USC has canceled all commencement speakers for this year’s graduation ceremony amid controversy surrounding the revocation of the university's valedictorian speech. “Given the highly publicized circumstances surrounding our main-stage commencement program, university leadership has decided it is best to release our outside speakers and honorees from attending this year’s ceremony,” the University of Southern California announced on Friday. The announcement means the cancellation of keynote speaker — filmmaker Jon M. Chu — who was expected to speak on May 10 at the main-stage ceremony, and othe ..read more

A dangerous pursuit that began in Hawthorne ended with the arrest of a suspect who allegedly stole a vehicle. The incident began around 5:30 p.m. Friday when a gold-colored Kia Soul with multiple occupants was making its way southbound on the 110 Freeway. The suspected stolen vehicle was involved in a collision while on the 110, causing significant damage the front end. Officers with the California Highway Patrol began tailing the suspect, but elected not to engage in a ground pursuit, and instead, used its air patrol to follow the vehicle. The pursuit made its way into the South Los Angeles a ..read more

A man from Ojai has pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for the 2019 slaying of his friend and roommate. Authorities say 28-year-old Cameron Scott Lykins killed Houston Auer on May 12, 2019, at Auer's grandmother's home on the 1100 block of Meyer Road in Ojai. Lykins and Auer got into an altercation in a bedroom of the home, which led to Lykins using a sledgehammer to bludgeon Auer to death. Following the killing, Lykins dragged Auer's body out of a window and dumped the victim's remains in the Angeles National Forest. Lykins then went to his mother's home in Lone Pine, where he arranged ..read more

Authorities are investigating after a body washed ashore on a Ventura County beach. On Wednesday, Ventura County deputies responded to reports of a body found at Sandy Dune Beach on Pacific Coast Highway. The body was only identified as a man in his 30s, officials said. The man was pronounced dead at the scene by medical crews. The sheriff’s Major Crime Investigators and the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the beach to investigate. The cause and circumstances surrounding the man’s death are unclear. "Anytime a body is found in the ocean, it is always regarded as suspiciou ..read more

Retail theft has been an ongoing issue in Los Angeles County, with shoplifting rates increasing by roughly 80 percent from 2022 to 2023. The L.A. County Sheriff's Department implemented a new task force to curb the growing number of retail thefts in September of 2023. The Major Crimes Retail Task Force is conducting undercover sting operations at local big box stores to catch suspects in the act. “Target and Walmart are big targets here for people coming in conducting thefts," LASD Miguel Kanemoto told KTLA 5's Rachel Menitoff during a sting in Rosemead. Menitoff was on hand with deputies duri ..read more

A Los Angeles man with a history of associating with a violent white supremacist group has been sentenced to nearly five years in federal prison. Ryan Scott Bradford, 35, of Reseda, was sentenced Friday to 57 months in prison for being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition and possessing eight "conversion devices" that allow for semi-automatic firearms to function as machine guns. He previously pleaded guilty to the federal weapons charges in January. Bradford is a known associate of an extremist white supremacist group in the San Fernando Valley, prosecutors said in a criminal affidav ..read more

In anticipation of summer, Pepsi announced the arrival of two new flavors inspired by a popular summer activity: grilling. Inspired by an American BBQ, new flavors Pepsi Lime and Pepsi Peach are ideal pairings for ribs, burgers, smoked brisket, or other BBQ staples. Pepsi introduces two new limited-edition flavor innovations inspired by summer grilling: Pepsi Lime and Pepsi Peach. (Pepsi) “The tangy citrus bite of lime and the plush sweetness of a ripe peach are popular and nostalgic summertime flavor profiles, and when combined with the crisp and refreshing taste of Pepsi, both Pepsi Lime and ..read more

Los Angeles General Medical Center is again asking for the public's help to identify a patient. The Boyle Heights hospital is currently treating a woman who was found unresponsive at an apartment complex in downtown Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services says the woman is believed to be between 40 and 50 years old with a thin build standing 5 feet 1 inch and weighing only 86 pounds. Los Angeles General Medical Center is asking for the public's help to identify a woman who was found unresponsive in downtown L.A. on April 18, 2024. (Los Angeles General Medical Center ..read more

Businesses in Topanga want everyone to know that they are still open but struggling with the extended closure of a section of Topanga Canyon Boulevard due to a landslide in early March. On Thursday, Caltrans announced the closure would likely extend until the fall as thousands of tons of dirt, rock and debris are still covering the road and can't be safely cleared for now. State Road 27 remains closed from Grand View Drive, just south of Topanga, to Pacific Coast Highway, which means the town is essentially a dead-end for now ..read more

If you find yourself feeling a bit snacky on Saturday (for whatever reason; we’re not here to judge), you might be totally stoked to learn that plenty of fast-food chains are offering discounted food on 4/20. Need the details? Grab your Visine and take a look at the offers below. From burger bundles to complimentary cookies, there's something to satisfy any ravenous cravings that arise throughout the day. (For whatever reason, of course.) Fatburger Fatburger customers can get an Original Fatburger for just $4.20 from participating locations on April 20. But the deal isn’t available in-store ..read more