Santa Monica News, CA Local News

Activision Blizzard reaches $54M settlement over sex discrimination claims

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 12:39:50 +0000

SANTA MONICA — Video game maker Activision Blizzard will pay approximately $54 million to settle claims that the Santa Monica-based company discriminated against women, state officials announced.

If finalized, the settlement would resolve accusations that Activision Blizzard Inc., Blizzard Entertainment Inc. and Activision Publishing Inc. denied women promotion opportunities and paid them less than men for doing similar work, the California Civil Rights Department said Friday.

“California remains deeply committed to promoting and enforcing the civil rights of women in the workplace,” CRD Director Kevin Kish said. “If approved by the court, this settlement agreement represents a major step forward and will bring direct relief to Activision Blizzard workers. At the California Civil Rights Department, we will continue to do our part to fight for the rights of our state’s residents.”

Attempts to reach the company for a comment were not immediately successful.

Under the agreement, Activision Blizzard will take additional steps to help ensure fair pay and promotion practices at the company and provide monetary relief to women who were employees or contract workers in California between Oct. 12, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2020.

After more than two years of investigation, the CRD filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard in 2021 for alleged violations of California’s Equal Pay Act and Fair Employment and Housing Act. In the lawsuit filed before the Los Angeles County Superior Court, the department sought relief on behalf of a class of female employees and contract workers who allegedly experienced discrimination in compensation, promotions and other aspects of Activision Blizzard’s workplace.

Friday’s announcement is in addition to measures Activision Blizzard has implemented through a separate 2021 consent decree with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other proactive recruitment and retention steps as described in the company’s 2022 Environmental, Social, and Governance Report.

If approved by the court, the settlement agreement will require Activision Blizzard to:

Pay approximately $54.8 million to cover direct relief to workers and litigation costs. Of the total, approximately $45.7 million will go to a settlement fund dedicated to compensating workers.
Distribute any excess settlement funds to charitable organizations focused on advancing women in the video game and technology industries or promoting awareness around gender equality issues in the workplace.
Retain an independent consultant to evaluate and make recommendations regarding Activision Blizzard’s compensation and promotion policies and training materials.
Continue its efforts regarding inclusion of qualified candidates from underrepresented communities in outreach, recruitment and retention.

The company behind such hugely popular games as “Call of Duty,” “World of Warcraft” and “Guitar Hero” has been dogged by complaints of alleged discrimination and sexual harassment in recent years.

In September, an Activision Blizzard employee who sued the video game maker, alleging she suffered a backlash for complaining about sexual harassment and discrimination while working in the IT department’s “frat boy atmosphere,” dropped her lawsuit.

Attorneys for the plaintiff identified only as Jane Doe filed papers asking that their client’s case be dismissed “with prejudice,” meaning in cannot be refiled. The papers did not state if a settlement was reached, but previous court papers filed on Aug. 23 stated that the case “may soon settle.” No terms were referred to in any of the court papers.

In their court papers, Activision Blizzard attorneys denied the plaintiff’s allegations and cited multiple defenses, including that her claims were barred by the statute of limitations, that she had not pursued an internal grievance before suing and that she had agreed to arbitrate rather than litigate any disputes.

According to Doe’s suit, Activision Blizzard “is a massive video game company with a massive sexual harassment problem.” The suit filed in March 2022 alleged sexual battery, failure to prevent harassment, sexual favoritism and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

In October, software giant Microsoft completed a $69 billion takeover of Activision Blizzard in one of the biggest tech deals of all time.

Feds say Starbucks illegally closed 6 L.A. area stores

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 06:24:46 +0000

Six Los Angeles County Starbucks stores may soon reopen after the National Labor Relations Board said the coffee franchise closed about two dozen locations to halt union momentum.

As reported in the New York Times, a regional NLRB office determined that 23 U.S. stores were closed "because its employees engaged in union activities or to discourage employees from doing so." At least seven of those stores had unionized, the Times added, though the company said none of the Los Angeles locations were unionized.

The local stores affected are:

8595 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood (the “Santa Monica & Westmount” store)
5453 Hollywood Blvd. (the “Hollywood & Western” store)
120 S Los Angeles St. (the “1st & Los Angeles (Doubletree)” store)
6290 Hollywood Blvd. (the “Hollywood & Vine” store)
1601 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica (the “Ocean Front Walk & Moss” store)
232 E. 2nd St. (the “2nd & San Pedro” store)

In response, Mari Cosgrove, a Seattle Starbucks partner and member of Starbucks Workers United, issued a statement criticizing the company.

"This complaint is the latest confirmation of Starbucks' determination to illegally oppose workers' organizing," Cosgrove said. "It adds to the litany of complaints detailed in the company's own report released this morning. If Starbucks is sincere in its overtures in recent days to forge a different relationship with its partners, this is exactly the kind of illegal behavior it needs to stop."

Executive Vice President and President of Starbucks North America Sara Trilling disagreed with that assessment and provided a statement to KTLA.

According to the company, opening new stores and closing some locations is a regular part of their business model.

"In support of our Reinvention Plan, and as part of our ongoing efforts to transform our store portfolio, we continue to open, close and evolve our stores as we assess, reposition and strengthen our store portfolio,” said Trilling.

According to the Times, the issue will go before an administrative judge next summer unless Starbucks settles before then.

Starbucks ‘illegally’ closed 6 Los Angeles-area stores after union formation, feds says

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 09:44:08 +0000

Federal labor regulators accused Starbucks on Wednesday of illegally closing 23 stores, six of them in Los Angeles County, to suppress organizing activity and sought to force the company to reopen them.

A complaint issued by a regional office of the National Labor Relations Board argued that Starbucks had closed the stores because its employees engaged in union activities or to discourage employees from doing so. At least seven of the 23 stores identified had unionized.

The Los Angeles area stores include:

8595 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
5453 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles
120 S Los Angeles St., Los Angeles
6290 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles
232 E 2nd St., Los Angeles
1601 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica

The agency’s move is the latest in a series of accusations by federal officials that Starbucks has broken the law during a two-year labor campaign.

Also see: Starbucks audit finds chain ‘missteps’ but no ‘antiunion playbook’

Stores likely won’t reopen soon

The case is scheduled to go before an administrative judge next summer unless Starbucks settles it earlier. In addition to asking the judge to order the stores reopened, the complaint wants employees to be compensated for the loss of earnings or benefits and for other costs they incurred as a result of the closures.

“This complaint is the latest confirmation of Starbucks’ determination to illegally oppose workers’ organizing,” Mari Cosgrove, a Starbucks employee, said in a statement issued through a spokesperson for the union, Workers United.

A Starbucks spokesperson said, “Each year as a standard course of business, we evaluate the store portfolio” and typically open, close or alter stores. The company said it opened hundreds of new stores last year and closed more than 100, of which about 3% were unionized.

Union movement began in New York

The union campaign began in 2021 in the Buffalo, New York, area, where two stores unionized that December, before spreading across the country. More than 350 of the company’s roughly 9,300 corporate-owned locations have unionized.

Also see: Workers at more than 100 US Starbucks go on strike

The labor board has issued more than 100 complaints covering hundreds of accusations of illegal behavior by Starbucks, including threats or retaliation against workers involved in union activity and a failure to bargain in good faith. Administrative judges have ruled against the company on more than 30 occasions, although the company has appealed those decisions to the full labor board in Washington. Judges have dismissed fewer than five of the complaints.

None of the unionized stores have negotiated a labor contract with the company, and bargaining has largely stalled. Last week, Starbucks wrote to Workers United saying it wanted to resume negotiations.

According to Wednesday’s complaint, Starbucks managers announced the closing of 16 stores in July 2022, then announced several more closures over the next few months.

An administrative judge previously ruled that Starbucks had illegally closed a unionized store in Ithaca, New York, and ordered workers reinstated with back pay, but the company has appealed that decision.

The new complaint was issued the same day Starbucks released a nonconfidential version of an outside assessment of whether its practices align with its stated commitment to labor rights. The company’s shareholders had voted to back the assessment in a nonbinding vote; those results were announced in March.

The author of the report, Thomas Mackall, a former management-side lawyer and labor relations official at the food and facilities management company Sodexo, wrote that he “found no evidence of an ‘anti-union playbook’ or instructions or training about how to violate U.S. laws.”

But Mackall concluded that Starbucks officials involved in responding to the union campaign did not appear to understand how the company’s Global Human Rights Statement might constrain their response. The rights statement commits Starbucks to respecting employees’ freedom of association and participation in collective bargaining.

Mackall cited managers’ “allegedly unlawful promises and threats” and “allegedly discriminatory or retaliatory discipline and discharge” as areas where Starbucks could improve.

In a letter tied to the report’s release, the chair of the company’s board and an independent director said the assessment was clear that “Starbucks has had no intention to deviate from the principles of freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.” At the same time, the letter added, “there are things the company can, and should, do to improve its stated commitments and its adherence to these important principles.”

Southern California kids sue EPA for not protecting them from climate change

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 18:14:44 +0000

Long Beach teen Genesis experienced symptoms of heat exhaustion when temperatures spiked in July, and she’s dealt with headaches and allergies due to wildfire smoke multiple times in her 17 years.

Emma, 16 of La Jolla, was diagnosed with asthma this summer and regularly suffers from climate-related anxiety.

Maryam of Santa Monica sometimes struggles to wear her hijab due to increasingly common heat waves and had to cancel her 13th birthday party this summer when Southern California experienced its first tropical storm warning in several decades.

These three are among 18 young people, ranging in age from 8 to 17, who are suing the Environmental Protection Agency for violating their constitutional rights to due process and equal protection by failing to safeguard them from the impacts of climate change. (Their last names are being withheld because they’re minors.) Half of the plaintiffs in Genesis B. v. United States Environmental Protection Agency are from Southern California, including three from Los Angeles, one from Garden Grove, one from Fullerton and one from Santa Clarita.

The goal is to get the EPA to stop permitting any new fossil fuel infrastructure in the United States, the team behind the case said. They argue that burning those fuels is causing climate change that’s disproportionately impacting young people who have limited options for fighting back.

“I hope we win for my generation as well as for all future generations because we all deserve a thriving planet to live on,” Genesis said in an emailed comment. “I hope the EPA will be held accountable and as a result, will begin to hold all polluters accountable so we can start to heal the planet and slow down the climate crisis.”

The lawsuit is the latest example of young people suing state and federal governments over climate change issues, with many cases — including this one — spearheaded by the Oregon-based nonprofit law firm Our Children’s Trust.

Plaintiffs listen to arguments during a status hearing on May 12, 2023, in Helena, Mont., for a case that they and other Montana youth filed against the state arguing Montana officials are not meeting their constitutional obligations to protect residents from climate change. (Thom Bridge/Independent Record via AP)

The group was behind Juliana v. United States, a broader federal case featured in the 2020 documentary “Youth v. Gov.” now streaming on Netflix. That case may go to trial this spring.

Our Children’s Trust also brought the first constitutional climate trial in U.S. history, Held v. State of Montana, which took place in June. A judge issued a landmark ruling in August that declared the state’s fossil fuel-favoring laws to be unconstitutional. If that ruling withstands an appeal, it’ll require Montana to take climate change into consideration when weighing future oil and gas projects. Similar cases are pending in Hawaii, Utah and Virginia.

While kids are uniquely vulnerable to climate pollution, such suits argue, they have no voice in the system since they can’t vote. And by the time they can vote they will have experienced 18 years of harm. That’s why Catherine Smith, an attorney with Our Children’s Trust, said courts “must serve as a constitutional backstop” when “the legislative and executive branches have breached their obligation.”

The 105-page lawsuit filed this weekend in U.S. District Court in the Central District of California claims the EPA “intentionally allows life-threatening climate pollution to be emitted by the fossil fuel sources of greenhouse gases it regulates,” such as vehicles and power plants, “despite knowing the harm it causes to children’s health and welfare.” The case also names EPA Administrator Michael Regan and the United States federal government as defendants.

The suit targets the EPA because it’s “the single agency within the federal government that Congress has given authority to to protect air quality and control pollution,” noted Julia Olson, chief legal counsel for Our Children’s Trust.

“It’s really the agency that … has the mandate to restrict pollution in order to protect health and safety, and in particular children’s health. And it’s used that authority to allow all of this pollution, knowing that it was harming children most.”

Letting such emissions continue poses health risks from the time children are in the womb, where pollution can cause low birth weight and other issues, to when they’re teens and face increased rates of asthma, exposure to disease-carrying insects, heat exhaustion and more, the lawsuit claims. Such life-threatening harms have been documented for decades and pose the greatest risks for young people, and Olson noted that the risks are particularly high in Southern California.

