Category: Los Angeles

A winning Mega Millions ticket worth $197.5 million is set to expire this weekend, the California Lottery says. Lottery players are urged to check for the ticket, which was one of two Mega Millions jackpot winners from December 2023 sold at the exact same Chevron gas station in Encino. The winning numbers from the Dec. 8, 2023, drawing were 21, 26, 53, 66, 70, and Mega Ball 13. One of the tickets was already redeemed, but the other expires on Saturday, and the California Lottery has no way to contact that person unless they come forward to claim the prize. “We have no way of knowing who has the second jackpot-winning ticket from that incredible night,” said Carolyn Becker from the California Lottery. California woman was called into work on her day off. She left a lottery winner The ticket holder has until 11:59 p.m. Saturday to claim the prize at one of the California Lottery’s nine district offices or mail a completed claim form to its headquarters in Sacramento postmarked before the expiration date. If unclaimed, the prize money will be allocated to public

It’s been nearly 200 years since the famous California gold rush of the late 1840s, but mining property is hot once again, at least in one area of Southern California. Record-high gold prices have driven demand for mines in the Mojave Desert, the Los Angeles Times reports. “It’s a modern day gold rush,” entrepreneur Sean Tucker told the Times. “People are snapping up claims as quickly as possible.” The physical dangers of mining remain, as do financial concerns, though real estate agents offer tempting promises like “You only need to find about 18 ounces to make this property pay for itself!” As the Times notes, plenty of gold is still being found, but as one truck driver-turned-miner noted, nothing is simple – or guaranteed. “It’s not easy,” Rudy Salazar said. “But I hope it pans out.”

Federal health officials have concluded their investigation into a multi-state E. coli outbreak tied to contaminated slivered onions previously served on McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers. The outbreak, first identified in October, sickened 104 people across 14 states, leading to 34 hospitalizations and one death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration linked the outbreak to yellow onions distributed by Taylor Farms, which immediately issued a voluntary recall of the onions. McDonald’s followed suit by removing the recalled product from its restaurants in affected states before finding an alternate supplier of slivered onions for hundreds of its restaurants. “The CDC and FDA confirmed that their respective investigations into E. coli at McDonald’s have been closed,” officials from the fast food chain said in a statement. “Federal and state officials have repeatedly said that our immediate actions in October made any risk to the public ‘very low,’ and the risk has remained very low since then.” Of the 104 reported cases, nearly 99% of the patients interviewed said they had eaten at McDonald’s before becoming ill, and 84% specifically recalled consuming

Butte County sheriff’s officials responded to a shooting at an elementary school in Oroville on Wednesday and confirmed a suspected shooter is dead. The shooting took place at Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists, roughly 70 miles north of Sacramento. (Google Maps) Dec. 4, 2024 Updated 2:35 PM PT A suspected gunman is dead after a shooting was reported at an elementary school in Oroville, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday. The shooting took place at Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists, roughly 70 miles north of Sacramento, the Sheriff’s Office announced in a news alert shortly before 2 p.m. Students at the school were being taken to the nearby Oroville Church of the Nazarene, where they were set to be reunited with their parents. There was no immediate information about any additional injuries or details on how the suspect died. The time of the shooting was not immediately available. This is a developing story. More to Read Sign up for Essential California The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles

With a major oil refinery in Wilmington and Carson scheduled to close next year, Los Angeles County officials are looking to shore up resources for hundreds of workers who will be left without jobs. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a motion Tuesday asking county staff to work with local partners such as the city of Los Angeles and the South Bay Workforce Investment Board to develop a plan to provide hiring fairs, training and other job placement resources for affected workers. Oil giant Phillips 66 announced in October that the century-old complex, which sprawls across 650 acres and produces about 8% of the state’s gasoline, would cease operations late next year. Its closure will affect some 600 employees and 300 contract workers that keep its operations running. Supervisor Janice Hahn said at the meeting that more than half of the affected workforce is Latino and includes skilled workers such as operators, welders, engineers and safety compliance experts that would bring “years of specialized training and certifications” to other jobs. She said they should receive support to help them make the transition

