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Los Angeles

Meet The Smashing Pumpkins new guitarist, Kiki Wong

By Li Cohen Updated on: May 3, 2024 / 8:55 AM EDT / CBS News The Smashing Pumpkins go to social media in search of new guitarist The Smashing Pumpkins go to social media in search of new guitarist 00:30 The Smashing Pumpkins has been an iconic alt-rock ban for decades. And now the group has added a new member to help them carry on for decades more.  “The news you have been waiting for has finally arrived,” the band announced on social media last week. “SP is excited to officially welcome highly-skilled veteran guitarist Kiki Wong. Kiki joins the band’s touring lineup of Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin, and James Iha, along with mainstays Jack Bates and Katie Cole.”  The band said in January it was seeking a new guitar player after Jeff Schroeder announced his departure from the group in October.   Kiki Wong attends “The Anvil Experience Live” at Saban Theatre on September 22, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. / Getty Images The Smashing Pumpkins put out a public call for an additional guitarist in January, and in less than two weeks, they

Los Angeles

NASA astronauts discuss Boeing’s anticipated launch to ISS in new spacecraft

NASA astronauts discuss Boeing’s anticipated launch to ISS in new spacecraft – CBS News Watch CBS News On Monday, Boeing plans to launch astronauts on its new spacecraft that is called Starliner. The test flight to the International Space Station is years behind schedule. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Los Angeles

First ever state dinner at the White House held for country’s top teachers

First ever state dinner at the White House held for country’s top teachers – CBS News Watch CBS News For the first time ever, the country’s top teachers were invited to a state dinner at the White House to honor their work. First lady Jill Biden, who made the announcement last month on “CBS Mornings,” hosted the special event for the state and national teachers of the year. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Los Angeles

Employers added 175,000 jobs last month, marking a hiring slowdown

By Kate Gibson Edited By Aimee Picchi, Alain Sherter Updated on: May 3, 2024 / 9:15 AM EDT / CBS News CBS poll shows tight race in major states CBS News poll finds economy is a top issue in major battleground states for Biden, Trump 03:23 Hiring across the U.S. slowed in April, a sign the Federal Reserve’s efforts to shackle economic growth and curb inflation is chilling the labor market. Employers added 175,000 jobs last month, while the nation’s unemployment rate was little changed at 3.9%, the U.S. Department of Labor said Friday. Consensus forecasts by economists surveyed by FactSet projected payroll gains of roughly 232,000.  “Investors are willing to forgo multiple rate cuts for a better economy, which surely will drive better earnings for corporate America,” said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Riley Wealth. Stock futures leapt higher in the wake of the report, with benchmark indexes up more than 1% ahead of the opening bell. “Coming into today’s print, the three-month average was 260,000, now it’s 230,000,” said Hogan. “Today’s 175,000 while below expectations is actually a terrific number as

Los Angeles

Patt Morrison: Palos Verdes Peninsula landslides can tell us a lot about L.A. history

Oh-so-many millennia ago, the Palos Verdes Peninsula arose like Aphrodite, beautiful and dripping wet, from the sea. All right, so it didn’t happen exactly that way. The inexorable wonder-workings of geology — with a fanciful nod to Poseidon, the god of earthquakes and oceans — created that stunning headland that juts its chin out into the Pacific from Los Angeles County. And geology has had a hand in its recent slip-sliding dangers too. (Poseidon: Don’t blame me, mortals!) As the winter rains finally make their way to wherever it is they go for the summer, the peninsula can tally its casualty list from the last eight or nine months. Principally and most recently, the luminous Wayfarers Chapel, a national historic landmark, Lloyd Wright’s marvel of wood and glass in Rancho Palos Verdes, has always seemed to hover above the sea. Now it’s been sidling tragically toward it: It is closed, and probably un likely to reopen in the same place ever again. A couple of months ago, houses in Rancho Palos Verdes were red-tagged. The landslide system at Portuguese Bend has been hitting the accelerator.

