Watts

An early morning shooting in the Watts area of Los Angeles Sunday wounded two people.

Sweet Alice Harris, one of Watts’ most beloved community organizers, shares her memories of the Watts riots on its 55th anniversary, and her optimism for the future of race relations. The 1965 uprising left 34 people dead and hundreds of businesses looted and burned over the course of six days. “Blood was running down the drain like water,” she said….

Beloved community organizer Sweet Alice shares her perspective. Angie Crouch reports Aug. 11, 2020.

There were no fires this time in Watts. There was no looting, no shooting and no National Guard troops patrolling. Protesters filled the streets around the country in late May and June following the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, demanding an end to police brutality. There was violence and looting in some places, including Los Angeles, but not in…

Falcons Youth and Family Services, a nonprofit serving the kids in the Watts area, hands out 2,500 meals everyday Monday through Friday — but food is just part of the gift. “I feel like it’s very important for the community especially around here everyone is affected. People are getting fed, especially the kids,” Alex Villagran said. The program was born…

The Falcons Youth and Family Services program is handing out thousands of meals Monday through Friday. Drashha Philips reports July 31, 2020.

The death of a man and his two young daughters Wednesday was being investigated as a murder-suicide, police said. Police arrived at the 9200 block of Success Avenue at 8:15 a.m. “What our initial investigation is showing quite tragically is that this was a family dispute that turned into a murder suicide, and two of the victims are children,” said…

A father and two children died Wednesday morning in what was being investigated as a family dispute. Kim Tobin reports July 1, 2020.

The developers of a 64-unit affordable housing complex located in Watts announced they broke ground today on the residential property. Linc Housing, a nonprofit development company of affordable housing, said construction began on Cadence, the name of the apartment complex, and the units will be for families and individuals who have experienced homelessness. “From saying ‘yes’ to Prop. HHH to…

“We aren’t where we should be. But we sure in the hell aren’t where we used to be.” Sweet Alice has been a pillar of the community for as long as most can remember. Now she reflects on the past riots and unrest. Gordon Tokumatsu reports June 4, 2020.

In the community of Watts Monday, Los Angeles Police officers, community leaders, and citizens took a knee together, acknowledging what unites them in a powerful symbol of solidarity while looking back on a painful history. “We are here in Watts because Watts is familiar with unrest. And we’re committed to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” said LA City...

Watts police and community leaders reflected on the Watts Riots as they called for peace and said violence will not be tolerated. Gordon Tokumatsu reports for the NBC4 News at 4 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2020.

Identities were pending Saturday morning on three people killed in a three-vehicle crash in Watts. The crash happened at 7:15 p.m. Friday near Compton Boulevard and Imperial Highway, according to Officer Drake Madison of the Los Angeles Police Department. A vehicle traveling westbound on Imperial Highway rear-ended a second vehicle going westbound, then crashed into a third vehicle going eastbound,…

As seen on Today in LA on Saturday, May, 2, 2020.

The federal grant of $35 million aims to revitalize both the Jordan Downs housing community and the Watts area. John Cádiz Klemack reports for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2020.

A choir in South Los Angeles helps bring the community together. Hetty Chang and Halie Cook reported on NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020.

Students who are able to vote for the first time in 2020 register and cast their ballots. Kim Baldonado reported on NBC4 News at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020.

The voices of the Los Angeles Inner City Mass Choir practice once a week in a South LA church, but the group’s founder says they resonate beyond the chapel doors. “[It’s] not a church choir, but a community choir,” said Jeffrey Coprich Sr. Coprich Sr. began the group about four decades ago. The choir has since shared the stage...

A new grocery store has opened its doors in a SoCal community that is considered a “food desert.” Kim Baldonado reports for the NBC4 News at 4 p.m. on Jan. 8, 2020.

From the inside, a brand-new Smart & Final looks like a typical grocery store with organic produce, fresh cut flowers, and all the staples a household needs. But it’s where it’s located that makes it unique.  “I’ve been here 61 years and I remember when we didn’t have nothing — and look what we have now!” said Sweet Alice...