The Knowledge
Metro Board Advances Sepulveda Transit Corridor as C Line South Bay Extension Remains Under Review
The Los Angeles Metro Board meeting addressed progress on two key rail projects: the approved underground Sepulveda Transit Corridor, enhancing regional connectivity, and the debated extension of the Metro C Line into the South Bay, which remains undecided.
The future of Los Angeles transit was the focus of a recent Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Board meeting, where directors considered progress on two major rail projects: the Sepulveda Transit Corridor and the long-planned extension of the Metro C Line into the South Bay.
While the meeting resulted in a decisive vote on one project, the other continues to generate debate among Metro officials, local cities, and residents.
Sepulveda Transit Corridor: Underground Heavy Rail Moves Forward
The Metro Board unanimously approved the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor, marking a major milestone for a project that has been discussed for decades.
The approved alternative calls for a fully underground heavy rail subway connecting the San Fernando Valley to the Westside, running from the Van Nuys Metrolink Station to the Metro E Line’s Expo/Sepulveda Station. The line would pass beneath the Sepulveda Pass, UCLA, and other high-demand travel areas.
Metro officials emphasized that the underground alignment offers the fastest travel times, highest passenger capacity, and the fewest surface-level impacts when compared with earlier aerial or monorail alternatives. The project is expected to significantly reduce congestion along the 405 Freeway corridor and improve regional connectivity.
With the LPA now selected, the Sepulveda Transit Corridor advances toward final environmental clearance, engineering, and eventual construction — a process that will continue over the coming years.
Metro C Line Extension: South Bay Alignment Debate Continues
The Board also discussed the Metro C Line extension into the South Bay, a project intended to extend light rail service approximately 4.5 miles from the current Redondo Beach station to the Torrance Transit Center.
Metro has released the project’s Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR), which incorporates years of technical analysis and public input. However, unlike the Sepulveda project, the Board did not take final action to certify the FEIR or formally adopt a locally preferred alignment at this meeting.
Hawthorne Boulevard vs. Metro Right-of-Way
At the center of the C Line discussion is the question of alignment.
Metro staff has identified a “hybrid” alignment using an existing Metro-owned rail right-of-way as the preferred option. This route would largely follow the historic Harbor Subdivision corridor, minimizing new street disruptions while blending at-grade, elevated, and below-grade segments.
Some South Bay cities, however, continue to advocate for a Hawthorne Boulevard alignment, which would place rail tracks within the median of the busy commercial corridor. Supporters argue it offers better street-level access, while Metro has cited higher costs, longer construction timelines, and greater traffic impacts as key concerns.
Metro officials indicated that additional coordination with local jurisdictions and further Board action will be needed before a final decision is made.
What This Means for LA Transit
The contrast between the two projects was clear at the meeting: the Sepulveda Transit Corridor is now firmly on a defined path forward, while the C Line extension remains in a critical decision-making phase.
Together, the projects highlight both the ambition and complexity of expanding transit in Los Angeles County — balancing regional mobility goals, neighborhood impacts, and long-term funding realities.
Further Reading & Official Project Information
Metro Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project Page
– Official Metro overview of the Sepulveda Pass project, including alternatives, maps, timelines, and environmental documents.
Metro Board Considers Locally Preferred Alternative for Sepulveda Corridor
– Metro’s summary of the Board action and rationale behind selecting the underground heavy rail option.
Metro C Line Extension to Torrance Project Page
– Background, station concepts, and status updates for the South Bay light rail extension.
Final Environmental Impact Report: C Line Extension
– Details on the Final EIR, public comments, and next steps toward Board certification.
Metro Project Updates – The Source
– Ongoing Metro blog updates covering major transit projects, board actions, and construction milestones.
LA Metro Board of Directors
– Information on Metro Board members, meeting schedules, agendas, and voting records.
STM Daily News will continue to follow both projects closely, providing updates as Metro moves toward final approvals, construction timelines, and funding decisions that will shape how Angelenos travel for decades to come.
For ongoing coverage of Metro projects, transportation policy, and infrastructure across Southern California, visit STM Daily News.
