California Dolphin

Former Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley announced on Thursday, Feb. 27, that she has formally appealed her removal by Mayor Karen Bass, escalating an already contentious political battle. The uphill fight now shifts to the City Council, where Crowley will need support from at least 10 of 15 council members to be reinstated–an outcome that remains highly uncertain. “Today I notified the City Council of my appeal as provided for in Los Angeles Charter, Article V, Section 5.08(e), due to Mayor Bass’s removal of me, on February 21, 2025, from the position of Fire Chief of the Los Angeles City Fire Department,” Crowley said in a statement. Mayor’s spokesperson Zach Seidl said in a statement Thursday that “former Chief Crowley has the right to appeal her dismissal.” After the firing, the mayor’s office said Crowley had chosen to exercise “her Civil Service rights to stay with the Fire Department at a lower rank.” However, it remains unclear what position she has been assigned, as the mayor’s office did not directly answer that question Thursday. Mayor Karen Bass takes questions during a press conference announcing

Inland Empire

Chris Kluwe says he was fired from Edison High School football coaching job following MAGA protest

Chris Kluwe, the former NFL punter who garnered national attention this month for his protest against a plaque at the Huntington Beach Central Library with a MAGA reference, said Thursday he had been fired from his coaching job at Edison High School. Kluwe, a former punter for the Minnesota Vikings, had coached freshman football for five years at Edison, part of the Huntington Beach Union High School District. He said he was called into a meeting on Thursday, Feb. 27, with Edison’s athletic director and the assistant principal of supervision, “And they said … based on what’s going on we just feel it’s too much attention and we have to let you go.” Kluwe said he was offered the chance to resign, but he told them no “because I wanted people to see what MAGA actually means for a community and that this will not make our community better, it’s taking away a resource from the kids.” School officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Kluwe was detained by police officers after he took a few steps toward the City Council dais

Inland Empire

Riverside man’s gibe at Joan Crawford about Pepsi fell flat

Many of you were taken by the story here of Joan Crawford’s fond “big sister” relationship to two twins in Riverside, which presented a softer side of the steely actor. “I have a feeling that Joan Crawford has been demonized unnecessarily,” muses reader Brent Davidson. Or as reader Richard Armour of Rancho Cucamonga chimes in: “So I guess the next logical movie sequel is ‘Sister Dearest’?” Many of the details in my Jan. 26 column came from a 1963 Riverside Press feature on Crawford’s day with Tommy and Charlie Moss while she was here filming “Strait-Jacket.” Here’s one further, and funny, anecdote. Let me set it up first. Crawford’s fourth and final husband, Alfred Steele, was Pepsi’s chairman of the board until his unexpected death in 1959. Crawford was then voted onto Pepsi’s board, as its first woman, and traveled up to 100,000 miles a year as the company’s goodwill ambassador. Back to Riverside. As recounted here, on the hot August day in which the boys rode with her in her limo, Crawford suggested they stop at a grocery store for a watermelon to share.

Los Angeles

Southland Bathes in Warmth Thursday, but Cool-Down on Tap for Friday

Much of the Southland enjoyed unseasonably — and even record-breaking — warmth Thursday, but forecasters warned that a drastic change is on tap for Friday, with even a chance of some rain by the weekend. According to the National Weather Service, downtown Los Angeles reached 87 degrees Thursday afternoon, breaking the record for the date of 86 degrees set in 2020. The warmth came courtesy of an offshore flow and Santa Ana winds, although forecasters noted that valley areas were actually slightly cooler than they were on Wednesday. Temperatures began dropping more Friday afternoon as the winds shifted back to onshore. According to the NWS, it will be “much cooler everywhere Friday as a cold upper low enters the region.” The system could potentially drop some rain in the area by Friday night into early Saturday, although the odds of precipitation were higher in Orange and San Diego counties. “Can’t completely rule out some isolated showers across the four county area but chances are mostly under 30%,” according to the NWS. “A second system is expected to arrive Sunday,” forecasters said. “Based on the latest

