Sailor to be buried in California nearly 83 years after Pearl Harbor attack

An Ohio native who was killed in the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor will be brought to his final resting place in California one day before the 83rd anniversary of the infamous air raid on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Fireman 2nd Class William Kubinec was one of 105 casualties from the USS West Virginia during the Japanese attack that also sunk the USS Oklahoma, USS California and USS Utah on Dec. 7, 1941. Kubinec enlisted in the Navy on Sept. 4, 1940, as a Seaman Apprentice and advanced to Seaman 2nd Class, Fireman 3rd Class and finally Fireman 2nd class. William Kubinec is seen in an image provided by the U.S. Navy. William Kubinec is seen in an image provided by the U.S. Navy. “Despite the name, this rating is not just about fighting fires. Part of the job functions include rescue, but the career path is also geared towards engineering. Fireman stand engineering watches, as well as power plant and ship security watches both in port and while underway, and are responsible for performing minor maintenance repairs. While performing watches they ensure

New top prosecutor Hochman to take office Tuesday

Los Angeles County District Attorney-elect Nathan Hochman will officially take the reins on Tuesday, as he’s set to be sworn in on the front steps of the Hall of Justice. Hochman replaces District Attorney George Gascón, who lost his reelection bid in a landslide. The former federal prosecutor Hochman told LAist that he’s excited for the “opportunity of a lifetime.” “I’m taking over an office that has been considered one of the premiere D.A.’s offices in the nation,” he said. Hochman takes over from the reform-minded Gascón, whose policies were criticized by Hochman and others as being “pro-criminal.” Despite his criticism, Hochman said his changes won’t “replace one extreme policy with extreme policies on the other end of the pendulum swing.” “I’m not bringing back mass incarceration policies,” he said. This combination of two booking photos provided by the California Department of Corrections shows Erik Menendez, left, and Lyle Menendez. (California Dept. of Corrections via AP) FILE – Lyle, left, and Erik Menendez sit with defense attorney Leslie Abramson, right, in Beverly Hills Municipal Court during a hearing, Nov. 26, 1990. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)

Disneyland looking to ‘amplify’ its lands following Bayou Country retheme

More changes could be coming to the lands within Disneyland and Disney California Adventure following the revamp of Bayou Country, formally known as Critter Country. The “Happiest Place on Earth” is apparently considering ways to “amplify” areas such as Frontierland, Adventureland, and Star Wars: Galaxy Edge following the changes made at Bayou Country. Along with the retheme of Splash Mountain, Disney also reimagined the former Hungry Bear Restaurant, now known as Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree, and two retail stores when the land temporarily closed during the summer. What does the future hold for Disneyland’s Tomorrowland? Similar changes have also been made at Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland and San Fransokyo Square at Disney California Adventure Park. Disney content creator David Vaughn made a video discussing the potential changes, citing Disneyland President Ken Potrock. KTLA reached out to Disneyland Resort but didn’t receive a statement in time for publication. The potential land revamps coincide with the plans Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and Bob Iger, Walt Disney Co. CEO, have teased for the parks’ future. Avengers Campus at Disneyland will double in size

‘Chase the Chill’ seeks donations ahead of holiday distribution event

For the second year in a row, a group of knitters is making essential warm clothing items for the Santa Barbara-area community in the “Chase the Chill” annual event. Chase the Chill project manager Carolyn Chaney has been knitting since high school. “I can knit a hat in two evenings watching TV,” Chaney said. Shes one of many community knitters making hand-made items for this years Chase the Chill event. “Its all about trying to keep people warm,” Chaney explained. Hats, gloves, socks, and scarves, handmade or store-bought, are currently being collected at the Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Goleta simple items that Chaney says can warm more than just your body. “One time, a man took over a pair of socks to someone who was newly homeless and he put the socks tenderly on this man’s feet and I was there. Seeing this brought tears to my eyes. Makes me cry just to think about it, how important a new pair of warm socks could be,” she recalled. Last year, around 200 items were distributed throughout Goleta and Isla Vista by the congregation.

