Top Crime News provided by TMZ©

• Capitol Rioter Screams at Cops Asking Them to Call for Backup to Combat Mob
  Not every Trumper at the U.S. Capitol was down with the siege ... or at least so it appears based on this one MAGA cap-wearing man's convo with Capitol Police in the middle of the riot. Check out this clip that just surfaced from Jan. 6, when the… Permalink
• Napa Man Arrested for Massive Stockpile of Guns & Weapons
  A Napa man was hoarding an absurd amount of guns and bombs fit for a small battalion ... so claim cops anyway, who busted the guy on a ton of weapons charges. 44-year-old Ian Benjamin Rogers was arrested Friday by the Napa County Sheriff's Office… Permalink
• Patrick Warren's Son Had No Idea an Armed Cop Would Come and Shoot His Dad Dead
  The son of Patrick Warren -- the man with mental health issues who was shot and killed by a cop this month -- says he felt betrayed when the officer arrived, because he didn't want an armed police officer dealing with his dad. Patrick Jr. appeared… Permalink
• Iced Earth's Jon Schaffer Arrested Over Capitol Riot, Allegedly Used Bear Spray on Cops
  1/18 -- So, here's the smoking gun in Jon Schaffer's case ... or smoking can, we should say -- according to federal prosecutors anyway. The DOJ has released photos that it says shows Jon holding a can of bear spray, and they've circled where they… Permalink
• Autistic Teen Dies After Cops Sit on Him for 9 Minutes, Family Claims
  An autistic teenager died after being restrained by Sheriff's deputies following a violent episode between the teen and his dad, and now ... his parents are suing the department, claiming they suffocated the kid to death. Donna Lou and Daren Parsa… Permalink
• Black Man Helped by Mental Health Officer Day Before Shooting Death (NEW VIDEO)
  This is a story of life and death -- two 911 calls a day apart to help a man with a mental disability, two different officers respond, and in the first case the man lives and in the second he's shot dead ... and the proof is in the 2 videos below.… Permalink
• Virginia Man Arrested with Gun & Ammo Trying to Breach D.C. Checkpoint
  A Virginia man got busted trying to breach a D.C. checkpoint with a stash of ammo and a couple of guns ... this just a few days before Joe Biden's inauguration. Wesley Allen Beeler was arrested Friday night after coming across a checkpoint in… Permalink
• Taylor Swift's $1 Sexual Assault Lawsuit Cited in Supreme Court Case
  Taylor Swift's sexual assault lawsuit -- in which she only demanded $1 for punishment, and won -- became a talking point in the highest court in the land ... and it could actually help a guy keep his case alive. T-Swift was name-dropped Tuesday… Permalink
• Son of Brooklyn Judge Charged in Capitol Siege, Furry Shield Guy
  The guy who was wearing animal fur and parading around with a policeman's shield inside the Capitol building during last week's riot is the son of a prominent judge in Brooklyn ... who now has to watch his boy go through the criminal justice… Permalink
• YFN Lucci Wanted for Felony Murder in Atlanta
  YFN Lucci is a wanted man in Atlanta -- because cops suspect he's involved in the shooting death of a man. Atlanta PD's homicide unit tells us they're looking to bring in 29-year-old Rayshawn Bennett -- Lucci's real name -- on multiple charges ...… Permalink
• Feds Investigating Manatee with 'TRUMP' Scraped Onto Its Back
  Somebody etched the word "TRUMP" into the back of a manatee ... and now, the feds are looking for the culprit. Word of the manatee spread this week after a video surfaced showing the creature swimming in the waters of Florida's Homosassa River.… Permalink
• Miya Ponsetto's Second DUI Arrest Was Wild & Flailing, Caught on Video
  Miya Ponsetto's October DUI (the second such arrest in 4 months) was filmed by bystanders ... and yes, it's about as wild as we've come to expect, ending with this rant to cops: "There are gang members killing people right now and you're arresting… Permalink
• Miya Ponsetto Released After NYC Arraignment, D.A. Never Mentioned Victim was Black
  This case is clearly not going to have any racial implication, despite the victim's family feeling race had everything to do with her actions. The D.A. never uttered the words that the 14-year-old boy was black. This underscores the prosecutor's… Permalink
• Rioters Were Looking to Hurt Pelosi, 'Hang Mike Pence' in Capitol Siege
  The insurrectionists at the Capitol were out to harm and possibly kill Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and the video that has just surfaced makes this all pretty much undeniable. New video has surfaced from Wednesday's… Permalink
• Oregon State Rep. Purposely Opens Door to Capitol, Lets Trump Protesters In
  Shots of Capitol police officers letting pro-Trump rioters easily pass their line and facilitate the storming of the Capitol appears to be a practice that's been in place from sea to shining sea since at least December ... because something similar… Permalink
