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As billions of dollars in government assistance flow into Los Angeles County in the aftermath of its devastating wildfires, attempts to pilfer those funds are all but inevitable. When disaster strikes, history shows fraud is sure to follow, as earnest efforts to expeditiously cut through red tape leave openings for bad actors. So far, roughly…
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Last week, as President Donald Trump launched a promised crackdown on immigrants, a subset of the people who could be targeted by those moves are, once again, in limbo. They are long-time American residents currently protected from deportation by the Obama-era program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. Actually, at least some…
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On the afternoon of January 7, I was thinking that the next day January 8 was Elvis Presley’s 90th birthday. Maybe I would write a piece about it. The winds were picking up outside, but I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I did not hear my daughter come in the front door. “Mom,…
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It’s been quite the week with Donald Trump back as president of the United States. A flurry of executive orders, policy reversals, advances in Trump’s cabinet and much more have given us plenty to chew on. Over this past week, we have criticized and praised uses of the pardon power by both Trump and his…
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It was only seven days into the new year when wildfires swept through Southern California, quickly and relentlessly destroying everything in their path — including cherished neighborhoods, famous homes, the homes of friends, and places like my elementary school and chapel. I was in the process of writing this month’s article, and I had planned…
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Since Los Angeles County’s Santa Ana winds-fueled firestorms began Jan. 7, the Eaton and Palisades fires have consumed more than 37,000 acres of homes, businesses and landmarks in Altadena and Pacific Palisades. To date ,28 people have been killed, with some still missing. Cal Fire investigators are still determining the cause of each inferno. Both…
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Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) shoots as Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Clippers, Saturday, Jan. 25,…
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SANTA ANA – Mater Dei’s boys basketball team continued its recent strong run of games Saturday. The Monarchs pulled away in the third quarter to beat Crean Lutheran 71-60 in the Nike Extravaganza at Mater Dei High. Mater Dei had a 33-30 lead at halftime. The Monarchs outscored the Saints 17-2 to build a 50-32…
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SANTA ANA — A 40-year-old man pleaded guilty Friday and was immediately sentenced to 18 years to life in prison for fatally shooting his neighbor in Santa Ana. Alfonso Jassogarcia pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a gun in the March 26, 2021 shooting of 45-year-old Jose…
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IRVINE — Coming off its first conference loss of the season, the UC Irvine men’s basketball team combined a fast start with stingy defense to get back in the win column. The Anteaters scored the first 11 points of the game, held Hawaii to season-worst 31.1% shooting and turned back a second-half rally to secure…
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