Dani, 17 of Santa Clarita, missed 15 days of school in 2021 after wildfire smoke and poor air quality caused severe allergies that triggered migraines, shakes and congestion.

Brothers Zubayr, 11, and Muaawiyah, 16, live in a Los Angeles apartment located near several oil and gas wells. In 2021, a leak in those systems prompted a nearby park to be closed to the public. The brothers also have experienced an increase of mosquitos in their community, a trend is expected to become more common as climate change shifts disease-carrying insects further from the equator. In 2022, Zubayr developed a staph infection from a mosquito bite and had to receive medical treatment.

Worsening climate change also has deprived these children of schooling, the suit states, with campuses closed due to wildfires. The suit claims the worsening climate makes it harder for kids to observe cultural and religious traditions, has displaced them from their homes, hurt their mental health and posed economic harms to their families. The suit also argues that the plaintiffs will be harmed as they grow older, in part by threatening to limit their ability to live where they want, travel and start families.

Maya, 17 of Los Angeles, started experiencing anxiety in 2020, which has risen to the level of panic attacks as she’s learned about the effects of climate change. “She feels like she has been robbed of the bright future adults promised her as she was growing up,” the suit states.

The 18 children — most of whom Olson said reached out to Our Children’s Trust via their website or social media — are asking the federal court to hold a trial, weigh the evidence and declare that the EPA has “violated their fundamental constitutional rights to life and equal protection of the law.” The case, which was filed with help from UC Irvine’s Civil Rights Litigation Clinic and a law firm in Hermosa Beach, also asks the court to recognize that the EPA has acted outside the scope of its congressionally delegated authority to control pollution.

The EPA doesn’t comment on pending litigation, agency spokesperson Shayla Powell said. But she sent a statement saying the EPA “appreciates that young people are sounding the alarm on climate change.” And she said the agency “is committed to using the full scope of its authorities to protect communities and reduce the pollution that is driving climate change.”

In other similar cases, federal agencies have argued that they can’t cut off fossil fuels without having viable solutions readily available to all people and companies to keep transportation and industry moving. Instead, they argue they’re working to phase fossil fuels out over time.

It’s not fast enough, the Genesis case argues. So the kids and their attorneys are asking for a speedy trial. And Olson is hopeful this case won’t take as long as the one featured in the Netflix film, which was filed in 2015, since that case involved 12 federal agencies and this one focuses on the EPA.

“I hope to win a safe and livable future for everyone on this planet,” Maryam said. “It won’t be easy getting there, but with the progress that’s being made, it’s definitely possible. We just have to try.”

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The Compost: How to join the Forest Corps Festival of Lights, is happening from sundown on Thursday, Dec. 7 to sundown on Friday, Dec.15 in 2023. The eight-day holiday is celebrated by lighting a candle on a menorah, gathering with friends and family and eating traditional foods like latkes and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts).

From nightly lightings and singalongs to ice skating and theatrical performances, here are eight ways to celebrate Hanukkah in Southern California this season.
- Families pose with the Grand Menorah as it is lit on the second night of Hanukkah at the Riverside Historic Courthouse in Riverside on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. The celebration returns to Riverside Dec. 11. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
- Robert Cohen, left, installs the giant menorah in Ladera Ranch in preparation for Hanukkah celebrations. The celebration returns to Ladera Ranch Dec. 12. (Photo by Rose Palmisano — The Orange County Register)
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Los Angeles County

Hanukkah in Santa Monica

When: Nightly Dec. 7-15

Where: The 1400 block of Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica

Cost: Free

Information: downtownsm.com/events

Nightly menorah lightings will take place at Sundown on the Promenade between Santa Monica Boulevard and Broadway. And get the ice skates ready because the final ceremony will take place at the ice rink at Ice at Santa Monica at 1324 5th Street.

Chanukah Celebration at Original Farmers Market

When: 3-5 p.m. Dec. 10

Where: 6333 W. Third Street, Los Angeles

Cost: Free

Information: farmersmarketla.com/events/chanukah-celebration

The celebration will include performances by JLA, Chanukah singalongs, a menorah ice sculpture, crafts and a lighting ceremony with Miracle Mile Chabad. Activities take place on the Market Plaza.

Skirball Cultural Center

When: 12-5 p.m. Dec.10

Where: 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles

Cost: $13-$18

Information: skirball.org/programs/hanukkah-festival

Klezmer rockers Mostly Kosher will headline this year’s festival that will also include the Skirball Storytellers, who will tell the Hanukkah story with a theatrical performance featuring music and puppetry. Visitors can check out the center’s Dreidel Lounge, eat latkes and jelly doughnuts and take pictures in holiday-themed photo booth. A candle lighting ceremony will take place at sunset.

Orange County

Ladera Ranch Menorah Lighting

When: 4:45-7 p.m. Dec. 12

Where: Town Green, 28801 Sienna Parkway, Ladera Ranch

Cost: Free

Information: laderalife.com/events/menorah-lighting

The Ladera Ranch Festival of Lights is partnering with local organizations for a night of music, dancing, arts and crafts and a candle lighting ceremony. Come hungry because there will be traditional Hanukkah snacks available.

Chanukah Celebration & Menorah Lighting

When: 4-6 p.m. Dec. 10

Where: Laguna Niguel City Hall, 30111 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel

Cost: Free

Information: cityoflagunaniguel.org

Chabad of Laguna Niguel and the City of Laguna Niguel are teaming up to celebrate Hanukkah with live entertainment, arts and crafts and Chanukah treats.

Menorah Lighting at Fashion Island

When: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 7

Where: Fashion Island, 401 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach

Cost: Free

Information: fashionisland.com/events/menorah-lighting-ceremony

The Atrium Garden Courtyard will be the center of Hanukkah celebrations as the Chabad Jewish Center partners with Fashion Island for an afternoon of signing and lighting of the menorah.

Inland Empire

Chanukah Festival in Riverside

When: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 11

Where: Riverside Historic Courthouse, 4050 Main Street, Riverside

Cost: Free

Information: ChanukahFestival.org

The annual festival will include a lighting ceremony, traditional food like potato latkes and chicken soup, live music and family activities.

Hanukkah Celebration in Temecula

When: 5-8 p.m. Dec.7

Where: Lorimar Vineyards & Winery, 39990 Anza Road, Temecula

Cost: Free, but reservations suggested

Information: https://www.lorimarwinery.com/entertainment

Lorimar Winery is teaming up with Jewish Together Temecula Valley and getting into the holiday spirit with a Menorah Lighting ceremony and traditional food like latkes.
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A ‘Mean Girls’ pop-up is coming to Santa Monica. That’s so fetch!

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 12:44:56 +0000

This may be the most fetch place to go in January, so make sure you get your outfit approved by Regina George.

And yes, you better wear pink if you go on a Wednesday to the Mean Girls Experience.

Set to open at a yet-to-be-disclosed location in Santa Monica on Jan. 12, the Mean Girls Experience will be a fast-casual restaurant serving cafeteria style grub. But since this is all about the Plastics, this isn’t going to be just any old cafeteria fare, but food created by “Master Chef” semi-finalist Becky Brown.

The menu will include dishes like the Burn Book Burger Sliders, the Stab Caesar Salad, and 1 3 5 Acai Bowl, plus desserts such as the Kälteen Brownie, Rainbow + Smiles Cake, Is Butter a Carb? Cookies, and the Fetch Strudel. If you’ve got a cool mom, bring her over to the Cool Bar Mom for happy hour.

Of course, there will be plenty of photo ops with set recreations, a “Mean Girls” museum of set pieces and outfits, merchandise, and if you’re “grool” enough, take center stage at the Winter Talent Show.

The Mean Girls Experience is created by Bucket Listers, the entertainment company behind the Family Guy Experience, Malibu Barbie Café and Golden Girls Kitchen. The new pop-up coincides with the Jan. 12 release of Paramount Pictures’ new “Mean Girls” musical film, which is based on the Broadway musical of the same title. “Mean Girls” was originally a 2004 feature film written by “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock” star Tina Fey and it starred Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert and Amanda Seyfried.

There is no set date yet for how long the pop-up will run.

Tickets start at $35 and include an entrée and a side. As long as you’re not Gretchen Wieners, it also includes a Candy Cane Gram. Tickets can be purchased at bucketlisters.com.

L.A. hospital seeks help identifying 2 ICU patients

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 01:10:42 +0000

A local hospital is asking for help to identify two patients who were found unconscious in Santa Monica.

The patients are described as a young man in his 20s and an elderly woman in her 70-80s, according to Providence Saint John’s Health Center.

The patients have been admitted into the hospital’s ICU and staff are hoping to locate their family members.

The first patient, a woman believed to be 70 to 80 years old, was found in an alleyway on Wednesday in Santa Monica. She was transported to Providence Saint John’s where she remains unconscious.

She is described as standing 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 129 pounds.

A hospital is asking for help to identify two patients found unconscious in Santa Monica in November 2023. (Providence Saint John’s Health Center) From left: A man in his mid-20s and a woman in her 70s-80s.

The second patient, a man in his mid-20s, was found under an overpass on Nov. 17. He was brought to the hospital where he also remains unconscious.

Neither patient has any belongings to help staff identify them.

Anyone who may recognize these patients is asked to call the ICU unit at 310-829-8745 or the hospital’s main number at 310-829-5511 and ask for the House Supervisor's office.

“Your help very often leads to alerting family or acquaintances who can identify these patients and help make the necessary medical decisions,” a hospital spokesperson said.

Union and Le Merigot Santa Monica hotel reach tentative labor agreement

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 17:56:50 +0000

The Le Merigot Santa Monica and Unite Here Local 11 have reached a tentative labor agreement — the fifth Southern California hotel to do so since the region’s massive hotel strike began over the July 4th weekend.

Le Merigot joins the Biltmore Los Angeles, Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Loews Hollywood and Laguna Cliffs Marriott.

Maria Espinoza, a laundry attendant of 19 years at Le Merigot, said she’s “thrilled” with the new contract and what it will mean for her family.

“I’m pleased that we are the first workers in Santa Monica to reach an agreement,” the 62-year-old Santa Monica resident said.

Once the contract is ratified, Le Merigot employees will secure:

Wage increases
Affordable family healthcare
More reasonable workloads and additional staffing
Improved pension increases
Language that will provide immigration protections and access to union jobs for those who were once incarcerated

“We value our staff tremendously, which this agreement reflects,” Le Merigot General Manager Jessica Rincon said in a statement. “We are proud that we reached this agreement while maintaining a positive relationship with our employees.”

Unite Here Co-President Kurt Petersen said the union has won “standard-setting contracts” in downtown LA, Hollywood, Orange County and Santa Monica.

“There are no excuses for the rest,” he said. “Workers deserve to share in the prosperity of the tourism industry.”

Espinoza, who earns $25 an hour, is hoping for a significant wage increase and will welcome additional staffing at Le Merigot.

“We all feel overworked,” she said. “It’s going to be very helpful to have more people who will help alleviate some of the work — especially after the pandemic.”

Espinoza lives in a rent-controlled apartment that’s only $900 a month, but the extra money will help with food costs, she said.

“That’s my biggest expense,” Espinoza said. “I’m a single mom and I’m also helping to take care of my younger son who’s going to college.”

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. and Rep. Donald Norcross, D-N.J., introduced legislation last month that would make striking workers eligible for unemployment insurance benefits after 14 days of striking.

Dubbed the “Empowering Striking Workers Act,” the bill has been endorsed by the United Auto Workers, American Federation of Teachers, Writers Guild of America-West and California Labor Federation, among others.

USA Volleyball suspends beach icon Sinjin Smith

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 14:38:00 +0000

Sinjin Smith, one of the most dominant and influential players in beach volleyball history, has been suspended indefinitely by USA Volleyball, the sport’s national governing body, the Southern California News Group has learned.

Smith, the first player to win 100 open beach volleyball tournaments, has been suspended since May 31 and may not participate or attend USA Volleyball sanctioned events, according to USA Volleyball’s suspended list.

The reason for the suspension is listed by USA Volleyball as “U.S. Center for SafeSport administrative hold.”

When asked if the listing of Smith suspension was accurate and what was the reason for the suspension, Liani Reyna, USA Volleyball manager for SafeSport, said: “I have no comment.”

USA Volleyball communications manager B.J. Hoeptner-Evans also declined to comment.

Smith, in a series of telephone interviews and text messages since October 10, said he has “no idea why” he has been suspended by USA Volleyball.

Smith said he was unaware of the suspension until he was informed of it by SCNG more than four months after it went into effect.

“I’m not sure why you are hell bent on trying to mess with me?” Smith said in a text Thursday in response to a question about when he was last a member of USA Volleyball. “I think it is time to stop trying to find a way to tarnish my career. You must have better things to do?”

