Jacob’s Journal – Weekly News Rewind (08/24-08/28)

Police and Protesters Clash in Downtown LA; Arrests, Injuries Reported

Thursday, August 27 (NBC Los Angeles) – Protests against police brutality turned violent Wednesday night as protesters and police clashed inside the Third Street tunnel in downtown Los Angeles. Officers fired rubber bullets into the crowd while wearing riot gear. An unknown number of people were arrested, according to one protester. Earlier, about 300 people protested outside the Hall of Justice and marched around City Hall and the Los Angeles Police Department headquarters. It is the third consecutive night of protests focused on the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and shooting deaths of two protesters there.

Newsom: California Signs $1.4B Deal to More Than Double State’s COVID-19 Testing Capacity

Wednesday, August 26 (KTLA 5) – California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that an up to $1.4 billion contract was signed with Massachusetts-based Perkin Elmer to increase coronavirus testing capacity. The contract will increase testing capacity from the current 100,000 tests per day (at $100 per test) to 250,000 (at $31 per test), said Newsom, with results available within two days. It will initially cost the state $100 million.

Man, 82, Dies After Being Struck by Truck in La Puente Area; Hit-and-Run Driver Sought: CHP

Wednesday, August 26 (KTLA 5) – Authorities are searching for a hit-and-run driver who struck and killed Ramon Reyno, 82, of Los Angeles. According to the California Highway Patrol, Reyno was struck by a pickup truck on Monday morning, while walking along Valley Boulevard, west of Giano Avenue. A CHP statement said the vehicle was traveling westbound, veered right, and crossed over the sidewalk before hitting the pedestrian. It described the vehicle as a white 1990s Ford Ranger with a landscaping business logo, and possibly damage to the right-side headlight and right side. Anyone with information on the incident should call 626-338-1164 and reference CHP case No. 9525-2020-03750, or “Crime Stoppers” at 800-222-8477.

56 Suspects Arrested After Systemic Looting and Theft During George Floyd Protests in Los Angeles

Thursday, August 27 (ABC 7) – Authorities have arrested 56 suspects after the “Safe LA Task Force” tracked down thieves and looters who stole from local stores during protests in late May and early June. Notable cases include the arrest of a man connected with the attempted killing of four officers on May 31 and arson charges against a man who allegedly set a pizzeria on fire. Some perpetrators were found through reviews of text messages and social media exchanges, while authorities also say tips from the community have helped. Police say alleged arsonists, thieves, and looters showed a coordinated effort and were not present to demonstrate police brutality or the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. 

Oxnard Teen Killed, Second Teen Injured After Car Plunges Into Malibu Canyon

Wednesday, August 26 (CBS Los Angeles) – Adrian Salinas, 18, of Oxnard, was killed, and a 17-year-old driver critically injured after their car plunged into a canyon in Malibu on Tuesday. The teens were reported missing at about 2:30 pm., according to the California Highway Patrol. Salinas was declared dead at the scene by Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics. The driver was airlifted to UCLA Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. Investigators believe he lost control on a curve while traveling north on Stunt Road.

Crash In Eagle Rock Ignites Brush Fire Near Glendale Freeway

Tuesday, August 25 (CBS Los Angeles) – A vehicular crash at the 2700 block of West Broadway in Eagle Rock ignited a brush fire along the 2 Freeway. Sparks began to ignite the brush at about 1:40 p.m., the LAPD said. Flames burned from the engine compartment of a black 4-door sedan, as shown by video. Fire crews from Los Angeles and Glendale, with the aid of water drops, helped contain the flames, and extinguished the fire just before 4:00 p.m.

NBA Players Decide to Resume Playoffs, Reports Say

Thursday, August 27 (CNN Sports) – Reports from ESPN revealed that NBA players will resume the playoffs, while three playoff games on Thursday are postponed. The season is expected to resume by the weekend after athletes banded together to stand against racial injustice following the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Los Angeles Laker star LeBron James called for action on Twitter. A vote to boycott the remainder of the season came after the Milwaukee Bucks decided not to take the floor. Several other major sports leagues have followed suit. But following a meeting on Wednesday night, the L.A. teams were the only two NBA teams to vote to boycott the NBA season, although ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski said the vote doesn’t appear to be final.

NBA Star LeBron James’ Group Plans Effort to Recruit Poll Workers for November

Tuesday, August 26 (NBC News) – LeBron James is leading a program to recruit poll workers in heavily Black electoral districts. More Than a Vote, a group of prominent athletes fighting voter suppression, will collaborate with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in a dozen states. These include Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, North Carolina, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania. The effort will recruit young people as poll workers and involve paid advertising and corporate partnership, as first reported by The New York Times. Problems at polling locations in African-American communities hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic have helped fuel the need for the program.