Newsletter: L.A. has the most chronically homeless people — again

Good morning. It is Thursday, Nov. 17. We’re one week out from Thanksgiving. Here’s where you can pick up a turkey in Southern California. And here’s what else is happening in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES

Down and out

Los Angeles has the highest number of chronically homeless people in America — for the second year in a row. It also has the most homeless veterans — 2,700 — and the highest number of homeless youths. “What we saw in Los Angeles and Seattle in particular is consistent with the housing crisis we’re seeing particularly in higher-cost areas on the West Coast,” said Norm Suchar, director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s homeless assistance programs. Los Angeles Times

All just get along

A USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times post-election poll of California voters, conducted by SurveyMonkey, shows that most of California’s Democrats and Republicans would like to see President-elect Donald Trump and congressional Democrats compromise on major issues. But on both sides, voters largely expect the other to do the compromising. Los Angeles Times

Go your own way

Counties in the northeastern part of California remained solidly red in the recent election. “People here are sick and tired of having someone control their lives,” said Jim Chapman, a Lassen County supervisor. “I think people here went to the polls to vote against government. ... It is a scream of ‘enough is enough.’” Los Angeles Times

L.A. AT LARGE

Future’s so bright: A real estate management firm wants construction of the new Wilshire Grand Center halted because it says the building’s glass creates too much glare. Officials with the city’s Department of Building and Safety say the developer has not violated its permit. Similar “glare” problems are becoming more common as developers embrace reflective material. Los Angeles Times

Money flows: A look at the government program that is allowing foreign money — much of it from China — to flow into luxury developments in Beverly Hills and beyond. New York Times

Great honor: Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully, Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and architect Frank Gehry will be among the 21 people awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom next week. It is the nation’s highest civilian honor. (Bonus: Here’s footage of the White House’s call to Vin Scully.) NBC Los Angeles

Postings removed: Fliers for a “white students group” have been removed from the UCLA campus. The school says it does not have a white students group and the organizations listed on the fliers are not affiliated with the university. Los Angeles Times

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

There’s a loophole: Medical marijuana in California will be tax-free through Jan. 1, 2018. It’s an unintended consequence of the ballot measure voters approved to legalize recreational pot use. “The drafting snafu thus becomes legally binding, meaning that the first year after the initiative’s approval could easily be a net financial loser for California.” Washington Post

New laws: The city of Pasadena has two new ordinances aimed at the homeless. The laws make it illegal to block sidewalks with personal property or aggressively panhandle. Legal challenges to the new ordinances are expected. San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Money owed: The L.A. Department of Water and Power owes customers $67.5 million in refunds and credits due to problems with overbilling, according to an independent monitor. That’s at least $25 million more than was previously estimated. Los Angeles Times

CRIME AND COURTS

L.A. confidential: Who killed publicist Ronni Chasen? Beverly Hills cops pinned the crime on an impoverished ex-con who killed himself when confronted by police. But a new look at the case ”appears to leave in doubt whether the department … knows how the murder was committed and whether multiple individuals were potentially involved.” Hollywood Reporter

Sad turn: A 27-year-old mother disappeared 16 years ago. Now, Long Beach police believe they’re on the cusp of a dark discovery. Homicide detectives are expected to travel to Kern County today to dig in an area that may hold the remains of Diana Raquel Rojas. Los Angeles Times

Crime solved: Police say new DNA evidence helped cold-case detectives solve the 1999 kidnapping and rape of an 11-year-old girl in Santa Ana. Los Angeles Times

EDUCATION

Vulnerable students: The president of the University of California has created a task force to help students who are in the country without legal permission. Janet Napolitano said the intention is to help students who may be at greater danger of deportation under a Trump administration. UC has an estimated 3,700 students without legal residence. Los Angeles Times

Safe in school: The LAUSD Board of Education says public schools will continue to be “safe zones” for students who are in the country illegally. The district will continue its policy of not allowing federal immigration agents onto school campuses without approval from the superintendent and the district’s attorneys. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement considers schools and churches sensitive locations and does not conduct raids on school campuses. Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Civic duty: A columnist who supported 49ers player Colin Kaepernick’s nonviolent protest against police brutality now says he’s an example of what’s wrong with the political system. Not only did Kaepernick not vote in last week’s election but he’s never registered to vote. “Sorry, Kaepernick. If you want our democracy to function properly, you can’t take a knee,” he writes. Sacramento Bee

Day in the life: Author Michael Chabon and life in West Oakland. BuzzFeed

Back in time: This cartoon map of California is making a comeback. Curbed LA

His name is CHARLEY: This new apartment building is so fancy it has its own robot butler. Curbed LA

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

Sacramento will be mostly sunny with a high of 63 degrees. San Francisco will be 65 and mostly sunny. Los Angeles will be 72 and sunny. It will be sunny and windy with a high of 73 in Riverside. It will be 73 and mostly sunny in San Diego.

AND FINALLY

Today’s California Memory comes from champion figure skater Randy Gardner:

“Figure skating in Southern California: From 1972 to 1982, the hottest ice rink in the country was the Ice Capades Chalet in Santa Monica. I trained there with my skating partner, Tai Babilonia, during those years. Summer was especially unique when we would leave the rink mid-day and hit the beach and lay our towels down just south of the Santa Monica Pier. The rink played host to many skating champions, and when it eventually closed, it became a flagship location for Fred Segal’s Clothing. I couldn’t go back in there for several years, but when I finally did, the beautiful murals on the back wall remained, all the benches and railings where we sat were there, and the smell of fresh ice filled my lungs.”

If you have a memory or story about the Golden State, share it with us. Send us an email to let us know what you love or fondly remember about our state. (Please keep your story to 100 words.)

Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Alice Walton or Shelby Grad.