Smith on October 12 said he spoke with Reyna “who knows nothing.”

Smith said he is no longer a member of USA Volleyball. Nineteen persons on USA Volleyball’s suspended members list have “U.S. Center for SafeSport administrative hold” cited as the rule or code violation for their suspension. All 19 were suspended after their USA Volleyball membership had lapsed.

Smith said he does not remember when he was last a member of USA Volleyball.

“Don’t know,” he said. “Haven’t kept track.”

On Oct. 12, Smith also said he spoke to an official at the U.S. Center for SafeSport after speaking with Reyna. Smith said he did not recall the name of the U.S. Center for SafeSport official he spoke to.

The SafeSport official told Smith “they have no reason to investigate because I am not a USAV member,” Smith wrote in an Oct. 12 text. “She said USAV had no reason to post my name on their suspended list as I am not a member (of USA Volleyball). There is no suspension of non members. If I was trying to become a member, then they could open an investigation. I don’t have a reason to become a member.

“If for some reason there was a serious offense reporter, I am sure I would have heard something from other sources (of course there is not).

“If I decide to become a member of the USAV, I may find out what the issue is but like I said, no reason to do so at this time. Still, my curiosity is peaked!

“The gal at safe sport said there is a range of potential offenses that could be reported including verbal abuse all the way to much worse stuff which I think is listed on their site.”

Smith said the SafeSport official encouraged him to check back with USA Volleyball to see if they would remove his name from the suspended list. More than three weeks ago he said he contacted USA Volleyball again about the suspension. Smith said on Monday he still had not heard back from USA Volleyball.

A U.S. Center for SafeSport spokesman declined to comment on Smith’s status as suspended.

Hoeptner-Evans, USA Volleyball’s communications manager, initially declined to comment on the Smith suspension in early October. On Wednesday SCNG contacted Hoeptner-Evans again detailing Smith’s comments and asking for the reason for the suspension and if the national governing body would confirm that the suspension is still in place. Hoeptner-Evans said she would relay the questions to her bosses at USA Volleyball. In an email Thursday, Hoeptner-Evans wrote, “we do not have a response for your article.”

Smith, 66, has been involved in coaching and putting on clinics since retiring as a player in 2001. He coaches the Sinjin Beach Club, an age-group program based out of Santa Monica, adjacent to the Annenberg Beach House.

“Beach volleyball isn’t just a sport, it’s a lifestyle,” reads the Sinjin Beach Club website. “Our club embodies this by giving our players the tools to compete at the highest level and to have fun while doing so. We achieve this by offering elite coaches and drills that have been tested and proven by King of the Beach, Sinjin Smith. The most important thing to us is growing the sport and bringing it back to what it used to be.”

Smith has also run camps for the past 21 years. This past summer, Sinjin Smith’s Beach Volleyball Camps (BVC) operated camps in nine Los Angeles County communities.

Smith is the third current or former U.S. Olympic volleyball team member to be suspended by USA Volleyball in recent years.

Scott Touzinsky, a 2008 Olympic gold medalist with the United States volleyball team, was suspended by USA Volleyball in July 2018 in response to allegations of sexual misconduct involving an underage female athlete at a camp or clinic in Canada, according to U.S. Center for SafeSport and USA Volleyball documents obtained by the Southern California News Group.

Beach player Taylor Crabb was suspended by USA Volleyball in 2017 for misconduct involving a minor-aged girl, according to USA Volleyball documents obtained by SCNG. USA Volleyball’s board of directors voted unanimously in May 2019 to extend the suspension through Sept. 28, 2021, after Crabb breached a settlement agreement for the first suspension by coaching at a camp for junior girls.

The decision was made with the clear realization that it would prevent Crabb from competing in the Tokyo Olympics, originally scheduled for 2020. An arbitrator later reduced Crabb’s suspension, clearing the way for him to compete in the 2021 Olympic Games. Crabb, however, missed the Tokyo Games after contracting COVID just days before the Olympics. He most recently teamed with Taylor Sander to win his first Manhattan Beach Open on Aug. 20.

Smith, a 1996 Olympian, led UCLA to NCAA titles in 1978 and 1979 and was a member of the U.S national team indoors from 1979 to 1982 before focusing on the beach game.

Smith won AVP International titles in parts of three decades. He was so dominant that the International Volleyball Hall of Fame called him the “King of the Beach” when he was inducted into the hall in 2003.

Smith even inspired an Electronic Arts video game fittingly called “King of the Beach.”

Smith was also influential off the beach, playing a leading role in the creation of the AVP, eventually serving as president and on the board of directors for the group. He was also a driving force behind the creation FIVB World Tour. Smith also served as president of the Beach Volleyball World Council.

Plan to replace beach sand, build ‘living shorelines’ adopted by LA County supervisors

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 08:39:13 +0000

To remedy the impacts of climate change on local beaches, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to create a coastal resiliency plan on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

The plan calls for reusing sediment that is scooped out of flood control channels, mountain river dams and harbors to augment some of the 18 L.A. County beaches that have grown narrower due to loss of sand. It also calls for creating hybrid shoreline devices that combine manmade materials with natural elements to lessen the impact of waves that cause erosion.

“L.A. County’s beaches are iconic. They define our region and our identity,” said Third District Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, co-author of the board motion approved by unanimous vote. “If we don’t act soon the public may lose access to these beaches forever.”

According to the California Regional Assessment National Shoreline Management Study in 2018, Southern California’s ocean economy in 2013 was valued at about $27 billion. L.A. County’s ocean-related tourism and recreation industries generated more than $2.2 billion in 2020.

“The county’s beaches are more than just cultural touchstones: They provide a critical public resource to residents seeking respite from extreme heat, access to the water and nature, and recreational opportunities,” the motion reads.

Every year about 70 million people visit the county’s beaches, which stretch more than 75 miles from Malibu to Redondo Beach to San Pedro.

“Many residents and children in my district have never been to the beach,” said First District Supervisor Hilda Solis. “Everything we do to help preserve that shoreline and access for the public is of paramount importance.”

Erosion wiped out a key access road at Point Dume Beach, said Horvath. The beaches at Redondo Beach and at Zuma Beach near Malibu have significantly narrowed, she said.

The action asks the county to step up efforts with nonprofits, such as the Bay Foundation, which is working on a plan to use “living shorelines.” They are hybrid devices that create a berm with cobble rocks as a base, and are filled in and topped with sand and native vegetation to secure the existing shoreline.

L.A. County Public Works estimated that it will need to remove about 15 million cubic yards of sediment from behind dams and flood control channels over 10 years, costing $570 million. Horvath wants to turn this problem into a possible solution to beach erosion.

Currently, dredged material is dumped in the Angeles National Forest, in empty gravel pits and in regional landfills, according to the county staff report.

Mark Pestrella, director of L.A. County Public Works, said in an interview before the vote that replacing lost sand at beaches is not a new idea. But the action by the board is focused on how the county would move sediment dredged from flood control channels and dams onto affected beaches.

“There would be a tremendous cost to manually take it to the beach, such as your trucking costs and placement,” Pestrella said, adding that his department is in favor of the proposal.

The county would seek state and federal grant dollars to implement these strategies, Pestrella said. “By perfecting our proposals, we will absolutely be a great candidate for federal and state grants.”

“During energetic wave events, you have erosion,” said Timu Gallien, professor in civil and environmental engineering at UCLA whose expertise is in coastal engineering. Studies from UCLA predict the coastline in L.A. County will experience more intense storms, producing more waves and beach erosion.

“We are expecting atmospheric river (storms) to intensify and become more dominant in Southern California,” she said. “They generate more intense local wave climates.”

This Santa Monica pop-up brings the work of Dr. Seuss to life

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 07:30:56 +0000

Kids and the adults who remember the Dr. Seuss stories from their youth will be able to step right into the magical world of the beloved author this month as his books come to life in Santa Monica in a new pop-up experience.

“This is for people (ages) three to 93. Clearly children are going to love it because it’s vibrant, it’s colorful, and it’s beautiful. But because of the ubiquity of the Seuss stories throughout the years, parents and grandparents, anyone who grew up with those stories will enjoy it,” said Jonathan Sanford, chief operating officer of Kilburn Live, co-producers of The Dr. Seuss Experience. Kilburn Live is also the company behind The World of Barbie interactive attraction, which ran in Santa Monica earlier this year.

The immersive Dr. Seuss theatrical pop-up opens on Friday, Nov. 10 at Santa Monica Place and runs through the end of the year.

The immersive Dr. Seuss Experience theatrical pop-up opens Nov. 10 at Santa Monica Place and runs through the end of the year. It’s made up of nine different spaces inspired by nine Dr. Seuss books where people can walk through areas that were taken straight out of the pages of the iconic children’s books. (Photo courtesy Kilburn Live)
The immersive Dr. Seuss Experience theatrical pop-up opens Nov. 10 at Santa Monica Place and runs through the end of the year. It’s made up of nine different spaces inspired by nine Dr. Seuss books where people can walk through areas that were taken straight out of the pages of the iconic children’s books. (Photo courtesy Kilburn Live)

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It’s made up of nine different spaces inspired by different Dr. Seuss books and guests can walk through through areas that were created straight out of the pages of the iconic children’s books.

“Each room is a take on the book with the central theme of that book being highlighted,” he said.

The walk-thru will include characters and landscapes from books like “The Cat in the Hat,” “Horton Hears a Who!,” “The Lorax” and others.

In the “Cat in the Hat” room, guests will meet the mischievous cat and the fish, the lone voice of reason, as they are pulled into the story.

“You will go into the room that is full of mess and disorganization and disarray and the fish from the book will be telling people ‘No, no, no, don’t do that,’ whereas the cat, and we have a live performer, is telling you to make a mess,” Sanford explained.

And get ready for a challenge in the “The Sneetches” room since that is an interactive mirror maze, while in “The Lorax” room people will walk through the Truffula Trees where kids can hop on swings and meet the Lorax, too.

People will also need to pay attention as they walk through a field of waist-high flowers in the “Horton Hears a Who!” room.

“The idea is that you’re listening to hear the Whos on those flowers. And several flowers actually do have sounds and if you listen carefully you will hear them,” he said.

Besides the walk-thru of the books, people will also see a Dr. Seuss art sculpture, a Dr. Seuss Museum with original artwork and books, along with a reading theater for guests to listen to Dr. Seuss stories.

The Dr. Seuss Experience

When: Various time slots starting at 10 a.m. Wednesdays-Sundays through Jan. 31, 2024

Where: Santa Monica Place, 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica

Tickets: $31-$37 at losangeles.experienceseuss.com

Microsoft completes its $69 billion Activision Blizzard purchase

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 10:30:30 +0000

By Dina Bass and Cecilia D’Anastasio | Bloomberg

Microsoft Corp. completed its $69 billion purchase of Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard after a nearly two-year fight with global regulators threatened to scuttle the deal.

The biggest-ever acquisition in the video game industry gives the maker of Xbox consoles a more formidable position against rivals, vaulting it from fifth to third place globally, behind Tencent Holdings Ltd. and Sony Group Corp. The acquisition is a stunning turnaround after Microsoft executives underestimated the magnitude and longevity of antitrust objections, forcing the software giant to seek a three-month extension of the deal’s expiration period from Activision.

See more: Why Microsoft is spending $69 billion for video games

Microsoft was able to close after making alterations to its merger agreement to win over UK authorities.

The US Federal Trade Commission, which lost an attempt to block the transaction in court, continues to pursue legal action in its own administrative hearing. That could still force the two companies to unwind the deal if the commission is successful.

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority announced on Friday that it had approved the deal after accepting a restructuring plan involving selling some gaming rights to French publisher Ubisoft Entertainment SA. The regulator was concerned about preserving competition in the nascent market for games streamed via the cloud.

Microsoft’s gaming chief Phil Spencer’s work from here may prove even more challenging. The deal provides Spencer the cornerstone for a plan to boost the company’s lagging mobile games business. Among Activision’s titles is the universally popular Candy Crush and its spinoffs. Yet the delay means Microsoft has fallen even further behind in that space amid a contraction in the over-saturated sector.

The company remains in a standoff with Apple Inc. over access to its app store. In 2020, Microsoft President Brad Smith criticized Apple’s terms, which include a 30% cut of developers’ revenue and restrictions on cloud gaming. After Fortnite maker Epic Games Inc. sued Apple alleging anti-competitive practices, it seemed that company’s walled garden might finally open. Epic has struggled to gain wins in court, however. And Apple’s App Store is still inhospitable to Microsoft’s cloud gaming service, which iOS users have to access through a mobile browser.

