Author: Emilie St. John

TORRANCE – The city of Torrance announced it will begin performing background checks on city council members and city commissioners. The fingerprinting doesn’t apply to current elected officials and commissioners. According to the Daily Breeze, the matter was discussed during its May 5 city council meeting. Torrance Assistant City Attorney Tatia Strader said anyone currently holding a position could not legally be required to undergo fingerprinting, nor could they be disbanded if a criminal record was revealed, so the new requirement would only apply to prospective commissioners and council members. “There may be some limitations on people who are already…

COMPTON – Compton Councilman Andre Spicer took to social media to share his thoughts on the city council’s decision to place its city manager on administrative leave. Spicer’s comments follow the April 7 city council meeting where the city council voted 3-0 to place Willie Hopkins on leave pending an investigation. Mayor Emma Sharif did not provide a reason for the leave, but did release a statement stating the “decision wasn’t made lightly”. Sharif and Spicer are both running for mayor in the June 2 election.

COMPTON – The Compton City Council voted 3-0 to place its city manager on administrative leave on April 7. Compton Mayor Emma Sharif announced that City Manager Willie Hopkins was placed on leave at the close of the regular city council meeting. “The city manager has now been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation,” said Sharif. Councilmembers Diedra Duhart and Andre Spicer did not vote. Hopkins was appointed to the position in late 2023 after serving in the same role in Barstow. Following the City Council’s decision, Sharif issued a statement to her social media account. “Because this is…

INGLEWOOD – The union representing thousands of hospitality workers at SoFi Stadium is threatening to strike at the 2026 FIFA World Cup games if federal officers are present. Unite Here 11 represents 2,000 employees who outlined three key demands to FIFA and stadium owner Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. They want a public guarantee that ICE and U.S. Border Patrol will have no role in the event, protections for union jobs and working conditions, and support for affordable housing for hospitality workers. “FIFA and its corporate sponsors will pocket billions from ​Los Angeles while refusing to even acknowledge the cooks, servers,…

Billionaires Steve Ballmer and Stan Kroenke are fighting back against Inglewood Mayor James Butts and his campaign donor WOW Media to stop the over proliferation of digital billboards in the City. Mayor Butts and WOW Media erected digital billboards in the public right-of-way and are using them to launch an ad campaign attacking the owners of the Intuit Dome and SoFi Stadium. Inglewood does not have any campaign finance limits that will allow competing interests to pump millions of dollars into the upcoming November 6 election with Butts seeking a fifth term in office. The INGLEWOOD NOT FOR SALE campaign…

INGLEWOOD – Bryan Bostic plead for his life during an alleged routine traffic stop in Inglewood on Mar. 10. The explosive claims were made by a lawyer representing Bostic’s family in a press conference held outside of Inglewood City Hall on April 6. https://www.instagram.com/2urbangirls/reel/DWzW7PnkrVw/ Inglewood Mayor James Butts and the City’s police chief Mark Fronterotta have not provided either the family or the public a reason for why Bostic was pulled over in the 400 block of E. Hillcrest Blvd. at 9:30 p.m. Moreover, Bostic was pronounced deceased by Inglewood officers at 10:15 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office. The…

INGLEWOOD – Sen. Laura Richardson has come out in support of police officers wearing body cameras after a man died in custody of the Inglewood Police Department last month. Sen. Richardson responded to request for comment as activists have held demonstrations demanding officers be outfitted with body worn cameras after the death of 37-year-old Bryan Bostic on Mar. 10. “First, I want to express my condolences to the family,” said Sen. Richardson. “ Anytime a loved one is no longer in our presence, it is always painful— so I pray that the family, friends and community are comforted.” Richardson explained…

California has received nearly $100 million in federal funds for security measures during the 2026 FIFA World Cup games while an Inglewood lawmaker seeks to create a new bill outlawing personal drones near sports venues INGLEWOOD – President Donald Trump is threatening to send federal officers to the World Cup games this summer after the states hosting the games received $625 million in federal funds for security-related measures. “We’re going to have to do something when it comes World Cup time, and we’re going to have to force ourselves upon them, which we have the right to do because we…

INGLEWOOD – Inglewood lawmaker Asm. Tina McKinnor has unveiled her 2026 legislative package that includes a comprehensive package of legislation aimed at reducing costs, increasing transparency and protecting renters from exploitative practices. Additionally, her package focuses on public safety issues addressing personal use of drones, telemcommunications and expanding access to public notices. Three of the bills — AB 1963, AB 2350, and AB 2616—targets systemic barriers that make it harder for Californians to secure and maintain safe, affordable housing. “California renters are being squeezed at every turn—from application fees to predatory lending to unsafe living conditions,” said Assemblymember McKinnor. “This…

INSIDE THE CITY (ITC) – Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, will take the stage Wednesday evening at SoFi Stadium for the first of two scheduled shows in Inglewood, marking one of his most prominent U.S. performances in years following backlash over past antisemitic remarks. The 24-time Grammy winner announced last month the two-night residency at the Inglewood venue. The shows are scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday and again Friday. Inglewood activists have staged protests throughout the City’s sports and entertainment district, declaring “INGLEWOOD IS NOT SAFE” [view video footage] after Bryan Bostic died in police custody during an alleged…