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Today — 22 May 2025Main stream

Karen Bass's former deputy mayor of public safety admits bomb threat hoax targeting Los Angeles City Hall

A former aide to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass who served as the deputy mayor of public safety has agreed to plead guilty to threatening to bomb City Hall last year, the Justice Department said Thursday. 

Brian Williams, 61, of Pasadena, agreed to plead guilty to a single-count of "information with threats regarding fire and explosives", which carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.   

"In an era of heated political rhetoric that has sometimes escalated into violence, we cannot allow public officials to make bomb threats," said U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. "My office will continue its efforts to keep the public safe, including from those who violate their duty to uphold the law."

LA COUNTY DA NATHAN HOCHMAN PROMISES CRACKDOWN ON CRIMINALS: ‘THE FUN IS OVER’

The threat was carried out on Oct. 3, 2024 during a virtual meeting with Williams and others related to his duties, federal prosecutors said. During the call, Williams used the Google Voice application on his personal cellphone to place a call to his city-issued cellphone.

He then left the meeting and called the chief of staff of the Los Angeles Police Department, in which he falsely stated that he had just received a call on his city-issued cellphone from an unknown man who threatened to bomb Los Angeles City Hall.

Ten minutes after the call, Williams texted Bass and several high-ranking city officials in the mayor’s office and falsely reported, "Bomb threat: I received phone call on my city cell at 10:48 am this morning. The male caller stated that ‘he was tired of the city support of Israel, and he has decided to place a bomb in City Hall. It might be in the rotunda.’ I immediately contacted the chief of staff of LAPD, they are going to send a number of officers over to do a search of the building and to determine if anyone else received a threat." 

Investigators determined that Williams never received a call and had made the bomb threat himself. Federal prosecutors noted that Williams never intended to carry out the threat

MENENDEZ BROTHERS' RESENTENCING MOVES FORWARD AS DA CALLS OUT 'DECEIT, 'NARCISSISTIC TENDENCIES' IN PRISON

The LAPD responded to City Hall to search for any suspicious devices. None were found, prosecutors said. 

Williams described the threatening call he claimed to have received to police and showed them the record of an incoming call that appeared as a blocked number on his city-issued cellphone. 

That incoming call record was the call Williams had placed to himself from the Google Voice application on his personal cellphone, investigators determined.

Williams then texted Bass and other city officials. 

"At this time, there is no need for us to evacuate the building, I’m meeting with the threat management officers within the next 10 minutes," he allegedly wrote. "In light of the Jewish holidays, we are taking this thread a little more seriously. I will keep you posted."

"Mr. Williams, the former deputy mayor of Public Safety for Los Angeles, not only betrayed the residents of Los Angeles, but responding officers, and the integrity of the office itself, by fabricating a bomb threat," said Akil Davis, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office. "Government officials are held to a heightened standard as we rely on them to safeguard the city. I’m relieved that Mr. Williams has taken responsibility for his inexplicable actions."

Williams is expected to appear in court in the coming weeks, prosecutors said. 

Fox News Digital has reached out to Bass' office. 

Before yesterdayMain stream

NFL owners unanimously approve players' participation in flag football at 2028 Olympics

There is now a heavy favorite in the flag football competition at the 2028 Summer Olympics.

NFL owners unanimously approved a motion Tuesday that allows NFL players to participate in the summer games.

Flag football is making its first appearance three years from now when the Olympics return to Los Angeles for the first time since 1984.

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"Players have expressed to us a great desire for the honor of competing in the Olympics, and we're excited that our members will be able to represent their country on the highest international stage," NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell said in a statement. "We look forward to working with the league, IFAF and Olympic authorities on the terms of their participation to ensure players who compete will do so with protections to their health, safety and job."

When he heard the news he'd be allowed to participate, Justin Jefferson said he was "at a loss for words."

"To think about the chance of playing in the Olympics and getting a gold medal, it’s a dream," he said.

The league has experimented with flag football, replacing its Pro Bowl with skill competitions, including a flag football game.

NFL OWNERS TO DISCUSS REVISED TUSH PUSH BAN, PLAYOFF AND FLAG FOOTBALL PROPOSALS

Last month, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said interest in competing in the Summer Olympics has been a hot topic in the league, adding a resolution on the issue may be forthcoming.

"Well, I’ve heard directly from a lot of players who want to participate and represent their country, whether it’s the United States or a country that they came from," Goodell said in April. 

"I think that's something that we'll continue to discuss with, not just the union, but also the clubs. I think both of those are things that we'll probably resolve sometime in the next 60 days."

Several players have shown interest, including Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Aaron Jones, and Kyle Juszczyk. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who won the Super Bowl in February, was also recently tabbed the flag football ambassador for the Games.

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'Flood the system': US attorney unleashes new task force to crack down on blue state's sanctuary policies

EXCLUSIVE: United States Attorney for the District of California Bill Essayli is taking major action to crack down on "sanctuary" policies in the Golden State.

He’s launching "Operation Guardian Angel," which is a task force, made up of assets from ICE, HSI, DEA, FBI, ATF, and Border Patrol, to begin scanning a criminal database every single day to identify arrested illegal aliens in local jurisdictions that DOJ can charge with felony illegal-reentry.

"They've made it almost impossible for ICE to do their job, issue detainers and get criminal illegal immigrants out of jails. So what we're doing instead is we're going to start issuing warrants," he told Fox News.

'DEPORTATION FLIGHTS HAVE BEGUN' AS TRUMP SENDS 'STRONG AND CLEAR MESSAGE,' WHITE HOUSE SAYS

"We're going to flood the system with warrants for criminal illegal immigration that are in county jails, they can ignore a detainer, but they cannot ignore a criminal arrest warrant," Essayli continued. 

"As soon as an illegal immigrant is booked into a county jail, we're reviewing their file. And if they meet the elements of illegal reentry, which is a federal crime, we are filing a complaint and getting an arrest warrant issued before they're released from state custody."

Essayli said that the first-of-its-kind program will make the Golden State a "testing ground" for other sanctuary jurisdictions throughout the country, as the administration aims to get illegal aliens with criminal charges and convictions swiftly out of the United States. 