• Man Wearing Horns with Face Paint During Capitol Siege Arrested
  The guy most everyone (infamously) remembers as the bare-chested insurrectionist with animal horns and face paint who stormed into the Capitol is now in federal custody. Jacob Chansley -- more commonly known as Jake Angeli, per prosecutors -- was… Permalink
• Kenosha Cop Who Shot Jacob Blake Will Not Be Charged, Cites Self-Defense
  The white police officer who shot Jacob Blake -- an unarmed Black man -- at point-blank range seven times won't be criminally charged ... and neither will any of the other cops involved. Kenosha County District Attorney Michael D. Graveley… Permalink
• Bobby Shmurda Could Get Out of Prison in February if He's Good
  Bobby Shmurda's 2021 is off to a good start, because the incarcerated rapper could get sprung early -- as soon as next month -- if he can stay out of trouble. The Department of Corrections just updated the Miami rapper's conditional release date to… Permalink
• SoHo Karen Laying Low in SoCal But Getting Around Town
  Miya Ponsetto is doing a really bad job at laying low in her hometown, because she's been out and about ... and not without controversy. The 22-year-old -- who falsely accused Keyon Harrold's teenage son of stealing her phone -- has surfaced in her… Permalink
• BASE Jumpers Leap from Nashville Hotel Roof Bar, Parachute Down
  As if Nashville hasn't had enough chaos descend upon it lately, here's two doofuses causing even more of a panic by jumping off a hotel rooftop bar to ring in the new year. This wild incident went down Friday at the Grand Hyatt in downtown -- not… Permalink

LA Times©

• Orange County to open second mass COVID-19 vaccination site amid supply issues
  Orange County will open its second large-scale COVID-19 vaccination site at Soka University in Aliso Viejo on Saturday.
• Bill Roberts, influential Santa Ana High teacher who propelled students to Ivy League schools, dies
  Roberts offered more than just a curriculum to the predominately low-income and Latino students in Orange County's urban core.
• California is running critically low on COVID-19 vaccines as people vie for shots
  County officials say they have most of the resources — large vaccine centers and personnel to run them — but lack the doses they need.
• California Supreme Court rejects petition to force LAUSD to partially reopen for in-person classes
  The court denies a petition alleging that L.A. Unified was violating the law by not offering in-person instruction for pupils with the greatest need.
• Chance of dying from COVID-19 in the hospital doubles in L.A. County
  More than 4,000 of Los Angeles County's 14,000-plus COVID-19 deaths have been reported since New Year's Day.
• More than 50 Bay Area restaurants, wineries sue Newsom over dining ban
  A group of Bay Area wineries and restaurants are seeking to overturn a state ban on in-person dining — and drinking — as a coronavirus-control measure.
• Newsom promised 1 million COVID-19 vaccinations. California can't tell if he hit his goal
  Gov. Gavin Newsom said 1 million additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine would be administered in California over the course of 10 days. But due to the state's data collection issues, it is unclear whether he met that goal.
• Column: How Kamala Harris' decision to join a sorority helped her become vice president
  Kamala Harris has shattered many glass ceilings, but she has great company in Alpha Kappa Alpha and other Black Greek-letter sororities and fraternities.
• Fingerpointing, outrage after Trump pardons USC father in college admission scandal
  The fallout was swift after Donald Trump pardoned Robert Zangrillo, who had faced a criminal trial set for this year.
• Column: At a muted inauguration, Biden asks Americans to 'stop the shouting and lower the temperature'
  Biden was inaugurated in a city that depressingly resembled an armed camp — as did California's state Capitol and statehouses around the country.
• California will resume using questioned doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
  Review of allergic reactions linked to a specific lot of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine found "no scientific basis" for withholding it
• Vaccinating Californians 65 and older may last till June, pushing back timetable for others
  The state is receiving about 300,000 to 500,000 COVID-19 doses each week, a pace that would take months for priority list residents to get vaccinated.
• California Senate Republicans replace vocal Trump supporter Shannon Grove as their leader
  Grove, who once described herself as a "gun-carrying, tongue-talking, spirit-filled believer," will be succeeded as Senate Republican leader by state Sen. Scott Wilk of Santa Clarita.
