LA Material

Rick Caruso buys a golf course. The purchase marks the latest expansion by Caruso outside Los Angeles, the city he once sought to lead, but where he now says he has questions about the viability of development. lamaterial.com/p/rick-caruso-…

In today’s @LAMaterial__ newsletter >> Rick Caruso’s next big swing: a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course and private club lamaterial.com/p/rick-caruso-…

One of the best news resources on California is The California Sun, so it was a treat to go with @sherlyholmes on their podcast to talk about what we're up to at L.A. Material: californiasun.co/podcast/julia-…

Joseph Freeman went viral for bashing UCLA’s Sigma Chi fraternity. L.A. Material’s Tomo Chien dug into how Freeman has left a trail of disturbing phone calls and relentless online intimidation, and how authorities have struggled to stop him. lamaterial.com/p/joseph-freem…

A Westwood dude known as the “I hate Sigma Chi guy” built a massive internet following by filming and taunting frat guys at UCLA. But my investigation @LAMaterial__ found a hidden & disturbing pattern of intimidation in police records across the country. lamaterial.com/p/joseph-freem…

The highly anticipated Metro D Line Extension opens next week, and subway service is not the only thing on offer. The new Wilshire stops will feature activations like pickleball, salsa classes, farmers markets, and more to attract locals and commuters. lamaterial.com/p/activate-the…

So excited to have @mslaurabliss’ first piece in @LAMaterial__, unpacking the fight over zone zero rules lamaterial.com/p/los-angeles-…

The Honorary Mayor of Hollywood died nearly two decades ago. Why did the position die with him? L.A. Material reporter Pablo Goldstein has the full story. lamaterial.com/p/the-last-hon…

A significant number of faculty at USC’s Marshall School of Business have raised alarms that declining enrollment and cuts to graduate programs are putting the famed school in jeopardy, @tomoki_chien reports lamaterial.com/p/usc-s-famed-…

Across L.A., century-old organizations once on their last legs are now seeing a surge of new members in their 40s, 30s, and even 20s. L.A. Material contributor Meghan McCarron looks at why millennials are reviving social clubs. lamaterial.com/p/the-ark-of-f…

If you read one thing today, make it this @_hamilton_matt investigation. @LAMaterial__ It’s a hell of story, and offers unique insight into one of the most powerful & little-known people shaping life in LA. today. lamaterial.com/p/bill-essayli…

The fraud case that L.A.’s top federal prosecutor rarely talks about. Trump’s man in L.A., Bill Essayli, once represented relatives accused of running a massive scheme to defraud Target to purchase millions of dollars in electronics. Read the full story: lamaterial.com/p/when-trump-s…

Trump’s top federal prosecutor in LA — one of the most powerful in the region — keeps this mug in his office. Bill Essayli declined an interview and didn’t answer written questions but his office did share this pic. My profile of Bill published today: lamaterial.com/p/bill-essayli…

Budget fight season is here. Later today, Mayor Karen Bass unveils her proposed city budget for the next fiscal year. Here’s what to watch for as the city’s often-contentious budget season kicks off. lamaterial.com/p/la-city-budg…

St. Vincent Medical Center, the oldest hospital in Los Angeles, has sat vacant in MacArthur Park for the past six years. Now the abandoned hospital is becoming a homeless shelter. And an immersive art show. And more. lamaterial.com/p/it-was-a-con…

Were the haters right about LACMA? As the museum’s new David Geffen Galleries opened their doors to the press, we break down why it’s made so many people so mad for so long. lamaterial.com/p/were-the-hat…

How Does Talésai Make Money? The family-run Thai restaurant in Studio City opened its books for today’s The Receipts. lamaterial.com/p/talesai-thai…

This is the inside story of how Mayor Karen Bass helped avert an LAUSD strike at the 11th hour. lamaterial.com/p/how-lausd-av…

Is Judge Robert Draper too old, or ill, to serve until age 90? He doesn’t think so, even though he hasn’t presided over a courtroom since 2023. Now, a young prosecutor is trying to oust him from the bench. lamaterial.com/p/he-s-84-he-s…

Meet the content creator who helped bring down Swalwell. How Mrs. Frazzled helped reshape the governor’s race. lamaterial.com/p/meet-the-con…