Category: Los Angeles

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

Imprisoned reality TV star Todd Chrisley is facing even more legal and financial woes. Last week, a federal jury found that the real estate tycoon, known for the USA Network series “Chrisley Knows Best,” defamed an investigator from the Georgia Department of Revenue. A Georgia judge decided Thursday that Chrisley, who is currently serving a years-long sentence in federal prison for bank fraud and tax evasion, must pay Amy Doherty-Heinze $755,000 in compensatory and punitive damages and legal fees, according to legal documents reviewed by The Times. Doherty-Heinze sued Chrisley on July 9, 2021, alleging he accused her of “a multitude of crimes and wrongdoing” starting in 2020, legal documents say. The defamation suit also alleged Chrisley, 55, “repeated false accusations that, among other things, [Doherty-Heinze] engaged in various criminal misconduct in her post as an investigator for the Georgia Department of Revenue’s Office of Special Investigations.” Two months after the lawsuit came down, Chrisley tried to get the case thrown out, but Doherty-Heinze alleged that the TV star continued to “defame” her in a September 2021 episode of his and wife Julie’s “Chrisley Confessions”

Political blowback from both sides of the aisle came swiftly in Arizona on Tuesday following the electoral swing state’s Supreme Court ruling that reinstates an 1864 law banning all abortions except in cases when the mother’s life is at risk. The ruling immediately thrust Arizona — which swung for President Biden in the 2020 election — to the center of the national debate over how abortion will motivate voters in the 2024 rematch between Biden and former President Trump. The decision came one day after Trump delivered his current stance on abortion, saying he supports leaving it to states. Trump also took credit for appointing the conservative Supreme Court justices who ultimately led to the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, returning decision-making power over the divisive issue to the states. Arizona had already banned abortions after 15 weeks. Advocates with Arizona for Abortion Access, a reproductive rights organization, say they have enough signatures to put a constitutional amendment that would protect abortion access on November’s ballot. The group said Tuesday that it had collected well over the roughly 384,000 signatures required to put the measure

Richard Leibner, the accountant-turned-agent who turbocharged the careers of numerous TV journalists, died Tuesday after a long illness. He was 85. Jay Sures, vice chairman of talent agency UTA (which acquired Leibner’s firm N.S. Bienstock in 2014), said in an internal memo that Leibner died at his home in Manhattan surrounded by family members. “Richard will be remembered as the agent who transformed the news business,” Sures said in the memo. “To say that Richard was iconic and larger than life is truly an understatement.” Over a nearly six-decade career, Leibner was known as a fierce negotiator for a who’s who of network TV news stars including Diane Sawyer, Mike Wallace, Norah O’Donnell, Ed Bradley, Bill Whitaker and Charlie Rose. Former clients, many of whom he represented for decades, continued to consult with him after his retirement in 2022. Leibner had the ability to recognize changes in the TV news landscape and then capitalize on them. When legendary sports TV executive Roone Arledge took over ABC News in the late 1970s, he told Leibner to bring him clients from CBS and NBC who believed they

Disneyland guests who lie during the registration process for the park’s updated Disability Access Service program will be permanently banned from “The Happiest Place on Earth” and its sister park in Orlando. Both parks unveiled changes coming to their DAS programs on Tuesday, which aim to curb the misuse riddled in the widely used program, which results in longer attraction queues and backed-up Genie+ lanes for guests. Officials hope the changes, which go into effect on June 18 at Disneyland and May 20 at Walt Disney World, will allow guests who need the service to use it. Disney shares look at audio-animatronics coming to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Under the frequently asked questions section on the Disneyland website, officials warn those thinking they can cheat the new system. “If it is determined that any of the statements a guest made in the process of obtaining DAS are not true, the guest will be permanently barred from entering the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort, and any previously purchased Annual Passes, Magic Key passes, tickets and other park products and services will be forfeited and

