Melissa Gomez
@melissagomez.bsky.social
Covering immigration at the Los Angeles Times| A veces hablo español | Florida native | Journalism ain't dead. Chill. hmu: melissa.gomez@latimes.com
"The cases raise new questions about the ethics of the U.S. strikes, which some legal experts say amount to extrajudicial killings." www.latimes.com/world-nation...
U.S. airstrikes at sea are killing Mexican citizens
Mexican vessels carrying Mexican citizens have been hit in U.S. airstrikes against alleged drug boats, a Times investigation found.
latimes.com
“We keep accumulating that earthquake energy, and it has to be released. And the only way it gets released is through large earthquakes,” said U.S. Geological Survey geologist Kate Scharer, one of the new study’s co-authors. “The small ones don’t really do it.” :)) www.latimes.com/california/s...
The San Andreas fault has gone ominously silent. Scientists fear when it finally snaps
There is no easy explanation for how the San Andreas fault, responsible for some of America’s most powerful earthquakes, has produced so few in the last century. But it is clear that the quiet period ...
latimes.com
"Argentina may be the last Latin American team standing in the World Cup, but don’t expect many fans in Mexico to be cheering for La Albiceleste — the lads sporting the classic white and blue stripes." www.latimes.com/world-nation...
Why so many Latin Americans are rooting against Argentina in the World Cup
The World Cup is spurring anti-Argentina sentiment.
latimes.com
Less than a week after ICE agents shot and killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, the Portland Press Herald is reporting that ICE agents shot and killed a 26-year-old man from Colombia today:
Live updates: Man killed in Biddeford ICE-involved shooting ID’ed as 26-year-old from Colombia
Witnesses described seeing one person being shot in the head.
pressherald.com
LA City Councilmembers sent voters a measure for the Nov. 3 ballot that would only require a single council meeting per week. The City Charter currently mandates a minimum of three. By @davidzahniser.bsky.social @noahmgoldberg.bsky.social & @melissagomez.bsky.social www.latimes.com/california/n...
Are three City Council meetings a week too much? L.A. voters will decide
The council sidelined a long list of charter reform proposals. But one key idea will make it to the ballot: reducing the number of council meetings.
latimes.com
An Israeli strike on Gaza just before the kickoff of the Egypt-Argentina World Cup match killed a top Palestinian aid official who helped organize public screenings of the game across the enclave, according to local health officials. www.latimes.com/world-nation...
Israeli strike kills World Cup screening organizer in Gaza just before kickoff
The bomb hit a car in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City at dusk Tuesday, killing passersby Mohamed al-Wahidi, an official at the Egyptian Committee in Gaza, 10-year-old boy Hamza al-Deri and his 8-y...
latimes.com
An Afghan national who fought alongside U.S. forces has died from an allergic reaction while in ICE custody, one day after he was detained for deportation proceedings, his death certificate shows. www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Afghan national who fought with U.S. forces died of allergic reaction in ICE custody
Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal, 41, suffered “an adverse drug reaction” to an unidentified substance, which triggered anaphylaxis and exacerbated his asthma, the death report shows.
nbcnews.com
L.A. City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez, who wrote the proposal, said the nation has repeatedly broadened the right to vote, bringing in women, Black people and other groups. “To me, it just seemed very natural to expand it,” he said. “It’s part of our history.” www.latimes.com/california/s...
Noncitizen voting was gaining steam in L.A. Then fears of Trump backlash scuttled the plan
Some critics said the proposal lacked much-needed specifics, while others worried it would endanger the very people it was designed to help.
latimes.com
Every day this year, the skies fill with fireworks, and I think about La'Veyah Mosley, a child who lost her fingers after being handed a firework by a neighborhood friend. Her life goes on, but I always am afraid more stories like hers happen every year. www.latimes.com/california/s...
A firework blew up in her hand. This South L.A. teen responded with courage and resilience
La'Veyah Mosley was playing outside in her family’s front yard with a sparkler. A neighborhood friend handed her a firework he had found. She lighted it.
latimes.com
If you need a reminder of how bad fireworks are - Paige St. John and I wrote about how a post-game firework show after Angel City FC in BMO Stadium ended up with some of them LAUNCHING into the stands www.latimes.com/california/s...
