Local Leaders Express Dismay at SCOTUS Ruling on Affirmative Action

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling Thursday striking down affirmative action policies for college and university admissions was met with disappointment from Southland leaders, while USC President Carol Folt insisted the decision will not affect the university’s commitment to diversity. The ruling will have a limited effect on California public universities, thanks to previous ballot measures […]

Woman Pleads Not Guilty in Counterfeit Postage Case

A Los Angeles County woman pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal charges alleging the use of counterfeit postage to ship millions of parcels in a scheme that prosecutors say caused the U.S. Postal Service to lose over $150 million. Lijuan “Angela” Chen, 50, of Walnut, is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, possession […]

Homeless Numbers Continue to Climb, Despite Rising Funding

Despite major investments in housing and intervention programs, the number of people experiencing homelessness in the Los Angeles area continues to climb, with results of the most recent count released Thursday showing a 9% year-over-year increase in homelessness in the county, and a 10% jump in the city. According to the results of the point-in-time […]

Barger Introduces Motion to Designate Oak Tree a Historic Landmark

The oak tree in Pico Canyon Park known as Old Glory has a long history tied to environmentalists and preservation — and it gained famed 20 years ago when area activists saved it from being destroyed for a development project in Stevenson Ranch. Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger wants to give Old Glory its […]

Armed Suspect Fatally Shot by Police in Manchester Square Identified

A 45-year-old man fatally shot by police after allegedly firing gunshots near officers conducting a traffic stop in the Manchester Square area was identified Thursday. Michael Edward Meadows died in the shooting that occurred at about 12:50 a.m. Wednesday near Florence and Western avenues, according to the county Medical Examiner’s office and Los Angeles Police […]

Brush Fire Scorches About Two Acres in South San Gabriel Area

A fire scorched about two acres of brush Thursday in the South San Gabriel area, but no one was hurt. Firefighters sent to North San Gabriel Boulevard and Plaza Drive about noon contained the fire by about 1:20 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. No structures were damaged, the fire department reported.

Federal Prosecutors Allege LA County Failed to Comply with Disability Rights

Los Angeles County discriminated against persons with disabilities at vote centers in Pasadena, North Hollywood, Downey and Watts during recent elections, federal prosecutors alleged Thursday in a lawsuit claiming violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The probe into the voting program found that the county, acting through its registrar-recorder, excluded qualified individuals with mobility […]

San Fernando Valley Brothers Convicted in Stolen Refund Check Scheme

Two brothers from Woodland Hills who ran a stolen tax refund check scheme involving hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulently obtained payments are expected to be sentenced in October. Victor A. Ohiri, 55, and Stephen O. Danielson-Ohiri, 54, were found guilty late Wednesday of one count of conspiracy and 10 counts of theft of […]

One Dead in 101 Freeway Crash in Studio City Area

A person was killed in a fiery crash on the eastbound Ventura (101) Freeway Thursday near Studio City. California Highway Patrol officers were called at 3:02 a.m. to the eastbound freeway at Tujunga Avenue where they learned the vehicle struck a construction freeway striper truck and burst into flames, CHP Officer Ramon Kendricks told City […]

Man In Stolen Van Arrested Following Chase from LA to San Diego Counties

A man was taken into custody Thursday after leading authorities on a chase in a stolen van from the south Los Angeles area to the Carlsbad area. The van was stolen about 8:15 a.m. in the 100 block of East Adams Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Some time afterward, authorities in Los […]

Ports of Los Angeles and Nagoya Sign Agreement to Expand Cooperation

Officials from the ports of Los Angeles and Nagoya, Japan, Thursday signed a new agreement to broaden cooperation on key sustainability and operational efficiency initiatives. “Today marks another major milestone in the longstanding partnership between the ports of Los Angeles and Nagoya,” Gene Seroka, Port L.A. CEO, said in a statement. “This agreement is a […]