Laura J. Nelson is an investigative and enterprise reporter at the Los Angeles Times. Her work has exposed and explained chaos in the U.S. Postal System, inequities in COVID-19 vaccine distribution and the spread of far-right extremism in California’s world of health, wellness and spirituality. She previously covered transportation, mobility and commuting for The Times. Nelson was part of the team that won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the San Bernardino terrorist attack, as well as the team that was a 2020 Pulitzer finalist for its coverage of a dive-boat fire that killed 34 people off the coast of Santa Barbara. Nelson grew up in Kansas and joined The Times in 2012.
Latest From This Author
Hours before the event, hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered to call for a cease-fire and for the U.S. to end financial and military aid to Israel.
Dec. 10, 2023
McCarthy’s announcement that he’s retiring early from the House prompted sadness, but not surprise, in his Central Valley district, which is the most Republican in California.
Dec. 7, 2023
The convicted cryptocurrency executive was a major backer of a ballot measure to tax the wealthy to pay for pandemic preparedness. Since his arrest, contributions have dried up.
Nov. 27, 2023
In the 2024 election, Californians will be asked to vote for a new U.S. Senator for separate times. It could introduce a note of chaos into the competitive Senate primary, which already has a crowded field of candidates.
Nov. 19, 2023
In the race to replace the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Rep. Adam Schiff continues to hold a strong lead over his rivals in fundraising, bringing in nearly $6 million in campaign contributions in the last three months.
Oct. 16, 2023
In a move that could shift the landscape of the 2024 election, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on Monday he has quit the Democratic primary and will run for president as a third-party candidate.
Oct. 9, 2023
In California Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s hometown of Bakersfield, supporters cursed the scorched-earth politics in Washington that cost him his job as speaker of the House.
Oct. 4, 2023
With Gov. Newsom’s appointment of Laphonza Butler to temporarily fill Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s seat, the question becomes: Will Butler run for a full term in 2024?
Oct. 3, 2023
Most California voters possess a more nuanced view on the lasting legacy of slavery and how the state should address those wrongs. Still, there is overwhelming opposition to cash reparations.
Sept. 24, 2023
At a gun control forum close to the site of the January mass shooting in Monterey Park, Reps. Adam Schiff of Burbank, Katie Porter of Irvine and Barbara Lee of Oakland and Silicon Valley executive Lexi Reese all pledged to push for reform.
Sept. 9, 2023