TRUMP GOES TOE-TO-TOE WITH SANCTUARY CITIES OVER DEPORTATION AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN SET TO BEGIN

While border crossings have plummeted, the administration is aiming to boost the number of removals. The CBP One app was turned into the CBP Home app, where those in the country illegally can now self-deport with a paid-for flight and an $1,000 stipend once they have been confirmed to leave the country. 

As for illegal aliens in the criminal justice system, the attorney said they plan to file up to 50 warrants a week in his jurisdiction, which covers Los Angeles – there’s already been 350 filed since Trump took office.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE

"They have no choice, they will comply. And if they don't comply, if they interfere in our ability to arrest a federal felon, they can expect to face consequences for that. So I don't expect any resistance from the local authorities," he said.

TRUMP GOES TOE-TO-TOE WITH SANCTUARY CITIES OVER DEPORTATION AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN SET TO BEGIN

Felony re-entry was largely not prosecuted during the Biden administration. Essayli says his predecessor, the US Attorney in Los Angeles under Biden, only filed 17 of these cases in two years.

The attorney said transferring from local to federal custody is one of the better ways to get hold of illegal aliens with criminal charges.

"This is the safest way for us to get criminal illegal immigrants. Get them while they're still in state custody, where they've been searched. They have no weapons, and we can do a safe transfer," he said. 

Fox News' Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.

NFL owners weigh player participation in flag football at Los Angeles Olympics

Several current NFL stars have expressed interest in competing in flag football in just over three years when the Summer Olympics return to the U.S. 

On Thursday, the league announced team owners will consider a resolution concerning whether active players can participate in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Last month, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said interest in competing in the Summer Olympics has been a hot topic in the league, adding a resolution on the issue may be forthcoming.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"Well, I’ve heard directly from a lot of players who want to participate and represent their country, whether it’s the United States or a country that they came from," Goodell said in April. 

"I think that's something that we'll continue to discuss with, not just the union, but also the clubs. I think both of those are things that we'll probably resolve sometime in the next 60 days."

EX-NFL STAR DREW BLEDSOE THINKS PLAYING OLYMPIC FLAG FOOTBALL MIGHT BE FUN, WOULD WANT TYREEK HILL ON TEAM

The resolution that will be considered permits one player from each NFL roster to compete in the 2028 Games. An exemption would be granted for each team's designated international player representing his home country.

Injury protection and a salary cap credit for players injured while competing in the Olympics would also be instituted, according to the resolution. Agreements on standards for field surfaces would also be in place.

Flag football will debut as an Olympic sport in 2028. The Los Angeles Olympics will introduce four other new sports — baseball/softball, cricket, lacrosse and squash. 

The 2028 Olympics are slated to begin in mid-July. The Games are not expected to overlap with NFL training camp schedules.

Fox News' Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.

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Trevor Bauer calls out MLB after Pete Rose reinstatement while he remains out of league

Former Major League Baseball (MLB) starter Trevor Bauer took Pete Rose’s reinstatement as another avenue to jab the league. 

The controversial hurler posted on social media Wednesday, just one day after MLB announced Rose and other deceased ballplayers were taken off the permanently ineligible list, to continue taking shots at the league as he remains out of it. 

"So, since Pete is welcome back now, does that go for everyone who has been blackballed?" Bauer asked on X. "Or do you actually have to be guilty of something to qualify for that?"

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Bauer is currently pitching in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League. He has been out of MLB for the past four years. 

The reason revolves around sexual assault allegations that were raised against him in 2021. MLB initially placed Bauer on administrative leave, but he was later suspended 324 games before having that reduced to 194 games after an appeal. 

His suspension may be up, but no MLB team has brought Bauer back into the fold. Bauer has never been one to shy away from sharing his thoughts, and he was not going to in this case. 

Bauer suggested this past August that MLB is the reason he cannot sign with another team – not because a team does not believe his talent is still there to perform at the big-league level. 

CONGRESSMAN SAYS MLB IS OUSTING TREVOR BAUER DUE TO TRUMP SUPPORT, IN LETTER TO ROB MANFRED

"Well, one team told us it’s not their decision, it’s an MLB decision," Bauer wrote on X at the time. He was exchanging with Cincinnati Reds fans on the social media platform. 

"One team told me I was ‘too expensive’ even though I offered to play for minimum, another team told us they have covered some stuff up in the past that they don’t want the media digging into to find out about…" Bauer added.

An MLB spokesperson said in a statement to Mail Sport that Bauer could sign with any of the 30 ball clubs.

"Trevor Bauer served the entirety of his discipline and is an unrestricted free agent available to sign a contract with any team," the statement read. 

Bauer was never charged with a crime. His accuser sought a restraining order against him, but it was denied. Los Angeles prosecutors said in February 2022 that there was insufficient evidence to prove the woman’s accusations beyond reasonable doubt.

Bauer sued his accuser in federal court in April 2022, a move that came less than three months after prosecutors decided not to file criminal charges against the pitcher.

Another woman from Columbus, Ohio, told The Washington Post that Bauer repeatedly choked her without her consent and sexually assaulted her over the course of a yearslong relationship. Bauer, in a statement through his representatives, said their relationship was "casual and wholly consensual."

Bauer spent the 2023 campaign in NPB in Japan, while playing for Diablos Rojos del Mexico in March 2024.

Fox News’ Chantz Martin and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Women's soccer pro stretchered off field after suffering 'medical event'

There was a scary moment in a National Women's Soccer League game on Friday night after a player was hospitalized after an on-field incident.

Angel City defender Savy King suffered a "medical event" during the team's game against the Utah Royals.

King went down in the 74th minute and was attended to for some 10 minutes before she was taken from the field on a cart, leaving other players visibly shaken.

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Reports say it appeared that CPR was administered, and an AED was used. The game was stopped for several minutes to treat King.

Eventually, she was stretchered off the field, and after the game, both teams and their staff joined together in prayer.

The club gave good news after the game.

US SOCCER LEGEND CLINT DEMPSEY PREVIEWS TEAM'S WORLD CUP CHANCES, DISCUSSES 'RESPONSIBILITY' TO GROW THE GAME

"Savy was transported by EMS to the hospital following a medical event on the field. She is responsive and undergoing further evaluation. We thank everyone for their concern and support," Angel City said in a statement.