Los Angeles

Two-Time Oscar Winner Gene Hackman Dies at 95

Details slowly emerged Thursday about the death in New Mexico of legendary actor Gene Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner whose career spanned five decades, as tributes poured in from the entertainment world for a man who was a towering figure in the industry. Hackman, 95, and his wife, 63-year-old Betsy Arakawa, were found dead inside their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday afternoon. Their dog was also found dead. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department initially issued a statement that foul play “is not suspected as a factor” in the deaths, although no cause of death had been determined. Sheriff Adan Mendoza later told reporters that while there were no immediate signs of foul play, he was not ruling it out, noting that it is “not normal” to find two people dead in a home, along with a dog. A search warrant affidavit filed by the sheriff’s department and obtained by multiple media outlets stated that the deaths were “suspicious” enough to necessitate a thorough search and investigation. According to the affidavit, Hackman was found dead in a mudroom, and his wife was

SF Giants’ Roupp continues bid at final rotation spot with sharp outing

PEORIA, Ariz. — Landen Roupp isn’t making things easy for the San Francisco Giants. Not in the slightest. Roupp was sharp in his second Cactus League outing as the Giants beat the Seattle Mariners, 6-4, at Peoria Sports Complex, tossing three scoreless innings with five strikeouts and debuting a new pitch in the process. The competition for the fifth spot in the rotation may be headlined by Hayden Birdsong and Kyle Harrison, both of whom will pitch on Friday, but Roupp is ensuring he remains in the battle. “It’s a different level than he was last year,” said manager Bob Melvin. “It was a lot of breaking balls for strikes, struggled with the command of his fastball. Had some walks, behind in counts. Now, he’s throwing all his pitches for strikes. It starts with the command of his fastball, which has good movement on it and good velocity.” Roupp, as he is wont to do, predominantly relied on his sinker and curveball while sprinkling in some changeups, but the right-hander also threw four cutters, a pitch he recently added to his repertoire with the help

Woman suspected in Colorado Tesla dealership vandalism charged in federal court

By COLLEEN SLEVIN DENVER (AP) — Federal prosecutors have charged a woman in a string of vandalism against a Colorado Tesla dealership, including throwing Molotov cocktails at vehicles and spray painting “Nazi cars” on the building along with a message that appeared directed at company co-founder Elon Musk. Lucy Grace Nelson appeared in federal court in Denver briefly Thursday after being arrested on a federal charge of malicious destruction of property. Her ankles and wrists were shackled and she wore a purple tie-dye shirt and red-and-black checked pants, as she sat in the jury box with other defendants waiting for their cases to be called. Nelson rocked back and forth slightly as Magistrate Judge N. Reid Neureiter informed of her rights and Nelson’s mother watched from the front row of the gallery. When Neureiter questioned lawyers about why federal charges were brought, Nelson began to speak but her attorney, public defender Jennifer Beck, rushed across the room to stop her. Cassie Wiemken of the U.S. Attorney’s Office said the federal government had a compelling interest to prosecute the case because of the danger posed by

Harsh flu season has health officials worried about brain complications in children

By LAURAN NEERGAARD WASHINGTON (AP) — This year’s harsh flu season – the most intense in 15 years – has federal health officials trying to understand if it sparked an increase in a rare but life-threatening brain complication in children. Related Articles Health | CDC report adds to evidence that HPV vaccine is preventing cervical cancer in US women Health | How to practice healthy fasting during Ramadan Health | The COVID ‘contrarians’ are in power. We still haven’t hashed out whether they were right Health | Texas says doctor illegally treated trans youth. He says he followed the law Health | As bird flu spreads, feds might undercut states by firing scientists, removing data The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 19,000 people have died from the flu so far this winter, including 86 children. Thursday, the CDC reported at least nine of those children experienced brain complications, and it has asked state health departments to help investigate if there are more such cases. There is some good news: The CDC also reported that this year’s flu shots do a pretty good job

Mexico sends drug lord Caro Quintero and 28 others to the US as officials meet with Trump team

By FABIOLA SÁNCHEZ and JOSHUA GOODMAN MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico has sent drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who was behind the killing of a U.S. DEA agent in 1985, to the United States with 28 other prisoners requested by the U.S. government, the Mexican government said in a statement Thursday. Related Articles World News | Egypt says negotiations between Israel and Hamas on next phase of Gaza ceasefire have begun World News | 2 men were publicly caned for having sex with each other in Indonesia’s conservative Aceh World News | North Korea appears to have sent more troops to Russia to back its war against Ukraine, Seoul says World News | Israel’s refusal to withdraw from this narrow strip of desert could threaten the Gaza ceasefire World News | Vatican says Pope Francis continues to improve but his prognosis remains guarded The unprecedented show of security cooperation comes as top Mexican officials are in Washington trying to head off the Trump administration’s threat of imposing 25% tariffs on all Mexican imports starting Tuesday. Those sent to the U.S. Thursday were brought from prisons

