Rebuilding L.A.

LA Times Studios
  • 4.2 (28)
  • NEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

What’s next for L.A. in the wake of its recent wildfires? In “Rebuilding Los Angeles,” broadcast journalist Kate Cagle examines the systems that failed us, the path forward and the innovative fire recovery efforts making L.A. more resilient. You’ll also hear inspiring stories from real Angelenos working to restore their lives and rise from the ashes. “Rebuilding Los Angeles” is more than an essential resource for California — it’s a cautionary tale for everyone affected by climate change.

  1. 1D AGO

    Game Theory: Is L.A. Rebuilding For Survivors - Or For The Olympics? (with CBS News' Jonathan Vigliotti)

    The fire in the Pacific Palisades was still smoldering when Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass announced we would rebuild. Now, almost 18 months later, progress has been a mixed bag. Yes, homes are going up, but there still doesn't seem to be a "plan" for the return of all these neighborhoods, prompting many to ask whether we've moved too fast and without a bigger vision for making these communities whole again.   These are provocative questions we’ve been trying to answer - who is this all for?  Author and CBS News correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti attempts to answer some of them in his new book about the Palisades Fire — and names a motive for a quick rebuild: the Olympic games coming to Los Angeles in 2028. His book is titled “Torched: How a City Was Left to Burn, and the Olympic Rush to Rebuild L.A”   GUEST: CBS News Correspondent & Author of "Torched," Jonathan Vigliotti   Excerpt of "Torched: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/book-excerpt-torched-by-jonathan-vigliotti-pacific-palisades-altadena/.                                                                                                                                                                 Find the Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Torched/Jonathan-Vigliotti/9781668219034.               Op-Ed: L.A. is rebuilding for the Olympics, not the next fire: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2026-02-11/la-fires-rebuild-for-olympics

    59 min

  2. MAY 13

    Recovery, From The People's Perspective: 'It's About To Get A Lot Worse'

    About 2 in 3 fire survivors are still displaced and, as coverage for temporary housing disappears, that number could get increase. That's according to the latest report from Department of Angels, a nonprofit that regularly surveys survivors from both the Eaton and Palisades Fires to monitor how the recovery from the L.A. fires is going. As people continue to wait on insurance payouts and building materials get more expensive, the hope that many people had for rebuilding their homes is dwindling.  This "hope gap" underscores the need for the nearly $34 billion in Federal funds that California Gov. Gavin Newsom has requested.                                                                               Additionally, on May 8, Newsom asked for a 12-month extension from Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster assistance program for the fire victims.   GUESTS: Andrew King, Eaton Fire Survivor and Head of engagement and Education for Department of Angels + Miguel Santana, President & Chief Executive Officer, California Community Foundation, and  co-founder of the Department with Snapchat's Evan Spiegel.   Department of Angels' Community Voices: LA Fire Report: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6792c245599ed84703227b1e/t/69fb99d59526446388bdd51b/1778096597336/Department+of+Angels+Community+Voices+LA                                                 Nearly half of L.A. fire survivors face crisis as temporary housing funds dry up, survey finds: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-05-07/nearly-40-of-la-fire-survivors-face-crisis-as-temporary-housing-funds-dry-up-survey-finds

    56 min

  3. MAY 6

    The Political Firefight To Be LA's Mayor

    There's a big election this year, and we are not just talking about the congressional midterm races. There's a lot of consequential local races, too, including one for LA's next mayor. As incumbent mayor Karen Bass Bass campaigns to stay in office, there's a big question about how much LA's fire recovery will dominate the political narrative — and your vote. There's more than a dozen candidates currently on the ballot. Can Bass hold on to her seat? Or could councilmember Nithya Raman or reality star Spencer Pratt take it?   GUEST: Noah Goldberg, City Hall Reporter, Los Angeles Times.     Voter guide to the 2026 California primary election: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-05-01/2026-california-election-voter-guide-primaryIn                               L.A. mayor’s race, everyone is campaigning on change — even the incumbent: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-06/in-la-mayors-race-everyone-is-campaigning-on-change-even-incumbent                                                                                   In L.A. mayor’s race, controversial poll shows Nithya Raman ahead of Karen Bass: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-03-30/in-la-mayors-race-controversial-poll-shows-nithya-raman-ahead-of-incumbent-karen-bass                                                               Pratt and Raman lead Bass in latest fundraising for L.A. mayoral race: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-24/pratt-raman-lead-bass-in-latest-fundraising-for-la-mayoral-race                                                                       Spencer Pratt’s time in Santa Barbara County likely won’t affect his bid for L.A. mayor, analysts say: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-10/spencer-pratts-time-in-santa-barbara-county-likely-wont-affect-his-bid-for-la-mayor-analysts-sayå

