News
Advocates and families blast Children’s Hospital of OC’s decision to close trans health care clinic
2+ hour, 31+ min ago (1088+ words) Children's Hospital of Orange County is now the latest Southern California medical provider to stop offering gender-affirming care, blaming investigations and escalating actions from the federal government. The hospital, as well as other hospitals in San Diego and Riverside counties…...
What happens when the public school system adds a whole new preschool grade for 4-year-olds?
2+ week, 2+ hour ago (1035+ words) This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist.If you find value in independent local reporting,make a donation to power our newsroom today. With a new grade called transitional kindergarten, there are younger kids in…...
Child vaccine guidelines
2+ week, 3+ day ago (1737+ words) Read on . . . for more specific California guidance for the 2025-26 respiratory virus season including COVID and flu vaccines. Parents and schools are scrambling to understand the latest changes to immunization guidance and claims around vaccine safety by appointed health leaders in…...
Happy preschool teachers
3+ week, 20+ hour ago (1768+ words) The joy of TK: LAist interviewed TK teachers and assistants throughout Los Angeles County. Here are a few factors that made the grade enjoyable to teach: Why it matters: We know from education research that teachers who like their jobs…...
Teen mental health
4+ week, 20+ hour ago (1749+ words) Why it matters: Generative AI chatbots are a growing part of life for American teens. A survey by the Pew Research Center found that 64% of adolescents are using chatbots, with 3 in 10 saying they use them daily. Be aware of the…...
Santa Monica, Malibu leaders agree on plans to split school district
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (479+ words) The Malibu City Council and Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board have approved a plan that separates resources, but it will take some time. Download our app for the optimal streaming experience Santa Monica, Malibu leaders agree on plans to…...
CDC's vaccine advisers are likely to make a controversial change to long-used vaccine
1+ mon, 3+ week ago (1540+ words) Powerful federal advisers this week are expected to make a controversial change to how babies are immunized against hepatitis B, and to question how pediatricians inoculate children against more than a dozen other infectious diseases, including measles, mumps, whooping cough…...
LA Phil youth cuts
2+ mon, 6+ day ago (1758+ words) Why it matters: YOLA, which was founded by the LA Phil, provides free instruments and ensemble training for thousands of young musicians who are 5 through 18 years old. The reaction: Families and community members call the announcement abrupt and urged the…...
California schools now offer free preschool for 4-year-olds. Here's what kids really learn in it
2+ mon, 2+ week ago (1363+ words) Every 4-year-old in California can now go to school for free in their local districts. The new grade is called transitional kindergarten " or TK " and it's part of the state's effort to expand universal preschool. As a free option, it…...
College students are reporting less depression. Researchers think they know why
3+ mon, 1+ week ago (376+ words) For the third year in a row, data from the national Healthy Minds Study shows an improvement in college students" mental health. Results show reports of severe depression dropped to 18% in 2025 from 23% in 2022, and suicidal thoughts decreased to 11% this year…...