Dakota Smith covers City Hall for the Los Angeles Times. She is part of the team that won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize in breaking news for reporting on a leaked audio recording that upended City Hall politics. She joined the newsroom in 2016 and previously covered City Hall for the Los Angeles Daily News. She is a graduate of Lewis & Clark College and lives in Los Angeles.
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With L.A. hosting the Summer Games in 2028, city and county leaders are heading to the City of Light to see what lessons L.A. will need to learn.
July 20, 2024
Una demanda alega que el personal del refugio de la ciudad de Los Ángeles no le proporcionó al hijo de la mujer un aviso por escrito sobre el historial de mordeduras del perro antes de que adoptara al canino.
July 18, 2024
The lawsuit argues that the city charter prohibits those who retire with a pension through the L.A. City Employees’ Retirement System from subsequently working as a DWP employee.
July 12, 2024
William Funderburk, then serving as vice president of the L.A. DWP Board, approved a $30 million contract around the same time that he received free legal work from the attorney who was awarded the contract.
July 11, 2024
DWP ratepayer advocate predicts fee increases, recommends delaying city’s 100% clean energy timeline
The Office of Ratepayer Advocacy report said the expected costs are “not reasonable” for customers.
July 10, 2024
The City Council voted to advance a plan to expand the Convention Center. The city can pull the plug if engineers find the project can’t be done before the 2028 Olympics.
July 3, 2024
The pier, the oldest in California, was badly damaged by storms in 2023. First built in 1872 as a commercial wharf, it has been repaired or rebuilt countless times.
June 29, 2024
For years, there’s been little public criticism about the 2028 Olympics from local politicians. Now, L.A.’s elected officials are starting to pipe up.
June 29, 2024
Under the city charter, 10 council members must be present to conduct a meeting. But at City Hall, the definition of present is a bit flexible.
June 22, 2024
With Olympic events planned at the Convention Center, city leaders want to use the Games as an impetus for construction that could ultimately cost billions.
June 19, 2024