• Orange County rally organizer accused of running over Trump supporters faces new charges
  The organizer of a rally against police brutality who was charged with attempted murder last year now faces additional felony charges after a months-long review of the case, prosecutors said Wednesday.
• 'The end is not yet in sight': Coronavirus danger remains even as some metrics improve, L.A. County says
  Despite signs that COVID-19 may be receding, a top Los Angeles County official warned the situation remains precarious.
• Eviction cases in California projected to double
  With the coronavirus pandemic still raging, the California court system is preparing for eviction cases to double
• Operator of Queen Mary in Long Beach files for bankruptcy protection
  Eagle Hospitality Trust's Chapter 11 filing could be the start of a wave of bankruptcies for the industry. The company operates the Queen Mary in Long Beach.
• What older L.A. County residents need to know about signing up for the COVID-19 vaccine
  On Tuesday in Los Angeles County, those 65 and older began signing up for COVID-19 vaccine appointments. But it will take time to inoculate everyone.
• Inauguration Day protests remain small, peaceful in California despite fears of violence
  Law enforcement in California remains on high alert for threats that may arise in response to President Biden's inauguration.
• Magnitude 3.5 earthquake mildly shakes South Los Angeles
  A magnitude 3.5 earthquake gently rattles South Los Angeles on Wednesday morning.
• Could a COVID-19 surge lead to shutdowns at L.A. ports? Officials plead for dockworker vaccines
  A Covid-19 surge at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach has sickened hundreds of longshore workers, a disruption that could stymie the flow of goods - including pandemic supplies - through the nation's largest port complex. Port and local officials are calling for urgent vaccination of dockworkers.
• New blow to SAT empire shows California's key role in diminishing college admissions tests
  The College Board's scrapping of SAT subject tests and essays signal another blow to the standardized testing industry.
• More contagious COVID-19 variants bring new uncertainties to California
  Vaccines, aggressive strains and fatigue: California hits 3 million COVID cases and a crossroads.
• Biden to offer legal status to 11 million immigrants, plans to stop border wall construction
  The overhaul would prioritize three categories of people to receive green cards: farm workers, those with temporary protected status and Dreamers
• Trump pardons USC father in college admissions scandal
  President Trump grants a pardon to Robert Zangrillo, a Miami developer accused of securing his daughter's admission to USC through bribery and fraud.
• Sacramento County sheriff's deputy, K9 and suspect dead after shootout
  A sheriff's deputy, police dog and suspect are dead after a shootout Monday night in Sacramento.
• 'No credible threat' to Los Angeles ahead of inauguration, law enforcement leaders say
  Law enforcement leaders across Los Angeles County are beefing up patrols and are on high alert for any threat that may arise ahead of the inauguration Wednesday of President-elect Joe Biden.
• San Francisco will run out of COVID-19 vaccine Thursday, officials say
  Moderna doses nearly depleted because of a shrinking vaccine allocation to the city and the inability to replace suspect doses.
• L.A. County seniors can sign up for vaccine this week, but waits will be long due to shortages
  Shortages will limit how many older L.A. County residents will be able to get the vaccine in the coming weeks.
• More than 78,000 Southern California Edison customers lose power as high winds increase wildfire risk
  A red flag warning for high fire risk will remain in place for much of L.A. County until 10 p.m. Tuesday.
• L.A. County opens 5 vaccine sites, plans to reach 20,000 people daily
  Five large-scale vaccination sites opened across Los Angeles County on Tuesday.
• What month is this? Strong winds, fires, outages hit Bay Area, knock down PG&E lines
  'It's hard to believe this is January,' said one official, as Cal Fire reported at least 10 fires in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties.
• Orange County man lived in Chicago airport for three months, fearing COVID-19
  Aditya Singh, 36, told authorities he was afraid to fly because of the COVID-19 pandemic and said other passengers at the airport had given him food.
• Newsom administration gave far less COVID-19 relief cash to smaller communities, audit finds
  The state auditor concluded Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration divvied up federal coronavirus relief overly generously to more populous counties.
• 3 Beverly Hills residents, including a doctor, arrested in U.S. Capitol attack
  The FBI arrests three Beverly Hills residents in connection to the U.S. Capitol rampage. More than 100 people have been charged with federal crimes so far.
