USC Campus Remains Closed to Public After Protests; Main Commencement Canceled

The USC campus remained closed to the general public Friday but classes were continuing as scheduled — two days after nearly 100 people were arrested as police cleared an “occupation” by pro-Palestinian protesters, and one day after the school canceled its upcoming “main stage” commencement amid ongoing security concerns. According to the USC Department of […]

Environmental Activists “Die-In” at City Hall, Demanding New Clean Port and Rail Rules

More than 25 climate activists staged a “die-in” on the steps of City Hall Friday, calling on Los Angeles officials to support new clean port and rail rules. Members of the Trade, Health and Environment Impact Project and eight environmental-focused organizations urged Mayor Karen Bass and other elected officials to back the Air Quality Management […]

Pro-Palestine Encampment Continues on UCLA Campus

A pro-Palestinian demonstration was continuing on the campus of UCLA Friday, with about 50 tents dotting an encampment that has added the Westwood university to the list of colleges across the country experiencing camp-outs or other demonstrations over the Israel-Hamas war. The UCLA encampment began forming early Thursday morning outside Royce Hall, and it grew […]

Woman Pleads Guilty in Counterfeit Postage Case

A Los Angeles County woman pleaded guilty Friday to using counterfeit postage to ship millions of parcels in a scheme prosecutors say caused the U.S. Postal Service to lose more than $60 million. Lijuan “Angela” Chen, 51, of Walnut, entered her plea in downtown Los Angeles to federal counts of conspiracy and forging and counterfeiting […]

Accessory Pleads Guilty to Fatal Shooting of 6-Year-Boy on OC Freeway

A woman who was driving during a road-rage confrontation on the Costa Mesa (55) Freeway that ended with her boyfriend firing a shot into another car, killing a 6-year-old boy in a car seat, pleaded guilty Friday to being an accessory to the crime and carrying a concealed weapon in the vehicle. Wynne Lee, 26, […]

4 More LACo Probation Officers on Leave Over Youth Violence at Juvey Hall

Four more Los Angeles County probation officers were placed on leave following an investigation that detected additional cases of “youth-on-youth violence” at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, the Probation Department announced Friday. Eight other officers were placed on leave in January following an incident that was caught on security video from the facility showing […]

LA City Council Seeks to Limit Criminalization of Cannabis Workers

The Los Angeles City Council Friday approved a motion seeking to limit the criminalization of cannabis employees who are unaware they are working at unlicensed commercial or unlawful establishments. Council members voted 10-0 in favor of the matter, which had been introduced by Hugo Soto-Martinez, Eunisses Hernandez and Tim McOsker. With the passage of item, […]

Mayor Karen Bass Picks New Leader for Dept. of Neighborhood Empowerment

Mayor Karen Bass Friday announced Carmen Chang as her nominee to serve as the new general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Neighborhood Empowerment. Following a nationwide search, Bass said Chang will drive a “bold and equity-driven vision” for the department, which oversees the city’s neighborhood council system. She described Chang as an organizer […]

Police Investigate Stabbing On or Near Bus in University Park Area

A man was stabbed on or near a Metro bus Friday in the University Park area. Officers responded to the intersection of Adams Boulevard and Figueroa Way around 12:35 p.m. and discovered a man had sustained an injury after being cut, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Circumstances of the stabbing remained unclear. Video […]

Two Arrested in Death of Man Found at Scene of House Fire

Authorities have arrested two men allegedly involved in the fatal shooting of a man whose body was found at the scene of a residential fire in Long Beach in March. Willie Smith, 54, of Long Beach was found dead by Long Beach Fire Department personnel who were sent to the 5300 block of Pine Avenue […]

Councilwoman Rodriguez Calls for Safety Accountability from Metro

One day after Metro’s Board of Directors had an emotional discussion and took steps to improve public safety across its transit system, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez introduced a motion Friday seeking accountability from the agency. During Friday’s City Council meeting, Rodriguez’s motion asks that the Los Angeles Police Department report to the council’s […]