Alex Loera, of the Royals, was asked to lead both teams in prayer, and "of course I'm going to do that."

Alex Loera: "Obviously, Savy King is one of my really good friends. . . . Those moments are always so scary - we're all sending our thoughts and prayers to Savy King's family," Loera said.

Utah head coach Jimmy Coenraets admitted he was not pleased with continuing the game, which resulted in a 2-0 win for L.A.

"I'm not sure we should have continued the game . . . it was a really tough moment," the coach said, adding that a lot of people were "scared."

King, 20, was the second overall pick in the 2024 NWSL draft by expansion Bay FC and played 18 games for the club. She was traded to Angel City in February and has started in all eight games for the team this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ex-NBA star Gilbert Arenas shares health update on son after terrifying crash: 'He had some angels with him'

Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas opened up about the horrifying crash his son Alijah was involved in last month that left him briefly in a coma.

Alijah Arenas, a USC recruit, was released from the hospital six days after he was involved in a fiery crash in Los Angeles. He lost control of his Cybertruck as he returned from the gym.

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The former Washington Wizards guard talked about his son’s progress on Tuesday.

"He’s doing very well," Gilbert Arenas told "The Dan Patrick Show." 

"He had some angels with him that morning, so glad he’s fully recovering. Didn’t have any major injuries, that’s all you can pray for."

The former NBA player explained he usually checks the Tesla app to see where his son is early in the morning. Usually, he is either at the gym or on his way home early in the morning. He said he checked the morning his son crashed, and he thought he was at the gym until his daughter told him otherwise.

He said his son was trapped in the car for 12 minutes.

EX-NFL PLAYER SPEAKS OUT AGAINST COLLEGE ATHLETE REVENUE SHARING WITH LANDMARK SUPREME COURT RULING PENDING

"My thing was making sure there were no broken limbs, there were no burns," he told Patrick. "Lucky for him, trapped inside of a car for so long, it’s lucky there were bystanders that heard the crash that early in the morning that got him out.

"He was a little stronger than they thought. He was waking up going crazy, so they put him in an induced coma just to get the air. … They were getting the smoke and all of that out of his [lungs]. I guess he was in the car, it looked like about 10, 12 minutes. … Just inhaling that."

Alijah Arenas committed to USC in January. He attended Chatsworth High School. He was considered to be a five-star recruit and became the first boys' player in the area to score 3,000 career points.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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IOC replaces Olympic great Gary Hall Jr's 10 medals that were destroyed in Los Angeles wildfires

Gary Hall Jr.’s Olympic medals were destroyed in the Los Angeles fires. On Monday, he was awarded 10 replica medals at IOC headquarters to replace the ones he lost.

Like most of Hall’s belongings, the original medals burned four months ago at his home in the Pacific Palisades.

"I’ll do a better job of taking care of these," Hall said jokingly.

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The 50-year-old received a new set of five gold medals, three silvers and two bronze medals that he earned swimming for the United States. 

IOC president Thomas Bach said presenting Hall Jr. with 10 medals on the same day was a "unique ceremony."

"I don’t think that it happened ever before and I hope it will never have to happen again," Bach told Hall. "We hope also to give you a moment of relief and joy which will help you now in the further process to get over what you had to go through with this tragedy."

Hall brought to the ceremony a gold medal he found deformed in his home in the aftermath of the wildfires. 

LOS ANGELES KICKS OFF JOURNEY TO 2028 OLYMPICS IN STYLE

Hall won gold in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games in the 4x100m freestyle relay and 4x100m medley relay and took home two silver medals in the 50m freestyle and 100m freestyle in those same games. 

The Phoenix, Arizona, native won two more gold medals in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games in the 50m freestyle and 4x100m medley relay while also collecting a silver and bronze medal in Australia. 

In the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, Hall Jr. won his final two medals. A gold medal in the 50m freestyle and a bronze medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay.

"Having friends and family, I am a very lucky man," Hall said. "The support that I was offered from the athletic community has buoyed me through the darkest of nights."

"That is what this (Olympic) family is about – rivals and friends. I am just so appreciative to all of them. I can’t thank the Olympic movement enough for their support through this very difficult time."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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White House says 'no final decisions' made on foreign moviemaking tariffs as Trump weighs 'national security'

The White House said Monday "no final decisions" have been made regarding the Trump administration's planned tariffs on foreign moviemaking, as one expert welcomed the potential action as a reprieve for the American film industry. 

"Although no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made, the Administration is exploring all options to deliver on President Trump’s directive to safeguard our country’s national and economic security while Making Hollywood Great Again," White House spokesperson Kush Desai said in a statement to Fox News Digital. 

President Donald Trump first announced in a Truth Social post on Sunday that he was authorizing the Department of Commerce and the U.S. trade representative "to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands." Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick responded on X, "We're on it." 

ACTORS GO BEHIND-THE-SCENES ON HOW TRUMP IS MAKING HOLLYWOOD GREAT AGAIN

"The elite in Hollywood will largely hate this because they’ve sold out their workers in favor of maximum profits while shooting in insanely cheap labor environments," Robby Starbuck, a former Hollywood producer and conservative activist, told Fox News Digital. "American workers who are referred to as ‘below the line’ in filmmaking are over the moon about getting more jobs back here and rental houses couldn’t be happier."

"Overall, while there will be short-term pain for studios, in the long run this will strengthen the American film business," Starbuck said. "Also, communist China’s propaganda efforts take a major hit with this move."

On-location production in the greater Los Angeles area dropped by 22.4% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same time last year, according to FilmLA, a nonprofit that organizes film permits for the city and county. 

One movie producer told the New York Times last month that the Hollywood film industry is undergoing an "existential crisis," as the newspaper noted that reality shows, indie films and even blockbuster films are increasingly making business decisions to film overseas to the detriment of the middle-class workers in the Los Angeles-area, such as camera operators, set decorators and lighting technicians. 

The newspaper noted that despite Hollywood’s many available studios, the game show "The Floor" chose to fly host Rob Lowe and 100 American contestants to Dublin, Ireland, rather than shoot the show domestically.

