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Pasadena police release video of officer shooting inside department parking garage

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 19:13:36 -0700

Pasadena police have released video showing an officer shooting another officer inside the department’s own parking garage after what the chief described as horseplay involving loaded guns.

The shooting happened Sept. 7, 2025, inside the Pasadena Police Department parking garage on Ramona Street, before the night shift had started.

In the video, two officers are seen near the back of an SUV. One officer pulls out his handgun in a quick-draw motion and points it toward another officer sitting behind the wheel of a patrol car. He then puts the gun away.

Seconds later, the camera jolts. Police said the officer inside the patrol car had drawn his own gun while sitting in the driver’s seat. The gun fired through the windshield and struck the other officer in the left shoulder.

The injured officer survived. The video was not released to the public for more than nine months.

California law generally requires law enforcement agencies to release critical incident video within 45 days. Pasadena Police Chief Gene Harris said the delay was necessary while investigators reviewed the case.

"This delay was necessary to protect the integrity of the investigation and allow investigators to complete essential investigative steps," Harris said.

The department said its administrative investigation is now complete and discipline has been issued. The city identified the officer who fired the shot as Roy Alatorre and said he is no longer employed by the city.

"Horseplay and/or failure to adhere to safety rules and standards of professional conduct will not be tolerated," Harris said. "This regretful conduct is not consistent with the expectations and service commitments of this department."

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo called the officers’ conduct "extremely unacceptable behavior" in a phone interview with FOX 11.

Gordo said he supports the way Harris handled the case, including the decision to delay the release of the video while the investigation was underway.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is still reviewing the shooting. Prosecutors have not announced whether any criminal charges will be filed.

Fans celebrate Mexico’s tournament opener win at Casa Mexico in downtown Los Angeles

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 18:47:33 -0700

A sea of green, white and red took over Downtown Los Angeles Thursday for Day 1 of the World Cup.

"Just being out here in the community and watching the World Cup, we all love soccer, and just to be around people who love the sport of soccer," said Nick Navaro.

He brought his family to LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, which has been transformed into "Casa Mexico" for the World Cup.

The Navaros were elated to watch Mexico defeat South Africa and inspire the next generation of athletes.

"It's actually our life. They all play club soccer. We play soccer all day, every day, all week," said Navaro, referring to his kids.

People of all ages brought the passion and the appetite to Casa Mexico, where fans got a taste of victory and traditional Mexican food.

Beyond the food, there was plenty of celebration, both for Mexico and for the chance to see matches that happen only once every four years.

"When else do we have the opportunity to travel to get as close as possible to a game? So it's really exciting this year that it's happening," a fan cheering on Mexico told FOX 11.

Several fans said they plan to return to downtown LA next week when Mexico plays South Korea.

Powerball ticket worth $115,000 sold in California

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 16:12:30 -0700

As the nation awaits the winner of the Powerball lottery jackpot winner, a ticket worth about $115,000 was sold in California.

According to the California Lottery's website on Wednesday night, the aforementioned ticket – worth $115,508 – was purchased by a lotto player within the state.

This comes as a drawing for the then-jackpot of $238 million was held on Wednesday, June 10. The following were the winning numbers for the June 10 drawing, which apparently no one got all six numbers:

12, 31, 38, 60, 66. PB: 14

The drawing for the upcoming $258 million jackpot will be held on Monday, June 15 at 8 p.m. PT.

HOW MUCH DO YOU WIN AFTER TAXES?

There are 258 million reasons to dream, especially what you would do with the jackpot money. However, one thing all lottery winners have to take into account is the fact that their prizes will be taxed.

So how much do you really get after taxes?

It depends on a couple of factors: do you have to pay state taxes where you live? Will you take the lump sum payment or the annuity payout?

According to Mega Millions' website, those electing to take the annuity option get one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments. Powerball follows an identical process for paying out its jackpot winners.

Disneyland-themed license plates one step closer in California

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:57:55 -0700

California drivers are one step closer to putting Disney magic on the road after an overwhelming public response pushed a proposed Disneyland-themed specialty license plate past its first major state milestone.

Backed by a high-profile state collaboration, the initiative has secured tens of thousands of early sign-ups to advance through the DMV review process, paving the way for a program that will ultimately fund pediatric healthcare at more than a dozen children’s hospitals across the state.

The project is a joint effort between the Disneyland Resort, the California Children’s Hospital Association (CCHA), and the California Health Facilities Financing Authority (CHFFA), which is chaired by California State Treasurer Fiona Ma.

To advance through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Special License Plate Program, the initiative needed a minimum of 7,500 preorders.

Public interest has vastly exceeded that goal, with Ma confirming that more than 44,000 people have already signed up.

Once fully approved and produced, sequential plates will cost $50 (with a $40 annual renewal), and personalized plates will cost $103 (with an $83 annual renewal), plus standard vehicle registration and processing fees.

SUGGESTED:

After administrative costs are deducted, the revenue will be deposited into a State Treasury fund administered by CHFFA.

The money will be distributed to 13 eligible California children’s hospitals to support essential, uncompensated healthcare services, clinical education, and family support systems. Participating hospitals include Children's Hospital Los Angeles, MemorialCare Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach, Rady Children's Health Orange County, and UC Irvine Health Children's Hospital.

The final artwork for the license plate has not yet been finalized or released to the public.

The exact timeline for how long the DMV’s formal review process will take is unknown.

Ma noted that the office has received "tremendous interest" for the project.

According to Ma, "This interest list helps us understand how many people are interested in supporting the State Treasurer’s Office, Disneyland® Resort, and California’s children’s hospitals through this program."

Ma further emphasized the impact of the initiative, stating, "This program is being designed in collaboration with our partners to support essential but uncompensated healthcare services and programs, such as certain personnel and clinical education costs as well as patient- and family-centered support services that support children’s care, recovery, and well-being."

Now that the preorder milestone has been reached, the application sits with the DMV for formal review.

Once the design is officially approved, the state will open formal presales.

Drivers who want to showcase their Disney spirit while supporting pediatric medicine can still add their names to the ongoing interest list by visiting the California State Treasurer’s official website.

Ex-Raiders WR Henry Ruggs III denied parole for deadly 2021 DUI crash

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:38:05 -0700

Ex-NFL player Henry Ruggs III was denied parole nearly five years after killing a woman in a car crash in Las Vegas, the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners ruled Thursday.

Ruggs, a former first-round draft pick and Raiders wide receiver, drove his sports car at speeds up to 156 mph in the city on Nov. 2, 2021, slamming into a vehicle that killed driver Tina Tintor and her dog, Max. Tintor was 23.

