and because he is ex- Century Fox until its 2019
By Meg James ceedingly close to his father, sale to the Walt Disney Co.
analysts expect the son’s After working 23 years in the
Lachlan Murdoch has strategy to largely reflect the family enterprise, he no
long shared his famous fa- father’s. longer had an executive role.
ther’s enthusiasm for right- “Lachlan is probably the For much of the last dec-
leaning politics and the most aligned with his father ade, Rupert Murdoch has
news business, including the in terms of politics and in been intent on entrusting
family’s vast portfolio of terms of his vision of the Lachlan with the enterprise.
newspapers — even as the business,” Paul Verna, prin- After he graduated from
industry was ravaged by in- cipal analyst at Insider Intel- Princeton, the London-born
ternet search engines and ligence, said. “There’s not a Lachlan joined the family
shunned by investors. lot of daylight between the business in Australia, work-
But he also has a senti- two men.” ing at some of their news-
mental streak. Lachlan Murdoch has papers. Within a few years,
When Rupert Murdoch previously said the political he was scaling the ladder at
decided to unload much of bent of Fox News, which has the company in the U.S.
the entertainment assets he made the network a light- Fox credits Lachlan Mur-
had spent decades building, ning rod, will remain. doch with savvy business
investment bankers advised Fox documents from late Drew Angerer Getty Images moves, including initially
the clan of ruthlessly bottom 2020 and early 2021, revealed LACHLAN Murdoch, with Rupert in 2017, “is probably the most aligned with his making an $11-million invest-
line-focused media moguls in the course of high-profile father in terms of politics and ... his vision of the business,” a media analyst says. ment in the Australian real
to include the real estate — and devastating litigation, estate insights company,
the company’s legendary underscored the tight col- long made clear that one of lan is absolutely committed letter also felt like a mandate REA Group, in which News
movie studio lot in Century laboration between the two his two sons would ulti- to the cause,” Rupert Mur- to preserve his legacy. Corp. now has a majority
City — as part of the deal. Murdochs. The pair were in- mately succeed him. doch wrote in a letter to the There have been tensions stake. The publicly traded
Lachlan Murdoch said volved in overseeing Fox When he was CEO, he staffs of the two companies. within family, and the suc- firm is now worth $8 billion,
no. He felt the lot was the News’ coverage of President worked in an expansive of- Murdoch’s message cession battle that played and News Corp. has a 61%
beating heart of the com- Trump and his false state- fice on the fifth floor of a reads, in many ways, like a out behind the scenes was stake.
pany on the West Coast, one ments that the 2020 election modern office building on rallying call to his troops intense at times, providing While running Fox in
steeped in Hollywood his- was stolen from him, which the lot. against so-called elites. The fodder for HBO’s fictional 2020, Lachlan Murdoch
tory. Besides, he sensed the proved costly for the com- In contrast, Lachlan elder mogul has long seen drama, “Succession.” championed the $440-mil-
Century City land would pany. In April, Fox agreed to prefers the ground-floor of- himself as a provocateur, Some observers have lion acquisition of Tubi, a
only grow in value, a belief pay $787 million to Dominion fice of the Depression-era chiding news organizations openly wondered whether free advertising-supported
that has proved true (it’s Voting Systems to avoid a Art Deco structure, Building he viewed as too bloated, too the final episodes of the real- television streaming service,
worth billions). trial over defamation claims. 88 on Fox’s Avenue of the high-brow and too liberal. life Murdoch succession which is now one of the most
Now, the 52-year-old exe- Documents in the case Palms, where movie pioneer For decades, Rupert saga have truly been written popular in the country. This
cutive is firmly presiding showed how the Murdochs Darryl F. Zanuck once ran Murdoch has fashioned yet. year, Bloomberg News re-
over the empire his father and Fox News Media Chief the show. Inside his office, a himself as a counterbalance Although the elder ported that Murdoch turned
built — encompassing the Executive Suzanne Scott in bank of TV screens flicker to the media establishment. mogul is pulling back from down unsolicited offers of
most influential conserva- November 2020 discussed with Fox News and other He has never shied away executive responsibilities at more than $2 billion for the
tive media institutions in ways to avoid further alien- channels. Editions of the from using his outlets to in- News Corp. and Fox, se- service.
America — from an office ating viewers after Fox News company’s newspapers are fluence politics and govern- gueing into chairman emeri- But the media landscape
suite on the L.A. studio lot. made the early and accurate proudly and neatly dis- ments — in his native Aus- tus, he retains the family’s is particularly challenged,
Fox Corp. and News Corp. call that Arizona had tipped played nearby. tralia, Britain and the U.S. controlling voting shares of and it will be up to Lachlan
on Thursday announced to then-candidate Joe Bid- Lachlan Murdoch is ful- “The battle for the free- the two companies through Murdoch to steer the enter-
Rupert Murdoch was step- en. filling the career trajectory dom of speech and, ulti- a family trust, according to prise through those difficul-
ping down from his execu- But there are differences that his father mapped for mately, the freedom of regulatory filings. Rupert ties, including cord-cutting
tive role at the two media between the pair, beyond the him. Just as Rupert Mur- thought, has never been Murdoch has the voting con- and declining ratings for lin-
companies and that Lach- generational gap. doch had done seven dec- more intense,” Rupert Mur- trol of the trust, through its ear television.
lan would succeed him atop In fact, for a while, Lach- ades before, after his father doch wrote in his letter. investment vehicle. “The changes the media
the two companies. The lan Murdoch appeared unin- — a respected Australian “Elites have open contempt Control of the trust will industry has been through,
changes take effect in No- terested in working with his news editor and former war for those who are not mem- be passed to his four oldest and will continue to go
vember. father — at a time when his correspondent Sir Keith bers of their rarefied class. children — Prudence, Elisa- through, are monumental,”
Lachlan Murdoch be- younger brother James Murdoch — died when Ru- Most of the media is in ca- beth, Lachlan and James — Verna said. “The biggest one
comes the sole chairman of dived into his corporate role pert was in his early 20s and hoots with those elites, ped- after Murdoch dies. They is how do you monetize
News Corp., the publishing with relish. Back then, it left him a small Australian dling political narratives will each have voting shares. streaming as the cable bun-
company that owns the Wall looked as if James was in line publishing company. rather than pursuing the Murdoch’s two daughters dle erodes? That’s not a
Street Journal and the New for the throne. “My father firmly be- truth.” from his marriage to Wendi small challenge, but it will be
York Post, and executive Rupert Murdoch has lieved in freedom, and Lach- In some ways, Murdoch’s Deng each have a financial one that Lachlan will face.”

Murdoch stepping down at Fox and News Corp.

[Murdoch, from A1] not authorized to comment had to pay $787.5 million to Smartmatic cases say Fox doch — has managed to sur- chairman emeritus, I don’t
solutely committed to the publicly. settle a defamation suit with News was motivated to am- vive major scandals over the expect a noticeable shift in
cause,” Murdoch wrote. The financial markets re- Dominion Voting Systems. plify Trump’s false election years. Founding Fox News the company’s editorial po-
“Self-serving bureaucracies acted mildly to the move, The voting software com- fraud claims to keep viewers chief executive Roger Ailes sitioning or strategic direc-
are seeking to silence those with Fox Corp. stock closing pany claimed it was dam- upset about President Bid- was fired in 2016, after facing tion,” said Paul Verna, a
who question their prov- the trading day at around aged by Fox News repeat- en’s win from fleeing to up- sexual harassment allega- principal analyst with In-
enance and purpose. Elites $32, up 3%. Shares in News edly presenting President start right-wing network tions that included a lawsuit sider Intelligence.
have open contempt for Corp. closed at 19.92, up Trump’s false charges of Newsmax. filed by former anchor Verna noted that the
those who are not members slightly more than 1%. fraud in the 2020 election. The defamation cases Gretchen Carlson, who set- younger Murdoch will have
of their rarefied class.” Murdoch continues to The company faces a sim- are the latest example of tled for $20 million. to focus on guiding Fox
The succession story be- have voting control over ilar suit from Smartmatic, what critics believe is a long On April 24, a week after Corp. into a future that is
gan six years ago, when Mur- both News Corp. and Fox another voting equipment record of Murdoch and his the massive settlement with threatened by the continued
doch formulated plans to through his family trust that firm that said it was de- media outlets contributing Dominion, Murdoch erosion of the pay TV envi-
sell much of his entertain- holds nearly 40% of the vot- famed in Fox News coverage. to the coarseness and polar- dumped his star host ronment, as consumers are
ment company, 21st Century ing shares of each company. The suit is scheduled to go to ization of society. Tucker Carlson, whose in- forgoing cable and satellite
Fox, to the Walt Disney Co. Murdoch maintains the trial in 2025. In the U.S., he is equally flammatory comments subscriptions for streaming
That move, which was fi- votes in that trust, and after Murdoch’s candid depo- loved and reviled for cre- alienated advertisers and video.
nalized in March 2019, left a he dies his votes will be di- sition testimony in the Do- ating Fox News, which has threatened to drive the net- Fox News has lost around
slimmed-down version of vided among his four oldest minion case — he acknowl- championed conservative work deeper into legal trou- 20 million subscribers since
Fox — the Fox broadcast children, Lachlan, James, edged that false statements causes, including the politi- ble. 2016. Fox television stations,
network, sports networks Elisabeth and Prudence. His about election fraud were cal career of Trump, and Despite small inroads which carry the network’s
and Fox News. two youngest daughters, endorsed by on-air talent on blasted liberals. made by Newsmax since coverage of NFL football,
Murdoch has long made Grace and Chloe, whom he his network — were not help- Fox News launched in Trump left the White House, also depend on subscriber
clear that he wanted his eld- shares with former wife ful to the defense. 1996 as a conservative anti- Fox News remains the domi- fees for revenues.
est son, Lachlan, to run the Wendi Deng, have a financial Attorneys for Fox are try- dote to his rival Ted Turner’s nant choice among the con- While Rupert Murdoch
operation. The Disney deal stake, but not voting shares. ing to keep the Murdochs CNN. With its marketing slo- servative audience and would have been content ac-
formalized his desire be- Murdoch is said to be in out of the Smartmatic case, gan “fair and balanced,” draws a significant number quiring more newspapers
cause the sale also nudged good health but has faced arguing they were not in- Murdoch’s outlet carved out of viewers who identify as and TV stations, Lachlan
out his youngest son, James, various medical issues in re- volved in the day-to-day edi- its pugnacious profile with Democratic or independent. has been more forward-look-
leaving him without a role in cent years. His note said he torial decisions at Fox News. coverage of President Clin- Lachlan Murdoch’s as- ing. He is a strong champion
the company. James Mur- will “remain involved every Smartmatic countered ton’s sex scandal involving cension is not expected to al- of Tubi, an ad-supported
doch is now working on two day in the contest of ideas.” that claim in a court hearing Monica Lewinsky. ter the tone or approach of streaming TV service ac-
separate entertainment The media baron is Wednesday, with its attor- Over the years, it became Fox News, which accounts quired by Fox Corp. in 2020
ventures. known for attending the ney J. Erik Connolly likening a potent platform for Re- for around 80% of the profits that has built an audience
A restructuring of the daily editorial meeting at the Murdochs to Mafia publican politicians to speak for Fox Corp. and annual revenues of over
executive ranks is expected Fox News, and that is not ex- bosses ordering a hit on the to their base in political red “Given the strong ideo- $1 billion.
to follow Murdoch’s an- pected to change with his voting machine maker in or- states and helped fuel the logical affinities between While Murdoch’s legacy
nouncement, according to emeritus role. der to pander to Trump sup- Tea Party movement, Lachlan Murdoch and his fa- has been damaged by the
people inside the company But Murdoch has faced a porters and boost ratings. among others. ther, and given the elder Fox News defamation suits
familiar with the plans but challenging year. Fox Corp. Both the Dominion and Fox News — and Mur- Murdoch’s advisory role as and other controversies, his
impact on the U.S. media
landscape is inescapable.
After building a news-
paper empire in the U.K.,

Mogul mainstreamed outrage on television Murdoch broke the hegemo-

ny of ABC, CBS and NBC in
the 1980s when he formed a
fourth network with Fox,
[Legacy, from A1] sifying what we saw on TV. world, and it arrived with stance and peddling con- tion. The network also is which aired such iconoclas-
Cosby Show” and “Family “The Arsenio Hall Show,” the goal of filtering the head- spiracy theories and lies to dealing with a $2.7-billion tic programs as “The Simp-
Ties.” Already a print tab- syndicated on many Fox lines through a conservative make the show even juicier. defamation lawsuit brought sons” and “The X-Files.”
loid mogul, Murdoch turned affiliates, featured the first lens. Fox employed many of But documents recently by another voting machine While many members of the
to his superpower: provok- Black late-night TV host, the same provoking tactics made public from lawsuits company, Smartmatic. Hollywood community ab-
ing audiences into paying while the network’s 1990 that worked for it in the filed against the news net- Still, in a statement horred Murdoch’s politics,
attention. The result was a sketch comedy show “In broadcast space, but jour- work, including one against Thursday from Fox, the they thrived under the cul-
raunchy comedy about a Living Color” main- nalism is not entertainment, Carlson that led to his axing, elder Murdoch doubled ture of creative risk-taking
dysfunctional American streamed irreverent Black or at least it shouldn’t be. show that many at Fox knew down on a narrative that that he encouraged.
household, minus the sharp comedy. The brainchild of That didn’t stop Murdoch’s that hosts and guests were seems made for TV: He’s an As a dealmaker, Murdoch
political or social satire of Keenen Ivory Wayans, the new venture from mixing propagating falsehoods underdog fighting for the may end up being best re-
“All in the Family.” “Married show and its dancing Fly the right-leaning politics of about the 2020 election, little man instead of a bil- membered for getting the
... With Children,” described Girls (including Jennifer his tabloid empire (the Sun while repeatedly telling lionaire who inherited his Walt Disney Co. to pay $71
as indecent by anti-obscen- Lopez and Rosie Perez) in Britain and the New York viewers that Fox was the father’s media empire. billion for his company’s
ity activists, ran 11 seasons, broke through at a time Post in America) and the only trustworthy source. “Elites have open contempt movie and TV studios and
beginning in 1987. when much of America was confrontational nature of Doing whatever it takes for those who are not mem- their libraries. Murdoch de-
Bart Simpson came still wringing its hands over the Fox network’s buzziest to build a loyal following has bers of their rarefied class,” termined that Fox would not
skateboarding onto the the creeping influence of shows into a 24/7 feed. been profitable for the said the statement. “Most of be able to compete in the
scene in 1989, celebrating hip-hop in white suburbs. Host Bill O’Reilly was a crown jewel in Murdoch’s the media is in cahoots with new media landscape that
and lampooning a whole Love them or hate them, master at stoking outrage as empire, but it’s had draw- those elites, peddling politi- now includes deep-pocketed
underserved sector of the those goading and/or the network’s first star backs (beyond ripping down cal narratives rather than tech giants such as Amazon
nation: underachievers. raunchy shows challenged commentator, providing a trust in the media and divid- pursuing the truth.” and Apple.
Critics decried this devia- the homogeneity of broad- caustic tirade against “the ing the country). Earlier this The paradoxical state- As Disney struggles to
tion from animated families cast TV, paving the way for mainstream, liberal press.” year, Fox News agreed to ment could have been the get its balance sheet in order
such as “The Flintstones.” everything from “Malcolm in After O’Reilly was taken pay $787.5 million in a settle- basis for a great “In Living in a challenging entertain-
Now “The Simpsons” is one the Middle” to “black-ish,” down by numerous sexual ment to Dominion Voting Color” skit if it had arrived ment economy created by
of the longest-running “Key & Peele” to “Atlanta.” misconduct lawsuits, disci- Systems after the latter filed 27 years earlier, but today streaming, Murdoch has the
shows in television history. The advent of Fox News ples like Tucker Carlson a lawsuit claiming the net- there’s nothing funny about satisfaction of selling his as-
The Fox network also in 1996 marked Murdoch’s carried the torch, doubling work defamed it in the Murdoch or his impact on sets when they were at the
played a major role in diver- foray into the cable news down on the us-versus-them weeks after the 2020 elec- American journalism. peak of their value.
A10 FR I DAY , S E P T E M B E R 22 , 2 0 23 L AT I M E S . C O M / O P I N I O N