TRUMP ANNOUNCES 100% TARIFF ON ALL FOREIGN-PRODUCED MOVIES: 'WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!'

The BBC reported that several recent major films produced by U.S. studios were recorded overseas, including "Deadpool & Wolverine," "Wicked" and "Gladiator II." "Mission Impossible" also was shot outside the United States. 

In his Truth Social post, Trump said the movie industry in America is "DYING a very fast death," arguing that other countries "are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States." 

"This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!" Trump wrote. "WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!" 

Trump told reporters Sunday that other countries have been "stealing" the moviemaking capabilities from the United States, saying that he had done "some very strong research over the last week." 

The president said the U.S. is "making very few movies now" and that Hollywood is "being destroyed." 

"You have an incompetent, grossly incompetent governor that allowed that to happen, so I’m not just blaming other nations," Trump said, making a dig at Democrat California Gov. Gavin Newsom. 

"But other nations have stolen our movie industry. They’re not willing to make a movie inside the United States and we should have a tariff on movies that come in," Trump added. "Governments are actually giving big money. I mean they’re supporting them financially, so that’s sort of a threat to our country in a sense. And it’s been a very popular thing.… Moviemakers love it."

In January, Trump appointed stars Jon Voight, Mel Gibson and Sylvester Stallone as "special ambassadors" to Hollywood. 

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Voight – who is Angelina Jolie's father – reportedly has recently been meeting with movie executives and union representatives in Los Angeles while crafting a plan to revive the American moviemaking industry, Deadline reported. 

Trump's Hollywood ambassador has met with the Directors Guild of America, Teamsters and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees so far, sources told the outlet. 

Bernie Sanders says largest ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ rally with AOC is making Trump, Musk ‘very nervous’

12 April 2025 at 18:20

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said Saturday his latest rally with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., on their "Fighting Oligarchy" tour was also their largest with a stop in downtown Los Angeles before a massive crowd of supporters.

"Your presence here today is making Donald Trump and Elon Musk very nervous," the 83-year-old independent, who caucuses with Democrats, said to loud cheers, adding about 36,000 attended the event.

Sanders mentioned that after their last rally in Denver, Colorado, in March, which was slightly smaller than Saturday's in LA, Tesla CEO and DOGE policy advisor Musk claimed most of those in attendance were "paid organizers." 

"Anybody here being paid to come today?" asked Sanders, who was met with shouts of "no!" from the crowd assembled at LA City Hall. 

BERNIE SANDERS SCOLDS CNN DURING TOWN HALL WITH ANDERSON COOPER FOR NOT TALKING HEALTHCARE

He also took a jab at the president, claiming Trump is "envious" of crowd "sizes."

"[Trump] said, ‘Well, Bernie has rallies of (2,000) or 3,000 people, can’t compete with Trump.’ He lied," Sanders said. 

Sanders continued to go after Musk and Trump, attacking their wealth, a common refrain for him. 

‘THE VIEW’ HOST WARNS DEMOCRATS ABOUT HOW PERFORMATIVELY ‘SCREAMING’ AT RALLIES IS NOT FIXING THE COUNTRY

"We're living at a moment where a handful of billionaires control the economic and political life of our country," Sanders said. "We're living in a moment with a president who has no understanding or respect for the Constitution of the United States and, let us make no doubt about it, moving us rapidly toward an authoritarian form of society. And, Mr. Trump, we ain't going there." 

Sanders also noted that Musk had recently posted on social media that Sanders "has been talking about the growth of oligarchy year-after-year-after-year."

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Sanders added, "Well, Elon, you're damn right. That's what I've been talking about. The difference is I'm no longer talking about how we're moving to oligarchy. I'm talking about how we are living today in an oligarchic form of society." 

The pair have already done rallies in Las Vegas; Tempe and Tuscon, Arizona; and Denver and Greeley, Colorado, and they have upcoming rallies scheduled in Bakersfield and Folsom, California; Salt Lake City; Nampa, Idaho; and Missoula, Montana. 

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.

Youth soccer coach linked to teen player's death arrested on separate sexual assault charge, family says

The last person a 13-year-old was with before he died has been arrested on a separate sexual assault charge, according to the teen's family

Oscar Omar Hernandez was found dead in a ditch earlier this week in Ventura County near Los Angeles, and his family says he was last seen with his youth soccer coach.

On Wednesday, the same day Hernandez's body was found, Los Angeles police arrested the coach on an unrelated sexual assault charge from a case in February 2024.

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Hernandez's body was found roughly 70 miles away from his home. According to KTLA in Los Angeles, the family called Hernandez over the weekend, but his phone was answered by the coach, who said Hernandez's hands were covered with paint, and he couldn't answer the phone.

The family had video chatted with Hernandez earlier in the day.

The teen had gone to the coach's house to help paint their team's soccer jerseys, his mother, Gladys Maribel Bautista, told Fox 11. The family reported him missing Sunday after he never returned home, and his body was found three days later.

The coach is now considered a person of interest in the case and has reportedly been questioned.

The coach is not considered a suspect, nor has his identity been released because police have not publicly confirmed he's the same person being questioned regarding the teen's death.

Hernandez's sister, Alejandra, told Fox 11 the coach "even helped us look for Oscar."

"We never thought he would harm him," she said.

Hernandez and his family moved to California from Honduras three years ago.

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Environmental activists to protest Dodgers' home opener over partnership with embattled oil company

Opening day for the Los Angeles Dodgers will be met with protesters on Thursday afternoon after a group of environmental activists signed a petition to call for an end to the team’s controversial partnership with an oil-and-gas company. 

The "Dodgers Fans Against Fossil Fuels" protest will be held outside Dodger Stadium beginning two hours before first pitch to demand that team owner Mark Walter cut ties with Phillips 66, a Texas-based company that was indicted in November over allegations that it had discharged hundreds of thousands of gallons of industrial wastewater into the Los Angeles County sewer system

"A federal grand jury has indicted Phillips 66, owner of the 76 gas-station brand whose logo is displayed across Dodger Stadium, for allegedly sending thousands of gallons of water contaminated with oil and grease into LA County's sewer system," a press release from The Climate Reality Project’s Los Angeles chapter read.  

