Karen Garcia

Los Angeles

News Reporter, Fast Break at Los Angeles Times

Reporter @latimes breaking news and service journalism. past: @NewTimesSLO @SantaMariaSun | Aquí para escuchar ✨[email protected]✨ |

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Articles

Police warn illicit drugs are labeled with emojis on social media. Here's a breakdown of those drug emojis

1 week ago | latimes.com | Karen Garcia

Law enforcement officials warn that social media sites are increasingly being used as storefronts for illicit drug sales, and emojis — those cute tiny symbols and characters — are being used as codes names for drugs that are available for purchase. An investigation into a case in Lompoc prompted authorities to break down the meaning of the emojis to help the public decode the illicit transactions.
Gov. Newsom proposes 'asset test' for low-income and disabled Medi-Cal applicants. What does that mean?

1 week ago | latimes.com | Karen Garcia

Facing higher healthcare costs, Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing adding an “asset test” for applicants for Medi-Cal and In-Home Supportive Services. The test would mean Californians would not be eligible if their assets total more than $2,000. Millions of Californians who rely on Medi-Cal and In-Home Supportive Services could lose eligibility under a proposal requiring recipients to prove their assets total less than $2,000. Gov.
From north to south, California is set to sizzle this weekend. Here are the hottest spots

1 week ago | latimes.com | Karen Garcia

A heat wave is set to inflict misery on nearly the entire length of California starting Friday. Triple-digit heat is expected up and down the state, pushing record-level temperatures for the first time this year. Heat advisories are in effect for large swaths of the region over the course of the two-day heat wave, with possible thunderstorms near the border with Nevada in the Reno area.
Valley fever cases are expected to spike in California. Here's how locals, hikers and tourists can avoid it

1 week ago | latimes.com | Karen Garcia

The number of cases of valley fever in California are trending toward setting a new recordHealth experts say climate change could result in prolonged dry seasons that can lead to an increase in valley fever cases For the second year in a row, California is on track to have a record-breaking number of valley fever cases, which public health officials say are driven by longer, drier summers.
Malibu to spend $260,000 a month for private security to protect scorched neighborhoods

1 week ago | latimes.com | Karen Garcia

With Pacific Coast Highway reopened to the public and the National Guard leaving Malibu’s fire-damaged neighborhoods, the city has approved a contract with a private security firm to provide extra patrols of homes left scorched and vacant by the Palisades fire. The Malibu City Council voted unanimously at a May 21 meeting to spend an estimated $260,000 to employ the private security firm Covered 6 to provide patrols for 30 days, starting May 23, with the option to extend the contract.
May gray persists, but a heat wave could be headed for SoCal by Friday, forecasters say

1 week ago | latimes.com | Karen Garcia

Much of Southern California will continue to wake up to May gray weather, but as the marine layer fades later this week, warmer temperatures and a spike in heat are expected to hit the inland areas. The coastal areas will continue to see May gray in the morning and patchy fog that clears out in the afternoon, keeping temperatures fairly mild for the next two days.
In post-fire milestone, Pacific Coast Highway reopens, clearing traffic bottleneck

2 weeks ago | latimes.com | Karen Garcia

In a major post-fire milestone Friday, Pacific Coast Highway reopened to traffic for the first time since the Palisades fire incinerated homes and businesses along the oceanfront in January. The reopening of an 11-mile stretch of PCH will offer greater access to Malibu and Pacific Palisades and may ease commutes for those trying to get to Los Angeles from Ventura County and the west Valley.
Here are California's 10 dirtiest beaches. Take a look before you take a dip

2 weeks ago | latimes.com | Karen Garcia

As temperatures rise across the Southland, droves of people will hit the beach in search of a reprieve — but you might want to think twice before taking a dip near one of the region’s most famous landmarks. For the second year in a row, the area around the Santa Monica Pier was named one of California’s 10 dirtiest beaches by Heal the Bay. The pier-adjacent beach came in at No. 2 this year due to persistent water quality issues, according to the organization’s annual Beach Report Card.
Amid technical glitches, California's e-bike incentive program promises to be ready for new applicants

2 weeks ago | latimes.com | Karen Garcia

The state’s e-bike voucher program that awards vouchers worth up to $2,000 has been plagued with online glitches when trying to accept applications. California officials promise to be better prepared during the next round of accepting applications next week. A surge of applicants vying for a chance to be chosen for a voucher worth up to $2,000 for the California E-Bike Incentive Program triggered an error in the program’s website, blocking everyone from applying.
Ghost kitchen delivery drivers have overrun an Echo Park neighborhood, say frustrated residents

2 weeks ago | latimes.com | Karen Garcia

As soon as Echo Park Eats opened on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Douglas Street in the fall of 2023, Sandy Romero said her neighborhood became overrun with delivery drivers. “The first day that they opened business it was chaotic, unorganized and it’s just such a nuisance now,” she said. Echo Park Eats is a ghost kitchen, a meal preparation hub for app-based delivery orders. It rents its kitchens to 26 different food vendors.

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Karen Garcia @KarenMelissaGa7

9 May 25

RT @LATvives: In multimillion-dollar building, formerly homeless people face ‘dismal’ conditions, suit says 📸 ⁦@rgaut999⁩ https://t.co/Xf…

Karen Garcia @KarenMelissaGa7

9 May 25

RT @sandhya__k: Honored to win the Excellence in Online/Digital Journalism, Data Award from @aaja! https://t.co/sb6Eb3wIOn

Karen Garcia @KarenMelissaGa7

8 May 25

RT @LATACO: .@marinashutup visits Little Tokyo’s Japanese American National Museum to speak with them after they lost funding for standing…

Karen Garcia

Articles

Police warn illicit drugs are labeled with emojis on social media. Here's a breakdown of those drug emojis

Gov. Newsom proposes 'asset test' for low-income and disabled Medi-Cal applicants. What does that mean?

From north to south, California is set to sizzle this weekend. Here are the hottest spots

Valley fever cases are expected to spike in California. Here's how locals, hikers and tourists can avoid it

Malibu to spend $260,000 a month for private security to protect scorched neighborhoods

May gray persists, but a heat wave could be headed for SoCal by Friday, forecasters say

In post-fire milestone, Pacific Coast Highway reopens, clearing traffic bottleneck

Here are California's 10 dirtiest beaches. Take a look before you take a dip

Amid technical glitches, California's e-bike incentive program promises to be ready for new applicants

Ghost kitchen delivery drivers have overrun an Echo Park neighborhood, say frustrated residents

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