OPINION

EDITORIAL
As Rupert Murdoch resigns,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

McCarthy’s dangerous fealty Biden should be celebrating

to right-wing extremists By Michael J. Socolow More recently, Fox News fired Tucker
Carlson, the host of America’s most popular

P
resident Biden was inaugurated right-wing cable TV news program, after
on Jan. 20, 2021. Imagine if someone Carlson’s racist text messages were made
stopgap measure to some of the provisions
could go back in time and inform public as part of the lawsuit against Fox by
The House speaker should stop of a bill passed by the House, which includes him and his communications team the Dominion Voting Systems company.
a resumption of construction of a border
trying to accommodate the small wall and restrictions on asylum.
that a few pivotal changes in the Fox did regain some viewers after Carlson
media would occur during his first three left.
band of dissenters in his party. Even if Democrats were willing to sup- years in office. And, finally, this month, Project Veritas,
port a continuing resolution, a decision by There’s the latest news that Rubert Mur- a right-wing political group known for hid-
McCarthy to rely on Democratic votes prob- doch, 92, stepped down as the chairman of ing cameras to embarrass journalists and
ably would increase the possibility of an at-

A
shutdown of the federal gov- Fox Corp. and News Corp. on Thursday. nonprofits the group considered to be politi-
ernment, even if only tempo- tempt by extreme Republicans to unseat Since the 1980s, Murdoch, who will be re- cally liberal, reportedly ended all of its inves-
rary, would needlessly disrupt him from the leadership role he narrowly placed by his son Lachlan, has been the tigations and fired almost all its remaining
the lives of public employees achieved on the 15th ballot. most powerful right-wing media executive employees.
and citizens who depend on An additional complication is the deci- in the U.S. Given Biden’s low approval levels — only
government services. But, despite a flurry of sion by former President Trump, who is a fa- Adding to Biden’s good-luck list is Elon 40.6% of Americans said that they approved
activity on Capitol Hill, such a calamity re- vorite of many House Republicans, to inject Musk’s purchase of Twitter, now rebranded of Biden in the polls this month — I cannot
mains all too possible next month. himself into the shutdown debate. On as X, in October 2022, prompting millions of say that this chain of setbacks for conserva-
The explanation is tiresomely familiar: Wednesday Trump posted this call to arms American users to drop the social media tive media platforms has helped Biden
on Truth Social: “A very important deadline platform, which has become a hotbed of maintain or drawn in more voters and their
the obstructionism of a small band of hard-
right-wing activity and commentary. support.
line House Republicans. On Thursday these is approaching at the end of the month. Re-
X’s power as an influential social, politi- Nonetheless, Biden’s team has skillfully
dissenters embarrassed Speaker Kevin Mc- publicans in Congress can and must defund
cal and cultural force has since continued to exploited the media. He has, for example,
Carthy by blocking consideration of a Pen- all aspects of Crooked Joe Biden’s weap-
decline. Former President Trump even orig- kept a relatively low public profile. In the last
tagon funding bill, the second such vote in a onized Government that refuses to close the inally spurned an invitation to return to X, century, only Presidents Ronald Reagan
week. Opposition from extreme right-wing Border and treats half the Country as Ene- after Twitter suspended his account in 2021. and Richard Nixon have convened fewer av-
members is also complicating McCarthy’s mies of the State. This is also the last chance Trump has since posted one time on X, on erage annual news conferences than Biden
attempt to advance a continuing resolution, to defund these political prosecutions Aug. 24. at this point in their tenure.
a stopgap measure to keep the government against me and other Patriots.” These and other incidents are good for But Biden’s luck may not last, even
operating after Sept. 30. (In fact, it’s unlikely that a shutdown Biden — who, like all other politicians, re- though he has benefited from right-wing
Ideally McCarthy would be able to at- would interfere with the federal prosecu- mains somewhat reliant on the media to media tumult in the last few years. And he
tract Democratic votes to protect the na- tions of Trump. Just add that to the ever- both get his word out and craft a positive hasn’t seen the emergence of a new liberal
tional interest, as he did in May when the growing pile of the former president’s lies public image. media figure with the influence of a Lim-
House approved legislation to suspend the and distortions.) Ultimately, this luck — coupled with his baugh or Carlson.
debt ceiling and forestall a default. That McCarthy might still cobble together avoidance of news conferences — might help It’s not yet clear what Rupert Murdoch’s
vote was a model of the sort of bipartisan enough votes to win the support of a major- Biden evade the intense scrutiny that all departure will mean for Fox News, espe-
compromise that should be the norm in a di- ity of Republicans for a continuing resolu- presidents face. cially since his son, Lachlan Murdoch, is al-
vided Congress. tion, which would then have to be reconciled A few other major media shifts have ready well-established at Fox Corp. as a top
But proposals by House Republicans for with or replaced by what is likely to be a less transpired during Biden’s presidency. executive and staunch conservative.
extreme Senate version. Fox News lost approximately 1 million One potentially complicating factor is
a continuing resolution — needed because
nightly prime-time viewers, or about a third that Biden’s son, Hunter, is facing felony gun
of a lack of progress on specific appropria- Yet if dissenters continue to stymie his ef-
of its audience, between 2020 and early 2023. possession charges. So far, much of the me-
tions bills — offer Democrats little incentive forts, the speaker should stop accommodat-
CNN and MSNBC ratings tanked too, re- dia has avoided connecting Hunter Biden’s
to come to McCarthy’s rescue. ing them and reach out to Democrats as he
flecting an overall decline of the cable TV alleged illegal activities and access peddling
The latest proposal, discussed at a did when he secured an agreement with the news universe. with Biden himself. That offers another ex-
House Republican conference meeting on White House on suspending the debt ceil- It’s also noteworthy that conservative ample of Biden’s good luck.
Wednesday, reportedly is for a 31-day stop- ing. By now McCarthy should have realized political commentator Rush Limbaugh
gap funding bill that would impose limits on that placating the extremists in his ranks — died in February 2021, leaving a big void in Michael J. Socolow is a media historian
spending more restrictive than what Demo- including by announcing a meritless im- right-wing talk radio. Many loyal Limbaugh at the University of Maine. This article was
crats want and include measures to curb im- peachment inquiry into Biden — only em- listeners then deserted AM talk radio as a produced in partnership with the
migration. McCarthy has sought to link the boldens them main way they get their news. Conversation.

LETTERS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ation to ask me to mentor a ::

college student or volunteer
to provide mental health We should always be
services, considering that I leery when city officials
am a licensed clinical social suggest a proposal will be
worker. “actually removing distrac-
Be that as it may, when I tions from the roads” as in
was in college I really ben- the case of 80 digital bill-
efited from UCLA's psychia- boards proposed for L.A.
try department, which freeways and roadways.
offered me a student coun- Especially when the group
selor who was training to advocating for this idea is
become a therapist. It was not elected but rather,
perhaps my most successful appointed by the mayor.
experience with receiving Whereas the side opposing
counseling services, and I this “financial windfall”
hope the young man who suggests this proposal
provided the services also would be tantamount to
benefited. increasing visual blight —
Win-win? and adding to light
Randy Farhi pollution, a problem
Los Angeles currently plaguing Los
Angeles.
:: I surmise that turning
these billboards off at mid-
I want to thank Jean night will have the desired
Guerrero for her brilliant effect of less pollution,
and compelling column right? But let me remind
about the challenges of folks about the disoriented
first-generation college greater white-fronted goose
students.As an executive that landed during a game
coach and part-time college in Dodger stadium, with
professor, I see firsthand bright stadium lights.
how first-generation stu- Very close to the Wiltern
Allen J. Schaben Los Angeles Times dents struggle at college, theater is a huge distracting
A MOTORIST fills up at a gas station on Beach Boulevard in Huntington Beach. later on the job and, in some billboard and I’ve witnessed
cases, ultimately as CEOs near accidents occur. I’d be
and leaders in organiza- curious to know how many

How to hold corporations

tions. Their strength and accidents occur given the
perseverance is beyond level of distraction from this
admirable. And the chal- one billboard. So why the
lenges they face are very real city wants to place these on

responsible for climate change

— and often severely under- freeways, where speeding
appreciated by those who vehicles and distracted
come from privilege. drivers are part of the every-
Scott Wimer day experience, boggles the
Santa Monica mind?
Re “California sues five oil giants for cover-up on climate change,” Sept. 17 Kathryn Louyse
Glendale

T
here is an easier way than suing fossil fuel companies.
The announcement that the state is taking five oil companies to court will be followed by far more dramatic Digital billboards ::
news. As California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta said, the suit will demand a “very, very large number.”
The five giants will fight like hell. We won’t have a just result for decades. Dramatic news. Continued pain.
are a bad idea The mayor and the plan-
But it doesn't have to be this way. You and I pay daily to clean up our trash and sewage. Federal and state Re “Metro plan for 80 digital ning commission demon-
leaders merely need to set up a similar system to cover the costs of fossil fuel emissions as we go. The five giants hate it. strate the same blind, gull-
billboards is supported by
Fee and dividend is an established system. Charge a fee for carbon-emitting products, including imports. Redistribute ibility that plagues Metro.
panel,” Sept. 19
the income to all payers. The billboard companies
Then, consumers can continue to buy the more expensive carbon products, or they can seek new competitive choices know that dangling the
In typical fashion the
from the growing range of low-emission products. “revenue” bait will get them
discussion over electronic
Little drama. Future hope. in the door. Metro’s claim of
billboards has the propo-
traffic or public safety alerts
Buzz McCord, Huntington Beach nents extolling the utopian
is meaningless.
virtues of the concept.
The only winners, as
There are plenty of down-
usual, will be the billboard
sides to consider. In addi-
companies that look to reap
tion to the amount of light
While I approve of — and
applaud — the legal com-
don’t know if we have
enough time to make a
difference if, years ago, Big
Oil was forthcoming about Alumni make produced, one of the main
profits and will have a fur-
ther toehold on proliferat-
issues is the constant
munity going after Big Oil
for hiding scientific facts
difference.
We know what we need to
global warming?
Climate change from
good mentors changing of the signage
ing more digital signs else-
where.
every eight seconds. It is a
that it has been aware of for do; the problem is it needed fossil fuels is now well Rex Altman
Re “What first-generation reasonable concern and
decades, I can’t help but to be started at the time we known, but most people Los Angeles
certainly a distraction for
wonder what the effect of should have known, which still drive gas-powered college students need,”
drivers. The solution is so
successful litigation would was a half-century ago. cars. Opinion, Sept. 18
simple. Limit information HOW TO WRITE TO US
be. Ron Garber Until we change, we have
changes on these billboards
It’s not like we can con- Duarte mostly ourselves, not the oil I also struggled with Please send letters to
to every half hour or some
vert to alternative energy companies, to blame. mental health issues in [email protected]. For
other extended timeframe.
sources overnight. And, if all :: Michael Pollak college, and I’m wondering submission guidelines, see
Robert Bachmann
the nations on all the conti- Los Angeles why there is not more out- latimes.com/letters or call
Los Angeles
nents don’t follow suit, I Would it have made any reach by my alumni associ- 1-800-LA TIMES, ext. 74511.

Executive Chairman Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong

News: Executive Editor Kevin Merida • Senior Vice President, Content Business Strategy Julia Turner • Managing Editors Shani O. Hilton, Sara Yasin • Editor at Large Scott Kraft • Deputy
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LAT I M E S . C O M / O P I N I O N F R I DAY , S E P T E M B E R 22 , 2 0 23 A11

OP-ED

Scientists are
The “more” in the motto
works out differently for every
corps member.
“I was just drifting job to
job and wanted to be part of
something larger than my-
self,” recalled 26-year-old
corps firefighter Luie Valez. “I
targets. Leaders
haven’t looked back since.”
“I’ve had a lot of crappy
jobs, but not this one,” agreed
Martin Castellon, who was
must defend us
raised in Tijuana and San Di-
ego, and spent his 26th birth-
day shoveling snow for the The alternative is to follow the path of the
corps at its residential center
in Tahoe. Soviet Union: sidelining experts and
“The thing is it’s not a sacrificing lives.
bunch of troubled youth like a
lot of people think,” adds
John Alviso, 24, another fire- By Peter Hotez
fighter and a former Army re-

N
servist. “It’s people who want early a century ago, when global dom-
Al Seib Los Angeles Times to learn and get a career and inance in scientific research began shift-
CCC FIREFIGHTERS working to protect ranchland during the Alisal fire in 2021. are willing to work hard to do ing to the United States from Europe, our
that.” nation built an empire firmly grounded in
Bruce Saito, the California the natural sciences. America’s research

A move to California-ize corps’ director, expects his or-

ganization and more than 150
similar ones around the na-
tion to “benefit from Biden’s
universities and institutes flourished and provided the
discoveries leading to the Manhattan Project, Silicon
Valley’s tech industry, NASA and space exploration,
vaccines to fight polio and other global infections, and

the rest of the country incredible move and action.”

He anticipates “dedicated
grants to each state to
strengthen and advance the
work, [and] enrollment serv-
new treatments for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabe-
tes and depression.
As a science envoy for the State Department, I saw
firsthand how global leaders and technocrats admired
the U.S. for its higher education system of scientific
President Biden’s new American Climate Corps follows the ice opportunities for thou-
sands of young folks to serve
training and support. They spoke to me with pride
about their time spent at U.S. universities or their
lead of the nearly 50-year-old California Conservation Corps and address climate issues hopes and aspirations that one day their sons and
not just for California.” daughters might study here.
Biden’s use of executive I have devoted my life to vaccine science. During the
By David Helvarg power to resuscitate his Cli- pandemic, our team at the Texas Children’s Hospital
mate Corps idea is in part a and Baylor College of Medicine developed a low-cost

