LA Mayor talks free tuition for LAUSD seniors, landmark settlement for residents near LAX

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said this year's L.A. Unified School District graduating seniors will be the first class eligible to attend their first year of community college for free.

Speaking on Eyewitness Newsmakers "Ask the Mayor," Garcetti said tuition will be funded through private donations and through the college district. He hopes the incentive will improve the already improving 75 percent graduation rate.

Garcetti revealed the city and residents living near L.A. International Airport reached a landmark settlement in a 20-year lawsuit stopping modernization at the airport.

Before north runways can be moved, safety measures will be in place. The full City Council needs to sign off.

Garcetti said he's considering the offer from sponsors of a ballot measure blocking mega-developments in L.A. who say they'll drop their initiative if the mayor agrees to ban private meetings between developers and city officials. The mayor said he'd be in favor of disclosing such meetings for transparency.

The mayor talked about his trip to Rio de Janeiro to pitch for the Olympic Games in 2024. His selling point is the big venues will already be built, including the L.A. Rams' new stadium.

Garcetti also commented on the Black Lives Matter petitions demanding that he fire L.A. Police Chief Charlie Beck. The mayor said he supports Beck.

Lastly, he discussed the $2 billion November ballot measure funding homeless housing and improving transportation and roads, and revealed both will require a two-thirds vote.

Eyewitness Newsmakers airs Sunday at 11 a.m. on ABC7.