Why a signature Newsom power move flopped in the last days of the Legislative session
Glendale homelessness rises 12%, but unsheltered population drops 54%
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Los Angeles County sues State Farm over allegedly mishandled wildfire claims By Joe Taglieri
District 5 Supervisor Kathryn Barger announces a lawsuit against State Farm. From left, Assistant County Counsel Scott Kuhn, County Counsel Dawyn Harrison, Barger at podium, District 3 Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and fire survivor advocate Joy Chen. | Photo courtesy of Supervi- sor Kathryn Barger/Facebook
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“Wildfire survivors have already endured unimaginable loss; they should not have to fight their insurance company simply to receive the benefits they paid for and counted on,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement. “These delays, underpayments and denials have real consequences. They keep families from rebuilding, prolong displacement, and ultimately slow the recovery of entire communities. That is why Los Angeles County
is taking action to stand up for survivors and hold State Farm accountable.” At a news conference announcing the lawsuit Monday, Barger said survivors have reported repeated changes in claim adjustment — sometimes as many as 10 to 15 — inconsistent handling of additional living expenses and serious problems with smoke damage claims. "This is unacceptable," she said. See State Farm Page 39
According to the lawsuit county attorneys filed in LA Superior Court, State Farm violated the state's unfair competition and false advertising laws in the handling of claims submitted by Eaton and Palisades fire survivors. "The lawsuit alleges that State Farm engaged in unfair, unlawful and deceptive business practices that harm their policyholders," County Counsel Dawyn said
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Pasadena endorses 710 stub governance roadmap
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joet@civicnewsgroup.com
os Angeles County sued State Farm General Insurance Co. on Monday, alleging widespread mishandling of claims by policyholders in the Eaton and Palisades fire burn zones. In May, the California Department of Insurance initiated an enforcement action against the company seeking millions of dollars in penalties for a "documented a pattern of unlawful behavior" that resulted in violations affecting thousands of fire survivors.
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By Staff
asadena moved a step closer to deciding how the long-vacant 710 stub property will be governed, as the City Council last week endorsed a set of guiding principles from the Urban Land Institute and directed an ad hoc committee to return with options for an oversight board. The council adopted five key themes from the ULI Technical Advisory Panel report as guidelines for the roughly 50-acre site, including establishing a clear mission, phasing the work, reducing uncertainty to attract investment, and centering restorative justice throughout. "This is a generational project we're doing," Councilman Jason Lyon said, cautioning against rushing a decision on governance. The ULI panel, made up of nine development professionals who held a two-day workshop in March, recommended a five- to sevenmember board modeled on Pasadena's existing operating companies, with privatesector expertise and strong guardrails. Richard Bruckner, who chaired the ULI panel, said the 710 stub board should
operate with "a dialogue back and forth with the council" so elected officials retain ultimate authority. Council members split on pace. Councilman Steve Madison said he was "becoming increasingly sort of uneasy about the the pace that this is taking," noting the city marked its fourth year of ownership of the site without yet articulating a vision. Mayor Victor Gordo countered that the priority is getting the project right, describing it as "restitching a city" rather than a development project. The council also adopted four ordinances on second reading, including two that establish landmark overlay districts and one implementing the 2025 North Lake Specific Plan. The North Lake ordinance passed with two members recused — Vice Mayor Jess Rivas, who owns property within 500 feet of the plan boundary, and Councilman Steve Madison, whose wife is an executive with a nonprofit that owns a building in the overlay district. The council's action on the 710 stub directs the ad
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