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"The company is accused of knowingly and negligently violating the Clean Water Act." 

In a petition signed by more than 27,000 people, activists called on Walter to "immediately end" their sponsorship deal with Phillips 66, which called the partnership "greenwashing of the worst kind."

The U.S. Department of Justice announced a six-count indictment in November alleging that Phillips 66 had violated the Clean Water Act by dumping "hundreds of thousands of gallons of industrial wastewater from its Carson oil refinery into the Los Angeles County sewer system." The company was also accused of failing to report those violations. 

CONTROVERSIAL CLIMATE GROUP FACING BANKRUPTCY, HOW DID IT GET HERE?

The charges stem from an incident on Nov. 24, 2020. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Phillips 66 allegedly discharged an estimated 310,000 gallons of "non-compliant industrial wastewater" into the sewer system during a 2.5-hour window. 

The wastewater was believed to contain approximately 64,000 pounds of oil and grease.

In a separate incident on Feb. 8, 2021, another 480,000 gallons were believed to have been discharged into the sewer system. 

Fox News Digital reached out to the Dodgers for comment.

Earlier this month, California State Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez also called for the Dodgers to end their partnership with Phillips 66. 

"Ending the sponsorship with Phillips 66 would send the message that it’s time to end our embrace of polluting fossil fuels and work together towards a cleaner, greener future," Gonzalez’s letter to Walter read. 

The Dodgers will open the season Thursday at home against the Detroit Tigers.

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Maxine Waters floats deporting Melania Trump in anti-DOGE diatribe

25 March 2025 at 08:29

Democratic California Rep. Maxine Waters suggested President Donald Trump should investigate and potentially deport first lady Melania Trump during an anti-DOGE protest in Los Angeles over the weekend. 

"When he [Trump] talks about birthright, and he's going to undo the fact that the Constitution allows those who are born here, even if the parents are undocumented, they have a right to stay in America. If he wants to start looking so closely to find those who were born here and their parents were undocumented, maybe he ought to first look at Melania," Waters was seen saying from the stage of a rally in Los Angeles, various videos posted to social media show. 

"We don't know whether or not her parents were documented. And maybe we better just take a look," she added. 

Melania Trump was born in the former Yugoslavia and became a U.S. citizen in 2006, according to official government biographies of the first lady. She is the first U.S. first lady to become a naturalized citizen, and the second first lady to be born outside of the U.S. – following President John Quincy Adams' wife Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, who was born in London in 1775. 

MELANIA TRUMP SPEAKS ON CAPITOL HILL FOR FIRST TIME IN ROUNDTABLE FOCUSED ON PUNISHING REVENGE PORN

The first lady sponsored her parents, who were also from current-day Slovenia, for green cards and then citizenship after securing her own citizenship, the New York Times reported in 2018. Viktor and Amalija Knavs, the first lady's parents, officially became U.S. citizens in 2018. Amalija Knavs died in 2024, while her father Viktor Knavs has been spotted with the Trump family during public events in recent months, including sitting next to first son Barron Trump during the inauguration. 

HAKEEM JEFFRIES' CALL TO FIGHT TRUMP AGENDA ‘IN THE STREETS’ SPARKS BACKLASH AS A 'MAXINE WATERS MOMENT'

Waters was referring to President Donald Trump signing an executive order on his first day in office that bans birthright citizenship. The executive order works to clarify the 14th Amendment, which states, "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."

MAXINE WATERS, HOUSE DEMS RIPPED FOR 'UNHINGED' CLASH WITH SECURITY GUARD AT EDUCATION DEPT
 

The Trump EO seeks to narrow the scope of birthright citizenship to ban individuals who were born to illegal immigrant parents, or those who were here legally but on temporary non-immigrant visas. 

MELANIA TRUMP ANNOUNCES RETURN OF WHITE HOUSE EASTER EGG ROLL

The executive order is currently tied up in court, with Trump taking the case to the U.S. Supreme Court last week. 

Waters joined the protest in Los Angeles on Saturday, where hundreds gathered in protest of the Trump administration and Department of Government Efficiency's efforts to slim down the size of the federal government, including auditing federal agencies in search of overspending, fraud and corruption. Protesters marched to the VA hospital on Los Angeles' Wilshire Boulevard as part of the rally, the Los Angeles Times reported. 

MELANIA TRUMP'S LIFE WITH PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: SEE THE PHOTOS

"We are here because we are not going to let Trump, we’re not going to let Elon Musk, his co-president, or anybody else take the United States Constitution down," Waters added in her address to the crowd on Saturday. 

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND MELANIA TRUMP'S 20TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY: SEE THE PHOTOS

Clips of Waters' comments on the first lady are spreading like wildfire on social media, including on TikTok and X, as conservative critics slam the left-wing California lawmaker. 

Fox News Digital reached out to Waters' office for additional comment on the matter Tuesday morning, but did not immediately receive a reply. 

LA Mayor Bass' former rival reveals why he is opposed to her recall campaign

20 March 2025 at 16:12

Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Rick Caruso is not backing the recall effort against Democratic Mayor Karen Bass, his former opponent.

"A mayoral recall right now is not a good idea. This is a time when Los Angeles needs unity, not costly and expensive political distractions," he posted on X earlier this week. 

"We must rebuild our communities, get people back into their homes, and open businesses that have been closed or lost. That must be our total focus. There is a time and place for politics, but it is not now."

The effort to remove Karen Bass from office kicked off after intense criticism of her response to the fires that destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in the Pacific Palisades, including from Caruso, a Democrat. 

KRISTIN CROWLEY APPEALS LOS ANGELES MAYOR'S DECISION TO TERMINATE HER AS LAFD CHIEF

Bass was in Ghana when the fires began despite a prior weather warning, for which she has since expressed remorse. But she has stopped short of stepping down. She also recently sacked the city's fire chief, Kristin Crowley, who failed to get her job back after appealing. 

Caruso, a real estate mogul, ran against Bass in 2022 and lost, and it’s unclear if he plans to run against her again in 2026.

His decision not to support the recall caught the attention of former Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vice presidential pick Nicole Shanahan, a major supporter of the recall.

