Steven Blum

Jan 24, 2024 | knock-la.com | Kate Sosin |Steven Blum

Many maintain that The Abbey, one of the country’s most popular LGBTQ+ bars, is the site of the most disorienting experience of their lives. This story was originally published by The 19th. Editor’s note: This story contains descriptions of sexual assault and druggings. One of the reporters who worked on this investigation had a disorienting experience at The Abbey years ago. One of her last clear memories of that night was of a barback handing something to the bartender.

Jan 21, 2024 | laist.com | Kate Sosin |Steven Blum |Kristen Hwang |Carolyn Jones

Topline: Survivors of a mass shooting in Monterey Park took part in a dance party on the anniversary in defiance of the attack on their ballroom dance community to which they belong. A particularly poignant moment came when survivors of the shooting performed to the same Chinese song they danced to the night of the shooting. The backstory: On Jan. 21, 2023, a gunman attacked the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, killing 11 people and injuring nine.

Jan 21, 2024 | laist.com | Kate Sosin |Steven Blum |Kristen Hwang |Carolyn Jones

Topline: National, state and local leaders convened in Monterey Park for the one-year anniversary of the deadliest mass shooting in Los Angeles county history. Speakers, who included council members, Congressmember Judy Chu and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, honored the victims and spoke about the need for Congress to pass stricter gun control laws. The backstory: On Jan. 21, 2023, a gunman attacked the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, killing 11 people and injuring nine.

Jan 21, 2024 | laist.com | Kristen Hwang |Carolyn Jones |Kate Sosin |Steven Blum

Californians infected with COVID-19 may go about their lives without isolating or testing negative as long as their symptoms are improving, according to new and significantly loosened guidelines from the California Department of Public Health. Why now: The new health order allows Californians with COVID-19 to return to work or school as long as their symptoms are improving and they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication.

Jan 20, 2024 | laist.com | Kristen Hwang |Carolyn Jones |Kate Sosin |Steven Blum

Topline: With high inflation and rising costs, it's getting harder and harder to run a restaurant in Los Angeles. So why would anyone want to take the plunge? Why now: For Jocelyn Todd, a baker who's worked in LA's restaurant industry for more than a decade, food is what she knows and loves. In December, Todd opened a tiny little coffee shop in El Sereno. "It's 8 square feet by 8 square feet," she said.