Welcome to L.A. TACO’s daily news briefs, where we bring our loyal members, readers, and supporters the latest headlines about Los Angeles politics and culture. Stay informed and look closely.
—Montebello: A recreational cannabis business in Montebello was reportedly robbed "for everything they've ever worked for" by a group of thieves who have allegedly targeted other "cannabis facilities" in the area. Surveillance footage posted to Instagram shows that the alleged robbers drove a pinstriped white and black Dodge Durango. "This is our livelihood, this could put us out of business," said Cali Blaise, co-owner of Saint's Place Dispensary, in a desperate plea to his followers. "Help us out, help us share this video and help us catch these pieces of shit." [Jungle Boys/IG]
—Koreatown: A person in a big foot costume. A car seemingly crashed into a fire hydrant while a police helicopter circles above. We're trying to make sense of this wild video footage captured in Koreatown yesterday. [@BackOnFigg/Twitter]
—Culver City: "The heart of screen land" is turning into "the heart of streamland" as traditional movie and TV studios are being replaced by streaming giants. With Apple expected to break ground on a new 4.5-acre campus soon, some residents are worried that their rents will increase and they'll be pushed out of the community. “I have lived in this neighborhood for years and have watched how the rising housing costs have made my neighborhood unaffordable for working people like me,” a Culver City resident told The Times. [LAT]
—On Thursday Tesla "recalled" more than 350,000 of its vehicles due to issues with its Full Self-Driving Beta software. In a filing with the Security Exchange Commission, the electric car manufacturer admitted that FSD-beta software may result in cars going "straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution." Elon Musk, Tesla's co-founder and CEO, says it's inaccurate to call this a "recall" since the issue can likely be solved with a simple software update. "The word 'recall' for an over-the-air software update is anachronistic and just flat wrong!" Musk Tweeted. [NBC Bay Area]
—The Associated Press profiled photographer and L.A. TACO contributor, Oscar Rodriguez Zapata, a local artist known for his La Virgen De Guadalupe series. “Whenever you see a virgencita you feel safe. You know that your people, your gente, your raza are around,” Zapata, told the Associated Press. “It makes you feel welcome.” In 2020, L.A. TACO reporter Janette Villafana wrote about the significance of the iconic religious symbol to L.A.-photographers and Angelenos.
—Hollywood: On Thursday Taco Bell opened their first "cantina" in Hollywood. The new concept is located in a historic-1920s building in Hollywood, nestled between two souvenir shops on Hollywood Boulevard. "Taco Bell is looking to bring the roaring 20s back to Tinseltown with their latest cantina experience," the company's president said. Based on photos, Taco Bell's new "cantina" looks like a slightly fancier Taco Bell with a drink menu. [ABC 7]
—South LA: The mother of an autistic 13-year-old was outraged to see a fake memorial set up in their son's name outside of the school that he attends. The family is now calling for a state investigation. "We really believe that someone should be held accountable," a family member said. It's unclear who's responsible for the memorial. [ABC 7]
—DTLA: The parent company of the largest office landlord in Downtown L.A. defaulted on two loans totaling more than $750 million in debt. The defaults come at a time when vacancies are increasing in DTLA due to more companies embracing remote work. [Fortune]