San Diego’s steep water price hikes, falling demand prompt Fitch to downgrade fund outlook

Fitch Ratings downgraded the outlook for San Diego’s water fund from “stable” to “negative” this week because of rising debt and concerns that city water rates won’t be able to go much higher once proposed 61% rate hikes have taken effect. Other factors in the downgrade are sharp increases in what the city pays for imported water and falling demand for water among city customers, especially during the rainy fiscal year that ended last June. Fitch didn’t lower the water fund’s rating, which remains AA for some bonds and AA- for more recent bonds and some federal loans. But Fitch officials said this week’s downgrade to a negative outlook could be a precursor to a rating change. The other two agencies that rate the city’s water fund, Moody’s Investors Service and the Kroll Bond Rating Agency, have not changed the city’s rating or outlook recently. The downgraded outlook, which was issued Wednesday, comes less than a week before the City Council is scheduled next Tuesday to raise water rates by 5.5 percent effective May 1. Those proposed hikes could be followed by a more ambitious

State Dept. says some life-saving efforts spared from massive USAID cuts

The State Department said it would keep funding life-saving treatments for diseases like HIV, malaria and tuberculosis while ending over 90% of its contracts.

Still No Racing Decision, but Fair Will Seek Meet Dates

February’s regularly scheduled board meeting of the Humboldt County Fair Association included an announcement from Junior Livestock Auction Chair Mandy Marquez that the committee has added three new members (Lee Chamberlain, Charlie Anderson and Breanna Cahoon), a decision for revised fair dates that will allow for the possibility of an open show and a report out on the recent sponsor dinner. But — as has been the case for the last several months — the question of whether or not horse racing will happen in August dominated a majority of the discussion. (For more on the decision to change the fair dates how the fair association violated state open meeting laws, click here.) During public comment, The Enterprise asked for an update on the fair’s 2025 budget, which was initially scheduled for review in November. Finance Committee Chair Jack Rice said there had not been a finance committee meeting in the last month and development of the budget was “paused” until a decision has been made regarding horse racing. The date of that decision is yet to be determined. In a Feb. 6 meeting, the

Fair Board Violates Brown Act in Deciding Fair Dates

The Humboldt County Fair Association violated California’s open meeting laws when deciding to advance a seven-day fair calendar during closed session Feb. 18. The amended fair dates — which will see the fair start Aug. 16 and close Aug. 24 — were formally approved by the board at its regularly scheduled Feb. 24 meeting after being pulled from the meeting’s consent calendar before being passed after a motion from Director Clint Duey and a second from Director Greg Gomes. (For more on the rest of the Feb. 24 meeting, click here.) Following direction of the Executive Committee, staff had previously proposed the association put on a five-day fair, though when it was brought to the board some directors voiced misgivings. The board then met in closed session Feb. 18 for a performance review of CEO Moira Kenny that was to include an evaluation as well as discussion of her goals for the organization. Kenny told the North Coast Journal the board reported out of that closed session that it would pursue the seven-day fair, approval of the revised calendar to appear on the consent calendar

Movies Tonight: Thursday, Feb. 27

It’s the last night of the Lost Coast Film Festival, a nearly month-long event that has been showcased among various SoHum and Shelter Cove venues. Tonight’s finale will be at 7 p.m. at the Gyppo Ale Mill. According to the press materials, submissions remain open to encourage local talent to flourish. I’m not sure if there’s a door charge but it couldn’t hurt to bring some dubloons for a refreshment of your choice.

