Where have Southern California’s orange groves gone?

Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force conducted a "Shoplift With a Cop" operation resulting in the arrest of 37 suspects, recovery of stolen property worth $2,000, and seizure of narcotics like fentanyl and methamphetamine. The operation, held at Pacific View Mall in Ventura, involved a collaborative effort with law enforcement agencies and retail security teams to address significant shoplifting challenges. Retailers in the county are encouraged to participate in similar blitz operations by contacting...

A Minnesota man convicted of first-degree murder is facing sentencing for killing his girlfriend, whose 2023 disappearance following dropping off their children at daycare gained national attention. The disappearance led to a massive search effort involving thousands of volunteers. The man's sentencing is scheduled for Tuesday. Full Article

Russian Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, accused by Ukraine of using chemical weapons, was assassinated in Moscow with a bomb hidden in an electric scooter. The incident, which also resulted in the death of his assistant, is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism. Kirillov led Russia's Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops and was targeted amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Full Article

Jayson Tatum was drafted by the Celtics with the No. 3 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, despite initially wanting to play for the Lakers. Magic Johnson revealed that Tatum's agent didn't want him to work out for the Lakers due to the team's surplus of forwards, leading the Lakers to draft Lonzo Ball instead. Tatum ultimately flourished with the Celtics after a rocky start, winning an NBA title in 2024 and signing a record-breaking...

Mayor Brandon Johnson announced a new round of appointments to the Chicago Board of Education, naming Sean Harden as the new president. The appointments include three newcomers and a mix of sitting members and candidates who lost their bids in the recent election. The new board members, along with elected candidates, will serve two-year terms until a fully elected board is in place in 2027. Full Article

The White House is still investigating about 100 tips related to a series of drone sightings across the Northeast, which have been determined to include commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones. The FBI is working to analyze the remaining tips, with concerns raised about pointing lasers at manned aircraft or shooting down suspected unmanned aircraft systems. President-elect Donald Trump has suggested the government knows more about the drones than they are revealing, while...