Our current political climate has sparked a new wave of conversations around the subject of immigration, and Reyes says he's taking advantage of this moment to tell his story his way. “I think when we think about undocumented people we think this monolithic idea that were all living in fear or that we are hiding and I want to flip that,” he told me. “Honestly, I am an undocumented person and I’m out here hustling. I'm not ashamed of it because I have no control over it. If anything, it's pushing

Fear has not kept the nation’s 800,000 DACA recipients quiet. Instead, the rescinding of DACA that President Donald Trump announced in September prompted many Dreamers to come out of the shadows and share their personal stories. Some scrambled recently to renew their work permits before the October 5 deadline. Now, many are urging Congress to come up with a long-term solution to their uncertain futures. When former President Barack Obama launched Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) wi

Instead of accident warnings or Amber Alerts, the electronic message signs on California freeways are lighting up with a new message these days: “SEVERE DROUGHT CONSERVE WATER.” The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is the latest agency to get involved in promoting drought awareness across the state. While Southern California has been in a drought for the last five years, the entire state is now in a severe water crisis for the first time in 15 years. The situation prompted G

The Sears Roebuck Mail Order building at the intersection of Soto Street and Olympic Boulevard has a new owner who has big plans for the historical landmark. Los Angeles developer Izek Shomof says he looks forward to working with the community to bring the iconic building back to its original glory days. Join us Saturday, April 5– What Should the Sears Tower become?: A community forum with its new owner For the past 86 years, the Sears Tower has been a gateway to Boyle Heights. But it is now

For more than a million undocumented immigrants who drive in California, the ordinary task of driving to work carries much more stress than just being stuck in traffic. What haunts them is the fear that comes with not having a driver’s license. This fear will soon diminish. California Governor Jerry Brown signed AB60 into law in October, which will permit undocumented drivers to apply for a driver’s license through the Department of Motor Vehicles beginning no later than January 1, 2015. See T

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck issued Special Order 7, which permits unlicensed drivers who are stopped by an officer to avoid impoundment of their cars if they can provide proof of insurance and valid identification and have no prior misdemeanor convictions for driving without a license. Previously, unlicensed drivers could have their cars impounded for 30 days and often had to pay fines of more than $1,000 to reclaim them. The Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union that represents LAPD offi

Soon, however, Sandoval’s commute will change. The 80-year-old concrete and steel bridge is damaged beyond repair and will be replaced with a new, modern bridge at a cost of $401 million. This Los Angeles gateway spreads its recognizable double arches across the Los Angeles River. It has appeared in many movies, including “Terminator 2,” “Grease” and “In Time,” as well as in Kanye West’s and Madonna’s music videos. Designed in 1932 by architect Merrill Butler, the historic bridge began havi

When a new grocery store opens in many communities in Los Angeles, it doesn’t get a lot of attention. But when the Northgate González grocery store opened in Boyle Heights this fall, L.A. City Councilman José Huízar showed up, along with cheerleaders and members of a marching band. This is because in Boyle Heights, as in many low-income neighborhoods, supermarkets are rare. In addition, lack of transportation makes getting fresh fruits and vegetables a challenge. As it does in other Latino neig

The proximity of the rail line is just one indication that this is not a typical neighborhood. Nearby factories puff out thick white smoke. And 18-wheeler trucks spew diesel fumes when they load goods that are transported all over the country. Unknown to most of the families in this community, environmentalists and urban planners have an ambitious plan to transform the rail yard into a ribbon of green that will connect Boyle Heights to downtown L.A. Several architecture firms have donated their

“All rise. Teen Court at Roosevelt High School is now in session,” the bailiff announces. A black-robed judge sits at the front of the room, and a prosecutor, a clerk, and a jury of 12 wait expectantly. Although the setting resembles a courtroom, it’s a classroom at Theodore Roosevelt High School used for Teen Court. Teen Court operates as an alternative to the criminal justice system, giving young offenders a chance to be judged by their peers. Teen volunteers determine sentences for youth c

These gorgeous buildings bear witness to the unique cultural history and personal narratives of the community, say those involved in neighborhood preservation here. “What I really like about preservation is that you have to understand the layers of history, who is there in the beginning, who comes after,” said Karina Muñiz, community outreach coordinator for the Los Angeles Conservancy. “To me, when you don’t preserve, you lose a sense of community,” said Diana Ybarra, co-founder of the Boyle