March 13, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

With Over 1 Million Jobless, County Aims at July 4th Reopening

County: 3/4 of unemployment claims are from those making less than $50,000

By Sam Catanzaro

Los Angeles County officials are targeting a Fourth of July opening date for retail, restaurants, and malls saying there are more than 1 million unemployed residents countywide.

On Tuesday, at the second convening of the Los Angeles County Economic Resiliency Task Force county leaders expressed a goal to reopen Los Angeles County as early as July 4.

In a presentation, Bill Allen, president of the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), confirmed there have been more than 1 million unemployment claims filed in L.A. County to date. More than 75 percent of the projected job losses have an average annual earning of less than $50,000, with restaurants and retail industries hit the hardest.

“I understand the urgency to reopen and know many of the experts the County has assembled for this Task Force have been working hard to develop safe and efficient plans to revitalize their sectors as early as next month,” Supervisor Barger said. “I remain focused on working with industry leaders and health officials to safely make way for Los Angeles County to reopen by the Fourth of July.”

The July 4 date indicates a goal of the full or staged reopening of retail, restaurants, and malls. Sector leaders said many businesses and employees will be impacted over the next few weeks, according to Barger.

At the same time, however, the number of cases reported countywide continues to increase.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) confirmed 76 new deaths and 1,183 new cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). To date, Public Health has identified 39,573 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County, and a total of 1,913 deaths. This is an uptick since Monday when 477 cases and 18 deaths were confirmed.

“Each day, as we share this information with you, we know there are people across our community who have suffered tremendous loss. For those of you mourning the passing of a loved one, we wish you healing and peace,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “As we continue to reopen more places and spaces in the weeks ahead, we will need to use the tools of physical distancing and wearing cloth face coverings to continue to slow the spread.”

In Santa Monica, among residents, there have 243 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 14 deaths. In Santa Monica nursing homes and health centers, there have been 160 cases and 23 deaths, among both residents and staff.

in News
<>Related Posts

Cat Rescued From Palisades Fire Gets Outpouring of Support for Medical Recovery

March 12, 2025

March 12, 2025

The cat was found two months after the fire, emaciated and suffering from burns A cat that survived for weeks...

Menendez Family Blasts DA Hochman’s Decision, Calls for Justice in Resentencing Review

March 12, 2025

March 12, 2025

The Justice for Lyle and Erik Coalition Condemns District Attorney Hochman The family of Lyle and Erik Menendez has condemned...

Santa Monica College Among Schools Warned by Department of Education Over Antisemitism Claims

March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

The letter, issued Monday, cautioned that the schools must uphold their obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act...

Santa Monica Baseball Dominates Centennial, Bounces Back from Recent Loss

March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

Santa Monica will look to continue its momentum Thursday in a rematch The Santa Monica High School baseball team rebounded...

Evacuation Warnings Issued for LA Burn Areas, PCH Closure Announced as Storm Approaches

March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

Residents in High-Risk Zones Urged to Prepare for Possible Mudslides Officials have issued evacuation warnings for multiple areas in Los...

First Measles Case of 2025 Confirmed in LA County Amid Growing Outbreak in the United States

March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

Health Officials Urge Vaccination and Symptom Monitoring for Unvaccinated Residents ​The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) has...

LA Recovery Officer Unveils “Builders Alliance” to Accelerate Palisades Fire Recovery

March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

The coalition aimed at expediting rebuilding efforts while reducing costs City officials and developers have unveiled a collaborative effort to...

Deadline Approaches for Fire-Affected Worker, Business and Household Relief Grants

March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

The relief programs are part of a broader $32.2 million initiative funded through the American Rescue Plan Act and community...

Major Storms Set to Soak Los Angeles as Back-To-Back Storm Systems Poised to Hit Area

March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

Heavy Rain, Flooding Risks, Mountain Snow Are on the Way ​Los Angeles is preparing for a series of storms expected...

Santa Monica City Council to Discuss Homelessness Strategic Plan and New Police SMART Center

March 10, 2025

March 10, 2025

Public input will be accepted on various agenda items, with discussions scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. The Santa Monica...

Holey Moley in Santa Monica Serves up Festive Jameson Whiskey Cocktails for St. Patrick’s

March 10, 2025

March 10, 2025

Whiskey, Guinness & Mini-Golf: Holey Moley’s Irish-Themed Drinks Are Here With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, Holey Moley...

More Pacific Palisades Residents Join Lawsuit Against L.A. Over City’s Fire Response

March 10, 2025

March 10, 2025

Residents Expand Legal Action Over City’s Alleged Fire Response Failures Twenty-five additional Pacific Palisades residents have joined a lawsuit against...

Owners of Palisades Villa Seek to Rebuild, Help its Displaced Residents

March 10, 2025

March 10, 2025

The fundraiser states that the loss has left them in a dire financial situation A Pacific Palisades couple who lost...

Palisades Fire Evacuee Identified as Woman Found Dead on Santa Monica Beach

March 10, 2025

March 10, 2025

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later determined her cause of death to be blunt force head trauma Authorities have...

Disaster Relief Deadlines Extended Financial Aid Available for Small Businesses and Homeowners

March 10, 2025

March 10, 2025

Grant Opportunities, FEMA Assistance, and Property Tax Relief for Wildfire Survivors LA County and Federal officials have extended the application...