"Don’t people deserve accountability?!" she said in reply to his post on X. "I don’t see this as political division… I see this as LA being the most united I’ve ever seen it around the real cost of mismanagement. The recall team is [100%] bi-partisan."

GWYNETH PALTROW CONFESSES LA FIRES CAUSED HER TO DRINK 'EVERY NIGHT'

"People want competency in their leadership," Caruso responded. "But a recall election doesn’t happen overnight. It would run into June’s primary and cost the city millions we don't have. Let's be smart about how we move the city forward."

The disagreement led to a mix of opinions on the recall itself.

"’Cheaper to keep her' is that really your argument? Recalling her forthwith will likely be cheaper than keeping her in place (see: recent $200 billion fire that destroyed my family home). Shouldn’t this be up to the voters and not you anyway, Rick?" Tranquility AI co-founder Dave Harvilicz posted.

"Disagree Rick. [Karen Bass] poses a clear and present danger to LA. She must go immediately," Biotech entrepreneur Houman David Hemmati posted. "If you don’t want a recall, persuade her to resign. No other options. Sorry."

LOS ANGELES MAYOR KAREN BASS RECALL EFFORT LAUNCHES

However, some did agree with Caruso that a recall election would be an uphill battle.

"The premise of [Caruso]’s decision not to back a recall (which is correct) is precisely BECAUSE it is the best interest of LA not to waste everyone’s time and energy on recall that is destined to fail and further demoralize voters at the worst possible time," Los Angeles County GOP Central Committee member Elizabeth Barcohana tweeted.

To trigger a recall election, a petition would need signatures from 15% of registered voters in the City of Los Angeles.

"This recall is nothing more than another extreme right-wing political stunt designed to divide Los Angeles when we need to move forward," Doug Herman, a strategist for Bass, told Fox News Digital in a statement when the campaign first launched.

LA Mayor Bass' former rival reveals why he is opposed to her recall campaign

20 March 2025 at 16:12

Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Rick Caruso is not backing the recall effort against Democratic Mayor Karen Bass, his former opponent.

"A mayoral recall right now is not a good idea. This is a time when Los Angeles needs unity, not costly and expensive political distractions," he posted on X earlier this week. 

"We must rebuild our communities, get people back into their homes, and open businesses that have been closed or lost. That must be our total focus. There is a time and place for politics, but it is not now."

The effort to remove Karen Bass from office kicked off after intense criticism of her response to the fires that destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in the Pacific Palisades, including from Caruso, a Democrat. 

KRISTIN CROWLEY APPEALS LOS ANGELES MAYOR'S DECISION TO TERMINATE HER AS LAFD CHIEF

Bass was in Ghana when the fires began despite a prior weather warning, for which she has since expressed remorse. But she has stopped short of stepping down. She also recently sacked the city's fire chief, Kristin Crowley, who failed to get her job back after appealing. 

Caruso, a real estate mogul, ran against Bass in 2022 and lost, and it’s unclear if he plans to run against her again in 2026.

His decision not to support the recall caught the attention of former Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vice presidential pick Nicole Shanahan, a major supporter of the recall.

"Don’t people deserve accountability?!" she said in reply to his post on X. "I don’t see this as political division… I see this as LA being the most united I’ve ever seen it around the real cost of mismanagement. The recall team is [100%] bi-partisan."

GWYNETH PALTROW CONFESSES LA FIRES CAUSED HER TO DRINK 'EVERY NIGHT'

"People want competency in their leadership," Caruso responded. "But a recall election doesn’t happen overnight. It would run into June’s primary and cost the city millions we don't have. Let's be smart about how we move the city forward."

The disagreement led to a mix of opinions on the recall itself.

"’Cheaper to keep her' is that really your argument? Recalling her forthwith will likely be cheaper than keeping her in place (see: recent $200 billion fire that destroyed my family home). Shouldn’t this be up to the voters and not you anyway, Rick?" Tranquility AI co-founder Dave Harvilicz posted.

"Disagree Rick. [Karen Bass] poses a clear and present danger to LA. She must go immediately," Biotech entrepreneur Houman David Hemmati posted. "If you don’t want a recall, persuade her to resign. No other options. Sorry."

LOS ANGELES MAYOR KAREN BASS RECALL EFFORT LAUNCHES

However, some did agree with Caruso that a recall election would be an uphill battle.

"The premise of [Caruso]’s decision not to back a recall (which is correct) is precisely BECAUSE it is the best interest of LA not to waste everyone’s time and energy on recall that is destined to fail and further demoralize voters at the worst possible time," Los Angeles County GOP Central Committee member Elizabeth Barcohana tweeted.

To trigger a recall election, a petition would need signatures from 15% of registered voters in the City of Los Angeles.

"This recall is nothing more than another extreme right-wing political stunt designed to divide Los Angeles when we need to move forward," Doug Herman, a strategist for Bass, told Fox News Digital in a statement when the campaign first launched.

Controversial boxer Imane Khelif plans to compete in 2028 LA Olympics, disregards Trump's gender policies

After stirring the biggest controversy in a controversy-filled Olympics in Paris last summer, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif plans to do it all again in 2028.

The gold medalist told ITV in an exclusive interview that the athlete plans to compete in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, which will be the first Summer Games based in the U.S. since 1996. The 2028 games will also come in the final year of President Donald Trump's term, which has so far been partially defined by strict gender eligibility policies in women's sports. 

Khelif brewed international outrage in Paris during a run to a gold medal in women's boxing despite being previously disqualified from the International Boxing Association World Championships in 2023 for gender edibility issues. IBA President Umar Kremlev released a statement to Russia’s TASS Agency about why Khelif was disqualified. 

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"Based on DNA tests, we identified a number of athletes who tried to trick their colleagues into posing as women. According to the results of the tests, it was proved that they have XY chromosomes. Such athletes were excluded from competition," Kremlev said.

Khelif does not identify as transgender. 

The Algerian Olympic Committee said at the time that Khelif was disqualified for "medical reasons." Algerian media reported that Khelif was disqualified for high testosterone levels, according to Reuters. Khelif claimed the disqualification was part of a "conspiracy" to prevent Algeria from winning gold. 

