Tag: Los Angeles News

Social media captures Southern California squirrels “splooting” in midst of sweltering heat wave

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Prairie dog resting in dry grass beside a winding rural road

With sweltering heat still lingering over Southern California, many social media users have started capturing an adorable phenomenon sweeping across the region’s squirrel population — splooting.  Splooting, also called pancaking, is when a squirrel or animal lies flat on its stomach and spreads its legs to cool down.  “They’re just trying to keep cool in this heat like everyone else is,” said one Los Angeles park-goer, who couldn’t help but laugh at the silliness of the tactic. According to wildlife experts, there’s a more scientific reason behind it. 

“So, often animals do something called behavioral thermoregulation,” said UC Davis biologist Dr. Daniel Karp. “Which is a super fancy way of saying they’re just gonna go into the shade, or into their burrow, or some place to seek shelter from that heat.” A Reddit thread chronicled the “Squirrel Splooting Spell,” with one user capturing three different squirrels keeping cool on the same roof.  Sam Ramirez, a wildlife technician who owns Humane Pest Control, said that squirrel splooting is very common when the weather gets hot.  “Unfortunately, they don’t have AC available to them, so they’re using their natural resources,” Ramirez said.

“It’s the animals, it’s us, it’s everybody.” He said it’s very important that resources available to squirrels and other wildlife remain natural, even when it’s especially tempting to put out water.  “We don’t want to take care of them. Wildlife can take care of themselves,” Ramirez said. “Wildlife are supposed to remain wild, and it’s our natural instinct to want to help out. … Let wildlife be; they know what they’re doing.” He said that by leaving out food or water, it can cause animals to become dependent on people and less likely to survive in the wild. Ramirez and other experts say that humans can help by giving them plenty of space to sploot, and create shady areas for them to rest in times of high heat. 

Source: Social media captures Southern California squirrels “splooting” in midst of sweltering heat wave – CBS Los Angeles

Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.
Luke 12:3

Hunted for Following Jesus

In some communities, Muslims who leave Islam to follow Christ face rejection, threats, violence, and even death because of their faith. For Muslim-background believers, choosing to follow Jesus can place their…

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FBI arrests alleged Chinese agent at LAX after she allegedly surveilled son of Taiwanese president

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The FBI arrested a suspected Chinese agent at Los Angeles International Airport after she allegedly surveilled the Taiwanese president’s U.S.-based son, law enforcement sources told CBS News. Wanying “Heather” Zhang, an Irvine, California, realtor, was cuffed by federal law enforcement on Sunday before she boarded a flight to Shanghai, China, from LAX, on a charge of acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. Zhang’s husband Edric Ding, a realtor at the same firm, told CBS News when reached by phone Sunday: “I don’t know anything yet,” and declined to comment further.

It was not immediately clear if Zhang has an attorney.   Wanying “Heather” Zhang. FBI A criminal complaint, filed in federal court by a member of the FBI’s counterintelligence squad in L.A., accused Zhang and an accomplice of traveling to Seattle, Washington, in September 2025 and taking pictures at the suburban home of a top Taiwanese official’s family. Law enforcement sources told CBS News that the target was Ting-Yu Lai, the son of Taiwanese President Ching-Te Lai. Ting-Yu, an engineer in his 30s, attended college in America and has a young U.S.-born son with his wife, Hsiao Chen, according to Taiwanese media reports. He now works for the Dutch multinational electronics firm Philips. “If the PRC [People’s Republic of China] wish to obtain leverage over the President of Taiwan during any potential conflict, the location and pictures of the close relatives of a high-ranking Taiwanese government official, including pictures of their homes and cars, could be useful to the PRC,” wrote FBI Special Agent Kevin Holt in the Oct. 3, 2026, criminal complaint.

Taiwan has been the focus of high geopolitical tensions for decades. It asserts its independence, while the Chinese government claims it is part of China. The island is in a key position astride major shipping lanes, and is where many of the world’s most advanced semiconductor chips are manufactured. CBS News reached out to the Taiwanese consulate for comment. The complaint said Zhang, 34, and a man named only as “Individual 1” flew from Las Vegas to Seattle on Sept. 1, 2025, rented a black Nissan Rogue and drove to their target’s home. Images from a neighbor’s security camera included in the complaint allegedly show the two “appearing to film” Ting-Yu, his wife and their child as they arrived home that evening.