• Another blow to the SAT: Essays and subject tests to be scrapped amid pandemic fallout
  The College Board will scrap its SAT subject tests and optional essay, with an intention to 'reduce and simplify demands on students.'
• California hits 3 million coronavirus cases; roughly 1 out of 13 in state have been infected
  Clearing the 3-million case mark means roughly 1 out of every 13 Californians has been infected at some point during the pandemic.
• 5 inventions a day. 529,000 jobs. Incomes average $151,656. UC's brag sheet is eye-popping
  The University of California takes the college brag sheet to a new level with a 123-page report of jobs created, research performed, students served.
• When can I get my COVID-19 vaccine in Southern California? The rollout is speeding up
  Southern California is speeding up rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. This is where counties stand on their distribution plans.
• Why there are oil wells all over Southern California
  Along La Cienega near Inglewood. At Beverly Hills High School. In people's backyards in Echo Park. Atop Signal Hill. Oil wells are everywhere in and around L.A. You sure don't see that in Paris (France).
• 'Cinderella story for a dog': Bidens' shelter pet gives adoption trend a boost
  Major, a German shepherd, will become the first White House shelter dog. The pandemic has fueled pet adoptions, "one of the few silver linings to COVID," one animal rescue official says.
• 'I have no idea': The ordeal facing older Californians searching for COVID-19 vaccine
  The problem is that there are more people who want to be inoculated, and who are brimming with questions, than there is vaccine to do the critical job.
• Korean Americans who remember 1992 riots fight to save LAPD station
  The mention of the possible closure of Olympic station, amidst city budget cuts, sent Korean American leaders to the LAPD's defense and rallying to keep a strong police presence in their community.
• Newsom's COVID-19 briefings often leave more questions than answers, some officials say
  Critics say Newsom frequently hypes announcements and keeps local government and public officials in the dark about his coronavirus plans.
• FBI searches home of Huntington Beach far-right extremist who posted about attending the Capitol riot
  The FBI searched the Huntington Beach apartment of a far-right extremist who previously claimed to have attended the Capitol riot.
• Strong and cold Santa Ana winds forecast for Southern California
  Strong winds could gust up to 60 to 75 miles per hour, and as fast as 90 miles per hour in the mountains, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a red flag warning
• Column: It took me just minutes to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. In Alaska
  The governor says California should vaccinate all those over 65. But good luck getting an appointment.
• Near California's fortress-like Capitol, MLK is remembered. 'We've got to overcome'
  Celebrating MLK Day days after white supremacists joined a pro-Trump mob at the Washington insurrection, and faced with the limitations of a pandemic, social justice advocates find fear, hope and determination in California's capital.
• Graffiti on Koreatown temple investigated as a possible hate crime, police say
  Los Angeles police are investigating a possible hate crime after a man reportedly spray-painted a hateful statement on a Jewish temple.
• Pasadena begins offering COVID-19 vaccine to city residents 75 and over, but supplies are limited
  Reservations filled up within two hours for the roughly 800 doses that will be available Tuesday and an additional 1,000 to be administered on Thursday at Victory Park.
• New L.A. County order gives older residents vaccine access by Thursday
  In an executive order late Monday, Hilda Solis, chairwoman of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, directed county health officials to make COVID-19 vaccination appointments available to residents 65 years of age and older beginning Thursday.
• L.A. schools should become COVID-19 vaccine centers, Beutner says
  Beutner said the district has been involved in discussions with state and county officials, but things "are not moving as quickly as we'd like."
• Column: What Netflix's 'Cobra Kai' teaches us about how to deal with Trump
  A show about teenage karate warriors, "Cobra Kai" offers insights on repentance, redemption, forgiveness and unity in the face of existential evil.
• Fight against COVID-19 hits wall of defiance, suspicion in rural California: 'The excuses just go on'
  In rural Northern California, small public health departments battle COVID-19 in a region where skepticism of the virus runs deep.
• California warns against using a batch of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines after allergic reactions
  California's top epidemiologist told healthcare providers on Sunday to stop using a batch of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine after a "higher than usual" number of people had apparent allergic reactions at a San Diego vaccination clinic.
• This L.A. project shows that homeless housing can be done quickly and cheaply
  When L.A. County nixed a plan to build a new jail, Supervisor Hilda Solis saw an opportunity to use the land for homeless housing. In under five months, the unused parking lot has been transformed into 232 units of permanent and interim housing at $200,000 per unit, a record for speed and cost.
