Category: Los Angeles

By Amanda Cappelli December 21, 2024 / 12:01 AM EST / CBS News Winter solstice traditions around the world People around the world ring in the winter solstice with ancient traditions 01:01 The 2024 winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, happens on Saturday, Dec. 21, in the Northern Hemisphere. The celestial event signifies the first day of winter, astronomically.  What is the winter solstice? The winter solstice is the day each year that has the shortest period of daylight between sunrise and sunset, and therefore the longest night. It happens when the sun is directly above the Tropic of Capricorn, a line of latitude that circles the globe south of the equator, the National Weather Service explains.  The farther north you are, the shorter the day will be, and in the Arctic Circle, the sun won’t rise at all.  How is the day of the winter solstice determined? The winter solstice occurs because of the Earth’s tilt as it rotates around the sun.  When the Northern Hemisphere tilts away from the sun, the nights last longer. The longest night happens on the solstice

12/20: CBS Evening News – CBS News Watch CBS News At least 2 dead, dozens injured in Germany Christmas market attack; Kids inspired by Secret Santa give out total of $10,000 to strangers Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

A woman was arrested for allegedly operating a brothel at her home in Thousand Oaks. The suspect was identified as Jian Hu, 35, Monterey Park, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday. Detectives began investigating Hu in April 2024 when they received tips on suspicious activity occurring at a home in the 200 block of Camino Manzanas in Thousand Oaks. Investigators suspected the residence was operating as a brothel where “commercial sex acts were taking place.” Authorities also described the brothel as “high-end.” In November, a search warrant was served at the home and deputies made contact with Hu. Evidence was found at the home allegedly proving that Hu was financially benefitting from workers who were providing sex acts at the property, officials said. Detectives also contacted two women who were later confirmed to be potential victims of human trafficking. Both women were connected with local victim services providers. Woman accused of operating brothels disguised as skin care spas across SoCal Hu was taken into custody on charges of pimping and booked into the Ventura County Sheriff’s Main Jail. She was released from custody after

Deputies detained several suspects after a shooting in Stanton left one man dead and another victim injured on Friday afternoon, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The sheriff’s department said deputies responded at around 4:20 p.m. to reports of a shooting in the area of Orangewood Avenue and Court Street. Upon arriving, deputies said they found one man suffering from a gunshot wound. OCSD did not immediately say where the gunshot wound was located on the man’s body. First responders transported the victim to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. As of Friday evening, the victim’s identity had not been revealed. OCSD’s Stanton station said a second adult victim was also found in the area of the shooting and was treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries. “Several subjects have been detained at the scene and the investigation is ongoing,” wrote OCSD in an X post on Friday evening. Details are limited and initial reports did not detail whether the victims were known to the suspects or if there was an altercation before the shooting. The department encourages anyone with information

12/20: CBS News Weekender – CBS News Watch CBS News Lana Zak reports on a deadly car crash at a Christmas market in Germany, the race from lawmakers to prevent a government shutdown, and gives us a look back on the year in sports. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

A Southern California woman recalls the terrifying moment she said was Tazed and attacked during an attempted abduction. The incident happened on Dec. 18 as the victim, Erin Quinn, a Temecula resident, said she was picking up toys for a local holiday toy drive. That morning, she received a text message from an unknown number with a 213 area code. The texter claimed to be an elderly woman named Connie who asked Quinn to pick up toys for a holiday toy drive she was participating in. Quinn agreed to help and was told to meet the texter at a property located on Memory Lane in Winchester. When she arrived, she was walking to the front door when she received another text asking her to stay in her car as someone would bring the toys outside.  Quinn, who had left her car unlocked, said she obliged and walked back to her car before getting back into the driver’s seat. The victim, Erin Quinn, shares her story with KTLA on Dec. 20, 2024. Text messages from the attacker pretending to be an elderly woman looking to donate

Police in Anaheim are asking for the public’s help to find the person who attacked a local business owner and left them with major injuries. The attack happened on Dec. 9 around 10 p.m. at a store near the intersection of Anaheim Boulevard and South Street, police said. According to the Anaheim Police Department, a man attacked the business owner inside the store. The unidentified victim suffered serious injuries that police officials described as “severe.” Anaheim police are searching for the person who assaulted a business owner, leaving him severely injured on Dec. 9, 2024. (Anaheim Police Department) Anaheim police are searching for the person who assaulted a business owner, leaving him severely injured on Dec. 9, 2024. (Anaheim Police Department) On Friday, the Police Department released two images of the suspect with a plea to the public for help locating him. “Any information you have could help us bring justice in the case,” the Police Department wrote in a post to Instagram. “Your assistance is appreciated.” Anyone who might recognize the man is urged to contact the Anaheim Police Department at 714- 765-1900. Anonymous