Prosecutors at the time said his blood-alcohol level taken within the required two hours after the crash was 0.16%. Before the crash, he was at TopGolf, a sports entertainment venue in Las Vegas, according to prosecutors.

Ruggs pleaded guilty in May 2023 to felony DUI causing death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. He was sentenced in August 2023 to a three- to 10-year prison sentence.

Ruggs will go before the parole board again three months before his Aug. 24, 2027, mandatory parole release date, according to Kathi Baker, executive director of the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners.

His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Nithya Raman launches LA mayoral runoff campaign with sharp attack on Mayor Karen Bass

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:02:19 -0700

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman on Wednesday launched her mayoral runoff campaign, framing herself as a vote for change while accusing incumbent Mayor Karen Bass of alienating Angelenos and failing to protect Hollywood jobs.

Raman officially advanced to the mayoral runoff, securing a second-place finish in the primary despite being heavily outpaced in fundraising and key political endorsements.

In her first official press conference of the runoff cycle, Raman heavily criticized Mayor Bass, arguing that two-thirds of primary voters actively cast ballots against the incumbent.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: LA mayor's race: Incumbent Karen Bass to face Nithya Raman in runoff, AP projects

To combat economic issues, Raman pledged to implement new tax credits aimed at retaining film and television industry jobs, noting her husband is a TV writer and accusing Bass of inactivity as Hollywood jobs fled the region.

Raman also promised to maintain LAPD staffing levels—calling it a realistic approach for a department struggling with recruitment—and vowed to completely end street homelessness.

Addressing her political identity, Raman acknowledged her past alignment with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), stating she is not hiding her affiliation but pointing skeptics to her legislative delivery record in her council district.

It remains unclear how voters who backed Spencer Pratt in the primary will swing in the runoff election.

While Raman is trying to win them over by sharing their frustrations, Pratt's ideological base may not naturally align with Raman's progressive platform.

It's also unclear how Raman plans to successfully pass her agenda if elected, given that a majority of her current City Council colleagues—including fellow progressives—chose to endorse Mayor Bass over her.

Raman directly addressed the frustrations driving local voters, specifically referencing the support garnered by her former primary opponent.

"I think Spencer Pratt tapped into very real frustrations that people are facing here in this city. I think they're looking at a city that has failed in some of the most basic functions and is still asking us to trust the city on solving even more complicated things like homelessness, like our affordable housing crisis."

She also questioned the status quo of the local political system.

"Two-thirds of the city's primary voters voted against the Democratic Party's candidate for mayor... And I think when that kind of outcome happens I think we have to ask are we picking the right people through the party system to lead."

The race shifts into a high-stakes head-to-head matchup between Bass and Raman.

Observers will be watching to see if Raman can successfully win over more moderate or conservative voters who voted against Bass in the primary, and whether Mayor Bass alters her campaign strategy to defend her record against an aggressive progressive challenge from her left.

The Source

This report is based directly on on-the-scene broadcast reporting from Fox 11 Los Angeles journalists Christine Devine, Phil Shuman, and studio reporter Christopher Harder. The information was gathered firsthand during Nithya Raman’s live press conference in Los Angeles, capturing verbatim audio statements from the candidate alongside local political analysis of the mayoral race.

101 Freeway in Boyle Heights closed after CHP shoots pedestrian reportedly armed with hammer

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:19:37 -0700

A shooting investigation led to the closure of the 101 Freeway in Boyle Heights Thursday morning.

The California Highway Patrol said they received reports of a pedestrian with a weapon, possibly a hammer, on the northbound side of the 101 Freeway near 4th Street around 7:30 a.m.

Shortly after CHP officers arrived at the scene, an officer-involved shooting occurred.

The pedestrian was taken to an area hospital where he died. No officers were injured in the incident.

The CHP initially shut down the freeway in both directions. The southbound lanes have since reopened while the northbound lanes remain closed.

The name of the pedestrian has not been released.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the shooting is being investigated by the California Department of Justice.

2026 FIFA World Cup: How to avoid traffic at LA Stadium

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:57:06 -0700

Half a million soccer fans are expected to pass through Los Angeles Stadium for the FIFA World Cup over the next month, with major traffic expected in Inglewood and surrounding areas.

The first of 104 matches will be hosted on Thursday, June 11, with matches scheduled through July 10. Officials estimate up to 70,000 fans will attend each game.

Public Transit Options

To help people get around, Metro and regional transit partners are rolling out direct service to every single World Cup match.

Fans can catch nonstop buses from designated pickup locations including:

Union Station
Downtown Long Beach
Harbor Gateway Transit Center
El Monte Station
San Fernando Valley

Service begins three to four hours before kickoff, and return trips operate for up to two hours after the final whistle. The fare is $1.75 each way. Metro says the goal is to help both locals and visitors experience the city while connecting people from around the world to the matches.

Click here for more information.

Parking at LA Stadium

Parking at the stadium is limited, with prices costing fans hundreds of dollars. Officials recommend public transit as the fastest and most affordable option.

Watch Parties at LA County Parks

From Palmdale to Whittier and Sylmar, many local sites are hosting watch parties. These events will feature beer gardens, live DJs, food vendors, and meet-and-greet opportunities. Some events are free, while others require paid admission.

"We've got so many diverse communities here so people can take transit and explore LA just like a local, but to all of the different countries that were represented throughout our neighborhoods in Los Angeles," said Monica Bolden, Metro Deputy Chief of Customer Service. "So to go to the games, to go the fan zones, whether they're official or just the community watch parties, we are going to be the best option to get around LA, avoid traffic, not get stuck in traffic congestion and really enjoy."

5-year-old girl swept away by massive wave in Laguna Beach found dead

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:57:22 -0700

A young girl was found dead after she was swept into the ocean in Laguna Beach.

The young victim, later identified by Orange County Sheriff's Department as 5-year-old Amada Mia Brown, was pulled out to sea by a powerful rogue wave on Tuesday evening during a historic, 9-foot summer south swell that also engulfed her mother and sibling before heroic bystanders rushed into the surf to pull the other two family members to safety.

On Thursday, OCSD confirmed crews found Brown's body.

The incident happened around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday near Treasure Island Beach, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

High surf pounding Southern California beaches created dangerous conditions, producing a wave that swept a mother and her two children off the shoreline and into the ocean.

Witnesses on the scene immediately intervened and successfully rescued the mother and one of the children. However, the second child – later identified as Brown – could not be reached and remains missing.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Search continues for missing girl swept into ocean in Laguna Beach

Crews from the Laguna Beach Marine Safety Department, the Orange County Sheriff's Department Harbor Patrol, and the U.S. Coast Guard spent Wednesday searching coastal and offshore areas using boats, personal watercraft, aircraft, dive teams, and shore-based personnel, but were unable to locate the girl.

