Controller Mejia Reiterates $225M Needed to Avoid LA Layoffs

City Controller Kenneth Mejia Friday reiterated his warning that Los Angeles needs $225 million to avoid layoffs in Mayor Karen Bass’ proposed budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which aims to close a nearly $1 billion deficit. “It’s about $225 million to stave off layoffs. That is the number that we’re trying to close to, […]

Rebel Wilson Files Countersuit Against ‘The Deb’ Producers Over Alleged Sabotage

As she awaits the outcome of her appeal of a ruling that three producers of a film called “The Deb” that she directed can move forward with their defamation suit against her, Australian film star Rebel Wilson says in new court papers that the trio tried to sabotage the movie after she reported their bad […]

Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Claiming Wildfire Relief

A Los Angeles County woman pleaded guilty Friday to seeking disaster relief funds by falsely claiming that her property was damaged in the Pacific Palisades wildfire, despite having no residence affected by the disaster. Hedeshia Robertson, 36, of Lakewood entered her plea in downtown Los Angeles to one federal count of fraud in connection with […]

LAPD Alerts Hispanic Community of Kidnapping Scam

The Los Angeles Police Department Friday warned members of the Hispanic community about a growing trend in so-called “virtual” kidnapping scams. Scammers contact victims through phone calls, faxes or private messaging apps, claim they’ve kidnapped a loved one and demand payment for their release, according to the LAPD. Tactics include alleging the relative owes a […]

Grand Theft Suspect Fatally Crashes During Pursuit

The high-speed pursuit of a grand theft suspect wanted in Ventura County ended with a horrific crash Friday on the Foothill (210) Freeway in the La Crescenta area, killing the fleeing driver. The California Highway Patrol entered the pursuit at 10:50 a.m. Friday while the chase was eastbound on the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway at […]

Pasadena Officials Confirm Whooping Cough Case at Kidspace

Pasadena officials warned Friday that people who visited the Kidspace Children’s Museum Tuesday should watch for symptoms of whooping cough after an infected resident was confirmed to have been there. The resident was at the museum at 480 N. Arroyo Blvd. between 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., Pasadena spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said. Whooping cough, also […]

Northridge Man Arrested at Scene of Fatal Hit and Run

A Northridge man was arrested Friday in connection with the hit-and-run death of a pedestrian in Canoga Park. The fatal crash occurred at around 1:10 a.m. Friday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The pedestrian was walking across Sherman Way just east of Independence Avenue when he was struck by a Mercedes-Benz that was […]

Sex Abuse Conviction Upheld for LB Teacher

A state appeals court panel Friday upheld a former Long Beach teacher’s conviction on sex-related charges involving three victims, including two former students. The three-justice panel from California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal rejected Mark Anthony Santo’s contention that the trial court should not have allowed testimony about alleged improper touching of two other female […]

LACo Initiates Planning of Depopulating Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

The Los Angeles County Probation Department Friday filed its proposed plan for moving detainees out of the troubled Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall facility in Downey, which state regulators have declared unsuitable to house youth. The plan — intended to reduce the Los Padrinos population by more than 100 persons — outlines a “coordinated approach” to […]

Plane Lands at Palisades Beach Club After Diverted from Santa Monica Airport

An airplane that was diverted from the Santa Monica Airport landed safely Friday at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades. The landing occurred at 12:58 p.m. Friday at the club at 1250 N. Capri Drive, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Lyndsey Lantz. It was unclear where on the course the plane set down. […]

Torrance Authorities Confirm ID of Struck Pedestrian

A pedestrian fatally struck by a vehicle in Torrance was publicly identified Friday. The man was struck shortly after 5:25 a.m. Thursday by a 2013 Jeep driven south on Crenshaw Boulevard near 235th Street, according to the Torrance Police Department. The pedestrian, who was walking “outside of a crosswalk,” was pronounced dead at the scene. […]