Morning Minute: Headlines to kick off your work week

Happy Monday everyone, this is Shannon MacNeil your Senior Daybreak Reporter. Here are some local headlines to get you out the door and start the week off right! First up, weather… it’s finally December, but it’s going to feel a little more like Spring today, check with Meteorologist Vivian Rennie for more. It’s Cyber Monday. If you plan to shop, check out this article for some tips to avoid online scams: How to shop safely on Cyber Monday. Calling all knitters and crocheters! In a story you’ll see first on Daybreak this morning, Goleta community reporter Juliet Lemar shows us how the Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Goleta is helping people experiencing homelessness keep warm this winter. Tune in at 6:05 a.m. to find out how you can participate in “Chase the Chill.” And here’s a heads up for drivers in Paso Robles: Today through Friday, the city will conduct road repairs requiring closures. Here’s what you need to know to plan ahead: Red River Dr. will be closed from Golden Hill Rd. to Shadow Meadow Way. Vista Colina full closure. Residents on Salida Del Sol

Dolores Madrigal, lead plaintiff in landmark sterilization case, dies at 90

On a fall morning in East L.A. in 1974, Dolores Madrigal and her husband, Orencio, ate breakfast while listening to ranchera radio station KWKW when a news segment aired that would change her life. The couple heard about how 100 people had protested in front of Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center to decry the hospital’s years-long practice of sterilizing low-income women without their consent. The rally came in the wake of a lawsuit filed against the Boyle Heights hospital by three Mexican American women who alleged they were victims. After hearing the story, the 40-year-old Madrigal wondered out loud to her husband: Was she one of those women? The previous year, they had welcomed the birth of their second son, Sergio, at the hospital. Before going into labor, however, Madrigal shooed off a wave of nurses who asked if she wanted to have her fallopian tubes tied. She finally signed a form in the haze of her pre-labor pains, then quickly forgot about it. A visit to the hospital the day after the KWKW report confirmed that the document authorized doctors to sterilize Madrigal. She

Elton John’s vision has deteriorated since eye infection

Elton John, the visionary “Rocket Man” and “Tiny Dancer” pop icon, says his eyesight has deteriorated. The 77-year-old singer-songwriter made his latest health revelation Sunday during opening night of “The Devil Wears Prada” musical in London. John, who wrote the score for the stage adaptation, told the audience that he struggled to experience the West End show in its full glory because of his deteriorated vision. “I haven’t been able to come to many of the previews because, as you know, I have lost my eyesight,” the Grammy Award winner said, adding, “So it’s hard for me to see it, but I love to hear it, and, boy, it sounded good tonight.” Before Sunday’s London showing, “The Devil Wears Prada” musical — based on the popular 2006 film of the same name — originally debuted in Chicago in 2022. John shared new details about his vision loss after revealing in September that a severe eye infection from the summer left him with “limited vision in one eye.” In a statement shared to Instagram, the EGOT winner said his recovery had been an “extremely slow process”

Supreme Court weighs FDA’s power to prohibit new vaping products for teens

WASHINGTON —  The Supreme Court on Monday did not sound ready to sharply limit the power of the Food and Drug Administration to prohibit the sale of new candy-colored vaping products aimed at teenagers. Instead, the justices, both conservative and liberal, said Congress in 2009 gave the agency the power to stop the sale of new tobacco products, and it has used this authority in recent years to reject new vaping flavors with names like “Rainbow Road” and “Peachy Strawberry.” This is exactly the kind of regulatory question that companies hope to get before the conservative Supreme Court, but it was not clear they will win this time. Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh questioned the vaping industry’s claim of FDA overregulation, saying its objection rests with the law itself. “You disagree with the statute giving this authority to FDA,” he told an attorney for two companies whose products were denied approval. Justice Elena Kagan agreed. “Everyone knows these flavors are particularly dangerous in terms of kids starting the use of smoking product,” she said. “The FDA has been upfront about this. There is not a lot of

Biden claims Hunter charges were politically motivated. Here is what the facts show

In announcing that he was pardoning his son Hunter in two federal cases, President Biden said the criminal charges “came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election.” The president’s claim that the cases were politically motivated — which his son’s camp has long asserted — has been met with skepticism from some corners. Biden was convicted by a jury of illegally purchasing a handgun in Delaware, and he pleaded guilty to tax charges in Los Angeles. Here is what we know about the cases and the pardon. What is the gun case? Earlier this year, a federal jury in Delaware convicted Biden of federal gun crimes, including lying about being drug-free when he purchased and briefly owned a gun while he was addicted to crack cocaine. Biden was on trial for three felony charges, and the jury convicted him of all three. In addition to lying on a federal background check form and giving a false statement to a federal firearms dealer, he was also convicted of possessing a gun while being an