The dangerous water conditions are being driven by a high surf event affecting both Orange and Los Angeles counties, with breaking waves reaching heights of up to 9 feet along the coast.

It is also currently unknown if the mother or the rescued sibling sustained injuries during the incident or required hospitalization after being pulled from the surf by bystanders.

"This is one of the most heartbreaking incidents I have witnessed during my time serving this community," Laguna Beach Mayor Mark Orgill said in a statement.

"We came from Arizona so yeah it's really sad and we stayed a little bit on the sand and we're going right now, it's not safe," said Maya Elters who was visiting Laguna Beach on Sunday with her family. "I hope I wish, I pray to God that they find her. I'll send my prayers to her, and I advise everybody, just stay safe, it's not a joke," said Elters.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

"I definitely wouldn't bring your kids to the beach until this calms down," another person in Laguna Beach said Wednesday.

"Search operations initially focus heavily on the last known location of a missing person," according to a statement from the city. "As time passes, particularly during periods of large surf and strong currents, search teams expand outward to areas where conditions may have carried a person beyond the original search zone."

"Marine Safety is expanding the search area beyond the victim's last known location," according to a statement from the city. "Members of the public may notice fewer personnel concentrated directly at Treasure Island Beach. This does not indicate a reduction in search efforts. Rather, it reflects a standard search pattern strategy in which resources are redistributed across a broader geographic area based on prevailing ocean conditions, currents, wave action and drift modeling."

High surf and dangerous rip currents are expected to continue along Southern California beaches Thursday, with forecasters warning beachgoers to exercise caution as large swells persist through Thursday evening.

A High Surf Advisory remains in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday for Los Angeles County beaches and the Malibu coast, where waves of 4 to 7 feet and local sets of 8 to 12 feet were forecast by the National Weather Service.

A Beach Hazards Statement also remains in effect through 5 p.m. Thursday for Orange County beaches, where forecasters predicted surf of 4 to 7 feet.

The weather agency said a high risk of life-threatening rip currents is expected to continue through Thursday, with surf gradually subsiding to 3 to 6 feet later in the day.

Surf conditions are expected to improve Friday, when wave heights are forecast to diminish and the rip current risk is expected to decrease to moderate.

Officials have repeatedly urged the public to exercise extreme caution near the shoreline, warning that "powerful water conditions while near the shoreline" can easily catch beachgoers off guard.

Beachgoers are strongly advised to keep a safe distance from the shoreline and avoid low-lying rock formations or wet sand where rogue waves can hit. Rock jetties and groins can be particularly dangerous during such conditions, with a high risk of being washed into the water, according to the NWS.

Los Angeles County lifeguards advise anyone entering the water "to understand the risks and assess conditions by talking to a lifeguard before getting into the surf."

"There is an increased risk of ocean drowning," the National Weather Service stated. "Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Waves can wash people off beaches and rocks and capsize small boats near shore."

Prosecutors paint Palisades Fire suspect as a premeditated arsonist in opening statements

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:19:05 -0700

Prosecutors in the federal trial of the man accused of sparking last year’s deadly Palisades Fire laid out a narrative for jurors Wednesday of a premeditated arsonist who tried to cover his tracks, while his attorneys offered an alternate story of a man who tried his best to stop the blaze.

Attorneys presented opening statements in the trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht, who has pleaded not guilty to starting what became one of the most destructive wildfires in California history. Whether prosecutors can prove to jurors that Rinderknecht, 29, started a fire in Los Angeles on Jan. 1, 2025, and that it then turned into the Palisades Fire will be at the center of the trial.

Prosecutors say the Jan. 1 fire burned undetected deep in root systems before flaring back up on Jan. 7. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt O’Brien told jurors that security camera footage shows where and when the fire ignited atop a hill, and investigators were able to place Rinderknecht nearby because he called 911 for help 16 times in quick succession on the evening of Jan. 1.

O’Brien said that Rinderknecht was the only person there that evening. He said that after firefighters arrived, Rinderknecht followed them up the hill to take videos of them putting out the blaze. Investigators later seized a barbecue lighter from his car that he admitted to having with him on the trail.

Defense attorney Steve Haney said Rinderknecht was on the hilltop near the fire’s ignition that night, but only to watch the fireworks after dropping off Uber passengers nearby. Haney said multiple witnesses as well as first responders will testify that they heard fireworks in the area around the time the fire ignited.

"When all the evidence is in, there will be one thing missing: proof that Jonathan Rinderknecht started that fire on Jan. 1," Haney told jurors.

The Palisades Fire ultimately killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes as it incinerated hillside neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades and the city of Malibu. Rinderknecht faces at least five years in prison if convicted of charges that also include malicious destruction by means of a fire.

O’Brien, in his opening, painted a picture for the jury of a troubled young man who was lonely and angry at the world after a recent breakup.

"He wanted revenge — revenge against society because he blamed society for all his troubles," he said.

O’Brien also showed jurors a prompt that Rinderknecht had entered into ChatGPT six months earlier. "So on the far left, we’re going to have a burning forest and then you have a bunch of people running away from that," the prompt began.

Haney reminded jurors it didn’t matter if they liked his client or "approve of the way Jonathan uses his computer." He said Rinderknecht’s behavior after the fire, from calling 911 to cooperating with investigators, demonstrated his innocence.

Haney played an audio recording of Rinderknecht’s conversation with a 911 operator during which he reported a fire in the Pacific Palisades.

When federal investigators knocked on Rinderknecht’s door, he didn’t hide or refuse to answer, Haney said. Rinderknecht even agreed to drive back to the Palisades to help investigators pinpoint the start of the fire.

"It’s the voice and actions of a man who was trying to stop the fire," Haney said.

Leading up to the trial, Haney has argued that Rinderknecht is being made as a scapegoat for the Los Angeles Fire Department’s failure to fully extinguish the Jan. 1 blaze.

Judge Anne Hwang has ruled that the defense can’t introduce evidence or arguments about alleged negligence by the Fire Department, saying it was irrelevant and could confuse the jury. Defense attorneys had planned to include testimony from a firefighter that the fire was visibly smoldering when first responders left before it reignited days later.

Prosecutors began presenting their case by calling witnesses with California State Parks and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to establish that the fire affected areas with federal jurisdiction.

They also called Special Agent Michael Montevidoni with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, one of the lead investigators in the case.

Montevidoni spent hours on the stand explaining to jurors how investigators gathered evidence and interviewed more than 100 of Rinderknecht’s friends, family and acquaintances.