IKEA is set to open its first small format store in Los Angeles County this month. The IKEA Arcadia small-format store will feature over 1,000 products that will be refreshed each season, allowing guests to shop for the most popular items without navigating a giant warehouse. The smaller store is part of an expansion of the IKEA Arcadia Planning Studio, where customers can get support for more complex purchases. Why your favorite catalogs are smaller this holiday season “Our expansion goal is simple: to be where people are, whenever and however they want to experience IKEA,” Javier Quiñones, CEO and chief sustainability officer of IKEA U.S., said in a statement. “IKEA Arcadia represents a key milestone in this exciting journey towards a more connected and accessible IKEA experience for everyone.” The store, located in the Santa Anita Center in Arcadia, is set to open on Dec. 9. The retail giant has been opening smaller versions of its warehouse locations worldwide as part of its initiative to be accessible to every type of customer. In addition to shopping at traditional warehouse locations, customers can shop online

Every year, Spotify users wait for the day the streaming service tells them something they already know: who they like to listen to. On Wednesday, Spotify dropped its 2024 Wrapped, which provides each user a detailed breakdown of their most often played artists, songs and podcasts, as well as how their listening habits stack up with other users. In the hours that followed, social media feeds were filled with screenshots from friends, family and acquaintances who had definitive proof they, in fact, like Taylor Swift. It’s the tenth year that the streaming company has released its popular campaign, which Spotify exec Marc Hazan says is a “thank-you to fans around the world.” While each person’s Spotify Wrapped is crafted by their specific listening experience over the past 12 months, Spotify says streaming habits are “largely shaped by the people and places around us.” Spotify Wrapped Map 2024 With that, Spotify has also released the 2024 Wrapped Map, which shows the top songs streamed throughout the year in some of the most populous cities in the world, including locally in Southern California. These were the most-streamed

The champagne hadn’t even dried after the New York Liberty won the WNBA championship when the players association announced it would opt out of the league’s collective bargaining agreement, which was set to expire in 2027. A dramatic increase in revenues due primarily to the emergence of Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and other marquee rookies prompted the players to recognize they aren’t getting what they believe to be a fair share. The CBA now ends after the 2025 season, blowing up a pay scale that set average salaries at about $120,000, with rookie minimums at $64,154 and veteran maximums at $241,984. Clark’s four-year rookie contract under the CBA was for $338,056 — including $76,535 in 2024 — laughably low numbers given the revenue she helped generate. Clark broke almost every WNBA rookie record, but more impressive was her off-the-court impact. “The numbers are so staggering,” said Ryan Brewer, associate professor of finance at Indiana University Columbus, who was asked by the Indianapolis Star to put a price tag on Clark. “They don’t even seem real.” The numbers, as crunched by Brewer: Clark was responsible

We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. There are a few big reasons to add 1-ounce gold bars to your portfolio before the new year rolls around. Bjoern Wylezich/Getty Images When it comes to diversifying portfolios and building long-term wealth , there is one precious metal in particular that investors turn to: gold. These and the other unique benefits that gold offers have made the previous metal a sought-after asset decade after decade, but gold’s remarkable price performance over the past year, in particular, has helped to boost the allure for both new and experienced investors.  Starting the year at about $2,000 per ounce , gold prices spent much of 2024 on an upward trajectory, eventually landing at today’s price of about $2,650 per ounce — while hitting numerous new records along the way. That type of swift, short-term price growth is unusual for gold, as the precious metal has historically grown in value over the long term . As a result, investors have been flocking to a range of gold assets

What’s known about the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect – CBS News Watch CBS News Officials are searching for the suspect in the New York City shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Crime and public safety senior coordinating producer Anna Schecter breaks down what’s known about the assailant. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. Don’t fall into the trap of letting your CD automatically roll over without exploring alternatives. Getty Images/iStockphoto A certificate of deposit (CD) account has historically been a smart way to protect your money – both against economic headwinds and the personal temptation to overspend. In recent years, however, it’s also been a key way to protect against inflation and higher borrowing costs. With interest rates on these accounts exponentially higher than they were in 2020 and 2021, it made sense for savers to open an account to take advantage of the higher rate climate. And, if you opened a CD in 2023 or earlier in 2024, you may have earned hundreds or even thousands of dollars in interest, depending on the account interest rate and the opening deposit amount.  But with the end of the year quickly approaching, and CD maturity dates in 2024 on the calendar for many savers, it helps to know which steps to take now to continue earning big returns. It

