California Dolphin

MEXICO CITY —  Mexican authorities vowed to investigate a deadly incident in which its soldiers opened fire on a truck carrying U.S.-bound migrants near the country’s southern border with Guatemala, killing six and injuring at least 10 others. “It’s a lamentable act that has to be investigated and punished,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters Thursday at her morning news conference. The incident comes as illicit immigration has become a major issue in the U.S. elections and Washington has been pressuring Mexico to push migrants south and away from the U.S.-Mexico border. The truck was carrying 33 migrants late Tuesday from various nations, including Egypt, Nepal, Cuba, India and Pakistan, according to a statement from the Mexican military. The six killed were from Egypt, El Salvador and Peru, the president said. Four died at the scene and two others succumbed at a hospital in the town of Huixtla, about 50 miles north of Mexico’s border with Guatemala in Mexico’s Chiapas state, the military said. The sprawling state of Chiapas, which shares a long border with Guatemala, is a major transit corridor for migrants from around the

This article contains spoilers for Episode 4 of “Agatha All Along.” “It’s just a stupid song,” says a witch in the second episode of “Agatha All Along.” However, as viewers of the new Marvel series know by now, “The Ballad of the Witches’ Road” is anything but stupid. It’s a cultural touchstone for the centuries-old witches, an instruction manual for navigating the road and an infectious tune that’s become an earworm since the season premiere last month. And in the fourth episode, the song transforms like the road itself, and what was once an ancient chant has become a head-banging — and heart-healing — ’70s rock hit. Creator and showrunner Jac Schaeffer promises that additional versions are still ahead. “ ‘The Ballad’ is the backbone of the whole show,” she told The Times. With each new version, “It’s less about the genre and more about the era and its significance to Agatha. So rather than doing what we did in ‘WandaVision’ — which was phenomenal, but it was quite cutesy, like we ran it through a filter every time — this is different because it’s

In recent years, political turmoil in Venezuela has driven many people there to seek new lives abroad. This displacement has ignited a profound longing for their homeland — nostalgia for cherished sights, sounds and flavors that connect them to their origins. Finding solace in these small connections has become a lifeline for many. Paola Santos’ charming debut picture book, “How to Eat a Mango,” published in July by Neal Porter Books, offers just that — a sweet, comforting slice of home. The story follows young Carmencita, who initially resists her abuelita’s insistence on picking mangoes from their garden. They are just messy and get stuck in her teeth, more of a chore than a treat. But Abuelita, with her gentle wisdom, guides through a mindful journey. Together, they explore the tree and the sweet, smooth fruits, encouraging Carmencita — and young readers — to appreciate nature’s gifts and the love that comes with them. Santos was born in Maracaibo, a vibrant city and the birthplace of many beloved Venezuelan musicians, including Latin Grammy winner flutist Huáscar Barradas . It is also a place where mangoes

It pays to listen to women. Republicans have repeatedly ignored that adage, as evident in their demolition of Roe vs. Wade, opposition to IVF and contraception, and derogatory comments about “childless cat ladies,” and “women past 50.” Thursday morning delivered the biggest indicator yet that the MAGA party is losing female voters by the minute when former First Lady Melania Trump delivered a vehemently pro-choice message on her X account. “Individual freedom is a fundamental principle that I safeguard,” she said in the video meant to publicize her new memoir, scheduled for release on Tuesday. “Without a doubt, there is no room for compromise when it comes to this essential right that all women possess from birth, individual freedom. What does my body, my choice really mean?” At the end of the 28-second ad, viewers see an image of the book’s cover and the option to “order now” from her website. So she won’t be voting for her husband? It would appear so given that her comments, delivered just one month before the election, run in direct opposition to former President Trump’s crowning achievement: ending

