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SAN FRANCISCO, CA —  Victoria Jones, the 34‑year‑old daughter of Oscar‑winning actor Tommy Lee Jones, was found dead in the early hours of New Year’s Day at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, according to multiple law‑enforcement and fire‑department reports. 1 2 Tommy Lee Jones and daughter Victoria Jones. Emergency crews were dispatched at approximately 2:52 a.m. after hotel staff discovered an unresponsive woman on the 14th floor, following a guest’s report that she appea

ANTELOPE VALLEY, CA  — The final day of 2025 is closing out on a wet and unsettled note across the Antelope Valley, with a series of Pacific storm systems expected to bring repeated rounds of rain, low clouds, and chilly temperatures well into the first week of January. Forecasters say residents should prepare for a prolonged stretch of damp, gray weather — a stark contrast to the region’s typically dry winter pattern. A Soggy New Year’s Eve Light rain is already falling acro

Antelope Valley, CA  — A surge in illegal minibike activity across the Antelope Valley has ignited growing alarm among residents and prompted an increasingly urgent response from law enforcement agencies. What began as sporadic sightings of small, unregistered bikes weaving through traffic has escalated into a persistent public‑safety issue—one that recently resulted in a major injury hit‑and‑run collision, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). 1 A Dangerous Trend

By Richard Sykes — Special Investigative Report ST. PAUL, MN  — What began as a single federal indictment in 2022 has now widened into one of the largest public‑funds fraud investigations in modern U.S. history. Minnesota, long viewed as a model of social‑service generosity, is now the epicenter of sprawling federal probes into child‑nutrition programs, daycare subsidies, and other safety‑net systems — with investigators warning that the cases uncovered so far represent only

LANCASTER, CA —In a city where thorns, debris, and long stretches of road can take a toll on two wheels, one Lancaster bike shop has quietly become a go-to place for keeping riders moving. Paul Avila, owner of Paul's Squeaky Wheel Bike Shop in Lancaster. Now in its third year at this location — and under current ownership for just over a year — the shop is owned and operated by Paul Avila , a longtime bike industry professional whose focus is simple: fix bikes the right way.

LANCASTER, CA —  A powerful winter storm fueled by a “very dangerous” atmospheric river is pounding the Antelope Valley with heavy rainfall, flooding, and hazardous winds, creating one of the most disruptive weather events the region has seen in years. The system, which began pushing into Southern California earlier this week, is expected to continue through Friday, bringing multiple rounds of intense precipitation and widespread flooding concerns across Lancaster, Palmdale,

LANCASTER, CA — The Antelope Valley is heading into one of its most active weather weeks of the season, with a series of storms expected to bring heavy rain, gusty winds, and rapidly shifting conditions through Friday before calmer, colder air settles in for the weekend. Forecast models show multiple rounds of precipitation and wind events that could impact travel, infrastructure, and daily routines across Lancaster, Quartz Hill, and the surrounding communities. According to

PALMDALE, CA —  A violent multi‑vehicle crash in East Palmdale late Monday night left one driver dead and several others shaken after a speeding SUV barreled through a red light, triggering a chain‑reaction collision along a busy stretch of 47th Street East. Photo credit: Judy Sykes The crash occurred on December 22, 2025, just after 9:15 p.m. Deputies from the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station were dispatched at approximately 9:17 p.m. to the intersection of 47th Street East and Av

LANCASTER, CA — In response to growing concerns about illegal activity and public safety issues tied to smoke shops, the Lancaster City Council has moved decisively to tighten oversight of tobacco-related businesses. On October 28, the council adopted Urgency Ordinance No. 1144, establishing an interim 45‑day moratorium on the opening of new smoke shops and the expansion of existing ones. City officials described the temporary halt as a necessary pause—an opportunity to step

On December 15, 2025, the FBI announced the disruption of a credible and imminent terrorist threat involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Four suspects were arrested in Lucerne Valley, California, allegedly members of the radical pro-Palestinian extremist group known as the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF). A fifth suspect was detained in New Orleans, believed to be coordinating a parallel attack tied to the same network. Officials credit the coordinated arrests

