Los Angeles

Arson investigated after Los Angeles tire store burns again

Arson investigators have been sent to a Los Angeles business after a fire erupted at a tire store in the Vermont-Vista neighborhood for at least the second time Thursday morning. The fire was reported just after 3 a.m. at the business located on the 6900 block of South Vermont Avenue near the 110 Freeway. The one-story commercial building was “well-involved in fire” when first responders arrived, the Los Angeles Fire Department stated. Firefighters were initially forced into a defensive mode while battling the blaze. A Los Angeles Fire Department truck is seen in South Los Angeles on Dec. 12, 2024. (KTLA) Los Angeles firefighters respond to a tire shop in South Los Angeles on Dec. 12, 2024. (KTLA) Still, the 28 firefighters managed to knock down the fire in just over 20 minutes, the Fire Department stated. An arson team was requested “due to previous burns at this location,” the Fire Department said. It was unclear exactly how many times the tire shop had been on fire in the past. No injuries were reported in Thursday’s incident.

Los Angeles

Glendale management software firm ServiceTitan set to debut on Nasdaq

Glendale’s blue collar software firm ServiceTitan was set to debut on the Nasdaq on Thursday. The provider of business management software for plumbers and other contractors priced its initial public offering of 8.8 million shares at $71, raising gross proceeds of $625 million. It has the potential to raise more capital if underwriters exercise a 30-day option to sell an additional 1.32 million shares. The shares, which trade under the ticker TTAN, were initially priced between $52 to $57 before being upped earlier this week to a range of $65 to $67, indicating demand had picked up for the offering. At its $71 debut price, the company had a market value of $6.42 billion, lower than the $7.6 billion valuation it had after a November 2022 funding round. “Today is obviously a very special day for ServiceTitan, but more importantly it’s an incredible milestone for this very special industry,” said co-founder and President Vahe Kuzoyan, whose parents rang the Nasdaq opening bell, along with the parents of co-founder Ara Mahdessian. There have been only a handful of software IPOs this year, with ServiceTitan the largest

Los Angeles

Meeting in unfamiliar territory, UCLA and Arizona may feel like perfect strangers

Long each other’s biggest basketball rival in the Pac-12, UCLA and Arizona will meet again Saturday at the Footprint Center in Phoenix as newly estranged. It will be a nonconference game. On a neutral court. In an NBA arena that as of midweek was not sold out. “The whole thing’s weird,” Bruins coach Mick Cronin said Wednesday of a game that always drew one of the biggest home crowds of the season for each team but is now being staged elsewhere as a name, image and likeness fundraiser. The teams are scheduled to meet again next season at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and in 2027 in Los Angeles at a site to be determined. Adding to the bizarre-ness is Arizona’s early season stature. The Wildcats (4-4), now members of the Big 12 Conference, fell out of the national rankings last week for the first time since November 2021 and briefly had a losing record for the first time since early in the 2009-10 season. Basically, they’re feeling the same sort of pain UCLA did a year ago amid massive roster churn. Guard Caleb Love

San Diego

Some breast cancer patients can avoid certain surgeries, studies suggest

By CARLA K. JOHNSON, Associated Press Medical Writer Some early breast cancer patients can safely avoid specific surgeries, according to two studies exploring ways to lessen treatment burdens. One new study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, examines whether removing lymph nodes is always necessary in early breast cancer. Another in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests a new approach to a type of breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS. The research was discussed Thursday at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. DCIS and active monitoring Every year, about 50,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS, where the cells that line milk ducts become cancerous, but the nearby breast tissue remains healthy. Many choose to have surgery, although it’s unclear whether they could instead take a “wait-and-see” approach with more frequent monitoring. The new study, based on two years of data, suggests that such active monitoring is a safe alternative to surgery for many of these women, though some doctors will want to see if the results hold up over time.

Sacramento

US applications for jobless benefits rise to highest level in 2 months but remain relatively low

By MATT OTT, Associated Press Business Writer U.S. applications for unemployment benefits jumped to their highest level in two months last week but remain low relative to historical standards. Jobless claim applications climbed by 17,000 to 242,000 for the week of Dec. 7, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s significantly more than the 220,000 analysts were forecasting and yet another data point that reflects a cooling labor market. This week’s report also showed that continuing claims, the total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits, rose by 15,000 to 1.89 million for the week of Nov. 30. The four-week average of weekly claims, which softens some of the week-to-week volatility, rose by nearly 6,000 to 224,250. Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered a proxy for U.S. layoffs. While the job markets has shown some cracks recently, it remains broadly healthy and has held up better than many experts predicted considering that interest rates have been elevated in recent years. The Federal Reserve instituted a flurry of rate increases in 2022 and into 2023 to try to suppress the four-decade high inflation that took hold when