Prosecutors also introduced a multitude of digital records into evidence obtained from his phone, email, Uber, OpenAI and various social media accounts.

Montevidoni said he reviewed thousands of conversations between Rinderknecht and ChatGPT, during which Rinderknecht lamented wealth disparity and climate change in the world and his inability to do anything about it.

These conversations led up to early hours of Dec. 31, 2024, during which Rinderknecht sent angry messages to a woman that he had a prior romantic relationship with. At the same time, he vented to ChatGPT, Montevidoni said.

"It was consistently showing anger and frustration," Montevidoni said.

Federal guilty plea renews scrutiny of petition and voter registration activity on Skid Row

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 22:44:22 -0700

A recent federal guilty plea involving illegal voter registration payments has renewed scrutiny over signature-gathering and voter registration efforts on Skid Row, where some residents say they are routinely offered cash, cigarettes or other incentives in exchange for signing petitions and paperwork.

Earlier this week, Brenda Armstrong pleaded guilty in federal court to paying another person to register to vote, a violation of federal law. According to her plea agreement, Armstrong spent nearly two decades working as a paid petition circulator, often on Skid Row.

The case has prompted new questions about whether similar activity may be occurring in one of Los Angeles' largest concentrations of unhoused residents.

Residents interviewed by FOX 11 on Wednesday described seeing people with clipboards regularly approaching individuals on Skid Row to collect signatures for petitions and other documents.

Some said they had never witnessed such activity. Others said it was common.

"They will pay you to fill out the petitions," said Walter Smith, who lives on Skid Row.

"Cigarettes, here you go. Money, here you go," said another resident, Bryon Evans.

Several residents said petition circulators often seek signatures for political measures or campaigns, though many were unsure exactly what they were signing.

"Petitions and stuff like that," one resident said when asked what kinds of documents were involved.

Others alleged that some circulators provided names or information that residents were instructed to use when signing forms.

"They have a name already set for us, and they just want the signature," Evans said.

FOX 11 also spoke with individuals living on the street near Los Angeles City Hall, about a mile from Skid Row, who claimed they had witnessed similar activity.

One person alleged people were offered money after signing documents, while another claimed individuals were sometimes told what name to use on paperwork.

FOX 11 has not independently verified those claims.

The federal investigation comes as questions persist about voter registration addresses connected to homeless service providers in the area.

According to reporting by the California Post, voter registration records show more than 1,100 registered voters listed an address associated with the Midnight Mission on Skid Row.

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk told FOX 11 that individuals experiencing homelessness are legally allowed to register to vote by identifying a location where they regularly stay.

Voting rights advocates have long noted that homeless individuals retain the right to vote and may use shelters, service providers or other locations that meet state requirements for voter registration.

Federal prosecutors have indicated their investigation remains ongoing.

It remains unclear who may be collecting signatures on Skid Row, what specific petitions are involved or whether any additional criminal conduct has occurred.

For some residents, the allegations raise concerns about how vulnerable populations may be targeted.

"I think it’s just stupid," said Jessica. "Most people here on Skid Row have nothing they can actually use. So why would you want their information?"

Possible DUI driver leads police chase across Los Angeles County

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 21:05:28 -0700

The search is on for the suspect who led a 15-minute police chase across Los Angeles County.

SkyFOX was over the scene as the suspect – believed to be wanted for possible DUI – led the Los Angeles Police Department on a chase on Wednesday, June 10.

Over the course of the chase, the suspect drove through parts of Compton, Downey, and then Long Beach before circling back to Compton. After that, the suspect drove through parts of South Los Angeles before SkyFOX eventually lost sight of the suspect car.

Officials did not say if the suspect is linked to other crimes before the Wednesday police chase.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs accused in new lawsuit of sexually assaulting child actor

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:43:36 -0700

A former child actor has filed a lawsuit against Sean "Diddy" Combs, alleging the music mogul sexually assaulted him nearly 20 years ago.

The civil complaint also targets the plaintiff's former talent agencies for failing to protect him.

The plaintiff, identified only as John Doe, filed the complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court.

According to the lawsuit, Doe and Combs met in 2007 at an event in the Hollywood Hills, where Combs allegedly offered to discuss the young actor's career potential.

Instead, the suit alleges that Combs took Doe to a secluded area, plied him with alcohol, and inappropriately touched him before engaging in lewd conduct over the plaintiff's objections.

The lawsuit states that Combs then told the young actor he would "see where they would go from there for the role he had in mind" and left.

SUGGESTED:

In addition to Combs, the lawsuit names Lang Talent, its founder Diedre Lang, and the Amsel, Eisenstadt, Frazier & Hinojosa Talent Agency as defendants.

The suit alleges that these agents were aware of Combs' allegedly "sexually deviant propensities" and negligently failed to keep the plaintiff away from him.

Combs, 56, is currently serving a 50-month sentence in federal prison for prostitution charges.

Representatives for Combs have strictly denied the allegations.

A spokesperson for the musician called the plaintiff's actions "false and ridiculous."

The lawsuit does not publicly disclose the exact age of the plaintiff at the time of the alleged 2007 incident, specifying only that he was a child actor.

It's unclear how the defendant's talent agencies will formally respond to the negligence allegations in court, as they have not yet issued public statements.

LA28 Olympic ticket drop 2 deadlines announced

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:09:14 -0700

The LA28 Olympic Games organizing committee has officially announced the timeline and dates for its upcoming "Drop 2" ticket draw.

In celebration of Visa's 40-year partnership with the Olympic Games, organizers are introducing a special early-access "Visa Presale" window for qualifying cardholders who update their profiles before late July.

Registered applicants for the LA28 Olympic Ticket Draw are automatically included in the general Drop 2 pool, but qualifying Visa cardholders have an opportunity to secure an early ticket-purchasing time slot.

To enter this presale draw, users must log into their LA28 ID account at tickets.LA28.org, update their profile, select the checkbox confirming they are a qualifying Visa cardholder, and click "Save Profile & Submit Registration."

Those who secure a Visa Presale time slot will be ineligible for a subsequent Drop 2 time slot.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

On the other hand, anyone who does not receive a presale slot will automatically roll over into the standard Drop 2 draw.

Notifications for the presale will only be sent to those who successfully win a time slot.

The announcement does not specify the exact criteria required to be considered a "qualifying" Visa cardholder beyond checking the confirmation box.

The organizers have not disclosed the exact volume of tickets up for grabs in this wave, nor which specific sports or high-demand sessions will be available during these specific dates.

