We translated USC's budget reductions
Tomo Chien
March 25, 2025
Good morning. It’s Tuesday, and I’m reading about how table bread is now the main attraction. Onto the five USC, Los Angeles, and California stories you need to know for today.
1.
USC ordered an extraordinary set of budget reductions that include a staff hiring freeze and pause on employee raises — the latest symptoms of the school’s recent financial woes. The official list of cuts, though, is boring, dry, and confusing to most people who speak normal English. See our translations at the link below.
2.
The luxury Lorenzo apartments invaded student inboxes yesterday with an absolutely bonkers promo: They’ll pay a semester of tuition for a random resident next year. Except, read the fine print, and you’ll see the prize is several thousand dollars short of USC’s actual semesterly tuition.
3.
Lawyers are swarming Altadena as billions of dollars are on the line for fire victims. They’re approaching people at grocery stores. Stuffing mailboxes with flyers. Launching a barrage of social media ads. One even offered free dinner at the Pasadena Hilton. “It feels very predatory,” one nonprofit leader said.
4.
An Orange County couple that’s lived in the U.S. for 35 years, with no criminal history, was deported to Colombia. The two had entered the country illegally, but their deportation underscores a growing reality: Donald Trump promised to deport dangerous criminals, but immigrants with no criminal record are increasingly being caught up in the frenzy.
5.
A new exhibit at the LA Central Library features an extensive photo collection celebrating the work of John Parkinson, the architect who designed some of USC’s most iconic buildings, including Bovard Auditorium and the Student Union — as well as LA landmarks like the Coliseum and Union Station. The display ends Aug. 17.
Thanks to readers Hayes F. and Kierstyn S. for pointing out that I incorrectly said USC women’s basketball would play Mississippi State in the Sweet 16. It was the second round.