Staff Investigative Reporter

Lexis-Olivier Ray is a housing, justice and culture reporter for L.A. TACO.

Lexis-Olivier Ray

He Built Koreatown: Hi Duk Lee, First Korean Business Owner at Olympic and Normandie, Dies at 79

Lexis-Olivier Ray·March 20, 2019

Hi Duk Lee, the founder of the world’s best known Koreatown, who sparked the formation of a community...

A Stand-off in Defense of One Wheelchair Accessible Bathroom in Gentrifying Echo Park

Lexis-Olivier Ray·March 17, 2019

It’s a cold Monday morning and long-term Echo Park resident Cassandra Tang and her aging mother are facing the prospect of displacement over a restroom for people with disabilities.

Crimes Against the Homeless, Use of Force by Police Rose Last Quarter

Lexis-Olivier Ray·March 14, 2019

Crimes against the homeless and the use of force by the LAPD against the homeless increased significantly last quarter.

Piece of History: A Massive 144-Year-Old Tree Fell In the Heart of Los Angeles

Lexis-Olivier Ray·March 11, 2019

A tree that was older than the freeways, the legendary Red Cars, and even most L.A. buildings fell in the birthplace of Los Angeles.

Review: ‘Jazz is Dead’ Brings Much-Needed Life to L.A.’s Music Scene in Highland Park

Lexis-Olivier Ray·February 28, 2019

If you’ve only ever seen live jazz in small, dingy dives, then you’ve never experienced a jazz show like Jazz is Dead.

Nug Report: El Chapo OG Is a ‘Couch-Locker’ and Part of Proud Tradition in L.A. OG Strains

Lexis-Olivier Ray·February 25, 2019

El Chapo is relentlessly strong. Because of its potency some smokers might choose to save El Chapo for an end of day toke.

‘Black Panther’ is Back in Theaters and Free for the First Week of Black History Month

Lexis-Olivier Ray·February 1, 2019

'Black Panther' returns to AMC theaters in honor of Black History Month and for the first week it's free at participating theaters.

Joshua Tree Is OK for Now ~ How Volunteers Are Pitching in During the Shutdown

Lexis-Olivier Ray·January 16, 2019

Joshua Tree National Park is largely OK now thanks to volunteers and emergency funds. But how much longer...

Weed Lounges Coming to WeHo ~ But Who Is Getting Left Out?

Lexis-Olivier Ray·January 11, 2019

West Hollywood is one of the first cities on the planet to permit businesses combining entertainment, food, and cannabis.

Nug Report: The Cannabis Version of Sizzurp is the Perfect Strain to Start 2019

Lexis-Olivier Ray·January 7, 2019

Sizzurp is the perfect marijuana strain to help you start the new year if you’re dealing with a long-term hangover or are anxious about 2019.

Another Death on the Streets ~ More than 1,200 Homeless People Died in Los Angeles Since 2017

Lexis-Olivier Ray·December 31, 2018

Violent crime against homeless people is up significantly, according to the Los Angeles Police Department's yearly report.

Car Splits in Two and Nearly Crashes Into Someone’s Tent: The Everyday Dangers Faced By Unhoused People on the Streets

Lexis-Olivier Ray·December 24, 2018

At 7:20 on Saturday morning, a $260,000 sports car racing south down La Brea Avenue in Mid-City split...

The History of Sativa vs Indica ~ Why Everything You’ve Smoked is Technically a Hybrid

Lexis-Olivier Ray·December 21, 2018

In reality, every type of cannabis that you’ve probably come in contact with has most likely been a hybrid.

Review: ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ Is a Poignant Portrait of 70s America That Feels Relevant as Ever

Lexis-Olivier Ray·December 13, 2018

Barry Jenkins's "If Beale Street Could Talk" is the type of film that shows all sides of love – happy moments, painful, and indescribable.

Nug Report: Charlie Sheen OG

Lexis-Olivier Ray·August 31, 2018

Charlie Sheen OG is a potent hybrid that lives up to the reputation of its namesake and serves as a link to...

New Film ‘Blindspotting’ Tackles Gentrification in Black and White, Surreal and Real

Lexis-Olivier Ray·August 8, 2018

In many ways, Blindspotting is a film about dualism and the tension between seeing things from multiple perspectives:...

Trailer: New Comedy From Rapper Boots Riley ~ ‘Sorry to Bother You’ ~ Poised to Be the Sci-Fi Summer Hit

Lexis-Olivier Ray·June 27, 2018

Sorry to Bother You, the first feature film from veteran musician turned writer-director Boots Riley, premiered to a...

‘The Homeless Count Always Ends Around Election Time’ ~ Skid Row Reacts to Drop In Official Figures

Lexis-Olivier Ray·June 15, 2018

Earlier this month the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority released results of the annual homeless count, and for...

Photo Essay ~ Walk the Talk Parade 2018 in Skid Row

Lexis-Olivier Ray·April 23, 2018

Roughly one hundred volunteers, activists, musicians and residents of Skid Row got together for the annual Walk the...

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News

Minutes Before Monterey Park Mass Shooting, SWAT Teams Were Relieved Of Duty

Headlines: Houseless Person In Sherman Oaks Killed After Being Run Over By An L.A. Sanitation Truck

Headlines: Seven L.A. Chefs Nominated As James Beard Award Semifinalists

Tacos

The Nine Best Korean Barbecue Restaurants In L.A.’s Koreatown

The Tiniest Tamales in the World are Found in the Streets of Los Angeles

The Seven Fanciest, Most Baller Tacos In Los Angeles