hello it is Thursday, June 15thhere are today’s not-to-be-missed stories:

top story

LA City Council Reconsiders Suspending Colleagues

Los Angeles City Council members are considering a third suspension vote in three years as another colleague faces criminal charges. But this time, they’re taking a more cautious approach to that decision.

On Wednesday, Council Chair Paul Krekorian said he hopes the council will take up the proposed suspension of councilor Karen Price, who has been charged with embezzlement, perjury and conflict of interest. But rather than seek an immediate vote, city council members should first respond to Mr. Price’s accusations, he said.

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Counterfeit pills found in pharmacies across Mexico

Earlier this year, The Times reported that pharmacies in several cities in northwestern Mexico were selling counterfeit tablets over-the-counter, disguising a potent methamphetamine as Adderal and the deadly fentanyl as Percocet and other opioid pain relievers. Found it for sale. However, after four months of research, he discovered that the problem was far more widespread than previously understood.

During five trips to Mexico, The Times reporter purchased and tested 55 tablets from 29 pharmacies in eight cities. Over 50% (28 tablets) were counterfeit.

Southern Baptists Finalize Expulsion of OC Saddleback Church

The Southern Baptist Congregation refused to rejoin Saddleback Church and dismissed the appeal of the Orange County Megachurch, which was expelled for having a female pastor.

At the annual meeting in New Orleans, representatives of the Southern Baptist Church also voted in favor of supporting the executive committee’s February decision to expel the Fern Creek Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, over a female pastor. threw. They finalized the banning of their third congregation, Freedom Church in Vero Beach, Florida, for their “lack of intent to cooperate in resolving concerns about sexual abuse allegations.”

Murder Suicide, Arson: What Happened at 81 Fire Station?

Officials at the Los Angeles County Fire Department knew firefighter Jonathan Tatone was targeting a colleague. They did nothing against the harassment. Then Tatone attacked. On 1 June, Tatone opened fire on Station 81 off the Sierra Highway in what became known as the “Sierra Incident”.

A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigative report, reviewed by The Times, raises questions about how the county fire department, and the county itself, handled workplace disputes and whether the shootings could have been prevented.

The department and county declined to comment, citing pending lawsuits.

photo of the day

California

An autopsy revealed that the P-22, who died after being hit by a car, was already in critical condition. Los Angeles’ famous mountain lion suffered from kidney disease, infections and other chronic ailments before being captured and euthanized after a vehicle crash.

The Archbishop plans to pray for Los Angeles in the hours before the Dodgers honor the Sisters of Eternal Indulgence. The Archbishop of Los Angeles, Jose H. Gomez, will officiate a Mass on Friday to “pray for our city in a special way” before the Dodgers honor the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence at Pride Night.

The conservative Temecula School Board has fired its superintendent in the latest controversial move. The conservative Temecula Board of Education voted 3-1 to remove Jody McCrae, who has been superintendent of the Temecula Valley Unified School District since June 2020.

These are the dirtiest beaches in California. Are your favorites on the list? Heal the Bay’s annual report ranks the dirtiest and cleanest beaches in the state based on water quality analysis. Two people from Los Angeles County made it to the “beach haters” list.

nation world

Americans are being warned against mailing checks as fraud cases dramatically escalate. Banks issued about 680,000 reports of check fraud to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (also known as FinCEN) last year. This is up from his 350,000 reports in 2021.

The “No China” Policy: Inside the alternative universe of hits like Taiwan’s “West Wing”. Set in Taipei, the popular Netflix drama portrays all the hallmarks of Taiwan’s political movement, but with one glaring omission. It is a debate over how to deal with China. The question of survival looms over Taiwan’s actual presidential election in January.

hollywood and art

The weapons expert in the Alec Baldwin case was likely hungover on set, prosecutors said. The weapons director on set where Alec Baldwin shot and killed the cinematographer was drinking and smoking marijuana in the evenings during the filming of “The Last,” prosecutors allege.