CBS News matched the images to an address near Seattle owned by Ting-Yu. Zhang allegedly texted her Chinese government handler: “Saw him. Young male. It’s that young one,” and “I am videorecording,” followed by two license plate numbers, according to the complaint. The FBI agent wrote that the texts from the Chinese messaging app WeChat were obtained from a search warrant on Zhang’s iCloud account. “Zhang was in contact with at least two people whom she appeared to acknowledge worked for the PRC government,” the agent wrote. FBI agents arrested Wanying “Heather” Zhang at Los Angeles International Airport on Oct. 4, 2026. U.S. Department of Justice The complaint claims  Zhang was introduced in June 2025 to one of the Chinese government officials by a classmate from her alma mater, Beijing’s University of International Relations, which Holt said has close ties to the Ministry of State Security.

Holt’s affidavit claims  Zhang booked a private room in Changsha, China, during a June 2025 trip, where she allegedly met the government official and received her surveillance mission. She later texted the official, “I can take care of this thing,” according to the complaint. On Aug. 26, 2025, Zhang wrote: “I will be busy with work in L.A. this week. I will probably go to Seattle next week,” and the official replied: “Ok. Thank you for your hard work,” the complaint said. Zhang is a licensed California realtor with JC Pacific Capital Inc. Her Zillow profile says she has 130 sales and listings around Los Angeles and neighboring counties.  Ting-Yu received his bachelor’s in electrical engineering from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2012; a master’s in Bioengineering Innovation and Design from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, the following year; then a PhD from the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Washington, according to a profile from one of his academic publications.

Taiwan TV news station SETN reported that he met his Taiwanese wife while studying for his doctorate. They married in 2018 and had a child in the U.S. in 2020, according to CNA, Taiwan’s national news agency. Chinese government agents have previously been caught spying on and harassing Chinese dissidents and pro-democracy activists in the U.S. Federal prosecutors said Shujun Wang, 75, infiltrated and informed on a Chinese pro-democracy group in Queens, New York, for the Chinese Ministry of State Security for 17 years. He was convicted in 2024 of acting as a foreign agent. Two people were arrested in April 2023 for their involvement in an unofficial Chinese police station in Manhattan set up to monitor Chinese dissidents. The Justice Department has warned of a plan by the Chinese security services called Operation Fox Hunt aimed at repatriating wanted Chinese nationals around the world, which targets enemies of the regime.

New York-based Quanzhong An, who prosecutors say is a leader of the U.S. wing of Operation Fox Hunt, was sentenced in March 2025 after harassing a Chinese dissident in an attempt to bring them back to China. In California, former Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang was charged with acting as a Chinese agent in May. She admitted to being paid to spread pro-Chinese government propaganda in the U.S., including an essay on her blog denying “forced labor” in China.

Source: FBI arrests alleged Chinese agent at LAX after she allegedly surveilled son of Taiwanese president – CBS News

By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.
Hebrews 11:11

Plague in Russia?

Russian authorities have sought to allay global worries over the death of a young woman who worked at a Siberian anti-plague laboratory. But moves to…

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3 dead after NBC Los Angeles news helicopter crashes near site of deadly bus crash in Chatsworth

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Replace Sydney Australia with Los Angeles

Three people were killed when an NBC Los Angeles helicopter crashed in the San Fernando Valley on Tuesday night near the scene of a deadly Metro bus crash in Chatsworth.  The crash happened just before 7 p.m. between two commercial buildings at a storage facility in the 9100 block of N. Mason Avenue, according to Los Angeles firefighters. The aircraft appeared to have landed on top of two shipping containers and several vehicles that were parked in the area.

Circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, but aerial footage showed Los Angeles firefighters working to fight the flames from a large fire that broke out after the crash and spread to the nearby vehicles.  Firefighters and Los Angeles police erected a canopy over one body after the fire was extinguished.  “We do have one confirmed patient that seemed to be outside of the helicopter when it crashed,” said LAFD Captain Branden Silverman. “That person was declared deceased on scene. … At this point, we have not confirmed how many victims, or how many people, were inside the helicopter.” LAFD officials later said that two other people were declared dead at the spot of the crash. Two other victims were taken to a local hospital in unknown condition, LAFD Captain Rico Gross said during a news conference late Tuesday night. The nature of their injuries was not immediately noted.

“The helicopter itself, it’s pretty well destroyed, so we are going to have to go through the rubble and see how many victims there were on board, as well as identify the helicopter,” Silverman said. Just before 9 p.m., NBC LA confirmed that the helicopter belonged to their station.  “We are deeply saddened to share that a helicopter providing aerial news coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 was involved in a fatal accident in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening,” said a statement from NBC LA and Telemundo 52. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives.”

NBC LA identified the two victims on board the helicopter as aerial news reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw.  Both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board were contacted to assist with the investigation, firefighters said. Los Angeles police are also investigating the crash.