Other parts of the gaming landscape have shifted since the Activision deal was first announced in January 2022. The metaverse, a persistent online world where consumers would play games and shop, hasn’t turned out to be as big a commercial opportunity as many in the industry believed. That business was identified as a key driver for the acquisition when it was announced.

The delays also meant Microsoft can only now begin the process of reforming Activision’s culture in the ways the company wants to see. While Microsoft has traditionally taken a hands-off approach to the gaming studios it acquires, it may be more involved this time. Fans have often complained about some of Activision’s business decisions, such as crowding the market with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and Guitar Hero releases that ended up cheapening the franchises. Fans have also said the company’s beloved StarCraft series has lacked resources because it’s less of a money-earner than other games.

Microsoft said in its announcement that it planned to make the games library available on Game Pass, its cloud-streaming service.

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick has drawn criticism for his handling of harassment complaints at the company. In 2021, California’s Civil Rights Department sued Activision for fostering a “frat boy” culture. Since then, the company has appointed an officer to oversee diversity, equity and inclusion, named a head of inclusive game design and released a report on the company’s progress on workplace issues.

Microsoft has also pledged to remain neutral on employee unionization after Activision had challenged efforts to organize. In January, workers at Microsoft’s ZeniMax video game unit joined the Communications Workers of America. Microsoft recognized the union immediately.

“We are intentional about inclusion in everything we do at Xbox,” Spencer said in a blog post on Friday, Oct. 13, “from our team to the products we make and the stories we tell, to the way our players interact and engage as a wider gaming community.”

In an email to staff, Spencer said Kotick would stay on as chief executive of Activision Blizzard through the end of the year, reporting to him.

The deal had faced vocal opposition from PlayStation console maker Sony. That company’s video games chief, Jim Ryan, suggested that Microsoft could disadvantage competitors by selling them a less-than-adequate version its popular Call of Duty shooting game. In July, Microsoft and Sony penned a 10-year deal that would keep future Call of Duty entries on PlayStation consoles. Ryan told staff in late September he would retire from Sony in March.

The UK regulators had previously vetoed the deal, saying it could result in higher prices, fewer choices and less innovation for gamers. The new agreement means Microsoft can’t limit access to Activision’s key content to its own cloud gaming service or withhold those games from rivals, the regulator said.

Founded in 1979, Activision is home to some of the most popular game franchises in the world, including Overwatch, World of Warcraft and Crash Bandicoot. Call of Duty alone has sold more than 425 million units and brought in more than $30 billion in revenue before the most recent installment last year.

Man Arrested For Attempted Murder in Front Of Santa Monica Salvation Army

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 02:21:44 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) — Police arrested a 29-year-old man for stabbing someone multiple times in front of a Salvation Army early Monday morning.

According to the Santa Monica Police Department, officers responded to the Salvation Army off of Fourth Street to investigate an apparent assault with a deadly weapon. A witness identified Michael Montgomery as the suspect. Police said the witness saw Montgomery strike and stab the victim multiple times. The victim pleaded with the suspect to stop. Montgomery responded by kicking and dragging the victim.

(Credit: SMPD)

SMPD soon detained Michael Montgomery in the area of Fourth Street and Colorado Avenue and found a folding knife on him.

Officers found the victim in front of the Salvation Army and rendered first aid until fire crews arrived. The victim was suffering from multiple stab wounds and was transported to a local hospital.

The victim is still in critical but stable condition.

Montgomery was booked for attempted murder and kidnapping.

‘The Lost Daughter’ Takes Home Top Honors At 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards; Other Winners Named

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 03:15:34 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) — The 37th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards returned to the stage Sunday after resorting to a virtual ceremony in 2021 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 06: (L-R) Maggie Gyllenhaal accepts the Best Screenplay award for ‘The Lost Daughter’ from Daveed Diggs onstage during the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards on March 06, 2022 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

The festivities took place at The Victorian in Santa Monica, adjacent to the beach home to the Santa Monica Pier. The awards show is traditionally held to honor films distributed by companies other than Hollywood’s top studios.

For a production to be selected for eligibility in the award show, they must cost less than $22.5 million to make.

Nick Offerman and wife Megan Mullaly hosted the awards show, which was also broadcast live on IFC. Sunday’s show saw “The Lost Daughter,” directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, take home the night’s top honors with both the Best Feature and Best Director awards.

Among the several entertainers presenting awards were Javier Bardem, Kristen Stewart, Rosario Dawson, Taika Waititi, Bob Odenkirk, Chloé Zhao and Andrew Garfield.

Full list of winners at the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards, with other nominations:

FILM CATEGORIES

Best Feature (Award given to the producer)

“The Lost Daughter” – Producers: Charles Dorfman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Osnat Handelsman Keren, Talia Kleinhendler
“C’mon C’mon” – Producers: Chelsea Barnard, Andrea Longacre-White, Lila Yacoub
“A Chiara” – Producers: Jonas Carpignano, Paolo Carpignano, Jon Coplon, Ryan Zacarias
“The Novice” – Producers: Ryan Hawkins, Kari Hollend, Steven Sims, Zack Zucker
“Zola” – Producers: Kara Baker, Dave Franco, Elizabeth Haggard, David Hinojosa, Vince Jolivette, Christine Vachon, Gia Walsh

Best First Feature (Award given to the director and producer)

“7 Days” – Director: Roshan Sethi; Producers: Liz Cardenas, Mel Eslyn
“Holler” – Director: Nicole Riegel; Producers: Adam Cobb, Rachel Gould, Katie McNeill, Jamie Patricof, Christy Spitzer Thornton
“Queen of Glory” – Director: Nana Mensah; Producers: Baff Akoto, Anya Migdal, Kelley Robins Hicks, Jamund Washington
“Test Pattern” – Director/Producer: Shatara Michelle Ford; Producers: Pin-Chun Liu, Yu-Hao Su
“Wild Indian” – Director/Producer: Lyle Mitchell Corbine, Jr.; Producers: Thomas Mahoney, Eric Tavitian

John Cassavetes Award (Award given to the best feature made for under $500,000; award given to the writer, director and producer.)

“Shiva Baby” – Writer/Director/Producer: Emma Seligman; Producers: Kieran Altmann, Katie Schiller, Lizzie Shapiro
“Cryptozoo” – Writer/Director: Dash Shaw; Producers: Tyler Davidson, Kyle Martin, Jane Samborski, Bill Way
“Jockey” – Writer/Director/Producer: Clint Bentley; Writer/Producer: Greg Kwedar; Producer: Nancy Schafer
“Sweet Thing” – Writer/Director: Alexandre Rockwell; Producers: Louis Anania, Haley Anderson, Kenan Baysal
“This is Not a War Story” – Writer/Director/Producer: Talia Lugacy; Producers: Noah Lang, Julian West

Best Director Award

Maggie Gyllenhaal – “The Lost Daughter”
Janicza Bravo – “Zola”
Lauren Hadaway – “The Novice”
Mike Mills – “C’mon C’mon”
Ninja Thyberg – “Pleasure”

Best Screenplay

Maggie Gyllenhaal – “The Lost Daughter”
Nikole Beckwith – “Together Together”
Janicza Bravo, Jeremy O. Harris – “Zola”
Mike Mills – “C’mon C’mon”
Todd Stephens – “Swan Song”

Best First Screenplay

Michael Sarnoski, Vanessa Block – “Pig”
Matt Fifer, Sheldon D. Brown – “Cicada”
Fran Kanz – “Mass”
Shatara Michelle Ford – “Test Pattern”
Lyle Mitchell Corbine, Jr. – “Wild Indian”

Best Male Lead

Simon Rex – “Red Rocket”
Clifton Collins Jr. – “Jockey”
Frankie Faison – “The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain”
Michael Greyeyes – “Wild Indian”
Udo Kier – “Swan Song”

Best Female Lead

Taylour Paige – “Zola”
Isabelle Fuhrman – “The Novice”
Brittany S. Hall – “Test Pattern”
Patti Harrison – “Together Together”
Kali Reis – “Catch the Fair One”

Best Documentary (Award given to the director and producer)

“Summer of Soul (…Or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) – Director: Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson; Producers: David Dinerstein, Robert Fyvolent, Joseph Patel
“Ascension” – Director/Producer: Jessica Kingdon; Producers: Kira Simon-Kennedy, Nathan Truesdell
“Flee” – Director: Jonas Poher Rasmussen; Producers: Monica Hellström, Signe Byrge Sørensen
“In the Same Breath” – Director/Producer: Nanfu Wang; Producers: Christopher Clements, Julie Goldman, Carolyn Hepburn, Jialing Zhang
“Procession” – Director: Robert Greene; Producers: Susan Bedusa, Bennett Elliott, Douglas Tirola

Best Supporting Male

Troy Kotsur – “CODA”
Colman Domingo – “Zola”
Meeko Gattuso – “Queen of Glory”
Will Patton – “Sweet Thing”
Chaske Spencer – “Wild Indian”

Best Supporting Female

Ruth Negga – “Passing”
Jessie Buckley – “The Lost Daughter”
Amy Forsyth – “The Novice”
Revika Reustle – “Pleasure”
Suzanna Son – “Red Rocket”

Best International Film

“Drive My Car” (Japan) – Director: Ryusuke Hamaguchi
“Compartment No. 6” (Finland/Russia) – Director: Juho Kuosmanen
“Parallel Mothers” (Spain) – Director: Pedro Almodóvar
“Pebbles” (India) – Director: P S Vinothraj
“Petite Maman” (France) – Director: Céline Sciamma
“Prayers for the Stolen (Mexico) – Director: Tatiana Huezo

Best Editing

Joi McMillon – “Zola”
Affonso Gonçalves – “A Chiara”
Ali Greer – “The Nowhere Inn”
Enrico Natale – “The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain”
Lauren Hadaway, Nathan Nugent – “The Novice”

Best Cinematography

Edu Grau – “Passing”
Lol Crawley – “The Humans”
Tim Curtin – “A Chiara”
Ante Cheng, Matthew Chuang – “Blue Bayou”
Ari Wegner – “Zola”

Robert Altman Award (Award given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast)

“Mass” – Director: Fran Kranz; Casting Directors: Henry Russell Bergstein, Allison Estrin; Ensemble Cast: Kagen Albright, Reed Birney, Michelle N. Carter, Ann Dowd, Jason Isaacs, Martha Plimpton, Breeda Wool

TELEVISION CATEGORIES

Best New Scripted Series (Award given to the Creator, Executive Producer, Co-Executive Producer)

“Reservation Dogs” – Creators/Executive Producers: Sterlin Harjo, Taika Waititi; Executive Producer: Garrett Basch
“Blindspotting” – Creators/Executive Producers: Rafael Casal, Daveed Diggs; Executive Producers: Jess Wu Calder, Keith Calder, Ken Lee, Tim Palen, Emily Gerson Saines, Seith Mann
“It’s a Sin” – Executive Producers: Russell T Davies, Peter Hoar, Nicola Shindler
“The Underground Railroad” – Creator/Executive Producer: Barry Jenkins; Executive Producers: Adele Romanski, Mark Ceryak, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Colson Whitehead, Richard Heus, Jacqueline Hoyt
“We Are Lady Parts” – Creator: Nida Manzoor; Executive Producers: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Surian Fletcher-Jones, Mark Freeland

Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series (Award given to the Creator, Executive Producer, Co-Executive Producer)

“Black and Missing” – Series By/Executive Producers: Soledad O’Brien, Geeta Gandbhir; Executive Producers: Jo Honig, Patrick Conway, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, Sara Rodriguez
“The Choe Show” – Creator/Executive Producer: David Choe; Executive Producers; Matt Revelli, Christopher C. Chen, Hiro Murai, Nate Matteson
“The Lady and the Dale” – Executive Producers: Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass, Mel Eslyn, Allen Bain, Andre Gaines, Nick Cammilleri, Alana Carithers, Zackary Drucker, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller
“Nuclear Family” – Series By: Ry Russo-Young; Produced By: Dan Cogan, Warren Fischer; Executive Producers: Liz Garbus, Julie Gaither, Jon Bardin, Leah Holzer, Peter Saraf, Alex Turtletaub, Jenny Raskin, Geralyn White Dreyfous, Lauren Haber, Maria Zuckerman, Christine Connor, Ryan Heller, Barbara Dobkin, Eric Dobkin, Andrea Van Beuren, Joe Landauer
“Philly D.A.” – Creators: Ted Passon, Yoni Brook, Nicole Salazar; Produced By: Josh Penn, Michael Gottwald; Executive Producers: Dawn Porter, Sally Jo Fifer, Lois Vossen, Ryan Chanatry, Gena Konstantinakos, Jeff Seelbach, Patty Quillin; Co-Executive Producers: Nion McEvoy, Leslie Berriman

Best Male Performance in a New Scripted Series

Lee Jung-Jae – “Squid Game”
Olly Alexander – “It’s a Sin”
Murray Bartlett – “The White Lotus”
Michael Greyeyes – “Rutherford Falls”
Ashley Thomas – “THEM: Covenant”

Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series

Thuso Mbedu – “The Underground Railroad”
Deborah Ayorinde – “THEM: Covenant”
Jasmine Cephas Jones – “Blindspotting”
Jana Schmieding – “Rutherford Falls”
Anjana Vasan – “We Are Lady Parts”

Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series

“Reservation Dogs” – Ensemble Cast: Devery Jacobs, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Lane Factor, Paulina Alexis, Sarah Podemski, Zahn McClarnon, Lil Mike, FunnyBone

Super Bowl: Warm Weather Drives Tourists, Locals Alike To Beach On Super Bowl Eve

Sun, 13 Feb 2022 05:14:51 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) — With less than 24 hours until Super Bowl LVI, featuring the hometown Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals, Southern California beaches were far more crowded than normal on Saturday.