The Polemasters Playhouse offers queer and BIPOC dancers a sexy and safe space to let it rain. Miles Woods began creating a truly safe space for pole dancing with a playhouse featuring dancers of all gender identities, races and creeds. “If you’re straight, we don’t care,” he said. “Gay, never mind. There’s a trans body here, a mascot body here, a femme body here, every color, every shade. I want them all.”

Not Your Abuela TV Novel: How Spanish Streamers Are Rocking TV. Spanish-language streamers seek to bridge the generational gap between young Latino audiences and their abuelas by innovating the TV novel format with higher production values ​​and modernized storylines.

work

Payroll defaults, 401(k) freezes — how Fresno’s “shining star” let down those it hoped to serve. Over the past decade, Bitwise has pitched a powerful dream to cities in the Central Valley and across the country. That dream was suddenly dashed when Bitwise furloughed all 900 employees on Memorial Day night with no response from any of its leaders.

Sundance Institute Awarded $4 Million to Support Indigenous Filmmakers. The nonprofit that hosts the annual Sundance Film Festival has received a record $4 million in donations to fund programs that empower indigenous filmmakers from California tribes.

The greenwashing lawsuit against Delta Air Lines by a woman from Glendale aims to set a precedent. Delta’s pledge to “be the world’s first carbon-neutral airline” has been the focus of a class action lawsuit that claims Delta’s carbon-neutral claims are nothing more than greenwashing.

sports

Trevor Bauer has denied sexually assaulting a fourth woman who has filed a lawsuit. The former Dodgers pitcher faces new sexual assault allegations, this time from an Arizona woman. The suit accused him of strangling her until she lost consciousness, raping her, impregnating her, and holding a knife to her throat.

The Dodgers need to remember their history and trade pitchers. “The Dodgers need another starter who can give them length and give the bullpen a break. They don’t need an ace, they don’t even need a top player in the rotation. We need a veteran who can pitch and keep the game close until the sixth inning,” wrote Bill Plaschke.

opinion

Commentary: If Republican Candidates Won’t Face Trump, Why Are They Running in the First Place?Perhaps anti-Trump messages don’t sell to Republican voters. For many people it will be. But if your rivals won’t challenge you, you should drag yourself out of this so-called race. It may not be unprecedented, but it will be welcome,” writes Jackie Calums.

Opinion: Affirmative Action does not hurt Asian Americans. Here’s why the myth survives. “As much of our research has been to identify anti-Asian discrimination, the accusation that Asian Americans are held to high standards in college admissions is a new example of anti-Asian prejudice. But we don’t see any penalties for Asian Americans in college admissions,” write Janelle Wong and Viet Tan Nguyen.

Editorial: Another Los Angeles Public Corruption Case? Current Price should resign. A series of criminal charges and scandals are the flashing neon signs above City Hall, showing that Los Angeles’ political culture is corrupt and in need of an overhaul. The question now is whether city hall can be reformed.

LA only

The Garibaldina Society is the oldest Italian club in Los Angeles and is currently undergoing a renaissance.

Founded in 1877. Benefisenza Mutual Exchange AssociationThe club has historically been a place for older Italians and Italian Americans to gather to dance, bocce, cook, eat and celebrate their culture. But now Garibaldina welcomes another member. Some of them are Italian, but many are not.

“The club is being reborn,” said Jim Richetz, 88, who served as president in 2016 and 2020. “That’s because young people are starting to know about this club and we’re trying to let them know.”

from the archive

June 15, 1864, Arlington National Cemetery was established as a burial ground for Union soldiers.

The cemetery holds the remains of more than 232,000 Americans, including presidents, judges, admirals, astronauts, war heroes, and pioneers of society.

In 1994, 130 years after the cemetery was founded, The Times reported how this sacred site went from humble beginnings to become America’s most prestigious burial ground.

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