• Stanford students aim to be youngest to conquer nearly 8,000-mile Triple Crown of hikes
  Sammy Potter and Jackson Parell set out New Year's Day to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. They plan to also traverse the Continental Divide and the Pacific Rim.
• Column: Voting against Trump's impeachment could come back to haunt these California Republicans
  All but one of California's Republican members of Congress voted against President Trump's impeachment.
• One killed, two injured in Malibu house fire
  One person was killed and two seriously injured in a two-alarm fire in Malibu that started at a home and spread into nearby brush, Los Angeles County fire officials said.
• Another new coronavirus variant found across California, including L.A. County
  As the number of coronavirus infections in California approaches 3 million, health officials said Sunday that a new strain — different from a highly contagious variant first identified in the U.K. — is popping up across the state.
• Why some older people are getting the vaccine in Southern California but others are striking out
  Many Californians 65 and older faced frustration and confusion as they tried to get the coronavirus vaccine after the state announced it was opening up vaccinations to older people.
• Phil Spector, music producer convicted of murder, dies at 81 after contracting COVID-19
  Phil Spector was hospitalized after he became ill with COVID-19, said a source familiar with his medical condition.
• O.C. congressman received vaccine dose, but tests positive for virus
  U.S. Rep. Lou Correa says he's tested positive for the virus. He received his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine Dec. 19.
• Column: Desert off-road festival to go ahead despite violating state guidelines
  Local, state and federal authorities will assist in putting on the King of the Hammers event later this month, despite pandemic restrictions on travel and crowds.
• On social media, amateur digital sleuths try to help track violent Capitol rioters
  Amateur detectives working to identify violent rioters that stormed the U.S. Capitol don't want the process to turn into an online witch hunt.
• National Guard Humvee is stolen in Bell
  Thieves make off with a California National Guard Humvee, and the FBI sends out the alert.
• Earthquake: Magnitude 4.2 quake strikes near Prunedale, Calif.
  A magnitude 4.2 earthquake was reported at 8:01 p.m. Saturday less than a mile from Prunedale, Calif., according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
• LAPD chief calls out deadly crime surge
  The first two weeks of 2021 saw 59 shooting victims in South L.A. compared with seven last year, Chief Michel Moore says.
• Strong, potentially damaging winds possible for L.A. region early next week, forecasters say
  Gusts of 80 to 90 mph or higher are possible in some locations
• More contagious coronavirus strain detected in L.A. County as total cases top 1 million
  Los Angeles County surpassed 1 million coronavirus cases since recording its first infection nearly a year before.
• National Guard deployed around Sacramento in preparation for potential unrest
  Armed soldiers and armored Humvees were stationed around the California state Capitol, and at the federal courthouse and state Superior Court building.
• Drive to get COVID-19 vaccine to L.A. firefighters loses steam as 40% fail to show up
  Late last year, firefighters were the first city workers given access to the shots. After an initial burst of activity, the number showing up to get the vaccine has plummeted.
• Column: What do conductor Gustavo Dudamel and rocker John Densmore have in common? Plenty
  I'm not sure anything in my career can top this — one of the classical world's brightest stars seated at a piano and singing a 1969 rock 'n' roll hit to me on a Zoom call.
• Limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine likely to slow rocky rollout for California seniors
  Vaccine supply problems could add to a chaotic vaccine rollout, just as the state seems to be gaining ground
• Caltech to remove name of founding president, a eugenics supporter, from buildings
  Caltech will remove the name of its founding president and first Nobel laureate, William A. Millikan, from campus buildings because of his support of eugenics, joining universities across the nation in repudiating those who backed the racist movement.
• 'Light at the end of tunnel' or a small blip? Flattening COVID-19 numbers bring hope in California
  'Light at the end of tunnel' or a small blip? Flattening COVID-19 numbers bring guarded optimism in California.
• This former politician wants politicians to know what it's like to be jobless, get COVID, scrape to survive
  Araceli Gonzalez-Burkle, a former politician, lost her good job in May. In December, she got COVID-19. Often, she doesn't have enough money for laundry. She wants our government to focus on the suffering out there.
• He led the Valley's campaign to break from L.A. Now, his website is a refuge for the far-right
  Jeff Brain helped lead the 2002 San Fernando Valley secession movement. Now he's built CloutHub, a refuge for Trump supporters alienated by Twitter.
• Biden plans early legislation to offer legal status to 11 million immigrants without it
  During his first days in office, President-elect Joe Biden plans to unveil a legislative proposal that would include a path to citizenship for 11 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally, according to activists in communication with his transition team.