Mayor Bass and Gov. Newsom speak on tragic day

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other city leaders spoke during the news conference.  “This is a very, very tragic day in Los Angeles,” Bass said while speaking during a news conference. “We lost five Angelenos today, and my hearts certainly go out to the families and friends to all of those that we lost. … This is a heartbreaking night for our city, and my thoughts and prayers are with first and foremost with the families and loved ones that we lost today.” 

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath called on Angelenos to support one another during such difficult times.  “Tonight is a time to care for the people who are hurting, to support our first responders and to stand together as a community,” Horvath said. “Chatsworth has experienced an incredibly difficult day. To everyone grieving, recovering or processing what they experienced today, we are here for you and we stand with you.” California Gov. Gavin Newsom also shared a message on Facebook late Tuesday.  “Our hearts are with the victims and families of tonight’s devastating Metro bus and helicopter crashes in Chatsworth, and with the entire NBC4 family.

Thank you to the first responders working tirelessly tonight,” Newsom’s post said. CBS LA anchors and reporters also spoke on the tragedy impacting the tight-knit news community in Los Angeles after the helicopter’s affiliation was confirmed.  “It was a double tragedy,” said CBS LA’s Desmond Shaw. “I don’t want the poor people that were caught in the bus crash today – I don’t want them to be forgotten either … I obviously just have to give my heartfelt condolences to NBC and the family members of the crew on board.” “Our hearts go out to all of them. This is when we all come together for something like this, even if you’ve never met the person,” CBS LA anchor Pat Harvey said.

“I want to say that we have each other’s backs.” That helicopter community is a small group of people, and it’s just devastating to know that this has happened to one of those people, to our friends and our colleagues at NBC4,” CBS LA assignment editor Mike Rogers said. “Our hearts are shattered with you.” This is a developing story. Check back for details.

Source: 3 dead after NBC Los Angeles news helicopter crashes near site of deadly bus crash in Chatsworth – CBS San Francisco

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 4:8

For God so Loved the World

“God loved you enough to send His Son, Jesus loved you enough to give His life, and through faith, you are offered a hope this world can never take…

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Coyote with extremely swollen face in Studio City rescued by wildlife advocates

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A coyote with an extremely swollen face, seen roaming a San Fernando Valley neighborhood, is now receiving treatment at a wildlife rescue.  When Barbara Perrin’s son recently spotted the coyote in Studio City, he called his mom to come help. “I don’t know how she was surviving for that long,” said Perrin.  She posted about the coyote on social media and quickly found out she had been surviving in this condition for an entire year. Perrin said that neighbors have been trying to help the animal, even naming her Wendy. 

“I had this sweet newspaper boy on the route, and he would text me pictures,” Perrin said. “He would put water for her and little scraps. People really cared about her, which was amazing to see.” Neighbors said the coyote has been roaming their Studio City community with a swollen face for about a year.  Wildlife Care of Southern California Perrin usually rescues cats and dogs with the nonprofit Saving Grace LA, not coyotes. She connected with someone at Wildlife Care of Southern California and learned that the organization had already been tracking Wendy, following leads from worried neighbors since mid-July. 

Southern California Pitbull Rescue also joined the effort by providing some cameras in two locations where the coyote had recently been spotted.  This week, they rescued Wendy. The Wildlife Rescue of Southern California shared updates of Wendy stretched out on some soft blankets after taking her medicine.  “Last I heard, they were letting her settle down and giving her antibiotics and getting a little bit of nourishment and health,” Perrin said.  It’s still unclear how Wendy developed the swelling on her face.

Some neighbors believe she may have been hit by a car. Perrin thinks she could have developed a really bad infection in her face. The community has donated thousands of dollars to Wildlife Care of Southern California for her medical care. “I think Wendy is a testament to so many people caring and wanting to help and reaching out,” Perrin said.

Source: Coyote with extremely swollen face in Studio City rescued by wildlife advocates – CBS Los Angeles

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Matthew 6:26

2 Timothy 3:12 

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted Paul was reminding Timothy that following Christ does not guarantee an easy life.…

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John 15:18–20

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as…

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Galatians 1:6-10

“When truth becomes negotiable, faith becomes vulnerable so know the Gospel, stand on God’s Word, and seek His approval above the world’s applause.” “I am astonished…

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Isaiah 45:2

“I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron,…

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Mother bear, 3 cubs freed after getting trapped in La Verne water tank

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A mother bear and her three cubs were rescued after becoming trapped inside a large water storage tank in La Verne Saturday, prompting a large response from firefighters and wildlife officials. Officials said the bears were in distress for hours before one of the cubs managed to escape on its own. First responders dubbed the effort “Operation Care Bear” after the bears spent more than 12 hours inside the tank. The rescue happened near Claremont Wilderness Park’s 5-Mile Loop Trail. Firefighters shared video of the rescue, which ended with three bears emerging from the tank. The bears had apparently squeezed through a 1-foot-wide opening in the concrete structure and became trapped inside.

