A.M. Brief: Federal Tax Deadline Extended to May 17

Today: Extra time to file your 2020 taxes, rallies against anti-Asian violence, and a firm reopening date for another big theme park. It’s Thursday. This is your news brief. Take it!

Morning News Rundown

If you haven’t done your 2020 taxes, here’s some welcome news: The IRS has moved the April 15 federal filing deadline to May 17. California’s state tax deadline is still April 15, but the Franchise Tax Board gives an automatic six-month extension if you don’t file on time. Estimated quarterly payments are still due on April 15. [CNBC]

In a Wednesday interview with KPCC, L.A. Congresswoman Judy Chu called for an emphasis on community protection and an increase in hate crime programs in the aftermath of the Atlanta shooting that left eight people — six of whom were of Asian descent — dead. A day earlier, Chu blasted former President Trump, saying he had “clearly stoked the flames of xenophobia against AAPIs with his rhetoric.” [LAist]

Community members and local officials gathered in Garden Grove on Wednesday for a vigil to honor the victims of the Atlanta murders, and to demonstrate against the rising trend of anti-Asian violence throughout the country. A separate rally was held earlier in the day at the Los Angeles County Hall of Administration, where county officials also decried the disturbing trend. A recent report by the activist group Stop AAHI Hate has documented over 3,800 racially motivated attacks against Asian-Americans since the pandemic began last March. [CBS Los Angeles]

We now know what led to a massive overbooking of the vaccine mega-site at the Long Beach Convention Center on Monday: human error. A city official told the Long Beach Post that while transitioning to the state-run appointment system, someone input an incorrect number of available doses. [LB Post]

First Disneyland gave us a firm reopening date, and now Magic Mountain has announced its plans. The Valencia theme park will open on April 1 for members and season passholders, and April 3 for the general public. Reservations will be required, and capacity limits and COVID-19 protocols will be in effect. [My Valley Post]