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Dating can be difficult. What if you get stood up? What if you are not compatible? What if you get a fake phone number? And then there is the case of Stewart Lucas Murrey, who sued a group of women after they talked about him in a private Facebook group, warning others about his bad behavior on dating apps. The lawsuit names as defendants 10 women, but a Los Angeles superior court judge recently tossed out the suit against one. Murrey vows to pursue the legal squabble. Murrey, a Santa Monica resident, said his social status took a hit because of the comments made by women whom he claims to have met through dating apps. His June 2023 lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, accused the women of defamation and seeks $2 million in damages. He claims sex-based discrimination because he couldn’t join the Facebook group to respond to the claims made against him and alleges a civil conspiracy. Murrey said he was labeled a murderer, and the women accused him of having a sexually transmitted infection, according to his complaint. On Monday, Judge

Three family members were indicted for allegedly kidnapping a man in Mexico and threatening his family in Los Angeles County for a ransom. The suspects, who are all residents of Rosarito, Mexico, were identified as: Mario Alex Medina, 53, also known as “Shyboy” Jose Salud Medina, 31, also known as “Gordo,” who is Mario’s son Maria Alejandra Medina, 50, who is Mario’s sister and Jose’s aunt On November 5, 2022, under Mario’s direction, his accomplices broke into a neighbor’s house and kidnapped a male victim at gunpoint, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The victim, identified only as “R.V.,” was pistol-whipped during the kidnapping while suspects fired a gun near his head. Mario’s accomplice called the victim’s family who lives in Los Angeles County. They demanded $70,000 for the victim’s release and sent a video through WhatsApp showing the victim being beaten, court documents said. On Nov. 10, 2022, Jose Medina allegedly called the victim’s relative and threatened to kill the man if they did not pay at least $30,000. Long Beach Army veteran shot and killed on front lawn Mario pretended to be an

New EPA toxic air rule expected to face legal challenges – CBS News Watch CBS News The Environmental Protection Agency is rolling out new regulations to limit chemical plants from releasing toxic substances into the air. Michael Gerrard, professor at Columbia University’s Climate School, joins CBS News to assess the policy. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Why are gold prices suddenly hitting record highs? – CBS News Watch CBS News The buying price of gold futures has hit multiple record highs this year, rising more than 14% in value since Jan. 2. Campbell Harvey, professor of finance at Duke University, joins CBS News to explain what’s motivating buyers. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

A 37-year-old man struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver in Mead Valley was identified Tuesday. Alfredo Aparicio of Perris was fatally injured in the predawn hours Monday on Cajalco Road, just east of Decker Road, according to the California Highway Patrol. “The pedestrian was struck by an unknown vehicle,” Officer Javier Navarro said. “Immediately following the crash, the driver fled the scene on Cajalco without stopping to render aid to the victim.” Navarro said Aparicio was likely hit sometime between 3 and 7 a.m. Monday. He was spotted on the roadside by a passing motorist, who stopped and called 911. Paramedics were not needed by the time of the discovery. The search for the suspect was ongoing Tuesday. Anyone with information was asked to contact the Riverside CHP office at 951-637-8000.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved a $25 million settlement for a hearing- and mentally impaired man who sued the county and two sheriff’s deputies, alleging he was left paralyzed when he was shot by a deputy in 2021 at his Cudahy home. Attorneys in the case of Isaias Cervantes filed court papers last year saying that a “conditional” resolution of the case had been reached, but no terms were disclosed. According to a staff report prepared in advance of Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors vote, the settlement was being recommended “due to the high risks and uncertainties of litigation,” noting that “a reasonable settlement at this time will avoid further litigation costs.” The board approved the settlement unanimously and without comment. Cervantes’ attorney, community activists and family supporters gathered outside the Hall of Administration prior to the board’s vote, calling for changes within the sheriff’s department regarding responses to calls for help involving people suffering from mental health or other issues. “It is about this larger systemic change,” attorney Austin Dove told reporters. “… This action, regardless of what you say about

Dating can be difficult. What if you get stood up? What if you are not compatible? What if you get a fake phone number? And then there is the case of Stewart Lucas Murrey, who sued a group of women after they talked about him in a private Facebook group, warning others about his bad behavior on dating apps. The lawsuit names as defendants 10 women, but a Los Angeles superior court judge recently tossed out the suit against one. Murrey vows to pursue the legal squabble. Murrey, a Santa Monica resident, said his social status took a hit because of the comments made by women whom he claims to have met through dating apps. His June 2023 lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, accused the women of defamation and seeks $2 million in damages. He claims sex-based discrimination because he couldn’t join the Facebook group to respond to the claims made against him and alleges a civil conspiracy. Murrey said he was labeled a murderer, and the women accused him of having a sexually transmitted infection, according to his complaint. On Monday, Judge