Nature
What in the Heck Is a Sweat Bee? Turns Out, My Wife Wasn’t Making It Up
My wife Rebecca said she thought a sweat bee stung her. I thought she was making it up. Turns out, sweat bees are very real—and their strange name actually makes perfect sense.
It started with a conversation with my wife, Rebecca.
She mentioned that she thought she’d been stung by something called a “sweat bee.”
My immediate reaction was basically:
“What in the heck is a sweat bee?”
I’ll admit it. For a moment, I thought she was making the whole thing up. 😂
A sweat bee? Really?
It sounded like one of those names somebody invents when they don’t know what actually stung them.
“It wasn’t a regular bee. It was a… uh… sweat bee!”
So naturally, I asked ChatGPT the same question: What in the heck is a sweat bee?
Well, Rebecca gets this round.
Sweat bees are absolutely real.
And Yes, They’re Interested in Your Sweat
Sweat bees belong primarily to the Halictidae family, a large group of generally small bees found around the world.
Some are rather ordinary-looking little insects, while others are surprisingly flashy, sporting metallic shades of green, blue, bronze or gold.
But here’s where they earned that wonderfully unfortunate name.
Some sweat bees are attracted to human perspiration.
They’re not after you because they’re angry, and they’re certainly not tiny vampire bees. They’re interested in the salt and minerals in your sweat.
In other words, after you’ve been outside working, gardening, exercising or simply trying to survive a hot summer afternoon, a sweat bee may look at you and think:
“Hey! Free electrolytes!”
Wait…They Can Sting Too?
Unfortunately for Rebecca, there’s another part of her story that checks out.
Female sweat bees can sting.
They’re generally not aggressive and aren’t flying around looking for people to attack. But if one gets trapped against your skin, squeezed or swatted, it may defend itself.
Their sting is generally considered relatively mild compared with those of many other bees and wasps—but “relatively mild” probably isn’t much consolation when you’re the person who just got stung.
So, Rebecca, I officially withdraw my skepticism.
Mostly.
Don’t Declare War on Them
As annoying as having a tiny bee land on your sweaty arm might be, sweat bees are actually beneficial insects.
They’re important pollinators, visiting wildflowers, garden plants and agricultural crops and carrying pollen from flower to flower.
So if one lands on you, gently brushing or blowing it away is probably a better idea than swatting it against your skin.
And that’s today’s unexpected nature lesson.
Sweat bees are real.
They really are attracted to sweat.
The females really can sting.
And, perhaps most importantly…
My wife was right.
There. I said it.
I’m sure I’ll never hear the end of this one. 😂
Related Links
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension — Arizona Bee Identification Guide — A useful Arizona-focused guide that includes sweat bees and explains their appearance, size, nesting behavior and attraction to salt in perspiration.
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service — Native Bees and Their Favorite Flowers — More information about native pollinators and the important role sweat bees play around wildflowers.
- USDA Forest Service — Bee Basics — A broader guide to North American bees, including the colorful metallic members of the sweat bee family.
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Sweat Bee — See an actual female sweat bee specimen (Augochlorella aurata) and its scientific classification.
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Forgotten Genius Fridays
Forgotten Genius Friday: Marian Croak — The Inventor Behind the Way We Communicate
Marian Croak helped pioneer the technology behind internet calling and text-to-donate fundraising. With more than 200 U.S. patents, her innovations have transformed how millions of people communicate, work, and give.
Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Every day, billions of people make video calls, join virtual meetings, send text-message donations during disasters, and stay connected with loved ones over the internet.
Few realize that one of the pioneers behind these technologies is Marian Croak, an engineer, inventor, and technology leader whose work has fundamentally changed how the world communicates.
Despite holding more than 200 U.S. patents and helping shape modern internet communications, Croak remains largely unknown outside the technology community. That’s exactly why she deserves a place in our Forgotten Genius Fridayseries.
From Engineering to Innovation
Marian Rogers Croak earned a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University before completing a Ph.D. in Social Psychology and Quantitative Analysis at the University of Southern California.
