Good evening! We’re wrapping up the day for you with the most important stories you need to know and your weather outlook.
Your Weather Planner
The heat will back up a few degrees Wednesday, but it will be paired with more tropical cloud cover.
There could be more moisture increasing, leading to chances for showers.
Thunderstorms remain for the mountains through the end of the week.
Tomorrow’s Highs
Introducing Spectrum News+
Watch the latest news from across the country.
Today’s Big Stories
1. Judge rejects Menendez brothers’ bid for new trial
Erik and Lyle Menendez, who last month were denied in their bids for parole after serving more than three decades in prison for the 1989 shotgun slayings of their parents in Beverly Hills, have now lost their bid for a new trial.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge William Ryan issued a ruling late Monday rejecting a 2023 petition filed by the brothers’ attorneys, who argued that new evidence surrounding alleged sexual abuse at the hands of their father should warrant a new trial for the pair.
Ryan ruled that the new evidence likely would not have resulted in a different decision by a jury.
The ruling was the latest setback for the brothers and many of their relatives, who have been working to secure their release. With bids for parole and a new trial falling short, they are now left with only a long-shot request they submitted to Gov. Gavin Newsom in hopes that he will grant them clemency.
The two brothers were initially sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the Aug. 20, 1989, shotgun killings of Jose and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez. The Menendez brothers claim the killings were committed after years of abuse, including alleged sexual abuse by their father.
2. Hearing set for LA City Councilman Curren Price on public corruption charges
A judge Tuesday set a Nov. 3 court date for a hearing to begin on whether there is sufficient evidence to require Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price to stand trial in an alleged public corruption case.
The 74-year-old councilman from the Ninth District — who appeared in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom — is charged with five counts of grand theft by embezzlement of public funds, four counts of conflict of interest and three counts of perjury by declaration.
The hearing in November is expected to last numerous days.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Sean D. Coen rejected a challenge from the defense contesting the legal sufficiency of the complaint against Price, who was initially charged in June 2023 with 10 felony counts. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office subsequently added two new charges in August against the city councilman.
Price’s attorney, Michael Schafler, issued a statement calling the addition of new charges “nothing more than an attempt to pile on to a weak case.”
3. LA council OKs 6-month extension for Interim Fire Chief Villanueva
In a unanimous vote, the Los Angeles City Council Tuesday extended the contract for Interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva to serve for an additional six months while city officials conduct a nationwide search for a permanent leader.
Mayor Karen Bass appointed Villanueva as the interim fire chief in February, days after she demoted former Fire Chief Kristin Crowley for alleged leadership failures related to the January wildfires.
Villanueva previously served with the Los Angeles Fire Department for 41 years, climbing through the ranks to chief deputy. He held special duty assignments such as captain at Drill Tower 89, battalion chief in the Community Liaison Office, and assistant chief of homeland security for the Port of Los Angeles.
He had retired several months ago as chief deputy of emergency operations before taking up the call from Mayor Bass to lead the department amid turmoil.
“…Know that for the LAFD, my main priority is to provide the best safety professionalism to the public that we serve,” Villanueva said.
4. Donkey recovering after latest arrow attack on wild burros in California
A wild burro dubbed Cupid is recovering from surgery after being shot with an arrow in what officials say is the latest in a series of a half-dozen attacks since June on donkeys that roam semirural areas of inland Southern California.
The 2-year-old female burro was spotted last Wednesday with a blue arrow protruding from her right shoulder as she wandered with a herd in the foothills of Moreno Valley, about 65 miles east of Los Angeles.
Animal services and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department responded and helped bring the wounded animal in for an emergency procedure to remove the arrowhead. The projectile had punctured the burro’s right lung, said Chad Cheatham, vice president of DonkeyLand, a nonprofit rescue organization.
“Right now she’s stable and is standing, which is a huge improvement,” Cheatham said Monday. When Cupid is fully recovered, she will join a group of rescued burros who meander DonkeyLand’s 2,000-acre sanctuary and wildlife preserve.
Authorities found Cupid shot with an arrow on her chest. (Courtesy DonkeyLand)
Your Notes for Tomorrow
- U.S. TikTok ban comes into force again following extension
- Interest rate decision
- Donald Trump continues visit to the UK
- Latin GRAMMY Awards nominations announced
- Man convicted of 1990 murder of parents- and sister-in-law scheduled for execution (Florida)
- Northrop Grumman 23rd commercial resupply mission arrives at ISS
In Case You Missed It
Festivalgoers are seen during the first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Indio, Calif. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Festival promoter Goldenvoice released the lineup Monday for the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
Click the link above for more information.