Over 100,000 football fans set to attend the big game, many actually headed away from SoFi Stadium, and instead to the sand in an attempt to take in the uncharacteristic summer day in February.

Since many of the people heading into the Southland hail from Ohio, or other Midwest states, 80 degree beach weather is far from normal, in fact, on Saturday in Cincinnati, there was a high of 23 degrees with a likelihood for snow.

So when Becky Matheny, a Bengals fan from Louisville, KY saw today’s weather she made sure she went to thaw out of her winter freeze at the beach, “I love it here,” she said.

Despite her newfound love for Southern California, she refused to drop her lasting passion for the Bengals.

“Because it’s the Bengals! We got Burrow, we got ’em all!” she told CBS reporter Nicole Comstock, “We got the best kicker in the NFL!”

Ironically, another Bengals fan named Becky spoke with Comstock while she was in Santa Monica.

Becky Shelton, who hails from Cincinnati, disclosed that today was her first time on the West Coast. But like the other Becky, she refused to give up on her Bengals, despite being in enemy territory. “We’re not going back to Cincy without a win,” she said.

Larry Wasser was of another mind, “Well, what happens when you’re in L.A., you become a Rams fan,” the Toronto transplant disclosed, “there’s no choice.”

Regardless of what team beachgoers were rooting for come Sunday, local shops and restaurants were reaping the benefits of the Super Bowl, like many other businesses across the Southland, even ahead of the big game.

Big Dean’s Ocean Front Cafe, located just off the Santa Monica Pier, was one of the many businesses that was overwhelmed by the sudden influx of consumers.

“We’ve been very busy,” said Mary Francis Bonzoni, a supervisor at Big Dean’s.

Despite the craze, employees were grateful for a change of tone when it came to their customers, especially those with the Midwestern hospitality in mind.

“Theres’s a lot of people from out of town, these people are really nice – you can tell the difference!,” Bonzoni continued.

Mike Morris was yet another Cincinnati local who took the 2,175 mile trip west to watch his team play in the Super Bowl for the first time in 31 years.

“I’ve been enjoying your city,” he said, “Did the tourist thing yesterday, hit all the big stops and today we’re hanging out at the pier; tomorrow’s the big game!”

The warm weather is expected to last again through Super Bowl Sunday, and stretch into Monday before winter weather re-descends upon the Southland, bringing back a little bit of normalcy for Los Angeles County in the wake of Super Bowl LVI.

Megan Mullally And Nick Offerman To Host Film Independent Spirit Awards

Sat, 12 Feb 2022 03:03:34 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman are set to host the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards on March 6.

“We are sincerely excited to be hosting the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards,” the couple said in a joint statement. “We hope to get a little rowdy, but it’ll mainly be legitimate cinematic discourse. Although, with the two of us involved, it’s more likely to be intercourse. Either way, it’ll be legit.”

The Spirit Awards ceremony will be held in Santa Monica after being held virtually last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event will be broadcasted on IFC.

Mullally is best known for her role as Karen Walker on “Will & Grace,” and Offerman is best known for his work on “Parks and Recreation.”

Water Use Warnings In Effect At Several LA County Beaches

Sat, 29 Jan 2022 17:06:51 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Officials have issued health warnings for ocean water use at several beaches in Los Angeles County due to bacterial levels exceeding health standards when last tested.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is cautioning residents to avoid swimming, surfing or playing in ocean waters at the following beaches:

— Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey;

— Santa Monica Pier;

— Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach;

— Pico-Kenter Storm Drain at Santa Monica Beach (Santa Monica Tower 20);

— Herondo Street Storm Drain at Hermosa Beach (Hermosa Tower TK).

The warnings were issued Friday.

Meanwhile, warnings were lifted for Topanga Canyon Beach and Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu, where recent sample results identified water quality levels within state standards.

Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the county’s beach closure hotline at 1-800-525-5662. To view a map of impacted locations and for more information, go here.

Authorities Searching For Missing Teen Girl Allegedly Taken By Her Mother

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 05:59:18 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBLSA) – On Tuesday, police sought the public’s help to locate a 14-year-old girl who was reported missing in Santa Monica after allegedly being taken by her mother.

Isabela Belani was last seen about 4 p.m. on Jan. 11 during a planned visitation with her 52-year-old mother Shari Jackowitz, according to the California Highway Patrol, which issued a missing persons advisory on behalf of the Santa Monica Police Department.

Isabela is 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a hoodie, gray shirt, gray jacket and black pants.
Jackowitz is 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 127 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She is also known to drive a black 2018 Audi S7 with the Florida license plate DISJ14.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts was asked to call 911.

ENDANGERED MISSING ADVISORY – Los Angeles County.@SantaMonicaPD
IF Seen Call 9-1-1 pic.twitter.com/9nLrq4hq6O

— CHP – Alerts (@CHPAlerts) January 26, 2022

Actor Peter Dante, Regular In Adam Sandler Movies, Accused Of Antisemitic Remarks In Recent Lawsuit

Sun, 23 Jan 2022 00:09:07 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) – Actor Peter Dante has been sued by a man who alleges that Dante called him an “old Jew” and a sissy and chased him around
a Santa Monica restaurant earlier this month.

BOSTON, MA – JUNE 09: Peter Dante attends the That’s My Boy Boston Premiere at Regal Fenway Theater on June 9, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Marc Andrew Deley/Getty Images)

Plaintiff Scott Burns’ Santa Monica Superior Court lawsuit alleges assault, defamation-slander and both intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Burns seeks $1.5 million in damages in the suit brought Thursday.

A representative for the 53-year-old “Grandma’s Boy” actor could not be immediately reached for comment.

On Jan. 3 at about 5:15 p.m., Burns went to Lares, a Mexican food restaurant on Pico Boulevard where he regularly dines, the suit states. Burns, who is elderly and has heart disease, entered through the back door due to management’s COVID-19 safety protocols and was directed to his table after his temperature was taken and he showed his vaccination card, the suit states.

Dante was “purposefully blocking” the area Burns needed to pass through and although the plaintiff excused himself, a visibly drunk Dante began “verbally assaulting” him, according to the suit.

Dante then began asking Burns invasive and personal questions in a menacing tone, and called the plaintiff’s answers “stupid,” the suit states.

“Plaintiff was humiliated in the small space in front of the staff whom he knows well and the other diners,” the suit states.

Dante, who allegedly ignored Burns’ requests to stop talking to him, called the plaintiff a “sissy” and asked if he was going to do anything about it, but Burns responded that he did not want to fight, according to the suit.

Dante made antisemitic remarks about Burns’ appearance, saying he was an “old Jew” with a “Jew nose,” the suit alleges.

Dante later approached Burns’ table and stood over the plaintiff in a threatening manner, leaving Burns feeling he was about to be attacked, the suit states. When Burns told a waiter he was leaving, Dante yelled, “See sissy running away,” according to the suit.

Dante chased Burns around a large table and the plaintiff was able to call the police, telling the operator to stay on the phone with him because he feared for his safety, the suit states.

The restaurant owner’s daughter approached and kept Dante away from Burns, then told the actor, “Pay your bill and get out. You’re out of here,” the suit states.

Dante eventually left. Burns, who felt humiliated and believes his reputation was damaged, has continued to have nightmares as well as a feeling of apprehension when he is in public places, especially while visiting Lares, according to the suit.

One Killed In Deadly Freeway Crash After Driving On Wrong Side Of Freeway

Sat, 22 Jan 2022 14:38:55 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – A Lynwood man was killed in a two-vehicle collision Saturday in Los Angeles.

The crash occurred just before 4:30 a.m. on the eastbound 10 Freeway, when a man driving on the wrong side of the road crashed head-on with another vehicle driving in the opposite direction.

The driver of the vehicle which caused the collision has been identified as 27-year-old Danny R. Silva.

He was driving a 2018 Mazda MX5 Miata, when he collided with an unnamed individual driving a 2012 Infiniti EX35 SUV. The Infiniti attempted to swerve around the oncoming vehicle, but was unable to avoid the collision.

The SUV driver suffered moderate injuries in the collision, both drivers were the sole occupants of the vehicles involved in the incident.

One of the vehicles overturned in the crash and the other ended up on the right shoulder of the freeway.

The collision closed the La Cienega off ramp and the No. 4 lane of the freeway for an unknown duration.

CHP officials are investigating the cause of the crash.

Microsoft To Acquire Santa Monica-Based Activision Blizzard In $68.7 Billion Deal

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 17:33:55 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) — Microsoft announced Tuesday it would acquire Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion in cash to gain a foothold in the metaverse.

Sign on facade of office of videogame publisher Activision in the Silicon Beach area of Los Angeles, California, December 10, 2018. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

Activision Blizzard — whose studios are behind several successful PC, console, and mobile video game franchises such as “Warcraft,” “Diablo,” “Overwatch,” “Call Of Duty,” and “Candy Crush” — employs nearly 10,000 people around the world. The Santa Monica video game company also has a global eSports franchises like “Overwatch League,” “Call of Duty League,” “Hearthstone Grandmasters,” and “World of Warcraft Arena World Chamionship.”

“Gaming is the most dynamic and exciting category in entertainment across all platforms today and will play a key role in the development of metaverse platforms,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in a statement.

Microsoft says Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick and his team will remain in their positions, reporting to Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer once the deal closes sometime this year.

“The combination of Activision Blizzard’s world-class talent and extraordinary franchises with Microsoft’s technology, distribution, access to talent, ambitious vision and shared commitment to gaming and inclusion will help ensure our continued success in an increasingly competitive industry,” Kotick said in a statement.

The acquisition comes just a few months after the company’s leadership came under fire due to their lack of response to a lawsuit alleging harassment and inequality. Several hundred employees at the Santa Monica headquarters staged a walkout last summer, and in a statement to one report from the Wall Street Journal, Activision Blizzard says it has made “significant improvements, including a zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate conduct” at Kotick’s direction.

Fresno Man Rahmad Parke, Wanted In Murders Of Mother And Grandfather, Known To Frequent Santa Monica, Van Nuys And Sherman Oaks

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 21:01:46 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Homicide detectives say a Fresno man suspected of murdering his mother and grandfather could be trying to hide in Southern California.

(credit: Fresno County Sheriff’s Office)

Rahmad Kerel Parke, 25, is the sole suspect in the murders of his mother, 58-year-old Melba Abdelaziz, and his grandfather, 90-year-old Mel Abdelaziz. Melba Abdelaziz had been living with her father so she could provide medical care for the aging former church pastor, according to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.

The Abdelazizs were found dead at their home in the 5100 block of E. Tulare Avenue in Fresno last Thursday. The former pastor’s body was found in the home’s front yard, and his daughter’s body was inside the home, authorities said.

(credit: Fresno County Sheriff’s Office)

Parke, who authorities say fled the scene of the crime, was identified by detectives as being responsible for the murders of his mother and grandfather. He was described as a 5-foot-10, 185-pound Black man with brown eyes and black hair with possible facial hair.

Authorities say he is a transient known to frequent Fresno and Los Angeles County, specifically Santa Monica, Van Nuys, and Sherman Oaks.

Investigators are asking for help finding Parke, but anyone who sees him or knows where he is staying should not approach him, but should instead call law enforcement immediately. Anyone with information about the case can contact Detective Jose Diaz at (559) 600-8204 or (559) 448-7089.

Signs Of Inbreeding Among Southern California Mountain Lions Raise Extinction Fears

Sat, 08 Jan 2022 18:59:04 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Scientists tracking two local mountain lion populations, one in the Santa Monica Mountains and another in the Santa Anas, have identified the first reproductive signs of inbreeding among these groups, which are cut off from breeding options by busy freeways.

