Episode Details

Metro’s D line extension is finally open! Alissa, Mike, Godfrey, and David discuss the many ways a longer Wilshire subway can be a game-changer for LA. Then: more dark and dirty money is flooding into local races as ballots hit mailboxes. Plus, a recap of recent mayoral debates — and why you won’t see Mayor Karen Bass on the debate stage anymore.

“Why it took 65 years for LA to build its most important rail line”

The Guardian: “Riding the D in Los Angeles: city famous for traffic hopes new subway stations will be a ‘game changer’”

Even the New Yorker wrote a story about LA’s new subway

Read Alissa’s story about the opening of the D line extension and also read her story about the release of LA’s Capital Infrastructure Program, another highlight from the week (more on that soon)

Unrig LA highlights a new dark money network named American Middle Ground that’s sending out mailers in CD 1 and CD 11

LA Times: “Neighbors First has sent mail pieces boosting more moderate City Council candidates and criticizing those backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, which pursues leftist policies. Because it is a 501(c)(4) charitable organization, Neighbors First doesn’t have to say who paid for those messages”

Listen to our previous episode where we discussed dark money and read Mike’s piece that lays out the strategies from these groups

Incumbent City Attorney Hydee Feldstein-Soto is quickly losing support

Airbnb just gave $1.5 million to an IE backing John McKinney for LA City Attorney and the Los Angeles Police Protective League gave $20,000 to the same IE a couple days ago, sponsored by Central City Association

Controller candidate Zach Sokoloff’s mother, who we talked about previously, has now put $4 million in an IE to defeat his opponent Kenneth Mejia

Watch the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association debate, which was really just Bass and Raman talking policy

The vibes were very different at the NBC LA debate featuring Bass, Raman, and Spencer Pratt

“In fairness to Raman, the moderators’ uneven application of the rules gave the impression everyone was against her,” writes Orange County Register reporter Rafael