LOS ANGELES, CA —  Legendary filmmaker, actor, and activist  Rob Reiner , 78, and his wife,  Michele Singer Reiner , 68, were found dead Sunday afternoon in their Brentwood, Los Angeles home in what law enforcement officials are investigating as an apparent  double homicide .  Director Rob Reiner (L) and his son Nick Reiner. Tragic Discovery Shortly after  3:30 p.m. local time on December 14 , the  Los Angeles Fire Department  responded to a medical-aid call at the Reiners’

PALMDALE, CA —   A tense standoff gripped a Palmdale neighborhood Thursday night after a police pursuit ended in a violent crash and a barricaded suspect situation. The incident unfolded around 7 p.m. near Avenue R and 35th Street East , drawing a massive law enforcement response and forcing residents to shelter in place. The truck jumped the curb, snapping off a fire hydrant and slamming into two parked vehicles. It's believed the driver was possibly still inside the truck a

LANCASTER, CA: Big Shotz Bar & Grill, in Lancaster, is pulling out all the stops for its 2026 New Year’s Eve Extravaganza, promising an unforgettable night of gourmet dining, live entertainment, and festive celebration. Set beneath the glow of golden string lights in an elegant outdoor heated tent, the event will take place on December 31, 2025, at 227 W. Pillsbury Street. Cocktail Hour & Gourmet Buffet Doors open at 5:00 PM, kicking off with a cocktail hour from 5:00 to 6:00

UNITED STATES - A former senior official of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), who served during the Obama administration, has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly conspiring to launder millions of dollars on behalf of one of Mexico’s most violent drug cartels. The case underscores serious concerns about corruption within federal law enforcement and the ability of transnational criminal organizations to infiltrate institutions tasked with dismantling t

LAKE HUGHES, CA —Nestled deep in the Angeles National Forest, in the quiet mountain town of Lake Hughes, stands a fortress of stone that has been welcoming travelers, locals, and dreamers for nearly a century, and that fortress is now for sale for the first time in a half-century. Septuagenarian Rock Inn proprietor Warren St. John served his last free Thanksgiving meal for Lake Hughes, California community members last week as he is retiring after 20 years of running the hist

ANTELOPE VALLEY, CA – Electric vehicle (EV) drivers in California who previously enjoyed solo access to carpool lanes are now subject to fines if they violate a newly enacted rule. Vehicles displaying Clean Air Vehicle decals must comply with the posted occupancy requirements for high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. Typically, these carpool lanes require vehicles to carry at least two people. As of October 1, 2025, EVs no longer have access to carpool lanes, and the CHP will

Overview of the New Meal Program The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Food Services Unit has introduced a pre-portioned hot meal program at Men’s Central Jail, representing a significant advancement in inmate dining services. This marks the most substantial improvement in meal quality and delivery in decades. LASD Men's Central Jail Innovative Cook-Chill Process The program leverages an advanced Cook-Chill system, allowing meals to be prepared in-house. Head coo

UNITED STATES — The United States has significantly expanded its military presence in the Caribbean, deploying the special operations vessel MV Ocean Trader  alongside strategic B-52 bomber flights near Venezuela — a move widely seen as a show of force amid escalating regional tensions. Ocean Trader Deployment The MV Ocean Trader , a converted cargo ship now serving as a special operations mothership , has been confirmed operating in the Caribbean. The vessel, capable of hos

UNITED STATES—The U.S. government has officially halted production of the penny, ending more than two centuries of circulation for America’s smallest coin. While pennies will remain legal tender, no new ones will be minted, marking a historic shift in U.S. currency policy. A Historic Farewell On November 12, 2025, the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia struck the final circulating penny , closing the chapter on a coin first authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792. 1 2   The ceremony was

In a disturbing trend raising alarms across the ride-share industry, law enforcement and safety experts are warning passengers to be cautious after reports surfaced of Uber drivers allegedly offering passengers drinks laced with fentanyl or other sedatives. While such cases remain rare, the potential danger has prompted renewed scrutiny of passenger safety protocols and public awareness campaigns. Emerging Threat: Drug-Laced Beverages in Ride-Shares A viral TikTok video poste