    46 min

  4. APR 29

    How A Pickle Ball Group Chat Became Fire Survivors' Lifeline (With EFSN's Joy Chen)

    After the first sign of fire was spotted in the foothills above Altadena, a WhatsApp chat meant to set up pickleball games started going off.  As the devastation became clear, that chat soon turned into a community disaster hub. The Eaton Fire Survivors Network — now known as the *Every Fire Survivors Network  — is composed of thousands of people across LA's burn zones who are fighting to rebuild their community — and taking on the insurance industry while they’re at it.   GUEST: Joy Chen, Executive Director, Every Fire Survivors Network   LINKS: The Every Fire Survivor Network (EFSN) website: https://www.efsurvivors.net/.             Read about the insurance legislation EFSN is behind: https://www.efsurvivors.net/fix-insurance     These hidden rules reveal how California insurers undercut wildfire claims, leaving families in damaged homes: https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2025/california-insurance-hidden-rules/#:~:text=Speed%20trumps%20accuracy:%20The%20directions,insurers%20follow%20the%20same%20playbook California leaders promised fire recovery in record time. Los Angeles isn’t seeing it: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/13/california-leaders-los-angeles-fire-recovery-delays-00867498   UPDATE ON CA INSURANCE BILLS STILL ALIVE IN THE LEGISLATURE (Copy courtesy of EFSN's newsletter ):   • SB 1301 (Allen): Requires six months advance notice before nonrenewal, documented reasons, and a chance to fix the problem.   •SB 877 (Pérez): Requires insurers to show you their original loss estimate and any revised one. We deserve to see both.   •SB 878 (Pérez): Requires insurers to respond to claims in writing and adds automatic interest penalties when they violate existing laws on deadlines.   Learn more at fixinsurance.org.

    51 min

  5. APR 22

    A Resilient Palisades. Can We Get There?

    If we’ve come to understand anything while reporting out this podcast, it’s that California burns. It always has. It always will. The question is whether we can build communities better to withstand the risk? There’s been a lot of talk and ideas proposed about building safer, more fire resilient neighborhoods — and not just individual houses, but community infrastructure, too. But there’s yet to be a solid plan for implementing any of these things, or for figuring out how to pay for them. In the Palisades, there’s a lot of people – mostly residents – who are trying to move things along. Today we are talking with one of them.   GUEST: Robert Lempert, Palisades Fire survivor and Director/ Policy Researcher at RAND   The next Community Recovery Lab is coming up on April 25: https://palirecovery.org/2026/03/19/taking-the-next-step/.                                   The Palisades Recovery Coalition: https://palirecovery.org/                                  His computer simulations help communities survive disasters. Can they design a Palisades that never burns? https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-12-17/can-palisades-residents-design-a-city-that-never-burns

    49 min

  6. APR 17

    After The Fires: Scorched Earth Litigation

    LA lawyers have been busy. Eaton and Palisades fire survivors have filed thousands of lawsuits, and  at least one criminal case is pending. How might these cases play out, and how long will it all take? The outcome of these cases could make or break the recovery, and affect whether or not the residents of these affected communities can rebuild.  GUESTS: Richard Winton, Investigative Crime Writer for the L.A. Times, and Neama Rahmani, former federal prosecutor and president, West Coast Trial Lawyers. Florida man ‘maliciously’ started Palisades fire, then tried to cover his tracks, authorities allege: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-10-08/palisades-fire-arrest Defense lawyer for man charged with igniting deadly  Palisades fire calls case thin and labels it scapegoating: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-10-16/defense-lawyer-for-man-charged-with-igniting-deadly-palisades-fire-calls-case-thin-and-labels-it-scapegoating  Timeline: Two fateful hours that planted the seeds of destruction in Pacific Palisades:https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-10-08/la-me-palisades-fire-timeline  Rebuilding LA S1 Episode about the arrest : "An Arrest, A Report, And Little Closure For Palisades Fire Victims": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeIwt-4eWU8&list=PLbQOBfbdbTeNUJ9LARXDUjl8Z yfWpSStV&index=49                               Rebuilding LA S2 Episode 2: "Where There's Smoke: Uncovering The Origins Of The Palisades Fire": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Vcc5kgOh5Q&list=PLbQOBfbdbTeNUJ9LARXDUjl8ZyfWpSStV&index=1