Muslim communities are preparing to end the holy month of Ramadan and celebrate the holiday Eid al-Fitr, but the specific day on which each community celebrates will depend on how its congregation observes the lunar calendar. Ramadan is the month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, while also putting a greater focus on worship, charity and good deeds. After a month of fasting, the community celebrates Eid al-Fitr, which means feasting, festival or breaking the fast. Students from various colleges in Claremont partake in a specially prepared halal meal after their Ramadan fast at Harvey Mudd College on Thursday, April 6, 2023. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) The Council on American-Islamic Relations said that on or about Wednesday, Muslims in America will mark the end of Ramadan with communal prayers around the country. The Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Southern California are expected to be more muted, local leaders said, in light of the war in Gaza. To determine the exact date and time of Eid al-Fitr activities, CAIR advised consulting local mosques or Muslim community leaders. The varying dates

The city of Los Angeles will pay up to $9.5 million to settle a lawsuit by a woman who alleged that a poorly designed intersection was a cause of a traffic collision that injured her. On Tuesday, the City Council unanimously approved the settlement amount for plaintiff Jean Yuna Horihata, whose car was struck by a vehicle in February 2021 at Oakshire Drive and Cahuenga Boulevard in the Hollywood Hills. Days before, a traffic light pole had been damaged by a crash at the same intersection, said David Rudorfer, an attorney at Panish, Shea and Ravipudi who represented Horihata. The traffic light was damaged, so the city installed a temporary one on a pole on the side of the road, Rudorfer said. Horihata was driving a 2004 Toyota Highlander on Oakshire Drive shortly before 8 a.m., making a left turn toward the northbound side of Cahuenga Boulevard after the light turned green. A driver in a 2004 Chevy truck traveling south on Cahuenga Boulevard failed to stop at the red light and struck Horihata’s car. The driver didn’t notice the temporary traffic light “until the

After just one season as a 300-pound wrecking ball in the middle of USC’s defense, former five-star defensive tackle Bear Alexander plans to reenter the NCAA transfer portal, in search of his third school in three seasons. Alexander appeared on track to becoming a cornerstone of USC’s new defense this season as it rebuilds under new coordinator D’Anton Lynn. His sophomore season was loaded with glimpses of his sky-high potential, as he recorded 48 tackles, 6½ of them for a loss. Where those plans went awry was still murky as of Tuesday. Alexander attended USC’s early-morning practice, hours before word of his transfer spread. His departure, confirmed by a source with knowledge of the decision not authorized to discuss it publicly, leaves a gaping hole in the middle of the Trojans’ defensive front, one that may not be easily filled when the transfer portal opens on Monday. Meanwhile, there should be no shortage of suitors lining up for Alexander, whose five-star talent is exceedingly rare to find in the portal, post-spring. Alexander, who grew up in Texas, is no stranger to starting anew at another

Anyone who writes for a living knows the value of a good editor. Sculptors? Not so much. So when the Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a statue of the late, great Kobe Bryant outside Crypto.com Arena last month, it wasn’t long before nitpickers noticed a few typos. Beneath the 19-foot likeness of Bryant pointing triumphantly to heaven — a re-creation of a gesture he made in an 81-point performance against Toronto — is a reproduction of the game’s box score. In it, two other players’ names were misspelled along with the word “decision.” As of Tuesday, those errors had been corrected, according to KTLA. The team is planning two more statues of Bryant, one in the No. 24 jersey he wore late in his career and another with his daughter, Gianna, who was killed with her father in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26, 2020. More to Read

Law enforcement officials in Southern California are searching for an inmate who walked away from a minimum-security facility in Los Angeles on Monday.   Rafael Rodriguez came to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Male Community Reentry Program from Orange County on March 13, 2019, a CDCR news release stated.   The 26-year-old was sentenced to 12 years for kidnapping, inflicting great bodily injury and assault with a firearm, along with an enhancement for the use of the firearm. He has been at the MCRP L.A. facility since mid-January this year.   Just before 8 a.m. on April 8, Rodriguez was reported missing after authorities received an alert that an ankle monitor had been removed.   “Staff immediately initiated an emergency count and confirmed Rodriguez was missing,” authorities said. “A search was quickly initiated and CDCR’s Office of Correctional Safety and local law enforcement agencies are assisting.”   Rafael Rodriguez (CDCR) Rodriguez is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing approximately 170 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing khaki pants and a black hooded sweatshirt.   Anyone