Category: Los Angeles

(Pacific Council on International Policy) The Pacific Council on International Policy, a membership-based organization in Los Angeles that focuses on global issues, announced Thursday that Duncan Wood of the Wilson Center will become the council’s new president and chief executive. Wood will replace Jerrold D. Green, who is retiring after 16 years with the Pacific Council on July 1. Wood was the unanimous selection of the council’s board of directors, the organization said. Currently vice president for strategy and new initiatives at the Wilson Center, Wood has focused most recently on supply chains, critical minerals, Mexican politics and U.S.-Mexico ties, according to the center, a nonpartisan Washington, D.C.-based think tank that researches a wide range of public policy issues. “With an impressive career in the policy and academic sectors, Duncan brings with him a wealth of experience, recognized thought leadership and a proven track record in fundraising,” said Arthur J. Ochoa, chief advancement officer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and leader of the council’s search committee. Richard Goetz, a partner at O’Melveny & Myers who serves as the council’s co-chair, said Wood’s expertise in U.S.-Mexico policy

Two Los Angeles bars were named among the 50 “best” in North America, according to a report from North America’s 50 Best Bars. The rankings were based on votes from 270 anonymous experts ranging from bartenders and bar owners to media and well-traveled “cocktail connoisseurs” from Canada, America, Mexico and the Caribbean. 4 California beaches named among ‘best’ in America, according to Travel & Leisure Thunderbolt, a bar in Echo Park known for its cocktails and Southern-inspired food menu, placed 8th on the list. Another bar, Mírate, placed 46th on the list. The bar, based in the Los Feliz area, is known for its unique variations of classic cocktails. Two bars located in San Francisco, True Laurel and Pacific Cocktail Haven, placed 30th and 38th on the list, respectively. Taco Bell bringing back fan-favorite item for its longest run next week North America’s 50 Best Bars list was launched in 2022 as an effort to “celebrate the best of the region’s drinks industry and shine a much-deserved spotlight on North America as a first-class cocktail destination,” according to the website. The complete report can be

Authorities have arrested an Indio man after they say he tried to kidnap two young girls as they walked to school. At about 9:20 a.m. Wednesday, the girls reported that a man tried to pull one of them into a vehicle near the intersection of Cactus Avenue and Perris Boulevard in Moreno Valley, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release. “The juvenile was able to break free from his grasp and, upon arriving at school, notified school administrators, who contacted the Sheriff’s Office,” the release said. The girls gave investigators “a detailed description of the suspect and his vehicle,” and less than an hour and a half after the incident, “Sheriff’s Investigators located the vehicle in the area of Ormista Drive and Searson Drive,” officials said. Rene Ramirez, 50, was arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on charges of attempted kidnapping and annoying and molesting children. His bail has been set at $1 million, and he’s due to appear in the Riverside Hall of Justice on Friday. Anyone with information about this incident or who may have been contacted

A man died in Palmdale early Thursday morning after his SUV rolled over in a single-vehicle crash, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed. Authorities said deputies responded to reports of a collision in the area of Avenue M near 40th Street East around 1:53 a.m. Apparent road rage brawl on busy Los Angeles freeway caught on video Investigations revealed that a man was driving a 2002 Acura MDX westbound on Avenue M at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the SUV. The department said the man then drove into a ditch, got launched and crashed into a fence, which caused a rollover. The driver, only identified as a 33-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. Anyone with information regarding the traffic collision is encouraged to call Palmdale Station’s Traffic Department at 661-272-2400.

April 25, 2024 / 4:51 PM EDT / CBS/AP In 22 states, homebuyers need 6-figure salaries to afford a home In 22 states, homebuyers need 6-figure salaries to afford a home 01:06 Well-heeled home shoppers are increasingly paying cash, helping turbocharge price gains for the most expensive U.S. homes. The median sale price of luxury homes — valued in the top 5% of the market nationally — hit an all-time high $1.23 million in the first quarter, an increase of 8.7% from the same period last year, according to an analysis by Redfin. That’s almost twice the increase seen in non-luxury homes.  For homes valued in the middle-third of the market, the median sale price rose 4.6% from a year ago to $345,000, according to the report. Redfin didn’t factor in price trends for homes with an estimated value in the bottom third of the market. One reason for the diverging sales data is that wealthy home shoppers are more likely to have the financial flexibility to bypass financing hurdles by paying in cash. The trend is helping accelerate the growth in home sale prices

Mexican singer-songwriter Carin Len will perform this summer at the California Mid-State Fair, fair officials announced Thursday. Len’s concert is scheduled to take place on Monday, July 22 in the Chumash Grandstand Arena. An opening act is yet to be announced. Tickets range in price from $65 to $180 and will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 3. Tickets can be purchased on the fair’s website. Len has received two Latin Grammys, an ASCAP award, and multiple Premio Lo Nuestro awards. He recently performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. The 2024 California Mid-State Fair will take place from July 17 to July 28 at the Paso Robles Event Center.