Sacramento

49ers’ 5 keys to beating Los Angeles Rams, avenging Week 3 faceplant

SANTA CLARA – Jauan Jennings’ three touchdowns staked the 49ers to a 21-7 lead the last time they met the Los Angeles Rams. That hat trick, along with career highs of 11 catches and 175 yards, could not prevent a 27-24 collapse at SoFi Stadium three months ago. Jennings was so disheartened he did not speak after the game. He also stayed mum after a 10-catch, 91-yard outing went for naught in last month’s home loss to Seattle. Winning is paramount to Jennings, and after Sunday’s two-touchdown effort helped spark the 49ers to a 38-13 rout of the Chicago Bears, he noted it “felt great, felt like our old selves again.” For the 49ers (6-7) to make their fifth playoff run in six seasons, they likely must win out, putting the onus on Jennings and others to stay hot tonight as the Rams (7-6) visit Levi’s Stadium. 1. COVER PUKA, KUPP The Rams’ Matthew Stafford beat the 49ers in Week 3 without Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Since going 1-5 to open the season, they’ve gone 6-2, impacted greatly by the returns of Nacua and

Sacramento

Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump

By JILL COLVIN, LISA MASCARO and HANNAH FINGERHUT, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — She’s an Iraq War combat veteran and sexual assault survivor who has advocated for years to improve how the military handles claims of sexual misconduct. But when Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, appeared initially cool to the nomination of President-elect Donald Trump ’s choice of Pete Hegseth to serve as defense secretary — a man who once said women should not serve in combat and who has himself been accused of sexual assault — she faced an onslaught of criticism from within her own party, including threats of a potential primary challenge in 2026. “The American people spoke,” said Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of the Family Leader and a conservative activist in Ernst’s home state. “When you sign up for this job, it’s a big boy and big girl job, and she’s feeling the pressure of people vocalizing their disappointment, their concern with how she’s handling this.” The pressure campaign against Ernst, once a rising member of the GOP leadership, shows there is little room in Trump’s party for those who

Los Angeles

Time magazine names its 2024 Person of the Year

By Kathryn Watson Updated on: December 12, 2024 / 10:14 AM EST / CBS News President-elect Donald Trump has been named Time magazine’s Person of the Year, the magazine announced Thursday, after he became only the second president in U.S. history to lose reelection and then reclaim the White House four years later.  “Trump’s political rebirth is unparalleled in American history,” Time said in the announcement. The magazine spoke to Trump ahead of the announcement, in which he told them he called his comeback “72 Days of Fury.” Trump beat out a short list of finalists for the title that included Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s billionaire ally Elon Musk , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Catherine, Princess of Wales , aka Kate Middleton. ( Musk was Time’s choice in 2021.) Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange in Manhattan to mark the occasion. It was the first time the real estate mogul-turned-politician has rung the bell, according to the Associated Press. Former first lady Melania Trump appeared alongside him in Manhattan, as did daughters Tiffany and Ivanka, and Vice

Los Angeles

Ex-FBI informant pleads guilty to lying about the Bidens

By Robert Legare Updated on: December 12, 2024 / 10:09 AM EST / CBS News FBI’s Biden informant accused of lying before FBI’s Biden informant accused of lying as far back as 2016 03:56 A California man who was charged with lying to the FBI about fake criminal allegations against President Biden and his son Hunter is pleading guilty, according to an agreement filed in federal court on Thursday. Alexander Smirnov was  indicted in February  by special counsel David Weiss, who was appointed to lead the now-defunct investigations into Hunter Biden. The president pardoned his son earlier this month. A longtime confidential informant, Smirnov told his FBI handler in 2020 that the two Bidens each accepted $5 million from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma several years earlier. The claims “were false, as the Defendant knew,” according to the charging documents filed against him. The fake allegations were memorialized in an FBI document that became a central piece of evidence in congressional Republicans’ efforts to investigate the Biden family.  In this courtroom sketch, defendant Alexander Smirnov speaks in federal court in Los Angeles, Feb. 26, 2024. 

