Laura J. Nelson
@laurajnelson.bsky.social
Reporter at the Wall Street Journal in Los Angeles. Former @latimes.com reporter, native Kansan and green thumb. 🌱 Securely message me on Signal (ljn.11).
A decade ago, Dr. Priscilla Chan co-founded a private, tuition-free school in Silicon Valley, aimed at helping kids overcome the effects of poverty and childhood trauma. It closed in June. In my latest, I try to answer the question: What happened to The Primary School? www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
The Odyssey was GREAT and there’s nothing like being in a theater. When Circe started doing her thing, the woman sitting next to me whispered, “… she’s a witch!” And when the first suitor met a sticky end, she yelled, “GOT HIS ASS!”
In a 5-4 decision, the high court ruled against the Republican Party, which argued that ballots must be in the possession of election officials by Election Day (gift link) www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Supreme Court Lets States Count Mailed Ballots Received After Election Day
The decision rebuffs the Republican Party’s efforts to end grace periods for some late-arriving votes.
wsj.com
Douglas Herman is out at Mayor Karen Bass' reelection campaign. He's being replaced by Julie Chávez Rodriguez, who was campaign manager for the Biden and Harris presidential bids in 2024. www.latimes.com/california/s...
In internal shakeup, Mayor Karen Bass replaces her top campaign strategist
Doug Herman, the top strategist for Bass' reelection bid, has been replaced by Julie Chávez Rodriguez, who was campaign manager for the Biden Harris campaign in 2024.
latimes.com
The IPOs of SpaceX, Anthropic and OpenAI will mint a new generation of millionaires and billionaires overnight -- and send "not just billions, but potentially tens of billions" coursing into the philanthropic sector. What will that giving look like? My latest: www.wsj.com/finance/inve...
Tech’s Next IPO Wave Promises a Charitable Windfall
The SpaceX IPO is the first in a string of AI public-market debuts that could deliver new riches to startup employees to donate to charity.
wsj.com
WASHINGTON (AP) - Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass advances to November runoff in bid for reelection.
Former Rep. Katie Porter conceded her bid for California governor on election night after it became clear she wouldn’t advance to the November election. Follow for live election updates www.latimes.com/california/l...
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
At an election night party in DTLA, Xavier Becerra's wife, Dr. Carolina Reyes, and their three daughters are using a turn of phrase that I think we might be hearing a lot more of.... "the Becerra Era"
Many votes still to count in California, but so far, not a stellar night for Silicon Valley billionaires' chosen candidates: -Matt Mahan is out of the governor's race after millions in outside spending from tech/biz leaders -Ethan Agarwal, challenging Congressman Ro Khanna, is in the single digits
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrat Brad Sherman advances to the general election for U.S. House in California's 32nd Congressional District. WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Larry Thompson advances to the general election for U.S. House in California's 32nd Congressional District.
OK folks, polls are officially closed in California. Buckle up...
Every four years, like the swallows returning to San Juan Capistrano, people across Los Angeles County are opening their ballots or stepping into a voting booth and realizing that they can’t vote for mayor because they don’t actually live in the city of L.A.
California's gubernatorial primary is finally ending tomorrow -- and what a long, strange trip it's been. From me + Eliza Collins: www.wsj.com/politics/ele...
How California’s Fight for Governor Became a Hot Mess for Democrats
Scandals, missteps and a lack of Democratic unity have complicated the state’s gubernatorial election.
wsj.com
He spent years in the shadow of better-known co-founders like Sam Altman and Patrick Collison. Now, as a key witness in the Musk-OpenAI trial, a political mega-donor and OAI's new head of product, Greg Brockman is in the spotlight. New from me and Keach Hagey: www.wsj.com/tech/openai-...
The Billionaire Coding Genius Making the Tough Decisions at OpenAI
After years in the shadow of better-known co-founders, Greg Brockman is stepping into the spotlight. He and his wife, Anna, are also Silicon Valley superdonors.
wsj.com
I profiled Spencer Pratt and his run for mayor of Los Angeles: www.wsj.com/politics/ele...
Spencer Pratt Was a Reality TV Villain. Now He Wants to Be L.A.’s Savior.
