Today: November 21, 2024
Today: November 21, 2024

Latest From Rebekah Ludman

Local|News|Political

Election Results: California voters approve Prop. 36, the anti-crime measure

Proposition 36, a ballot measure addressing crime in California, passed Tuesday night. As of 9 p.m. Tuesday, 70.4% of people in California voted to pass the measure. Prop. 36 will roll back parts of Prop 47, which was passed in 2014. Prop. 47 downgraded some felonies, like drug possession and thefts worth less than $950, to misdemeanors. It was intended to get low-level offenders into rehabilitation programs. However, critics of the proposition said it convinced thieves they wouldn’t face consequences for stealing. Prop. 36 will eliminate the $950 threshold for thefts. If somebody is caught stealing three times, they could

Election Results: California voters approve Prop. 36, the anti-crime measure
News|Local|Political

Election Results: California voters pass Prop. 35 to permanently fund Medi-Cal

Proposition 35, a ballot measure aimed at providing permanent funding for Medi-Cal health care services in California, passed Tuesday night. Prop. 35 will make the existing state tax on health insurance plans permanent, and would use that revenue to fund Medi-Cal services. Currently, the state’s tax is set to expire at the end of 2026.   The short-term state costs are estimated to be roughly between $1 billion and $2 billion annually to increase funding for certain health programs. The long-term costs aren’t known at this time.  Supporters of Prop. 35 said it addresses California’s urgent healthcare crisis by securing dedicated

Election Results: California voters pass Prop. 35 to permanently fund Medi-Cal
News|Local|Political

Elections Results: California voters pass measure to protect same-sex marriage

Voters have passed Proposition 3 – a ballot measure on the constitutional right to marry – in California Tuesday night. Prop. 3 will amend California’s Constitution to reflect existing laws on the right to marry regardless of their sex or race in the state. Since same-sex marriage is already legal in California, Prop. 3 will only change the state’s constitution.  Supporters of Prop. 3 said it protects people’s freedom to marry, regardless of their race or gender in California. They also said Prop. 3 will remove discriminatory language from the California Constitution that states marriage is only between a man

Elections Results: California voters pass measure to protect same-sex marriage
Election|Local|News

Election Results: California voters reject measure to expand rent control

Voters have rejected Proposition 33 – a measure to expand local rent control – in California Tuesday night. This proposition would have given local governments more authority to enact rent control by repealing the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, a state law that limits it. This measure would have given cities more freedom and power to limit how much landlords can raise rent. Prop. 33 would have caused a reduction in local property tax revenues of at least tens of millions of dollars annually. This is due to a likely expansion of rent control in some communities. Supporters of Prop. 33

Election Results: California voters reject measure to expand rent control
News|Election|Local

Election Results: Nathan Hochman beats George Gascón in L.A. District Attorney race

Former federal prosecutor Nathan Hochman has defeated incumbent George Gascón in the race to become the next Los Angeles County District Attorney. Gascón’s progressive policies got him elected into office in 2020, but have since made him the target of critics who accuse him of being too soft on crime. Gascón has denied allegations that his policies have resulted in an increase in crime and insists that statistics show a decrease in many categories. However, Hochman disputed this and said he would ensure people are serving appropriate punishment for their crimes.  “We’ll go back to just two things — the

Election Results: Nathan Hochman beats George Gascón in L.A. District Attorney race
Local|News

Election Results: California voters pass climate bond measure

Voters have passed Proposition 4 – a $10 billion climate bond measure – in California Wednesday morning. This proposition will authorize $10 billion in bonds to pay for wildfire prevention, safe drinking water and protection against the effects of climate change. A minimum of 40% of the funds would be spent to benefit communities that are considered to be the most harmed by climate change.  Supporters of Prop. 4 said it will safe drinking water, wildfire prevention, clean air, and protection of natural resources. They also said California firefighters, conservation groups, clean water advocates are supporting Prop. 4. They also

Election Results: California voters pass climate bond measure
Election|Local|News

Election Results: California voters pass Prop. 2 to build, repair schools

Voters have passed Proposition 2 in California Wednesday night. This proposition will authorize $10 billion in bonds to build or repair K-12 schools and community colleges across the state. It can help fix things like dry rot, mold, malfunctioning electrical systems, gas leaks, and other hazards that exist at hundreds of schools across the state. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, about 38% of California’s K-12 students attend schools that don’t meet the safety standards.  Supporters of Prop. 2 said many schools and community colleges in California are outdated and need to be modernized. They said in order

Election Results: California voters pass Prop. 2 to build, repair schools
News|Local

Mountain Fire grows to 19,643 acres as crews battle the blaze

Fire crews from Los Angeles and Orange counties and across California are working Thursday to battle a wildfire in Ventura County.  The blaze, known as the Mountain Fire, has forced thousands of people from their homes and has left an unknown number of people injured. It has destroyed “numerous” structures as the fierce Santa Ana winds blow through the area.  The fire was first reported Wednesday morning on South Mountain near the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon and Bradley roads in the Somis area, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. As of Thursday, the blaze has since grown to