Los Angeles

Mayor Adams meeting with Trump’s “border czar” Tom Homan today

NYC Mayor Adams meeting with Trump “border czar” today NYC Mayor Adams meeting with Trump “border czar” today 00:25 NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Eric Adams is meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming “border czar” Tom Homan on Thursday afternoon.  They are expected to discuss the fate of the Floyd Bennett Field migrant shelter , which sits on federal land. The mayor also wants to know whether the federal government plans on setting up deportation centers in New York .  The City Hall meeting comes as Homan says the biggest mass deportation program in U.S. history will begin in Chicago just after Trump takes office.  “We’re going to start right here in Chicago, Illinois. If your Chicago mayor doesn’t want to help, he can step aside,” Homan told a crowd in Chicago earlier this week. “But if he impedes us—if he knowingly harbors or conceals an illegal alien—I will prosecute him.”  Adams tells CBS News New York’s Marcia Kramer he would like to improve cooperation with the feds, but the City Council is against it. He said he is having lawyers explore the possibility

Los Angeles

Exclusive discounts from CBS Mornings Deals

Exclusive discounts from CBS Mornings Deals – CBS News Watch CBS News On this edition of CBS Mornings Deals, we show you items that might just become essentials in your everyday life. Visit cbsdeals.com to take advantage of these exclusive deals today. CBS earns commissions on purchases made through cbsdeals.com. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Los Angeles

Southern California police department warns shoppers of gift card scam

As the holidays approach, a Southern California police department is warning shoppers to be on the lookout for a gift card fund-draining scam. “Fraudsters are tampering with gift cards on store racks, stealing the card details, and draining the funds before the rightful owner can use them,” the Anaheim Police Department posted on its Instagram page Wednesday. Police also explained exactly how criminals are draining the gift cards: Criminals steal inactivated gift cards from the store racks They tamper with the packaging to reveal the card number and PIN code The card is resealed and returned to the rack, hiding evidence of tampering A consumer purchases and activates the gift card at checkout, loading it with funds The fraudster monitors the card balance and takes the funds as soon as they’re added Victims are left with depleted gift card balances, unaware their card was compromised The back of a gift card is displayed in this image provided by the Anaheim Police Department via Instagram. How to prevent being victimized Shoppers should inspect the packaging for scratches, cuts or scuff marks on the card or packaging

Bay Area

7 awesome Bay Area things to do this weekend, Dec. 13-15

Got your weekend plans? Between all the holiday excitement and the great stuff Bay Area has to offer in general, we have a lot of nifty ideas, from great holiday shows and concerts to bakery deliciousness. So let’s get to it, shall we? (As always, be sure to double check event and venue websites for any last-minute changes in health guidelines or other details.) Meanwhile, if you’d like to have this Weekender lineup delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning for free, just sign up at www.mercurynews.com/newsletters  or  www.eastbaytimes.com/newsletters . 1 HEAR: New holiday songs There are a bunch of great new holiday albums out this year by artists ranging from Jennifer Hudson to Lea Salonga to Tower of Power — here are 10 of our favorites. 2 DEVOUR: Baked deliciousness If you’re like us, a good bakery can turn an ordinary day into a cavalcade of bliss. So here are nine really good bakeries. Dorrance Dance, the acclaimed New York City-based tap company, brings its unique take on “The Nutcracker Suite” to UC Berkeley Dec. 14-15. (Christopher Duggan/Dorrance Dance)  3 SEE & HEAR: Great

Sacramento

Trump invites China’s Xi to his inauguration even as he threatens massive tariffs on Beijing

By AAMER MADHANI, Associated Press WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration next month — extending a diplomatic olive branch even as Trump threatens to levy massive tariffs on Chinese goods. Trump’s incoming press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed on Thursday that Trump invited Xi, but said it was “to be determined” if the leader of the United States’ most significant economic and military competitor would attend. “This is an example of President Trump creating an open dialogue with leaders of countries that are not just our allies, but our adversaries and our competitors too,” Leavitt said in an appearance Fox News. “We saw this in his first term. … He is willing to talk to anyone and he will always put America’s interest first.” CBS News first reported the invitation to Xi. FILE — China’s President Xi Jinping gathers for the world leaders’ group photo at the G20 Summit, in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) Trump on Thursday during an appearance at the New York Stock Exchange, where

Bay Area

San José Chamber Orchestra plans ‘Celebration’ for Dec. 29

The San José Chamber Orchestra is hosting a celebration on Dec. 29 with a program of music by Bach, Chopin and Debussy, and a new work for the new year by local composer Michael Touchi. The program features conductor Barbara Day Turner and pianist Jon Nakamatsu with clarinetists Jon and Alec Manasse. The works in “Celebration–Joys and Delights” are meant to mark the changing of the year. A reception and a sparkling toast will follow the performance, which starts at 3 p.m. at St Francis Episcopal Church, 1205 Pine Ave. Tickets are $15-$75 at sjco.org or 408-295-4416, with limited tickets available at the door. Last call for cider After seven years in business, co-owners Claudia Derp and Tracy Smith “made the difficult decision to close the Cider Junction.” The craft cider bar’s last day of operation was set for Saturday, Dec. 14, “unless you empty the taps before then,” Derp and Smith wrote in a Facebook post to their customers. “While this chapter is coming to a close, the connections we’ve built and the memories we’ve shared will always remain with us,” Derp and Smith

Bay Area

Live map: When will the next rain hit the Bay Area?

