Man in critical condition after fireworks explosion levels L.A. home

One person was in critical condition, and rescuers were left searching for trapped pets after a fireworks explosion flattened part of a home in the Pacoima neighborhood of Los Angeles Thursday morning. Emergency crews were sent to the 13500 block of Remington Street when the incident was reported around 9 a.m. “Initial reports from the … Read more

The Latest: Hundreds of thousands of passengers face flight cancelations as Heathrow closes

LONDON (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of passengers faced flight cancelations at Europe’s busiest travel hub after a fire knocked out power to London’s Heathrow Airport, forcing it to close for the day. At least 1,350 flights to and from Heathrow were affected already, including several from U.S. cities that were canceled, flight tracking service … Read more

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators sue UCLA over encampment attack

A group of activists announced a lawsuit against UCLA on Thursday, alleging that the university failed to protect protesters who were attacked at a pro-Palestinian encampment last year. The California Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations held a news conference near UCLA’s Luskin Conference Center where plaintiffs detailed the alleged trauma they endured when counterprotesters … Read more

Gas leak in Riverside County prompts mandatory evacuations

A gas leak in Riverside County has prompted mandatory evacuations, authorities announced Thursday.   Details are limited and it’s unclear exactly what caused the rupture, but officials first notified the public about the leak, in 1300 block of State Street in San Jacinto, at around 11:30 a.m.  In a 6:30 p.m. update, officials said evacuations … Read more

Former Ventura County teacher sentenced for possessing hundreds of images of child pornography

An Oxnard man who previously worked as an English teacher in the city will serve between 16 to 24 months in state prison after he admitted to possessing hundreds of images of child pornography. Aaron Wayne Bouffard, 55, received his sentence on Wednesday, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. He will serve 16 … Read more