Cyber Monday tips for avoiding scams, pressure tactics and porch pirates

More than 72.3 million people are scouring the internet right now looking for a deal this Cyber Monday. This is the second-most popular day, just after Black Friday, for holiday shoppers to fill their (virtual) carts with gifts for their loved ones, according to the National Retail Federation, which gave the event its name in 2005. Consumers are expected to spend a record $13.2 billion Monday, 6.1% more than last year, according to Adobe Analytics, which has been tracking online shopping behavior. Shoppers who are checking out retailer websites and searching the internet for popular items should be aware of scammers looking to do some shopping of their own. Online fradusters want to steal cardholder information and money on popular online shopping days like Cyber Monday, Visa’s Ecosystem Risk and Control team warns. Here are some tips from experts to help you navigate the busy shopping day and avoid online scams, retailer tricks meant to pressure shoppers into making a purchase, and potential porch thieves who hope to steal packages from your front door. Avoid online scams When you peruse the internet for sales from

Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini given another honor by NHL

SAN JOSE – San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini has notched another career first, as he was named the NHL’s First Star of the Week for his efforts during the last week of November. Celebrini had four goals – including two game-winners – and three assists in four games for the Sharks, who went 3-1-0 last week, including a home-and-home series sweep of the Seattle Kraken on Friday and Saturday. Celebrini had game-winning goals in both the Sharks’ 7-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Nov. 26, and San Jose’s 8-5 win over the Kraken. Both games were at SAP Center. Against the Kings, Celebrini had two goals and an assist, making him, at 18 years, 165 days, the youngest player in Sharks franchise history to record a three-point game. Patrick Marleau had the previous team mark of 18 years, 171 days, set on March 5, 1998, when he had a goal and two assists in a game against the Detroit Red Wings. On Sunday, Celebrini was named the NHL’s Rookie of the Month for November. Going into Tuesday’s Sharks game against the Washington

What medical care for transgender minors is at stake in Supreme Court case?

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case involving Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender people under age 18. At least 26 states have adopted laws restricting or banning such care for minors, and most of those states face lawsuits. The nation’s top court will be weighing whether Tennessee’s law violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, requiring that people in similar circumstances be treated the same under the law. Both sides in the case claim they are acting to protect minors from harm. Gender-affirming care is supported by the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical groups. Here’s a look at what’s typically involved: Evaluation and diagnosis happen first Young people who persistently identify as a gender that differs from their sex assigned at birth are often referred to clinics where teams from various medical specialties provide gender-affirming care. Such care begins with an evaluation, which can include a pediatrician and a mental health specialist who assess the degree of distress, if any, the young person is experiencing. Those who meet defined criteria may

Under Trump, many states might pursue Medicaid work requirements

By Shalina Chatlani, Stateline.org (TNS) Trevor Hawkins, an attorney at Legal Aid of Arkansas, remembers how busy his job got when the state for a time imposed work requirements on Medicaid recipients: His office was swamped with frantic phone calls from people who said they couldn’t comply with the new rule because they weren’t healthy enough to work or had to care for sick relatives. “A whole heap of folks, after a month or two, started getting notices saying, ‘Hey, you’re out of compliance, and you’re going to lose your coverage,’” Hawkins told Stateline. For many people, he said, keeping their coverage was “absolutely vital to maintaining their health or getting better so they might work again.” In June 2018, Arkansas became the first state to require some Medicaid recipients to work, volunteer, go to school or participate in job training to receive benefits. By the time a federal judge halted the policy in April 2019, 18,000 adults had lost coverage. Arkansas was one of 13 states that received permission to impose work rules on at least some Medicaid recipients during the last Trump administration.

DACA recipients worry their protection from deportation won’t last another Trump term

By GABRIEL SANDOVAL, Associated Press/Report for America PHOENIX (AP) — Reyna Montoya was 10 when she and her family fled violence in Tijuana and illegally immigrated to the U.S. Growing up in Arizona, she worried even a minor traffic violation could lead to her deportation. She didn’t feel relief until 11 years later in 2012, when she received a letter confirming she had been accepted to a new program for immigrants who came to the country illegally as children. “All of the sudden, all these possibilities opened up,” Montoya said, fighting back tears. The Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program granted her and hundreds of thousands of others two-year, renewable permits to live and work in the U.S. legally. But as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, after an unsuccessful bid to end DACA in his first term, the roughly 535,000 current recipients are bracing yet again for a whirlwind of uncertainty. Meanwhile, a years-long challenge to DACA could ultimately render it illegal, leaving people like Montoya without a shield from deportation. “I have to take (Trump’s) words very seriously

Supreme Court to hear arguments on flavored vape regulations imposed after youth vaping spike

