California

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In the 'Undescribable' Wildfire Ruins, a Glimmer of Joy

Firefighter Chien Yu recovers his wedding ring in rubble of his home lost in California's Eaton Fire

(Newser) - Before heading off to battle California's blazes, Pasadena firefighter Chien Yu evacuated his wife and two kids to safety from their own home in Altadena, reports KABC . Sadly, the Eaton Fire destroyed his house and others in the area, but there was a small bit of light as Yu...

Even California Will Raise Flags for Trump Inauguration

Other states have already said flags will be lowered again the next day for Jimmy Carter

(Newser) - Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom will join Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and some GOP governors around the country in directing US flags be raised to full height on Inauguration Day, the AP reports. Newsom's spokesperson Izzy Gardon confirmed Wednesday that the governor would temporarily direct the raising of...

After the 'Unimaginable,' Hollywood Steps Up to Help

Halle Berry donates 'entire closet' to wildfire victims; Sharon Stone, other celebs also boosting efforts

(Newser) - As firefighters desperately work to contain the Palisades Fire and other blazes breaking out in Southern California, locals are trying to help, too —even stars like Halle Berry, who decided she was going to donate all the clothes she owns to help, reports USA Today . "I'm packing...

To Rebuild Fast, Newsom Halts Environmental Rules

California's stringent regulations have been suspended for the time being after fires

(Newser) - With massive rebuilding needed in the Los Angeles area after a series of devastating wildfires, including the deadly Palisades Fire , Gov. Gavin Newsom has already made a big move to expedite that process. The New York Times reports that Newsom has given his OK to a "broad" executive order...

Pro vs. Private Firefighters: 'We Consider Them a Liability'

Private firefighters inspire controversy as they protect the rich, insurance firms, government agencies

(Newser) - As the Palisades Fire raged last week, wealthy local entrepreneur Keith Wasserman put out a tweet he's come to regret. "Does anyone have access to private firefighters to protect our home?" he posted in the since-deleted tweet. "Need to act fast here. All neighbors houses burning. Will...

Powerball Winner's Mansion Destroyed in Palisades Fire

Newish billionaire Edwin Castro loses $3.8M luxury home in Malibu

(Newser) - Edwin Castro's good-luck streak has ended. The California man—who won $2.04 billio n in a 2022 Powerball drawing, scooped up tens of millions of dollars' worth of luxury real estate, and won a lawsuit alleging he wasn't the rightful owner of the winning Powerball ticket—has...

Pair Sentenced After Child Sex Abuse Files Fall Out of Walls

Father and son sentenced to lengthy prison terms following renovation at their former home

(Newser) - A father and son convicted of multiple child sex crimes after damning photographs and video tapes fell out of walls at their former property have been sentenced. Theodore Smith, 90, was sentenced to 100 years in prison last month after pleading no contest to 11 counts of committing forcible lewd...

LA Mayor's Ill-Timed Trip May Cost Her

Karen Bass was in Ghana when the wildfires broke out, didn't get back until Wednesday

(Newser) - Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass flew to Ghana on Saturday, just as forecasts at home grew concerning, reports the Los Angeles Times . And though she cut her trip short and returned on Wednesday, Bass is facing harsh criticism for her absence amid what may be the most destructive fire in...

Thousands of LA Pets Are Now Homeless, Too

Animal shelters, volunteers are struggling to keep up with demand

(Newser) - The wildfire-fueled chaos in Los Angeles extends not just to humans, but also their animals, many of whom were forced out of their homes or left behind as residents evacuated with little time to spare. Jill Tucker of the California Animal Welfare Association, who's been coordinating with more than...

SF's New Mayor Lives a Life 'Far Removed From Most'

Wealthy Levi Strauss heir Daniel Lurie aims to clean up the streets, streamline bureaucracy

(Newser) - Daniel Lurie, heir to the Levi Strauss fortune , has never held public office before. But on Wednesday, he'll be sworn in as the 46th mayor of his hometown of San Francisco. The 47-year-old founder of anti-poverty nonprofit Tipping Point Community is the city's first mayor elected since 1911...

