JAY-Z called Lil Durk "kind, respectful and focused on his career" in a letter addressed to the court urging Judge Michael Fitzgerald to release Durk on bond. JAY-Z said he believed Durk should be given the opportunity to spend the months leading up to his second trial, where he will face a VICAR (Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering) charge, with his family. Lil Durk's bond review hearing is scheduled for November 4, and @LAmag will be in attendance.

🚨LIL DURK is "committed to change," according to his legal defense. @LAmag In a motion requesting Durk be released on bond, Lil Durk’s lawyers are arguing that he has changed his life and should not be judged solely by the violent image prosecutors presented at trial. They highlight several examples to convince the judge he should be released on bond: - His lawyers say Durk began therapy in 2023 to address past trauma and completed a 30-day inpatient drug treatment program. They say he has remained sober from drugs and alcohol since then. - The defense points to his Grammy-winning song “All My Life” as evidence that he wanted to promote positive messages to young people. J. Cole wrote a letter supporting that argument, saying Durk insisted on the song’s message of peace and personal growth. - Businessman Michael Rubin says Durk volunteered to help with a clothing drive for underprivileged families. Jay-Z’s letter describes Durk signing young artists from his community and helping them build careers. - His lawyers cite a 2024 concert where Durk encouraged people to put down their guns, brought a perceived rival onto the stage and held a moment of silence for victims of street violence. - The defense submitted letters from J. Cole, Jay-Z, Michael Rubin and former Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx in support of Durk’s bond request.

Lil Durk’s defense is asking a federal judge to reconsider his detention and release him on bond, arguing that his recent acquittal on murder-related charges significantly reduces concerns that he would flee or pose a danger to the community. In a motion filed Oct. 27, attorneys for Durk, whose legal name is Durk Banks, argue that the jury’s verdict weakens the government’s case and diminishes the risk of witness intimidation. The defense also points to what it describes as Banks’ personal transformation, citing his sobriety, regular therapy and renewed commitment to his Muslim faith. To address the court’s previous concerns about his finances and ability to flee, the defense has proposed a bond package that includes future earnings from music royalties, publishing rights, merchandise and other uses of his name and likeness, as well as touring income. The package would also include cash, property pledged by supporters and the home where his mother lives. Attorneys argue that fleeing would cost Banks his future income and leave his family and supporters financially devastated.

L.A.’s mayoral race is heating up — and so are Angelenos’ utility bills. As residents face staggering LADWP charges, frustration over rising costs is becoming a flashpoint in the fight for City Hall. Who’s accountable, and what can be done? @lamag Read more: lamag.com/politics/as-l-a-s-…

RT @LAmag: L.A. Has a 911 Problem. Can Karen Bass or Nithya Raman Fix It? Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson addre…

Mayor Karen Bass was in downtown Los Angeles Friday morning, where she told Los Angeles Magazine she "doesn't know what [Nithya Raman] is up to," but that the expansion of 911's dispatch center has been a priority to Bass before stepping into office as Mayor. Bass said she aims to prevent and intervene before crimes happen, saying her office has worked alongside the city council and the LAPD introduce L.A.'s very first unified call center for crisis response, which will streamline the dispatch of civilian crisis response teams for those experiencing mental and behavioral health crises. @LAmag

Did Rick Caruso just (informally) say he’s voting for Mayor Karen Bass? 👀👀👀 Rick Caruso appeared to signal informal support for Mayor Karen Bass on Tuesday, praising her leadership and efforts to expedite rebuilding in Pacific Palisades while stopping short of formally endorsing her reelection campaign. “My love for this city transcends politics and I’m going to stand by people who are doing right by the city,” Caruso said. The appearance comes as Bass faces a reelection challenge from City Councilmember Nithya Raman. During the press conference, Caruso weighed in on the direction of the Los Angeles Police Department, defending Police Chief Jim McDonnell, whom he described as one of the best chiefs in the country. Caruso criticized concerns about Raman’s approach to policing, saying he was worried about the direction she would take the department. Bass, who defeated Caruso in the 2022 mayoral election, said the two have maintained a working relationship despite their political differences. “A race is a race,” Bass said. “And when it’s over, as soon as it was over and even before then, if ever there was an issue that impacted the Grove or other initiatives that he was involved in, I always reached out.” Full story @LAmag lamag.com/news-and-politics/…

CALIFORNIA VOTER FRAUD ARRESTS: Federal authorities arrested 11 individuals in California on Monday as part of an investigation into alleged voter registration fraud, escalating a dispute between the Trump administration and state officials over election integrity. The arrests are part of Operation Protect the Vote, a federal initiative involving all four U.S. attorneys’ offices in California. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), 28 people have been charged in separate criminal complaints with federal election-related offenses, including fraudulently registering to vote and casting ballots in U.S. elections. California's First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said the arrests support allegations that mail-in ballots have enabled illegal voting in California elections. “California is mailing ballots to noncitizens, and they are refusing to comply with federal law, which makes it a crime for noncitizens to vote,” Essayli said in a statement. “The voting rights of American citizens must be protected.” Others are arguing the issue is smaller than the Justice Department is alleging, with UCLA election law expert Rick Hasen highlighting that the allegations may sound pressing in headlines, but reminding Californians to put the Justice Department’s figures into perspective. California has more than 23 million registered voters, and more than 16 million Californians voted in the 2024 presidential election. If the DOJ’s estimate of 20,000 illegal voters is accurate, that figure would represent approximately 0.09% of registered voters, a relatively small proportion, Hasen said. Full story at @LAmag lamag.com/news-and-politics/…