O
n Wednesday, The corps’ enemies, how- for California, but it’s person- response to young voters’ cli- COVID vaccine that was scaled for production in India
President Biden ever, never questioned that it al too. If new corps members mate fears and frustrations. and Indonesia, where almost 100 million doses were
used his executive would be effective. That’s be- don’t have a high school de- When he greenlighted the Wil- administered.
power to establish cause California proved the gree (about 15% to 20% don’t), low oil drilling project in But here in the United States, thousands of Ameri-
the American Cli- value of a modern CCC years they’re required to get one Alaska earlier this year, the cans needlessly perished because they refused a
mate Corps, which will em- ago. through the corps’ school backlash was immediate COVID-19 immunization during our awful Delta wave
ploy and train 20,000 young The California Conserva- partnerships. That schooling from young voters and envi- in the summer and fall of 2021 and the BA.1 Omicron
people in the work of climate tion Corps, started in 1976 by adds 10 hours to their 40-hour ronmentalists. The national wave in the winter of 2022. Analyses by myself and col-
resilience. then-Gov. Jerry Brown, has a work week and opens new op- ACC effort, which so far leagues have found that 200,000 unvaccinated Ameri-
Similar to but more mod- current roster of 1,634 mem- portunities for more training consists of a recruitment cans died during this period. Overwhelmingly, those
est than the famed CCC — the bers, mostly between the ages and scholarships. California website, may help motivate a deaths occurred in Republican strongholds, including
Civilian Conservation Corps of 18 and 29, who typically Conservation Corps alumni cohort Biden badly needs in 40,000 in my state of Texas. A closer examination re-
established by Franklin D. serve for about a year. They have gone on to be profes- 2024. veals that the redder the county, the lower the immuni-
Roosevelt in 1933 during the join front-line battles against sional firefighters, hydrolo- On the other hand, the zation rates and the higher the death rates.
Great Depression — the ACC climate-emergency wildfires gists, electricians and park ACC is guaranteed to draw The dead were victims of what we too often label as
can provide young people and floods, restore river hab- rangers. ongoing flak from the same “misinformation,” as though these victims suc-
with long-term job skills while itat, “manage” forests, build Over the last few years, forces that zeroed it out of the cumbed to random junk on the internet. This was not
accelerating the country’s and maintain wilderness I’ve watched corps crews take Inflation Reduction Act last always the case. The unvaccinated were targeted by a
transition to renewable ener- trails, and retrofit homes, chain saws to burned “hazard year. After all, Republican well-financed and newly politicized anti-vaccine
gy. schools and businesses with trees” at a state park east of leader Sen. Mitch McConnell movement.
Biden had hoped an up- solar panels and other forms Lake Tahoe, clear road ob- (R.-Ky.) claimed during the It accelerated at the CPAC conference of conserva-
dated, climate-focused ver- of clean energy through state structions during a storm, legislation battles that the tives in Dallas in the summer of 2021, when prominent
sion of FDR’s corps would be contracts. and cut fire lines under the di- corps idea was a way to “bully anti-vaccine activists were featured speakers and one
a provision in the Build Back The corps tallies its rection of Cal Fire in Butte every state to become more Republican lawmaker from the House Freedom Cau-
Better legislative efforts he achievements with a range of County. and more like California.” cus announced that vaccinations would lead to gov-
introduced at the beginning metrics. Since its inception, One of the chain saw crew Replace the word “bully” ernment confiscations of Bibles and guns.
of his term. That agenda got for example, its members members, Elizabeth Wing, with “inspire” and I have to Just before CPAC, another prominent Freedom
watered down, with the Cli- have planted 24.6 million who was 21 when we met, hope that is exactly what hap- Caucus member had disparaged vaccinators as “med-
mate Corps among the losses. trees, improved national and summed up her experience pens. ical brown shirts,” meaning Nazis, and she later at-
Republicans, and a few state parks to the tune of 11 with a joke: “We’re sure living tacked me and other scientists by name on Steve Ban-
Democrats — notably Sen. million hours of work, and up to the promise.” She was David Helvarg is a writer; non’s podcast. Other caucus members regularly made
Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) — at- filled more than 3.5 million referring to the guarantee executive director of Blue unsupported and spectacular claims about the ben-
tacked it as a waste of money sandbags during floods and contained in the corps motto: Frontier, an ocean policy efits of hydroxychloroquine or ivermectin as COVID
and “pure socialist wish ful- storms. “Hard work, low pay, misera- group; and co-host of “Rising treatments, while disparaging COVID-19 vaccina-
fillment.” The payoff has been good ble conditions, and more!” Tide: The Ocean Podcast.” tions.
Fox News piled on, misleading a huge swath of
Americans. The partisan divide driving low COVID
vaccinations and high deaths in 2021-22 was so pro-
found that Liz Hamel of the Kaiser Family Foundation

New rules needed for forced treatment pronounced: “If I wanted to guess if somebody was
vaccinated or not and I could only know one thing
about them, I would probably ask what their party af-
filiation is.”
Now in 2023 the GOP Senate and House have inten-
bility, one clinician told me, isn’t a “light sified their efforts to promote conspiracies or deni-
The state has a crisis of mental switch.” Even if someone loses the right grate science. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) went on Fox
to decide where they live or whether to News in August claiming the pandemic “was all pre-
illness and substance abuse. But take medication, they should be empow- planned by an elite group of people.”
can involuntary commitment ered to make decisions across as many Partisan politics is not the only factor driving vac-
other domains of life as possible. cine disinformation, but this aspect has become the
be part of the solution? Even involuntary treatment requires most intractable and lethal. It is also uncomfortable to
buy-in from patients to be effective over discuss. I was taught that science and politics do not
By Alex V. Barnard the long term. Yet in interviews, I con- mix, and that we scientists need to be neutral at all
stantly heard patient complaints about costs. But what happens when the data overwhelm-

C
alifornia law has tried for psychiatric facilities that denied even ingly demonstrate that thousands of Americans died
almost 50 years to protect peo- the smallest dignities, like choosing what from political targeting?
ple with mental illness from movie to watch or eating a bag of chips. During the 1930s, Joseph Stalin’s rise to authoritari-
forced treatment, and for just The state could help promote choice and an control relied on exiling or imprisoning prominent
as long, critics have said that reduce coercion by ensuring that all con- scientists. This had catastrophic consequences for So-
the state is leaving mentally ill people servatees have a chance to fill out a psy- viet productivity, especially in agricultural science.
without treatment, abandoning them to chiatric advance directive, making their Now American biomedical scientists have become
die on the streets. Last week, the critics’ Renee C. Byer Sacramento Bee preferences clear to all the professionals targets. A 2021 survey found that 15% of scientists who
arguments won out, as the Legislature JAMES MARK RIPPEE , who had serving them. engage with the news media about COVID-19 have re-
unanimously passed SB 43, which would schizoaffective disorder, died after Minimizing coercion also means mov- ceived death threats. Another in 2022 found that al-
allow the state to force more people into refusing care for an infection. ing people into less restrictive levels of most 40% of COVID-19 scientists report experiencing
mental health care or substance use care as fast as possible. Although many at least one confrontation either online or in person,
treatment. studies on the effectiveness of involun- insist California doesn’t have enough including death threats.
Gov. Gavin Newsom appears likely to tary treatment in improving symptoms locked beds for the seriously ill patients I’ve been singled out regularly by political extrem-
sign the bill. Legislators are right that are inconclusive. Hospitalization can who need them, studies have consis- ists and Fox News anchors. Such statements reverber-
California needs a new approach. But for even be counterproductive: Significant tently shown that many of the beds that ate and result in online threats or actual stalking.
the bill to help the many Californians numbers of people leave psychiatric do exist are occupied inappropriately by How can America preserve its hard-earned domi-
who desperately need care, the state units traumatized, suicidal and uninter- people who no longer need acute care but nance in science, especially given the volume of recent
needs to enact the law carefully and con- ested in further treatment. have nowhere else to go. attacks on biomedicine?
sistently — drawing on available re- Clinicians, family members and some Most sub-acute facilities in California First, we must protect biomedical scientists. So far
search and the expertise of people who patients can point to situations in which are private and for profit; clinicians have there have been few public statements of support from
work in, or have been through, the sys- conservatorship was a life-saving inter- to engage in what one psychiatrist de- any branch of the U.S. government, and our university
tem. vention, but hard data that it can ad- scribed as a “beauty contest” to per- leaders and scientific societies are mostly silent. There
As a sociologist who has conducted dress substance abuse or homelessness suade these facilities to admit their cli- are no organizations on which biomedical scientists
hundreds of interviews and shadowed are virtually nonexistent. And yet the in- ents. Regulators could ensure that when can depend for legal help if they are targets of public
professionals throughout the state, I’ve dividuals targeted by SB 43 have often it comes to being admitted to lower levels smear campaigns. This silence could well shape the
seen firsthand how people who need the turned down, or been unsuccessful in, of care, patients are prioritized by need, plans of young people now choosing careers, as they
most help from multiple systems often voluntary services or supportive hous- not profitability. see how scientists are treated in America.
fall through the cracks of all of them. ing. Finally, the state must set clear metri- The U.S. must also recognize how anti-science
The new law seeks to address these In short: Expanding conservator- cs for evaluating SB 43 and be prepared rhetoric has emerged as a new lethal force and find
gaps by expanding the legal standard for ships isn’t an evidence-based policy. It’s to reconsider the approach if they are not mechanisms to halt its advance. Pseudoscience
a conservatorship, a legal tool that al- a risky experiment taken in a desperate met. One factor to address: the shocking carved a path of destruction in the U.S.S.R. almost 100
lows a third party, usually a county pub- moment. Getting it right will require racial inequities in who is subject to in- years ago, and now it is happening again. Beyond the
lic guardian, to place someone in a psy- strategy, leadership and oversight from voluntary treatment. (In San Francisco, 200,000 deaths that have already occurred, as activism
chiatric facility and obligate them to take state government. half of individuals with eight or more in- against COVID vaccines morphs into panic about all
medication. The standard is “grave disa- First, the state needs to provide clear voluntary treatment episodes in the past immunizations, we could see the return of catastroph-
bility,” which now is limited to an inabil- guidance to carefully circumscribe the year are Black. Only 6% of the city is ic childhood infections such as measles or polio. The
ity to meet one’s need for food, clothing situations in which conservatorships Black.) fact that polio genomes have been detected recently in
and shelter because of a mental illness. are, and are not, appropriate. Propo- Ideally, conservatorship breaks peo- the wastewaters of New York and London is an omi-
Under the new law, individuals who are nents of reform have often emphasized ple out of a cycle of ineffectual and trau- nous warning. Over the last two decades we made
unable to ensure their own medical care seemingly clear-cut cases, but deciding matic coercion and gets them onto a steady progress in vaccinating the world’s children,
and personal safety could also be taken whether someone with mental illness path to more enduring recovery. If the with impressive declines in pediatric deaths. But
into state custody. It also would allow should be conserved for failing to man- law works as its advocates intend, it ulti- those gains are fragile.
conservatorships on the basis of a severe age their diabetes or turning down che- mately ought to reduce California’s high We must find ways to preserve our achievements in
substance use disorder. motherapy is more complicated. rates of short-term involuntary hospi- biomedicine and support scientists, even if that
Advocates for reform envision that The state needs to convene a broad talizations. If it goes awry, it could turn means both the scientists and those in positions of
these changes will provide legal leverage range of stakeholders to flesh out the the clock back to the dark days of mass power engage political leaders and challenge ideo-
to push providers to finally care for some new definition of “grave disability” and institutionalization. The outcome logues to reject their anti-science rhetoric and agenda.
of the most vulnerable people in the state provide continuous training on best hinges entirely on how SB 43 is put into Otherwise, almost a century of America’s preemi-
— including those who present with ex- practices for the key actors in the conser- action. nence in science will soon decline, our democratic val-
pensive needs and no way to pay. It is also vatorship system, including clinicians, ues will erode, and our global stature will fall.
seen as a tool to address a small part of judges and law enforcement. Alex V. Barnard, an assistant
the homelessness crisis in California, if it Second, California should couple ex- professor of sociology at New York Peter Hotez is a professor and dean at Baylor
can connect severely mentally ill un- panding the number of people under University, is the author of College of Medicine and co-director of the Texas
housed people with care. conservatorship with more narrowly “Conservatorship: Inside California’s Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development.
Yet the dangers in this bill are evident. tailoring the restrictions people experi- System of Coercion and Care for Mental He is the author, most recently, of “The Deadly Rise of
Even aside from civil liberties concerns, ence within this type of care. Grave disa- Illness.” Anti-Science: A Scientist’s Warning.”
A12 F R I DAY , S E P T E M B E R 22 , 2 0 23 L AT I M E S . C O M

Gender notification policies spark fear

[Gender, from A1] during a heated board hear-
nouns or changing facilities ing about the parental noti-
such as bathrooms that do fication policy.
not match their biological “Yes, there’ll be a couple
sex. of parents that are going to
Similar policies have explode,” Diffley said at the
since been adopted by other August meeting. “There are
districts across the state: parents that will explode for
Murrieta Valley Unified and lots of different things: ‘You
Temecula Valley Unified in didn’t make the baseball
Riverside County; Rocklin team? Whack.’ ‘You couldn’t
Unified in Placer County; do this. You couldn’t do that.
Anderson Union High What’s wrong with you?’ I
School District in Shasta understand that, but I think
County; and Orange Uni- on the whole, the majority —
fied. and we’re dealing with the
Ibarra, who is transgen- majority here — need to have
der and uses they/them pro- direct, honest contact from
nouns, has been open with their teacher to their par-
family and classmates about ents.”
transitioning. But for many “We’re talking about safe-
trans students, coming out ty from physical harm,” Poz-
as gender-nonconforming at nanski said of Diffley’s com-
school was a haven when ments. “And you passed the
their homes were not, Ibarra policy and you said that you
said, and now they are being don’t care.”
“shoved” back in the closet. Although Stoller’s par-
In Murrieta Valley Uni- ents have been supportive of
fied, 12-year-old Celeste gender nonconformity,
Stoller has also been open Stoller is haunted by the no-
with family about exploring tion of how it would feel to
gender identity. Stoller iden- come out to one’s parents
tifies as agender, denoting a before being ready, while still
person who does not identify sorting through the highly
with any gender. Francine Orr Los Angeles Times personal questions and
The district’s new policy, STUDENT Celeste Stoller, 12, with mother Ruqayyah standing by in support, spoke out against Murrieta Val- emotions. It’s a prospect fel-
Stoller said, has left stu- ley’s gender notification policy. “It could put them into dangerous situations with their family,” she said. low students now face under
dents in more tenuous situa- Murrieta Valley’s new policy.
tions in grave fear of being exploring issues of gender some may prefer to try out as sex and gender, and that resources away from more “A part of the process of
outed for gender noncon- and sexuality in different pronouns at school, among informing parents if a stu- pressing issues the district is coming out to the people you
formity. ways than their prede- their peers, for a sense of au- dent identifies as transgen- facing. Alexander and love is being able to have
“It could put them into cessors — and are far more tonomy. The new policies der is in the best interest of Ibarra are among the stu- that control over knowing
dangerous situations with open to the use of pronouns challenge the bonds of trust students. dent organizers rallying to when you’re ready, knowing
their family and their house- that stretch societal norms. between students and But at contentious make it clear they don’t sup- when you’re prepared to tell
holds,” the seventh-grader “They don’t subscribe to school staff, Feldman said. school board hearings, stu- port the effort. them, because if you’re not
said. “I just don’t think that’s the idea of gender that other “What you would see is dents — particularly queer “It’s not a good feeling to ready, and they’re told, that
right.” folks might,” said Harvey kids not going to school students — have largely spo- know that we are getting can be catastrophic,” Stoller
Students interviewed Feldman, a psychotherapist counselors or school staff at ken out against such poli- sued,” Alexander said. said.
were baffled and exasper- and founding member of the the same rate,” Feldman cies. Those who are already Avery Poznanski, who is Though open with family,
ated by the outsized atten- Gender Diverse Care Coali- said. “You’re reducing the out to their parents are also nonbinary and uses Stoller was not largely out as
tion being focused on trans- tion of New Hampshire. likelihood that a child will speaking up at board meet- they/them pronouns, gradu- agender at school. That
gender issues in public Feldman said that Gen- confide something in you.” ings on behalf of classmates ated from Vista Murrieta changed earlier this month,
school districts led by con- eration Z, those born be- Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta and who are afraid. High in 2021. Poznanski when Stoller decided to ap-
servative activists, and more tween 1997 and 2012, see gen- state Supt. of Public Instruc- The policies, they say, fo- came out as gay to their par- proach the lectern during
broadly as a mainstay of the der as more malleable than tion Tony Thurmond have cus on parental rights when ents at 14 but did not come the public comment period
culture wars taking place in previous generations. Gen Z come out in staunch opposi- school leaders should pri- out as nonbinary until col- at the Murrieta Valley Uni-
conservative-led states like adults are more likely to tion to Chino Valley’s policy oritize the safety of an lege — in part because be- fied school board meeting to
Florida and Texas, where identify as nonbinary — and the spate of copycat acutely vulnerable popula- fore then Poznanski lacked express concerns about the
lawmakers have banned meaning they don’t identify measures, saying California tion of students. the right vocabulary. Now a policy. With a voice at first
gender-affirming care for exclusively as male or female laws afford students privacy Fewer than 1 in 3 young junior at UCLA, Poznanski shaky, then growing bolder
minors. — and as fitting in some- rights on issues of gender, people who identify as trans- has found an accepting com- and louder, Stoller appealed
Transgender students where on the LGBTQ+ even from their parents. In gender or nonbinary report munity that didn’t exist in to board members to put
make up a tiny fraction of spectrum when compared August, Bonta filed a lawsuit having gender-affirming Murrieta outside of family. their students first.
the population. Trans youth with older generations, against the Chino district, homes, according to a 2022 “Both times I’ve come “You are the adults here,
make up about 1.9% of Cali- Gallup polling found. and earlier this month, a San national survey by the Trev- out to my parents about my and the children of this
fornia adolescents ages 13 to They’re also more likely to Bernardino County Superi- or Project, a group that ad- sexuality and gender, it was school district are leaning on
17, according to a survey by express comfort with gen- or Court judge granted the vocates for LGBTQ+ youth. not an easy experience, even you to ensure that they ar-
the Williams Institute at der-neutral pronouns and to state’s request for a tempo- More than three-quarters of with parents who are ac- en’t put directly into harm’s
UCLA School of Law, which believe official forms should rary restraining order, or- transgender and nonbinary cepting,” said Poznanski, 20. way,” Stoller said. “All I want
researches public policy include gender identifica- dering Chino Valley to hold youth reported experienc- “It’s so personal, but I came is for myself and others to
around sexual orientation tion options beyond “man” off on enforcing its new pol- ing symptoms of anxiety and to a point where I physically feel safe. But that simply
and gender identity. Nation- and “woman,” according to a icy while the case moves for- more than two-thirds said felt it in my body. I cannot can’t happen when the
wide, 1.4% of the age group 2020 Pew Research Center ward. they experienced symptoms even begin to imagine hav- adults in the situation could
identifies as transgender, survey. Supporters of the paren- of depression, the survey ing that feeling and being up only feel comfortable when
the survey found. Among the small popula- tal notification policies ar- found. against a brick wall.” children fear their teachers,
Although the transgen- tion of kids who are trans- gue that parents have a fun- Rey Alexander, a senior Poznanski was stunned their parents, their peers,
der population is not experi- gender, Feldman said, many damental right to be in- in Chino Valley Unified who to hear Murrieta Valley Uni- and worst of all, themselves.
encing a marked upsurge, do go to their families first volved in all aspects of their identifies as nonbinary, said fied school board President “I’m scared,” Stoller said.
the generation of students when they come out as gen- children’s lives, particularly the debate over the new pol- Paul Diffley dismiss con- “What does that say about
attending K-12 schools are der-nonconforming. But when it comes to issues such icy has drawn attention and cerns for students’ safety you?”