Fans scram: Fireworks head into the stands at BMO stadium after Angel City FC match
A post-game fireworks show went awry at BMO Stadium on Friday night, when fireworks set off on the playing pitch sent flares streaming into the stands, forcing fans to scatter to safety.
latimes.com
“We only came to see him to ask to help us on Sunday." The tradition of dressing up a baby Jesus statue began in a Mexico City church nearly 60 years ago. It moved to the cathedral for this World Cup and Mexico hasn’t lost yet. nyti.ms/3QPBEfX
In must-win match against Ecuador, Mexico looks to advance with help of its fans
In must-win match against Ecuador, Mexico looks to advance with help of its fans
Mexico will have most of the 80,000 fans at Azteca Stadium on its side during a challenging round of 32 World Cup matchup against Ecuador on Tuesday.
latimes.com
L.A. politicians have spent years vowing to expand the size of the City Council. They've also talked about reworking the process for disciplining council members accused of criminal wrongdoing. Neither topic will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot. We looked at why: www.latimes.com/california/n...
How the plan to expand the L.A. City Council got shelved once again
Councilmembers said the proposal to expand the council lacked crucial details. Others say the council didn't want to dilute its own power.
latimes.com
Mexico rides emotional crowd support to historic World Cup win over South Africa
Mexico rides emotional crowd support to historic World Cup win over South Africa
In a match marked by three red cards, Mexico discovered it can be an attacking threat while winning the World Cup opener against South Africa at Azteca Stadium.
latimes.com
“When voters are frustrated, they often say: ‘The system’s not working, the only one working for me is my council member,’” Guerra said. “Voters ... were able to identify their council member as one of their few advocates, the one fighting the system with them.” www.latimes.com/california/s...
L.A. voters stayed with the status quo in City Hall
L.A. voters reelected all City Council members running in the June 2 primary while rejecting outsider Spencer Pratt's bid to be the next mayor.
latimes.com
wow, and he scored on a header... i love being mexican www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...
First, Raul Jimenez survived. Then he thrived. And now he has done it at a World Cup
nytimes.com
Restaurants are paying influencers for promotional posts. How messy can it get? www.latimes.com/food/story/2...
Restaurants are paying influencers for promotional posts. How messy can it get?
It started with $500 and a comped meal at Hollywood Thai.
latimes.com
On Monday, the AP called the race, concluding that L.A. City Councilmember Nithya Raman would have enough votes to make a Nov. 3 runoff against Mayor Karen Bass, the first-place finisher. by @davidzahniser.bsky.social and @noahmgoldberg.bsky.social www.latimes.com/california/s...
Nithya Raman edges out Spencer Pratt, advances to L.A. mayor runoff against Karen Bass
Raman achieved two crucial goals during her campaign: raise her profile outside her district, while framing Pratt as someone radically out of step with L.A. voters.
latimes.com
Trump administration $100,000 visa fee for highly skilled foreign workers struck down www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trum...
Trump administration $100,000 visa fee for highly skilled foreign workers struck down
WASHINGTON — A federal judge in Massachusetts Monday struck down the Trump administration’s efforts to require a $100,000 visa fee for highly skilled immigrant workers, finding the policy is an unlawf...
newsfromthestates.com
"Despite countless articles in the Mexican press, the Nahua woman who answered the door of the one-room workshop told us we were the first journalists to visit. The artisans, she said, were eager to share their side of the story." www.nytimes.com/2026/06/08/w...
Artisanal or Exploitative? Unraveling the Story of Mexico’s World Cup Jerseys
nytimes.com
Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman made major headway in the race to make the Nov. 3 mayoral runoff on Friday, chopping Spencer Pratt's lead down to about 3 percentage points www.latimes.com/california/s...
Nithya Raman chops Spencer Pratt's lead in the battle to make the Nov. 3 mayoral runoff
Raman has been steadily carving into Pratt's margin, cutting it to about 3% percentage points, down from 8% a few days earlier
latimes.com
"The report, obtained by @latimes.com, identified potential violations of state and local law by sr. code enforcement officers... including allegations of theft, robbery, kidnapping, unlawful entry, impersonating a peace officer and...battery." by Alex Wigglesworth www.latimes.com/california/s...
