Category: Local News

Orange Unified Hastily Fires Superintendent in ‘Surprise’ Meeting

The Orange Unified School Board voted 4–3 on Jan. 5 to fire Superintendent Gunn Marie Hansen and Assistant Superintendent Cathleen. The decision passed in closed session of a special board meeting, called just 24 hours prior by President Rick Ledesma, who was re-elected to the board last November. Ledesma along with trustees John Ortega, Angie…


Orange Unified Hastily Fires Superintendent During ‘Surprise’ Meeting

The Orange Unified School Board voted 4–3 on Jan. 5 to fire Superintendent Gunn Marie Hansen and Assistant Superintendent Cathleen. The decision passed in closed session of a special board meeting, called just 24 hours prior by President Rick Ledesma, who was re-elected to the board last November. Ledesma along with trustees John Ortega, Angie…


‘Shockingly High’ Gas Bills Coming to Southern California in January: SoCalGas

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) customers could pay more than double the monthly price for natural gas this month, the company warned. “There’s no easy way to put this: January bills are likely to be shockingly high,” the company said in a statement Dec. 29. Customers will pay about 128 percent higher in January compared…


2 Arrested After Guns, Thousands of Rounds of Ammo Found in Studio City

STUDIO CITY, Calif.—Two men were arrested following a barricade at a residence in Studio City where authorities found items including assault weapons, handguns, and thousands of rounds of ammunition, police said Jan. 5. The standoff began about 2:15 a.m. Wednesday, when police went to the 4000 block of Sunswept Drive to serve a search warrant…


Federal Program Pushes Critical Race Theory Into Orange County Schools: Trustee

An Orange County Board of Education trustee alleges the county superintendent accepted funds from a federal COVID grant last year for a program that espouses critical race theory for its schools. OC Department of Education Superintendent Al Mijares accepted a $507,000 grant to allow the county Health Care Agency to create mental health centers—called WellSpaces—in…


Low Rates of Radon, Lung Cancer in California: 2022 Report

A newly released report by the American Lung Association found California ranked low nationwide for lung cancer cases and radon levels in 2022. The “State of Lung Cancer 2022” report found the state recorded significantly lower lung cancer cases than the U.S. average with 40 lung cancer cases per 100,000 residents. The state ranked third…


Former LA City Controller Galperin Joins Councilman Blumenfield’s Office

LOS ANGELES—Former City Controller Ron Galperin is joining Councilman Bob Blumenfield’s office as a special adviser, Blumenfield announced Jan. 5. Blumenfield was re-elected to his third and final term last year and was appointed chair of the council’s powerful Budget and Finance committee. Galperin, who served as controller from 2013 to 2022, will advise Blumenfield…


Man Found Dead on Vista Roadside

VISTA, Calif.—A man was found dead on the side of the road Jan. 5 in Vista. Shortly after midnight, authorities responded to a radio call of a person down on the road in the 1900 block of West Vista Way, according to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department. When deputies arrived on the scene, a man…


Man Arrested in Death of Homeless Man Found in Burning RV

LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles police Jan. 6 announced the arrest of a man in connection with the death of a homeless man who was found dead inside an RV that was engulfed in flames in the Exposition Park area of Los Angeles. Danny Reece, 46, is set to be arraigned Feb. 1 on a murder charge…


California Judge Temporarily Halts Fast-Food Worker Law

A Sacramento Superior Court judge Dec. 30 temporarily halted a new California fast food worker law—originally taking effect Jan. 1. The temporary restraining order (pdf) was issued after a group of business owners and restaurateurs filed a lawsuit claiming the law would only raise food prices and other expenses for consumers while harming businesses. Assembly…