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court will hear a vaping case on Monday, weighing federal regulators’ decisions blocking sweet vaping products after e-cigarette use spiked among kids. The high court is taking up an appeal from the Food and Drug Administration, which has denied more than a million applications to sell candy- or fruit-flavored products that appeal to kids. Those decisions are part of a crackdown that anti-tobacco advocates say helped drive down youth vaping to a decade low after an “epidemic level” peak in 2019. But vaping companies pushed back in court, arguing that agency unfairly disregarded arguments that their sweet e-liquid products aren’t a big draw for kids but would help adults quit smoking traditional cigarettes. The case comes shortly before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, whose incoming administration could take a different approach after he vowed in a September social-media post to “save” vaping. Several lower courts rebuffed vaping company lawsuits, but the Dallas-based company Triton Distribution won at the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. The court tossed out a decision blocking the sale of nicotine-laced liquids like

Top Democrats Say They Won’t Just ‘Trump-proof’ California — They’ll Make it Affordable Again

The leaders of the state Legislature have a message for voters: We know you’re frustrated with how expensive California is — and we’re going to fix it. After a painful election that sparked recriminations and soul-searching among Democrats across the country, state Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas are returning to Sacramento recommitted to addressing the affordability issues that appear to have pushed more voters toward the Republican Party in November. As a new two-year legislative session kicks off today at the state Capitol, McGuire and Rivas told CalMatters in separate interviews that the priority will be advancing policies that lower the cost of living for working Californians, including by building more housing, making energy cheaper and improving public infrastructure. “Our only way forward is to acknowledge that we have to do better,” Rivas, a Salinas Democrat, said. “It’s clear — we haven’t done enough.” Just don’t expect any dramatic changes under the dome. Despite losing a handful of seats, both leaders are adamant that returning Democratic supermajorities signal that voters are still on board with their values, if not

Shen Yun group accused of abusive labor practices

The Shen Yun dance group is facing allegations of forced labor and child labor in a lawsuit filed by a former dancer for the troupe. Chun-Ko Chang, who lives in Taiwan but formerly danced for the group, claims Shen Yun runs “a sophisticated operation that is designed to identify and recruit vulnerable people to work as Dancers, ensnare them in a system that dominates every aspect of their lives, and force them to work grueling hours through multiple methods of control and coercion,” as detailed in a lawsuit first reported by Seamus Hughes’ Court Watch. Also listed as defendants are associated entities, Shen Yun’s financial backer the International Bank of Chicago and executives Hongzhi Li, Rui Li and Shujia Gong, who is also known as Tianliang Zhang. Chinese agent who targeted Shen Yun group gets 20 months in prison The suit contains numerous allegations, including that those dancers who are perceived to have stepped out of line are subjected to public humiliation and not allowed to leave the group’s compound or speak with their families. Shen Yun, which advertises itself as a depiction of China

Most fun cities in U.S. Ranked. Here’s where Los Angeles landed

Do Angelenos have the most fun? Well, it might depend on your idea of a good time. A new study by Wallet Hub ranked Los Angeles 18th on its list of Most Fun Cities in America but the City of Angels did finish first in a couple of key metrics. According to the study, Los Angeles was number one out of more than 180 U.S. cities when it came to Restaurants per Capita and was also first in Number of Attractions. Downtown Los Angeles at night. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) Complete Fun in Los Angeles rankings (1=Most Fun, 91=Avg.): Overall rank for Los Angeles: 18th 20th – Festivals per Capita 1st – Restaurants per Capita 35th – Playgrounds per Capita 23rd – Parkland Acres per Capita 88th – Fitness Centers per Capita 6th – Dance Clubs per Capita 1st – Number of Attractions As for the most fun city in the U.S., Wallet Hub declared Las Vegas the big winner. “Las Vegas is the most fun city overall, boasting an extremely large number of attractions and restaurants rated at least 4.5-stars,” Wallet Hub stated.

9-year-old boy shot at grandparent’s Compton home, father arrested

Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies have arrested the father of a 9-year-old boy who was recently shot and killed while he was playing in the backyard of his grandfather’s home in Compton, the Sheriff’s Department announced Monday. Homicide detectives honed in on the boy’s father shortly after the shooting on the night of Nov. 30 in the 15000 block of South Haskins Avenue. His arrest was made on the same day that a vigil was held for the boy, whom family identified as Princeton Nicholas Jones. Creole Green, the boy’s mother, could not be immediately reached for comment. In a written statement, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department identified Nicholas Jones, 32, as a murder suspect in the killing. Detectives did not release any details about his arrest. Jones was booked at the East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station on suspicion of murder and child abuse resulting in death. He is being held in lieu of a $2 million bail. Reached by phone, Jones’ father declined to comment. In an interview with ABC-7, Green said she was devastated over the loss of her son, who was