Samwise Greater LA Area Newsletter
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Swalwell Assault Allegations Upend California Governor’s Race
Rep. Eric Swalwell denied sexual assault allegations on April 10 as major allies — including U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff and powerful labor unions — pulled their endorsements from his California gubernatorial campaign. A former staffer alleged Swalwell assaulted her in 2019 and again in 2024. Rep. Jimmy Gomez, a Los Angeles Democrat who had chaired the campaign, resigned and called on Swalwell to drop out. The California Service Employees International Union and California Teachers Association suspended their support, potentially reshaping the contest for the Democratic nomination ahead of the June primary.
Sources: CNBC · CalMatters
Bass and Jurado Propose $360M from Mansion Tax for Affordable Housing
Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado unveiled a plan on April 9 to direct more than $360 million in Measure ULA mansion tax funds toward affordable housing across Los Angeles. The proposal would finance 80 projects, creating 1,528 new units and repairing more than 2,500 existing affordable homes. An accompanying $14 million Emergency Income Support Program would offer up to $19,000 to eligible households facing rent burden, targeting seniors and people with disabilities. Measure ULA, approved by voters in 2022, has generated over $1.1 billion, though much of the revenue had been held back amid legal challenges.
Sources: MyNewsLA · The Real Deal
La Brea Tar Pits Page Museum Closing in July for First Major Renovation in 50 Years
The Page Museum at La Brea Tar Pits will close its doors on July 6, 2026, for the first major renovation since the museum opened in 1977 — a $240 million project designed to transform the site ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. The redesign includes visible research laboratories, new collections storage, an immersive theater, and a rooftop terrace overlooking Hancock Park. Scientific excavation will continue on-site throughout the closure. The museum is expected to reopen just before the 2028 Games, giving Angelenos until early July to see the Ice Age fossil collection in its current form.
Sources: MyNewsLA · Beverly Press
Former LA County Examiner Investigator Pleads No Contest to Stealing from the Deceased
Adrian Muñoz, 36, a former Los Angeles County medical examiner investigator, entered a no-contest plea Friday to felony grand theft and misdemeanor petty theft charges after surveillance footage caught him removing a gold crucifix from a heart attack victim’s neck at a South LA warehouse in January 2023. Investigators also found stolen antique coins in his desk. Under the plea, Muñoz faces 180 days in county jail, two years of formal probation, restitution to the victims’ families, and permanent revocation of his law enforcement certification. Formal sentencing is scheduled for June 5.
Sources: MyNewsLA · CBS Los Angeles
LAX Hit with 69 Flight Delays and 10 Cancellations Amid Operational Strain
Los Angeles International Airport experienced significant operational disruptions on April 10, with 69 delayed departures and at least 10 cancellations affecting major carriers including Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa, United Airlines, and American. Routes to San Francisco, Detroit, Honolulu, and New York City were among those disrupted, with cascading effects reaching Chicago, Dallas, Seattle, and Vancouver. The disruptions coincided with a Lufthansa cabin-crew strike in Germany, forcing the airline to trim its long-haul schedule. Tight labor markets in aviation and ground services were also cited as contributing factors at one of the nation’s busiest airports.
Sources: Nomad Lawyer · The Traveler
LeBron Powers Lakers to 101-73 Rout of Suns, Clinching Playoff Home Court
Led by LeBron James’s 28 points, 12 assists, and six rebounds, the Los Angeles Lakers dominated the Phoenix Suns 101-73 Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena, clinching home-court advantage for the first round of the NBA playoffs. James controlled the game throughout, racking up 14 points in the first quarter alone, while Marcus Smart contributed six points and seven assists in his return from a nine-game absence. The Suns rested Devin Booker and Jalen Green ahead of the postseason. The Lakers, at 52-29 and fourth in the Western Conference, close the regular season Sunday against the Utah Jazz before their playoff run begins.
Sources: ESPN · LakerStats
Dodgers 8, Rangers 7: Muncy Hits Three Home Runs in Walkoff Thriller at Dodger Stadium
Max Muncy delivered one of the most dramatic performances in recent Dodger memory Saturday, hitting three home runs — including a game-winning solo shot in the ninth inning — as Los Angeles rallied past the Texas Rangers 8-7 at Dodger Stadium. Closer Edwin Diaz blew his first save of the year with a three-run ninth that tied the game at seven, but Muncy answered two outs later with a walkoff blast. It was his second career three-homer game and moved him into sole possession of sixth all-time in Dodgers franchise home run history with 212. The Rangers-Dodgers series concludes Sunday.
Sources: ESPN
LA Pulse
Dodgers: Tonight’s result: Dodgers 8, Rangers 7 (Muncy walkoff HR). Next: vs. Texas Rangers — Sun Apr 12, Dodger Stadium.
Lakers: Last night: 101-73 over Suns (LeBron 28 pts, clinched playoff home court). Next: Regular-season finale vs. Utah Jazz — Sun Apr 12 at Crypto.com Arena.
Kings: NHL Playoffs Round 1 vs. Colorado Avalanche — Game 1 Mon Apr 20 or Tue Apr 21 at Crypto.com Arena (date TBD); Game 2 locked in Wed Apr 23.
Curated by JD · samwise.agency