Residents Eager to Return Home as Palisades, Eaton Fires Containment Increases

Calm weather greeted firefighters for another day Friday on the lines of the Eaton and Palisades blazes that have killed more than two dozen people and flattened thousands of structures, allowing crews to extend containment lines and more residents to return to their homes. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Thursday he understands the […]

Bass Appoints Developer Soboroff to Lead LA Rebuilding Effort

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Friday appointed longtime civic official, businessman and developer Steve Soboroff to lead rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of the devastating wildfire that wiped out the majority of Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas. “Steve Soboroff’s name is attached to hope,” Bass said in naming him the city’s chief recovery officer. “It […]

Eaton Fire Claims 17 Lives

The Eaton Fire that has so far killed 17 people was 65% contained Friday, with authorities continuing to search the rubble for other possible victims in the remnants of the blaze that destroyed thousands of structures in the Altadena and Pasadena areas. “Containment continues to grow, and the fire is expected to stay within its […]

Nine Charged With Various Crimes During Massive Fires

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced Friday that nine more people have been charged with committing crimes in the county during the massive fires, including a man who allegedly told sheriff’s deputies that he was a firefighter while in a mandatory evacuation area in Malibu and six men who are accused of setting […]

Deputy Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Trans Man

A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy pleaded guilty Friday to a federal civil rights charge for assaulting a transgender man who was exercising his First Amendment rights by “flipping off” the lawman. Joseph Benza III, 36, of Corona, who was assigned to the Norwalk Station at the time of the February 2023 incident, was […]

Fanatics, Dodgers, Rams Distribute Merch to Angelenos Impacted by Wildfires

The L.A. area’s 12 professional sports organizations, in conjunction with Fanatics and the Fanatics Foundation, will distribute $3 million worth of merchandise Friday to area residents who were forced out of their homes due to the area wildfires. The distribution events will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dodger Stadium, SoFi Stadium […]

Insurance Commissioner, DA Aim to Prevent, Prosecute Fraudsters Targeting Wildfire Survivors

A new “rapid response” effort to prevent and prosecute insurance fraud targeting wildfire survivors is now operational, it was announced Friday. The partnership described by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman focuses on raising awareness, prosecuting fraud and equipping survivors with tools to navigate recovery safely. “Scammers exploit vulnerable times, […]

DOJ, OCSD Reach Agreement on Jailhouse Informants

Days after reaching agreement with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Department of Justice Friday reached a similar accord with the county Sheriff’s Department related to the use of jailhouse informants, ending an investigation that stemmed from a scandal related to the prosecution of Scott Dekraai, the worst mass killer in county history. […]

Palisades Fire 31% Contained

Aided by cooler temperatures and calm winds, firefighters extended containment of the deadly Palisades Fire to 31% Friday, as some residents were being permitted to return to their homes in select neighborhoods. As of Thursday morning, the fire that erupted Jan. 7 had scorched 23,713 acres, according to Cal Fire. It was 21% contained Wednesday […]

57-Year-Old Man Pleads Guilty to Lying to IRS

A Los Angeles man pleaded guilty Friday to a federal felony charge, admitting he sought more than $65 million from the Internal Revenue Service by falsely claiming that his nonexistent farming business was entitled to COVID-19-related tax credits. Kevin J. Gregory, 57, pleaded guilty in LA federal court to one count of making false claims […]

OC Judge Praises Proposed Settlement in Disney Class Action Suit

An Orange County Superior Court judge Friday praised a proposed $233 million settlement with Disney in a class action suit stemming from a dispute over Anaheim’s minimum wage law and could be on track to sign off on it by the end of next month. Orange County Superior Court Judge William D. Claster is being […]