Laura J.

Laura J. Nelson is a staff writer at the Los Angeles Times, covering politics and campaign finance. Since joining The Times in 2012, she has also covered transportation and worked as an investigative and enterprise reporter. She was part of the team that won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the San Bernardino terrorist attack, and the team that was a 2020 Pulitzer finalist for its coverage of a dive-boat fire that killed 34 people off the coast of Santa Barbara. Nelson grew up in Kansas and graduated from USC. Latest From This Author

Biography:  https://www.latimes.com/people/laura-j-nelson

49%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermines the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
Analysis.OverallConflictOfInterestScore * 0.3F + Analysis.OverallBiasScore * 0.3F + Analysis.DeceptivenessScore * 0.3F + Analysis.ReadabilityScore * 0.1F

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

The Daily's Verdict

This author has a poor reputation for journalistic standards and is not considered a reliable news source.

Bias

85%

Examples:

  • The author has a history of covering politics and campaign finance, but there is no clear pattern of bias in the articles provided.

Conflicts of Interest

0%

Examples:

  • No conflicts of interest were found in the articles provided.

Contradictions

75%

Examples:

  • Another article incorrectly refers to Steve Garvey as a Republican and omits mention of his Democratic endorsements.
  • In one article, contradictory information is presented about the number of automatic delegates or superdelegates in the Democratic National Convention and the power held by California's delegation.

Deceptions

50%

Examples:

  • The author quotes Steve Garvey as saying 'I am not a Democrat', but he ran on the Democratic ticket and was endorsed by several prominent Democrats including Nancy Pelosi.
  • The title of one article implies that the California Senate election primary is a single-candidate race when it's actually just one of many candidates running for the vacant seat.

Recent Articles

California Democrats Discuss Replacing President Biden with Kamala Harris in Upcoming Election

California Democrats Discuss Replacing President Biden with Kamala Harris in Upcoming Election

Broke On: Sunday, 14 July 2024 Californian Democrats, including Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, and Nancy Pelosi, are pivotal in discussions about President Biden's reelection campaign due to potential policy conflicts with a federal Republican administration. As a Democratic stronghold with significant influence in the DNC nomination process, California could impact the selection of the nominee. With growing concerns about Biden's chances of re-election, some delegates have discussed Kamala Harris as a potential replacement.
Mosquito Larvicide Drops: San Diego and Los Angeles Counties Battle Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus

Mosquito Larvicide Drops: San Diego and Los Angeles Counties Battle Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus

Broke On: Monday, 01 April 2024 Mosquito breeding season is in full swing in San Diego and Los Angeles Counties, with potential disease carriers detected. Aerial larvicide drops are underway to reduce mosquito populations and prevent the spread of diseases like West Nile virus. Mosquitoes lay eggs near standing water; personal protection and eliminating standing water around homes are crucial in preventing infestations.
First Detection of West Nile Virus Carrying Mosquitoes in Los Angeles County: Preventative Measures Urged

First Detection of West Nile Virus Carrying Mosquitoes in Los Angeles County: Preventative Measures Urged

Broke On: Saturday, 01 June 2024 Los Angeles County detects first West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes of the year, prompting health officials to urge residents to take preventative measures against mosquito bites and eliminate standing water. The disease, primarily spread by culex mosquitoes, can cause fevers, headaches, body aches, and in rare cases lead to serious brain and spinal cord inflammation. California's record-breaking rainfall could result in increased mosquito populations and West Nile virus cases.
Two Republicans Battle for California's 20th Congressional District: Fong vs. Boudreaux in May 2024 Special Election

Two Republicans Battle for California's 20th Congressional District: Fong vs. Boudreaux in May 2024 Special Election

Broke On: Tuesday, 21 May 2024 In California's 20th Congressional District special election on May 21, 2024, two Republicans, Vince Fong and Mike Boudreaux, compete to replace former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Fong has Trump's endorsement and a significant fundraising advantage while Boudreaux emphasizes public safety experience. Both candidates support tighter border controls, more oil production, water for farmers and are expected to face off again in November's general election, potentially impacting Congress' balance of power and key issues like economic policies, border security, and public safety.
California's U.S. Senate Race: A Battle Between Progressives and Conservatives

California's U.S. Senate Race: A Battle Between Progressives and Conservatives

Broke On: Tuesday, 05 March 2024 In 2024, California held an open seat election for the U.S. Senate between Democrat Adam Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey, who were both prominent figures in their respective parties. Schiff was a longtime congressman and impeachment inquiry leader with endorsements from top Democrats, while Garvey was a former MLB star without any prior political experience. He ran as an outsider against Schiff by attacking him through ads. Porter, another Democrat who campaigned on reforming Washington, came in third place and Lee, a progressive veteran congresswoman from Oakland, finished fourth.