A man suspected of kidnapping a woman in East Los Angeles on Thanksgiving Day has been arrested and charged, authorities announced Wednesday. Deputies responded to the 1200 block of Dickson Avenue on Nov. 28 after witnesses reported seeing a woman being physically assaulted. Officials obtained surveillance video that showed an apparently distressed woman exiting a white-colored SUV moments before a man approached and threw her to the ground. “The suspect then picked up the female and forcibly placed her back into the vehicle where he proceeded to physically assault her,” the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department stated. “The vehicle then drove off with both the suspect and victim in it.” Detectives later identified the suspect and arrested Ivan Cruz at his residence in Santa Fe Springs without incident. “The female adult victim observed on video surveillance being assaulted was identified as his girlfriend,” the Sheriff’s Department stated. She was located in East Los Angeles and was treated for minor injuries by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Cruz was ultimately arrested and on Monday he was charged with felony kidnapping and domestic violence. He remains

A Florida man has been identified as the suspect in multiple child molestation cases in Orange County dating back to the 1990s and 2000s.  According to the Huntington Beach Police Department, a victim of a child molestation case from the 1990s contacted detectives in October 2024.   The subsequent investigation revealed three additional child molestation victims, ranging from 12 to 16 years old.  As authorities continued their probe into the allegations, they were able to identify a suspect: 54-year-old George Philip Foord, who also goes by “Phil” and currently resides in Ridge Manor, Florida, a community about 60 miles west of Orlando.  Foord lived in Huntington Beach at the time of the reported offenses, HBPD said.  Beverly Hills teacher claims she was fired for anti-Trump FB post “The case was submitted to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and an arrest warrant was issued for Foord,” police stated in a media release. “In November, our detectives collaborated with the Special Victims Unit at the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, and acting on HBPD’s investigation, detectives contacted and arrested Foord near his residence.”  54-year-old George

The end of the 21st century is still decades away, but Billboard has already declared its greatest pop star: Beyoncé. The music magazine on Tuesday revealed that the “Crazy in Love” and “Formation” diva had secured the top spot among 25 generational pop talents, including Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Drake and Lady Gaga. Billboard’s editorial staff selected Queen Bey for her “full 25 years of influence, evolution and impact,” the outlet announced. “She’s been Beyoncé for 25 years now, and as she continues to challenge herself (and by extension, the rest of the pop world) to find new and different ways to be define [sic] greatness,” wrote Billboard deputy editor Andrew Unterberger, “it doesn’t seem like she’s going to stop being Beyoncé anytime soon.” As part of its Beyoncé celebration, Billboard published an essay that chronicled the “Single Ladies” singer’s career from her Destiny’s Child days in the late 1990s to her most recent album, “Cowboy Carter.” The career retrospective praised the Houston native’s consistency, her ubiquity across music and other facets of pop culture — including film and fashion — and her “commitment

A two-vehicle collision in Desert Hot Springs Wednesday hospitalized two people who were in the same vehicle, authorities said. The crash was reported shortly after 10:15 a.m. at the intersection of Palm Drive and 20th Avenue, according to a Riverside County Fire Department statement. Firefighters arrived at the scene to extricate the two patients, one of whom was described as being in “serious condition” with the other in “moderate condition.” Both were taken by ambulance to a local hospital. No injuries were reported for occupants of the other vehicle.

Ariana Grande will receive the Rising Star Award at the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival, organizers announced Wednesday. Grande will be honored at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Jan. 3 for her characterization of Glinda in “Wicked,” Jon M. Chu’s screen adaptation of the long-running Broadway musical. The role recently earned the singer and actress recognition as one of eight Virtuoso Award honorees at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The film was released in the United States on Nov. 22 and has shattered multiple box office benchmarks for musicals. It eclipsed the worldwide opening of “Les Misérables” (2012), the previous record-holder, by approximately $60 million. “Ariana Grande’s portrayal of Glinda elevates her to new heights with a powerful acting performance that beautifully combines her outstanding musical talent, brilliant characterization and impeccable comedic timing,” festival chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi said in a statement. “Ariana is an iconic global performer, who has seamlessly transitioned to film in her first major starring role, proving herself to be a multifaceted and undeniable talent. This role is certain to be the beginning of the many accolades she

