Whistleblower Alleges Exec at Office of Emergency Management had a 'History of Sleeping on the Job'

Wildfire News Updates

Hey there, welcome to the weekly public media wildfires update.

It’s going to be a hot one, so make sure you keep hydrated and stay cool during the unusual March heat wave.

This week, LAist is covering the whistleblower allegations that an exec in the Office of Emergency Management had a history of “sleeping on the job” as more information continues to come out about mismanagement during the wildfires. KCRW’s Good Food looks at how winemakers are coping with ongoing wildfire threats, and CalMatters takes a deep dive into the role of California’s next insurance commissioner.

Stay safe,
KCRW, PBS SoCal, LAist, and CalMatters

Where We Are Now

Person with ‘history of sleeping on the job’ held critical role during Eaton Fire, complaint alleges
Their mobile homes burned down in the Palisades Fire. Now the property is quietly up for sale
Some State Farm customers could see refunds while homeowner rate hikes stay put
LA County launches survey to hear from residents affected by the 2025 fires. Here’s how to weigh in

Looking Ahead

The struggle to save wine from wildfires
California's next insurance commissioner will have 'brutal' balancing act
Why would anyone want ‘the second-hardest job’ in California?

Stories from the Community

‘Pray for the dead, fight for the living’ — How Altadena is battling to rebuild without being displaced

More That Caught Our Eye

Ricki Lake Receives a Diamond Necklace Made from the Ashes of Her Home That Burned Down in L.A. Wildfires
‘Delays, lowballs, outright denials’: how the LA wildfires have exposed the US’s broken insurance industry

Updated Resource Guides

Air quality guide - Wildfire tracker map – Volunteer and donate – Housing resources - Insurance Q&A - KCRW Music Relief