By Rafael Quintero
Senior political reporter with bylines from Caracas, Bogota and Washington, focused on the new Latin American diplomacy.
Santa Monica's retail slump: a rare opening for bold investors
Santa Monica's retail vacancy rate exceeds 11%, higher than Beverly Hills, Culver City, and West Hollywood. The city is investing $3M to rev
Brooklyn's Box Street Park breaks ground after 20-year wait
Construction has started on Box Street Park, a $40 million waterfront green space in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, ending a 20-year wait. The park w
Starbucks faces lawsuit over 'sugar-free' drinks that contain up to 21g of sugar
A class-action lawsuit claims Starbucks misleads customers with 'sugar-free' labels on drinks that contain 13-21g of sugar. The case targets
NYC's EHV program ends, but 6,273 families keep rent aid through new vouchers
NYC's EHV program officially ends, but 6,273 households will keep their rent assistance through new housing vouchers. The transition is auto
NYC Rent Guidelines Board freezes rents on one million stabilized apartments
NYC's Rent Guidelines Board approved a 0% rent increase for one-year and two-year leases on stabilized apartments, affecting about one milli
California's speed camera pilot in Malibu hits 100,000 violations, forcing pause
California's speed camera pilot in Malibu recorded 100,000 violations in just 10 days, forcing a pause. Fines will start at $50 and reach $5
Joby Aviation faces $116.9M verdict in trade secrets case over air data probes
Joby Aviation must pay $116.9M after a jury found it misappropriated trade secrets from Aerosonic. The verdict could delay its commercial la
Hurricane Rachel's Pacific U-Turn Puts Southern California on Alert
Hurricane Rachel's unexpected turn toward the Pacific coast has Southern California on watch. Though expected to weaken, the storm could sti
MacArthur Park's New Fence Sparks Debate Over Safety and Access
Los Angeles officials approved an 8-foot fence around MacArthur Park to address crime, with construction set for late 2026. The plan include
Chicago landlord faces $67,000 water bill on empty Hyde Park duplex
Michael Applegate found a $67,000 water bill for his empty Hyde Park duplex, which has had no meter since 2014. Similar cases in Chicago and
Florida homeowners face insurance costs that outpace tax worries
Florida homeowners now pay an average of $8,471 a year for insurance, triple the national average. A new poll shows 63% worry more about ins
Texas SNAP updates: new income limits and benefit amounts for 2024
Texas has updated SNAP income limits and monthly benefit amounts as of October 1. Single-person households can earn up to $1,696 gross month