Are you considering  a move abroad , or being asked to relocate for work? A new ranking of international cities’ quality of life sheds light on which global locales offer the greatest appeal for expats.  A new Quality of Living City Ranking from global consulting firm Mercer lists more than 240 cities across five continents in order of their quality-of-life ratings. The report took into account living standards, cultural environment, housing, infrastructure, air quality and other features that can make a city either an attractive or uninspiring place to live.  Zurich, Switzerland, a global financial hub known for its exceptional public services, safety and vibrant cultural scene, took the top spot. Vienna, Austria, placed second, while Geneva, Switzerland, came in third.  One factor that helped propel Zurich to the top of the list is that it recently improved its airport connections, making it a practical home base for people looking to travel to or from other continents. Of the top 10 cities, eight are located in Europe. Auckland, New Zealand, ranked fifth, while Vancouver, British Columbia, ranked seventh. Singapore was the only Asian city in the

Updated on: December 4, 2024 / 3:05 PM EST / AP France’s far-right and left-wing lawmakers joined together to vote Wednesday a no-confidence motion prompted by budget disputes that forces Prime Minister Michel Barnier to resign. The National Assembly approved the motion by 331 votes. A minimum of 288 were needed. President Emmanuel Macron insisted he will serve the rest of his term until 2027. However, he will need to appoint a new prime minister for the second time after July’s legislative elections led to a deeply divided parliament . Macron had turned to Barnier in September to navigate the impasse and address France’s soaring deficit. Yet Barnier’s proposed austerity budget — slashing 40 billion euros ($42 billion) in spending and raising taxes by 20 billion euros — has only deepened divisions, inflaming tensions in the lower house and triggering this dramatic political confrontation. Michel Barnier, France’s prime minister, speaks during a no-confidence debate at the National Assembly in Paris, France, on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024.  Nathan Laine/Bloomberg via Getty Images Barnier on Monday invoked a rarely used constitutional mechanism to push through the contentious

December 4, 2024 / 3:04 PM EST / CBS/AP Ceasefire being tested by Israel, Hezbollah Israel, Hezbollah exchanging strikes despite ceasefire 03:59 A Palestinian health official said at least 21 people were killed Wednesday by an Israeli strike on a camp housing displaced people in Gaza . A spokesman for Gaza’s civil defense agency said five children were killed in the strike. Atif Al-Hout, the director of Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis, said at least 28 people were wounded. The Israeli military said its aircraft struck senior Hamas militants involved in terrorist activities in the area. The military said that the strike had set off secondary explosions, indicating explosives present in the area were set off. It was not possible to independently confirm the Israeli claims, and the strike could also have ignited fuel, cooking gas canisters or other materials in the camp. At least 15 bodies arrived at the hospital, but reaching a precise number was difficult because many of the dead were dismembered and some were badly burned. The strike hit in the Muwasi area, a sprawling coastal camp

We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. A home equity loan could provide homeowners with access to the low-interest rate financing they need in 2025. Getty Images/iStockphoto If you’re a homeowner, you may have access to a large sum of money that can be accessed via a much lower interest rate than many popular alternatives. Right now, the average homeowner has around $320,000 worth of equity in their home. And that money can be accessed in a variety of simple ways ranging from reverse mortgages to home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) to home equity loans . Home equity loans, in particular, are especially attractive for owners right now. The average home equity loan interest rate is just 8.41% right now – almost three times lower than the average credit card interest rate of 23.37%. And that rate is fixed , meaning that it won’t adjust upward if the rate climate heats up again. If the rate climate cools, however, it can be refinanced to take advantage of a better rate. So

(NEXSTAR) — Online cinephiles are abuzz Wednesday afternoon after the film community’s main social network, Letterboxd, made a cryptic announcement: “January 8, 2025.” The date was paired with an emoji of a wrapped present — sparking much debate about the treat to come. Popular theories in the Letterboxd subreddit include a “year-end recap” akin to Spotify Wrapped and Apple Music Replay — two automatically generated modules that summarize a user’s activity over the year. Each year, the release of these stats takes over social media. Some online pointed out that this feature is already available, however, for paid Letterboxd users in both the Pro and Patron tiers. We’re all saying Daniel Craig’s name wrong That said, the treat could be a nice surprise for free users. Another theory was a year-in-review for the whole site, across all users. This hypothetical report card could potentially show which movies were the most-watched and highest-rated across genres and audiences. Additionally, as with the benefits of the paid tiers, a full-site year-in-review might also indicate which directors, actors and countries of origin are the most popular based on all