A row of trimmed trees has become a new flash point in the Hollywood writers' and actors' strike. NBC Universal cut back the trees that had provided shade to picketers outside its Los Angeles site. A Los Angeles official is investigating why NBC Universal trimmed shade-providing trees outside a site being picketed as part of the Hollywood actors' and writers' strike. In an apparent reaction to the furore, LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia, who has strong progressive leanings, tweeted that he would be investigating. "The trimmed trees are LA City managed street trees," he wrote on Tuesday, posting before-and-after images of the trees.

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Persons: he's, Chris Stevens, Kenneth Mejia, Nicholas Slayton Organizations: Hollywood, NBC Universal, Los Angeles, NBC, Writers Guild of America, SAG, LA Times, WGA, LA City, — LA City, Department, Public Works, of Street Services, National Labor Relations Board Locations: Los Angeles, LA, —