Mountain Fire grows to 19,643 acres as crews battle the blaze
Local|News

Mountain fire destroys over 100 homes in Ventura County

Fire crews from Los Angeles and Orange counties and across California are working Friday to battle a wildfire in Ventura County after it has destroyed 132 structures. Another 88 structures were damaged. The wildfire, known as the Mountain Fire, has forced thousands of people to evacuate from their homes, amid the Santa Ana winds. According to Cal Fire, the blaze has left five people and one firefighter injured. The fire was first reported Wednesday morning on South Mountain near the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon and Bradley roads in the Somis area, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. It

Mountain fire destroys over 100 homes in Ventura County
Election|Local|News

Election Results: California voters reject measure to end involuntary labor

Voters have rejected Proposition 6 – a measure to end involuntary labor for inmates – in California. This proposition would have amended the California Constitution to remove a provision that lets prisons and jails force inmates to work. It could have potentially increased or decreased state and local costs, depending on how the work for people in state prison and county jail would have changed. According to legislative summaries of prison work, California currently mandates thousands of incarcerated people to work at jobs – like packaging nuts, doing dishes, and making license plates – for less than 74 cents an

Election Results: California voters reject measure to end involuntary labor
Lifestyle|Local

Angelenos across L.A. County celebrate Veterans Day

Veterans Day has been marked in various ways across Los Angeles County on Monday. L.A. Mayor Karen Bass took the opportunity to highlight the city’s progress on confronting the issue of veteran homelessness. “No Angeleno who served our country should sleep on the street,” Bass said. “We have made progress to support our unhoused Veterans by changing policy so that they no longer have to choose between their disability benefits and their housing. Now we must continue this progress by connecting them with available housing in Los Angeles and eliminating red tape in our way.” Pasadena used its celebration to

Angelenos across L.A. County celebrate Veterans Day
Local|News

Mountain Fire reaches 48% containment in Ventura County

Fire crews from Los Angeles and Orange counties and across California continue to work Tuesday to battle a wildfire in Ventura County. The wildfire, known as the Mountain Fire, has forced thousands of people to evacuate from their homes, amid the Santa Ana winds. According to Cal Fire, the fire has left a total of six injuries, 207 structures have been destroyed, and 90 structures have been damaged.  “The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain, with dry and receptive fuels, which have challenged containment efforts. Fire activity moderated due to the decrease in winds over the fire,” Cal Fire

Mountain Fire reaches 48% containment in Ventura County
Environment

3 major wildfires engulf Southern California, forcing mass evacuations

Three major wildfires continue to burn through Southern California as of Monday. There’s the Bridge Fire, Airport Fire, and the Line Fire. Here’s the latest update for all three fires:  Bridge Fire The Bridge Fire in San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties is 71% contained as of Sunday as firefighters continue strengthening containment lines, according to Cal Fire.  The blaze has burned 54,877 acres and is threatening 4,409 structures. So far, the fire has destroyed 81 structures and damaged 17, according to officials.  “Crews on the west flank will focus on constructing indirect line from Rattlesnake Peak north and Mount

3 major wildfires engulf Southern California, forcing mass evacuations
Crime

Mystery surrounds fatal vehicle-pedestrian incident in Long Beach

A male pedestrian was fatally struck by a vehicle in Long Beach and an investigation is underway on Friday. According to a press release from the Long Beach Police Department, officers were called to Pacific Coast Highway and Pasadena Avenue at 11:51 p.m. on Thursday. The Long Beach Fire Department transported the man to a local hospital, where he died, according to police.  “The preliminary investigation revealed a Lexus sedan was driving west on Pacific Coast Highway and collided with a pedestrian crossing south across Pacific Coast Highway outside of a marked crosswalk,” police said.  The driver remained at the

Mystery surrounds fatal vehicle-pedestrian incident in Long Beach
Environment

Plastic bags outlawed again in California as hidden flaw in former ban exposed

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Sunday to ban the distribution of plastic bags at grocery stores. Supporters of the bill said on Monday it will help reduce a major source of waste. Senate Bill 1053, the bill authored by Sen. Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica and Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, goes further than SB 270, which was passed in 2014. SB 270 banned single-use plastic bags, but still allowed stores to distribute “reusable” plastic bags.  However, observers say the thicker plastic bags weren’t actually being reused or recycled. The amount of plastic bags disposed of by residents in

Plastic bags outlawed again in California as hidden flaw in former ban exposed
Environment

Need a greener lawn mower? This rebate program may give you up to $250

Do you live in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, or San Bernardino, including the Coachella Valley, counties? You may be eligible to receive $250 to replace your gas-powered lawn mower and garden equipment in a newly expanded rebate program.  The South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Residential Electric Lawn & Garden Equipment Rebate Program is now expanded to give residents the opportunity to replace gas-powered tools with electric models. Before this expansion, the rebate program only covered lawn mowers.  AQMD officials announced the rebate program now includes leaf blowers, trimmers, and chainsaws for residents in the South Coast Air Basin. Trimmers

