The most impactful CALÓ News stories

Los Angeles went through hell this year. It started with the wildfires. Then the federal government descended into the city, with troops and agents ready to take anyone who didn’t fit the profile of a U.S.-born American. And it’s not over.

But our people are doing their best, rising among the ashes and sometimes, even thriving. CALÓ News did our utmost to profile the people making a difference, like the student who organized countywide walkouts to protest federal immigration policies, the power of the Latino vote. We reported on our houseless neighbors, a mother’s plea to free her son. A Latina in the governor’s team who's fighting against the digital propaganda coming from the White House. A street vendor fighting to stay in the country.

These are all stories of how the city and the state fought back and held on to their humanity. 

High school student leading Bakersfield walkouts: ‘We have to stand up for ourselves’ by Amairani Hernandez

"Last month, I won second place in the California Ethnic Media Awards for my profile of Héctor Hernández, a 17-year-old student in Bakersfield who organized countywide walkouts to protest federal immigration policies. Héctor’s story isn’t just about activism — it’s about breaking generational silence. His mom, an undocumented Mixteco immigrant, grew up being told to 'stay quiet and don’t get in trouble.' But she encouraged Héctor to 'go for it — and now, his voice is inspiring young Latinos across Kern County."

Everything you need to know about Prop 50 by Andrea Valadez

"Most of the headlines involving Latinos this year were centered around one thing: immigration enforcement. So, when Proposition 50 was introduced, I saw an opportunity as a state policy reporter to inform my fellow Latinos on what the proposition was, what it meant for us and how we could impact the outcome. My goal with the Prop. 50 series wasn’t to sway votes one way or another; the goal was to make sure California Latino voters were educated and knew their strength. There’s a reason so many politicians count on Latino voting blocs to elect them or to pass ballot measures: when we show up, we win elections. I’m proud that I was able to help remind my fellow Latinos of the power we hold, even when forces are working day and night to hinder us."

“The forgotten lives along the L.A. River” by Brenda Verano

"Being able to report on the houseless neighbors who make up a significant portion of our city's population was one of the best experiences this year. It not only helps me shed light on the lives of Francis David Madrid, Iruz Altamirano Melexy, Jenny and Iveth, who at that time called the L.A. River their home, but it also taught me a lot about my own profession and why journalism is so personal and important. While reporting on the lives often forgotten along the river, I realized how important it is to build safe relationships with your sources and community. The story also touched on a community like Frogtown, which, like many other neighborhoods in the city, has been fighting gentrification for years and continues to do so. It was the story closest to my heart this year." 

Mother of U.S. citizen taken by ICE in Pico Rivera speaks out by Michelle Zacarias

"In June 2025, a U.S. citizen, Adrian Martinez, was taken into custody by federal immigration agents during an enforcement operation at a retail parking lot in Pico Rivera, California. In the hours that followed, Martinez's mother, Myra Martinez, spoke to CALÓ News about her son’s abduction as his location remained unclear. She described the fear and confusion her family experienced, saying she had learned about his abduction through social media. 

"The article was read over 42,395 times on our website and the video interview with Adrian’s mother had over 112,000 views on social media. The impact of the incident has been significant, intensifying community outrage and fear around immigration enforcement tactics in Southern California. Martinez’s detainment raised concerns about wrongful detention and racial profiling of U.S. citizens and drew scrutiny from civil rights advocates and elected officials."

The Latina in Governor Gavin Newsom’s social media team by Denise Florez 

"In the summer of 2025, as Trump’s federal troops descended upon Los Angeles, Gavin Newsom’s social media team broke through the serious tone that most official government accounts present on popular platforms like TikTok and Instagram and met the president’s fiery tone with the same attitude and fire. Then, I discovered that one of the members on Newsom’s team is Latina, so, given that one of CALÓ News' specific beats is to highlight the accomplishments of educated and successful Latinos, this story seemed like a perfect fit. I did not expect it to reach the audience it did, with 53,266 pageviews and a strong response on social media as well. At the heart of this story is an educated Latina with immigrant parents, succeeding in her field." 

Immigration raid in LA’s Salvador Corridor by Jacqueline García

"Since June 6, massive immigration raids have happened throughout the country. At the beginning, people believed this truly was an operation to find the 'worst of the worst.' However, now it is impossible to deny that these detentions are based on racial profiling. If you look Latino, speak Spanish and work in certain places, you can be questioned by immigration officers and taken into custody without a warrant. 

"I have reported many stories of elderly people taken into detention centers, such as Julio Vargas, a street vendor in El Corredor Salvadoreno, who was arrested at the beginning of November while working selling coconuts. His story became the norm for immigration officers; target people at work. 

"While it is devastating to tell these stories, as journalists, it is our job to report the truth and also the outcome, which in many cases is hopeful. Vargas was released a few days ago and is fighting his case to stay in this country, which he calls home and where he has lived for more than 30 years."