Crews used a saw to cut a larger hole in the tank and lowered a ladder to help the animals escape. “They were exhausted, so it took a few minutes for the first cub to come out, then the second cub got out, and then finally the mother,” said Keith Navarre with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The bears were spotted around 8 a.m. Saturday by Glendora residents Eric McDonald and Jamie Kirk. “We climbed up top, and there’s a small hole and right away we see a bear staring at us, kind of holding on to the walls because it was full of water,” Kirk said. McDonald said he and Kirk were concerned about the animals’ condition. “We were just concerned that, certainly they had water, but they would get hungry and there’s no telling how long they’d been in there,” he said. Tyler Christensen and Bradney Boli also encountered the bears and recorded video of the bears inside the tank. “I just stuck my head in the hole. One was all tucked up on the top.

There’s like a little pole. They were just scared to death,” Christensen said. “I think the bears got very lucky because it would not be easy to hear that,” Boli said. California Department of Fish and Wildlife drained water from the tank before firefighters from La Verne and Los Angeles County assisted in the rescue. The bears may have been seeking water during the hot and humid weather. One of the three cubs escaped the tank before rescuers arrived. That cub has since been reunited with its family.

Source: Mother bear, 3 cubs freed after getting trapped in La Verne water tank – ABC7 Los Angeles

And said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.”
Luke 9:48

Proverbs 21:23

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. This verse emphasizes that people who carefully watch what they say will protect themselves from serious…

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Psalm 5:8

Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me. In the verse David is praying in the morning while people…

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Big Bear wildlife activists name eagle spotted with Shadow

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Bald eagle flying over mountain peaks at sunset

Wildlife activists on Thursday named the new eagle that has been spotted following Shadow through Big Bear’s treetops and skies. “Generally, Friends of Big Bear Valley does not give names to nest visitors unless they have been around long-term…until now,” the Friends of Big Bear Valley wrote in a Facebook post. FOBBV chose the name Kaydee after referring to the eagle as KD1 for the past week. Shadow’s new companion was spotted just days after his longtime mate, Jackie, died after nearly a month of health setbacks stemming from anemia and a mystery illness. Kaydee is a banded eaglet that hatched in the Prado Basin in Riverside County in 2021, according to field biologist Jenna Carpenter.

Her parents, named Ricky and Lucy, arrived in the Prado Basin 6 years ago and built a nest. KD hatched the second year, one of nine eagles who fledged here. She, like many eagles, is currently in Big Bear, which is normal behavior for young adults. “A lot of eagles just go to Big Bear to hang out for a while,” Carpenter said. “It’s not breeding season right now and so most of the eagles what they’re thinking about is being in good habitat with good food.” FOBBV said they aren’t sure if Kaydee is female but “are leaning towards” the eagle being female. Birdwatchers said Kaydee and Shadow have been flying around together for the past couple of days, flying to different trees and sometimes perching themselves on different branches for hours. 

Source: Big Bear wildlife activists name eagle spotted with Shadow – CBS Los Angeles

And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them.
Exodus 1:21

A study of the Mesha Stele

The Mesha Stele, also famously known as the Moabite Stone, is a 3-foot-tall black basalt monument dating back to circa 840 BCE. It is one of the most vital…

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Big Bear bald eagle Jackie rescued by Los Angeles wildlife officials after fight with other eagles

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A member of the beloved Big Bear bald eagle family was rescued by wildlife officials after it was involved in a fight, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley and the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation.  In a news release, LA County Parks officials said that the San Dimas Raptor Rescue team was dispatched to rescue an eagle at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Saturday. They made the more-than-two-hour trip to Big Bear and located the injured eagle, which was being monitored by San Bernardino County Fire Department personnel from Fire Station 96.  Friends of Big Bear Valley, the local nonprofit wildlife organization behind the famous Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam, says that an adult bald eagle was observed on the ground near Dana Point Park late Friday night near Dana Point Park, where it was also observed the prior day as well. 

“Later, that eagle was seen in a short ground altercation with two other subadult eagles,” FOBBV officials said in a social media post. “Cell phone video confirmed that the adult was able to fend off the other eagles by turning over and using its talons, but was unable to fly away.” A bald eagle swimming through water at Big Bear Lake. County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation After it was rescued, the eagle was taken to a rehabilitation facility that specializes in eagle care. LA County Parks officials shared a video that showed some steps of the rescue. “The adult eagle that we picked up was sick, very sick,” said a San Dimas Raptor Rescue official.

