 This week I joined the Commerce Business Council at the Commerce Casino to share my State of the County address.
I laid out some of the challenges we are facing right now—the wildfires, the ICE raids, and the economic pressures we have all been feeling. But I also talked about a lot of the things we are doing right. In the last year, we have:
And those are just a few of the projects we have underway that will make life better for residents across LA County.
 It was great to see so many leaders from Southeast LA and the Gateway Cities, who I know will continue to be incredible partners—because I believe that we are never defined by the hand we are dealt. We are defined by how we play it.
 The folks at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium have been working hard on an $8 million renovation for the last year and a half—and this week I joined to celebrate their 90th anniversary and cut the kelp ribbon for the updated facility.
After 18 months, this reopening feels like a big moment. This isn’t just a refresh—it’s a major investment in the future of our aquarium and all the families and kids who will soon come back and walk through these doors.
 For so many of the tens of thousands of kids who come here every year, this is their first time seeing marine life up close and that kind of experience sticks with you for life.
It is so great to be back and to see it buzzing with life again.
 The UCLA women’s basketball team won their first ever NCAA championship this week—and to celebrate, we started our Board of Supervisors meeting this week with the UCLA eight-clap.
We are so proud of our Bruins, and I hope this is just one of many more championships to come for the women’s team. Congratulations UCLA!
Two people lost their lives ina plane crash on Catalina Island on Thursday.
The crash happened in a remote area on the south side of Catalina Island opposite Avalon, and I want to thank paramedics with our LA County Fire Department who were the first to reach the site. They were on the scene within minutes, and they confirmed that both individuals aboard the aircraft were deceased.
My heart goes out to the loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragedy. I am grateful to our paramedics and Sheriff’s deputies who quickly reached this remote area and handled this incident with professionalism and care.
Metro is moving ahead with my proposal to explore launching a water taxi between San Pedro and Long Beach during the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games—and we’re looking for partners who can help us make it happen.
Metro is asking ferry and water transportation operators to share their ideas with us including what vessels they have, how they would run the service, how they’d staff it, and how they’d keep passengers safe and comfortable. We’re also open to creative funding ideas — sponsorships, partnerships, you name it.
Operators can submit their interest by 5 p.m. on May 4, and you may be invited to pitch directly to Metro staff in mid-May.
If you want to learn more, you can join a virtual information session this Thursday, April 16.
 Our South Whittier Health and Wellness Fair is back next month! Stop by Carmela Elementary School on May 2 for free vaccines, haircuts and health resources.
Our Parks Department is hosting a 10-week DJ academy for teenagers at Mayberry Park in Whittier, starting this Wednesday, April 15.
Our LA County Department of Arts and Culture is accepting applications for two internship programs for students.
The first, in partnership with the Getty Foundation, is providing internships at 128 organizations focused on the performing arts, literary arts, and arts-focused social services and social justice. Interns will be able to work from June 1, 2026 - March 1, 2027 depending on the needs of the organization. Learn more and apply here.
The second program, in partnership with collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies, will provide summer internships to 49 rising public high school seniors at 22 local arts and cultural organizations, where students will gain hands-on experience, as well as college preparation training. Learn more and apply here.
The Center Theatre Group's is hosting a Going Pro Career Fair next month, where college students and people early in their arts careers can attend panels and workshops, get free headshots, and explore a resource fair.
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(213) 974-4444
fourthdistrict@bos.lacounty.gov