Here’s a look at some of the events taking place across our Central Coast communities from Friday, April 26 through Sunday, April 28. Multi-Day Events Santa Maria Strawberry Festival April 26th through 28th, Santa Maria Fairpark It is time to celebrate the Central Coast’s #1 crop, strawberries! This Friday through Sunday, the Santa Maria Fairpark will fill with strawberry tastings, art competitions, carnival rides, performances and more. While there, don’t miss the chalk art display and classic car show! Gates will be open from noon to 10 p.m. all three days. Full details can be found here! Morro Bay Kite Festival April 26th through 28th, Morro Rock Parking lot and Morro Strand BeachSoar to new heights at the Morro Bay Kite Festival! Friday night through Sunday, hundreds of kites big and small will fill the skies over Morro Strand Beach. Grab a bite from the vendors plus 500 build-your-own kite kits will be distributed to kids in attendance. Full details can be found here! SLO International Film Festival April 25th through 30th, Cinemas across San Luis Obispo CountyHeads up cinephiles! From April 25th through April

For those rightly concerned about the timing of Donald Trump’s federal Jan. 6 trial, Thursday’s oral arguments before the Supreme Court gave plenty of reasons for worry. Moreover, the court’s conservative majority seemed inclined to define presidential immunity from prosecution in a way that could undermine some of the charges in special counsel Jack Smith’s indictment. Much of the court’s questioning went well beyond the immediate issue of Trump’s immunity for the criminal acts alleged. The court’s conservatives focused almost exclusively on abstract questions of immunity for future presidents rather than the charges against the former president. Even the more moderate members of the conservative majority seemed preoccupied with the difficulty of drawing the line between official and unofficial acts, assuming that the former deserve extensive protection from prosecution. Justice Amy Coney Barrett read a litany of acts from the indictment and asked Trump’s lawyer whether they were official or not. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. indicated that the line between public and private presidential conduct is hard to draw, saying he was concerned that the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals “did not get

For years, scientists have said that atmospheric rivers can either make or break the water supplies of thirsty California cities and farms. For the last two winters, a steady succession of these giant “rivers in the sky” have dumped record-breaking and drought-busting precipitation across the state, while simultaneously causing catastrophic floods, landslides, and dangerous blizzards. But now, new research has found that these recent atmospheric rivers pale in comparison to some of the monster storms that battered ancient California — a sobering revelation that suggests to some experts that the state could be revisited once again by such cataclysmic storms. “Our findings show that atmospheric river activity exceeds what has occurred since instrumental record keeping began,” said Clarke Knight, a U.S. Geological Survey research geographer and the lead author on the study that detailed — for the first time — atmospheric river activity dating back 3,200 years. “This is important because it suggests the latent potential of our area to experience storms beyond those that we have seen today.” Although few people had even heard of atmospheric rivers just a couple of decades ago, research

Two doctors testified that the man who drove his Tesla off a cliff with his wife and children in the car suffered from major depressive order and was experiencing a psychotic break at the time of the crash. The testimony came Wednesday in the case of Dharmesh Patel, a Pasadena radiologist who was charged with three counts of attempted murder after he drove the family’s Tesla off the cliff at Devil’s Slide on Highway 1 near Half Moon Bay, according to prosecutors. At the time of the crash, the doctors testified, Patel was experiencing a psychotic episode in which he believed that his children might be sex trafficked, according to Dist. Atty. Stephen Wagstaffe. Two doctors, Mark Patterson and James Armontrout, testified for the defense. Patel is seeking mental health diversion in his case, which would allow for him to be released from jail and put on a treatment plan for two years. If he does not commit another crime or break any of the rules imposed when he is released in that time, the charges against him would be dropped. Prosecutors oppose diversion in

