Dakota Smith
Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Past articles by Dakota:
Ethics commission nominee
City Controller Kenneth Mejia's nominee to the City Ethics Commission was rejected. Will the City Council approve Alex Johnson, nominated by Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson? → Read More
Groups sue city of L.A. over planned zoo expansion
The lawsuit says the zoo renovation would lead to the removal of 16 acres of Griffith Park's native California chaparral and bring more noise and light to the area. → Read More
L.A. kills plans for Bulgari hotel in Benedict Canyon
The head of Los Angeles city planning said new studies found that the environmental impacts of the Bulgari Resort project "are far greater than initially anticipated." → Read More
More funds sought in Bass' budget for L.A. Animal Services
L.A. City Council members on Monday sought answers about the state of Animal Services during the city's budget discussions. → Read More
L.A. to pay $38 million over downed power line that electrocuted father and daughter
DWP workers fanned out across L.A. on Sunday, informing customers about more than 700 power poles that pose a public safety threat. Those poles are slated for repairs in the next three weeks. → Read More
L.A. mayor's budget seeks more cops, more homeless programs
The mayor's spending plan for the coming year includes a key strategy for rebuilding the LAPD: persuading 200 recently retired officers to come back. → Read More
Election day for San Fernando Valley City Council seat
Seven candidates are on Tuesday's ballot to fill the Los Angeles City Council district seat in the central and eastern San Fernando Valley. → Read More
Outside money, donations shape Valley race for L.A. City Council seat
Three of the seven candidates running in the District 6 race have raised significant amounts of money or are benefiting from union spending on their behalf. → Read More
LAUSD and union workers who led massive strike reach tentative settlement
The agreement comes after L.A> Mayor Bass intervened to mediate the protracted dispute that led to a three-day strike and LAUSD school closures. → Read More
Campaign mailer criticized in Valley council district race
A City Council campaign door hanger for Marco Santana is 'completely misleading,' county Democratic Party head says. Santana's camp defends the flier. → Read More
Why some progressive groups are staying out of this L.A. City Council race
Some of the city's well-known progressive groups, including Ground Game Los Angeles, haven't endorsed in the City Council District 6 race. → Read More
Nury Martinez is gone, but distrust remains high as Valley voters weigh a replacement
Seven candidates are on the ballot to succeed former Councilmember Nury Martinez in an April 4 special election. Martinez resigned in October after she was heard on a leaked tape making racist remarks. → Read More
DWP watchdog questions overtime at security division
Supervisors in the DWP's security division worked regular hours but were paid overtime, according to a report by the utility's Office of Inspector General. → Read More
Bass' chief of staff will avoid Olympics issues for a year
Chris Thompson previously lobbied City Hall as vice president for governmental affairs at LA28, the committee putting on the 2028 Olympics. → Read More
Cyclist injured in Brentwood traffic collision with former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and a cyclist were involved in a traffic collision Sunday in Brentwood. → Read More
L.A. shifts course on vaccine mandates for city workers, will approve exemptions
The city of L.A.’s Personnel Department sent a memo to department heads ordering them to approve all religious and medical exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. → Read More
LAFD deputy chief retires amid investigation into harassment allegations
A top Los Angeles Fire Department official retired in the midst of an investigation into harassment allegations. → Read More
Oil companies sue L.A. over ban on drilling
Warren Resources on Tuesday sued the city of L.A. over its oil drilling ban, saying it will result in the company's "complete shutdown." Four other oil entities also sued. → Read More
Biden renominates Garcetti to be U.S. ambassador to India
President Biden renominated former Mayor Eric Garcetti to be U.S. ambassador to India after Garcetti's confirmation failed to advance through the U.S. Senate last year. → Read More
L.A. animal shelter volunteers form a nonprofit, hire a lawyer to fight dismissals
Dozens of Animal Services volunteers have been suspended from L.A.'s shelters over the last decade. Some form a nonprofit to bolster their rights. → Read More