Tag: Local News

Ex-UCLA Gynecologist Found Guilty of 5 Sex-Related Charges, Acquitted of 7 Others

A former University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA) gynecologist was found guilty of sexually abusing patients during his tenure at the university Oct. 20. Dr. James Mason Heaps, 65, was indicted on 21 sex-related charges involving seven patients between 2009 and 2018 but was only found guilty of five counts—three counts of sexual battery by fraud and…


Cal State Fullerton Prevents Student Teachers From Working in Placentia-Yorba Linda Schools Due to CRT Ban

California State University Fullerton officials notified the Placentia-Yorba Linda School District this week that it has paused sending student teachers to work in the district due to the school board’s ban on critical race theory (CRT) in curriculum. Earlier this year, the school district approved a ban on the so-called CRT curriculum in classrooms to…


School Bus Strikes, Kills Man on Scooter in San Jose

SAN JOSE, Calif.—A school bus carrying students struck and killed a San Jose State University freshman football player as he rode a scooter near campus on Friday, university officials said. The San Jose Unified School District bus had the green light when 18-year-old Camdan McWright entered the crosswalk directly in the vehicle’s path, the California…


19th Century Sunken Ship Revealed by Low Water Levels in Mississippi River

BATON ROUGE, Lousiana—An old Cajun memory of the Mississippi River has been uncovered by lowered water levels amid the worst drought the area has seen in a decade. A sunken ship from the 19th century emerged as the drought persisted, bringing to light what was once known as the S.S. (Steam Ship) Brookhill commercial ferry…


Families Sue SoCal Edison, Alleging ‘Negligence’ as Fairview Fire Investigation Continues

Southern California Edison (SCE), the primary electricity supply company in the region, is facing another lawsuit from families affected by the Fairview Fire last month in Riverside County, alleging the utility’s “negligence” sparked the fire. The blaze—which burned over 28,000 acres—broke out Sept. 5 in Hemet during a severe heatwave, killing two and forcing thousands…


California Water Agencies, Farmers Work Together to Conserve Water in the Delta

Alex Wilson is a sixth-generation California farmer, growing fruits and grain in a state that has been severely affected by an ongoing water shortage. At 27, he is the youngest member to continue the family tradition of farming in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region. Through the years, Wilson’s family has survived periods of drought and…


Doorbell Video Shows Malnourished Texas Twins Seeking Help

CYPRESS, Texas—CYPRESS, Texas—A teenager who told Texas police that he and his twin sister were handcuffed and endured horrific abuse escaped their family’s home after he found a handcuff key and hid it in his mouth, authorities said in court records. The twins, barefoot and holding handcuffs, were seen on doorbell video as they sought…


Judge Blocks New York From Banning Guns in Churches, Says Law Unconstitutional

A judge has blocked New York authorities from banning guns in churches and other houses of worship, ruling that the state’s restrictions violate the U.S. Constitution. There is “ample Supreme Court precedent” emphasizing an individual’s right to keep and bear arms, U.S. District Judge John Sinatra, a Trump appointee, wrote in a 40-page ruling. That precedent…


Republicans Win Major Election Integrity Ruling Against Michigan Secretary of State

Republicans scored a legal victory this week after a judge ruled against Democrat Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson over state restrictions that were imposed on poll challengers ahead of the 2022 midterms, according to the Michigan Republican Party. The Michigan Republican Party and the Republican National Committee (RNC) filed a lawsuit against Benson in a…


Illinois Law Firm Prepares Lawsuit Against Wuhan City for Losses Caused by COVID-19

Almost three years after the COVID-19 pandemic started, an Illinoisian legal group is setting up a civil class lawsuit against the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the first COVID cases were reported. “Based on the latest statistics, almost 40,000 Illinoisans died from COVID,” stated the press release from Kent Gray, an attorney practicing laws…