“There were no physical injuries, so we were able to do a quick assessment; look at her wings and stuff like that. There was nothing obvious, but she was very skinny and underweight.” The bird’s identity was initially unclear at the time of rescue, but FOBBV said that Jackie has not been seen on their 24/7 eagle nest cameras for several days. They said that Jackie, the so-called matriarch of Big Bear’s beloved bald eagle family, is not banded. They also noted that they’re unsure how many other bad eagles could be visiting the area at the time.  Later Sunday, they said that after reviewing photos and videos from the public and the rehabilitation center, the rescued eagle is “likely Jackie.”

“She is in the best place it can be and getting the care she needs,” said FOBBV’s statement. LA County Parks’ release said that they have been in communication with FOBBV regarding the eagle’s rescue and that she is currently being cared for at a facility in Ojai. The bald eagle rescued from Big Bear Lake by Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation San Dimas Raptor Rescue personnel. County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation Parks officials asked that the public refrain from contacting San Dimas Raptor Rescue for information or updates, as they would be shared by the appropriate organizations. Because bald eagles are a federally protected species, they require specialized rehabilitation permits that are issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and while the San Dimas Raptor Rescue can provide critical rescue services, bald eagles must be cared for by facilities that have “specific eagle rehabilitation authorization and expertise.”

On Tuesday morning, the Ojai Raptor Center said Jackie has more energy as she is eating well with assistance and is even picking up food on her own.  Tests showed that Jackie is anemic and has inflammation affecting her kidneys. They are unsure of the underlying issue causing these symptoms. X-rays did not show any fishing hooks, sinkers or other metal objects. The center is working with several specialist veterinarians to determine the best supportive care at this time.   

Source: Big Bear bald eagle Jackie rescued by Los Angeles wildlife officials after fight with other eagles – CBS Los Angeles

And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
1 John 2:28

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Second bird tests positive for West Nile virus in Ventura County

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close up of mosquito on human skin

For the second time this year, public health staff said a bird in Ventura County tested positive for West Nile virus. The Ventura County Environmental Health Division announced the discovery on Tuesday after receiving confirmation from the California Department of Public Health. County staff said they expect more positive cases to emerge throughout this year’s mosquito season.  Public health officials said they located both birds in the City of Ventura. The first was found on May 12, and the second was located more than two weeks later, on May 28.  Ventura County staff said they will inspect and treat mosquito breeding sources surrounding the area where they found the infected bird. 

They asked residents to take the following steps to minimize exposure to West Nile virus: 

  • Eliminate all standing water sources from your property.
  • Ensure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens without holes.
  • When outdoors, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts and limit activity, especially at dawn and dusk.
  • Use an EPA-approved insect repellent containing Picaridin, DEET, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (or PMD), or IR3535.

Ventura County Public Health confirmed that there have been no human cases of West Nile virus so far this year.

Source: Second bird tests positive for West Nile virus in Ventura County – CBS Los Angeles

Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool.
Proverbs 10:18

Choosing life amid a prenatal diagnosis

After losing their first baby to miscarriage, Alex and Sarah Kennedy were thrilled late last year to find out they were pregnant again. “We went in for our first ultrasound around eight weeks,” Sarah…

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Finding Truth and Life in Jesus

In a world filled with competing voices, confusing paths, and endless distractions, Jesus doesn’t simply show us the way He declares, ‘I am the way.’ When everything around you tries to pull your attention…

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Minor earthquake reported in southeast Ohio

A minor earthquake was logged in southeast Ohio on Monday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.  The USGS said that around 4:06 a.m., a 2.2-magnitude quake struck around seven kilometers north of New…

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Nearly 90 arrested after dozens of sports cars towed from LA River in Cypress Park

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lineup of sports cars on a race track

Nearly 90 people were arrested after dozens of sports cars were towed from the Los Angeles River in the Cypress Park neighborhood on Sunday evening.  LAPD officers said that they, along with personnel from other law enforcement agencies, swarmed the area at around 6 p.m. upon learning of the gathering. Aerial footage from around 7:20 p.m. showed a large gathering of vehicles in the riverbed near San Fernando Road.  Other vehicles were seen being driven from the riverbed in a single-file line, where some were loaded onto tow trucks. CBS LA Drivers who had gathered in the area told CBS LA that they were there for a car meetup, and that just over 100 vehicles were there when LAPD officers unexpectedly arrived to tell them they were trespassing.

