Category: Regional-Local News

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…


Vegas High School Flag Football Player Dies After Collapsing

LAS VEGAS—A high school student-athlete died Thursday after suffering a medical emergency and collapsing during a varsity flag football game at her school, authorities said Friday. The Clark County coroner identified the girl as Ashari Hughes, 16, and reported that a determination of her cause and manner of death was pending. Desert Oasis High School…


San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness Calls For Volunteers

SAN DIEGO—The Regional Task Force on Homelessness put out a call today for more volunteers to participate in the upcoming 2023 Point in Time Count scheduled for Jan. 26. The count is a federally required activity and a “crucial source of information and funding for homelessness across the county,” a statement from the agency reads. “A robust volunteer basis…


Counselor Advises ‘Checking in With Friends and Family,’ Watching for Mental Health Issues After Holidays

Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety can be exacerbated throughout the holidays and can carry over into January, according to an Alabama mental health counselor and clinical director. “I always tell people to begin checking in with friends and family more frequently starting in November until the end of January,” said Malissa Galliher,…