‘Miracle’ Judge, 96, is barred

that two from hearing cases
deputies Pauline Newman, a
federal appeals court
fused to cooperate with an
investigation into her men-
tal fitness despite “reason-
able concerns” that she “suf-

survived jurist, loses fight over

her mental fitness.
fers from a disability pre-
venting her from effectively
discharging the duties of her
office.”
associated press
[Murray, from A1] The Judicial Council’s or-
to death inside his patrol car der said the suspension
in Palmdale in what author- could be renewed after a
ities have described as a A 96-year-old federal ap- year if she continues to
similarly unprovoked am- peals court judge was barred refuse to cooperate or could
bush. Prosecutors on Wednesday from hearing be rescinded if she decides to
Wednesday charged a 29- cases for a year after a panel comply. The decision sus-
year-old Palmdale man, said she refused to undergo pended her from hearing
Kevin Cataneo Salazar, with medical testing amid con- new cases, though there are
the deputy’s murder. Cata- Jason Armond Los Angeles Times cerns that she is no longer no old cases before her ei-
neo Salazar has pleaded not SHERIFF’S deputies surround a home in Compton where Deonte Lee Murray mentally fit to serve on the ther because she had al-
guilty by reason of insanity. was arrested in September 2020. The jury in his trial has begun deliberating. bench. ready been suspended since
Murray, who testified in It’s the latest devel- April amid the investigation,
his own defense, admitted fused to hand over the car high-fives outside the home. deputies through the front opment in an unusually pub- according to her attorney,
shooting all four people. His but that he was spreading a He showed up to the family’s passenger’s window before lic and bitter fight over Greg Dolin.
lawyer, Kate Hardie, told the rumor that Murray was in- vigil with a bottle of Hen- running away. The footage whether Judge Pauline New- Dolin said he and his cli-
jury the only question was volved in the death of a wom- nessy and spent the next 48 showed Apolinar, the front man should continue to ent would be seeking review
intent. She argued that Mur- an, Hardie said. hours in “a blur,” drinking of her khaki uniform dark serve on the U.S. Court of from another committee
ray, blinded by grief over his Nine days later, sheriff ’s and using methamphet- with blood, tending to her Appeals for the Federal Cir- that oversees judicial con-
friend’s death and on a deputies surrounded the amine, his lawyer said. partner’s wounds until a cuit in Washington. The dis- duct nationwide. He said
sleepless, two-day binge of home of Murray’s best Murray drove the stolen fleet of patrol cars arrived. pute has sparked a lawsuit that he and Newman be-
cognac and methamphet- friend, Samuel Herrera, be- Mercedes past the Compton “They’re alive because of, and turned judges against lieved the sanction to be
amine, was acting on im- fore dawn. As they prepared courthouse, where he spot- frankly, a miracle, and the one another. “flatly illegal” and that the
pulse when he pulled the to serve a search warrant, ted a man sitting inside a sil- heroics of Claudia Apolinar, Newman, an appointee of process had been seriously
trigger. several deputies would later ver Ford Explorer. Assum- who, despite being shot former President Reagan flawed.
“When you dig below the tell prosecutors, they heard ing he was a plainclothes de- through the jaw, through the who has been on the court “The Judicial Council has
surface,” she said, “you can Herrera loading a gun inside tective, Murray raked the wrist, kept this from being for nearly four decades, in- been willing to grab on to as
see this wasn’t pre- the Bradford Street home’s SUV with an assault rifle, a murder case,” Lonseth sists that she remains phys- fact any allegation to sup-
meditated.” garage and yell that he was hitting it five times, Lonseth said. ically and mentally fit to de- port what appears to be a
The jury began deliberat- going to “shoot it out.” said. According to Lonseth, cide matters of the law and predetermined conclusion,”
ing Wednesday afternoon. The deputies started The man was no detec- Murray bragged to wit- has accused her colleagues he said.
Superior Court Judge Con- shooting. By the time it was tive — he’d gone to the court- nesses that he “smoked” the of making baseless claims in Newman filed a federal
nie Quinones barred The over, the garage had caught house to file some paper- two deputies and expressed an effort to push her out be- lawsuit in May against her
Times from photographing fire, and Herrera lay dead, work and was “trying to do a shock when he learned cause of her age. fellow judges over the inves-
Murray, 39, after his lawyer shot 10 times, according to a Zoom meeting in his car,” they’d lived, telling one The U.S. Court of Ap- tigation, which Newman’s
argued it would expose him coroner’s report. Deputies Lonseth told the jury. woman, “Can you believe peals for the Federal Circuit lawyers say was launched af-
to attacks in jail. found six rifles and a hand- Murray told a friend he that” nonsense? is one of 13 U.S. appellate ter she refused to resign de-
Murray’s crimes began gun inside the charred ga- was angry the shooting When the police moved in courts. It hears cases on is- spite demands from Chief
on Sept. 1, 2020, when he rage, according to the dis- hadn’t made the news, Lon- to arrest him three days af- sues such as government Judge Kimberly Moore that
pointed an assault rifle at an trict attorney’s analysis of seth said. That evening, he ter the shooting, Murray contracts, patents and she step down.
acquaintance, Andrew Har- the incident. drove to a Metro Blue Line bolted, tossing away a .40- trademarks. Federal judges The Judicial Council said
ris, and demanded the keys Hardie described Her- stop in Compton, just a few caliber handgun that was chosen by presidents and interviews with court staff
to his Mercedes, Lonseth rera as the “one pillar” in hundred yards from the found to have been used to confirmed by the Senate are point to “significant mental
said. After Harris dropped Murray’s life at a time when courthouse, where Apolinar shoot the deputies, Lonseth appointed for life, and deterioration including
the keys, Murray shot him in it seemed like it was coming and Perez-Perez were sta- said. there’s no mandatory retire- memory loss, confusion,
the leg and drove off in the apart. The mother of his tioned in a patrol car. “Who is Deonte Murray?” ment age. lack of comprehension, par-
car — the one “he did all the children had kicked him out. A surveillance camera at the prosecutor asked the The Federal Circuit’s anoia, anger, hostility and
dirt with,” Lonseth told the Living out of his car, he spent the train stop captured Mur- jury. “This is a man that shot Judicial Council, which is severe agitation.” The order
jury. much of his time driving ray approaching the cruiser, four people, that tried to kill made up of Newman’s col- said the judge had also
Murray claimed he had around aimlessly, she said. “not running, not doing any- three of them, including two leagues, said the suspension “amassed a troubling back-
won the black sedan in a dice Murray claimed that, af- thing impulsively, but cold deputy sheriffs that he am- was necessary because New- log of cases” and was lagging
game. He confronted Harris, ter Herrera was killed, he and with a lot of calculation,” bushed. This is a man who man, the longest-serving behind her colleagues in is-
angry that he’d not only re- saw deputies exchanging Lonseth said. He shot both will do anything.” judge on the court, had re- suing opinions.
 B

CALIFORNIA F R I D AY , S E P T E M B E R 2 2 , 2 0 2 3 :: L A T I M E S . C O M / C A L I F O R N I A

Smog
agency
to target
logistics
buildings
AQMD threatens to
fine large warehouses
not complying with
new pollution rules.
By Tony Briscoe

Southern California air

regulators have announced
they will launch a sweeping
enforcement initiative
aimed at large warehouses
that have resisted a new pol-
lution reduction program
for months.
In 2021, the South Coast
Air Quality Management
District adopted a first-of-
its-kind rule that requires
large warehouses to offset
pollution from the truck
traffic they attract. Op-
erators could mitigate these
Photographs by Genaro Molina Los Angeles Times
emissions by taking a range
ZYAIR AYANNA watches as her dog, Milo, races toward a flock of Canada geese — whose numbers have exploded — at Echo Park Lake. of actions, such as installing
solar panels or using zero-

A fowl new problem at park

emission yard trucks. Oth-
erwise, they would need to
pay a fee.
However, this March was
the first major deadline for
the region’s largest ware-

Fence is gone at Echo Park Lake, but aggressive, messy geese abound houses to submit compli-
ance reports. Only 45% of
the 1,019 affected facilities re-
sponded.
“Time is up for those not
By Hailey Branson-Potts complying with our rule,”
said Wayne Nastri, South
First, the tents had everyone up in arms. Coast AQMD executive offi-
Two years ago, more than 170 tents or makeshift struc- cer. “Owners and operators
tures encircled Echo Park Lake, a beloved Los Angeles of warehouses have known
landmark that had became a sprawling homeless en- about these deadlines for
campment. two years. Communities
Then, everyone was in fisticuffs over the fence. near these facilities deserve
After city workers in 2021 cleared the encampment — to breathe clean air, and our
with protesters clashing with police nearby — construc- enforcement teams will
tion crews erected an ugly chain-link fence that stood work quickly to ensure that
around the park until March. [See Warehouses, B2]
Some nearby residents who witnessed the shootings,
fires, fights and late-night parties in the encampment
said the fence was essential to restoring order. Critics said
it made Echo Park Lake feel like a jail.
Now, the fence is gone. The tents are, too. And folks are
complaining about something else entirely.
Geese.
California
Big, aggressive, loud, always-pooping Canada geese.
“I get a lot of emails — mainly now about the geese situ-
ation at the park,” Laila Molina, a field deputy for L.A.
is suing
City Council District 13, told the Echo Park Neighborhood
Council this summer when asked if there had been com-
plaints about the chain-link coming down.
religious
THIAGO GONZALEZ , 3, chases a goose at the park. The geese are “a nuisance,”
said a former chairman of the Echo Park Lake Park Advisory Board.
Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez, who campaigned
last year on removing the fence, said in a statement that
[See Geese, B2]
pregnancy
centers
UCLA dorm plan is delayed over room size State targets claims of
‘abortion pill reversal,’
66% below projected market dents. this density is OK.” This every square foot of land to a procedure ‘not
UC Regents question rates in the pricey Westwood “I don’t want to call these prompted an apology from produce space for as many
supported by science.’
neighborhood where the jails,” Regent Hadi Mak- the official, Pete Angelis, students as possible. But
project offering spaces campus is located. arechian said during finance UCLA assistant vice chan- there is a limit that can get
By Mackenzie Mays
at 318 square feet for But the eight-story, 545- committee discussions cellor of housing and hospi- us to the point where stu-
bed project hit a roadblock Wednesday, “but ... these ar- tality. dents can ... really experi-
three students. Thursday, when the Uni- en’t really good dorms.” Lt. Gov. Eleni ence negative mental health California Atty. Gen. Rob
versity of California Regents Regent John A. Pérez Kounalakis, an ex-officio re- impact by the way that Bonta is suing controversial
By Teresa Watanabe deferred a vote on its budget noted that research has gent, lamented the trend of they’re being asked to live.” clinics known as crisis
and design after raising cru- found that “micro-units” “smaller and smaller” The regents asked UCLA pregnancy centers, alleging
UCLA has been planning cial questions about have been linked to negative spaces as campuses cram to come back with more in- false advertisement of
the best deal in town for stu- whether the rooms were too mental health effects. When more students into rooms to formation comparing the “abortion pill reversal,” a
dent housing: a new resi- small and what potential im- a UCLA official said he was address the affordable hous- project’s room size and cost- procedure considered ex-
dence hall with shared liv- pact that might have on stu- trying to keep costs down for ing crisis. per-bed compared with oth- perimental and opposed by
ing, study and socializing dent mental health. The low-income students, Pérez “It really is worrisome,” ers across the UC system, top medical organizations.
spaces with most rooms go- planned space is about 318 took umbrage at the impli- she said. “What it comes along with student feedback The lawsuit, filed Thurs-
ing for just $600 a month — square feet for three stu- cation that “for poor kids, down to is your efforts to use [See Dorms, B5] day, is the latest attempt by
state Democratic leaders to
rein in faith-based antiabor-
tion clinics that have so far
evaded legislative attempts

There’s a fish on the course at stricter regulation despite

health warnings about the
procedure.
Bonta called the centers
“predatory,” alleging they
for local charities, including By the time race organ- “took advantage” of vulnera-
Malibu Triathlon may Children’s Hospital Los An- izers could devise an alter- ble pregnant patients by
geles. native route that avoided making false promises. He is
be canceled due to an But with less than two the tidewater goby, the 32- asking a judge to block “fur-
underpass that’s home weeks to go before this year’s day notification deadline ther dissemination of the
Malibu Triathlon, the event had passed, and city officials misleading claims,” citing
to the tidewater goby. is at risk of being canceled denied a permit for the tri- violation of California’s false
due to a flooded underpass athlon, scheduled for Sept. advertising and unfair com-
By Matt Hamilton on the course that has since 30 and Oct. 1. petition laws.
become home to an endan- On Monday night, Mali- “Those who are strug-
For decades, thousands gered fish known as the tide- bu’s Planning Commission gling with the complex deci-
of athletes have gathered water goby and a city law listened to an appeal from sion to get an abortion de-
each fall at Malibu’s Zuma that specifies that nearby the competition’s organizers serve support and trustwor-
Beach to swim, then bike residents must be notified of and heard about a shorter Amy Graves WireImage thy guidance — not lies and
and run along the coast in a the race route 32 days be- bike route that would avoid THIS YEAR’S Malibu Triathlon might not take misinformation,” said
race that has raised millions forehand. [See Race, B5] place because of an endangered fish and a city law. [See Pregnancy, B5]