According to the UCLA-led study — which is available online and will be published in the January 2022 edition of the journal Theriogenology — the animals averaged a 93% abnormal sperm rate, while some also displayed physical signs of inbreeding, like deformed tails or testicular defects.

The mother of a mountain lion that attacked a 5-year-old boy near Calabasas, is pictured.

Researchers have long had genetic evidence of inbreeding, but the malformed sperm is the first evidence that inbreeding is manifesting in the reproductive system.

“This is a serious problem for an animal that’s already endangered locally,” said the study’s lead author, Audra Huffmeyer, a UCLA postdoctoral researcher who studies fertility in large cat species and is a National Geographic Explorer. “It’s quite severe.”

Researchers said the results lend urgency to the need for wildlife crossings, structures that allow the mountain lions and other animals to roam further and find a broader pool of potential mates. Mountain lions — also known as cougars — are a bellwether species, making them a leading indicator that inbreeding could soon cause problems for other species in the Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountains, the authors said.

The California Department of Transportation has scheduled groundbreaking for early 2022 on one such wildlife crossing, a bridge over the Ventura (101) Freeway in Agoura Hills, thanks to a mix of public and private funding.

Biologists and land managers hope this project will lead to more crossings. Early plans are being formulated for a possible structure over Interstate 15 in Riverside County.

The latest study draws on work by scientists from UCLA, the National Park Service’s Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and the UC Davis Wildlife Health Center. Both the NPS and UC Davis are carrying out long-term studies of Southern California mountain lion populations, currently following 17 cats.

Over the past year, the research team identified nine adult males from the Santa Monica and Santa Ana ranges with signs of inbreeding, including the first evidence of reduced fertility.

Their findings are similar to the signs of severe inbreeding seen early on among most Florida panthers in the 1990s, including the kinked tails, undescended testes and teratospermia (60% or more abnormal sperm), Huffmeyer noted. The Florida panther population only recovered with the introduction of mountain lions from Texas.

“The Florida panthers were also severely isolated and severely inbred, so the fact that we’re seeing the same traits in our mountain lion population is alarming,” she said. “If we don’t do anything to introduce more genetic diversity to the Southern California mountain lions, we will have more males with reproductive problems, fewer kittens and a lower rate of kitten survival.”

The scientists cited a real risk of extinction for the mountain lions in the Santa Monica and Santa Ana ranges. Once significant inbreeding depression is found — meaning decreased fertility and reduced kitten survival – – extinction is predicted to occur within 50 years, according to 2016 and 2019 papers evaluating population viability that included scientists from UCLA, NPS, UC Davis, the University of Wyoming, and the University of Nebraska.

While a few mountain lions — in particular the cougar known as P-22, who frequents Griffith Park — have successfully crossed freeways, far more have been killed trying to do so.

How To Watch: Santa Monica Pier Countdown To 2022

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 05:05:43 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) — The Santa Monica Pier is geared up to head into 2022, with a virtual show and countdown displayed in lights on the Santa Monica Ferris Wheel.

The pier invites the public to join them in counting down to 2022 with a show on the world-renowned Ferris Wheel, which will display the “West Coast New Year’s Eve Countdown 2022 on The Pacific Wheel.”

People are invited to view the show from the bluff at Pacific Palisades, or online via stream here. There will also be a live YouTube feed of the show available for public viewing on Pacific Park’s YouTube Channel.

Despite the show taking place at 11:30, the Santa Monica Pier closes at 10 p.m. on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, and there will be no fireworks shows.

With over 174,000 lights adorning the 90-foot tall ferris wheel, the show will feature a dazzling display of lights and patterns, including a 60-second countdown to ring in 2022. Afterwards, “Happy New Year” will scrawl across the ferris wheel in 16 different languages.

The show will continue until around 1 a.m., January 1, 2022.

Happy New Year!

New Princess Diana Exhibit To Open In Santa Monica

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 15:25:32 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) – A new Princess Diana walk-through exhibit will open Wednesday in Santa Monica.

“Princess Diana Exhibition: Accredited Access” features never-before-told stories from world-famous royal photographer Anwar Hussein, who spent four decades with the British royal family.

“There is a difference between a celebrity and an icon, and the humanitarianism, she didn’t have a PR agency moving around telling her do things, she was out there trying to change the world, make it a better place,” Curator Cliff Skeilliter told CBSLA Tuesday.

The exhibit, located at Santa Monica Place, at 315 Colorado Ave., is slated as a “walk through documentary experience” that features “larger-than-life images, bespoke creations and art installations.”

Tickets start at $25. The exhibit will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Proof of vaccination is required to enter. All visitors will also be required to wear masks.

Man Robbed In Santa Monica Follows Gunman, Who Fires Back At Him From Moving Car

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 23:31:56 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) — Police say an armed robbery turned into a car-to-car shooting in the middle of a neighborhood near the Santa Monica Airport.

Santa Monica police say a man who had just parked in the 2600 block of 34th Street at about 2 p.m. Monday was immediately blocked off by a black sedan. The front passenger got out and pulled out a gun, demanding the man’s cell phone and wallet.

(credit: Santa Monica Police Department)

The driver gave up his property, but then got back in his car to follow the suspect vehicle, according to Santa Monica police. As both vehicles drove eastbound on Pico Boulevard, the gunman leaned out of the passenger-side window and fired several times at the driver following behind them.

The suspects were last seen driving eastbound onto the 10 Freeway onramp at Centinela Avenue.

The incident is a reminder that members of the public should not try to take matters into their own hands when it comes to violent crimes, Santa Monica police spokesman Rudy Flores said.

“It is important that we remind our community that we do not encourage anyone to endanger themselves further by trying to follow or chase a suspect involved in a serious crime,” he said in a statement. “We ask that they focus on being a good witness and try to obtain a detailed description of the vehicle and parties involved then immediately contacting the police for assistance.”

The suspect vehicle was described as a newer black Nissan Versa or similar 4-door sedan with dark tinted windows, and black and chrome wheels. The gunman was described as a white or Hispanic man in his late 20s with straight, shoulder-length brown hair, brown or gray eyes, wearing a hoodie and a black bandanna covering the lower half of his face. No information was available about the driver.

Anyone with information about the robbery or shooting can contact Detective Tavera at (310) 458-2256.

Interest In All-Electric And Hybrid Vehicles Spiking Alongside Gas Prices

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 01:56:20 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) – As gas prices in Southern California skyrocket, interest in the potential cost-cutting value of alternate-fuel vehicles is also rising.

“It’s my husbands, one of his cars, and now I drive it a lot probably because of the gas prices are crazy,” said Tesla owner Leslie Gifford.

The demand for gas has spiked and experts don’t see an end in sight yet.

“We don’t anticipate that the demand for fuel is going to decrease anytime soon,” Spokesperson Doug Shupe, with the American Automotive Association, said.

Triple A also said there’s a direct correlation from the introduction of the vaccine to people wanting to free themselves from lockdown over the course of this year.

“Even though it sucks to have such high gas prices, maybe a little bit of good will come out of it, people start shifting to electric and hybrid,” Benji Miller said.

Experts report that’s exactly what’s happened, something like a domino-effect. According to Kelley Blue Book and Cox Automotive second quarter data, electrified vehicle sales are up 200% year over year.

Miller owns a Prius and said his mother, Lee, owns an all-electric BMW.

“She hasn’t been to a gas station in years,” Miller said.

“Literally, I haven’t been to a gas station in five years,” his mother responded.

Triple A said with technology improving, electric vehicles can travel father on a charge and hybrids now come in SUVs, for example, providing more variety for everyone.

“There’s so many more options on the market these days that in addition to the higher gas prices, and the environmental benefits, people are considering them because they just make sense for some families,” Shupe said.

The automotive association also urged people to do their research before buying a hybrid or all-electric vehicle, to ensure that the car will fit your specific needs.

Pedestrian Killed In Fatal Hit-And-Run In Santa Monica

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 00:40:24 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) – Santa Monica Police have reported a fatal hit-and-run that occurred around 8:00 p.m. on Saturday evening.

The incident took place on 10th Street and Pico Boulevard, when a pedestrian was struck by what authorities are now stating is a white Dodge Challenger with red racing stripes on the hood.

According to officials, the pedestrian was initially struck by the Challenger, before getting hit again by a second vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle stayed on scene and cooperated with authorities.

The accident was reported by the second driver.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel. Initial reports suggest that the man is aged somewhere between 50 and 60 years.

It is currently unclear whether or not the victim was in a crosswalk when he was hit.

Residents are frustrated with the situation, as the roads have just been repaved and have yet to undergo fresh coats of paint for crosswalks, lanes and traffic directions.

Santa Monica Police Departments Major Accident Response team has opened an investigation, and are searching for surveillance footage in the area.

Anyone with information on the hit-and-run driver was to call Santa Monica police Detective Evan Raliegh at 310-458-8954 or he department at 310-458-8461.

Authorities Seeking Assistance In October Hit-And-Run Incident

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 21:17:33 +0000

(Photo Courtesy of the Santa Monica Police Department.)

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) – Authorities are seeking public assistance in finding the alleged suspect in a hit-and-run that nearly killed a pedestrian at 1 a.m. on October 31.

The incident occurred around Wilshire Boulevard and Third Street according to the Santa Monica Police Department. The driver hit a pedestrian who sustained serious injury.

The authorities are looking for a white Infiniti G-Series sedan that has no front license plate. They also state that there should be major damage to the front passenger side of the vehicle.

So far, this is the only information available on the suspect, with no additional information on the motorist known at this time.

Anyone with information on the case was urged to contact Investigator Evan Raleigh at 310-458-8954 or via email at evan.raleigh@santamonica.gov; or the watch commander at 310-458-8461.

Man Stabbed During Confrontation In Santa Monica Vons Store Over Mask-Wearing

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 19:30:05 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) – A man was stabbed late Monday night by a security guard at a Vons grocery store in Santa Monica after he purportedly became violent when employees asked him to put on a mask.

Nov. 8, 2021. (RMG News)

The stabbing occurred at about 10:35 p.m. at a Vons located at 710 Broadway.

Witnesses said the victim entered the Vons a little before closing, appeared disheveled and was not wearing a mask.

Witnesses told Santa Monica police that when Vons staff approached him, the victim became belligerent and assaulted an employee. When a security guard intervened and tried to escort the man out of the store, the man attacked the guard, police said.

The security guard then produced a pocket-knife and stabbed the suspect several times.

According to police, the security guard called 911 and reported that he had stabbed the victim in self-defense. Officers arrived to find the victim outside the grocery store.

“When somebody came up to break it up, pull them apart, but then that guy was bleeding profusely, where he’d (the guard) gotten him,” witness Andre Berryman said. “So that was pretty much what happened. It was all behind him not wearing a mask.”

The victim was taken by ambulance to a hospital with multiple stab wounds, police said,. He underwent surgery and was last reported to be stable. The man has allegedly refused to provide investigators with his name or any forms of identification.

Footage from the scene showed the security guard sitting on the curb surrounded by officers. It’s unclear if he will face any criminal charges.

“I don’t have the specifics on the actual knife, if it’s a pocket folding knife, then, yes, it is legal and he can be armed with it,” Santa Monica police Lt. Rudy Flores said.

There was no word regarding whether footage of the altercation was caught on the store’s security cameras.

Tom Hanks Crashes Santa Monica Beach Wedding

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 14:21:32 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) – The nicest guy in Hollywood strikes again.

Tom Hanks crashed a beach wedding in Santa Monica, Calif., for couple Tashia and Diciembre Farris. Oct. 22, 2021. (Courtesy: Farris family)

Last week, a San Dimas couple was in the middle of their dream wedding on a beach in Santa Monica, with friends and family, when none other than actor Tom Hanks showed up and crashed their wedding.

Tashia and Diciembre Farris had just wrapped up their ceremony on the beach Oct. 22 when a familiar face appeared in the crowd.

“A guy walks through the crowd, and I’m like, ‘Who is this guy walking in our photos?’” Tashia told CBSLA. “And the crowd is like, ‘That’s Tom Hanks!’ And I’m like, ‘What? No way!’ Right? And he took off his hat and he starts talking and immediately we knew it was Tom Hanks.”

“He said, you know, ‘Is the groom around?’” Diciembre said. “And we said, ‘There’s no groom, it’s bride and bride.’ And that’s when you see him say, ‘Get out of town!’”

Hanks was the delight of the brides and their guests and kids, who kept looking for Woody from “Toy Story.”

“The kids are looking for actual Woody from ‘Toy Story,’ and they’re like, ‘that’s not him,'” Diciembre said.

Hanks is something of a wedding crashing professional. In 2016, he popped into a couple’s photo session in New York City’s Central Park and posed with the newlyweds.