LA Fires Bring 'Apocalyptic' Scenes
LA Fires 'Like a Horror Movie'
Jan 8, 2025 6:26 AM CST

LA Fires 'Like a Horror Movie'

Scene is 'apocalyptic,' says evacuee as 3 wildfires rage

(Newser) - Worsening conditions Wednesday are expected to fuel three fast-moving wildfires in the Los Angeles area of Southern California, where at least 49,000 residents are under mandatory evacuation orders and thousands more have been told to prepare to flee. The Palisades Fire , ignited Tuesday morning, had grown to nearly 3,...

California Sues ExxonMobil Over Recycling 'Myth'

ExxonMobil has now filed a countersuit, months later

(Newser) - Months after California's blockbuster lawsuit against ExxonMobil over alleged "greenwashing," the oil and gas giant is suing California right back. ExxonMobil accuses the state's attorney general and a number of environmental groups of defamation and seeks unspecified damages and retractions, the AP reports. The lawsuit accuses...

LA Residents Flee Fast-Moving Wildfire

30k people under evacuation orders as fire rips through hillsides

(Newser) - Firefighters scrambled to corral a fast-moving wildfire in the Los Angeles hillsides dotted with celebrity homes as a potentially "life-threatening, destructive" windstorm hit Southern California on Tuesday, fanning the blaze seen for miles while traffic out of the area was jammed as residents tried to flee. Officials say 30,...

'This Is a Rather Bizarre Forecast'
'This Is a Rather
Bizarre Forecast'
Jan 7, 2025 12:43 PM CST

'This Is a Rather Bizarre Forecast'

Southern California could see rain, fog, and dry winds of up to 100mph on Tuesday

(Newser) - Rain kills fire. Wind kills fog. Yet Southern California residents could be in for all of the above before Tuesday is over. "This is a rather bizarre forecast," noted KTLA meteorologist Henry DiCarlo. "I've been doing this a long time and haven't really seen a...

Plane Crashes Into Backyard East of LA

Miraculously, both people on board walked away unscathed

(Newser) - A plane crashed into the backyard of a Los Angeles-area home Monday morning, but miraculously, both people aboard the aircraft survived with no serious injuries. The single-engine Cessna clipped trees and bushes before coming down atop a brick wall, KTLA reports. "Thankfully, there were no injuries to the occupants...

CDC: Louisiana Patient Has First Severe Bird Flu Case in US
First Bird Flu Death
Reported in US
UPDATED
Jan 6, 2025 5:08 PM CST

First Bird Flu Death Reported in US

Louisiana patient was hospitalized last month

(Newser) - A patient hospitalized in Louisiana last month with severe illness caused by bird flu has become the first person in the US to die from H5N1. The Louisiana Department of Health reported the death Monday, saying the person "was over the age of 65 and was reported to have...

Uncle of Brothers Attacked by Mountain Lion Speaks Out

Malcolm Brooks suggests there may be a better way to manage the big cat population

(Newser) - The uncle of the northern California brothers who ferociously fought a mountain lion in an attack that ended with one brother's death has come forward in a New York Times piece wondering what could have stopped the tragedy. Malcolm Brooks writes of Taylen and Wyatt Brooks' lifetime of outdoor...

2 Dead, 19 Hurt After Plane Crashes Through California Building's Roof

The 2 who died are believed to have been inside the plane

(Newser) - Two people died and 19 were injured Thursday when a small plane crashed through the roof of a sprawling furniture manufacturing building in Southern California where at least 200 people were working, police said. The people who died were believed to have been on the plane, while those injured were...

It May Have Been the Biggest Wave Ever Surfed

Alessandro Slebir believed to have crushed world record in California

(Newser) - At least some members of the surfing community are confident there's a new world record for the largest wave ever surfed, recorded at California's own Mavericks Beach, about 25 miles south of San Francisco. The world-renowned surfing spot saw massive waves on Dec. 23, which "left the...

Cops: Beverly Hills Doc Drugged, Raped Employee

And authorities think Babak Hajhosseini, 42, may have more victims

(Newser) - The founder of Beverly Hills' Wound and Burn Centers of America has been accused of drugging and raping a staff member in his home. Per the Los Angeles Times , 42-year-old Babak Hajhosseini, also a doctor and visiting specialist for Catalina Island Health, was arrested late last month on suspicion of...

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