SPORTS ON THE BACK: UCLA quarterback Moore impresses with drive to be best. B10
B2 FR I DAY , S E P T E M B E R 22 , 2 0 23 L AT I M E S . C O M

Addressing a fowl presence at Echo Park Lake

[Geese, from B1] book and smoking a joint on
he “knew that unless taking a bench on the west side of
down the fence at Echo Park the lake.
Lake was successful, my Tanya Juarez and her
goose was cooked.” friend Troy Medina sat on a
“But luckily, the only bench, taking a gander at
geese I have to deal with now the paddle boats shaped not
are alive.” like geese, but like swans.
Canada geese — which Juarez, 30, who owns a
average 3 feet in length from body waxing studio in West
beak to tail — have flocked to Hollywood, has been coming
Echo Park Lake for years. to Echo Park Lake since she
But lately, they’ve ruled the was a child. There used to
roost: charging yappy little only be a few geese at a time,
dogs, scaring children, not hordes.
pooping all over the side- “People feed them all the
walk, and pushing out other, time!” said Medina, a 38-
smaller waterfowl. year-old physical therapist
They have wandered into who lives in Historic Fili-
surrounding streets, pinotown. It’s no wonder
prompting people to fret on they stay, he said, laughing.
the app Nextdoor that the The geese, Juarez said,
birds would get run over. are far preferable to the
(“They have wings! fence.
Geese can fly!” countered “It was ugly. It was sad,”
one annoyed City Hall she said of the structure.
staffer who called the geese As Esau Kingsland
“the issue everyone is ob- walked near the north end of
sessed with.”) the lake, his dog, Teddy — a
“They’re just proliferat- year-old rescue mutt, part
ing. They’re basically feral. Old English sheepdog, with
They’re not really wild,” said fluffy gray and white fur —
Jon Fisher, who writes a jerked his leash, lunging and
column, Birds of the Season, barking at a goose near the
for the Los Angeles water’s edge.
Audubon Society’s newslet- The goose hissed. But
ter, the Western Tanager. didn’t move.
The majority of Canada Kingsland, a set dresser,
geese are migratory, flying walked with Jennine Bel-
south in the winter and Genaro Molina Los Angeles Times tran, a production designer
north to their breeding sites ADAM BOGDANOWICZ, 26, keeps a wary eye on a group of Canada geese during a visit to Echo Lake Park who held the leashes of
in the spring, making V- earlier this month. “They kind of scare me because geese are known to be aggressive,” he said. Luke, another Old English
shaped formations in the sheepdog mix, and Betty, a
sky. downtown skyline, the park ing their goslings. They might have worn out around Echo Park once a tiny poodle and schnauzer
But if they have every- gets crowded. And its geese The geese are “a nui- their welcome — but the week. mix.
thing they need — safety, population has exploded sance,” said DeBoe, who has honkers have rights. She recently moved to The bigger dogs try to
food and places to nest — over the last two years. lived in and around the Canada geese are not en- L.A. from Michigan, where chase the birds into the lake,
they don’t have much reason Fisher said it’s possible neighborhood for decades. dangered, but they are fed- she was used to seeing Cana- Beltran said. But Betty, the
to leave, Fisher said. that the fence was a factor, People with small dogs often erally protected. da geese flying overhead smallest, “couldn’t give a
They stay put, get fat, protecting nests and pick them up and carry For “resident” Canada during migration. She was damn about these geese.”
and don’t even wince when goslings from predators them so they don’t get at- geese — such as those at shocked by the L.A. birds’ Kingsland and Beltran
people and pets come close. such as coyotes. tacked, and “the main prob- Echo Park Lake or those aggression. said they were walking mid-
In L.A. County, Fisher This summer, more than lem is you can’t walk or enjoy that lay their eggs on a “I don’t want them to at- morning on a weekday be-
said, Canada geese have laid 200 Canada geese swarmed the lake when you have to homeowner’s lawn and tack my little dog,” who has cause their work has been af-
claim to several parks and the 29-acre park, said Thom- dodge poop,” he said. won’t go away — a federal “little dog syndrome” and fected by the Hollywood la-
golf courses where they have as DeBoe, an attorney and DeBoe said that, despite permit is required to remove loves to puff up his tiny chest bor strikes. They love Echo
lots of water and grass — former chairman of the Echo complaints, the city’s parks nests and eggs, said Joanna muscles, she said. Park Lake, but it’s become
sustenance. They’re all over Park Lake Park Advisory and recreation department Gilkeson, a spokeswoman The geese “are like 10 harder to keep the dogs from
Apollo Park in Lancaster Board. has not communicated for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife times bigger. They just kind fowl play.
and Legg Lake within the At the pace they’ve been what, if anything, it intends Service. of square up on him. They Kingsland said he
Whittier Narrows Recre- reproducing, “it will be 300 to do about the geese. A federal permit also is don’t move when he goes at wouldn’t mind if some of the
ation Area in South El Mon- next summer,” he added. “They don’t seem willing required to capture, handle them.” neighborhood’s resident
te. And they have long been Over the last two years, to take input from the com- or kill any Canada goose, On a recent gray morn- coyotes came in and dined
entrenched at Woodley their nests have increased munity,” he said. “They need resident or migratory, out- ing, dozens of geese circled on poultry.
Lakes Golf Course in Van near the park’s 4 acres of to come up with a plan.” side an established hunting the Lady of the Lake — the “Go, coyotes!” he said.
Nuys. wetlands and on the island The L.A. Department of season, Gilkeson said. 1934 concrete statue of a “As long as they don’t get
Echo Park Lake, though, in the middle of the lake, De- Recreation and Parks did Zyair Ayanna, a 22-year- woman with her hands the dogs. Or the geese,” Bel-
is smaller. Located in the Boe said. not respond to calls or old jazz singer who lives in raised forevermore — as tran said.
middle of a densely popu- The eggs hatch around emails seeking comment. nearby Historic Filipino- people took selfies near her. “No!” Kingsland said,
lated neighborhood, with its March, and the birds get ex- The city can’t just cap- town, walks her dog, Milo, an Nearby, they waddled laughing. “You’ve got to have
postcard-perfect view of the tra aggressive when protect- ture and move the geese. 11-year-old Shih Tzu mix, around a man reading a natural population control.”

Program Air regulators to fine warehouses

also includes
a contest! out of compliance with new rules
[Warehouses, from B1] cility in Ontario that hosted about the pollution they
the facilities come into com- 933,000 heavy-duty truck might have to endure in the
pliance as quickly as pos- trips in 2022, according to a coming decades.
sible.” Times records request. The Ana Gonzalez, executive
Warehouses that fail to facility met its required director of the Center for
register with the agency emissions reductions Community Action and En-
could face financial penal- through its acquisition and vironmental Justice, grew
ties as high as $11,710 for each use of so-called near-zero- up in the Inland Empire and
day they fail to comply. The emission big rigs. remembers when much of
enforcement action will be- Air district officials said the area was vineyards and
gin with warehouses op- the facilities that have com- orange groves. Much of the
erating in disadvantaged plied with the program have farmland and residential
communities. exceeded expectations. areas have been rezoned and
In the last decade, hun- Even so, 25% of ware- replaced by sprawling ware-
dreds of developers of col- houses that have submitted houses, where diesel trucks
ossal warehouses have reports opted to pay fees in- queue and idle.
sought to gain a foothold in stead of implementing clean This pollution has con-
Southern California’s air actions. A 666,000- tributed to San Bernar-
bustling hub of goods move- square-foot Home Depot dino’s designation as the
ment, especially in San Ber- distribution center in Ontar- smoggiest county in the

Enrich your
nardino and Riverside coun- io hosted more than 82,000 nation. Gonzalez said the
ties. heavy-duty truck trips. It pollution contributes to dis-
Today, the heavy-duty opted to pay nearly $170,000 proportionate rates of child-
trucks and cargo-moving in pollution mitigation fees. hood asthma, missed days of
equipment that operate at The fees are expected to school and expensive medi-
the region’s major ware- be used to fund emission re- cal bills. Her 17-year-old son,

classroom. houses contribute nearly as

much smog-forming emis-
sions as refineries, power
plants and other heavy pol-
luters combined, according
to air district officials.
duction projects within
communities,
say.
regulators

The enforcement action

announced Wednesday
comes as the air district is
who has asthma, has been
admitted to the hospital sev-
eral times in recent years
with respiratory illnesses.
“Just recently he had
bronchitis, and he still has a
Sign up for free digital classroom The air district’s ware-
house rule aims to curtail
preparing similar pollution
rules for the ports of Los An-
cough and is recovering a
month later,” she said. “And
access to the L.A. Times. these emissions by 10% to
15% over five years. Ware-
geles and Long Beach. The
port complex is the largest
then our schools wonder
why kids are missing school.
houses that fall short of the single source of nitrogen These are the exact impacts
goal must pay a mitigation oxides in the region, the air that we are talking about.
fee, which the air district district says. Our kids are suffering daily
could invest in clean air proj- The agency was also con- with different types of lung
ects. sidering new rules for rail issues, and I’ve experienced
By 2025, all warehouses of companies but may now en- it personally.”
more than 100,000 square ter into a memorandum of Gonzalez and other In-
feet will be subject to the understanding with Union land Empire residents have
rule. Pacific and BNSF Railway. fought against building
Help your students learn about saving water and energy, solar So far, the program has Environmental groups more of these facilities, with
use, and renewable energy with free teaching guides on timely raised about $9 million and have urged that all sectors of mixed success. She is ap-
reduced smog-forming ni- the logistics industry — pealing a decision to build a
environmental topics. Digital access to the Los Angeles Times trogen oxides by 3%, accord- warehouses, rail and ports large warehouse less than
is provided by Times in Education and LADWP for classrooms ing to air district officials. — be regulated by enforce- 100 feet from her Rialto
in LADWP’s service area. Enroll today for the fall 2023 program, The warehouse compli- able rules and not memo- home.
held from 8/14/23 to 12/16/23. ance reports submitted to randums of understanding. But even as she works to
the air district included an- “The AQMD has a moral stop warehouse expansion,
nual truck traffic, ware- and legal obligation to pro- she said it’s going to take en-
house size and how these fa- tect our communities and forcement from the air dis-
cilities chose to offset emis- regulate the air quality,” said trict to rein in pollution at
sions. Ivette Torres, a policy expert existing facilities.
If you teach in a K-12 school The information would and advocate with the Peo- The compliance data, she
within the LADWP’s service have provided the public ple’s Collective for Environ- said, show that the current
area, scan the QR code or visit with insight into the traffic mental Justice. “We don’t approach isn’t working.
these facilities generate. have time to keep waiting for “You have to protect hu-
latimes.com/nie to sign up. However, roughly one-third the industry to voluntarily man health,” Gonzalez said.
of owners and operators, in- do the right thing.” “And you have an amazing
cluding Amazon, requested Earlier this year, the Cali- tool in your toolbox to say, ‘If
their reports and data be fornia Air Resources Board you’re not going to comply,
kept confidential. adopted landmark rules we’re going to shut you
Among those warehous- that would ban new gas- and down. You do not have the
es that did report their traf- diesel-powered trucks start- right to harm our communi-
fic publicly, the largest ing in 2036. ty, period.’
source of traffic was an But residents and envi- “I wish they would have a
830,000-square-foot UPS fa- ronmental groups still worry stronger stance on that.”
L AT I M E S . C O M F R I DAY , S E P T E M B E R 22 , 2 0 23 B3

CITY & STATE

Brawl leads to
shooting, arrests
in Lancaster
shooting.
By Andrew J. Campa It’s unknown at this point
what caused the dispute, ac-
A brawl in Lancaster spi- cording to officials.
raled into an extended Deputies from the
drama that spanned several nearby Palmdale sheriff ’s
locations and included a station arrested six sus-
shooting, six arrests, a scuf- pects, according to Hilzen-
fle with members of the L.A. deger, and discovered a
County Sheriff ’s Depart- cache of weapons inside
ment and a series of minor their vehicles.
injuries, according to offi- Several members of the
cials. group drove to the Antelope
The Los Angeles County Valley Medical Center to
Sheriff ’s Department re- seek care for the wounded.
ported an initial dispute As sheriff ’s deputies ar-
among a group of unidenti- rived at the medical center
fied people at the Antelope and started an investigation
Valley Courthouse around into the earlier shooting,
9:30 a.m. Tuesday. some group members “be-
Parties from that inci- came unruly,” according to
dent traveled a half-mile sheriff ’s reports. Some be-
down the road from Lancas- gan yelling at law enforce-
Google ter to a gas station just ment and eventually as-
THE EXTERIOR of the Claremont Unified School District offices. A former student at El Roble Intermediate across the border in Palm- saulted at least one deputy
School has filed a complaint alleging that the district took no steps to protect him from a bullying classmate. dale, according to Sgt. Ad- as arrests were being made.
am Hilzendeger, acting During this altercation,

Ex-student sues Claremont

watch commander of the several more people suffered
sheriff ’s Lancaster station. minor injuries, including at
There, a shooting took least one deputy. All were
place at about 10 a.m., and treated at the adjacent med-
two unidentified female vic- ical center and released, ac-

school district over bullying

tims suffered non-life- cording to officials.
threatening injuries, accord- The Sheriff ’s Depart-
ing to Hilzendeger. No depu- ment is investigating the in-
ties were involved in the cident.