Need a greener lawn mower? This rebate program may give you up to $250
Crime

School counselor charged in alleged sex assault; LAPD searches for more victims

The Los Angeles Police Department urged people on Tuesday to contact detectives if they have any information on a former high school guidance counselor, who allegedly sexually assaulted a 16-year-old boy in West Los Angeles. Investigators arrested 37-year-old Julie Tichon, of Los Angeles, on Aug. 29 for a series of sexual assaults of the teen boy between February and March of 2024, according to police. She was booked at the Metropolitan Detention Center on suspicion of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and was subsequently released on her own recognizance, LAPD said in a statement.  “On September 19th, 2024, the

School counselor charged in alleged sex assault; LAPD searches for more victims
Crime

1 person fatally shot, 1 person arrested after Metro bus hijacked in L.A.

One person suspected of hijacking a Metro bus and taking the driver hostage was arrested Wednesday morning and one passenger was fatally shot, the Los Angeles Police Department said. According to LAPD, police began receiving radio calls at 12:45 a.m. related to an incident that happened on a Metro bus in the area of Manchester Avenue and South Figueroa Street. Police said they located the bus stopped at West 117th Street and South Figueroa Street. Police attempted to communicate with the driver upon arrival, but the bus pulled away, according to LAPD. The suspect then allegedly led police on a

1 person fatally shot, 1 person arrested after Metro bus hijacked in L.A.
Local

City Council approves $50K for Safe Parking L.A. program

The Los Angeles City Council approved $50,000 in funding Wednesday to support an RV parking program for unhoused people in the West San Fernando Valley. The funding request made by Councilman Bob Blumenfield, who represents the areas of Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Canoga Park, and Reseda, was unanimously backed by city council members.  The city developed a Safe Parking Pilot Program in 2016 as part of its strategy to address homelessness across L.A. This later became an approach for interim housing. Safe Parking L.A. operates in the San Fernando Valley, Hollywood, downtown L.A., and West L.A. It connects unhoused residents with

City Council approves $50K for Safe Parking L.A. program
Crime

Murder suspect arrested after 9-hour standoff with police in Compton

A 24-year-old man suspected of murder was arrested in Compton Thursday after a nine-hour standoff with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies, according to police. L.A. County deputies were called to the 1400 block of 131st Street at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday in response to reports of an armed murder suspect, who had barricaded himself inside a home, according to the sheriff’s department. The armed man was allegedly identified by LASD homicide investigators as a suspect in the fatal shooting of a man on Jan. 7, 2024. According to LASD, the shooting happened at the 12800 block of San

Murder suspect arrested after 9-hour standoff with police in Compton
Crime

LAPD searches for suspects involved in shooting that left 6 injured

Los Angeles Police Department detectives are searching for suspects Thursday involved in a South Los Angeles shooting that wounded five women and one man. Officers from LAPD’s 77th Street Community Police Station responded to reports of assault with a deadly weapon around 3:10 p.m. on Wednesday, according to a press release from the department. They responded to the call at the intersection of 74th and Figueroa streets, according to police.  Officers found the six victims suffering from gunshot wounds, primarily in the lower extremities, when they arrived at the scene, according to the press release. “At this early stage of

LAPD searches for suspects involved in shooting that left 6 injured
Celebrity

Maggie Smith, beloved actress, dies at 89

Maggie Smith, who won an Academy Award for her role in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” in 1969, died on Friday. She was 89-year-old.

Maggie Smith, beloved actress, dies at 89
News

Ports of L.A., Long Beach see disruptions after lithium battery fire on roadway

Parts of the Port of Los Angeles continue to be inaccessible on Friday after a big rig hauling large lithium batteries overturned and caught fire.

Ports of L.A., Long Beach see disruptions after lithium battery fire on roadway
News

Newsom signs bill to add speed cameras on PCH, nearly 1 year after fatal crash

Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Friday to authorize speed cameras to be installed at five locations along Pacific Coast Highway. The signing of this bill comes as the one-year anniversary of the fatal crash involving four Pepperdine University students nears.  Senate Bill 1297, authored by Sen. Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, and co-authored by Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin, D-Thousand Oaks, is intended to place speed feedback signs, in addition to automated speed cameras on the 21-mile stretch of PCH that will result in speeding drivers being fined.  “SB 1297 is just one additional piece of the puzzle to help save lives

Newsom signs bill to add speed cameras on PCH, nearly 1 year after fatal crash
Crime

Westlake carjacking, burglary ends in arrests of six suspects after police chase

A pharmacy burglary and carjacking led to a police chase on Monday morning that ended at the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge.

Westlake carjacking, burglary ends in arrests of six suspects after police chase

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