Live map: When will the next rain hit the Bay Area? Thursday’s first wave of rain let up before sunrise, and a second is expected in the afternoon. Light rain will arrive in the Bay Area around noon and continue until about 8 p.m., the National Weather Service said. The updating radar map above shows current areas of precipitation in green, with greater intensities indicated by yellow and orange. A winter weather advisory was in effect Thursday for the Lake Tahoe area, with the weather service predicting 6 to 10 inches of snow above 7,000 feet elevation and gusts as high as 90 mph on the ridges.

Bay Area

Wish Book: College of Adaptive Arts empowers students to reach their goals

One by one, the students took turns asking each other questions, whether they were at a table together or in a Zoom window at this College of Adaptive Arts’ “You Are Not Alone” class in Saratoga. Their goal: to foster a feeling of togetherness and support. If some were feeling glum, fellow students would respond with a heart gesture using their hands, and knew what else to ask to get their colleagues talking. “What’s your favorite snack?” Michael Odum asked. “What did you do this weekend?” Rowan Timmermann inquired. The class, otherwise known as YANA, was not created by an academic at the school, whose mission is to support adults with special needs who have not had access to a college education. Instead, it was the brainchild of Brighid Kohl, a student with autism and a stutter who has now transitioned into an associate professor role, showcasing the power of inclusive education and casting aside the limitations and perceptions of people with disabilities. Associate professor Brighid Kohl, center left (in hat), leads the “You Are Not Alone” class along with professor Paula Murray, center right, at

Los Angeles

Franklin Fire Scorches 4,037 Acres; Power Resorted in Malibu

The destructive and disruptive Franklin Fire in Malibu Canyon, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, has burned more than 4,000 acres and is 7% contained, but Southern California Edison said Thursday power has been restored to customers in the area and traffic signals are functioning. The fire has destroyed nine structures and damaged six others but no injuries have been reported, authorities said. At an 8 a.m. multi-agency briefing on Wednesday, Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone said the fire’s size was estimated at 3,983 acres. As of Thursday at 4:30 a.m. the fire has scorched 4,037 acres, according to Cal Fire, with 7% containment. Marrone said 1,532 firefighting personnel were assigned to the firefighting effort. “Nine structures have been destroyed and six structures have been damaged as our fire department partners continue their efforts to suppress the fire,” the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported. Cal Fire Assistant Chief Dusty Martin reported Wednesday evening that 6,300 individuals were displaced due to the evacuation order. Cal Fire Incident Management Team 4 assumed command of the firefight Wednesday morning. The Los Angeles County Fire

Far North

Music Tonight: Thursday, Dec. 12

It might not be Monday, but it’s still a metal night over at Savage Henry Comedy Club, where at 9 p.m., you can enjoy a line-up of bands from both here and abroad. The road dogs are represented by blackened thrash band Oxygen Destroyer from a scattering of cities further north in the Pacific Northwest, along with New Jersey’s Kontusion. Local psychos Bloodspire and Image Pit round out the bill nicely ($5). …

Los Angeles

Pentagon addresses drones over New Jersey, says there’s no Iranian ship off U.S. coast

Pentagon addresses drones over New Jersey, says there’s no Iranian ship off U.S. coast – CBS News Watch CBS News Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh said Wednesday that there’s no evidence the drones spotted over New Jersey are coming from a foreign entity and flatly denied that there’s an Iranian ship off the coast of the United States launching the drones. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Los Angeles

“48 Hours” show schedule

Updated on: January 5, 2025 / 2:22 AM EST / CBS News True crime. Real justice.  “48 Hours” is the one to watch on Saturday nights.  HOW TO WATCH “48 Hours” airs Saturdays starting at 10/9c on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.    Can’t watch us live? Set your DVR! Watch more full episodes of “48 Hours” on Pluto TV. You’ll also find us on CBS News 24/7  Saturdays at 6 and 11 p.m. ET. Download the CBS News app on your cellphone or connected TV. Watch “48 Hours” full episodes 24/7: The “48 Hours” FAST Channel (free, advertiser-supported streaming) is available on  CBSNews.com, Pluto TV, Paramount +, and Paramount partner channels.    We are on YouTube, too! Listen to our podcasts: “48 Hours,” “My Life of Crime,”  “Post Mortem,” and more. COMING UP SATURDAY, JAN. 4, 2025 | DOUBLE FEATURE 10/9c:ALL NEW:   The Blackout Murder of Livye Lewis : A woman is discovered shot dead in her car with a blood covered man alive on the ground. The man says he has no memory of how he got there. Investigators unravel the strange scene. “48 Hours” correspondent Peter Van Sant reports. STREAM