“There’s a trespassing sign that’s really small, you can’t read it,” said Alexander Pimienta, one of the many drivers who were in attendance at the gathering. “We weren’t doing anything illegal, we weren’t doing anything stupid. … They towed my motorcycle, they’re towing trucks, they’re towing over 50 cars.”  Other video from the scene showed officers handing out what appeared to be citations or tickets, while some of the drivers were put in handcuffs. On Tuesday, LAPD officials told CBS LA that two people were arrested for felonies while 84 others were arrested for misdemeanors. They had 72 cars impounded on Sunday.

Source: Nearly 90 arrested after dozens of sports cars towed from LA River in Cypress Park – CBS Los Angeles

To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Proverbs 21:3

Reclaiming Attention From Distractions

Pip: Drink of Jesus has been asking a question your phone’s algorithm would really prefer you not think about: what if the thing eating your attention is the distraction? Mara: That’s the thread running through…

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Hope in the dark

Pip: A mountain village, a wandering stranger, a mother weaving a basket by the river — Drink of Jesus has been building a world where ancient scripture lands like it’s happening right now, and this…

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God as Your Ever-Present Help

You don’t have to carry this alone, He is your safe place and your help in every moment of need.  Bible Verse:God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present…

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Man killed in shooting at Universal City Park & Ride parking lot

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iconic universal studios globe under clear sky

A man was fatally shot in the parking lot near Universal Studios on Sunday morning, according to Los Angeles police.  Officers said that the shooting happened at around 11:20 a.m. near the Universal/Studio City Park & Ride parking lot in the 10800 block of Ventura Boulevard. By the time they arrived at the scene, the suspect had already fled the area.  Arriving first responders found the victim, only described as a man in his 40s, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics, police said. LAPD detectives say that the man was homeless and living at an encampment in the area. LAPD detectives did not provide information on the suspect or motive in the incident as their preliminary investigation got underway. They are unsure if the suspect is also homeless. “Detectives from Robbery Homicide Division Valley Bureau Section are actively canvassing the neighborhood for surveillance video and witnesses,” a news release from LAPD officers said on Monday. 

A Metro spokesperson shared a statement with CBS LA upon request, stating that the shooting was not related to their services and that it only happened in the surrounding area.

Source: Man killed in shooting at Universal CIty Park & Ride parking lot – CBS Los Angeles

For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD.
Proverbs 8:35

The Distraction of Fear

Fear has a way of making tomorrow feel more real than today. But you were never meant to live inside a future that hasn’t happened yet, you were called to…

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Too Busy to Hear God

You can be so busy doing things for God that you never stop long enough to hear from God. Sometimes the biggest distraction in your life isn’t rebellion, it’s simply…

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Who Has Your Attention?

Your attention is one of the most valuable things you own, and everyone wants a piece of it. The question isn’t whether something is getting your attention—the question is whether…

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80-year-old man stabbed to death in Tarzana neighborhood

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close up of barricade tape

An 80-year-old man was stabbed to death in a Tarzana neighborhood Wednesday morning. The Los Angeles Police Department said the deadly stabbing happened at about 9:30 a.m. in the 19200 block of Erwin Street. Officers found the man, who is about 80 years old, outside of a nearby home.  LAPD said the Los Angeles Fire Department took the victim to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.  Officers took a 44-year-old man into custody.  It’s unclear if the pair knew each other. LAPD said the deadly stabbing was an isolated incident. 

Source: 80-year-old man stabbed to death in Tarzana neighborhood – CBS Los Angeles

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
1 John 4:16

Finding Strength in God

You don’t have to carry this alone, He is your safe place and your help in every moment of need.  Bible Verse:God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to…

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Bird tests positive for West Nile Virus in Ventura County, according to health officials

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close up of mosquito biting human skin

Ventura County health officials on Tuesday confirmed that a local bird tested positive for West Nile Virus earlier in May.  In a news release shared by the Ventura County Environmental Health Division, officials said they received confirmation from the California Department of Public Health that a bird collected on May 12 from Ventura had tested positive for the virus.  “WNV is established in Ventura County and additional WNV positives are expected,” the release said. “This is the first detection of WNV activity this year in Ventura County.” To date, there have been no human cases of the virus reported. 

As part of the investigation, health officials said they would monitor for mosquito breeding sites in the area where the bird was collected and provide treatment if evidence of breeding was found.  In order to limit exposure to West Nile Virus, health officials offered several pieces of advice, including: eliminating standing water on property making sure that doors and windows have tight-fitted screens without holes wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk use Environmental Protection Agency-approved insect repellent containing Picaridin, DEET, Oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535.

West Nile Virus can affect humans and animals, like horses, the agency said. Earlier in May, officials advised the public that rising temperatures paired with increased rainfall would lead to peak mosquito season. They warned of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, otherwise known as an “ankle biter” mosquito, which is aggressive during the daytime and nighttime and can transmit viruses like dengue, Zika, Chikungunya and yellow fever.  Officials said that anyone wishing to report mosquitoes or breeding sources in Ventura County should call the mosquito complaint hotline at 805-658-4310. 