USC announced Thursday that it is canceling its main May commencement ceremony, capping a dramatic series of moves that began last week after it informed valedictorian Asna Tabassum, who had been opposed by pro-Israel groups, that she would not be delivering the traditional speech. In ending the university-wide May 10 graduation ceremony altogether, which was expected to draw 65,000 people to Alumni Park, USC aimed to quell the controversy that grew as it dismantled aspects of the ceremony, drawing criticism from both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel activists nationwide. “We understand that this is disappointing; however, we are adding many new activities and celebrations to make this commencement academically meaningful, memorable, and uniquely USC, including places to gather with family, friends, faculty, and staff, the celebratory releasing of the doves, and performances by the Trojan Marching Band,” USC said in a statement. The university also announced that it will require tickets for “all commencement events taking place on May 8-11” and direct “all campus access through specific points of entry.” Since citing unspecified security threats as the reason for canceling Tabassum’s speech, USC has faced multiple on-campus

Picture this: It’s a Thursday night in Santa Monica, and you’re feeling good. You’re sitting across from a cute stranger, and the vibes are vibing. In a spacious warehouse-style space, which might sound a tad sketch but somehow isn’t at all, 20- and 30-somethings are seated around rows of tables with chess boards. House music is bumping, and drinks are flowing. There’s pizza being made on-site, and two tattoo artists are around if you’re feeling adventurous and looking to commemorate the experience. And if you need a buffer for maintaining conversation with someone unfamiliar, no worries. All of this is unfolding as you play a low-stakes game of chess. This is the magic of L.A. Chess Club . From 8 p.m. to midnight every Thursday, happy regulars and excited first-timers show up to play chess and exercise their social muscles. On this particular night in early April, 250 people show up, some opting for heels and outfits you’d see at a chic lounge, with many others going the casual route — yet neither group looks out of place. Whether you’re looking to competitively play chess

In the wake of a controversy surrounding the valedictory address and pro-Palestinian demonstrators on campus, the University of Southern California on Thursday announced its main graduation ceremony will not be held. “With the new safety measures in place this year, the time needed to process the large number of guests coming to campus will increase substantially,” the school wrote in an announcement. “As a result, we will not be able to host the main stage ceremony that traditionally brings 65,000 students, families, and friends to our campus all at the same time and during a short window from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.” School officials said they plan to detail their plans for commencement by April 30, and they’ll be shared on the graduation website. “We understand that this is disappointing; however, we are adding many new activities and celebrations to make this commencement academically meaningful, memorable, and uniquely USC, including places to gather with family, friends, faculty, and staff, the celebratory releasing of the doves, and performances by the Trojan Marching Band,” the statement said. The school has undergone a turbulent few weeks recently.

Alaska Airlines is expanding its presence in Southern California this fall, increasing existing and adding new service to two of the region’s busiest airports. The airline announced Thursday it would be offering its largest Southern California schedule in years, with more flights going in and out of LAX and San Diego International Airport (SAN). Beginning in October, new service will connect Los Angeles with Washington’s Tri-Cities, a 300,000-population metro area comprised of the cities of Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland, Washington. Alaska is also bringing back its LAX-to-Reno flights, which it says were a guest favorite. Also on the horizon, Alaska will add a 39th nonstop destination from San Diego, beginning new service to Las Vegas. These flights are available for booking now, with service officially beginning in October 1. Map shows new Alaska Airlines service launching in Southern California in October 2024. (Alaska Airlines) In addition to new service, Alaska says it is adding more flights to destinations it already serves out of LAX, including its existing routes linking to Boise, Idaho; Medford and Portland, Oregon; San Jose and Santa Rosa, California; and Seattle, Washington. Passenger capacity on those routes

By Brittany Vincent April 25, 2024 / 4:09 PM EDT / Essentials CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. Getty Images Kids are glued to tech these days. If you’re a parent looking to buy your child their first wearable, a smartwatch or fitness tracker that’s specifically designed for kids is a smart pick. While a kid-friendly Apple Watch SE is one of the best options for older kids, top brands like Fitbit and VTech make watches packed with fun, kid-friendly perks. That includes step counters, virtual rewards for activity, sleep tracking, and apps that let parents set schedules and monitor progress. Most also have built-in GPS so you can check your child’s location when they’re out playing. Some even let you call or message them in case you need to speak to them, making it easy and quick to stay in touch no matter the situation. When you’re shopping for a smartwatch or fitness tracker for kids, look for tough