The ticketing process will move through several critical milestones over the summer of 2026:

July 22: The deadline for fans to log in and opt in to the Visa Presale Draw.
July 27: Notification date for fans who secured a Visa Presale time slot.
July 29–31: The active purchase window for the Visa Presale time slots.
August 6–7: Notification date for the standard Drop 2 Draw results (for those who did not participate in or receive a presale slot).
August 10–20: The active purchase window for standard Drop 2 time slots.

Fans who wish to participate must take action on their ticketing accounts over the next few weeks.

For those who do not receive a notification on July 27, the next major update will arrive on August 6–7 regarding the standard Drop 2 results.

If you are already registered for the LA28 Olympic Ticket Draw and hold a Visa card, you can follow these steps to secure early access:

Log in to your LA28 ID account at tickets.LA28.org.
Update your profile page.
Confirm you are a qualifying cardholder by selecting the designated Visa checkbox.
Click "Save Profile & Submit Registration" to finalize your entry before the July 22 deadline.
Sign up for the official LA28 newsletter to receive further operational updates about the ticket purchase process.

Rebecca Grossman, Scott Erickson ordered to pay $22M+ in punitive damages over Iskander boys' deaths

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:54:19 -0700

A jury has ordered socialite Rebecca Grossman to pay $21 million in punitive damages and former Dodger pitcher Scott Erickson to pay $1.17 million in punitive damages to the family of two boys who were fatally struck by Grossman's car on a Westlake Village street in September 2020.

This verdict brings the total damages awarded to the family to more than $198 million.

The punitive damages verdict follows a major decision last week in which the same jury ordered the pair to pay $176 million in compensatory damages to the victims' parents, Nancy and Karim Iskander, and their surviving son, Zachary.

Because the panel found that both Grossman and Erickson acted with malice, the trial moved into this secondary phase to determine punitive financial penalties.

During closing arguments Tuesday, an attorney for the family had urged jurors to assess $20 million against Grossman and $1 million against Erickson—amounts the jury ultimately exceeded.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

The civil lawsuit, originally filed in January 2021, contends that Grossman and Erickson had cocktails on September 29, 2020, and later engaged in a speed contest along Triunfo Canyon Road.

Mark Iskander, 11, and Jacob Iskander, 8, were struck at about 80 mph in a 45 mph zone by Grossman as they were in a crosswalk.

Grossman's husband, Dr. Peter Grossman, is also a defendant in the civil suit because he owned the car his wife was driving.

Rebecca Grossman is currently serving a sentence of 15 years to life in prison.

She was found guilty on February 23, 2024, of two counts each of second-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and one count of hit-and-run driving.

A panel of the Second District Court of Appeal upheld the criminal case conviction in March.

During the punitive phase, the legal teams presented drastically different pictures of the defendants and what constituted a fair punishment.

"Their lives will never be the same," Iskander attorney Brian Panish said in his closing argument. "He (Erickson) and Rebecca Grossman deserve each other because they're both the same kind of person."

Attorneys for Grossman and Erickson argued that their clients were not impaired and were not racing at the time of the accident.

Grossman attorney Esther Holm told jurors that a "message has been sent" already to Grossman with last week's $176 million compensatory damages verdict.

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"You don't have to award punitive damages," Holm said, adding that the boys' deaths were the result of "an unintended accident."

In court papers, the Iskander attorneys contended that the 62-year-old Grossman tried to flee the scene and likely would have succeeded had her vehicle not automatically shut down due to it sensing the massive impact that had just occurred.

Legal documents further state that the Grossman Burn Foundation co-founder then lied to law enforcement about her speed and how much she had to drink, pretending she did not know why her airbag deployed despite sustaining massive front-end damage. Grossman and Erickson have blamed each other for hitting the boys.

With both the compensatory and punitive phases now concluded, the trial court will enter the final judgments against Grossman, Erickson, and Peter Grossman.

While the civil trial has reached its conclusion, the defendants retain the right to appeal the massive financial awards in the civil court system.

Los Angeles High School placed on lockdown after road rage suspect enters campus

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:41:59 -0700

A road rage altercation spilled onto the campus of Los Angeles High School on Wednesday morning, forcing the Mid-Wilshire campus into an immediate lockdown.

Police have detained three teenagers, though a search continues for the firearm used in the initial dispute.

The incident began around 8:30 a.m. when a woman contacted the Los Angeles Police Department to report that a boy had threatened her with a gun during a road rage altercation.

The victim followed the suspect to the Los Angeles High School campus and witnessed him entering the school grounds.

School officials immediately alerted the Los Angeles School Police Department (LASPD), and officers quickly took the suspect into custody.

Two other teens—believed to be friends of the suspect—were also detained. SKYFOX aerial footage captured the heavy police presence surrounding the school later that morning.

It remains unclear if the primary suspect is an active student at Los Angeles High School or how the other two teens are involved.

Authorities have not yet specified what led to the initial road rage dispute or what exact charges the students will face.

According to a statement from the Los Angeles Unified School District, "a search for weapons was being conducted on the campus" to ensure the safety of students and staff.

The school campus will remain under a security sweep until law enforcement can confirm no weapons are on the property.

Investigators are continuing to question the three detained juveniles to determine the whereabouts of the firearm and establish the relationship between the students and the suspect.

FBI, EPA raid Garden Grove GKN Aerospace plant following hazardous chemical crisis

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:16:14 -0700

Federal authorities executed a sweeping search warrant at the GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove on Wednesday morning.

Led by the FBI and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, investigators are searching the multi-building complex to seize extensive records following a major hazardous materials crisis over Memorial Day weekend that forced tens of thousands of residents from their homes.

The warrant, signed by a juge on June 4, authorized federal officers to search the facility at 12122 Western Avenue, specifically targeting the "Main Building," "Bldg 2," "the Grey Building," surrounding parking areas, driveways, and chemical storage tanks.

Investigators are seeking evidence, contraband, fruits, or instrumentalities of violations concerning Title 42, United States Code, Section 7412(r), which mandates a "general duty to prevent accidental release of extremely hazardous substance into the ambient air." The primary focus centers heavily on "methyl methacrylate and/or any hazardous substance."

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Authorized items for seizure include chemical samples, employee training logs, internal safety complaints, company communications, and documents concerning storage tanks, cooling equipment, and temperature regulation devices.

The search team has been granted permission to conduct digital device reviews either on-site or off-site at a law enforcement laboratory within one year.

The underlying affidavit detailing the explicit probable cause remains under seal, meaning the exact tips or internal evidence that triggered this criminal investigation are currently unknown.

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Additionally, the court documents do not list any specific individuals currently facing potential criminal charges.

May 21: A valve failure in the plant's refrigeration system causes a 34,000-gallon storage tank containing 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate (MMA) to rapidly overheat, triggering a "thermal runaway" that causes the tank to bulge.