“Tom Hanks had such an amazing personality,” Tashia said. “(He) accepted us for who we are, showed us love like we were family. Stuck around and took pictures with our guests. He was great.”

For Diciembre, Hanks’ visit meant something extra special.

“It wasn’t until later that evening my sister called me and said, ‘You will not guess when Tom Hanks’ birthday is.’ And it was July 9, which is my brother’s birthday,” Diciembre said.

Diciembre’s brother, who died in 2017, had a seat reserved at the ceremony. Hanks dropping by felt like fate for the couple.

“Wow, out of all people on this day, Tom Hanks showed up to let us know my brother was there,” Diciembre said.

Before he left, Hanks had these parting words for the blushing brides.

“If we’re ever in the same room, or the same airport, or something like that, come on by, push your way through and say ‘I remember (you),’” Hanks said.

‘Survivor’ Contestant Michelle Yi Describes Frightening Santa Monica Assault

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 17:23:39 +0000

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — Former ‘Survivor’ contestant Michelle Yi, who goes by “Piper,” spoke exclusively to KPIX 5’s Betty Yu about a vicious attack that may have left her with a detached retina.

“I never thought I would be the victim of an attack like this,” said Yi.

The Season 16 favorite in Fiji shared photos of her injuries from the October 14th assault. She was preparing to teach her first Pilates class of the day at a Santa Monica studio, when police said 25-year-old Alexandria Diaz assaulted her.

“She had a rusty metal saw in one hand and a metal pipe in the other,” said Yi. “She starts shouting more nonsense and actually lunges into the studio and stabs me in my left bicep with the knife, and then strikes me twice with the pipe. First time, just striking my hand, shattering my watch, getting my fingers pretty good, and then the second time just straight over the head.”

The attacker hit Yi so hard it split her eyebrow wide open, and she received stitches at the hospital.

Police said Diaz had been reported missing from Fresno. She had assaulted two other victims moments before she attacked Yi. One of the victims was an older Asian man. Police added that the suspect was not on her prescribed medications at the time of the assaults.

Yi could not be certain whether she was targeted because of her race, but said:

“I think that if I were a different person, I’m not so sure she would have attacked me. I think being an Asian woman and not very large in size, it makes for a much easier target, as well as the elderly Asian gentlemen. You know, there were other people around in Santa Monica.”

Santa Monica Police are still investigating whether the attack was a hate crime. Diaz has been charged with three counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

Yi said while she is doing better physically, the emotional wounds will take longer to heal. She is planning to return to work this week.

Police Searching For Suspect Who Set Homeless Man On Fire As He Slept In Santa Monica’s Ozone Park

Thu, 21 Oct 2021 22:30:21 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) — Police asked for help Thursday in catching whoever set a sleeping homeless man on fire.

The incident happened last Saturday at about 11:35 p.m. at Ozone Park, 727 Ozone St., according to Santa Monica police. A homeless man who was sleeping was doused with an unknown liquid, then set on fire, police said.

The man, who was not identified, was taken to a hospital. He suffered burns to about 50% of his body and a 2-inch cut to the top of his head from possible blunt force trauma.

Police are investigating this incident as an attempted murder and are looking to identify a man who was seen in the area. He is described as a man between 5-feet-6 and 5-feet-8 with a medium build, wearing a hat, long-sleeved white shirt, and dark shorts.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact Detective Tavera at (310) 458-22256 or the Santa Monica police watch commander at (310) 458-8427.

‘Survivor’ Contestant Michelle Yi Stabbed, Beaten In Santa Monica; Woman In Custody

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 00:21:19 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) — A former “Survivor” contestant was brutally attacked on the street in Santa Monica last Thursday. A woman was taken into custody for the attack and was also accused of other attacks that same morning.

Michelle Yi, who appeared on season 16 of “Survivor” in Fiji, was stabbed and beaten on her way to teach a pilates class

Last Thursday, police say Yi was walking to her pilates studio on 2nd street when a woman hit Yi with a metal pole and stabbed her with a knife.

Canadian journalist Murtz Jaffer, who’s a friend of Yi and broke the story, said she’s devastated by what happened.

“It’s one of those things where it’s like I wasn’t surprised, which speaks volumes given the number of incidents like these that are happening across the U.S.,” Jaffer said.

Yi was heading to teach a pilates class at 6 a.m. when police say a woman, who was reported missing from Fresno, assaulted her.

Authorities say the alleged attacker was not on her prescribed medications at the time.

Santa Monica police reported the suspect, 25-year-old Alexandria Diaz, is linked to two other attacks.

Jaffer said he learned one of the victims is also Asian and he believes it was racially motivated.

“At the time she wasn’t sure if it was a hate crime or motivated by race or something,” Jaffer said. “That was the assumption based on the identity of the other person who was attacked”

Investigators say they have no information to determine if Yi’s attack was a hate crime, but they are still investigating.

People who live and work in the area are stunned by what happened and say the incident serves as a reminder to always be on guard.

“I always make sure I’m walking with somebody I don’t do it by myself,” said one person.

Yi went to the hospital to get checked out. She is expected to be OK.

New Climate Models Show Much Of Southern California Underwater

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 05:53:42 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – A climate centered nonprofit has shown in models how some 50 cities around the world could potentially change or even disappear as a result of climate change.

“Their ability to exist into the future depends on the actions we take,” said Benjamin Strauss, CEO of Climate Central.

Strauss’s nonprofit Climate Central did the research and created startling images of landmarks around the world, including a few parts of Southern California like Long Beach and Huntington Beach, being impacted by rising sea levels.

The Santa Monica Pier is a landmark seen from both the ground and the skies above, but these models show it could all disappear and, in 100 years, might look quite different.

The model shows the Santa Monica Boardwalk underwater, projections climate scientists said could come true in the next few centuries if temperatures and sea levels rise without humans intervening.

“It’s really sad to think it could disappear one day beneath the rising sea,” Strauss said.

The projections range from 1 to 4 degrees of warming, with the worst case scenarios showing seas rising by more than 20 feet.

Climate model visualization of Long Beach. (credit: Climate Central)

In pictures of Long Beach, high tides push in all the way to the 405 Freeway and much of Huntington is also underwater.

“Really, neighborhoods from Golden West all the way out to Los Altos would be all well below sea level, could be 10 feet almost,” said Strauss.

While images like these could be thousands of years into our future, scientists said climate change is already wreaking havoc along our coastline.

“This is not some thing that’s off into the future. This is happening right now,” said John Dorsey, a Loyola Marymount Professor.

Dorsey studies rising sea levels and points out out losing our beaches and the tourists they bring could drain our local economy. He also said we’d lose infrastructure, like water lines, sewer lines and highways.

“IF we get this coastal erosion that could erode in and start destroying that kind of infrastructure, we will be paying billions of dollars to try to move that inlands,” Dorsey said.

Climate scientists say some of this could be avoided if we take major steps to cut emissions in the next decade.

On Thursday, it was announced that President Biden will travel to Europe for the United Nations Annual Climate Change Conference in just a few weeks.

Eleven-Year-Old Boy With Rare Cancer Is Youngest Patient To Receive Gene Targeted Cancer Therapy

Thu, 23 Sep 2021 00:04:15 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) – A Seattle father brought his son to Santa Monica in hopes of one thing: finding a cure for his 11-year-old son who is battling a rare form of cancer.

Kian Faghih was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a cancer of the heart and skeletal muscle which originated from another part of his body and has now spread to his lungs.

“At the end they said that there is no cure for him and we cannot do anything for him. That’s why we started looking,” Jamshid Faghih, Kian’s father said.

Kian has battled with cancer for two and a half years. After being told that there were no other options, his father found Dr. Erlinda Gordon from the Sarcoma Oncology Center in Santa Monica. The Faghihs reached out to Dr. Gordon to see if Kian could receive an experimental treatment she created called, DeltaRex-G, an innovative gene-targeted cancer therapy.

Gordon said yes, making Kian the youngest patient to receive DeltaRex-G.

“His prognosis, really, this is his last hope. He’s tried everything … as soon as he got here, we were able to give it to him the same day he arrived,” Gordon said.

For almost three weeks, Kian has been receiving infusions of DeltaRex-G. Unlike chemotherapy, there are no harsh side effects with this treatment since it’s a genetic medicine that directly targets the tumor.

“It will go there and nowhere else so it doesn’t cause collateral damage,” Gordon said. “What it does is it sends the message to the cancer cell to stop dividing. It’s not only the cancer cells themselves that Delta Rex kills. It also kills the blood supply of the tumor.”

Jamshid has already seen improvements in Kian, who will be receiving his last treatment of DeltaRex-G on Friday.

“The medication that he’s getting here (Kian) started having better breathing and he was feeling more comfortable,” Jamshid said. “It feels great, it’s like a miracle for us.”

However, this treatment is not available through drug or insurance companies, but through a non-profit public charity founded by Dr. Gordon. The Fanghihs have started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to get more medicine for Kian and other cancer patients treated through the AVENI Foundation.

Additional information on the AVENI Foundation can be found here.

Heal The Bay Beach Cleanup Effort Slated For Saturday At Santa Monica Beach

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 22:43:36 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Tens of thousands of volunteers are expected to take part in Heal the Bay’s California Coastal Cleanup Day this Saturday, removing trash from local beaches and neighborhoods.

Heal the Bay will host events at 9 a.m. Saturday at Santa Monica Beach, north of the Santa Monica Pier, along with dozens of clean-up locations countywide.

Coastal Cleanup Day registration is now open for 25+ inland, river & beach sites in LA County on Saturday, Sept. 18 from 9am – Noon! https://t.co/Wjw2cAZEY6

Thanks to our sponsors Portland Potato Vodka & Ocean Conservancy

Artwork by Kelsey Davenport pic.twitter.com/gJevSxleaj

— Heal the Bay (@HealTheBay) September 10, 2021

“From wildfires to waste, clean water is so important for us to sustain in L.A., to protect the places and people we love, and to fight against the increasingly severe impacts of climate change,” according to a statement from Heal the Bay.

In 2020, Heal the Bay volunteers removed more than 40,000 pieces of trash from neighborhoods, parks, trails and beaches.

Volunteers can register at healthebay.org/coastalcleanupmonth.

All participants are asked to wear a mask, use gloves and stay home if not in good health. Available spots will be limited at each clean-up site due to the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Few Voting Issues Reported With California Recall Election

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 18:49:37 +0000

SACRAMENTO (AP) — Californians voted to keep Gov. Gavin Newsom in office on Tuesday, ending a statewide recall election that saw some Republicans again float unfounded claims of voter fraud.

Days before the polls closed, the campaign of one of the leading Republican candidates promoted a website urging people to sign a petition that declared Newsom had already won because of voter fraud. That language was lifted from a petition circulated to help former President Donald Trump’s effort to overturn last year’s presidential election results.

By Tuesday afternoon, that language was removed from the website, leaving only a form for people to report “irregularities, interference, or intimidation while voting.” A spokeswoman for Elder said the website is operated by a third party and that “websites update their language all the time.”

Elder did not revive any such claims Tuesday night, quickly conceding the race and urging booing supporters to “be gracious in defeat.”

The claims of fraud — both from Elder and former President Donald Trump — prompted a rebuke from Newsom in an election night victory speech.

“Democracy is not a football. You don’t throw it around,” Newsom said. “It’s more like a, I don’t know, an antique vase. You can drop it and smash it into a million different pieces. And that’s what we’re capable of doing if we don’t stand up to meet the moment and push back.”

There were few reported problems with voting on Tuesday. A polling center in Tulare County was closed because of a wildfire, with voters redirected to nearby alternatives. And a poll worker at a West Hollywood voting site was removed for wearing a pro-Trump shirt, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar’s Office.

In the Woodland Hills neighborhood last weekend, some people who showed up said they were told they had already voted, which the registrar’s office said was caused by settings on some computers used to check in voters. The office said those affected were allowed to cast provisional ballots, which act as placeholders until voter eligibility is determined. Similarly, a Newsmax reporter tweeted Tuesday that he was told he had already voted at an Orange County polling place. The county registrar said he couldn’t comment on this case, but anecdotally this situation happens “but in small numbers” and often there is an explanation. He, too, was allowed to cast a provisional ballot.

Some Republicans worried the fraud claims from some party leaders could suppress turnout. Harmeet Dhillon, an attorney and the national committeewoman of the Republican National Committee for California, said she made a video with her husband showing them casting ballots by mail and urging everyone to do the same.

But Dhillon also said she could not say whether California’s election would be secure, saying she and a team of attorneys monitoring voting have witnessed dozens of problems.

