A city in Los Angeles County, California
Betye Saar has died at 99 in Los Angeles, capping a career spanning more than six decades. A central figure in the Black Arts Movement, Saar transformed found objects into powerful symbols of Black liberation, with landmark works such as The Liberation of Aunt Jemima and Black Girl’s Window. Her work gained broader recognition in the 2010s with major museum solo shows.
LA County firefighters have concluded after 18 months of review that an out-of-service electrical tower sparked a wildfire that killed 19 people and destroyed thousands of homes, with investigations tying the ignition to electrical arcing. The report notes high winds and heat as factors, while the utility faces lawsuits over evacuation warnings and water resources.
A round-up of fringe-fronted interviews from The Scotsman and The Guardian, capturing performers sharing inspirations, challenges and hopes for Edinburgh Fringes, with a look at what it means to stage improv and solo shows in a crowded festival.