East Los Angeles
Coverage of East Los Angeles in the Nexus archive.
- A wave of emergencies is testing East LA’s resilience. The way its governed doesn’t help
Following the Lineage Logistics warehouse fire, residents of Boyle Heights are facing persistent pollution and economic hardship after East Los Angeles endured five major crises in six years. The area has a cumulative environmental burden score 63% higher than Los Angeles County average, while its per capita income is roughly half the county average.
- Contaminated soil from East LA oil spill could take months to remove, county officials say
A crude oil spill in East Los Angeles caused by directional drilling for a fiber-optic line will require months of soil testing and excavation, with cleanup expected to continue into early 2027. Plains All American, the pipeline owner, must submit a report by August 31 to determine the scope of the cleanup, which will include soil and air quality monitoring.
- L.A. Warehouse Fire Leaves Behind Rats, Flies and an Unending Stench
A warehouse fire in Los Angeles caused thick smoke to blanket Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles for days, starting on June 17. The nearly 500,000-square-foot facility burned, leaving behind rats, flies, and a persistent stench.
- East LA residents overwhelmingly support a community council
East Los Angeles residents overwhelmingly support creating a community council, with 93% of forum participants backing the establishment of a town council or Municipal Advisory Council (MAC). The report highlights demands for elected council members, transparency, and addressing public safety concerns, while outlining governance models and estimated costs for the council.
- East Los Angeles Venezuelans gather to pray for earthquake victims, collect donations after deadly disaster
Dozens of Venezuelans in East Los Angeles gathered for Mass to pray for earthquake victims in Venezuela and collect donations following the deadly disaster.
- Smoke blankets parts of LA after Boyle Heights warehouse fire
A warehouse fire in Boyle Heights caused smoke to blanket parts of Los Angeles. Smoke was observed rising over east Los Angeles on Saturday.
- A year after ICE raids terrorized Los Angeles, a rattled city reaches for resilience: ‘It’s not the same’
A year after ICE raids in Los Angeles resulted in thousands of arrests, mass protests, and some deaths, communities continue to grapple with the aftermath. While daily life in neighborhoods like East Los Angeles appears to have resumed, the city remains 'not the same' as residents seek resilience amid lingering scars.
- Suspect in custody following East L.A. police chase, brief standoff
A suspect was taken into custody after a police chase and brief standoff in East Los Angeles. The incident occurred at Rowan Avenue near First Street, where a grey SUV was stopped in the middle of the road.
- Small business owners impacted by East LA oil spill
An oil pipeline rupture in East Los Angeles caused by a communications crew striking the line led to a major intersection closure and environmental contamination, impacting local small businesses with significant financial losses. Health officials confirmed the leak is controlled but warned of potential odor recurrence during cleanup, while authorities work to reopen the area.
- Oil-covered birds rescued after pipeline rupture sends crude into L.A. River
A pipeline rupture in East Los Angeles on May 22, 2026, caused crude oil to spill into the L.A. River, leading to the rescue of oil-covered birds by wildlife officials.
- Oil-covered birds rescued after pipeline rupture sends crude into L.A. River
Wildlife officials rescued oil-covered birds after a pipeline rupture in East Los Angeles caused crude oil to spill into the L.A. River on May 22, 2026. The incident resulted in environmental contamination affecting local wildlife.
- Health officials warn East L.A residents about odor after 2,400 gallons of oil spill
Los Angeles County Public Health officials issued new guidance to East Los Angeles residents after a ruptured pipeline spilled 2,400 gallons of crude oil onto a major street and into storm drains. The incident occurred near Cesar Chavez and Eastern avenues, prompting a cleanup operation as the leak was contained.
- Crude oil spills onto Cesar Chavez Avenue in East L.A. after pipeline rupture
A crude oil pipeline ruptured in East Los Angeles early Friday morning, spilling oil onto Cesar Chavez Avenue. The incident was reported by officials and resulted in environmental contamination in the area.
- Oil from broken pipe shuts down busy East Los Angeles intersection
A broken underground oil pipe caused a major spill along East Cesar Chavez and Eastern avenues in East Los Angeles, prompting an emergency closure and cleanup operation early Friday morning. The hazmat incident was reported around 3:40 a.m. and required hours of response and remediation efforts.
- Juvenile fatally shot in East Los Angeles; gunman sought
A male juvenile was fatally shot in East Los Angeles and the gunman is still at large. The shooting occurred early Saturday morning. Authorities are investigating the incident.
- Hit-and-run driver strikes multiple cars, seriously injures cyclist in East L.A.
A hit-and-run driver struck multiple cars and seriously injured a cyclist in East Los Angeles on Monday night around 10:30 p.m. The incident occurred in the 5300 block of Whittier Boulevard, near Amalia Avenue. The driver abandoned the vehicle and ran away.
- Caught in the Crackdown: As Arrests at Anti-ICE Protests Piled Up, Prosecutions Crumbled
Alejandro Orellana, a Marine veteran and UPS employee, was arrested during an anti-ICE protest in East Los Angeles, but federal charges against him collapsed due to lack of evidence. The case highlights broader issues of federal overreach and failed prosecutions of protesters accused of domestic terrorism or extremism under Trump's immigration policies.