The brawny, bloodlust howl of “Gladiator II” isn’t your only opportunity for sweeping period spectacle this season, thanks to the renewed allure that OG adventure author Alexandre Dumas has exerted over the French film industry of late. Last year’s hearty two-part “The Three Musketeers” (“D’Artagnan” and “Milady”) has now been followed up by an even grander and no less enjoyable import: a new adaptation of “The Count of Monte Cristo,” directed by “Musketeers” screenwriters and official Dumas-philes Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière. Moviegoers will want to augment their starchy, sinewy Roman vengeance diet with the herby Gallic mother sauce battering this “Monte Cristo” — after all, “Gladiator” tips its helmet to “Ben-Hur,” which was directly inspired by Dumas’ payback classic. And like any multicourse French feast worth its indulgence, this one clocks in at three hours. But that time flies by, akin to a cozy night in with an episode binge. This zesty condensation of an 18-volume, 1300-page epic is a model of streamlining, even if the narrative’s many tantalizing threads, emotions and complications could stand to be fleshed out even more. That’s

Smoke rises from a military helicopter after the aircraft made an emergency landing at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. (CHP Oceanside) A U.S. Marine Corps helicopter’s engine caught fire midflight Friday afternoon, prompting the aircraft to make an emergency landing at Camp Pendleton, authorities said. All four crew members were able to exit the helicopter safely and no one was injured, according to a Marine Corps spokesperson. The fire began at 3:11 p.m. on a CH-53E Super Stallion belonging to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, the spokesperson said. The crew made an emergency landing on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, near Interstate 5 in San Diego County, where emergency responders worked to extinguish the fire. In a post on X Friday afternoon, the California Highway Patrol warned people to expect delays on Interstate 5 north of the Aliso Creek Rest Area. Pictures and video included with that post showed the helicopter burning in a field, emitting dark black plumes of smoke. More to Read Sign up for Essential California The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning. You may occasionally receive

A social media influencer who collided head-on in a Fourth of July crash in Malibu has been sued by the family of the ride-share driver killed in the fatal crash, alleging the influencer was “severely intoxicated and impaired” at the time. Summer Wheaton was driving a 2019 Mercedes-Benz when, according to authorities, the vehicle crossed the center median on Pacific Coast Highway and crashed into a 2020 Cadillac. The social media influencer, who describes herself as a “wellness advocate,” attended a Fourth of July party at the famed restaurant Nobu before the crash and is accused in the suit of driving under the influence of “intoxicating substances.” The lawsuit was filed Dec. 3 by the family of Martin Okeke, who was killed in the crash. Attorneys representing Okeke’s family did not respond to The Times’ requests for comment. Formerly a licensed real estate agent, Wheaton describes herself as a “founder, speaker and wellness” advocate in her website, where she supports healthy eating and lifestyle choices. Wheaton has amassed more than 100,000 followers on Instagram but made her account private days after the fatal crash. On

A 28-year-old motorcyclist killed in a collision on Highway 74 in Meadowbrook was traveling 100 mph when he plowed into the back of a sedan, authorities said Friday. Anthony Medina of Perris was fatally injured at 1:25 p.m. Thursday on the westbound side of the four-lane corridor, just west of Hammack Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol. Officer Mike Lassig said Medina was initially riding his 2017 Ducati motorcycle in the No. 1 lane, but after passing Hammack, he “changed into the No. 2 lane” for reasons unclear. Lassig said the motorcyclist was going about 100 mph as he approached a four-door 2002 Saturn LW300 traveling 45 mph. “The (rider) failed to slow, causing the front of the Ducati to collide into the rear of the Saturn,” the CHP spokesman said. The victim was flung into lanes, where good Samaritans immediately stopped and rushed to his aid. Two of the three occupants of the Saturn suffered minor injuries in the collision, Lassig said. Riverside County Fire Department paramedics reached the location about 15 minutes later and pronounced Medina dead at the scene. The two

A 36-year-old man convicted of murder for stabbing at least two of his family members, one fatally, during a dispute in Indio was sentenced Friday to 22 years to life in prison. Anthony William Piña-German of Indio was found guilty of second-degree murder and attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation at the Larson Justice Center in Indio in October, John Hall of the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office told City News Service. He was found not guilty of a second attempted murder charge and lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. Jurors also found sentence-enhancing allegations of use of a knife in both charges to be true. At around 6:50 p.m. Nov. 26, 2022, officers responded to the 82900 block of Via Valencia to a family disturbance, and three men were found with stab wounds, according to the Indio Police Department. Police said the victims and Piña-German were in a dispute before the stabbing occurred and the three men were taken to a hospital, where one of them — 39-year-old Christopher Galvan — died. Officers said Piña-German left the scene before they arrived and based on the

