CALIMESA, Calif. (KESQ) – A brush fire in the Badlands southwest of Calimesa has grown to roughly 3,204 acres and 32% contained. The Shore fire is no longer posing a threat to the Moreno Valley (60) Freeway, which prompted authorities to reopen the westbound side of the corridor between Beaumont and Moreno Valley. “Motorists should
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LOS ANGELES, Calif. (KESQ) – A man suspected of killing his wife and abducting his 5-year-old daughter was arrested in Mexico, the Los Angeles Police Department announced. LAPD detectives learned this weekend that Fregoso had been taken into custody in Mexico and his daughter, Daleyza Fregoso, a United States citizen, was located safely and is
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SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KESQ) – A San Diego man who took part in a scheme to hold migrants captive and demand ransom payments from their families — leaving at least two migrants missing and presumed dead — pleaded guilty to federal charges today. Isaac Jimenez, 30, coordinated what migrants believed were operations to smuggle them
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HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (KESQ) – Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton unveiled a flat state income tax plan today in Huntington Beach. Hilton’s plan would eliminate state income taxes for families earning $150,000 and less annually and then apply an 8% across-the-board income tax for earnings above that. Hilton said his plan would collect about
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By Taylor Romine, Davis Winkie, Lauren Mascarenhas, Holly Yan, CNN (CNN) — A mammoth military plane on a routine test mission crashed shortly after takeoff Monday in Southern California, killing all eight crew members on board and leaving charred wreckage so mangled it was barely recognizable. The crash of the B-52 bomber sent a towering
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Palm Springs, Calif. (KESQ)- Following a story we first reported on in 2025, the Palm Springs Fire Department is finally putting new fire engines into service. Fire season in the desert is always a concern and with this new equipment, this will improve response times and overall service. Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado explains that
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By Tierney Sneed, Hannah Rabinowitz, Katelyn Polantz, Casey Tolan, CNN (CNN) — A Justice Department probe into the wife of Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom burst into public view Monday after Newsom — prominent critic of President Donald Trump and a potential 2028 White House contender — accused the administration of spearheading a politically motivated investigation
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By Holmes Lybrand, Hannah Rabinowitz, Kaanita Iyer, CNN (CNN) — Federal officials have charged multiple people who they claim discussed plots to attack the UFC fight night event at the White House, including by using drones and a gunman. A team including the Secret Service and FBI uncovered messages discussing the plot between multiple individuals,
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LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – A senior fire analyst today refuted defense arguments in the federal arson trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht that the Lachman and Palisades fires in January 2025 were two separate events. Testifying for the prosecution, certified fire investigator Derek Hill told the jury in downtown Los Angeles that the Lachman Fire that began
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By Eric Bradner, Hannah Rabinowitz, CNN (CNN) — The Department of Justice is investigating Gavin Newsom’s wife, according to a person familiar with the matter, in a move the Democratic California governor blasted Monday as politically motivated. Newsom also claimed that he was a target in the investigation, though the source said the governor himself
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LOS ANGELES (CNS) – The Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games announced today that it will begin accepting applications July 14 for its volunteer crew program. LA28 is encouraging fans from around the world to apply to become members of the volunteer crew, which it describes as the “team behind
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LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – The Justice Department today approved Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, paving the way for a merger that would unite two of Hollywood’s most storied studios and significantly reshape the entertainment industry. The DOJ said in a statement Friday that “the transaction is not likely to result in harm
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LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – Spencer Pratt today released what appeared to be a concession speech — remarks that quickly turned into a commitment to expose alleged corruption in the city now that his Los Angeles mayoral “campaign phase is over.” In his three-minute video, the former reality television personality moved on from the election to
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LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today has suspended federal funding to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, essentially cutting off millions of dollars to the L.A. region, over allegations of fraud and widespread mismanagement. HUD’s Office of Inspector General opened an investigation into LAHSA, Secretary Scott Turner announced
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SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KESQ) – A husband and wife who posed as local property owners and fraudulently sold two San Diego homes pleaded guilty today to federal bank fraud charges. Victor Hugo Villalobos Almazan and Nayeli Noemi Montoya Rodriguez, both of Mexico, sold homes at 3873 36th St. and 555 Hollister Str. that they did
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By Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN (CNN) — A former child actor has accused Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexually assaulting him in 2007 at a networking event in the Hollywood Hills. The anonymous male accuser filed his lawsuit against Combs this week in California. CNN has obtained a copy of the suit. The lawsuit is the latest
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By Tierney Sneed, Paula Reid, Hannah Rabinowitz, CNN (CNN) — When President Donald Trump made claims of Democratic vote-rigging in the Los Angeles election, his top appointed prosecutor in the city took to the cameras to validate those beliefs while hinting his office may never be able prove that kind of grand conspiracy. The Justice
Continue Reading LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – Opening statements are expected Wednesday in downtown Los Angeles in the trial of a 30-year-old former Uber driver accused of setting a New Year’s Day 2025 fire that prosecutors say smoldered for a week and grew into the deadly Palisades Fire. Jonathan Rinderknecht pleaded not guilty in October to federal charges
Continue Reading By Kaanita Iyer, Arit John, CNN (CNN) — Republican Steve Hilton will advance to the November election in California’s gubernatorial race, CNN’s Decision Desk projects. Hilton, a former Fox News host who has President Donald Trump’s endorsement, will face former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, a Democrat. Hilton and Becerra were among a
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LOS ANGELES, Calif. (KESQ) – Democrat Xavier Becerra officially kicked off his gubernatorial runoff campaign in Los Angeles today, while his likely Republican opponent, Steve Hilton, also visited the Southland to again call for changes in California’s extended vote-counting process. Becerra visited Mercado La Paloma in downtown Los Angeles, speaking with merchants, chatting with diners
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