Author: Artificial Intelligence

Authorities in California are searching for a man convicted of first-degree murder who escaped custody by jumping from a prison van while being transported to a court appearance. Cesar M. Hernandez, 34, fled shortly after arriving at Kern County Superior Court in Delano Monday morning. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Hernandez jumped out of a prison transport van around 10:45 a.m. and left on foot. As of 3 p.m. Monday, he had not yet been found. Special agents from the nearby CDCR prison are currently searching for Hernandez with assistance from the California Highway Patrol and…

A central California middle school teacher has died from rabies after being bitten by a suspected bat, local health officials said. The victim’s death was reported last Tuesday. Fresno County Public Health confirmed that the victim contracted rabies in Merced County. Friends identified the victim as Leah Senen, 60, an artist and art teacher at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos. “Following her sudden death, we are raising money for her family to pay for her funeral costs. We ask for privacy for her family at this difficult time and would like to thank you for your donations. Thank you.…

One of the most scandal-plagued companies in American business history appears to be back on its feet, but the severity of that comeback remains to be seen. “We’re back. Can we talk?” Enron posted on social media on Monday, along with a short video and press release. The announcement came the day after Dec. 2, 2001, 23 years after the company’s bankruptcy due to widespread accounting fraud, which led to perhaps the most infamous corporate scandal in U.S. history. An Enron spokesperson declined to comment on Monday’s press release, but teased that “big energy announcements” were coming. The video also…

The Los Angeles City Commissioner who oversees animal shelters is resigning, according to a city email sent Monday to animal shelter volunteers and rescue groups. Stacey Daines resigned effective Nov. 30, assistant general manager Annette Ramirez wrote in an email reviewed by the Times. Ramirez wrote that he was appointed interim general manager by Mayor Karen Bass. Daines, who earned about $272,730, did not immediately respond to email and phone messages. She had been on paid leave since August. Officials refused to explain why she took leave, creating uncertainty about the agency’s leadership.Asked in October about Daines’ future, Bass would…

California water managers released preliminary estimates of the amount of supply that will be available next year from state water projects, directing 29 public agencies to plan for just 5% of their requested allocations.The state Department of Water Resources announced Monday that the initial allocation is based on current reservoir levels and conservative assumptions about how much the state can supply in 2025.”We need to be prepared for all scenarios and take a conservative approach to managing our water supply early in the season,” said DWR Director Carla Nemeth.The state’s initial estimate last year was 10% of the requested supply,…

Stacey Daines has resigned as general manager of Los Angeles Animal Services after being on paid leave since August, Mayor Karen Bass’ office confirmed Monday. A spokesperson for Bass told City News Service that Daines resigned effective Saturday. City officials did not explain the reason for her absence. Annette Ramirez, who led Los Angeles Animal Services on an interim basis for a year and a half until Daines was appointed in 2023, began leading the department again in September. Daines, who previously headed Long Beach’s animal services department, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Daines addressed volunteer…

A whirlwind road trip to see country music star Zach Bryan in concert ended on an even better note for a Southern California mother and son, thanks to winning a California Lottery Scratcher ticket. Daniel Magallen and AJ Tamraz of Laguna Niguel traveled 430 miles Saturday to see Brian perform that night at the Golden 1 Center as a birthday present for AJ, who just turned 18 in October. I drove to Sacramento. AJ says it was a great show, but it happened very quickly. On Sunday, they were driving home on Interstate 5 when they encountered heavy traffic in…

The California Legislature will limit the number of bills each chamber can introduce from 50 to 35, according to House rules adopted at the start of the session Monday. Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) told CalMatters, which first reported the news, that he is not opposed to discussions of similar cuts in the Senate. Lawmakers can request exemptions that exceed the maximum number of bills they can introduce. About 19 of the 40 senators exceeded the bill’s cap in the most recent session. According to the Digital Democracy database, 24 out of 80 members of parliament have…

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is warning residents planning to visit area beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, or playing in the ocean. The following beaches are affected by the Marine Water Use Alert issued on December 2nd. Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach: 100 yards up and down the shore from public restrooms Castle Rock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach: 100 yards up and down the shore from the storm drain Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove: 100 yards up and down the shore from the Creek Malibu Pier: Murray Canyon – 100 yards up and down shore…

The family of Hannah Kobayashi, a woman who went missing in Hawaii, strongly disputes LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell’s statement that Kobayashi “deliberately” missed her connecting flight at Los Angeles International Airport.Kobayashi went missing on Nov. 8 after boarding a flight from Hawaii to Los Angeles, where she ultimately took a connecting flight to New York, where she was scheduled to visit relatives. After she arrived at LAX, her family became worried and sent cryptic text messages suggesting that someone was trying to steal her money and identity. No one has heard from her since.McDonnell briefed the Los Angeles Police Commission…