Los Angeles

AI tools to help with your holiday shopping

Are you doing your holiday shopping in person or online this year? While online shopping has grown tremendously, in-store purchases still dominate with Americans spending about $7 trillion in retail stores compared to $1.2 trillion online last year, according to Capital One Shopping. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way consumers find the perfect gifts and score the best deals. AI can offer personalized recommendations, price comparisons, and savings opportunities. Unlike generic gift guides, AI tools like Cheerful, co-founded by UC Santa Barbara graduate Ben Revzin, craft highly tailored suggestions based on recipients ages, interests, preferences, and price points then show you links to purchase them. Basically for Cheerful specifically, AI is taking the interests that you write, its like a recipe for a cake,” Revzin explains. You throw in the interests, you throw in how old your gift recipient is so your parents’ age or your friend’s age, whatever it is, and then it’s basically creating and thinking up, in real-time, gift ideas for that person. So AI is making it all happen. Its kind of like the oven. If saving money is

Los Angeles

Jury Begins Hearing Case of Man Charged in Covina Killing

A prosecutor told jurors Tuesday that ballistics evidence linked a man to the shooting death of a veteran UPS employee who was among a trio of people who tried to stop him after he was allegedly seen rummaging around a parked car in Covina four days before Christmas in 2021, while a defense attorney countered that his client opened fire only after being punched and kneed. Trevor Howard Thompson, now 37, is charged with one count of murder stemming from the Dec. 21, 2021, death of 38-year-old Joey Manuel Casias, along with two counts each of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and illegal possession of a firearm. The murder charge includes the special circumstance allegation of murder to avoid arrest, along with an allegation that Thompson personally used a firearm causing death. Deputy District Attorney Michelle Weiske told the Pomona jury that the bulk of the charges against the defendant stem from his alleged actions in December 2021 after he was seen inside a white BMW that had inadvertently been left unlocked. Thompson was first confronted by the vehicle’s owner, who was informed that someone

Los Angeles

LA City Council Finalizes Measure ULA Programs, Expands Funding

Renters in Los Angeles can anticipate more support from the city after Tuesday’s expansion of programs under Measure ULA, including eviction defense, rental assistance and income support for seniors and people with disabilities. In a 12-0 vote, the City Council approved final guidelines for Measure ULA housing production and homelessness prevention initiatives, as well as plans to use more dollars generated by the tax, which was approved by voters in April 2023 and established a tax on the sale of property of more than $5 million. Council members Traci Park and Monica Rodriguez were absent during the vote. Councilman Curren Price recused himself because is a landlord. The panel also approved an amendment introduced by Councilman Bob Blumenfield for a report on if and how the city might exempt or lessen the burden on nonprofits building or acquiring affordable housing for seniors. “I’m trying to find a way that we can help those organizations out that are doing that housing, and this is a report to help us find that pathway to help those nonprofits that are doing this important work but are unfortunately, the

Sacramento

Ex-defense chief in South Korea tried to kill himself after being arrested over martial law case

By KIM TONG-HYUNG and HYUNG-JIN KIM SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s previous defense minister was stopped from attempting suicide while in detention over last week’s martial law, officials said, as police were trying to search President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office Wednesday in their intensifying investigation. The main liberal opposition Democratic Party also plans to submit a new motion to impeach Yoon for his Dec. 3 declaration that imposed martial law in South Korea for the first time in more than 40 years. Its first impeachment attempt against Yoon last Saturday failed, with ruling party lawmakers boycotting a floor vote. Yoon’s ill-conceived power grab has paralyzed South Korean politics, frozen its foreign policy and rattled financial markets, greatly reducing his chances of completing his five-year term and casting a turbulent shadow over one of Asia’s most robust democracies. Shin Yong Hae, commissioner general of of the Korea Correctional Service, told lawmakers Wednesday that Kim tried to kill himself the previous night at a detention center in Seoul. He said that Kim’s suicide attempt failed after center officials stopped him and that he is in a stable condition

San Diego

‘Frustrated, tired, cold…’ Fallbrook residents deal with 72 hours of no power

FALLBROOK, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — “Frustrated, tired and cold.” That’s how Mary Maxwell describes being less than 24 hours into an anticipated 72-hour public safety power shutoff event by San Diego Gas and Electric. The intersection of State Route 76 and Old Highway 395 in Fallbrook is also without power, with drivers trying to navigate the busy intersection of Interstate 15 as a stop sign, but many people are narrowly avoiding a crash. Thousands under public safety power shutoffs amid Red Flag Warning “I had to come into my car, turn on my vehicle and charge my phone,” Maxwell said. “All the little basic things you take for granted.” She’s called Lake Rancho Viejo in Fallbrook home for the last 17 years and said this is the first time she can recall being in a 72-hour public safety power shutoff. “We’re not very prepared for this,” she added. Her elderly parents also live there, and she said it is getting cold inside. “My elderly parents…they are all bundled up in their hats and their coats,” Maxwell said. “I got some Duraflame so that I can