“There will be a lot of questions and potentially litigation after this election about this sloppy-at-best treatment of people’s ballots and their right to vote,” Dhillon said.

The GOP’s predicament was similar to that in last year’s presidential election, when many in the party feared that Trump’s claims about widespread fraud from expanded mail-in voting would backfire by persuading Republicans to stay home.

In California, the GOP needed all the help it could get.

Democrats make up 46.5% of all registered voters, while Republicans make up just 24%. Independent voters are roughly equivalent to Republicans, but tend to vote Democratic. Republicans have not won a statewide office since 2006, when Arnold Schwarzenegger won reelection as governor.

Firefighters On Bike Ride To Mark 20th Anniversary Of 9/11 On Approach To New York

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 18:20:36 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Firefighters on a bike ride across the country to honor the 20th anniversary of 9/11 are in their final stretch of their journey.

Members of the Fire Velo Club, which includes firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, rode out from the Santa Monica Pier on Aug. 1. This week, they are on the final stretch of their 4-day, 3,300-mile journey to New York.

“I think we want to get it done. We want to get to Ground Zero, that place that pays tribute to all those lost,” said Buck Buchanan, a retired battalion chief and Fire Velo vice president.

More than 400 members of FDNY and NYPD have lost their lives from post-9/11 illnesses, and the group also wants to raise awareness of the firefighters who are still living with health problems likely caused from exposure at Ground Zero.

The group is hoping to raise $100,000 to donate to firefighter-related charities.

LA Beaches Packed For Holiday Weekend, With Bigger Crowds Expected On Labor Day

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 01:23:13 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) – While some Southland residents are playing it safe during the pandemic and avoiding crowds this holiday weekend, many beachgoers in Santa Monica were just glad to be outside, masks or not.

“The weather’s amazing. It’s a lot of fun here,” said one beachgoer.

Crowds packed Santa Monica Beach Labor Day Weekend. (credit: CBS)

Beaches were crowded this weekend and for the most part, few people were wearing masks.

One couple said they heeded the recommendation to avoid travel this weekend, and decided on a day at the beach just to play it safe.

“We live down the street. We have been relaxing, and it’s good to be outside,” the man said.

A surfer said that he was ready to enjoy some time off work, surfing and parties, and said he’s not too worried about COVID at this point and feels ready to celebrate.

“Gonna go party later, go to some pool parties, maybe at the bars, yeah,” he said.

More people are expected to hit the sand and surf on Labor Day.

Heal The Bay Announces Coastal Cleanup Day In September

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 00:20:40 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) — Heal the Bay announced Monday that its 32nd Coastal Cleanup Day will be held on Sept. 18.

Heal the Bay Beach Clean Up – Fans assist the Kings and NHL in simultaneous beach clean-ups across three different Los Angeles cities.

The annual event to collect trash and debris from Southland beaches and neighborhoods will kick off at 9 a.m. Sept. 18 at Santa Monica Beach, north of the Santa Monica Pier, with dozens of other clean-up locations planned in the county.

Online volunteer registration is set to begin next week beginning at 10 a.m. Sept. 1.

“From wildfires to waste, clean water is so important for us to sustain in L.A. to protect the places and people we love and to fight against the increasingly severe impacts of climate change,” according to a statement from Heal the Bay.

In 2020, Heal the Bay volunteers removed more than 40,000 pieces of trash from neighborhoods, parks, trails and beaches. PPE was among the top 10 types of trash recovered.

All participants are asked to wear a mask, use gloves and stay home if they are feeling sick. Spots will be limited at cleanup sites due to the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Information on all events can be found at healththebay.org/coastalcleanupmonth.

LA County Issues Warnings At Two Beaches

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 20:08:06 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Beach-goers were advised Monday of potentially hazardous water conditions at two Los Angeles County beaches.

The county Department of Public Health told people to use caution swimming, surfing and playing in the water at Mothers Beach in Marina del Rey and near the Santa Monica Pier, particularly around discharging storm drains, creeks and rivers.

Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the county’s beach closure hotline: 1-800-525-5662.

Information is also available online at PublicHealth.LACounty.gov.

Man Struck, Killed By Hit-Run Driver In Santa Monica

Mon, 02 Aug 2021 18:30:54 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) – Authorities are searching for a driver who struck and killed a man in Santa Monica early Monday morning.

Aug. 2, 2021. (CBSLA)

The hit-and-run wreck occurred in the 3100 block of Santa Monica Boulevard just after 1 a.m.

Santa Monica police officers responded to find the man injured at the scene. He was taken to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, where he died. His name was not released.

The suspect vehicle was described as a dark-colored newer sedan last seen driving east on Santa Monica Boulevard. It’s unclear if detectives have obtained any security video.

Anyone with information should call the police department at 310-458-8427.

Santa Monica Boulevard was briefly shut down, but has since reopened.

Homeless Man Charged With Hate Crime, Yelling Racial Slurs While Attacking Korean Woman In Santa Monica For Her Purse

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 22:11:02 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) — A homeless man was charged Tuesday with a hate crime after police say he yelled racial slurs while trying to rob a Korean woman in Santa Monica.

(credit: Santa Monica Police Department)

Melvin Taylor, 65, whose last known address was in Compton, has been charged with attempted robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, assault likely to produce great bodily injury and a hate crime allegation enhancement.

The woman, who had been with her father-in-law, said she had been trying to feed a meter when Taylor confronted her, asked her about her ethnicity and demanded money from her. When she refused to give him money, and tried to get back into her car, police say Taylor kicked the car door, pinning her down, and hit her repeatedly while yelling racial slurs.

Santa Monica police say Taylor wasn’t affected when the woman tried to pepper spray him, and he took her phone and threw it on the ground while trying to take her purse. The attack was interrupted when nearby witnesses intervened, according to police.

Taylor is being held without bail and was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday.

Search Suspended For Woman Possibly Missing In Ocean Near Santa Monica Pier

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 16:45:53 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) – A search was suspended Monday morning for a woman who may have gone missing in the ocean waters near the Santa Monica Pier.

July 25, 2021. (CBSLA)

The U.S. Coast Guard reported that a woman was seen at clinging to the pilings underneath the pier at around 9 p.m. Sunday, prompting a search and rescue effort.

The Coast Guard actively searched the waters Sunday night with rescue divers, two boats and a helicopter with assistance from several other agencies, including the Santa Monica fire and police departments and the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

July 26, 2021. (CBSLA)

The search temporarily resumed Monday morning. However, at around 10 a.m., the L.A. County Fire Department Lifeguard Division tweeted that the search had again been suspended “pending more information.”

The missing woman’s identity was not known. Santa Monica police have not yet received any reports of a missing person which may have matched her description.

#PierIC *Update* The search has been suspended pending further information. Land based Lifeguard Units and Lifeguard Rescue Boats will continue periodic patrols.

— LACoFD Lifeguards (@LACoLifeguards) July 26, 2021

Indicted Trump Ally Thomas Barrack Granted $250 Million Bond, Ordered To Wear GPS Monitoring Bracelet

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 22:30:44 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — A grant package that includes a $250 million bond secured by $5 million in cash was granted Friday to Thomas Barrack, a longtime Trump friend and chair of the former president’s inaugural committee.

Thomas Barrack, Executive Chairman and CEO, Colony Capital, participates in a panel discussion during the annual Milken Institute Global Conference at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on April 28, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images)

Barrack, 74, of Santa Monica, was indicted this week on charges he and two others used his position as a friend and confidant of former President Trump in order to lobby on behalf of the United Arab Emirates.

In addition to the bond package, U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia Donahue also ordered Barrack to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet, barred him from transferring any money overseas, and restricted his travel to Southern California and New York. He was also ordered to appear Monday in federal court in Brooklyn, New York for arraignment, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Barrack, who founded LA-based Colony Capital Inc.,was one of Trump’s top fundraisers and served as chairman of his inaugural committee. Since his arrest on Tuesday, Barrack also resigned from the USC Board of Trustees.

Trump Inaugural Chair Thomas Barrack Arrested, Accused Of Being Unregistered Lobbyist For United Arab Emirates

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 20:25:48 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) — Thomas Barrack, a former adviser to President Trump and chair of his inaugural committee, was arrested Tuesday in the Los Angeles area after a federal indictment accused him of being an unregistered agent of the United Arab Emirates.

The seven-count indictment unsealed Tuesday in a New York federal court accuses 74-year-old Barrack, of Santa Monica, and two fellow defendants of working to advance the interests of a foreign government in the United States.

The indictment – which also names 27-year-old Matthew Grimes of Aspen, Colo. And 43-year-old UAE national Rashid Sultan Rashid Al Malik Alshahhi – alleges the trio acted and conspired to act as agents of the UAE between April 2016 and April 2018. Barrack is additionally charged with obstruction of justice and making false statements during a June 2019 interview with federal law enforcement agents.

“The defendants repeatedly capitalized on Barrack’s friendships and access to a candidate who was eventually elected President, high-ranking campaign and government officials and the American media to advance the policy goals of a foreign government without disclosing their true allegiances,” Mark Lesko, acting assistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, said in a statement.

Barrack, who founded LA-based Colony Capital Inc., served as an informal adviser to the Trump campaign before the 2016 Election and as chairman of Trump’s inaugural committee between November 2016 and January 2017. Federal prosecutors say Barrack sought appointment to a senior administration post, including the role of Special Envoy to the Middle East.

According to the Department of Justice, Barrack regularly and repeatedly used his position to advance the interests of the UAE. Prosecutors say Barrack inserted language praising the UAE into a May 2016 Trump campaign speech about U.S. energy policy, and sought direction from UAE officials in advance of an op-ed he published in a national magazine in October of 2016. Following Trump’s election, prosecutors say Barrack continued to advance the UAE’s interests by promoting the candidacy of an unidentified person for the position of U.S. Ambassador to the UAE, and advising against a proposed summit with Qatar and other Middle Eastern governments at Camp David that the UAE opposed.

Barrack, Grimes, and Alshahhi did not provide the required notification to the Attorney General that they were acting in the U.S. as agents of a foreign government, prosecutors said.

Barrack is expected to appear in federal court in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday afternoon. Grimes was also arrested on Tuesday, but Alshahhi remains at large.

LA County Sheriff’s Deputies Called On To Help Address Growing Homelessness Crisis On Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 01:25:19 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) — A Santa Monica man is suing the city over conditions in the downtown area due to the growing homeless population.

John Alle, along with other Promenade property and business owners, say they are not getting help from city officials so they’re turning to L.A. County Sheriff’s Department for answers.

“My goal is to have this return to Santa Monica’s living room. Right now, it’s a bathroom,” said property owner John Alle.

Alle owns three spaces along the Third Street Promenade, which he says are now struggling to keep the foot traffic flowing because of the homeless population.

“The urine, the defecation — no one should have to pass that,” he said. “The bottom line is there’s 65% vacancy and a lot of the stores you see here are month-to-month. It’s definitely keeping people away. The word spreads.”

Alle and others said they’ve reached out to several leaders, but to no avail.

“I’ve asked the mayor, I’ve asked the former city manager and I’ve asked the current interim city manager to come walk, let’s solve this together, but they don’t want to. Their main goal is to tear the building down,” Alle said.

Santa Monica Mayor Sue Himmelrich sent CBSLA a statement saying in part:

“One of the most critical needs right now is permanent supportive housing and we are addressing this need in a number of different ways… including moving forward with a project to convert an outdated parking structure in our downtown into affordable and supportive housing.”

To help control the growing crisis, Alle and others are considering hiring off-duty sheriff’s deputies to patrol the Promenade area. However, the Santa Monica city attorney and California’s attorney general said they don’t believe that would be legally feasible.

“They would work for the property owners, move people along, enforce the laws,” Alle said.

The sheriff has been assisting with the homelessness crisis in Venice as well, which Alle said gave him the idea to have Sheriff Alex Villanueva survey the Promenade area.

The 2020 Greater L.A. Homeless Count recorded 66,433 people living on the streets of L.A. County, a 12.7% increase from the previous year.

Sheriff Villanueva did not immediately respond to CBSLA’s request for comment.

Swimmer Dies After Being Pulled From Water Near Santa Monica Pier

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 23:30:24 +0000

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) — A swimmer has died after being pulled out of the ocean near the Santa Monica Pier Wednesday evening.

According to authorities, crews were initially called out for reports of two swimmers needing help. One of the swimmers was able to make it out of the water on their own, but lifeguards with the Los Angeles County Fire Department needed to pull the second swimmer to safety.

Sky9 was overhead as paramedics performed CPR on the second swimmer. The Santa Monica Fire Department took the second swimmer to Santa Monica Hospital, where they later died.

The Santa Monica Police Department said it believed the death to be the result of an accidental drowning.