Los Angeles Times’ “De Los” reported that according to UCLA’s 2025 Hollywood Diversity Report, which looked at the 104 top-performing English-language movies released in 2024, only 1% of leading roles went to Latinos; less than 5% of directors were Latino; and approximately 2% of writers were Latino. Latinos make up nearly 20% of the U.S. population. When it comes to gender, the disparities were even more glaring. There were zero Latina directors and screenwriters in the top theatrical movie releases of 2024. Read and see more about UCLA in The Independent, Men’s Journal and other outlets.

More highlights from UCLA in the News: March 5, 2026

California’s split economy sees growth, but jobs lagging | City News Service

California’s economy continues to outpace the nation in overall growth but remains constrained by sluggish hiring and an unemployment rate that has stayed elevated for nearly two years, a UCLA forecast said Wednesday. The spring 2026 UCLA Anderson Forecast finds that while California has grown faster than the United States for four consecutive quarters, hiring has not kept pace with production, creating what economists described as a structural imbalance in the economy. (UCLA’s Jerry Nickelsburg was quoted. Also: Spectrum News 1 and KCRW-FM.)

Who are the people making millions betting on Iran strikes? | The Independent

Under U.S. law, these platforms are seen as financial instruments rather than gambling products. But the terminology rings alarm bells for Dr. Timothy Fong, an addiction psychiatrist and co-director of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program. “It’s unclear to me whether it is being advertised as gambling or an investment tool,” he says. “The words used: ‘contracts’ and ‘positions’ are investment words, but the experience is closer to gambling.”

Gen Z and Gen Alpha reject hyper-masculine male stereotypes | Men’s Journal

A new study out of UCLA has found what Gen Z and Gen Alpha females are looking for male representation, and it’s not what many people will expect. The study, undertaken by the Center for Scholars & Storytellers (CSS) at UCLA, revealed that young audiences between the ages of 10 and 24 are roundly rejecting stale, stereotypical and outdated portrayals of men as all-knowing, hyper-masculine figures. Instead, Gen Z and Gen Alpha women and girls expressed a desire to see “caring, affectionate dads and vulnerable men” depicted in films and TV shows. (UCLA’s Yalda Uhls was quoted.)

The latest in the Iranian conflict | KNBC-TV

“We don’t really know why we’re there, so we really don’t know what victory will look like,” said UCLA’s James Gelvin (Approx. 1:35 mark. Also: UCLA’s Benjamin Radd was featured by KTTV-TV.)