Los Angeles County DA's security officer fires at carjacking suspects near her home: reports

Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon has backtracked on criminal sentencing enhancements, just days after announcing he would get rid of them with "no exceptions" in a short-lived policy. Enhancements are policies that make certain behaviors extra punishable under specific circumstances, like speeding in a school zone or committing a crime while having a prior conviction.

Under assault by the rising surge in COVID-19 cases, available space continued to dwindle on Friday at Los Angeles County hospitals. As a result, health-care professionals were imploring the public to take the virus seriously to prevent medical centers from being overrun and unable to care for patients.

The sister of slain Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Joseph Solano blasted newly proposed justice reform measures that would soften the prison sentencing for her brother's alleged killer. "I can’t even think the thought of this happening," Christina Solano told "America’s Newsroom." "If they do that, then his sentencing goes to 15 to 20 years.

“I want to be clear: Our hospitals are under siege and there is no end in sight,” said Los Angeles County’s Director of Health Services, Dr. Christina Gahly. “Unless we remain more vigilant and more diligent through the holidays and beyond, we will not be able to stop the surge.”

As the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine was delivered at a Los Angeles-area hospital, the county’s hospital and ICU capacity dropped to alarming lows.

Los Angeles County deputies on Saturday busted an “underground” illicit super-spreader event that resulted in nearly 160 arrests and the rescue of an underage human trafficking victim, authorities said on Tuesday.

A Los Angeles County supervisor got an earful of complaints Saturday from protesters who are upset about the county’s ban on outdoor dining as coronavirus numbers climb. The group targeted Supervisor Sheila Kuehl outside her Santa Monica home because she was recently caught dining outdoors at a nearby restaurant after voting in favor of the ban – which most bar and restaurant owners and employees in the county oppose, saying it threatens their ability to earn a living.

The coronavirus continues to take hold over Los Angeles county as Public Health officials confirmed a total of 8,949 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday alone.

“Today, Tuesday, December 1, 2020, is the worst day thus far of the COVID-19 pandemic in Los Angeles County,” said county health director Barbara Ferrer. “However, it will likely not remain the worst day of the pandemic in Los Angeles County. That will be tomorrow, and the next day and the next as cases, hospitalizations and deaths increase.” The numbers validate Ferrer’s grim words.

“We expect unfortunately, as we go into the next couple of weeks into December, that we might see a surge superimposed on top of the surge that we’re already in.” That was Dr. Anthony Fauci on Meet the Press this past Sunday. See a clip of Fauci’s comments below.

Los Angeles County announced a new stay-home order Friday as coronavirus cases surge out of control in the nation’s most populous county. The three-week order takes effect Monday.

An off-duty law enforcement officer was recorded on cell phone video fighting with another person inside a sprawling Los Angeles-area shopping mall Friday.  The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department told Fox News affiliate KTTT-TV that the confrontation at the Los Cerritos Center stemmed from a social media post.  The sheriff's office could not confirm that information with Fox News.

Los Angeles County public health officials said that 4,544 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed today, meaning that an enhanced round of safety measures will begin Monday. They include an upgraded stay-at-home order that will remain in place until Christmas Week.

Los Angeles County health officials issued a new safer-at-home order Friday that includes stricter limits on gatherings amid a surge in daily coronavirus cases.  The order goes into effect Monday and will run through Dec. 20 as cases of COVID-19 swell to disturbing levels.

Los Angeles County reported 5,087 new cases of Covid-19 and 37 additional deaths on Thanksgiving Day, one of the highest single-day case totals of the entire pandemic. The number of county residents hospitalized with the coronavirus jumped from 1,298 last Friday to 1,809 reported on Thanksgiving. That’s a 28% rise in 7 days.

Los Angeles County’s top hospital official on Tuesday said the county was struggling to accurately convey just how grave the region’s situation is vis a vis Covid-19.

 Vanessa Hudgens  has officially moved on from her split with longtime boyfriend Austin Butler earlier this year. The High School Musical star was spotted hugging a very tall man in Los Angeles over the weekend after what seemed to be a romantic dinner date.