Uber and Lyft Drivers are Striking at LAX: “We’re Being Paid Starving Wages”
Wednesday, May 8 (Curbed Los Angeles) – On Wednesday, Uber and Lyft drivers in Los Angeles began a 24-hour strike to protest low pay. Strike organizer Laurel Hirschmann said, “We’re being paid starving wages.” Earlier in the year, Uber cut per-mile rates for Los Angeles drivers by 25%.
Los Angeles Lakers: Star Players to Avoid Signing This Offseason
Wednesday, May 8 (Fansided) – The Los Angeles Lakers are pursuing star power this offseason, including the Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant. Analysts are suggesting the team should avoid signing Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets, DeMarcus Cousins of the Warriors, and Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics. There are also signs former player Ty Lue may be hired as the team’s next coach.
Caught On Video: 2 Brothers Dead In Highland Park Hit-And-Run Crash
Sunday, May 5 (CBS Los Angeles) – Brothers Benigno, 25, and Jesse Felix-Zuniga, 19, were killed in a hit-and-run crash in Highland Park Sunday at about 1:00 a.m. The accident occurred in front of their apartment, according to authorities. Security video showed a collision between a pickup truck and Ford Fusion, involving three cars. Investigators believe the suspect, who fled the scene, was driving at about 80 miles per hour.
Woman, 4 Dogs Killed in Pursuit Crash
Tuesday, May 7 (CBS Los Angeles) – A police pursuit in Long Beach ended in a crash that killed a woman and 4 dogs. Reports suggest she may have been a dog walker. The vehicle was struck by a white van, driven by a known gang member, according to police, who say they pursued the suspect for two miles. The suspect was injured and taken to a local hospital.
6-Year-Old Boy Killed in Violent Head-On DUI Crash in Pomona
Tuesday, May 7 (NBC Los Angeles) – Six-year-old Julian Anthony George was killed in a two-vehicle head-on crash, which occurred at about 4:25 p.m. Tuesday in Pomona. He was in the rear seat of one of the vehicles. The drivers of both vehicles are suspected of being drunk at the time, police said. Another person was taken to a hospital according to a fire department dispatch supervisor.
1 Dead, 3 Injured in I-805 Crash in North Park
Tuesday, May 7 (Fox 5 San Diego) – A multi-car crash on Interstate 805 in North Park killed a 31-year-old man and injured three other people. Police say the crash was reported at around 12:50 a.m. Monday south of El Cajon Boulevard. It involved a Kia Optima and black Mercedes, which had been struck by a GMC box truck that rolled over on its side. Two people in the Mercedes and one occupant of the truck were injured and taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital in Hillcrest.
Infant, Student Are Latest Southern California Measles Cases
Sunday, May 5 (Charlotte Observer) – Health officials in Orange County reported a 7-month-old infant and graduate student have contracted measles. Too young to be vaccinated, the infant was brought to an emergency room on April 28 and remains hospitalized, as of this report. The student, who attends UC Irvine, is recovering at home, but may have exposed other people to the virus.
1 Anaheim Officer Fired, 1 On Leave After 76 Gunshots Fired at Fleeing Driver in Busy Residential Neighborhood
Thursday, May 9 (The Orange County Register) – Following an investigation by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, one Anaheim police officer has been fired and another placed on leave related to a 2018 shooting. During a car chase, they fired 76 gunshots while chasing a fleeing driver, 50-year-old Eliuth Penaloza Nava, through a busy residential neighborhood, killing him. An autopsy determined Nava had been struck by at least nine bullets.
California to Ban Pesticide It Says Hurts Babies’ Brains
Wednesday, May 8 (AP News) – On Wednesday, Cal-EPA moved to ban the controversial pesticide chlorpyrifos, which environmentalists claim is a toxic air contaminant and can harm brain development in babies. California Environmental Secretary Jared Blumenfeld said the pesticide is a neurotoxin. Studies have shown it can affect reading ability and IQ, and lead to hyperactivity in children.
California Wildfire Insurance Claims Reach Record High
Wednesday, May 8 (San Francisco Chronicle) – Insurance claims related to California wildfires in 2018, including the Camp Fire, have surpassed $12 billion, the California Department of Insurance said. Most of the claims have arisen out of the Camp Fire in Butte County. Claims from November 2018 are also related to the Hill and Woolsey Fires.