Empleado herido en robo a negocio en Santa Mónica

The California Supreme Court has declined to review the case of Kenneth Earl Gay, a 68-year-old man serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the 1983 murder of Los Angeles Police Department Officer Paul Verna during a traffic stop in Lake View Terrace. The decision, announced Wednesday, marks a significant step toward finality in a case that has spanned more than four decades and multiple trials.

In an April 9 ruling, a three-justice panel from California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal upheld Gay’s conviction, rejecting defense claims that jurors were improperly instructed and that a trial judge erred in denying three motions to dismiss. The defense did not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the conviction.

Gay was convicted in August 2023 of first-degree murder for the June 2, 1983, shooting death of Officer Paul Verna, a married father of two young sons who both later became police officers. Jurors found true special circumstance allegations of murder of a peace officer in the performance of his duties and murder to avoid or prevent a lawful arrest, but could not reach a unanimous verdict on the allegation that Gay personally used a gun during the crime.

The case has a long and tortuous history. Gay was originally convicted and sentenced to death in 1985, but the California Supreme Court overturned that conviction in 1998, finding he had not received constitutionally adequate representation.

A second death sentence in 2000 was also overturned in 2008, with the court ruling that the trial judge improperly barred Gay from presenting significant mitigating evidence. In 2020, the state Supreme Court sent the case back for a retrial of the guilt phase, again citing ineffective assistance of counsel.

During the retrial, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, under then-District Attorney George Gascón, opted not to seek the death penalty. However, Superior Court Judge Hayden Zacky rejected a bid by Gascón’s office to dismiss the special circumstance allegations, and in November 2023, sentenced Gay to life without parole.

Judge Zacky said the victim’s family had suffered “immeasurable” pain and expressed hope that the case would not be tried again, while acknowledging an appeal was likely.

Prosecutors argued that Gay and his accomplice, Raynard Cummings, had been engaged in a series of violent robberies in the San Fernando Valley when Officer Verna pulled them over. Cummings fired the first shot, prosecutors said, and then Gay emerged from the car, shot Verna three times in the back, and fired two more shots as the officer lay on the ground.

Cummings was also convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death.

Defense attorney Monnica Thelen argued that Cummings was the sole shooter and that Gay had nothing to do with the murder. She called the case “severely lacking” and urged jurors not to let evidence of robberies inflame their passions.

At the sentencing hearing, the victim’s widow, Sandy Jackson, described the killing as an assassination and said her husband, a U.S. Air Force veteran and Medal of Valor recipient, is missed every day.

The officer’s sons, Ryan and Bryce Verna, both now retired LAPD officers, spoke of the devastation left by their father’s murder. Bryce Verna called it “repulsive” that Gay would not be executed, while Ryan noted he was only 4 years old when his father was “executed in cold blood.”

The California Supreme Court’s refusal to review the case brings the legal saga closer to an end, but the possibility of further appeals remains.

The state of California has secured a significant extension of federal housing assistance for survivors of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. Under an approval received today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) financial housing assistance period for eligible homeowners through July 9, 2027.

Additionally, FEMA approved a three-month extension for eligible renters, now running through October 9, 2026.

“Recovery takes time, and for many Los Angeles fire survivors, significant challenges remain,” said California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs. “This extension will provide critical stability for families as they navigate insurance claims, secure contractors, and work to rebuild their homes.

We appreciate FEMA’s recognition of the extraordinary circumstances survivors continue to face and remain committed to working alongside our federal and local partners to support every community through recovery.”

As of June 12, 2026, FEMA reported that more than 35,000 households have received assistance through the Individuals and Households Program, with over $177 million awarded to eligible survivors. The agency also noted that more than 1,200 households have received Continued Temporary Housing Assistance since the disaster.

California continues to lead an all-of-government effort to help communities recover and rebuild. Since the fires, Governor Gavin Newsom has issued more than two dozen executive orders to accelerate recovery, cut red tape, support rebuilding efforts, and restore critical infrastructure.

State and local partners have completed one of the largest and fastest debris removal operations in California history. The state has expanded direct support for survivors, including making more than $100 million available through the CalAssist Mortgage Fund to help homeowners remain housed while they recover.

Additional protections and resources continue to support impacted families and communities throughout the rebuilding process.

