Brandon Richardson

Crime + Public Safety

Lithium-ion battery fire finally extinguished at ports; Vincent Thomas Bridge, 47 Freeway to remain closed 24 to 48 hours

A truck carrying the batteries overturned Thursday afternoon, forcing multiple terminals at the ports of LA and Long Beach to close.

Labor

East, Gulf coast dockworker strike appears likely. LA and Long Beach are ready

Negotiations have been stagnant for months and, with the Oct. 1 strike looming, the Biden administration says it won't intervene.

LBUSD

LBUSD students were ‘suffering’ amid recent heatwave — and some schools still won’t have AC for years

Studies show that students who are uncomfortable due to heat and other issues such as hunger are less likely to retain information.

Labor

Workers in 11 SoCal newsrooms vote overwhelmingly to authorize strike

After over two years of negotiations, unionized workers still do not have a contract.

Labor

CVS workers call for a boycott of the company amid contract negotiations

Unionized workers are voting on whether to authorize a strike, with results expected by the end of the week, the union says.

Olympics

Q&A: Long Beach must be ready to foster future Paralympians in 2028 and beyond, mayor says

Mayor Rex Richardson talks about his visit to the Paris Games and what Long Beach's participation in the 2028 Olympics will mean for the city.

Labor

Rite Aid workers rally for better pay, increased safety amid contract negotiations

The company emerged from bankruptcy earlier this month, having shed billions in debt, which workers argue means they can afford fair wages and benefits.

Proposition 36

Business leaders disappointed City Council won’t support statewide reforms on theft, drug use and mental health

Chamber of Commerce and Visit Long Beach wanted officials to support Prop. 36 but the council shelved the item and took no stance as commercial property crimes soar.

CSULB

CSULB to celebrate 75th anniversary with live music, food, beer and more

The three bands — Mariachi los Tiburones de CSULB, Higher Ed and Knyght Ryder — all have ties to the university.

LBUSD

Special needs student hit by car after walking off Bryant Elementary campus unaccompanied

The district said its 'thoughts' are with the family but did not elaborate on what improvements the incident might spur on its campuses.

CSULB

CSULB professors say the university is targeting them for participation in pro-Palestine rallies, investment criticisms

The ACLU sent a letter to the university alleging the school’s “restrictive” protest policies are unconstitutional.

YMCA

YMCA demolishes Rascals Teriyaki Grill building to make way for expansion

The YMCA did not provide details for its upcoming project for the former site of the popular restaurant, which closed over a year ago and sat vacant until it was razed last week.

Long Beach Airport

City subsidies aren’t moving the needle on unleaded fuel use at Long Beach Airport

As a result, residents who live beneath the flight path argue they’ve been left vulnerable to lead-related illnesses.

Westin Long Beach

Westin hotel workers to get $11.25 raise under new ‘life-changing’ contract

Workers voted unanimously to ratify the contract agreement, which also includes staffing level guarantees and a retirement plan.

Port of Long Beach

A labor dispute at East, Gulf coast ports is bringing more cargo to LA, Long Beach

Dockworkers on the East and Gulf coasts could strike as early as Oct. 1 if a contract agreement isn't reached, pushing even more cargo to the West Coast, experts say.

CSULB newspaper ditches 49er name after 75 years — and a university foundation may be next

Student journalists cited gold rush-era atrocities carried out against natives as the reason for the change. The nonprofit 49er Foundation now says it’s considering a name change as well.