Her unique combination of engineering expertise and an understanding of human behavior would become one of her greatest strengths. Rather than simply building technology, she focused on solving real-world communication problems.
She joined Bell Labs, later becoming part of AT&T, where she spent decades developing new telecommunications technologies.
Helping Create the Internet Calling Revolution
For much of the twentieth century, telephone calls relied on dedicated telephone lines.
Croak helped pioneer technologies that made Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) practical, allowing voice conversations to travel over internet networks instead.
Today, VoIP powers countless services, including:
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- WhatsApp calling
- FaceTime
- Internet-based business phone systems
- Telemedicine appointments
Millions of remote workers, students, families, and businesses depend on technologies that evolved from these innovations.
A Better Way to Help During Disasters
One of Croak’s most visible inventions came from a simple but powerful idea.
What if people could donate to disaster relief simply by sending a text message?
She led the development of systems that made text-to-donate campaigns possible.
Following disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake, millions of people contributed to relief efforts simply by sending a short text message. The technology helped raise tens of millions of dollars quickly, demonstrating how communication technology could save lives beyond making phone calls.
More Than 200 Patents
Croak has been awarded more than 200 U.S. patents covering internet communications, networking, emergency response systems, and digital collaboration.
Her inventions have influenced everything from enterprise communications to cloud networking and mobile technologies.
Leading Responsible Artificial Intelligence
In 2014, Croak joined Google as a Vice President of Engineering.
Today, she helps lead initiatives focused on Responsible AI and Human-Centered Technology, working to ensure artificial intelligence benefits society while addressing issues of fairness, accessibility, and trust.
Her career reflects an important lesson: innovation is not just about building powerful technology—it is also about building technology responsibly.
Honors and Recognition
Although Marian Croak spent decades working behind the scenes, her achievements have earned growing recognition.
Among her honors are:
- National Inventors Hall of Fame inductee
- National Academy of Engineering member
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences fellow
- IEEE Founders Medal recipient
These awards recognize a lifetime devoted to improving how people connect with one another.
Why Marian Croak Matters
Many inventors create products.
Marian Croak created possibilities.
Every internet phone call between grandparents and grandchildren, every virtual doctor’s appointment, every online business meeting, and every text-message donation during a humanitarian crisis reflects technologies she helped make possible.
Her story reminds us that some of history’s greatest innovators work quietly behind the scenes, changing the world without becoming household names.
That’s exactly the kind of legacy Forgotten Genius Friday exists to celebrate.
Related Links
- National Inventors Hall of Fame – Marian Croak — An excellent overview of Croak’s career, her work advancing VoIP, text-to-donate technology, and her induction into the Hall of Fame.
Learn more about Marian Croak at the National Inventors Hall of Fame - National Inventors Hall of Fame – The Problem-Solving Engineer — A deeper profile examining Croak’s path from an inquisitive young student to a telecommunications pioneer.
Read Marian Croak: The Problem-Solving Engineer - Google – Marian Croak — Croak’s official Google author and leadership profile, including her work in Responsible AI and Human-Centered Technology.
Explore Marian Croak’s work at Google - Google – Marian Croak’s Vision for Responsible AI — An interview exploring how Croak brought her decades of technological experience into the development of responsible artificial intelligence.
Read about Marian Croak’s vision for Responsible AI - Princeton University – Marian Croak and Innovation — Princeton highlights Croak, a member of its Class of 1977, and her contributions to VoIP, innovation, mentorship, and women in STEM.
Read Princeton’s profile featuring Marian Croak
🧠 Discover the remarkable innovators, inventors, and trailblazers who helped shape our world but rarely receive the recognition they deserve. Share your thoughts in the comments and subscribe to the STM Daily News newsletter to catch every new Forgotten Genius Friday feature and more inspiring stories delivered to your inbox.
The Knowledge
Exploring the Best Neighborhoods in Downtown Los Angeles
From the Arts District and Little Tokyo to the Historic Core and Bunker Hill, discover the best neighborhoods in Downtown Los Angeles and what makes each one worth exploring.
