Alex Villanueva, an underdog maverick, runs for LA County Sheriff as a progressive reformer in 2018 and wins, surprising everyone. After taking office, he turns into a vindictive leader who mocks reform, protects his friends and attacks his ene

Introducing Imperfect Paradise by LAist Studios

Jan 27th, 2022 20m 36s

Imperfect Paradise, produced by LAist Studios, is a longform narrative podcast showcasing California stories with universal significance. Each of our stories takes on something essential about California – its progressiveness, its reputation as

Introducing WILD by LAist Studios

Jul 1st, 2021 34m 26s

Introducing WILD by LAist Studios, a podcast about origin stories. About those moments big and small that transform people forever. Season 1 of WILD: Home Forever is a time capsule of these kinds of moments captured during a global pandemic tha

Yeah No, I'm Not OK with Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

Mar 15th, 2021 51m 53s

We are back with another episode of Yeah No, I'm Not OK. Karla shot to fame when she wrote an essay about being an undocumented student at Harvard. But instead of book deals, she looked for more meaning in writing and exploring her identity.

Introducing Yeah No, I'm Not OK by Diane Guerrero

Mar 5th, 2021 50m 25s

Who is Diane Guerrero and why is she talking about mental health? In this episode, we learn more about Diane’s personal experience and her commitment to making mental health a priority in communities nationwide, especially communities of color.

Introducing Norco 80 Episode 1: The Robbery

Feb 9th, 2021 22m 25s

Introducing Norco 80, the unbelievable true story about God, guns, survivalism and the bank robbery that changed policing in America forever.May 9th, 1980 began as a regular Friday in sleepy Norco, a small town about 48 miles east of Los Ange

Bonus

A Message From Annie

Jun 21st, 2018 6m 2s

Billups receives and interesting letter, the investigative team looks into prosecutors and a special recommendation.

The Update

Apr 4th, 2018 7m 44s

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department inspector general tells his people to listen to the podcast and look into questions raised. Sheriff Jim McDonnell is up for re-election, and Deputy Mike Coberg supports his opponent. Tennell Billups i

The Light

Mar 7th, 2018 56m 8s

It often falls to local law enforcement to decide what use of force is reasonable and when officers cross the line. Acceptable conduct can differ depending on where you live. In California, much of the work of police accountability — from the i

"Shit Magnets"

Feb 28th, 2018 49m 22s

Retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Anthony Forlano fired his gun in seven incidents, grisly experiences he says stems from working busy patrol areas and regularly encountering armed suspects. Sheriff’s department lore holds that certai

The Investigation

Feb 21st, 2018 48m 44s

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigates its own officers’ shootings —a common practice in California. Officials are adamant that their investigations into police shootings are impartial, highly supervised and beyond reproach. R

Witnesses in Uniform

Feb 14th, 2018 46m 24s

All four of the men Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Gonzalo Inzunza shot at were accused of a crime. Tennell Billups believes law enforcement purposefully sought trumped up charges, making Billups look dangerous and Inzunza appear as though

The Inzunza File

Feb 7th, 2018 32m 49s

Each time, Inzunza said he feared for his life, and each time officials found Inzunza was justified to shoot. But three of the men who were shot at tell a different story. They claim Deputy Inzunza either shot without provocation or lied to jus

A Burglar Accuses an Officer

Feb 7th, 2018 23m 53s

On the morning of April 4, 2011 a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy shot a suspect who tried to run from the scene of a burglary. The deputy told investigators the burglar pointed a gun at him. The burglar, who later pleaded guilty, claims th