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Deadly Dust: The Silicosis Epidemic

The Lung Disease That’s Killing California Stonecutters

Silicosis has killed dozens of workers and sickened hundreds more. Public health experts say a product ban can prevent the illness.

by Cerise Castle, Jeremy Lindenfeld & Semantha Raquel Norris


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California Lawmaker Proposes Fix to Blunt Loss of Food and Health Aid

By Mark Kreidler

As Trump-backed law threatens Medicaid and SNAP eligibility for millions, a proposed change to state data collection aims to preserve coverage.

California Could Be the First State to Ban Quartz Countertops

By Semantha Raquel Norris

A governor-appointed state board weighs whether to ban the use of engineered stone to protect workers from a deadly lung disease.

Fire Recovery Could Wipe Out Altadena’s Affordable Rentals

By Erin Rode

Without funding and policy interventions, rebuilt homes will rent at market rates, pricing out long-term residents.

Nike Isn’t Playing Trump’s Anti-DEI Game. What Will That Cost?

By Erin Aubry Kaplan

The sportswear company is one of the few that hasn’t caved to Trump on diversity, equity and inclusion. Now it’s under investigation.

In One of L.A.’s Food Deserts, ‘Hands That Harmed Are Now Hands That Heal’

By Elizabeth Aguilera

At an urban farm in Compton, the formerly incarcerated nourish residents hit by rising costs and cuts. Their “pay what you can” markets draw hundreds.

Don’t Call It Upward Mobility If People Still Can’t Afford to Live

By Mark Kreidler

A living wage analyst challenges rosy claims about rising standard of living, and shows that for millions of Americans, their pay doesn’t cover the basics.

With Promises of Money, Controversial Gas Pipeline on Navajo Nation Passes First Hurdle

By Jerry Redfern

Pipeline would cross 234 miles of tribal land in New Mexico and Arizona. Committee hearing schedule catches community group off guard.

A May Day Push to ‘Shut It Down’ Takes Shape Across the Country

By Mike Elk

Unions join community groups in planning marches, walkouts and economic actions on May 1 as a show of worker power ahead of the midterm elections.