Utility information · Background guide
Use your utility’s outage information to Explore US Outage Information
Use a national outage-information site as an exploratory starting point, then verify any local report with the electric utility.
A little context goes a long way
The reading library.
Explore sourced reporting and background guides on local resources, housing, food, and community life. Background guides explain general ideas; current availability comes from the service provider.
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Learning and work · Background guide
Write a Follow-Up Message After an Interview
Send a brief thank-you that refers to a specific interview topic and confirms your continued interest in the role.
Local history · Background guide
Compare Oral History Summaries with Written Records
Oral histories and written records preserve different kinds of evidence. Comparing them carefully can show where accounts meet, diverge, or answer different questions.
Food access · Background guide
Compare Fresh, Frozen, and Canned Produce
Fresh, frozen, and canned produce can each fit a meal plan. Compare total cost, storage capacity, preparation time, and how much the household expects to use.
Local history · Background guide
Study the Growth of a Los Angeles Commercial Street
Compare selected city directories and maps to describe documented changes in storefront listings along a Los Angeles street.
Reading public information · Background guide
Spot Missing Context in a Public Summary
Ask who is included, what period is covered, and what the summary leaves unexplained.
Reading public information · Background guide
Explain Uncertainty in a Public Information Summary
Separate what a public source confirms from what remains unknown, then identify the source that could resolve each open question.
Getting around · Background guide
Use a transit timetable to Explore a Sample Transit Schedule
Practice reading a sample schedule by tracing direction, stop order, and timepoints, then confirm real Los Angeles service with its transit provider.
Utility information · Background guide
Understand a Utility Bill's Estimated Reading
Find the meter-reading label on a sample statement, understand what an estimate means, and clarify an unexpected figure with the provider.
Reading public information · Background guide
Compare a Press Release with Its Source Document
Check a press release’s central claims against the report, decision, or data it summarizes.
Local history · Background guide
Study How a Public Park Changed Over Time
Compare maps, planning records, and photographs to identify documented changes in a local park and distinguish them from assumptions.
Local history · Background guide
Explore the History of Public Markets in Los Angeles
Research changing market locations and purposes through dated public records, while distinguishing documented facts from assumptions.
Housing vocabulary · Background guide
Define a Housing Search Packet
A housing search packet is an organized set of information a renter may use when applying for housing, tailored to what a specific property requests.
Learning and work · Background guide
Practice Answering Common Interview Questions
Use brief, truthful examples to explain a task, what you did, and the outcome in an interview.
Household resources · Background guide
Prepare for a Service Appointment at Home
A short appointment note can help you explain the issue, arrange safe access, and remember the questions that matter.
Reading public information · Background guide
Read a Public FAQ Alongside Its Linked Rules
Use a public FAQ to understand the basic process, then consult linked official material when scope, definitions, or eligibility matter.
Utility information · Background guide
Make an Outage Plan for Medical Devices
Document a medical device's power needs and coordinate practical backup planning with the equipment provider and electric utility.
Household resources · Background guide
Prepare a Small Go-Bag for an Unplanned Move
A compact bag with essential records, medication information, clothing, and contacts can reduce last-minute searching during a sudden move.
Housing vocabulary · Background guide
Explain a Lease in Plain English
A lease is a written agreement about renting a home. Readers can use it to identify who is involved, how long the arrangement lasts, what payments are due, and what responsibilities each party has.
Community research · Background guide
Compare Two Neighborhood Maps for Access
Use consistent map features and boundaries to compare walking routes, transit connections, and nearby services.
Community research · Background guide
Compare Service Access by Travel Time
Estimate sample journeys to services using a consistent method and explain the limits of each estimate.
Food access · Background guide
Plan Around a Food Pantry's Posted Schedule
Use a posted schedule as a starting point, verify it, and plan arrival, travel time, and a fallback food option.
Getting around · Background guide
Build a Transit Backup Plan for a Missed Connection
A second route and a clear place to check service changes can make a missed connection easier to handle.
Local history · Background guide
Compare Past and Present Names for a Public Place
Use dated records to track names attached to a public place and avoid assuming why a name changed.