Nvidia I Sunday on 60 Minutes – CBS News Watch CBS News One of only five companies to ever surpass $2 trillion in stock market value, computer chip maker Nvidia ushered in the artificial intelligence revolution with its groundbreaking software and graphics processing unit. Bill Whitaker reports, Sunday. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Pro-Palestinian protests continue to spread on American campuses for one simple reason: They are working. You do not have to agree with the protesters’ politics and demands — which in most cases involve universities divesting from firms that contribute to the Israeli war effort — or their methods, which include setting up tent encampments on shared spaces, to acknowledge that the demonstrations are doing exactly what student demonstrations almost always do. That is, force this country to face issues that many would prefer to ignore or dismiss. Including if, and how, students should be allowed to gather and make their feelings known. Let’s settle that last issue right now: Of course students are allowed to protest. This country is quite literally built on protest and we take pride in the many student demonstrations that have regularly contributed to changes in policy and cultural attitudes. In 1960, student sit-ins at the segregated Woolworth lunch counters of Greensboro, N.C., became one of the most famous actions of the civil rights movement. In 1968, a months-long demonstration at San Francisco State led to the creation of African American

Shortly after a New York appeals court overturned Harvey Weinstein’s conviction on rape charges in Manhattan, a defense attorney in the disgraced movie mogul’s Los Angeles case said the same should happen in California. If Weinstein’s lawyer Mark Werksman has any doubts about whether the same legal strategy will work in both states, he didn’t betray them in his comments after Thursday’s victory for his client. “We faced the same fundamental unfairness in the Los Angeles case, where the judge let the jury hear about four uncharged allegations of sexual assault,” said defense attorney Mark Werksman. “Harvey was subjected to a firehose of uncharged and incredible allegations which destroyed his right to a fair trial on the charges in the indictment. The case here should be reversed for the same reasons the New York case was reversed.” Not all legal experts are as convinced. In its 77-page decision, the New York appellate court ruled that a Manhattan judge robbed Weinstein of a fair trial when he let prosecutors put three women on the stand who accused the Miramax co-founder of sex crimes that he had

Cal Poly Humboldt will remain closed through the weekend, with classwork continuing remotely as the Northern California university struggles with Gaza protests and what it calls “hateful graffiti” on campus, officials said. Administrators at the public university in Arcata are weighing whether to keep the campus closed beyond then as protesters occupy Siemens Hall, an academic and administration building, and another building. “Unidentified non-students with unknown intentions” are occupying Siemens Hall, the university said, which creates an “unpredictable environment.” Campus administrators said there are also reports that protesters broke into the president’s office and accessed sensitive materials. The university said there is a risk of other buildings being occupied, as protesters have “shown a willingness to enter unlocked buildings and either lock themselves in or steal equipment,” and the occupation has a “negative impact” on other students who are trying to complete classwork in the last weeks of the semester. Officials said “hateful graffiti” also has been painted on university property in recent days, citing at least two areas that have been “tagged with language that is harmful to the Jewish community.” Administrators estimate damage

A man was shot at a park in downtown Los Angeles Thursday morning. The man, whose identity has not been released, was shot a few minutes after 10:30 a.m. in the 800 block of East 6th Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. He sustained a single gunshot wound and was taken to a nearby hospital, police said. His condition is unknown. Aerial footage from Sky5 showed a large amount of blood alongside a basketball court at Gladys Park. While officers are on scene investigating, the intersections of Stanford Avenue and 6th Street and San Pedro and 5th streets are closed. Nancy Fontan contributed to this report.

Knott’s Berry Farm has extended the duration of its annual Boysenberry Festival. The festival will now run until May 12. The event was initially scheduled to end on April 28. The food-centric event, available on the weekends, features unique boysenberry-infused food and drinks. This year, festival offerings include the chicken tikka masala with boysenberry curry sauce, boysenberry chicken tinga nachos and pickle pizza, among others. Knott’s Berry Farm adding new rides and more during Camp Snoopy renovation Along with the boysenberry-infused foods, guests can enjoy musical performances and interactive gameplay, participate in the Boysenberry Pie Eating contest, or visit the Boysenberry Festival Craft Fair and more. More information about the Boysenberry Festival can be found on the Knott’s Berry Farm website.