Biden calls Trump the biggest threat to U.S. democracy – CBS News Watch CBS News President Biden called his predecessor the biggest threat to democracy in an interview with Televisa-Univision. CBS News contributor and Televisa-Univision anchor Enrique Acevedo, who spoke with the president, joins “America Decides” to assess Mr. Biden’s latest warning about former President Donald Trump. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Blinken, Cameron meet in D.C. to discuss Ukraine funding – CBS News Watch CBS News Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to discuss new military aid for Ukraine, which has been stalled in Congress for months. CBS News intelligence and national security reporter Olivia Gazis reports. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Unpacking political fallout from Arizona abortion ban ruling – CBS News Watch CBS News The Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled an abortion ban from 1864 can be enforced. Robert Costa, CBS News chief election and campaign correspondent, and Daniella Diaz, Politico congressional correspondent, join “America Decides” to examine how the decision could impact the 2024 U.S. elections. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

UCLA’s defense could be living on the edge unless it finds a few good ones. Edge rusher might be the team’s thinnest position after coach DeShaun Foster confirmed Tuesday that Choe Bryant-Strother had entered the transfer portal, becoming the latest edge rusher to depart. Laiatu Latu and twins Gabriel and Grayson Murphy have declared for the NFL draft. Carl Jones Jr. and Jake Heimlicher have exhausted their eligibility. Bryant-Strother was the last remaining edge rusher on the roster who had played for the Bruins, logging 38 tackles, four tackles for loss and one sack over four seasons at a variety of positions. As a graduate transfer, Bryant-Strother does not need to wait for the official opening of the transfer portal on April 15. His departure will prompt Foster to search the portal for reinforcements. “That’s most definitely a portal position,” Foster said, “but we’ve still got to develop the guys that we have and I’m excited to see what they can do this spring.’ In recent practices, converted defensive tackle Devin Aupiu and Navy transfer Jacob Busic have been the first-team edge rushers. Aupiu appeared

Somehow, heartbreak feels good in a place like CinemaCon — where no matter how many hits the motion picture industry has taken over the last year (and, uh, it’s taken a lot), exhibitors from all over the world unfailingly come together to exude enthusiasm about the moviegoing experience and optimism about the future of cinema. Flag bearers for the Motion Picture Assn., the National Assn. of Theatre Owners and other major industry players convened Tuesday at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas to deliver their annual state-of-the-business address and officially kick off the event. Movie stars, filmmakers and studio heads are expected to tease, extol and in some cases screen their upcoming releases. There’s a lot riding on those movies in the wake of a box office slump partially brought on by the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes, which delayed several movies and effectively halted film and TV production last year for about six months. “We can’t shy away from the stark challenges of this moment, nor can we ignore this time of volatility in our industry,” said Charles Rivkin, chief executive of the MPA, during

Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías has been charged with five misdemeanors related to his arrest after alleged domestic violence against his wife, Daisy, last year. The charges include two counts of domestic battery involving a dating relationship and one count each of spousal battery, false imprisonment and assault, the Los Angeles Times reports. Urías was arrested in September 2023 after a witness reported an altercation between the couple outside BMO Stadium. Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias heads to the dugout after the top of the fifth inning of the second baseball game of the team’s doubleheader against the Miami Marlins, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun) In January, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced they would not file felony charges against Urías, leading to the misdemeanor charges filed by the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, as reported by the Times. Urías was placed on administrative leave after the 2023 incident, and he was not signed by another team in the offseason. The pitching star has faced domestic violence allegations before. In 2019, he was suspended 20

A California bill that aims to address the rise of AI-generated child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, is making its way through the state legislature. Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko teamed up with Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) to introduce the measure. The bill, officially known as AB 1831, “would address the escalating threat posed by artificial intelligence (AI) in the creation of lifelike, illicit content involving children,” a news release said. New California bill seeks to lower speed limits in school zones “This legislation is in response to the dangerous convergence of artificial intelligence and child exploitation,” Nasarenko said in a statement. “As technology evolves, so must our laws. This bill sends a clear message that our society will not tolerate the malicious use of artificial intelligence to produce harmful sexual content involving minors.” In February, artificially generated nude photos of students were being shared among classmates at a middle school in Beverly Hills and in March, school officials announced that five students were expelled over the scandal. Other states are dealing with similar issues as well. California bill that could mandate ‘science