Source: Bird tests positive for West Nile Virus in Ventura County, according to health officials – CBS Los Angeles

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24

Faith Under Pressure

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Shepherds Who Neglect the Flock

The deepest wounds are often inflicted by those entrusted to care for our souls. But when earthly shepherds fail, the Good Shepherd never abandons His sheep. Son of man,…

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Bat found in Irvine Regional Park tests positive for rabies

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fruit bat feeding upside down in jungle

The Orange County Healthcare Agency said a bat found in Irvine Regional Park has tested positive for rabies. Public health officials said the bat was found at the park at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 24. They urged anyone who may have physically contacted the bat or seen someone else touch it to call the Communicable Disease Control Division at (714) 834-8180. Pet owners who believe their animals may have had contact with the bat should contact their veterinarian.  The OC Healthcare Agency said the rabies virus is found in an infected animal’s saliva.

It can be transmitted to people if they are bitten by a rabid animal. Public health staff said rabies can also be transmitted through contamination of the eyes, mouth or an open wound by the infected animal’s saliva; however, these cases are very rare.  OC Healthcare officials said most cases of human rabies in the U.S. have stemmed from bats, which have very small teeth, meaning their bites may go unnoticed. 

Source: Bat found in Irvine Regional Park tests positive for rabies – CBS Los Angeles

For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth.
Job 19:25

The Weight of Leadership

“A church can survive criticism, but it cannot thrive without integrity. When spiritual leaders forget they answer first to God, the flock always bears the wounds.” “Not many of you…

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Riverside County beekeeper loses 80 hives, millions of bees in Verona Fire

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bee perched on flower in macro photography

A Riverside County beekeeper says that last week’s Verona Fire, which broke out near Hemet and burned hundreds of acres, caused him to lose 80 hives and millions of bees.  Brandon Teller, of BeeDoctor Bee Removal, says the loss could have a critical impact on the region’s farmers and shoppers. “As the beekeeper, that’s devastating to me,” Teller said. He said that the small number of remaining bees at the apiary  Teller usually goes across Southern California, rescuing unwanted European honeybees, which he would then bring back to his property for care. Once healthy enough to return to work, he’d then rent them out to alfalfa and almond farmers to pollinate their crops. 

“We say, ‘Hey, we’ve got plenty of hives right here. They’re ready to go, they’ve got fresh queens and they’re hungry,'” Teller said. “Farmers love it.” He says that by losing three to four million bees, the impact will be felt across Southern California.  “Keeping bees and maintaining bees at this scale is what allows the farmer to produce food at a lower cost,” Teller said.  While he knows there’s a lot of work ahead, he says the main message taken away from the loss is fire prevention and conservation of California’s natural landscape. “The saying goes: This land is my land, this land is your land. It’s all of our land and we have to conserve it, we have to preserve it, we have to maintain it, and we have to do it responsibly,” Teller said. 

Source: Riverside County beekeeper loses 80 hives, millions of bees in Verona Fire – CBS Los Angeles

For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.
Philippians 1:23-24

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Roads near LAX closed as crews patch natural gas leak

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roadworks on street in town

A natural gas leak has closed parts of Sepulveda Boulevard and 96th Street near the Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday night.  The Los Angeles Fire Department said construction crews struck a six-inch gas line and water main, causing the leak. Firefighters said the Department of Transportation has closed the northbound side of Sepulveda Boulevard at Imperial Highway and both sides of 96th Street.  The LA Department of Water and Power and the gas company have sent crews to the area, but LAFD is unsure how long it will take to patch the gas line.

Source: Roads near LAX closed as crews patch natural gas leak – CBS Los Angeles

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
1 Peter 5:6

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Brush fire outside Dodger Stadium snarls traffic on 110 Freeway

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los angeles cityscape with dodger stadium at sunset

A brush fire near the 110 Freeway just outside Dodger Stadium caused “excessive delays into the downtown area” of Los Angeles, according to authorities. The Los Angeles Fire Department said the blaze was reported around 5:44 p.m. Saturday. It’s not yet clear what caused the fire, but it broke out near the southbound lanes of the 110 near Stadium Way. At 7:04 p.m., the LAFD said forward progress was stopped and responding crews were in the “mop up” phase. Between one and two acres burned. No injuries were reported or structures threatened. The LAFD said road and freeway closures were expected to take place, causing excessive traffic. As of 6:40 p.m. it’s not yet clear what, if any, closures have taken place.