Two of eight Orange County firefighters injured in a freeway crash last month transitioned from hospital care to rehabilitation on Wednesday, the Orange County Fire Authority announced. That means six members of the Santiago Hand Crew, tasked with helping battle the massive Airport fire, are now home or in rehab. Two unnamed firefighters continue to be hospitalized at Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo and Orange County Global Medical Center in Santa Ana. Firefighter Andrew Brown, whose condition was not released by the OCFA due to a family request for privacy, received a cheerful sendoff as he was discharged from Mission Hospital and transferred to Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colo., on Wednesday morning. “Like all eight of the OCFA patients, Andrew continues to show the same strength and courage that makes him a tremendous hand crew firefighter,” OCFA Capt. Thanh Nguyen said in a video statement. “That excellence was on full display during the Airport fire as Andrew and the rest of the OCFA’s Santiago Hand Crew put their life on the line to protect life and property.” Brown received a round of applause from

Amid a proliferation of recreational vehicles on the streets of Los Angeles, local and state officials are working together to create additional space to store the large motor homes. On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2525, allowing the city of Los Angeles to rent space from Caltrans for $1 per month, in which officials plan to store RVs. The bill, authored by Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood), was sponsored by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, whom Zbur thanked in a press release announcing the bill’s signature. “With thousands of people experiencing homelessness living in RVs, the need for safe storage as we transition Angelenos into housing is urgent,” Zbur said. “… AB 2525 will authorize the State to better partner with the City of Los Angeles to provide real solutions for community members experiencing homelessness.” As the Los Angeles times detailed, the bill gives the city access to 25 parcels underneath and near freeways. Residents will “see the difference in more RV encampments being cleared,” Clara Karger, a spokeswoman for Bass, told the Times in an emailed statement. It won’t be immediate —

A road sign dipping into the lanes of traffic caused lane closures that could last for hours in San Pedro, authorities said. Occurring on the 47 Freeway, just north of Ferry Street, the Sigalert was first issued at about 9:55 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. The No. 2 and 3 lanes were closed due to “debris,” officials said. The CHP originally said the closures would last one hour, but that was later changed to as many as 10 hours. Multiple lanes of the 47 Freeway in San Pedro were closed on Thursday as a traffic sign hung too low over the lanes of traffic. (KTLA) The cause of the closure appeared to be a freeway sign that was hanging down over the lanes of traffic at an unsafe height, according to images captured by Sky5. It’s unclear how the malfunction occurred. No additional details were immediately made available.

McDonald’s Chicken Big Mac, a reimagined version of its famous Big Mac that has been a hit in international markets, will debut in the U.S. later this month. The Chicken Big Mac features all the toppings from the Big Mac but has two tempura-battered chicken patties instead of the two all-beef patties. Wendy’s to release Krabby Patty meal for SpongeBob’s birthday “With the introduction of the Chicken Big Mac, we’re excited to pay homage to one of our most iconic menu items, the Big Mac, and introduce it to a whole new generation of fans,” Tariq Hassan, chief marketing and customer experience officer at McDonald’s USA, said in a statement. Recently, some fans unknowingly tried the Chicken Big Mac at McDonnell’s, a one-day dining pop-up experience in Los Angeles hosted by Chain, the company behind ChainFest. McDonald’s Chicken Big Mac will be served at participating restaurants nationwide for a limited time. Southern California customers can check the McDonald’s app to get 20% off any purchase of $15 or more, which can be applied to the sandwich, according to McDonald’s.

California Lottery Scratchers winners in Orange and San Bernardino counties cashed in for $5 million each, but an even bigger winner scored $10 million during an incredible streak of luck a little farther south. The Orange County winner purchased his lucky ticket from a CVS on North Main Street in Santa Ana. Miguel Tellez discovered he won the $5 million on a 100X Scratchers ticket, according to the California Lottery website. In San Bernardino County, Calvin Smith hit it big with a $5 million California State Riches Scratchers ticket he bought at Joe’s Market in Victorville. But Bradley Bullock doubled those winnings with the $10 million Scratchers card he bought in San Diego County at a 7-Eleven on Prospect Avenue in Santee. Bullock apparently bought the ticket the morning after he won $2,000 on a slot machine at a local casino, Lottery officials stated. “I was able to sleep in a little because I didn’t have to work, but I needed a little caffeine pick-me-up, so I got an energy drink and a couple of Scratchers,” Bullock said. One of those tickets was a Royal