By Kate Gibson Edited By Anne Marie Lee Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 6:41 PM EDT / CBS News Study finds 1 in 4 who eat healthy snack poorly Study finds 1 in 4 who eat healthy still snack poorly 00:21 Lunchables — prepackaged boxes of deli meat, cheese and crackers — are not the healthiest option when it comes to picking snacks or lunches for kids, as they contain troublesome levels of lead and sodium, according to Consumer Reports. The advocacy group tested Lunchables, made by Kraft Heinz, as well as similar lunch and snack kits from other manufacturers, finding cause for concern in the products popular for decades as a convenient snack or lunch for children. “There’s a lot to be concerned about in these kits,” according to Amy Keating, a registered dietitian at CR. “They’re highly processed, and regularly eating processed meat, a main ingredient in many of these products, has been linked to increased risk of some cancers.” None of the kits exceeded legal or regulatory limits, but five of 12 tested products would expose someone to 50% or more

Vice President Kamala Harris meets with families of Hamas hostages – CBS News Watch CBS News Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday met with families of Americans taken hostage by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack. CBS News senior White House correspondent Weijia Jiang has more on the meeting. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

By Lucia Suarez Sang April 9, 2024 / 5:37 PM EDT / CBS/AP No charges for 6-year-old who shot teacher No charges for 6-year-old who shot teacher in Virginia 00:27 The former assistant principal of a Virginia elementary school where a 6-year-old boy shot and wounded his first-grade teacher last year has been indicted on eight felony counts of child neglect. A special grand jury found that Ebony Parker showed a “reckless disregard for the human life” of the other students at Richneck Elementary School on Jan. 6, 2023, in Newport News, Virginia, unsealed court documents show. Each of the charges is punishable by up to five years in prison. According to authorities, Parker, of Newport News, was working the day the 6-year-old fired a single shot at his teacher, Abigail Zwerner , during a reading class. Zwerner has filed a $40 million lawsuit alleging that Parker, 39, ignored several warnings that the boy had a gun in school that day. Zwerner was shot in the chest and hand in the shooting but has recovered. The boy told authorities he got his mother’s 9mm handgun

The Los Angeles City Council Tuesday approved a temporary moratorium on dog breeding permits in an attempt to address overpopulation at the six city-run animal shelters. Council members voted 13-0 to pass an ordinance needed to enact the moratorium. Council members Monica Rodriguez and Katy Yaroslavsky were absent during the vote. According to city documents, the moratorium would be lifted once shelters are at or below 75% capacity for three consecutive months, and could be automatically reinstated if shelter capacity rises above 75%. City officials emphasized the moratorium is only temporary until the shelters’ can get control of the situation. It will affect dogs specifically, not cats or rabbits, because the shelters are reporting an influx of purebred dogs being dropped off. Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez, who chairs the council’s Neighborhoods and Community Enrichment Committee and introduced the motion, said the action was necessary to address the “crises” at city animal shelters. “They’re overwhelmed with animals and the conditions are completely unacceptable,” Hernandez said prior to the vote. “This is both an inflow and outflow problem.” She said not enough animals are being adopted or fostered

The two men who were killed in an apparent crash in Jurupa Valley were identified Tuesday, the Riverside County Coroner’s Bureau announced. Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Jurupa Valley station responded to Sierra Avenue and Karen Lane around 3 p.m. Monday on a report of an abandoned vehicle in a ravine at the top of a hill. They found evidence of a crash and an unoccupied car, but no other vehicles were found. Two unresponsive men were found in a nearby field, and both were pronounced dead at the scene, according to Sgt. Rafael Lopez. The men were identified as Mauricio Juarez, 38, and Guillermo Morales, 41, both of Fontana. The sheriff’s Traffic Collision Reconstruction Team responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. Anyone with additional information regarding the crash was encouraged to contact Deputy John Shepherd at 951-955-2600.