spond to incidents that may dent, he accused the plaintiff The lawsuit is seeking un-
He claims officials
failed to protect him
before or after he was
occur on our campuses.
Each CUSD staff member is
dedicated to fostering a pos-
of speaking negatively about
his sister, and when the
plaintiff denied those claims
specified monetary dam-
ages.
Attorneys for the student
CHP fires shots
during traffic stop
itive learning environment the attacker shoved the say bullying should never be
where all students feel safe plaintiff six times. The at- tolerated and steps to pre-
assaulted on campus. and supported.” tacker continued to assault vent such acts must be taken
As a result of the bullying, the student, punching him immediately.
By Karen Garcia the student’s parents with- in the face four times, plac- “Here, the administra-
drew him from his final ing him in a headlock, tion knew about a serious
A former student at El eighth-grade school year, wrestling him to the ground problem at the school, yet it follow the Kia east, but
Roble Intermediate School the complaint states. and punching him in the sat lazily by while known By Grace Toohey quickly lost it, the release
has sued the Claremont The complaint alleges head four more times, ac- bullies entertained them- said.
Unified School District, al- the district and El Roble In- cording to the complaint. selves and their ignorant Two California Highway About 10 minutes later,
leging the district didn’t pro- termediate School staff A crowd of students friends by creating fights so Patrol officers fired multiple officers located the Kia
tect him before or after he knew about the student’s at- watched the assault, but the they can share videos de- shots at a vehicle they pulled abandoned at West Cypress
was physically assaulted on tacker’s history of violence, complaint states El Roble picting the nonsense,” over in South L.A. after the Street and South Aprilia Av-
campus by a bullying class- outbursts and physical Intermediate School staff Babaian said. motorist appeared to drive enue, about a mile away in
mate. threats — including stealing were nowhere to be found. Babaian added that this toward the officers, officials Compton. No suspect was
In a statement, Raymond the plaintiff ’s shoes and The attacker was given a lawsuit isn’t just about jus- said. found, the release said.
Babaian, the attorney repre- telling the plaintiff “he one-week suspension, but tice for his client, but about The officers pulled over a The officers were not in-
senting the student, said should die.” the district failed to notify “a system in need of serious white Kia Optima just after jured. It wasn’t clear
what his client suffered “will On May 23, the same the plaintiff ’s mother of an- change.” 11 p.m. Monday on South whether the driver was in-
leave a scar for the remain- bully informed his class- other incident of classmates “As history has shown, Maple Avenue near Alondra jured in the shooting, as the
der of his life.” mates that a planned phys- trying to “jump” the student the bully will only feel em- Boulevard in Carson after person has not yet been
“What makes it worse is ical assault on the plaintiff within the same day. boldened to escalate the observing it traveling at high found, the release said.
that this particular school would take place that day The student experienced gravity of his acts and the speed, according to a CHP It also wasn’t clear
was on notice of an ongoing and they should watch and two more verbal and phys- parents that once trusted news release. whether there were other
pattern of similar actions, record the fight on their ical assaults on campus days the school will be left worry- The car initially stopped people in the vehicle.
yet nothing was done to pre- mobile devices, according to later. ing about what may happen and the two officers got out CHP spokesperson Chris
vent it,” Babaian said. the complaint. The student According to the com- next, as no parent wants to of their patrol vehicle to ap- Baldonado said both offi-
According to a complaint experienced two more ver- plaint, the mother of the as- be on the receiving end of the proach the driver, but then cers fired their weapons, but
filed Sept.11 in Los Angeles bal and physical assaults on saulted student contacted phone call that my client’s the motorist abruptly it wasn’t immediately
County Superior Court, the campus days later, prompt- the district numerous times mother received or, worse changed course. known how many shots were
student was attacked and ing the student’s parents to and through multiple means yet, like the parent of Diego “During the traffic stop, fired.
bullied three times earlier remove him from school, ac- requested “a plan of action Stolz,” Babaian said, refer- and while the officers were
this year. cording to the lawsuit. to keep her son safe at ring to a student who was fa- out of their patrol vehicle,
A spokesperson said in a The complaint alleges school,” but that the district tally beaten by bullies in the suspect proceeded to
statement that the district is that El Roble Intermediate ignored the mother’s con- Moreno Valley in 2019. turn the Kia around and ac-
aware of the lawsuit and
“takes all allegations seri-
ously and is committed to
School has ongoing issues
with students fighting on
campus, particularly
cerns.
The student has sus-
tained permanent and con-
This lawsuit was filed
only days after the family of
Stolz — who was bullied,
celerated toward the two of-
ficers, causing one officer to
fall on his back as he at-
State to
ensuring the safety and well-
being of all our students.”
The statement did not
address the lawsuit but said
planned physical assaults
that are instigated by a
baseless rumor started by a
peer.
tinuing injury to his nervous
system, causing physical
pain and mental suffering —
including grief, worry and
beaten and fatally injured
in an attack by class-
mates — reached a $27-mil-
lion settlement with the
tempted to move out of the
Kia’s way,” the release said.
The officers responded
by firing multiple times at
send final
that “procedures are in
place to address and re-
When the bullying at-
tacker confronted the stu-
shock — according to the
complaint.
Moreno Valley
School District.
Unified the Kia, officials said.
The officers attempted to relief
checks
Firearm law survives court challenge By Jeremy Childs

The California Franchise

ple’s position was made U.S. District Court judge Tax Board still has a few
By Kevin Rector stronger by the Supreme and Obama appointee who thousand payments to send
Court decision in New York had been specially assigned out to residents who quali-
A California law that bars State Rifle & Pistol Assn. vs. to the case. fied for — but never received
people who are under re- Bruen. In that decision, the Circuit Judge Daniel P. — their “inflation relief ” pay-
straining orders from pos- high court ruled that restric- Collins, another Trump ap- ments last year.
sessing firearms survived a tions on firearms are uncon- pointee, dissented, saying Officially known as the
federal court challenge on stitutional unless they are the Wallingfords’ case California Middle Class Tax
procedural grounds Thurs- deeply rooted in early should have been allowed to Refund, the payments went
day, marking a win for gun American history or suffi- proceed because it is plausi- out to millions of California
control advocates. ciently analogous to some ble for the couple to believe residents in the form of a di-
A split panel of the U.S. historical rule. Nguyen will file for another rect deposit or debit card
9th Circuit Court of Appeals The 9th Circuit and other restraining order. over the last year thanks to a
ruled 2 to 1 that Huntington courts in the country have Collins also seemed to surplus in the state’s budget
Beach couple Miranda and struck down a number of question the constitutional- at the time.
Richard Wallingford’s chal- weapons laws since the ity of California’s law, writing KTLA-TV Channel 5
lenge to California’s law was Bruen decision. Several that it was reasonable to reported that about 5,000 re-
moot — or no longer legally Jae C. Hong Associated Press cases challenging major Cal- conclude from the record maining payments were set
viable — because the re- SALES ASSOCIATE Elsworth Andrews arranges a ifornia gun laws — such as that state courts issue re- to be issued by the end of
straining order at the heart gun display at Burbank Ammo & Guns in Burbank. the state’s bans on assault straining orders that strip September.
of their case had lapsed and weapons and large-capacity people’s gun rights “without A spokesperson for the
they are no longer barred pointed that the 9th Circuit assment allegations in Or- magazines — are pending. findings that would be suffi- tax board did not immedi-
from possessing guns. decided to punt it on moot- ange County courts. Re- But Thursday’s decision, cient to support an auto- ately respond to a request
The decision leaves Cali- ness,” Frank said. “It’s a straining orders were issued which divided the panel’s matic deprivation of Second for comment.
fornia’s law intact at a time rights issue that goes be- against both parties in 2019, two conservative judges, Amendment rights.” The payments were in-
when other state weapons yond the parties in the case.” and the Wallingfords had to didn’t touch on Bruen at all. Frank said he and his cli- tended to assist Californians
laws are being dismantled — California Atty. Gen. Rob give up their firearms as a re- In the court’s majority ents are weighing whether to in the midst of record infla-
including by the 9th Circuit Bonta’s office, which had sult — prompting their suit. opinion, Circuit Judge Mark appeal the decision. tion in 2022.
— in the wake of a U.S. been defending the state in The Wallingfords had ar- J. Bennett — a Trump ap- Adam Winkler, a UCLA Inflation rose 3.7% last
Supreme Court decision last the case, said in a statement gued that the state law was pointee — wrote that the law professor who focuses on month after 12 months of de-
year that upended 2nd that it was pleased with the unconstitutional because it court did not “discount the 2nd Amendment law, said clining rates from a peak
Amendment jurisprudence decision. stripped them of their 2nd harm the Wallingfords ap- the ruling shines little light rate of 9.1% recorded last
nationwide. “California’s gun safety Amendment rights without pear to have suffered.” on the 9th Circuit’s posture June.
Alexander Frank, an at- laws save lives and protect any requirement that they However, there are strict on gun cases, given that it Payments range from
torney for the Wallingfords, our communities,” he said. be shown to be a danger. legal requirements that was decided solely on proce- $200 to $1,050 depending on
said he and his clients were “We remain committed to They didn’t argue that no must be met for a legal case dural grounds. household income, depend-
disheartened that the court defending these constitu- one under a restraining or- to proceed even after an al- But the outcome may ents and other factors. De-
had avoided the couple’s tional laws on behalf of the der should have to give up leged harm has stopped oc- well have been different if the tails on the amount issued
underlying claim that their people of California.” weapons, but that the state curring, Bennett wrote, and court had taken up the 2nd can be calculated via the
“fundamental liberties” The Wallingfords have law sets too low a bar for the Wallingfords had not Amendment claims directly, Franchise Tax Board’s
under the 2nd Amendment had a tense relationship such restrictions. shown that their case met he said, given that the tradi- website. So far, about
right to bear arms were be- with neighbor Jessica Ngu- During arguments in the those requirements. tionally liberal 9th Circuit $9.2 billion has been dis-
ing violated by the state. yen for years, and the neigh- 9th Circuit case last year, Bennett was joined by has “been turning increas- bursed to more than 16 mil-
“Obviously we’re disap- bors have filed dueling har- Frank argued that the cou- Judge Elizabeth E. Foote, a ingly anti-gun-control.” lion California taxpayers.
B4 FR I DAY , S E P T E M B E R 22 , 2 0 23 L AT I M E S . C O M

Legal Notices Legal Notices

From $150,000 to
MARKETPLACE
JOBS · REAL ESTATE · MORE
latimes.com/placead
To place an ad call 1.800.234.4444
SUMMONS
(CITACION JUDICIAL)
Case Number (Numero del Caso): 22STFL12109
$75 million: A tiny
Legal Notices Legal Notices Legal Notices Legal Notices
NOTICE TO DEFENDANT:
(AVISO AL DEMANDADO):
REENA LOTAYA EARLE
island in the sum
YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF:
SUMMONS NOTICE OF PETITION (LO ESTA DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE):
(CITACION JUDICIAL) TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: BRUCE MILLER Flannery Utopian city
CASE NUMBER (Número del Caso):
STUART G. DAVIS
By Summer Lin planned for Solano County.”
22CHLC18531 NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide
NOTICE TO DEFENDANT (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): 23STPB10362 against you without your being heard unless you The reference is to Flannery
LIZETTE MARTINEZ, respond within 30 days. Read the information below. California is well-known Associates, a group of tech
YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF (LO ESTÁ To all heirs, beneiciaries, creditors, contingent You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons
DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): WELLS FARGO and legal papers are served on you to file a written for its skyscraping real es- billionaires and capital in-
BANK, N.A. creditors, and persons who may otherwise be
interested in the will or estate, or both, of: Stuart G.
response at this court and have a copy served on the tate prices. vestors that has spent more
NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you.
against you without your being heard unless you Davis So maybe it’s not surpris- than $800 million in recent
Your written response must be in proper legal form if
respond within 30 days. Read the information below. A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been iled by Michael you want the court to hear your case. There may be ing that the owner of Point years buying up unde-
You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons G. Davis in the Superior Court of California, County a court form that you can use for your response. You Buckler Island — 50 acres of veloped land in the county
and legal papers are served on you to file a written can find these court forms and more information at
response at this court and have a copy served on the of Los Angeles. marshland at the edge of with the apparent intent of
The petition for Probate requests that Michael G. the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.
plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or San Francisco Bay in Solano building a new city, accord-
Your written response must be in proper legal form if Davis be appointed as personal representative to the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the fil-
you want the court to hear your case. There may be a administer the estate of the decedent. County — recently listed the ing to surveys sent to resi-
ing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you
court form that you can use for your response. You The petition requests the decedent’s will and do not file your response on time, you may lose the property for $75 million. The dents.
can find these court forms and more information at island comes complete with In a recent social media
the California Courts Online Self-Help Center codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and case by default, and your wages, money, and property
(www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law any codicils are available for examination in the ile may be taken without further warning from the court. two helipads and a 400-foot post, Sweeney refers to him-
library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot kept by the court. There are other legal requirements. You may
want to call an attorney right away. If you do not deep-water dock. self as the “Owner of Point
pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver The petition requests authority to administer the
form. If you do not file your response on time, you know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney Originally home to duck Buckler Island — a tiny is-
estate under the Independent Administration of referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you
may lose the case by default, and your wages, money,
Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal
and kiteboarding clubs, the land in San Francisco Bay
and property may be taken without further warning may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit
representative to take many actions without legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit island is being marketed as a that could block devel-
from the court.
There are other legal requirements. You may want to obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very groups at the California Legal Services Web Site (www. “great escape for sports opment of Flannery Associ-
call an attorney right away. If you do not know an important actions, however, the personal lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online gatherings or corporate ates’ new California Forever
attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or
representative will be required to give notice to by contacting your local court or county bar associa- events” just east of the Car- City.” It’s not clear what
service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be
eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal interested persons unless they have waived notice tion. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived quinez Strait near the San Sweeney means and he
services program. You can locate these nonprofit or consented to the proposed action.) The fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award
of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must Francisco Bay’s border with doesn’t elaborate.
groups at the California Legal Services Web site independent administration authority will be
(www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts granted unless an interested person iles an be paid before the court will dismiss the case. the Sacramento-San Joa- Flannery Associates has
Online Self-Help Center objection to the petition and shows good cause why іAVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde quin River Delta, according generally kept a low profile
(www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting dentro de 30 dias, la corte puede decider en su
your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The the court should not grant the authority. contra sin escuchar su version. Lea la informacion a to the real estate listing. and has not specifically
court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on continuacion. John Sweeney, who stated its goals for the land it
any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or A hearing on the petition will be held on Tiene 30 DIAS DE CALENDARIO despues de que bought the island in 2011 for has already purchased.
more in a civil case. The court's lien must be paid October 24, 2023 at 8:30AM le entreguen esta citacion y papeles legales para
before the court will dismiss the case. presenter una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y $150,000, is selling the prop- Meanwhile, Bordogna
located at Superior Court of California,
¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una erty because the state sued said the owner attracted in-
de 30 días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin County of Los Angeles
carta o una llamada telefonica no lo protegen. Su him a few years ago for il- terest in the island property
escuchar su versión. Lea la información a Stanley Most Courthouse, Probate respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal
continuación. 111 N. Hill Street correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es legally building levees on the a few months ago before it
Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le Los Angeles, CA 90012 posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar island. State and federal was put on the market, but
entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios
presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y de la corte y mas informacion en el Centro de Ayuda
regulators said the work was she declined to elaborate.
hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una If you object to the granting of the petition, you
de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en disrupting wildlife and tidal She noted that the small is-
carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su should appear at the hearing and state your
respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal objections or ile written objections with the court
la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte flows, which Sweeney has land has shipping contain-
que le quede mas cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota
correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es before the hearing. Your appearance may be in de presentacion, pida al secretario de la corte que le denied, according to the San ers that were converted into
posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar person or by your attorney. de un formulario de exencion de pago de cuotas. Si Francisco Chronicle. lounge areas and storage for
para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el
de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda “The owner is wanting to equipment and would be in-
de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en la If you are a creditor or contingent creditor of the caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podra quitar su
sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia. pay off the fines that were cluded with the property.
biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le decedent, you must ile your claim with the court
quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de delivered,” said Marianne “There aren’t many pri-
and mail a copy to the personal representative The name and address of the court is: (El nombre y
presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé appointed by the court within the later of either (1)
Bordogna, the listing agent vate islands available ever,”
un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no direccion de la corte es):
four months from the date of irst issuance of SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA with Keller Williams Realty. she said. “This is one right in
presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso
por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su letters to a general personal representative, as 111 N. HILL STREET “There are liens that go with the Bay Area — it’s in a great
sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. deined in section 58(b) of the California Probate LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 the property that would be location and has great wind
Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or cleared once it’s in escrow for kiteboarding. The sce-
llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a The name, address, and telephone number of
personal delivery to you of a notice under section plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an at- and paid off.” nery is beautiful. You have
un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a
abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other torney, is: (El nombre, la direccion y el numero
California statutes and legal authority may afect de telefono del abogado del demandante, o del
But Sweeney may also be views of the hills and the wa-
posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener
servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de your rights as a creditor. You may want to demandante que no tiene abogado, es): hoping to attract the atten- ter and the flowers that
servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar consult with an attorney knowledgeable in BRUCE MILLER in pro per tion of one potential buyer, come with the marshland.
estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de 324 South Beverly Drive
California Legal Services,
California law.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212 noting in his listing that the It’s a very pretty piece of
(www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda 626-993-7421 island is “near the future property.”
de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o You may examine the ile kept by the court. If you
poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de are a person interested in the estate, you may ile Date: (Fecha) 8/21/2023
abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-
derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por 154) of the iling of an inventory and appraisal of David W. Slayton Clerk
imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación (Secretario)
de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un estate assets or of any petition or account as A. Narayan Deputy
acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request (Adjunto)
derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte for Special Notice form is available from the court
antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso. clerk. Legal Notices Legal Notices
The name and address of the court is (El nombre y
dirección de la corte es): SUPERIOR COURT OF
CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, 9425 Attorney for Petitioner: NOTICE OF PETITION
Penfield Avenue, Chatsworth, CA 91311 Philippe G. Davis, Esq. TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:
The name, address, and telephone number of 2479 East Bayshore Road, No. 180 EILEEN M. AQUIN
plaintiff's attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is Palo Alto, CA 94303 23STPB09308 Collectibles and
(El nombre, la dirección y el número de teléfono del (650) 327-1645
abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no Memorabilia FOR SALE
tiene abogado, es): ANGELIKA SIDORUK, ESQ. (CA BAR To all heirs, beneiciaries, creditors, contingent
NO.: 338048), REESE LAW GROUP, 3168 Lionshead Published in the LOS ANGELES TIMES creditors, and persons who may otherwise be Baseball Cards
Avenue, Carlsbad, CA 92010; 760/842-5850 (File No. 9/22/2023, 9/29/2023, 10/6/2023 interested in the will or estate, or both, of: Eileen M. Cash paid 4 pre1975. Buying
567870) all SPORTS CARDS of any size
DATE (Fecha): 08/22/2022 Legal Notices Legal Notices
Aquin
collections. (310) 614-3312 Trust Deeds- Sale Out of State
Sherri R. Carter Executive Officer / Clerk of Court, A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been iled by Lori
(Secretario), by N. ORTIZ, Deputy (Adjunto) Infante in the Superior Court of California, County LA/OC/Ventura Ranchester, Wyoming
(SEAL) SUMMONS of Los Angeles.
Garage and Many DOTs Available “Mountain View Country”
Yard Sales Rates 10-12 Percent Brand New Farmhouse! Two
9/15, 9/22, 9/29, 10/6/23 (CITACION JUDICIAL) The petition requests the decedent’s will and 200k-945k to fund now acres. 1,715 sq. ft. Just fin-
CNS-3738653# ished painting, 9/15/23! Le-
Case Number (Numero del Caso): codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and other options at 100k
23AHCV00890 any codicils are available for examination in the ile Neighborhood Garage 714-585-4016 git & willing to move? 4 Sale!
Legal Notices Legal Notices (307)-763-6735/cut-
kept by the court. Sale tingedgex.79@gmail.
The petition requests authority to administer the 13th Annual Neighborhood com Pp
SUMMONS NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: Garage Sale, MANY homes
(CITACION JUDICIAL) (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): estate under the Independent Administration of participating! Antiques,
CASE NUMBER (Número del Caso): Xiaoye Zhang, an individual Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal toy’s, collectibles, furniture,
22CHLC23086 representative to take many actions without clothes, tools, etc. Look
NOTICE TO DEFENDANT (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): KAREN YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very for MAP at https://www.
KHACHATURYAN, and Does 1 to 10 (LO ESTA DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): facebook.com/DarleneStin-
YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF (LO ESTÁ important actions, however, the personal sonRealtor to find your trea-
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a national banking association
DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): Wells Fargo Bank, N. representative will be required to give notice to sures! Sat Sept 23, 2023, 8am
to 3pm, some open earlier,
Employment
A. NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide interested persons unless they have waived notice
NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide stay open later. 3107 Killy- Sales Engineer for industrial
against you without your being heard unless you or consented to the proposed action.) The brooke Ln Costa Mesa.
against you without your being heard unless you respond respond within 30 days. Read the information below. independent administration authority will be fire & gas safety products
within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons manuf @ $64002/yr. Mail to
granted unless an interested person iles an
You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and
legal papers are served on you to file a written response
and legal papers are served on you to file a written objection to the petition and shows good cause why
Rentals Other Areas Fire & Gas Detection Tech-
nologies, Inc., 4222 E. La
response at this court and have a copy served on the Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA
at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. the court should not grant the authority.
letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written 92807.
Your written response must be in proper legal form if 1840 W 24TH ST. LOS ANGELES room for rent $1,375
response must be in proper legal form if you want the A hearing on the petition will be held on
court to hear your case. There may be a court form that
you want the court to hear your case. There may be per month - communial living CALL 661.331.7413 Cost Estimator for co. that
a court form that you can use for your response. You Sept 27, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. in Dept. 2D install roofs & solar panels
you can use for your response. You can find these court for commercial, industrial,
forms and more information at the California Courts can find these court forms and more information at located at Superior Court of California,
the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www. & multifamily properties @
Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), County of Los Angeles $40,290/yr. Mail to Roofcorp
your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or
Probate Branch of America Inc., 2130 S Du-
you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the fil- pont Dr, Anaheim, CA 92806.
ing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you 111 N. Hill Street
waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you
may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and do not file your response on time, you may lose the Los Angeles, CA 90012
property may be taken without further warning from the case by default, and your wages, money, and property
court. may be taken without further warning from the court. If you object to the granting of the petition, you
There are other legal requirements. You may want to call There are other legal requirements. You may should appear at the hearing and state your
an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, want to call an attorney right away. If you do not
know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney objections or ile written objections with the court
you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you
cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you before the hearing. Your appearance may be in
legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit person or by your attorney.
You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit
Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the groups at the California Legal Services Web Site (www. If you are a creditor or contingent creditor of the
California Courts Online Self-Help Center lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online decedent, you must ile your claim with the court
(www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or
local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has by contacting your local court or county bar associa- and mail a copy to the personal representative
a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any tion. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived appointed by the court within the later of either (1)
settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award four months from the date of irst issuance of letters
civil case. The court's lien must be paid before the court of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must to a general personal representative, as deined in
will dismiss the case. be paid before the court will dismiss the case. section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2)
¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 іAVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde
días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su 60 days from the date of mailing or personal
dentro de 30 dias, la corte puede decider en su
versión. Lea la información a continuación. contra sin escuchar su version. Lea la informacion a delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the
Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le continuacion. California Probate Code. Other California statutes
entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar Tiene 30 DIAS DE CALENDARIO despues de que and legal authority may afect your rights as a
una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se le entreguen esta citacion y papeles legales para creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney
entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una presenter una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y
llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por knowledgeable in California law.
hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una
escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea
carta o una llamada telefonica no lo protegen. Su
que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un You may examine the ile kept by the court. If you
formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta.
respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal
correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es are a person interested in the estate, you may ile
Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más
posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-
información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de
California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios 154) of the iling of an inventory and appraisal of
de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no de la corte y mas informacion en el Centro de Ayuda estate assets or of any petition or account as
puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request
de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte
que le quede mas cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota for Special Notice form is available from the court
de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede
de presentacion, pida al secretario de la corte que le clerk.
perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá
quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. de un formulario de exencion de pago de cuotas. Si
Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el Attorney for Petitioner:
un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podra quitar su THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME
Lori Infante
puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia. By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek
116 12th Street
puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con Unscramble these Jumbles,
Seal Beach, CA 90740
Get the free JUST JUMBLE app • Follow us on Twitter @PlayJumble

