
Former editor of @StreetsblogLA, journalist and consultant to non-profits. Winner of journalism awards from @lapressclub (2012, 2018), @spjla (2013). he/him.
Los Angeles, CA
Joined March 2009
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Damien Newton retweeted
Yesterday, we had the opportunity to perform the United States National Anthem for the #NFL game between the #ChicagoBears and the #Eagles, and it was incredible to do so with love and respect for a great nation.
However, a huge wave of racist criticism has emerged.
Damien Newton retweeted
Let's check in on @JoeLinton's two HLA lawsuits against the city.
Together, they attack a litany of excuses made by the city to not implement HLA:
1. Projects w/Metro
2. Slurry seal
3. Large Asphalt Repair
4. Restriping w/o making other improvements
5. Community plan updates
Damien Newton retweeted
NEW: I reached out repeatedly last week to Median Strategies, asking to speak with their head of polling.
After reaching out repeatedly, they told me they were discontinuing their polling operation, then they admitted their poll was fake.
latimes.com/california/story…
Damien Newton retweeted
Given Councilmember @nithyavraman’s recent removal from her position as Chair of the Housing Committee, I want to share my own experience working with her on housing & homelessness.
In late 2020, during the most challenging moment of the pandemic, Nithya reached out… (1/7)
Damien Newton retweeted
I normally wouldn't weigh in on something like this, but after seeing it become something that will continue to follow the Fever, I think it's worth discussing. More importantly, I think it's an important conversation about the future of women's sports.
Hopefully I've earned enough trust from those who follow me to know I try to be a straight shooter, even when it's uncomfortable. If you don't know me, all I ask is that you read this with an open mind. I promise I'd do the same for you.
I was at the game and honestly didn't notice any of these people until it was pointed out afterward. I believe people have the right to gather, express themselves, and have their voices heard. I also think both a Storm fan and a Storm co-owner made some poor judgments that night.
That said, I think this is a conversation worth having in good faith because it matters.
NCAA President Charlie Baker testified that he was aware of fewer than 10 transgender athletes among roughly 510,000 NCAA athletes. There should absolutely be fair eligibility policies for the rare cases that arise. Fairness in women's sports matters.
Where I struggle is that we've turned one of the smallest issues in women's sports into one of the loudest. If we spent even a fraction of this energy on funding, coaching, facilities, player safety, injury prevention, keeping girls in sports, and enforcing the promises of Title IX, we'd improve the lives of far more women athletes.
The imagery of juxtaposing little girls with adult men is intentional because it evokes a strong emotional response. Whether you agree with the underlying position or not, campaigns like this focus public attention on an issue involving an extremely small number of athletes while the much larger challenges affecting hundreds of thousands of girls and women receive comparatively little attention.
If the goal is truly to strengthen women's sports, I'd love to see just as much passion directed toward investing in girls' programs, improving facilities, supporting coaches, advancing injury research, expanding opportunities for young women, and advocating for better resources at every level.
The part that stuck with me most wasn't even what happened in the arena. It was reading the comments under the interview with the two teenage girls afterward. So many of the loudest voices weren't celebrating women's sports or talking about investing in girls' athletics. They were mocking the WNBA and women's sports altogether.
That's why I think this distinction matters. It's entirely possible those girls genuinely believe they're standing up for women's sports. I don't question that. But many of the people amplifying them didn't seem interested in supporting women's sports at all. They seemed interested in opposing transgender inclusion, and women's sports simply became the vehicle for that message.
To reiterate, I do believe there should be fair policies for this outlier issue. I just don't believe it should dominate the conversation about women's sports. When an issue involving fewer than 10 known NCAA athletes receives more attention than the things affecting hundreds of thousands of girls and women every day, I think it's fair to ask whether our priorities are truly aligned with making women's sports stronger.
Women's sports deserve advocates who show up not just for the controversies, but for the athletes, the teams, the girls dreaming of playing one day, and the future of the games themselves.
Sophie Cunningham rips Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton for leaving teen girls in tears amid controversy: 'Truly embarrassing' trib.al/lZq4iod
Damien Newton retweeted
LA should cut ties with Flock Safety.
Cities across the country are canceling their Flock contracts over the risks its license plate readers pose to privacy, civil liberties, and immigrant communities.
LAPD is doing the opposite: renegotiating a surveillance network that Angelenos never agreed to.
Damien Newton retweeted
I talk about transit-oriented housing... a lot. But what is it exactly, and why do we need it?
Here’s your quick crash course on why it’s commonsense to build where we’ve already invested in transit:
Damien Newton retweeted
Replying to @mikehtrujillo
We’ve never met, and you don’t know me. Nithya is a smart, capable person. The idea that I (or anyone) “tricked” her into running is absurd, and pretty insulting to one of the smartest politicians currently at City Hall.
BREAKING: President Trump comes out in support of former reality TV star Spencer Pratt’s and his political rise in the race to be the next mayor of Los Angeles.
When asked if he sees any similarities between himself and the fellow reality-television-star-turned-politician, Trump noted Pratt's unique personality and popular appeal.
"Oh, I'd like to see him do well... He's a character."
Damien Newton retweeted
This is not true. @knxnews will remain on 1070 AM, streaming 24/7 on the Audacy and iHeart apps, and many other platforms.
This quoted post is unavailable.
Damien Newton retweeted
Today is Earth Day
There’s no better time to talk about transportation!
Confused? Here’s why…
Damien Newton retweeted
The countdown officially begins.
One month from TODAY, the Metro D Line Extension to Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax and Wilshire/La Cienega officially opens 🥳
Damien Newton retweeted
The political right welcomed LGBT moderates with open arms. Once they took power, the mask came off. | @jreidnewton
Damien Newton retweeted
Anyone who has a problem with me posting about how Mahan is highlighting transit wins in San Jose is welcome to support transit in San Jose publicly.
I don’t see many people doing that, so it really means a lot to me that Mahan is.
Damien Newton retweeted
Is it "disgusting" for SBC to nickname the crew of Trump friendly politicians and lobbyists, and their allies, fighting Archer Safe Streets for political gain "The Make Archer Great Again" posse? Nope – here's why.
chi.streetsblog.org/2026/03/…
(Image of Ald. Lopez is Photoshopped.)

