However, Khelif was permitted to compete in Paris, and had the full support of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and president Thomas Bach. As a result, the boxer prompted heavy backlash from those who believed Khelif should not be able to compete in the women's category based on their past gender eligibility issues.

Those critics included Trump, billionaire Elon Musk and author J.K. Rowling. Khelif has filed a lawsuit in France citing "acts of aggravated cyber harassment" over the public response to her participation.

"When I saw that even heads of state, famous figures and former athletes were speaking about me without having verified facts, it shocked me," Khelif told ITV.

RILEY GAINES CALLS FEMALE BOXER A 'HERO' FOR FORFEITING MATCH AGAINST FIGHTER WITH XY CHROMOSOMES, SLAMS IOC

"They were speaking just for the sake of talking without any reliable or documented information. I also noticed on social media that people were discussing the issue without any trustworthy sources. That was what affected me the most in the beginning. Why was I, Imane Khelif, the target of such a campaign?’’

Khelif also told ITV the backlash impacted the health of the athlete's mother. 

"It affected me mentally, as well as my family. Even my mother was deeply affected. She was going to the hospital almost every day. My relatives were also impacted, and the entire Algerian people felt the weight of the situation. This went beyond just a sporting issue or a game; it escalated into a major media campaign that could have had a severe negative effect on me, my family and my psychological well-being," she said.

"I was deeply affected mentally and felt discouraged, but I remained aware of what was happening. Even during the Paris Olympics, I had a team of specialist doctors who provided me with support and assistance. Without their support, I might have fallen into a spiral of depression."

But that isn't stopping Khelif from setting out to compete again in 2028, even with potential stricter gender eligibility policies in place.

Trump has already signed an executive order banning trans athletes from women's and girls' sports nationwide, and said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will be ordered to keep trans athletes out of the country for the 2028 Olympics. 

However, Khelif claims these policies do not apply to the athlete. 

"I will give you a straightforward answer: the U.S. president issued a decision related to transgender policies in America. I am not transgender. This does not concern me, and it does not intimidate me. That is my response," Khelif told ITV.

"For me, I see myself as a girl, just like any other girl. I was born a girl, raised as a girl, and have lived my entire life as one."

With Bach set to leave office this year, the next IOC president may also bring about a different stand to the committee's gender eligibility policy. One potential successor is former Olympic gold medalist Sebastian Coe.

Coe published his manifesto for his vision as IOC president, and it stresses the importance of protecting female athletes.

He previously said in a November interview with the BBC the situation involving Khelif made him feel "uncomfortable."

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Matt Richtman becomes first American man to win LA Marathon in 31 years

For the first time in 31 years, an American has won the Los Angeles Marathon

Matt Richtman, an Illinois native, was the victor in what was the second-largest field in the race’s history, per ABC7. He ran 2:07:56, and bore an American flag after crossing the finish line. 

Ethiopia’s Tejinesh Gebisa Tulu won the women’s race at 2:30:16. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"It’s definitely a surprise," Richtman admitted after winning the race, per ABC7. "You know, I came in feeling really good; it’s really hard to judge where you stack up against competition, but it was a really good group out there today, and I was really happy to run with those guys and then ultimately win it."

Richtman was in front of Kenya’s Athanas Kioko, who finished in second with a time of 2:10:55, while fellow Kenyan Mose Kiptoo finished third at 2:13:13. 

TEEN TRACK RUNNER WHO BASHED OPPONENT'S HEAD RALLIES SUPPORTERS IN VIRGINIA AFTER GETTING ASSAULT CHARGE

Richtman, who was a Montana State University Bobcat in college, added that he really "didn’t have too much of a strategy" to come away with the win. 

"The first half I just wanted to stay in that group, didn’t really want to push the pace or lead or anything like that, just kind of stay, feel it out, ‘cause it’s a challenging course.

"The whole race I was running with a little bit of fear. It’s tough when you can’t see what’s going on behind you."

Fear clearly pushed Richtman into whatever gear he needed to keep the pace and cross the finish line first. 

Richtman sent his appreciation out to those in the city of Los Angeles who were cheering him on throughout the race.

"It’s such a great day, you know, the 40th anniversary (of the race), there’s so many legacy runners out here, and the crowd out her was amazing," he said. "There were people throughout the whole course and it really helps. It's amazing how much a crowd can change the course of what you’re doing."

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FBI adds former Olympian to most wanted list, offers $10 million reward

The FBI added a former Olympian and a Canadian national to its list of top 10 most wanted fugitives on Thursday.

The U.S. State Department is offering a reward of up to $10 million for the capture of Ryan Wedding, 43. Wedding, who competed in a snowboarding event for Canada in the 2002 winter Olympics, is wanted for allegedly running "a transnational drug trafficking network."

FBI Los Angeles chief Akil Davis said in a press conference Thursday that Wedding's alleged trafficking ring "routinely shipped hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia, through Mexico and Southern California, to Canada and other locations in the United States, and for orchestrating multiple murders and an attempted murder in furtherance of these drug crimes."

"Wedding went from shredding powder on the slopes at the Olympics to distributing powder cocaine on the streets of U.S. cities and in his native Canada," Davis said in a statement.

LA MAYOR BASS' CLASHES WITH REPORTERS ON WILDFIRES REMOVED FROM LEADER'S SOCIAL MEDIA, LIVESTREAMS

"The alleged murders of his competitors make Wedding a very dangerous man, and his addition to the list of Ten Most Wanted Fugitives, coupled with a major reward offer by the State Department, will make the public our partner so that we can catch up with him before he puts anyone else in danger," he added.

Davis noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio approved the $10 million reward for Wedding's capture. The FBI is also offering an additional $50,000 for information leading to his arrest.

Wedding was previously convicted in the U.S. of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and he was sentenced to prison in 2010, according to federal records. 

The FBI says Wedding's aliases include "El Jefe," "Giant," "Public Enemy," "James Conrad King," and "Jesse King." They say he is roughly 6'3" and 240 pounds.

Federal authorities first issued an arrest warrant for Wedding in September of last year, but he has still not been apprehended.