‘Trump’s Alternative Facts’

Editor: During Trump I, Kellyanne Conway famously called falsehoods “alternative facts.” Now, with Trump II, alternative facts are in vogue again. An example is in the news today (Feb. 19). Despite abundant evidence to the contrary, Trump claimed in an executive order that everybody is either male or female. Today, the NY Times reports that JFK Jr. is claiming the same thing. Also today, the Washington Post reports medical experts explaining why this is false, are saying that close to 2 percent of the population does not fit neatly into the male/female binary. Sadly, Trump’s alternative facts are so common that the media treats them as ordinary. John Williams, Petrolia…

Border Patrol seeing more of this food item being smuggled into the US

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — As the costs of eggs and poultry continue to rocket across the country, U.S. Customs and Border Protection says its San Diego field office has seen a significant increase in people trying to bring in raw eggs from Mexico. According to a news release Thursday, CBP’s San Diego field office has seen a 158% increase in “egg interceptions” since fiscal year 2024. Mexican National Guard on patrol in Tijuana keeping migrants, drugs out of US Authorities are now warning people that raw eggs, along with certain other agricultural products from Mexico, are prohibited from entering the U.S. The warning comes on the heels of a bird flu outbreak experienced by several areas across the country, including in San Diego County where a house cat reportedly died after contracting the virus. According to CBP, there is a need for “heightened awareness to protect U.S. agriculture from potential disease risks.” People crossing over the southern border are required to declare all agricultural products to CBP officers and agriculture specialists, the release adds. Personal food items are permissible. Food intended for resale or

What’s in your tap water? Tool reveals what’s in San Diego County

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A new report by the Environmental Working Group revealed California’s tap water contains over 100 contaminants. The findings resulted from tests conducted by different water utility companies throughout California. An online tool which allows people to see what’s in their drinking water based on zip code and by utility. County reports first case of bird flu infecting a house cat Last year, the Biden administration set the first-ever national limits for toxic and pervasive “forever chemicals” in drinking water. PFAs have been nicknamed “forever chemicals” due to their resistance to breaking down. As of data found between 2013 and 2024, several contaminants have been found in California’s drinking water that exceeded the legal limits. Below are some examples: Contaminant # of utilities People served Arsenic 94 207,431 Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) 23 53,827 Nitrate 40 50,648 Nitrate and nitrite 28 43,249 Uranium 27 26,606 Locally, the San Diego County Water Authority serves more than 3.2 million customers in the county and is partnered with six cities, five water districts, three irrigation districts, seven municipal water districts and Marine Corps Base Camp

COASTER celebrates milestone anniversary with free rides

(FOX5/KUSI) — It was on February 27, 1995, that the COASTER commuter rail service started taking passengers up and down the San Diego County coast. Today, on the 30th anniversary, the service is offering free rides on COASTER trains and giveaways at several stations. According to North County Transit District, which operates the trains, rides will be free all of Thursday, but only those that are on COASTER trains. Riders of SPRINTER, BREEZE, FLEX, LIFT, NCTD+ and those who transfer to MTS or Amtrak will not receive a free ride. ‘Daylight’ parking enforcement begins in San Diego Three different stations on the COASTER route will also have giveaways for riders until items run out. The Oceanside Transit Center and the Carlsbad Village COASTER Station stopped their giveaways in the morning, but riders can receive a giveaway at the Encinitas COASTER Station until 2 p.m. According to NCTD, more than 190 trains operate each week along the corridor, including 30 daily trips Monday to Thursday, 32 trips on Friday, 22 on Saturday and 18 on Sunday. The service runs year-round.

San Diego passes law enforcing event worker safety at city-owned venues

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The city of San Diego passed a law earlier this week aimed at preventing accidents, injuries and fatalities in the live entertainment industry. The ordinance, introduced by Councilmember Raul Campillo, is the first of its kind to be officially adopted by a California city. ‘Daylight’ parking enforcement begins in San Diego this weekend: what this means Venues and vendors under this ordinance will be required to provide proper safety training for people involved in live events, including stagehands and anyone who is involved in setting up overhead rigging, lighting, sound and large portable power distribution systems. Specifically, a staff report to the city council issued in December stated that vendors would be required to confirm “that all applicable employees have received the appropriate OSHA safety certification for their position and trade.” The new law follows similar workplace safety standards enforced by the state and county. San Diego city councilmember proposes $25 minimum wage for tourism workers On Nov. 3, 2021, the San Diego Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution requiring vendors at county-owned parks to certify that their entertainment workers

Local school district works to keep students healthy amid high flu activity