How To Ward Off Mosquitoes — Or At Least Try (And Other Headlines)

Mosquitoes. We are not fans. If it seems like mosquitoes have been more active and bothersome recently, you’re right.

I myself have had one or two itchy souvenirs from the many times I’ve gone outside, whether it was to walk my dog or play football (Chadwick ends up unscathed for reasons unknown). It’s not fun — especially when mosquitoes are also known for carrying West Nile Virus. What do we do to defend ourselves?

Time to test anti-mosquito tech

Our Caitlin Hernández ventured down to a cozy, mosquito-ridden spot near the L.A. River to test out a variety of anti-mosquito tech to see how well they work. Caitlin tried portable devices, table devices and old-school sprays and lotions.

Check out Caitlin’s DIY research guide and read about how effective some of this stuff ended up being. Just remember — our reporter got bit for you.

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(After you stop hitting snooze)

• Gov. Gavin Newsom has selected Laphonza Butler, the president of EMILYs List, to take the seat of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who died Friday. Butler, known as a formidable political strategist with ties to organized labor, will be the first openly LGBTQ person to represent California in the Senate.
• The governor also struck down a bill that would have given striking workers unemployment benefits. His reasoning? Not wanting to add to a $20 billion debt.
• On Sunday, cash bail came to an end in Los Angeles County.
• Also on Sunday, Boyle Heights residents protested rent increases that could go up to 9% starting February 2024.
• A ranch that had a storied Hollywood history was razed by the Woolsey Fire in 2018. Its revitalization has raised a variety of climate change questions.
• Jordan Brandman, a former member of the Anaheim city council, was found dead on Friday night. He was the city’s first openly gay council member.
• Would you NOT drive your car for five weeks for close to $600? The city of Santa Monica has a plan for you.
• No federal government shutdown for now … the Senate voted to pass a stopgap spending bill to avoid one.
• However, here’s what a shutdown would mean for student loans.

Wait... one more thing

A post-strike business story of survival

Writers Guild of America members and supporters picket in front of Warner Bros. Studio on the first day of the writers strike on May 2, 2023 in Burbank, California.

(

Brian Feinzimer

/

for LAist

)

The history-making Hollywood writers strike has ended after nearly five months. During that time, we’ve heard several stories about what many people in the industry have had to do to financially stay afloat.

That struggle was felt by Hollywood Honeywagons, which has more than three decades of history renting out production trailers and portable bathrooms. Mike Marr, the owner, witnessed a roughly 60% drop in business during the strikes. He shared his tale of survival with our Fiona Ng, and you can check it out here.