CHARGERS' JIM HARBAUGH ON CONTROVERSIAL TUSH PUSH: 'GET GOOD AT IT OR STOP IT'

Thursday's announcement comes just after the Justice Department announced the capture of one of Wedding's alleged accomplices, Andrew Clark, 34. Clark, a Canadian citizen who was living in Mexico, was arrested by Mexican authorities in October 2024 and is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in U.S. District Court in Arizona. 

The indictment says Wedding and his associates conspired to deliver shipments of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Los Angeles to Canada using long-haul semi-trucks.

Wedding is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; conspiracy to export cocaine; continuing criminal enterprise; murder in connection with a continuing criminal enterprise and drug crime; and attempt to commit murder in connection with a continuing criminal enterprise and drug crime.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass recall effort launches

4 March 2025 at 10:39

FIRST ON FOX: An effort to recall Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass officially launched its website on Tuesday.

The Democratic mayor faces significant backlash due to her response to the wildfires that burned through the Pacific Palisades in January, including the fact that she was in Ghana despite dangerous fire conditions warnings ahead of time.  

If the recall petition meets the threshold of needed signatures — 15% of Los Angeles registered voters — then a special election would be triggered. The group launching the effort includes people directly impacted by the wildfire and other residents frustrated with crime and homelessness issues plaguing the city, according to a source familiar with the campaign. The source added that there is a bipartisan makeup of the people involved in the effort. 

The Los Angeles Times reported on Monday that the groundwork was being laid to raise funds for Bass' potential ouster. 

LA MAYOR BASS' CLASHES WITH REPORTERS ON WILDFIRES REMOVED FROM LEADER'S SOCIAL MEDIA, LIVESTREAMS

"The LAFD's budget was slashed by more than $17 million, stripping critical resources from firefighters as Los Angeles faces escalating wildfire threats and emergency response challenges. At a time when rapid response is more crucial than ever, officials are underfunding the very department responsible for protecting lives and property," the website, RecallBassNow.com, states, along with other reasons for supporting her removal. 

Bass recently fired LAFD Chief Kirstin Crowley, who is appealing her termination, and replaced her with Ronnie Villanueva. Crowley previously warned about the potential risks of not having enough funding and staff for the department. 

"Acting in the best interests of Los Angeles’ public safety, and for the operations of the Los Angeles Fire Department, I have removed Kristin Crowley as Fire Chief. We know that 1,000 firefighters that could have been on duty on the morning the fires broke out were instead sent home on Chief Crowley’s watch," Bass said in a statement last month. 

"Furthermore, a necessary step to an investigation was the President of the Fire Commission telling Chief Crowley to do an after action report on the fires. The Chief refused. These require her removal. The heroism of our firefighters – during the Palisades fire and every single day – is without question. Bringing new leadership to the fire department is what our city needs," she added.

MEL GIBSON JOINS EFFORT TO RECALL GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM, BLAMES HIM FOR 'GROSS MISMANAGEMENT' OF LA FIRES

In a recent interview with Fox 11 Los Angeles, Bass said that she was not aware of the potential severity of the fires that burned down thousands of homes and businesses, saying she "felt absolutely terrible not being here."

"It didn’t reach that level to me to say, 'Something terrible could happen, and maybe you shouldn’t have gone on the trip,'" the Democrat told the outlet. 

"I think that’s one of the things we need to look at, everything that happened, including that, needs to be examined," she continued, revealing that there are at least two investigations into the city's response to the fires.

WOMAN ACCUSED OF LOOTING FROM HOME IN PALISADES FIRE AREA WHILE WEARING 'PALISADES STRONG' SHIRT

The National Weather Service put out the "fire weather warning" on Jan. 3, and the mayor left for Africa the next day. She did not return until Jan. 8, according to Fox 11 LA.

A Change.org petition has over 176,000 signatures asking her to resign as mayor. Still, there has been no indication that Bass would step down voluntarily.

"This recall is nothing more than another extreme right-wing political stunt designed to divide Los Angeles when we need to move forward," Doug Herman, a strategist for Bass, told Fox News Digital in a statement. 

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass sacks fire chief who said city failed residents in wildfires

21 February 2025 at 12:06

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Friday announced that LAFD Fire Chief Kristin Crowley had been fired. 

Crowley had criticized Bass and other Democratic leadership with the city, claiming it had failed its 100,000 residents displaced during January’s wildfires. 

Crowley said that pressing staffing shortages impacted the department's response time when the blaze began tearing across Los Angeles.

LA FIRE SOUNDED ALARM ON BUDGET CUTS IMPACTING WILDFIRE RESPONSE: MEMO

"Any budget cut is going to impact our ability to provide service," Crowley said in January. "That is a ground truth in regard to our ability. If there's a budget cut, we had to pull from somewhere else. What does that mean? That doesn't get done or that there are delays."

Crowley said that staffing shortages and lack of resources have been a pressing issue facing the LAFD for years. She pointed to a series of memos she sent to the city identifying in detail the needs of the department.

In a statement Friday, Bass said: "Acting in the best interests of Los Angeles’ public safety, and for the operations of the Los Angeles Fire Department, I have removed Kristin Crowley as Fire Chief. We know that 1,000 firefighters that could have been on duty on the morning the fires broke out were instead sent home on Chief Crowley’s watch. Furthermore, a necessary step to an investigation was the President of the Fire Commission telling Chief Crowley to do an after action report on the fires. The Chief refused. These require her removal. The heroism of our firefighters – during the Palisades fire and every single day – is without question. Bringing new leadership to the fire department is what our city needs." 

She added, "While the Department is in the experienced and expert hands of Chief Villanueva, my office will lead a national search and I will speak directly with firefighters and Angelenos about what they want to see in their next permanent chief." 

Republican Rick Caruso, who ran against Bass in the last mayoral election, criticized Crowley’s firing. 

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"It is very disappointing that Mayor Bass has decided to fire Chief Kristin Crowley," he wrote on X. "Chief Crowley served Los Angeles well and spoke honestly about the severe and profoundly ill-conceived budget cuts the Bass administration made to the LAFD. That courage to speak the truth was brave, and I admire her. Honesty in a high city official should not be a firing offense. The Mayor's decision to ignore the warnings and leave the city was hers alone. This is a time for city leaders to take responsibility for their actions and their decisions. We need real leadership, not more blame passing."

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