Los Angeles

Man struck by car during violent bar fight in Laguna Beach

Two people were arrested following a violent bar fight that ended in a man being struck by a car in downtown Laguna Beach. The suspects were identified as Itay Zaiger, 25, and Nicholas Tasooji, 39, according to the Laguna Beach Police Department. On Dec. 7, police responded to an altercation on the 200 block of Beach Street at around 2:19 a.m. Arriving officers found two men at the scene who said they were intentionally struck by a driver following an altercation that began at a local bar on Forest Avenue. Investigators learned two groups of men were arguing inside the bar earlier that night. The argument then escalated into “philosophical differences between the Israeli/Palestinian conflict,” police said. The hostilities continued outside of the bar before the confrontation turned physical. That’s when Zaiger reportedly chased a man in the opposing group and tackled him, police said. The man claimed Zaiger kicked him in the head several times after he was tackled to the ground, causing moderate head trauma. Tasooji, a friend of the man who was tackled, then allegedly drove his vehicle onto the sidewalk and

Sacramento

Mercy Medical Center’s Substance Abuse Navigator continues to help people find treatment

Wednesday, December 11, 2024 3:44AM Since 2019, the Substance Abuse Navigator at Mercy Medical Center has helped thousands of people find a pathway to treatment. MERCED, Calif (KFSN) — In the North Valley, the Substance Abuse Navigator at Mercy Medical Center has helped thousands of people find a pathway to treatment since 2019. There are 29 similar services available in California through the Dignity Health system. Each has the goal of providing immediate intervention and long-term support for folks battling drug addiction. California continues to fight the ongoing drug crisis, and it’s a problem that affects tens of thousands of people. “We’ve seen a lot of people with addiction issues come in,” said Brenna Halliday with the Substance Abuse Navigator Program. Preliminary data from the California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard shows in 2023, the state saw just over 7500 opioid-related overdose deaths, with over 6000 people hospitalized. “We’ve seen an increase of people with addiction problems throughout the holiday season,” said Halliday. “We are just trying to get everybody to where they need to be.” State numbers also show that last year, Merced County saw 43

Sacramento

Nearly 75% of Fresno County students are eligible for free money for college but haven’t claimed it

More than $84 million is up for grabs for Fresno County students to use for college. To get the money, all you have to do is go online and claim it. Despite the simple process, hundreds of thousands of people haven’t. Salvador Covarrubias is a father to three young ladies. One is in middle school, and the other two are already attending college. “One is already in medical school and the second has just went to college at UC Santa Cruz,” Covarrubias said. As a parent, paying for higher education for your child can be top of mind. It’s something Covarrubias stresses to other parents as part of his work at Fresno Unified’s Parent University. It was through his work he learned about CalKids. Deputy executive director Stan Zeto with the Scholarshare Investment board says the statewide program launched in the summer of 2022. “And it was created by the state to help families prepare financially and to jumpstart their college savings,” Zeto said. In Fresno County, roughly 75% of public school students are eligible to receive their share of more than $84 million in

Sacramento

Fresno Co. election officials knew about scope of ballot blunder before certifying the election

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — An error at the Fresno County Elections Office is now raising questions as officials reveal the full scope of a ballot blunder, something they say might not have been known for months without Action News asking for answers. “We have identified 295 voters across the county of Fresno that did end up receiving an incorrect ballot for this election,” Fresno County Clerk and Registrar of Voters James Kus told Action News. The acknowledgment comes after weeks of internal investigation first spurred by Action News. “I didn’t have the opportunity to vote for the person that I should’ve voted for,” voter Rick Steitz said. “I was disenfranchised. I was given the wrong ballot.” Steitz received a ballot for Fresno City Council District 6 even though he lived in District 2. He says he called the elections office on November 6 but never heard back, so he called Action News on November 18. Action News went straight to Kus, who confirmed within hours that an error impacted 11 voters. The number has since grown to 295. “295 is too many, but it isn’t

Sacramento

Ground broken for bridge over future high-speed rail route in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Local leaders and lawmakers gathered in Central Fresno on Tuesday morning to break ground on a grade separation at McKinley and Golden State Boulevard. The California High-Speed Rail Authority provided photos showing what the project will look like once it’s complete. The grade separation will be over 400 feet long and 78 feet wide, expanding to four lanes for Fresno drivers. It will carry traffic over the future high-speed tracks. A roundabout has already been completed on McKinley Avenue near Highway 99. Former Fresno County Supervisor Henry Perea, who is on the Rail Authority’s Board of Directors, said the bridge will also include bike lanes and pedestrian access. “There is progress on High-Speed Rail. I think that’s the top line message to the people, not just in Fresno but the state, this project is happening,” said Perea. However, federal lawmakers who challenge the process are calling it one of the most troubled megaprojects in the nation. Earlier this year, they sent a five-page letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, saying, “The entire system poses a growing financial challenge for the