Memorial Day Weekend: Governor Gavin Newsom declares a state of emergency, forcing a mandatory evacuation of more than 50,000 residents across a nine-square-mile zone in Garden Grove and Stanton. The risk of explosion is ultimately negated when a crack in the tank relieves internal pressure. Evacuation orders are lifted by late May.

June 4: U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie S. Christensen signs the federal search warrant. Concurrently, a planned local operation to drain nearby chemical tanks is indefinitely postponed.

June 9: Hundreds of residents pack a Garden Grove City Council meeting to confront GKN officials about the emergency and community relief efforts.

Wednesday Morning (June 10): FBI and EPA agents raid the GKN Aerospace facility.

The federal search warrant follows a major hazardous materials crisis that began on May 21 when a valve failure in the refrigeration system at the plant caused a 34,000-gallon storage tank containing 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate to rapidly overheat.

The resulting "thermal runaway" triggered intense chemical pressure that caused the tank to bulge, prompting Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency and force the mandatory evacuation of more than 50,000 residents across a nine-square-mile zone over the Memorial Day holiday weekend due to the imminent threat of a catastrophic explosion.

While disaster was narrowly averted when the tank cracked just enough to vent pressure and cool down—allowing evacuation orders to be lifted by late May—the community's relief has been short-lived.

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A highly anticipated cleanup effort by the Orange County Health Care Agency to safely drain and remove the neutralized chemical from the damaged facility, originally scheduled to begin on June 4, has been abruptly postponed and delayed indefinitely due to an unexpected unavailability of critical specialized resources.

During a packed Garden Grove City Council meeting, residents voiced frustrations over the evacuation and financial strain.

GKN Aerospace recently announced it had donated $3 million to the United Way's OC Community Resilience Fund and committed another $1 million for "broader community initiatives" across the county, adding to an initial $1 million donation to the Red Cross during the evacuations.

However, local officials argue the financial response falls short.

"While this $3 million will help some folks... it is not a refund or reimbursement," said Councilwoman Ariana Arestegui.

Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman Doug Chaffee expressed disappointment that the company did not establish a formal claims procedure for residents to access. Calling the $3 million a "drop in the bucket."

"I feel they're remiss in not doing that because now they're facing the litigation, which is more expensive. They could get all of the minor claims out of the way," said Chaffee.

The federal government’s digital forensics teams will spend the coming months analyzing electronic records seized from the facility.

Locally, authorities are waiting to resume the postponed cleanup operation to pump MMA out of two undamaged storage tanks adjacent to the broken one.

According to Orange County Health Care Agency spokeswoman Salma Elshakre, the operation was stalled due to a delay in the delivery of sealed trucks needed for the job.

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Once those specialized resources arrive, workers will transfer the chemicals to the sealed trucks for off-site disposal.

Officials noted that nearby residents might notice a "distinctive fruity or plastic-like odor" when the pumping begins, but air monitoring will continue around the plant to ensure public safety guidelines are strictly maintained.

Search continues for missing girl swept into ocean in Laguna Beach

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 08:44:34 -0700

A massive multi-agency search expanded on Wednesday for a young girl who was swept into the ocean in Laguna Beach on Tuesday evening.

The disappearance coincides with a historic summer south swell slamming Southern California's coast, driving some of the largest and most dangerous waves seen in years.

The incident happened around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday near Treasure Island Beach, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

High surf pounding Southern California beaches created dangerous conditions, producing a wave that swept a mother and her two children off the shoreline and into the ocean.

Witnesses on the scene immediately intervened and successfully rescued the mother and one of the children. However, the second child, described as an adolescent girl, could not be reached and remains missing.

The emergency response and ongoing search operations are being coordinated by several regional agencies, including the Laguna Beach Marine Safety Department, the Harbor Patrol of the Orange County Sheriff's Department, and the United States Coast Guard.

The dangerous water conditions are being driven by a high surf event affecting both Orange and Los Angeles counties, with breaking waves reaching heights of up to 9 feet along the coast.

The identity and exact age of the missing girl have not yet been publicly released by authorities.

It is also currently unknown if the mother or the rescued sibling sustained injuries during the incident or required hospitalization after being pulled from the surf by bystanders.

"I hope I wish, I pray to God that they find her. I'll send my prayers to her, and I advise everybody, just stay safe, it's not a joke," said Elters.

"I definitely wouldn't bring your kids to the beach until this calms down," another person in Laguna Beach said Wednesday.

The National Weather Service and local public safety agencies have issued high surf warnings for regional beaches. Officials have repeatedly urged the public to exercise extreme caution near the shoreline, warning that "powerful water conditions while near the shoreline" can easily catch beachgoers off guard.

"Search operations initially focus heavily on the last known location of a missing person," the city statement continued. "As time passes, particularly during periods of large surf and strong currents, search teams expand outward to areas where conditions may have carried a person beyond the original search zone. This process requires personnel, vessels, aircraft and other resources to be deployed along additional sections of the coastline and offshore areas."

Rescuers have been adapting their search strategy as ocean conditions continue to change, according to a city spokeswoman.

Beachgoers are strongly advised to keep a safe distance from the shoreline and avoid low-lying rock formations or wet sand where rogue waves can hit.

Given that the high surf is not expected to subside until Thursday afternoon or evening, local authorities urge the public to obey all posted warning signs and stay out of the water in areas with heavy shore breaks.

Los Angeles County lifeguards advise anyone entering the water "to understand the risks and assess conditions by talking to a lifeguard before getting into the surf.

Rock jetties and groins can be particularly dangerous during such conditions, with a high risk of being washed into the water, according to the NWS.

Search teams will continue utilizing vessels, aircraft, and personnel to scan expanded sections of the coastline and offshore areas based on current and drift modeling.

Local authorities will keep monitoring the dangerous beach conditions, as waves exceeding 9 feet are expected to persist before subsiding later this week.

Massive summer swell brings 20-foot waves to Newport Beach's famous Wedge, prompting warnings

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:35:04 -0700

A massive summer swell has descended upon Southern California, bringing the largest waves seen in years to south-facing beaches and drawing crowds of spectators and elite surfers to the coast.

One of the largest south swells in years began slamming the coast on Tuesday, generating waves between 10 and 15 feet with maximum sets reaching up to 20 feet at The Wedge in Newport Beach.

The explosive surf conditions are caused by a unique geographic feature at The Wedge, where incoming swells hit the harbor jetty, bounce off the rocks, and collide with incoming waves to combine their energy.

The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazard statement in effect through Thursday evening.

In Orange County, surf is forecasted to reach seven feet with sets pushing up to nine feet on south-facing beaches.