The FEMA extension will help ensure eligible survivors have the time, stability, and resources needed to continue rebuilding and transition into permanent housing. California will continue working closely with FEMA, local governments, community organizations, and federal partners to support survivors and advance the long-term recovery of Los Angeles communities impacted by the fires.

Approximately 25,000 gallons of crude oil were spilled during the May 22 drilling incident in Los Angeles, according to LA County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella. This revised figure is nearly ten times the 2,400 gallons originally reported by county agencies.

A spokesperson from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) stated that the initial estimate was based on visual observations made by first responders and reported to the California Office of Emergency Services. However, further assessment conducted by the pipeline operator led to the revision of the discharge volume.

Pestrella described the incident as one of the largest oil spills into the Los Angeles River in recent history during a June 9 meeting with the LA County Board of Supervisors. The spill forced road closures for days, killed wildlife, and sent oil into storm drains and the LA River.

On June 18, South Coast AQMD sent notices of violations to Arcadian Infracom, HP Communications, and Camarillo Drilling. Regulators noted that odors from the spill affected nearby communities.

The scale of the spill has prompted ongoing calls for more transparency from residents and community groups.

In a June 22 email to the office of County Supervisor Hilda Solis, the Maravilla Community Advisory Committee (MCAC) called for a community town hall and greater access to environmental testing results, public health guidance, and cleanup updates.

According to South Coast AQMD, inspectors responded to three public complaints on the day of the spill, reporting strong petroleum odors, including one from Esteban E. Torres High School.

Inspectors later confirmed the odors originated from the oil spill site at the intersection of Eastern and Cesar Chavez Avenues. As cleanup efforts were underway that week, the agency received seven additional complaints related to petroleum odors and air quality in the area.

The LA County Department of Public Health warned that odors may have caused or worsened headaches, nausea, dizziness, eye, nose, or throat irritation, and breathing problems such as asthma symptoms. A South Coast AQMD rule and the California Health and Safety Code prohibit emissions that cause injury, nuisance, or annoyance to the public.

Notices of violations can result in civil penalties, but if no settlement with responsible parties is reached, a civil lawsuit may be filed. South Coast AQMD identified Camarillo Drilling as the company responsible for rupturing the pipeline during a fiber-optic installation project.

Arcadian Infracom served as the project management company overseeing the work. The oil spill and its aftermath remain under investigation.

The LA County Department of Economic Opportunity announced on June 12 that it would offer guidance to people and businesses submitting claims. According to the pipeline operator, examples of claims that may be considered include property damage, business interruption or loss of access, cleanup or remediation expenses, equipment, vehicle or inventory damage, and other documented costs directly related to the incident.

Callers will be prompted to leave their name and contact information in a voicemail for a representative to return the call.

Beachgoers across Los Angeles County are being urged to stay out of the water at several popular spots due to elevated bacteria levels. County health officials announced closures Wednesday for Mother's Beach in Marina del Rey, Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, and the area around the Santa Monica Pier after recent tests showed contamination above state standards, increasing the risk of illness.

However, there is some good news for beach lovers: Bel Air Bay at Will Rogers State Beach has reopened after retesting confirmed the water is safe for swimming. Residents are encouraged to check an updated map and a 24-hour hotline for the latest beach conditions before heading to the coast.

The closures come as part of routine water quality monitoring conducted by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Officials advise that swimming in contaminated water can cause gastrointestinal illness, eye and ear infections, and skin rashes.

The health department will continue testing and will lift advisories once bacteria levels return to safe limits.

A Riverside County man has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder after allegedly carjacking a driver at knifepoint and then fleeing police by crashing through a crowd in Culver City, injuring 10 people. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced the charges on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

Juan Luis Estrada, 45, of Perris, faces more than a dozen charges, including one count of carjacking, evading police, and felony hit-and-run, according to Culver City Police spokesperson Jennifer Atenza. The incident occurred on June 16, when Estrada allegedly carjacked a person in downtown Los Angeles before driving to Culver City.

Security camera footage shows the suspect driving between two gas stations and deliberately ramming people with the stolen vehicle, Atenza said. The victims range in age from 15 to 70 years old.

An officer also sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the pursuit.

Police began chasing Estrada after a victim reported his license plate number, which was later flagged by an automatic license plate reader. Officers eventually apprehended Estrada, and video shows officers had to hogtie him during the arrest.

Estrada is being held at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles on $10.25 million bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 6 at Hollywood Superior Court.