Sacramento

Driver dies after crashing into two parked cars in Reedley, police say

Wednesday, December 11, 2024 2:50AM A person has died after crashing parking into two parked cars in Reedley Tuesday morning. REEDLEY, Calif. (KFSN) — A person has died after crashing parking into two parked cars in Reedley. Officers responded to the intersection of Huntsman and Hope avenues at 6:30 a.m. for reports of a traffic collision. When they arrived, they found an unresponsive 40-year-old Reedley resident in one of three damaged cars. Officers tried to provide CPR to the 40-year-old, but they were declared dead at the scene. Investigators say the driver was traveling westbound on Huntsman Avenue when their car collided with two other parked cars. The driver has not yet been identified. An autopsy will be done to determine if the driver’s death is from the crash itself or a potential medical emergency that may have happened before. It’s unknown if drugs or alcohol contributed to the crash. Copyright © 2024 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Los Angeles

Cop ‘unintentionally’ shoots at suspected car thief in Southern California

Despite his arrest, a stolen vehicle suspect in Burbank is likely counting his blessings after one of the responding officers “unintentionally” fired his service weapon in his direction and pierced the windshield.   The incident, according to the Burbank Police Department, unfolded on Oct. 26 at around 1 a.m. while officers were looking for a white-colored Ford Econoline van stolen near the intersection of Buena Vista and Vanowen streets.   In footage of the incident released by police, responding officers are seen spotting the van at a stoplight less than a half mile away at Buena Vista and Victory Boulevard.   Officers made the decision to box the van in while it was sitting at the stoplight in an attempt to lessen the chance that the suspect driver might attempt to start a pursuit, police said.   A 14-year veteran of the Burbank police department reportedly “unintentionally” fired his gun toward a suspected car thief and fellow officers on Oct. 26, 2024. (BPD) A 14-year veteran of the Burbank police department reportedly “unintentionally” fired his gun toward a suspected car thief and fellow officers on

Los Angeles

Suspect arrested after man found dead on busy Pomona road 

A suspect was arrested earlier this week after a man was found dead on a busy Pomona road. The suspect was identified as Christian Rubalcaba, 38, according to the Pomona Police Department. On Aug. 24, police responded to reports of a man down on the 2000 block of North Towne Avenue. Arriving officers found the victim, Luis Ernesto Villanueva-Romero, 39, lying face down and unresponsive in the southbound lanes of Towne Avenue. He was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Detectives later identified Rubalcaba as the prime suspect in Villanueva-Romero’s death. On Dec. 3, he was located by officers in Montclair where he was taken into custody.  Southern California man arrested in 41-year-old cold case murder Details on the circumstances leading up to Villanueva-Romero’s death and whether the two men knew each other were not released by authorities. On Dec. 5, Rubalcaba was charged with involuntary manslaughter, felon in possession of a firearm, destruction of evidence, and firearm enhancement. The deadly incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information on the case is encouraged to call Pomona Police at 909-622-1241.  Anonymous

Bay Area

Pittsburg: Driver killed in fiery crash Monday night

PITTSBURG – A driver was killed in a fiery crash Monday night in Pittsburg, police said. The solo-vehicle collision happened around 6:55 p.m. in the 1400 block of East Leland Road, between Gladstone Drive and Loveridge Road, according to the Pittsburg Police Department. The vehicle hit a power pole and a fire hydrant and then burst into flames, police said. “Tragically, the driver, who was the sole occupant, did not survive the collision,” police said in a news release. The crash also knocked out power to the area. Police used patrol vehicles and barricades to block both directions of East Leland Road for an investigation. Around 10:10 p.m., a driver traveling eastbound in a black Ford Explorer crashed through the barricades and hit three patrol vehicles, according to police. The driver was treated at the scene and later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. The fatal crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information can contact Traffic Officer Kevin Barkley at 925-252-4005 or the police department at 925-646-2441. Check back for updates.

Bay Area

Judge rejects sale of Alex Jones’ Infowars to The Onion in dispute over bankruptcy auction

HOUSTON (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday night rejected the sale of the conspiracy platform Infowars to The Onion satirical news outlet after Alex Jones claimed that a recent bankruptcy auction was fraught with illegal collusion. The Onion was named the winning bidder on Nov. 14 over a company affiliated with Jones. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez’s decision means Jones can stay at Infowars in Austin, Texas. The Onion had planned to kick Jones out and relaunch Infowars in January as a parody. At the end of a lengthy two-day hearing in a Texas courtroom, Lopez criticized the auction process as flawed and said the outcome “left a lot of money on the table” for families of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. “You got to scratch and claw and get everything you can for them,” Lopez said. The Onion offered $1.75 million in cash and other incentives for Infowars’ assets in the auction. First United American Companies, which runs a website in Jones’ name that sells nutritional supplements, bid $3.5 million. Lopez cited problems — but no wrongdoing — with the auction process. He said he did