A city of culture in Los Angeles County
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.
Laws passed in California and the US Congress have strengthened claims to artwork looted during the Holocaust. Two lawsuits have been filed in Los Angeles—one against the Norton Simon Museum for Cranach’s Adam and Eve, and another on behalf of the late Dinah Gottliebova Babbitt’s heirs for watercolors from Auschwitz—arguing for restitution.
Trump has announced a rollback of Biden-era fuel economy rules, moving the fleetwide target to 34.5-34.9 mpg by 2031. The move is framed as cheaper cars for families, but critics warn of higher emissions and oil dependence. The change has drawn reactions from industry groups and environmentalists amid a market backdrop of rising gas prices.