Immigrant vendors faced years of harassment by Riverside officials, city report alleges
Two code enforcement officers waged a years-long campaign of aggression against mostly immigrant street vendors, entering homes without warrants and engaging in fights and foot chases, according to a ...
latimes.com
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass' first-place finish was fueled by a broad coalition that included labor unions, business leaders, immigrant rights groups and the Democratic Party. “It was a frustrated, anti-incumbent electorate, and she weathered that storm,” said one expert. www.latimes.com/california/s...
How Mayor Karen Bass weathered a brutal campaign and won a spot in the Nov. 3 runoff
A broad coalition that included organized labor and business leaders helped Bass win a spot in the mayoral runoff, where she will face either Spencer Pratt or Nithya Raman.
latimes.com
👉Money can’t buy love. 👉The gubernatorial glass ceiling remains intact. 👉California voters show — again — that boring can be beautiful. 🖐️Five takeaways from Tuesday’s results. www.latimes.com/politics/sto...
Commentary: Youth, money, gender and other takeaways from California's crazy gubernatorial primary
Money can't buy love. The gubernatorial glass ceiling remains intact. California voters show — again — that boring can be beautiful. Five takeaways from the gubernatorial primary.
latimes.com
Mayor Karen Bass, now headed to a Nov. 3 runoff, said her administration had laid a foundation for the future on homelessness, affordable housing and strengthening L.A.'s economy. “We are going to work together to make sure that this city thrives,” she said. www.latimes.com/california/s...
L.A. Mayor Bass will face either Spencer Pratt or Nithya Raman in Nov. 3 runoff
Bass has enough votes in the primary election to make a Nov. 3 runoff, the AP said, where she will face either reality TV star Pratt or City Councilmember Raman.
latimes.com
Democratic incumbent Malia Cohen and Republican Herb Morgan have claimed the top two spots in Tuesday’s primary election for state controller. Follow for live updates from tonight's primary election
California election results: Follow the latest as early numbers roll in
Follow live updates, analysis and highlights from 2026 election day's key races, such as California governor, Los Angeles mayor, L.A. city council and more.
latimes.com
In the L.A. City Attorney's race, challengers Marissa Roy and John McKinney are up big on incumbent Hydee Feldstein Soto as early primary returns roll in. Last month we took a look at how her re-election bid might be in danger. www.latimes.com/california/s...
Leaked files, 'nuclear verdicts,' bruising attacks: Inside the L.A. city attorney race
Challengers from both sides of the political spectrum are seeking to unseat City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto as she chases a second term in office.
latimes.com
It's election day in Los Angeles, where voters are deciding who will advance to the Nov. 3 runoff. Mayor Karen Bass, democratic socialist Nithya Raman and reality TV personality Spencer Pratt are fighting to get into the top two. w/@noahmgoldberg.bsky.social www.latimes.com/california/s...
It's a fight to the finish in L.A.'s wild mayoral primary
No front-runner: Mayor Karen Bass, Councilmember Nithya Raman and reality TV's Spencer Pratt are locked in a three-way battle for the two top slots on Tuesday.
latimes.com
After their work permits expired, an immigration attorney was fired and a nurse was placed on unpaid leave. Both depend on work permits and legal protection afforded under DACA, but recent processing delays at USCIS have left recipients vulnerable to deportation www.latimes.com/politics/sto...
'Easily discarded': Processing delays leave DACA recipients jobless and fearing deportation
DACA renewal delays are costing some recipients their jobs and exposing them to deportation risk as the Trump administration chips away at protections for immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.
latimes.com
"Pecero is one of tens of thousands of parents that have been detained under the current Trump administration. A new analysis by the Brookings Institution estimates that more than 200,000 children in the U.S. have been separated through detention under President Trump." laist.com/news/educati...
Detained and facing deportation: A father leaves his 4-year-old son back in LA
Axel Pecero was arrested by federal immigration officials last summer. He chose to voluntarily leave the U.S. in hopes he can be reunited with his son in a few years.
laist.com