    55 min

  7. APR 15

    Where There's Smoke: Uncovering The Origin Of The Palisades Fire

    Last October, the U.S. Department of Justice revealed a stunning accusation — alleging that a young Uber driver from Florida caused the death and destruction in the Pacific Palisades and Malibu. It's theory rested on belief that the Palisades Fire was a rekindling of a week old fire, the Lachman Fire, that this man, Jonathan Rinderknecht,  had, allegedly, intentionally started with a flick of a lighter on New Year's Day.   LA city firefighters said they believed that first fire had been put out. Federal investigators stressed that it burned so deep underground it could not be detected. But then evidence began to emerge that told a different narrative. The question: did concerns the fire was still smoldering go ignored?   This episode examines what we know about what happened between the Lachman Fire and the Palisades Fire, and the missteps and miscommunication that may have led to one of California's most destructive fires in history.  GUEST: Arlene Tchekmedyian, LA Times Investigative Reporter  Links:  LAFD After-Action Report - Drafts and Final: https://lafd.org/news/palisades-afteraction-review-report-drafts-and-final 3 critical days, many ignored warnings: How the LAFD failed to prevent the Palisades inferno: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-03-11/lafd-testimony-details-missed-chances-to-fully-put-out-lachman-fire   Who made the call to leave the Lachman fire? In sworn testimony, LAFD officials pass the buck: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-03-01/who-made-call-to-leave-lachman-fire-in-sworn-testimony-lafd-officials-pass-buck    L.A. firefighter testifies that Lachman fire was not fully put out. ‘I saw ... red hot coals’: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-02-26/la-firefighter-testifies-that-lachman-fire-was-not-fully-put-out-when-crews-were-ordered-to-leave.                                                            L.A. Mayor Karen Bass directed Palisades fire damage control, email shows: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-02-13/mayor-karen-bass-directed-palisades-fire-damage-control-emails-show

    41 min

  8. APR 8

    It’s Been Over a Year. Now Where Do We Go?

    It’s been 16 months since the Palisades and Eaton Fires destroyed two historic communities in L.A. and the path forward, for many, is as unclear as ever. A little more than 4500 building permits have been approved in the burn areas - far fewer are in active construction. Most people still do not have enough money to rebuild. There are outstanding lawsuits and settlements that could make a difference but timing is uncertain. There are also questions about infrastructure: water and power and whether or not favorite grocery stores, restaurants or even neighbors will return. There are questions about sustainability and resilience. Will these neighborhoods be safer or will the same risks remain after people move back in? The conversation around real solutions seems to be, for the most part lost among all the questions and the very real anger so many survivors still feel about what happened on January 7th and 8th. Guests: Noah Haggerty, Science and Environment Reporter, Los Angeles Times.  The Palisades fire discourse is stuck in January 2025: https://www.latimes.com/environment/newsletter/2026-02-19/why-the-palisades-fire-discourse-is-stuck  Long-awaited reports outline problems with Palisades infrastructure: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-02-19/long-awaited-reports-outline-problems-with-palisades-infrastructure  Owners of fire-destroyed Palisades mobile home park seek to displace residents for development deal: https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2026-03-05/fire-destroyed-mobile-home-park-seeks-development-deal-displacing-residents  Officials considered warning Altadena before Eaton fire, but no alert was sent: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-03-24/fire-weather-alerts-eaton-fire-wildfires-how-to-improve-early-warnings  Turning the Altadena fire into a civil rights crusade: Was discrimination against Black residents at play?: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-03-14/was-discrimination-behind-botched-eaton-fire-response-civil-rights-attorney-considers-lawsuit  Investors keep buying up burned lots in Altadena, Pacific Palisades. Could Congress limit such sales? https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-03-03/ca-senator-wants-to-halt-investors-buying-properties-after-disasters  With Pacific Palisades in spotlight, Altadena fights for attention, post-fire justice: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-02-22/palisades-in-limelight-west-altadena-fights-for-justice-eaton-fire

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About

What’s next for L.A. in the wake of its recent wildfires? In “Rebuilding Los Angeles,” broadcast journalist Kate Cagle examines the systems that failed us, the path forward and the innovative fire recovery efforts making L.A. more resilient. You’ll also hear inspiring stories from real Angelenos working to restore their lives and rise from the ashes. “Rebuilding Los Angeles” is more than an essential resource for California — it’s a cautionary tale for everyone affected by climate change.

Information

  • Creator
    LA Times Studios
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Rebuilding L.A.

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