Report calls BS on budget cuts
Tomo Chien
March 14, 2025
Good morning. It’s Friday, and I’m reading about UCLA’s top five sexually eligible statues. Onto the five USC, Los Angeles, and California stories you need to know for today.
The newsletter will be off for the spring break. Have a great week!
1.
A third-party report commissioned by a faculty group cast doubt on USC’s claim that recent controversial budget cuts are needed to ensure long-term financial stability. “The university is crying poverty when there’s no reason to do so,” said the accountant who authored the report.
2.
John M. Chu, the director of “Wicked” and “Crazy Rich Asians,” will deliver this year’s graduation address at the Coliseum. Sound familiar? That’s because Chu was supposed to give last year’s keynote address, until USC managed to fuck it up — a fact that is conspicuously missing from the school’s announcement.
3.
Police shot at a man who pointed what they thought was a gun at them on Scarff Street between Adams and 23rd Tuesday night. The man, who called 911 to report that he had a handgun and grenade and was suicidal, was not struck by the gunfire and was detained after cops deployed chemical gas. It turns out he had a replica gun.
4.
A new poll suggested that the vast majority of LA County voters support stricter building codes and more funding for fire departments in regions burned by January’s wildfires — even if that means higher taxes. Another finding: Just 1 in 5 residents approved of Mayor Karen Bass’ handling of the crisis.
5.
It’s time for the annual pilgrimage to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. When surveyed, students said they plan to: Chill. Hang out on boats. Go to concerts. Tan. Hang out on more boats. And tan again. All presumably while in various stages of inebriation. “Everyone here goes to Cabo,” said a student who evidently keeps a close social circle.