los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de The name and address of the court is: (El nombre y one letter to each square,
un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede direccion de la corte es): 714-330-0946
to form four ordinary words.
encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web Los Angeles County Superior Court
de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), Alhambra Courthouse, 150 W. Commonwealth
en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, Alhambra, CA 91801
Published in the LOS ANGELES TIMES
9/8/2023, 9/15/2023, 9/22/2023 MGATU
(www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la
corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la The name, address, and telephone number of
corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an at-
exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier torney, is: (El nombre, la direccion y el numero
recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida
mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un
de telefono del abogado del demandante, o del
demandante que no tiene abogado, es): NEESS
caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la Mark T. Flewelling, Esq.
corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso. Lagerlof, LLP, 155 N. Lake Ave., 11th Floor
The name and address of the court is (El nombre y Pasadena, CA 91101 HOW TO PLACE AN AD
dirección de la corte es): Superior Court of California, (626) 793-9400
County of LOS ANGELES 9425 Penfield Avenue,
Chatsworth, CA 91311 Date: (Fecha) 04/20/2023
COSILA
The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff's Self-service 24/7:
attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is (El nombre, la
David W. Slayton, Executive Officer/Clerk of Court
dirección y el número de teléfono del abogado del
demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado,
Clerk latimes.com/placead
(Secretario)
es): Harlan N. Reese, Esq. (CA Bar No.: 118226), REESE LAW
GROUP, 3168 Lionshead Avenue, Carlsbad, CA 92010; J. Hernandez Deputy
(Adjunto)
NBAREN
760/842-5850 (File No. 568357) Contact us by phone 24/7:
DATE (Fecha): 10/18/2022
Sherri R. Carter Executive Officer/ Clerk of Court, Now arrange the circled letters
(Secretario), by L. Lacanlale, Deputy (Adjunto) 800-234-4444 ©2023 Tribune Content Agency, LLC to form the surprise answer, as
(SEAL) All Rights Reserved. suggested by the above cartoon.
NOTICE TO THE PERSON SERVED: You are served .
9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13/23
CNS-3741167# ADVERTISING POLICIES
For Los Angeles Times advertising terms (Answers tomorrow)
and conditions go to: Jumbles: GAUZE HIKER OBLONG SINFUL
Yesterday’s
www.latimes.com/about/la-ads-terms-20181105-htmlstory.html Answer: Benny’s show lasted for many years because so
many people thought it was — “HILL-ARIOUS”
L AT I M E S . C O M S F R I DAY , S E P T E M B E R 22 , 2 0 23 B5

UCLA
dorm plan
delayed
over small
room size
[Dorms from B1]
on their living spaces. They
will reconsider the project in
November.
The debate underscored
the myriad and at times con-
flicting pressures over how
to solve what many consider
the top campus issue across
California: the lack of afford-
able housing for students,
staff and faculty. Piling more
students into smaller spaces
brings down the cost, but
how small is too small?
UCLA has been seen as a
leader in providing campus
housing. It was the first of
the nine UC undergraduate
campuses to offer a four-
year housing guarantee for
students, a milestone
reached last year, after
building nearly 6,000 new
beds in the last three years
with a $1.1-billion invest-
Allen J. Schaben Los Angeles Times ment.
NICE TO BE OUT HERE UCLA hasn’t drawn the
fierce community opposi-
A fisherman and a sailor take advantage of the late afternoon weather at the Alamitos Bay jetty in Long Beach. An unwinding
tion and lawsuits that have
Tropical Storm Kenneth will send some clouds, but no rain, to the Southland on Friday, and partial sun will filter through. impeded housing projects
on other campuses. And the
campus received one of the
coveted state grants for stu-

A threatened fish and a notification law

dent housing, receiving $35
million for Gayley Towers,
the dorm project before the
regents Thursday.
UCLA is proposing to de-
molish the existing Gayley
[Race, from B1] day. Members of the public standing items for the per- The requirement to notify couple weeks earlier,” said apartments, a six-story
the flooded underpass. But will be able to offer com- mit to be approved but made residents within 500 feet had John G. Mazza, who voted to structure built in 1981 that
the commissioners dead- ments at the meeting. no mention of the Zuma passed Aug. 24, so the per- deny the permit. includes 51 studio and studio
locked on the appeal, voting The uncertainty sur- Beach underpass, according mit was denied. The proposed modified loft units housing 100 stu-
2 to 2, thereby rejecting it. rounding this year’s event is to correspondence filed with Race organizers ap- course that avoids the dents. The new residence
“This is an event that a result of winter’s record the city. pealed the decision, which underpass has been ap- hall would include commu-
brings families and commu- rainstorms. For years, the Around this time, county resulted in Monday’s Plan- proved by Caltrans, the L.A. nity bathrooms and shared
nities together,” said Skylar triathlon’s bicycling course officials told organizers that ning Commission meeting in County sheriff and the spaces for students to cook,
Peak, a planning commis- has run through the Zuma the underpass would prob- which scores of community Beaches and Harbors De- eat, study and socialize in
sioner who voted in favor of Beach undercrossing at ably be unusable for the members stepped up to the partment and entails riding what housing officials said
greenlighting the triathlon. Busch Drive, but the series race, setting off a frantic ef- dais and begged the panel to the length of the Zuma was an emerging “co-living”
“We need to figure out a way of storms flooded the under- fort by organizers to work approve the event. Beach parking lot down to style of campus housing.
to make this happen, not a pass. The roadway was not with government agencies “God bless the tidewater the Point Dume parking lot At least 350 of the 545
way to deny this from hap- immediately cleared, and in to develop alternative goby, but let’s be honest, you and repeating the loop three beds would be reserved for
pening.” time the tidewater goby took routes. guys have the power — you or four times, depending on low-income students for a
“The problem that we up residence. “It’s forced us to adapt as need to allow this to go for- the race. $600 monthly housing fee.
have here is that this is not For this year’s race, or- quickly as we possibly can,” ward,” said Pamela Conley “It’s the safest route Demolition was set to begin
just about bureaucracy,” ganizers submitted their Lindner told the Planning Ulich, a former mayor of we’ve come up with,” Lind- in June 2024, with construc-
said Kraig Hill, a member of permit application in Janu- Commission on Monday Malibu. ner said Monday night, high- tion scheduled for Septem-
the Planning Commission ary, then filed it in person night. “You can’t deny it on this lighting that no residential ber 2024 and move-in in Sep-
who voted to deny the per- with the city of Malibu in By the end of August, technicality.” or commercial driveways tember 2026, UCLA officials
mit. early March. They included L.A. County’s Department A representative for L.A. would be blocked. said.
“We are being asked to a list of residents within a of Beaches and Harbors County Supervisor Lindsey The bureaucratic morass UC President Michael V.
break the law — the noticing 500-foot radius of the pro- confirmed that state Fish Horvath urged the commis- injects uncertainty into an Drake had recommended
requirement is the law,” he posed course — a list that and Wildlife officials and the sion to allow the triathlon to event that annually draws approval — but the regents
said of the 32-day notice of would be used to mail noti- regional water board had di- proceed. more than 4,000 participa- decided otherwise for now.
an event. “We can’t just ig- fications to residents 32 days rected the county to not dis- “We cannot let bureau- nts, including teams consist- Pérez asked whether
nore it because we think it’s a beforehand. turb the tidewater goby. cracy prevent us from bring- ing of employees from Dis- UCLA had considered re-
good cause.” It does not appear the Only in the final week of ing resources to those who ney, Warner Bros. and Net- search finding that small
In a statement to race city reached out to race or- August did the city confirm need it most, nor stop us flix, along with several ac- units had a negative impact
participants, the company ganizers about the flooded to race organizers that the from returning to these tors, musicians and on mental health, a question
that owns the Malibu Tri- underpass, but it’s unclear Zuma Beach underpass yearly celebrations ... that celebrities. that campus officials did not
athlon said, “We are appeal- that the city was required to would not be cleared, nor have been taken from us in “There are thousands of address. And he and other
ing that decision and are do so. could a temporary ramp be the pandemic,” said Zach- people who would be disap- regents raised other ques-
confident we will be able to The underpass is con- installed. ary Gaidzik, one of Hor- pointed if it doesn’t happen,” tions: Why didn’t UCLA
hold the safe, enjoyable, and trolled by L.A. County’s De- On Aug. 31, triathlon offi- vath’s deputies. said Gerry Rodrigues, build a higher structure to
inspiring event we all want partment of Beaches and cials submitted an alterna- All of the commissioners founder of Tower 26, a Los lessen the density of each
while helping some of the Harbors, and in past years tive route, but it was rejected expressed general support Angeles-based program unit? Is there the option of
most vulnerable in our soci- when the underpass by the city on Sept. 5. On for the event, but two who that trains triathletes and converting the triple-occu-
ety.” flooded, organizers of the Sept. 8, race officials submit- voted to reject the triath- swimmers. pancy units to doubles?
A spokesman for the city triathlon constructed a tem- ted another revised route, lon’s appeal insisted their “Any participant has Pérez said that UCLA
confirmed that officials ex- porary ramp for bikes to paring down the bike course hands were tied by the legal trained for months, and they might well have settled on
pected organizers to submit travel over, organizers said. to a series of loops roughly requirement to notify resi- are ready to go.” the “sweet spot” between af-
a follow-up appeal, which Brennan Lindner, the between Trancas Canyon dents 32 days before an fordability and room size —
would be discussed and race director, said that in and Westward Beach roads. event. Times staff writer James but that he needed more in-
voted on at a City Council mid-August, city planning The same day, city officials “I wish that somebody Rainey contributed to this formation to make that deci-
meeting scheduled for Mon- officials emailed a list of out- contended it was too late: had really jumped on this a report. sion.