In Los Angeles County, waves are projected to reach up to 10 feet, which has prompted officials to close the Malibu Pier until further notice.

The intense conditions have drawn close to 1,000 spectators to the sand at Newport Beach, as well as experienced surfers and bodyboarders from as far away as Hawaii.

Local lifeguards are present on the beach to monitor the dangerous conditions, which feature powerful shore breaks and strong rip currents. The immense force of the water has already broken equipment, including at least one surfer's board that was split cleanly in half.

While the hazardous conditions have already caused property damage to some surfboards, officials have not confirmed whether there have been any water-related injuries or emergency rescues.

It's unknown exactly when the Malibu Pier will reopen to the public.

Surfers and onlookers alike have expressed awe at the sheer size of the summer swell.

"It's bombing! The biggest I've seen at the Wedge. I got a couple of sick ones, want to get a couple more. It was super fun," said surfer Nico.

"It takes a lot of hard work, I don't know. It's pretty scary out there. There's some bombs coming through," said surfer Tyler.

Yeah, I'm from Huntington Beach and these waves are super big and fun, looks super exciting and looks really fun out there. Awesome," said an onlooker.

"They're the biggest ones we've ever seen in person. And there's crazy people out there, like body surfing," another shared.

"There's some big waves. The boys that are out there are brave, and they're not boys. If they're out there, they're men. This is some serious stuff. We got the biggest surf I've seen here in probably five years," a local father said.

"Huge waves, biggest I've ever seen in the last like five years at least. I've seen big waves out here with nothing like this," his son shared.

"You feel the energy when you're in the water and everyone's excited, everyone's talking about their waves and there's some guys sitting further out, there's guys sitting on the inside," another surfer shared.

The beach hazard statement will remain active through Thursday afternoon and evening across Orange County and Los Angeles County beaches.

Lifeguards will continue to patrol the coastlines throughout the day to manage the large crowds and ensure safety as the peak of the swell passes through.

Local lifeguards are strongly urging members of the public to enjoy the spectacular view from the safety of the dry sand and to "leave it to the professionals."

Inexperienced swimmers, beachgoers, and casual surfers should stay completely out of the water due to the elevated risk of drowning, severe shore breaks, and unpredictable rip currents.

Visitors in Los Angeles County should avoid the Malibu Pier area entirely until officials deem it safe to reopen.

SoFi Stadium workers ratify contract to avert World Cup strike

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 06:33:24 -0700

SoFi Stadium ratified their tentative contract with food service operator Legends Global. The yes vote helped avert a strike just two days before the venue hosts its first FIFA World Cup match.

The proposed deal between Unite Here Local 11 and stadium food service operator Legends Global was reached Tuesday, less than a week after union members voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike amid stalled negotiations.

The now-ratified contract delivers a 40% pay increase for concession stand attendants and premium pay for World Cup matches and other mega-events.

According to union leadership, the agreement will make SoFi Stadium concessions workers the highest-paid at any NFL venue, with most workers earning more than $40 per hour.

The deal also includes contributions to a housing fund intended to help create affordable housing for hospitality workers.

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Crucially, the contract features language allowing workers to walk off the job if the union determines the presence of federal agents, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), creates a "reasonable apprehension of harm to the safety and security of workers."

It also establishes provisions governing future accreditation processes for major sporting events, ensuring workers will not be required to provide sensitive personal information for upcoming events like the Super Bowl or Olympic Games, and protects workers from retaliation if they refuse to provide such data.

While the agreement secures protections for future mega-events, it remains unclear how these new rules will immediately impact workers during the current FIFA World Cup.

Because FIFA’s mandatory background checks are already underway, it is unknown whether any current workers will face employment disruptions or if the union's previous legal complaints will successfully alter FIFA's data-sharing practices before Friday's opening match.

"We are proud to say that we won every major issue we brought to the table. And even more, we preserved the right to strike over safety," Unite Here Local 11 celebrated in a post on X.

Unite Here Local 11 Co-President Kurt Petersen told reporters that the agreement sets a new standard for stadium workers, ensuring they cannot be retaliated against or denied work if they refuse to hand over sensitive personal data for future mega-events.

"We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Unite Here Local 11 and look forward to delivering an outstanding hospitality experience for fans at the FIFA World Cup matches," Legends Global said in an official statement.

"We have been very clear, we want ICE out of the World Cup and for them to play no role during the games," said Yolanda Fierro, a suites runner at SoFi Stadium. "We are seriously concerned that FIFA will hand over our most sensitive personal information and waive our rights under California law... Los Angeles should be a city of welcome — not fear."

Attention will then shift to Friday’s opening match between the United States and Paraguay, as well as the ongoing scrutiny by advocacy groups regarding how federal agencies handle worker data collected during the accreditation phase.

EL CAPITXN on solo debut, losing his voice, producing for K-pop's biggest artists

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 01:32:28 -0700

After years of helping shape the sound of K-pop behind the scenes, EL CAPITXN is opening up to tell his own story.

The producer-turned-artist recently released his debut solo single, "Breaking Through," featuring TOMORROW X TOGETHER's Taehyun and singer-songwriter Jeremy Zucker. The deep personal track reflects on his journey through loss, identity, and self-discovery.

"There is a message of wanting to break through the wall," EL CAPITXN said. "It stems from survival and what I had to do in order to break through here. I think the song could be the beginning of chapter two for myself."

For EL CAPITXN, whose real name is Jang Yi-jeong, understanding the meaning behind "Breaking Through" means understanding the journey that led to it. Before becoming a producer, he was known as the main vocalist of the K-pop group HISTORY. But after unexpectedly losing his voice, he found himself questioning everything.

"I felt like I lost my purpose," he said. "I felt like I really lost my reason to live."

The experience affected far more than his career.

"Once the reason I wanted to live went away, I changed so much as a person. My identity changed so much. I really started to despise people. I even started to despise myself. There were so many experiences that accumulated during that process."

He said those feelings continue to affect him today.

"I still live in that. I don't love seeing myself like this. Sometimes I think maybe I do want to find joy in other people and find happiness being around others. But right now, I still feel tortured by all of these things."

After losing his voice, EL CAPITXN transitioned into producing, spending the last couple of years helping other artists bring their stories to life. While the work brought him success, it also forced him to adjust to a completely different role in the music industry.

"Producing for other people, it's really completely flipped. You're no longer the main character," EL CAPITXN explained. "Now I'm in the supporting crew member role for other artists."

Even though that experience gave him a deeper appreciation for the people working behind the scenes to help artists succeed, EL CAPITXN admitted he still wanted to be in the spotlight. That desire ultimately became the foundation of "Breaking Through."