• Forum to serve as a coronavirus vaccination distribution site
  Health officials hope to eventually distribute up to 4,000 coronavirus vaccinations a day at the Forum in Inglewood.
• Andres Guardado inquest ends without testimony from sheriff's officials or the deputy who killed him
  A retired judge appointed to hold a public examination of Andres Guardado's death said Friday that she had concluded the inquest without hearing testimony from the deputy who fired the fatal shots or the detectives who are investigating the case, all of whom invoked their 5th Amendment rights.
• Dodger Stadium takes center stage in L.A.'s COVID-19 vaccination campaign
  Dodger Stadium takes center stage in L.A.'s COVID-19 vaccination campaign
• L.A. firefighters might be required to get COVID-19 vaccine, Garcetti warns
  Amid reports that some firefighters are refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccination, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti said he would "potentially" make the vaccination mandatory in a few months if firefighters remain reluctant.
• U.S. Postal Service will temporarily remove some mailboxes in the Los Angeles area as security precaution
  The removal of the 14 mailboxes including 11 in Los Angeles area and three in Huntington Beach -- is intended to ``protect the mail and the public, the Postal Service said.
• California unemployment fraud could top $9 billion, double previous estimate, expert warns
  A security specialist warns that the cost of unemployment fraud in California could be much higher than the $4 billion that was previously reported.
• Legislation seeks to upgrade safety standards for fast-food workers amid COVID-19
  Proposed legislation charges that the fast-food industry has flouted rules designed to keep workers safe during the pandemic and seeks greater protections.
• A new effort to ban cosmetic genital surgery on children launches in California Legislature
  Senate Bill 225 would ban medically unnecessary surgeries on children with atypical genitalia until a child is 6 years old.
• L.A. County prosecutors, public defenders got COVID vaccine ahead of time, sources say
  Several L.A. County prosecutors and public defenders received the COVID-19 vaccine this week, though only healthcare workers are currently eligible.
• L.A. County set to open five new COVID-19 vaccination sites, aiming for 20,000 shots per day
  COVID-19 vaccinations will be given at five sites: Pomona Fairplex, the Forum, Cal State Northridge, L.A. County Office of Education and Six Flags.
• Santa Ana winds and record-breaking heat raise fire fears
  Record-breaking temperatures, gusty Santa Ana winds and bone-dry conditions have Southern California bracing for a weekend of fire danger.
• A wild ride, a crash, a cover-up: Skateboarder alleges abuse by deputies involved in Guardado shooting
  The Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies involved in a controversial shooting are under investigation for an encounter with a skateboarder, who accuses the deputies of lying to cover up misconduct.
• Daily COVID-19 death count soars to new heights in California
  More than 530 Californians are now dying every day from COVID-19, pushing a number of counties past new, grim milestones.
• O.C. district attorney drops or reduces charges in 67 cases over mishandled evidence
  Mishandled evidence leads Orange County D.A. to drop or reduce charges in dozens of cases involving assault, drug possession and weapon smuggling.
• Column: Get a grip, Angelenos. After months stuck at home, we've all forgotten how to drive
  There are always bad drivers in L.A., but these days we can't blame the tourists. After months of staying at home, we're all driving like tourists.
• Fear over COVID-19 variant grows as L.A. County mulls closing malls, gyms
  L.A. County races to vaccinate as many people as possible against the coronavirus before a strain thought to be even more contagious takes hold.
• They're the most likely to die from COVID-19, but hardly any have been vaccinated
  Only 5% of residents living in California's long-term care homes had been vaccinated as of Sunday, data show.
• How soon you get COVID-19 vaccine may depend on where in California you live
  Some counties begin vaccinating older residents. Others, including L.A. County, need to finish inoculating first responders and medical workers first.
• Diaper masks, close quarters: Fast-food restaurants have struggled to protect workers from COVID-19
  Across the country, fast-food restaurants have struggled to maintain the health and safety of front-line workers who face conditions that frequently put themselves and their families at risk of COVID-19.
• At Lake Tahoe, unfurling the statewide welcome mat is 'awkward' as pandemic rages
  Tahoe's western shore will be partly reopened for the holiday weekend, helping the economy but renewing fears about COVID-19 and crowds.
• State tightens rules for reopening schools as high COVID-19 rates hold districts back
  Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced some changes to his plan to reopen schools, which includes a small decrease in the case rate that would allow for campuses to open.