You just got $2,124 more broke
Tomo Chien
March 06, 2026
Good morning. It’s Friday, and these are the five USC, Los Angeles, and California stories you need to know for today.
1.
USC hiked next year’s tuition by 2.9% to a grand total of $75,384. Some things you could’ve bought with that $2,124 add-on: a gently used Goyard bag. Three of those cute new MacBooks. Thirteen pairs of the ridiculous Aviator Nation x USC sweatpants. A full quarter at a public university.
2.
Last month, USC was named by federal officials as one of a handful of schools that could be cut from a tuition assistance program for military officers. But when the final list was released last week, USC was notably absent. It was yet another instance of USC dodging bullets from a White House that has otherwise pummeled elite schools.
3.
Activists in LA’s hip Highland Park are installing air raid sirens throughout the neighborhood. Their purpose: warn people when ICE comes to town. Supporters say they’re needed to protect immigrants and combat ICE’s aggressive tactics, but you can expect the effort, which isn’t sanctioned by the city, to become a flashpoint in the future.
4.
The LA Marathon will shut down roads across the city Sunday as thousands of runners traverse the east-west route from Dodger Stadium to Century City. Fun fact: The route used to end at the beach, but now makes an unceremonious U-turn in Brentwood after Santa Monica jacked hosting prices in 2020 — much to the chagrin of runners.
5.
Nobody wins when tuition goes up, but this year, one person earned a small consolation: Reader Anik P. will walk away with a $500 Cannabis House credit after winning our tuition-guessing competition with the exact number. Anik, who doesn’t even smoke, said he now has ample friends who are “offering to give me weed tutorials.”