"When you listen to 'Breaking Through' really casually, I think it could feel really peaceful," he said. "However, for me, there's a darker meaning behind it. It alludes to the walls that I was put up against."

One lyric, in particular, stands out to him.

"There's a part where it repeats 'only you.' I know some may consider it common or cliché. But that's why it's more important. Those words, 'only you,' are what kept me going. It is what gave me the power to break through."

The single is also the first glimpse into a larger story EL CAPITXN plans to tell through his upcoming album later this year.

"I think it'll be viewed as something quite different [from] the producer EL CAPITXN – folks are used to and have seen," he said. "I really shoved and pushed a lot of myself and a lot of my life into this. It will have dark moments. It can even be a bit dangerous. But I don't plan on avoiding any of those things. I really want to put everything into this."

Despite stepping into the spotlight once again, EL CAPITXN says he's still in the process of figuring out exactly who he is as an artist.

"I'm in the process of that right now," he said. "It feels like I'm searching for something really deep in the blue ocean, but I don't know quite what I'm looking for."

Earlier this year, EL CAPITXN completed his first U.S. tour, "WHO KILLED EL?," blending live performances, DJing, and storytelling as he introduced fans to this new chapter of his career. He recently signed with U.S.based independent label Empire and is set to continue establishing himself as a solo artist with upcoming tour stops in Latin America.

As EL CAPITXN continues searching for his identity as an artist, he hopes listeners understand "Breaking Through" is the story of finding a way forward after losing the thing that once defined him.

"I want them to know and recognize that I was at the brink of death and I clawed my way out," he said.

New video raises questions about Southern California Edison’s role in deadly Eaton Fire

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 22:49:10 -0700

New surveillance video is putting fresh pressure on Southern California Edison as victims and insurers push to hold the utility financially responsible for the deadly Eaton Fire.

The fire, which broke out Jan. 7, 2025, killed 19 people and destroyed about 9,000 structures.

Attorneys for victims say video from the Gerrish Swim and Tennis Club in Pasadena shows two bright flashes, described as electrical arcing, near the base of a Southern California Edison transmission tower at 6:11 p.m. that night.

At that same moment, according to attorneys, Edison’s own records showed two electrical faults on a separate line more than 5 miles away. Seconds later, cellphone video from people nearby showed flames at the base of the same tower.

"Southern California Edison is responsible for starting a fire that killed 19 people and burned down 9,000 structures," said Paul Starita, an attorney for the Gerrish Swim and Tennis Club. "It is clearly their responsibility, and they need to make it right."

The tower held a transmission line that Edison had not used since 1971, according to attorneys for the victims. They argue that the line should have been removed.

Their theory is that electricity from active power lines jumped to the idle line through induction. Edison has said that is possible, but the company has not accepted responsibility for starting the fire.

"Right now, something that we’ve said publicly is that there is a possibility that our footprint was involved in the start of the fire," said Kathleen Dunleavy, a Southern California Edison spokesperson.

Dunleavy told FOX 11 that the utility’s internal investigation is still underway, and the video is one piece of a larger review.

"As with all evidence in an ongoing investigation, these things are part of the broader analysis," Dunleavy said. "Southern California Edison takes these matters very seriously."

Insurers are now asking a judge to hold Edison financially liable before the case goes to trial. Starita said the victims are still waiting for answers and relief.

"They want to be made whole," Starita said. "The civil justice system is a poor substitute. We do our best. We represent our clients. We try to restore them. We meet them on the worst day of their lives. And they just want to get on with their lives."

Starita said delaying the case only adds to what victims have already endured.

"The more that you drag this out, the more that it just adds insult to their injury," he said.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is also reviewing whether Edison could face criminal exposure tied to the fire. No criminal charges have been filed.

The company has placed more than $650 million in settlement offers on the table, according to attorneys, but those offers would require victims to give up their right to sue. Attorneys say most victims have not accepted the offer.

A hearing is set for Aug. 11. The civil case involving insurers is currently scheduled to go to trial in January 2027 unless a judge rules on liability before then.

Dangerously high surf, strong rip currents hit Southern California coast

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:03:10 -0700

Deadly conditions in the Pacific Ocean along the Southern California coast will be present through the week.

The National Weather Service has issued a Beach Hazards Statement that is in effect through Thursday evening.

Tuesday, waves as high as 8 to 12 feet were seen at The Wedge in Newport Beach.

Los Angeles County beaches saw waves as high as 7 feet.

Extra lifeguards were called in to help patrol beaches. People were warned to stay out of the water.

Still, experienced surfers could not resist hitting the waves.

"It's coming in big, and it's exploding on the beach like The Wedge does, but it's a spectacle. There's people everywhere. There's cars everywhere," Andre Botha said.

Botha has been a professional surfer for decades. He flew in from Hawaii ahead of the massive swell that is causing the high surf.

"You can feel the energy when you're in the water, and everyone's excited. Everyone's talking about the waves, and some guys are sitting farther out. There are some guys sitting on the inside," Botha said.

Hundreds of people gathered along the shore in Newport to watch the huge waves. Most heeded the warning from officials to stay out of the water.

Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton advance in race for California governor; Both will face off in Nov. election

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:55:19 -0700

Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton have both advanced to the November 2026 general election in the race for California Governor.

This comes as the Associated Press projected Hilton to finish second and take the second and final spot in the Nov. 2026 ballot. Becerra was projected to advance on June 5.

Tom Steyer was eliminated in the Nov. ballot after finishing third in the race.

Becerra, the former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and former California Attorney General, emerged from a crowded Democratic field to secure a place in the general election.

Hilton, a political commentator and former FOX News host, became the lone Republican to advance through California's top-two primary system.

The matchup sets up a Democrat-versus-Republican contest in November as voters choose a successor to term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Police chase ends in shootout in Boyle Heights; Officer shot in chest

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:03:05 -0700

A man is in handcuffs, but not before leading a dramatic police chase that ended in a shootout near Boyle Heights.

SkyFOX was over the scene as the suspect led the Los Angeles Police Department on a chase on Tuesday, June 9.

Over the course of the chase, the suspect drove through parts of South Los Angeles before crashing the pickup truck near Boyle Heights.

The suspect ditched the Toyota pickup truck and tried to run away from the cops while waving a gun. While on the run, the suspect allegedly shot an officer in the chest before a shot was fired back.

The suspect collapsed to the ground and was taken to the hospital. He is believed to be in critical condition, LAPD said on Tuesday.

The police officer was wearing a ballistic vest when he got shot in the chest, saving his life, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said.

Officials did not say if the suspect was wanted for other crimes.