Los Angeles

Editorial: Biden expanded two national monuments in California. Three more to go

President Biden’s move Thursday to expand two national monuments in California is unquestionably good news for our climate and environment. One proclamation will increase the size of San Gabriel Mountains National Monument by nearly one third, adding more than 105,000 acres of mountains and foothills above communities from Sylmar to Monrovia that were left out when President Obama first designated the area in 2014. The other will add 13,696 acres to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in Northern California to protect Molok Luyuk, or Condor Ridge . But Biden shouldn’t stop there. His administration should build on these conservation efforts and extend monument status to three other ecologically rich California landscapes with deep significance to Indigenous tribes . The most significant proposal would create Chuckwalla National Monument on more than 600,000 acres of federal land near Joshua Tree National Park stretching from the Coachella Valley to the Colorado River. Another would establish the 200,000-acre Sáttítla Medicine Lake Highlands National Monument near Mt. Shasta. The third would designate Kw’tsán National Monument on 390,000 acres in Imperial County along the border with Mexico and Arizona. Protecting those

Inland Empire

Alin Party Superstore to close Riverside store after nearly 50 years

Alin Party Superstore, a 47-year fixture in Riverside’s Magnolia Center neighborhood, is preparing to close. “They’re not renewing our lease,” Store Manager Ginger Rodriguez said Thursday, May 2. Rodriguez, who has worked at the store for 28 years, said it will close toward the end of June, but its second location in Lakewood will remain open. The company, originally Alin Paper Co., was founded by Nila Saylor in 1971 and focused more on office supplies. The name “Alin” came from spelling “Nila” backward. Alin Party Superstore on Magnolia Avenue in Riverside will be closing its doors after nearly 50 years in the city. (Photo by Mark Acosta, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Its Riverside location first opened in 1977. Before moving to its current home in a former Thrifty’s on Magnolia Avenue near the Riverside Plaza, Alin was inside what was then called Hardman Center, an Arlington Avenue shopping center across the street from the now-closed Sears. Alin became known for its huge selections of Halloween costumes and party supplies from paper plates to piñatas. The the two locations average 25,000 square feet and 70,000 items, the company

Los Angeles

Crews respond to massive blaze at downtown Los Angeles building

Firefighters are responding to a fire that erupted at a large commercial building in downtown Los Angeles Friday morning. The blaze erupted around 4 a.m. at the 100-foot by 100-foot structure in the 1800 block of East 8th Street, according to an alert from the Los Angeles Fire Department. More than 100 firefighters were taking a defensive stance in battling the fire, described as a Greater Alarm Structure Fire. Crews respond to a Greater Alarm Fire in downtown Los Angeles on May 3, 2024. (KTLA) It was unclear if the building was occupied when the fire started but no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was unknown.

Los Angeles

Domestic violence suspect shot by at least one deputy in Los Angeles County

A suspect was shot by at least one deputy responding to a domestic disturbance call in La Puente early Friday. Los Angeles County deputies were sent to the 600 block of Willow Avenue to investigate the report around 1:30 a.m. The suspect was not cooperating with responding deputies and at some point, a deputy or deputies opened fire, a Sheriff’s Department spokesperson confirmed. An investigation was underway after a deputy shot a domestic dispute suspect in La Puente on May 3, 2024. (KTLA) The suspect, who was described as an adult male, was taken to a local hospital in unknown condition. An investigation into the shooting is underway.

Sacramento

With fewer Californians and more construction, where are the housing bargains?