A unique spin on the classic holiday eggnog – CBS News Watch CBS News It’s the time of year when we indulge in some favorite holiday treats and drinks like eggnog. Chef JJ Johnson, the founder of fast-casual restaurant Field Trip NYC, joins CBS News to showcase several holiday recipes. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Drone expert unpacks mysterious sightings across Northeast – CBS News Watch CBS News A string of drone sightings across parts of the Northeast has prompted federal officials to ban drone flights temporarily in 22 towns throughout New Jersey and some neighborhoods around airports in New York City. Michael Innella, drone photographer and founder of North Jersey Drone Shots, joins CBS News to discuss the logistics behind the aircraft. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Californians still hoping to nab a state voucher to help pay for an e-bike this holiday season were met instead with seven unwelcome words: “We are no longer accepting incentive applications.” That’s the message the California Air Resources Board had on its E-Bike Incentive Project webpage as of Friday after residents flooded the agency with applications, leaving some disappointed and frustrated by the process. The program began accepting online applications at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Within 45 minutes, the application window was closed after nearly 100,000 applications were submitted, according to the air resources board. Some applicants complained they were unable to log on mere minutes after that window opened. Some posted screenshots on social media of estimated wait times exceeding an hour. Others said the application process froze or produced error messages. Lys Mendez, the board’s communications director, said a fully staffed team handled the application process, which included testing the website and checking for technical issues. She said problems could have arisen from people using multiple devices under one IP address or not properly refreshing the website, or if their browsers were outdated.

In a dramatic courtroom scene that one wrongly convicted woman called “a Christmas miracle,” a Los Angeles County judge on Friday vacated the murder sentences of two people — 17 years after they were locked up — and ordered their immediate release. “Those charges are dismissed,” said Superior Court Judge William Ryan, adding: “You have to understand how rare this is.” As weeping family members and friends of Lombardo Palacios, 33, and Charlotte Pleytez, 37, looked on, the courtroom exploded in applause. The pair were convicted in 2009 for the 2007 murder of Hector Flores, who was shot to death in his car in a strip mall off Sunset Boulevard. The two had come onto the radar of LAPD detectives after word hit the street that the killers were associated with the White Fence gang, a predominantly Latino group operating in the area, according to court records. The pair were identified by two witnesses who picked their faces out of a book of photographs of gang members. However, the shooting happened at night, and one witness had poor vision and wore trifocal lenses. Still, a

Kids inspired by Secret Santa give out total of $10,000 to strangers – CBS News Watch CBS News An Arizona elementary teacher uses Steve Hartman’s “On the Road” stories to teach kindness and character. One about a Secret Santa that gives out money to random strangers has inspired his students to do the same over the holidays — and this year was no different. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Two lawmakers from California have asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate a violent incident at Men’s Central Jail in 2022, when a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy appeared to bash a handcuffed inmate’s head into a concrete wall, leaving a gaping, 3-inch wound. The incident first became public last summer when the American Civil Liberties Union obtained a 15-second clip of surveillance video and posted it online . The graphic footage showed two deputies chatting as a man emerged from his cell with his hands cuffed behind him. One deputy appeared to grab the inmate from behind and slam him headfirst into the wall, without a clear provocation. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department opened an internal criminal investigation, but this year the district attorney’s office formally declined to prosecute either of the deputies involved. In a five-page May 17 memo explaining their reasoning, prosecutors said it was unclear whether the deputies intentionally harmed the inmate or whether his injuries were from him “swinging and lunging his own body toward the wall.” At the time, ACLU attorneys criticized that decision and said they

The now disgraced and disbarred attorney Tom Girardi must surrender to federal authorities early next year for a medical evaluation at a federal prison in North Carolina, a judge ruled Friday. The decision by U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton amounts to a procedural interlude after the 85-year-old Girardi was convicted of wire fraud in August. Girardi was to be sentenced Friday, with prosecutors seeking 14 years in prison — and one of his former clients had flown in from Indonesia to witness the proceeding. But his defense attorneys had argued that Girardi’s dementia and ongoing cognitive decline warranted keeping him out of prison and in the memory care ward of his Orange County nursing home. To resolve the dispute, Staton canceled the sentencing and held a hearing Friday where she ruled that Girardi must turn himself in to U.S. Marshals on Jan. 7 and be flown to the federal prison in Butner, N.C., an advanced medical facility for inmates. Girardi is supposed to remain there for up to 30 days as prison staff observe him and evaluate whether prison, or another suitable medical facility, is

Tyler Higbee is understandably excited. It’s been 11 long months since the Rams’ veteran tight end last played for the Rams. The ninth-year pro underwent major knee surgery after a NFC wild-card defeat by the Detroit Lions. Seven weeks after that, he had shoulder surgery. On Sunday, Higbee will be active for the first time this season when the Rams play the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. So his energy level might be higher than normal. “These guys might have to throw some water on me to take the fire out of my hair,” he said Friday after practice, “but we’re excited.” Higbee was selected by the Rams in the fourth round of the 2016 draft and has been a mainstay for coach Sean McVay, who was hired after Higbee’s rookie season. Higbee has 353 career receptions, 22 for touchdowns. Higbee, who will turn 32 on Jan. 1, began practicing a few weeks ago and was activated from injured reserve this week. “It’s been a long journey,” he said. “Some days aren’t always the best, but I just kept showing

Toddler among 2 killed in German Christmas market attack, authorities say – CBS News Watch CBS News At least two people, including a toddler, were killed, and at least 60 more hurt, after a car crashed into a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, in what authorities said appeared to be a deliberate attack. German police said a Saudi man has been arrested, but a motive has not yet been determined. CBS News reporter Anna Noryskiewicz has more. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On