Last Updated on August 5, 2026 by Daily News Staff
The Best Neighborhoods in Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles has undergone one of the most remarkable transformations of any urban center in the United States. Once known primarily as the city’s business district, DTLA has evolved into a vibrant collection of neighborhoods, each offering its own unique character, history, dining, entertainment, and cultural experiences.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor, a longtime Angeleno, or planning your next weekend adventure, these are some of Downtown LA’s must-visit neighborhoods.
Arts District: Where Creativity Comes to Life
The Arts District has become one of the city’s most exciting destinations. Former warehouses have been transformed into lofts, art galleries, coffee shops, breweries, and award-winning restaurants.
Visitors can spend hours exploring colorful murals, browsing independent boutiques, and discovering public art around nearly every corner. It’s a neighborhood that celebrates creativity while preserving its industrial roots.
Perfect for: Art lovers, photographers, foodies, and nightlife.
Historic Core: A Walk Through Old Los Angeles
The Historic Core showcases Downtown LA’s architectural heritage. Along Broadway and surrounding streets, beautifully restored theaters, historic hotels, and early 20th-century buildings tell the story of a booming city during Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Highlights include the iconic Bradbury Building, Grand Central Market, and numerous rooftop restaurants overlooking the skyline.
Perfect for: History buffs and architecture enthusiasts.
South Park: Entertainment Central
South Park is home to some of Los Angeles’ biggest attractions, including LA Live and Crypto.com Arena. The neighborhood has added thousands of apartments, new restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues over the past two decades.
Whether you’re attending a Lakers game, a concert, or simply enjoying dinner before an event, South Park offers something for everyone.
Perfect for: Sports fans, concerts, and nightlife.
Little Tokyo: A Cultural Treasure
One of only a handful of historic Japantowns remaining in the United States, Little Tokyo offers authentic Japanese cuisine, specialty shops, cultural events, museums, and peaceful gardens.
From fresh sushi and ramen to Japanese bakeries and tea houses, visitors can experience generations of cultural heritage in just a few city blocks.
Perfect for: Families, food lovers, and cultural exploration.
Bunker Hill: Downtown’s Cultural Heart
Bunker Hill combines modern architecture with world-class arts and culture. Home to Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Broad, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and Grand Park, this neighborhood is ideal for visitors looking to experience Downtown’s artistic side.
Its dramatic skyline and public spaces also make it one of the most photographed areas in Los Angeles.
Perfect for: Museum lovers and architecture fans.
Financial District: The Skyline of Los Angeles
Glass skyscrapers, luxury hotels, and bustling sidewalks define the Financial District. While it remains the city’s business center during the workweek, the neighborhood also offers excellent dining, rooftop lounges, and convenient access to other parts of Downtown.
Chinatown: Tradition Meets Modern LA
Los Angeles’ Chinatown blends rich history with a growing collection of contemporary restaurants, galleries, and community events. Visitors can enjoy traditional cuisine alongside modern culinary experiences while exploring one of the city’s oldest cultural neighborhoods.
Fashion District: A Shopper’s Paradise
Covering more than 100 city blocks, the Fashion District is one of the largest garment centers in the country. Whether you’re searching for fabrics, clothing, accessories, or bargains at Santee Alley, this neighborhood attracts shoppers from across Southern California.
A Downtown That Continues to Evolve
Downtown Los Angeles isn’t just one destination—it’s a collection of neighborhoods that reflect the city’s diversity, creativity, and resilience. From historic landmarks and world-class museums to vibrant street art and internationally inspired cuisine, DTLA offers something new around nearly every corner.
Whether you’re planning a day trip or an extended visit, exploring these neighborhoods is one of the best ways to experience the energy and history of Los Angeles.
Related External Links
- Discover Los Angeles – Explore Downtown LA
- Grand Central Market
- The Broad Museum
- Walt Disney Concert Hall
- Japanese American National Museum (Little Tokyo)
- Arts District Los Angeles
- LA Live
- LA Metro – Getting Around Downtown Los Angeles
- Olvera Street and El Pueblo Historic Monument
- Visit California – Los Angeles Travel Guide
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