State sues crisis pregnancy centers

[Pregnancy, from B1] Heartbeat International screenings. Some of the to notify patients that the
Obituaries
Place a paid notice latimes.com/placeobituary
Search obituary notice archives:
Bonta, who held a news said in a statement Thurs- state’s clinics have denied state offers subsidized abor- legacy.com/obituaries/latimes
conference Thursday in day that through its network claims that they pressure tions, birth control and pre-
Oakland. hotline, women have sought patients out of having an natal care.
The so-called reversal, services because they regret abortion or are intentionally Known as the Reproduc-
touted by such pregnancy their decision to end a preg- misleading them, and say tive Freedom, Accountabil-
centers across the state and nancy. they have a right to oppose ity, Comprehensive Care
nation, involves ingesting “These women deserve the procedure just as others and Transparency Act, the
the hormone progesterone the right to try and save their do to support it. bill was sponsored by then-
after a patient has taken a pregnancies. No woman Even in liberal California, Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris,
dose of abortion-inducing should ever be forced to home to the nation’s strong- the current vice president.
pills. The practice has been complete an abortion she no est abortion access protec- The court’s opinion was
deemed “unethical” and longer wants,” the organiza- tions, past legislative at- led by conservative Justice
“not supported by science” tion in an email. tempts to more strictly regu- Clarence Thomas, who said
by the American College of Bonta cited a study by late crisis pregnancy centers that the law unfairly tar-
Obstetricians and Gynecol- UC San Francisco in 2020 have failed, in part because geted faith-based centers Tessie Reyes Dunn Patricia N Miller
ogists. that showed that more than of legal arguments regard- by forcing them to provide June 25, 1935 - Patricia N Miller, born
In 2019, UC Davis re- 95% of women surveyed did ing constitutionally pro- a “government drafted July 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California
searchers halted a study of not regret their abortion. tected freedom of speech script” about services they February 23, 1929 – passed
Tessie Reyes Dunn, a away September 16, 2023,
the practice after three “At five years post abor- and religion. oppose.
remarkable woman who in Oceanside, California.
out of 12 women participa- tion, relief remained the Clinics across the state A bill this year aiming to left an indelible mark on the
ting in the medical experi- most commonly felt emo- that advertise “abortion pill limit crisis pregnancy cen- She was preceded in death
hearts and lives of those who by her husband, Charles A.
ment were sent to the hospi- tion among all women,” the reversal” are licensed by the ters quietly stalled in the had the privilege to know
tal for “very significant study stated. California Department of state Legislature. Oppo- Miller. She is survived by her
her, peacefully passed away sister, Lauraine Bull, & her
bleeding.” The religious crisis preg- Public Health to operate. nents of the bill, including at home in Winnetka, CA four sons: Anthony Miller,
The lawsuit, filed in Ala- nancy center industry has The Real Options centers the California Catholic Con- surrounded by family. Gregory Miller, David Miller, &
meda County Superior long been accused of named in Thursday’s law- ference, said the proposals Steven Keller; & their spouses,
As a proud SAMOHI
Court on Thursday, names misleading women about suit are state-licensed com- were prejudiced, in favor of Mary Sandra Miller, Donna
Alumni of 1954, Community
the antiabortion group their services in order to munity clinics. one reproductive health Volunteer and Activist, every- Miller, Darla Miller, & John
Heartbeat International steer them away from “Anyone who is going to a choice over another. one who encountered Tessie Scheuerman. She is also sur-
and RealOptions Obria abortion. Some of the Cali- crisis pregnancy center There are at least 165 cri- was greeted with warmth, vived by five grandchildren
Medical Clinics, a San Fran- fornia centers advertise needs to know: crisis preg- sis pregnancy centers in Cal- a welcoming, fun-loving & eight great-grandchildren.
cisco Bay Area chain, as de- “pre-abortion screenings” nancy centers may attempt ifornia, and they outnumber demeanor and known for Pat will be laid to rest at
fendants, alleging they have but do not provide abor- to delay appointments or abortion clinics, according her storytelling, very likely, Sunset View Cemetery in El
violated state law by falsely tions, and promote misinfor- provide misinformation to a report issued last year a fun story! She is survived Cerrito, California. The family
advertising the procedure as mation about the procedure about the legality or safety of by the Alliance, a women’s by her sister, Elsie Galvan, will hold a graveside service
safe and effective. that has been refuted by the abortions. They may pro- advocacy collaborative. daughters, Deanna Dunn in October.
The California Depart- American Cancer Society vide inaccurate health infor- The report stated that (Mario), Linda Hamik (Jim),
ment of Justice does not call and other leading medical mation,” Bonta said Thurs- many centers in the state Terri Dunn (Tom) and her be- To place an obituary ad
for an end to the practice, organizations. day. “They often look like make “deceptive and mis- loved grandchildren, Ashley please go online to:
which is offered at other clin- But supporters of the and are located near real re- leading” claims, do not have Hamik and Wesley Hamik. In
ics besides those named in centers say they are an asset productive health facilities.” a physician on staff and offer lieu of flowers, donations are latimes.com/placeobituary
the suit, but is specifically to communities, pointing to In 2018, the Supreme nondiagnostic ultrasounds appreciated to be made in
honor of Tessie to Alz.org. A or call
targeting claims on websites resources offered to parents Court blocked enforcement that are not recognized as a
Celebration of a well lived Life
that claim to assure its safe- in need, such as diapers and of a California law that medical service but as a 1-800-234-4444
will be held on Sat., Nov. 4th.
ty and efficacy. car seats and some health would have required clinics “keepsake” or souvenir. For details email: tessie2023@
ashleyhamik.com
E4 F R I DAY , S E P T E M B E R 22 , 2 0 23 L AT I M E S . C O M / CA L E N DA R

COMICS

SUDOKU BRIDGE
11, West could find that he, spades) or 4, A K J 6 5 4,
By Frank Stewart dummy and declarer held A Q 2, Q 10 5 (3NT would be a
five diamonds higher than favorite). Give fate a chance
The “Rule of 11” is not why the six — and West had seen and bid three spades.
football teams are penalized all five: the king, queen, jack,
for having 12 men on the 10 and eight. South dealer
field. The rule obtains when Since South had no more N-S vulnerable
a lead is known to be fourth- diamonds higher than the
NORTH
highest. Subtract the spot six, West could unblock his ♠A85
led from 11; the remainder is jack on the second diamond. ♥KQ74
the number of higher cards When he took the king of ♦ Q 10
the other three hands hold. clubs, the defense could run ♣J752
Against today’s 3NT, the diamonds for down one. WEST EAST
♠Q74 ♠ J 10 9 3 2
West led a low diamond, and You hold: ♠ J 10 9 3 2 ♥ 9 ♥ 10 6 5 3 2 ♥9
South guessed to play dum- ♦ K 9 7 6 4 ♣ A 8. Your partner ♦J82 ♦K9764
my’s 10. He captured East’s opens one heart, you re- ♣K4 ♣A8
king and led a club. East spond one spade and he re- SOUTH
took the ace and returned bids three hearts. What do ♠K6
the six of diamonds: three, you say? ♥AJ8
eight, queen. When West Answer: Since you have ♦A53
won the next club, he cashed no heart tolerance and not ♣ Q 10 9 6 3
the jack of diamonds, but much extra in high cards, to SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
South had the rest. pass might be a winning ac- 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass
West should have been tion. Still, your partner 1 NT Pass 3 NT All Pass
flagged. East’s six was his could have a hand such as Opening lead — ♦ 2
original fourth-highest dia- A Q, A K 6 5 4 3, 5 3, K 4 (you
KENKEN mond. Applying the Rule of might well make four Tribune Content Agency
Every box will contain a number; numbers depend on the size of the grid. For a 6x6
puzzle, use Nos. 1-6. Do not repeat a number in any row or column. The numbers in each
heavily outlined set of squares must combine to produce the target number found in the
top left corner of the cage using the mathematical operation indicated. A number can be ASK AMY
repeated within a cage as long as it is not in the same row or column.

Volunteer expert advice

Dear Amy: I’ve been a de- as a deeply committed vol- The owner of the house
voted supporter of a local unteer I don’t want his ef- graciously reduced the price
nonprofit organization for forts to fail and the organiza- to that for three couples and
25 years. I am one of two con- tion to suffer. Any ideas? refunded the difference (less
tinuous volunteers from Dedicated than 25% of the total cost).
when it was first founded. This left the COVID Cou-
When our executive di- Dear Dedicated: As an ple subsidizing the three
rector asks, I give advice, but emeritus board member, couples by a total of $600.
I self-monitor and don’t in- your status gives you an ad- Some people believe that
sert myself unduly. visory role. those who traveled should
I served on the board and You have a long-term reimburse the COVID Cou-
at the end of my term was commitment to this organi- ple (who received $0 value)
9/22/23 asked to continue as emeri- zation. You have profes- the $600, leaving the trav-
tus (non-voting) and attend sional expertise in fundrais- elers to pay the cost.
meetings. ing. When this issue came up Some think the COVID
Recently, a staff member during a meeting, you Couple is out of luck since
HOROSCOPE announced a new and unre- should have raised your they canceled late, even
alistic financial giving ex- hand and shared your views. though the owner reduced
the art of happiness, but like you don’t have much else pectation for all board mem- If you still feel strongly the total price.
By Holiday Mathis enough natural talent to be- to do, which is not a good bers. Board members prom- when the next board meet- The money is not enough
come a teacher to those look. ised support, but their offer- ing rolls around, you should to change any of these cou-
Aries (March 21-April 19): around you. Pisces (Feb. 19-March ings have been weak. openly and with intention ples’ lives in any way — that’s
Maintaining a friendly line of Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): 20): You’ll appreciate the As a fundraising profes- state your concerns, without not the issue.
discipline will get you to a It’s natural that performing value of lived experience and sional myself, I spoke with undermining this staff mem- Thoughts?
deadline. is a primal fear producing the specificity that comes the executive director when ber or throwing anyone Curious
Taurus (April 20-May the requisite heartbeats. from a human who under- he asked and said that this under the bus. The board
20): Keep your appoint- You’ll overcome this and be stands the larger context staff member’s approach can take into account your Dear Curious: I agree that
ments even when they be- brilliant. and the nuances of the was not going to work. concerns and decide how to the COVID Couple is out of
come inconvenient. And Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): heart. I also met with the em- move forward. luck, much as they would be
hold fast to your word. The ever-present option of Today’s birthday (Sept. ployee, at his invitation. if one had broken an ankle
Gemini (May 21-June 21): checking out what the inter- 22): In the weeks after your When I shared best prac- Dear Amy: Four couples and couldn’t travel.
This is one of those rare net or competition are doing birthday, you slowly unwrap tices, he took over the con- agreed to split a very reason- However, friends stay
times when the value you as- can suck up time rather joy- the new you, a stronger, versation. He sent a follow- ably priced vacation home — friends by picking up the
sign to something will hold. lessly. brighter and more skilled up communication showing four bedrooms and four pieces when tough things
You can name your price and Sagittarius (Nov. 22- version. New relationships that he took nothing in. baths. Each couple paid one- happen, and if it wouldn’t
you’ll get it, if not now, then Dec. 21): People will forget form, ones that support you, As a longtime supporter, fourth of the total to the break the bank for each trav-
eventually. what you tell them, but they sometimes by needing you, what’s my best option here? owner in advance. eling couple to reimburse
Cancer (June 22-July 22): won’t forget what you help other times by serving you. Should I get more in- A week before our the COVID Couple $200,
There’s something you’d them do. Your finances augment to volved or step back? planned vacation, one cou- that’s what they should do.
pursue if it weren’t so out- Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. meet a dream. More high- As a late-career profes- ple contracted COVID. As
side your norm. You just 19): There are arguments so lights: You’ll seize opportu- sional, I don’t want to get in- two travelers were immuno- Email questions to Amy
might be very good at this. fundamentally polarized nities to create unity and sol- volved with this employee’s compromised, the COVID Dickinson at askamy@
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): that they can’t be resolved, idarity. Cancer and Gemini unsuccessful strategies, but Couple chose to cancel. amydickinson.com.
The gleam in your eye is be- only outgrown. You’ll decide adore you. Your lucky num-
cause you’re thinking of to drop one for good and feel bers: 7, 14, 2, 21 and 19.
something you won’t share. immediately lighter. FAMILY CIRCUS By Bil Keane DENNIS THE MENACE By Hank Ketcham
The mystery attracts inter- Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. Mathis writes her column
est from others. 18): Keep the action moving. for Creators Syndicate Inc.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): If you let a conversation go The horoscope should be
You’ve no formal training in on for too long it will seem read for entertainment.

CROSSWORD
Edited By Patti Varol and Joyce Nichols Lewis
By Laura Dershewitz & Katherine Baicker © 2023 Tribune Content Agency
ACROSS
1 Chow down
4 Military bigwigs
9 Bar codes?
13 Injure severely
15 “This __ to be good”
16 Hemoglobin mineral
17 College chem course,
informally
18 Basketry willow
19 Actress Garr
20 Big name in 1980s
heartland rock
23 Opening words
24 “Pomp and FREE RANGE By Bill Whitehead MARMADUKE By Brad & Paul Anderson
Circumstance”
composer
25 Leslie __ Jr. of
“Hamilton”
28 Not much
32 Some suede kicks
37 One who may be
shorthanded at work?
38 Wish undone
39 Flag
41 “Baby Cobra” comedian
Wong
42 Hub city for Royal
Jordanian Airlines
45 “If I Were King of the
Forest” singer
48 Oh so very
50 Turn on an axis 10 Geometry calculation 53 Margins
51 Medieval Times prop 11 Wriggly bait 55 “Will Trent” star
54 Shot-putter? 12 Clean up loose ends, in Rodríguez
58 Frustratingly difficult, a way 56 Den
and an apt title for this 14 Basketball Hall 57 Many an assignment in
of Famer Earl 9-Down
puzzle
“The Pearl” __ 58 Board game
63 Brainstorm
21 Symphonic finale with car-shaped
64 Established beliefs
22 Snags tokens
65 Tall birds BLISS By Harry Bliss
26 Allowed 59 “Capisce!” SPEED BUMP By Dave Coverly
66 Is appropriate
27 Chi-town exchange, 60 Atkins variant
67 Get 100% on the test
with “the” 61 “Sign me up!”
68 Movie theater drink
29 Dark greenish blue 62 Gp. headed by Jens
69 Quartet for Jennifer
30 Part of YOLO Stoltenberg
Hudson, for short
31 Wrap that shouldn’t be ANSWER TO
70 Question type
71 BOS rivals microwaved PREVIOUS PUZZLE
32 Brit twit
DOWN 33 Sport that’s big in
1 Japanese term whose Japan
similarity to “emotion” 34 Sought-after fish
is coincidental 35 Hundred
2 Crooner Neville Acre Wood kid
3 Snug 36 Females with pig tails
4 Market upswing 40 Bud
5 Scheme 43 No less than
6 Spry 44 Ark-itect?
7 Narrow racing boat 46 Step up
8 “__ Nona”: Tomie 47 Low pair
dePaola picture book 49 Not now
9 English major’s course, 52 “Time in a Bottle”
informally singer 9/22/23