By Caitlin O’Kane Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 5:18 PM EDT / CBS News Trillions of cicadas getting ready to emerge What to know about the trillions of cicadas about to swarm the U.S. 03:53 Periodical cicadas aren’t present every spring, but when they do emerge, they come in loud, buzzing hordes. This year, trillions of these beady-eyed bugs are expected to appear in several U.S. states. Here’s what you need to know about cicadas. Periodical cicadas There are two types of periodical cicadas — ones that come out every 13 years and ones that come out every 17 years. They emerge in broods, which are labeled with Roman numerals. In 2024, two broods will emerge: Brood XIX, which is on a 13-year cycle, and Brood XIII, which is on a 17-year cycle. These two broods haven’t matched up since 1803, according to research from the University of Connecticut.  Brood XIX will emerge across parts of the Midwest and Southeast, while Brood XIII will primarily be seen in Illinois.  Cicadas emerge from underground once the soil reaches 64 degrees, cicada expert Matthew Kasson told

Former Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías has been charged with five misdemeanors stemming from his arrest for suspicion of domestic violence last September, a spokesperson from the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office confirmed Tuesday. The charges include one count of spousal battery, two counts of domestic battery involving dating relationship, one count of false imprisonment and one count of assault. An arraignment is scheduled for May 2. Urías, 27, was just months away from what was expected to be a lucrative free agency when he was arrested outside BMO Stadium after an LAFC game on Sept. 3. That night, a person alerted police that a man and a woman were involved in a physical altercation, according to a report from the Exposition Park Department of Public Safety. Exposition Park police officers approached Urías and the woman — his wife, Daisy — and “determined a physical altercation had occurred,” the report said. Urías was then taken into custody and released the next morning on $50,000 bail. Urías spent the rest of last season — which began with his first career opening day start for the Dodgers —

Vampire Weekend will appear as a last-minute addition to the lineup for this weekend’s Coachella festival. Coachella said on social media Tuesday that the popular indie-rock band would play the festival’s first weekend, which is scheduled to run Friday through Sunday at Indio’s Empire Polo Club before repeating April 19-21. (No word on whether Vampire Weekend will appear during Weekend 2.) Vampire Weekend, which is set to perform Saturday at 5 p.m. on Coachella’s Outdoor Theatre stage, released its latest album, “Only God Was Above Us,” last week; it previously played Coachella in 2013 and 2008. Last year, the reunited Blink-182 appeared as a late-breaking addition to the festival’s first weekend before being upgraded to a headlining set for Weekend 2 after Frank Ocean dropped out following his controversial performance during Weekend 1. Arcade Fire played the festival with little advance notice in 2022. No Doubt, which had been advertised as part of Coachella’s bill — but without saying on which day the band would appear — will perform Saturday at 9:25 p.m. on the festival’s main stage. That slot follows slots for two other

Somehow, heartbreak feels good in a place like CinemaCon — where no matter how many hits the motion picture industry has taken over the last year (and, uh, it’s taken a lot), exhibitors from all over the world unfailingly come together to exude enthusiasm about the moviegoing experience and optimism about the future of cinema. Flag bearers for the Motion Picture Assn., the National Assn. of Theatre Owners and other major industry players convened Tuesday at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas to deliver their annual state-of-the-business address and officially kick off the event. Movie stars, filmmakers and studio heads are expected to tease, extol and in some cases screen their upcoming releases. There’s a lot riding on those movies in the wake of a box office slump partially brought on by the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes, which delayed several movies and effectively halted film and TV production last year for about six months. “We can’t shy away from the stark challenges of this moment, nor can we ignore this time of volatility in our industry,” said Charles Rivkin, chief executive of the MPA, during