If California’s population is well off its peak, and developers keep on building housing, why does the cost of living in the Golden State remain lofty? My trusty spreadsheet looked at fresh demographic figures from the state Department of Finance to find any hints of solving this housing riddle. Start with the basics: California had 38.2 million residents living in households last year – that’s down 375,800 since 2020, or a 0.9% loss. In the same timeframe, California’s housing stock grew to 14.8 million residences – a 432,700 improvement since 2020, or 3% growth. How did that translate to folks seeking homeownership or an apartment? Well, the median-priced California home got 25% more expensive since 2020, according to the California Association of Realtors. Meanwhile, typical rents in 12 Golden State metropolitan areas averaged 24% hikes, says Zillow data. So, seemingly favorable demographic trends for more affordable living didn’t create any California housing bargains. It seems other economic influences were busy boosting housing expenses. Cheap mortgages were followed by expensive ones. Investors hungry for yields kept housing demand high. And developers remained thirsty for luxury living.

Sacramento

Open Letter to the City of Red Bluff | Letters

As a concerned citizen, I am compelled to address the pressing issues affecting our community. Red Bluff is currently facing significant challenges, including a growing homelessness crisis, deteriorating street conditions, and a lack of economic development. These problems are exacerbated by poor decision-making and a perceived “good old boy” mentality within the city council. As our city continues to grow, it is essential that we prioritize sustainable development and create an environment conducive to business growth. Unfortunately, the current administration has failed to promote Red Bluff as a viable option for entrepreneurs and investors. This oversight has resulted in stagnation and frustration among residents, who are eager for positive change. Furthermore, the proposed closure of the city river park is a short-sighted decision that would only serve further to diminish the quality of life for Red Bluff residents. This beloved community space provides a vital hub for recreation, relaxation, and social connection. In light of these concerns, I urge the city council to take immediate action to address these pressing issues. This includes: 1. Developing a comprehensive plan to address homelessness and street conditions. 2.

Sacramento

Don’t Let Mistakes Set You Back | Everyday Cheapskate

I love to watch television shows about home remodeling. They give me confidence that I could really remodel a kitchen, build a shed, or even install new windows all by myself. Usually, the feeling passes quickly, but I find myself feeling comfortable around power tools, and I do enjoy a good home improvement store. Recently, the host of one of the more extreme house “rescue” shows said something so profound that I wrote it down so I wouldn’t forget how he phrased it. There he was on the roof of a house, totally exasperated by one problem after another created by previous homeowners or contractors, problems he would have to rectify before the job could move forward. None of these problems were serious on their own, but they piled one on top of the other. This job was in danger of going way over budget. He said, “Lots of minor things become major problems.” I got to thinking about how that simple truth applies to other areas of life, not just home remodels and repairs. Take knitting, which I do as often as time permits.

Sacramento

Lagging revenue continues to drive California budget deficit as deadline nears

As the June 15 constitutional deadline for enacting a 2024-25 state budget approaches, the good news for Gov. Gavin Newsom is that all-important income tax revenues in April slightly exceeded the administration’s $16.3 billion assumption. Even so, the bad news is that overall revenues from income, sales and corporate taxes are still running $6 billion behind what Newsom’s January budget projected for the current fiscal year, meaning that cumulative deficit will be substantially more than the $38 billion Newsom’s proposed budget assumed. But how much more? The Legislature’s budget analyst, Gabe Petek, has estimated that the cumulative deficit for the three-year “budget window” – 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 – to be $73 billion, largely due to his more pessimistic revenue calculations. Newsom’s January budget assumes that revenues are running $44 billion under last year’s budget projections during the three-year window, while Petek raises that estimate to $68 billion. With revenue shortfalls driving the state’s deficit number – whatever it might be – everyone involved in the annual budget process was closely monitoring what April 15’s income tax filing deadline would produce. Newsom even indefinitely postponed

Far North

Music Tonight: Friday, May 3

Casper Allen is a traveling country and folk singer-songwriter who has pulled off the eternally eerie gift of possessing an old man’s voice and bearing in a young man’s body. Originally from Texas, he is a touring road dog of the first degree and worth an evening of your time, which you can enjoy at Synapsis at 8 p.m. ($20). Clyde McGee from Bridge City Sinners is a good choice as an opener.