Source: Brush fire outside Dodger Stadium snarls traffic on 110 Freeway – CBS Los Angeles

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3

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Pet cat faces off with wild coyote in Los Angeles County neighborhood

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majestic coyote posing in natural habitat

A security camera captured the intense encounter between a family’s pet cat and a wild coyote in a Los Angeles County neighborhood. Owner Debbie Beltran said she was shocked when she later saw her neighbor’s footage. “Holy cow, that’s our house, and that’s our cat,” she said. “That’s Mama. Oh my god!” Beltran said the face-off happened last Friday on the street in the Pico Rivera neighborhood. In the security camera video, Mama and the coyote square off for several seconds, with the pet cat rushing the wild animal, which is twice her size. It continues until Mama rushes up a neighbor’s tree  “She was pretty high up. She was just hidden in there,” Beltran said.

“She’s very smart because she knew where to go to get away with it.” The Pico Rivera family, who owns several cats, adopted Mama five years ago. She came to them pregnant, which is how she got her name. They said that while the video shocked them, they weren’t completely surprised that their feline was so fearless.  “She does what she wants,” Beltran said. “She’ll come out, and if there are any cats around, she’ll rumble.”

Source: Pet cat faces off with wild coyote in Los Angeles County neighborhood – CBS Los Angeles

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.
Isaiah 43:2

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Springs Fire now 95% contained in Moreno Valley after overnight work from firefighters

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blazing fire in the forest

Firefighters made significant progress on the Springs Fire overnight after it threatened Moreno Valley neighborhoods in an intense and rapidly developing situation on Friday. As of Cal Fire’s 6:45 p.m. update, the fire had burned 4,176 acres and was 95% contained. Containment was at 25% as of 10:10 p.m. Friday. Evacuation orders remained in place as of Saturday morning, according to Cal Fire. An evacuation map can be found here. The fire began at 11:01 a.m. at Gilman Springs Road and quickly spread due to “light flashy fuels,” according to Cal Fire. No cause has been revealed.

Powerful Santa Ana winds accelerated the blaze with gusts reaching as high as 70 miles per hour. Diminishing winds overnight, with more optimistic forecasts for Saturday, allowed firefighters to gain a greater hold on the fire. Those high-powered winds created difficult situations for firefighters and the fire approached neighborhoods in the evening hours. As of Saturday, no structures were damaged and no injuries were reported. As of Saturday morning, 260 personnel were assigned to the Springs Fire, including the deployment of two helicopters and 36 fire engines. Including Cal Fire, assisting crews include city fire departments from Hemet, Riverside, Palm Springs, Idyllwild and Corona, as well as Pechanga and Morongo.

Source: Springs Fire now 95% contained in Moreno Valley after overnight work from firefighters – CBS Los Angeles

And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’
Acts 22:7

State records show 89 hospice companies at one Los Angeles office plaza. We went to look for ourselves.

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man wearing a hospital gown sitting on the bed

Advocates said the Van Nuys building looked like an example of “clustering” — a red flag for hospice fraud.

Source: State records show 89 hospice companies at one Los Angeles office plaza. We went to look for ourselves. – CBS News

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Casitas Fire reported in Los Angeles County on March 7

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flames wallpaper

First discovered: 9:58 a.m. March 7

Source: Breaking: Casitas Fire reported in Los Angeles County on March 7 | Fresno Bee

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound.
Isaiah 61:1

Swatting call prompts lockdown at medical center in western Wisconsin

Rice Lake, Wisconsin, police officers are investigating after a swatting incident at the Marshfield Medical Center Thursday afternoon.  Officials say the medical center received a phone call around 2 p.m., stating that two men were enroute to shoot up the hospital. Officers from the Red Lake Police Department and the Barron County Sheriff’s Office arrived…

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“The Shot Heard Round the World”: The Battles of Lexington and Concord

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I’m a hot sleeper with no AC; 3 tools helping me beat the heat

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The Story of America; An introduction to America

The White House Salute to America 250 Task Force has partnered with Hillsdale College to provide a history series that tells the remarkable story of American Independence. It will highlight the stories of the crucial characters and events that resulted in a small rag-tag army defeating the mightiest empire in the world and establishing the…

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‘Second-class citizens’: Angel Families describe two-tiered justice system for illegal immigrants

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Elitist Media SILENT as Minnesota Pardons a Violent Sexual Predator

The partisan nature of the Elitist Media’s news coverage even trickles down to how pardons are covered. Any pardon issued by President Donald Trump will immediately raise the media’s hackles and draw significant coverage. Controversial pardons by Democrats? Not so much. Per The New York Post: Minnesota officials, including Democrat Gov. Tim Walz, last month…

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