The former star of “The Hills” is running a biting, social-media-savvy campaign to be the next mayor of Los Angeles.
wsj.com
Rep. Eric Swalwell said Sunday he is suspending his campaign for California governor, following allegations of sexual misconduct that sparked outrage among fellow Democrats — including some who have demanded he leave the race and immediately quit Congress as well. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Rep. Eric Swalwell Suspends Governor Campaign Following Sexual Misconduct Allegations
The California Democratic representative is facing calls from his own party to resign as he runs to become his state’s governor.
wsj.com
He preaches on Sundays, once brought a bale of hay into a courtroom, and wears the same two suits on rotation during a trial. My colleague Katherine Sayre and I profiled lawyer Mark Lanier, who found a way to circumvent Section 230 and beat Google and Meta in court: www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
The Texas Lawyer and Part-Time Pastor Who Beat Meta and Google
Plaintiff’s attorney Mark Lanier uses props and parables to challenge social-media giants, drugmakers and manufacturers of products containing asbestos.
wsj.com
It's a tough job market. But not for ballot measure signature collectors in California. Per @laurajnelson.bsky.social www.wsj.com/business/cal...
The Trump administration plans to abandon its defense of the president’s executive orders sanctioning the law firms Jenner & Block, WilmerHale, Perkins Coie, and Susman Godfrey, according to people familiar: www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Exclusive | Trump Administration to Drop Defense of Law Firm Sanctions
The Justice Dept. plans to abandon its defense of the president’s executive orders that targeted Jenner & Block, WilmerHale, Perkins Coie, and Susman Godfrey.
wsj.com
The plaintiff in a landmark trial over the alleged harms of social-media apps for children told a jury Thursday that using YouTube and Instagram had contributed to her social isolation and mental health issues, including anxiety, body dysmorphia and depression. www.wsj.com/tech/woman-s...
Woman Suing Meta, YouTube Testifies It’s ‘Too Hard to Be Without’ Social Media
The now-20-year old told jurors she felt compelled to frequently check accounts to make sure she hadn’t missed anything.
wsj.com
Nick Reiner Pleads Not Guilty in Parents’ Murder www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Nick Reiner Pleads Not Guilty in Parents’ Murder
The son of the late Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner faces two counts of first-degree murder, as well as a special allegation that he used a dangerous and deadly weapon.
wsj.com
My latest with @jeaneaglesham.bsky.social looks at the California home-insurance crisis that has led to eye-watering rate increases, rejected claims and growing pressure on the insurer of last resort, the FAIR Plan: www.wsj.com/finance/a-44...
A $44,000 Bill Shows the Dysfunction in California’s Home-Insurance Market
The state’s uphill battle to draw insurers back could prove a template—or cautionary tale—for other disaster-prone states.
wsj.com
Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump’s Global Tariffs: “Had Congress intended to convey the distinct and extraordinary power to impose tariffs, it would have done so expressly.” www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump’s Global Tariffs
Ruling finds president exceeded his powers by imposing duties without clear authorization from Congress.
wsj.com
Tom Morello, the guitarist for Rage Against the Machine, is playing the L.A. kickoff event at the Wiltern for SEIU-UHW’s California billionaire tax ballot proposal. Coming up soon: @sanders.senate.gov
A new political effort backed by the Google co-founder Sergey Brin and other Silicon Valley magnates is backing several ballot-measure campaigns aimed at undercutting a proposed wealth tax on California billionaires. More here: www.wsj.com/us-news/serg...
Sergey Brin-Backed Group Tries to Undercut California’s Billionaire Tax Proposal
Building a Better California is funding competing ballot measures that could nullify the proposed wealth tax.
wsj.com
I made my first appearance on the @wsj.com's podcast, The Journal, to talk about the proposed billionaire tax that is roiling California. Thanks to the team for having me! www.wsj.com/podcasts/the...
California Billionaires Are Freaking Out Over a New Tax Proposal - The Journal. - WSJ Podcasts
An influential California labor union is gathering signatures for a proposed asset tax on billionaires. But some of California’s ultra-wealthy are threatening to pack their bags — leaving the state’s ...
wsj.com
I went to the pro-billionaire march in San Francisco yesterday and wrote about it: www.wsj.com/lifestyle/bi...
Disclosures today show that Google co-founder Sergey Brin made a $20-million political contribution, one of his largest and most public donations ever. Details on the new effort that he and other wealthy founders/execs are funding, called Building a Better California: www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Sergey Brin Backs New California Political Effort as Threat of Wealth Tax Looms
The Google co-founder joined other wealthy individuals in backing a new nonpartisan, nonprofit organization aimed at tackling housing affordability.
wsj.com
