Massive Oil Spill in Los Angeles River Far Worse Than First Thought

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.

In a move that athletic director John Janzen described as a rare opportunity, Wilson High School has hired longtime Long Beach State coach Jenny Hilt-Costello to lead the Bruins’ girls’ tennis program. Hilt-Costello spent 28 years as head coach at Long Beach State, where she led the program to 13 Big West Tournament titles, nine Big West regular season titles, and 13 NCAA Tournament appearances.

The nine-time Big West Coach of the Year now takes over a historic Bruins tennis program as the school prepares to enter its centennial year.

“I love coaching—you don’t do it for 30 years if you don’t have a passion for it,” Hilt-Costello said. “I just had an urge to get back on the court.

It’s obviously a different experience and level, but that’s what I’m looking forward to—being back in the community and giving these girls a real positive experience.”

Last month, Hilt-Costello filed a lawsuit against Long Beach State alleging age discrimination as part of her exit from the school, where she was the most accomplished coach in the program’s history. She declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Regardless of the circumstances, her hiring is a significant gain for Wilson.

In addition to her coaching success, Hilt-Costello was a standout player at UCLA and helped lead the team to the 1991 NCAA championship match. She learned about the opening from a college teammate whose son attends Wilson.

“She called me and said ‘they’re looking for a girls’ tennis coach,’ and it all started there,” Hilt-Costello said. “It was just about getting back to the community for me.

This is a whole new domain, totally different than college tennis—there’s a big learning curve.”

Hilt-Costello said she has not yet had much time with the team due to the clearance process, but in an initial meeting the girls seemed as excited as she was. “Ultimately they’re the engine that’s going to drive this—their expectations for themselves and what they want to achieve,” she said.

“I’m excited about it.”

Authorities in Pasadena seized approximately 10,000 pounds of illegal fireworks, including improvised explosive devices, after executing a search warrant at a property linked to a suspected gang-run fireworks operation in Los Angeles County, police announced Tuesday.

The warrant was served Friday at 6316 Whittier Blvd. by the Pasadena Police Department’s Street Crime Unit and the Pasadena Fire Department’s Arson Investigation Team, city officials said.

Investigators discovered illegal explosive fireworks stored at the location, intended for distribution in Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley cities, officials stated. The cache also included a large amount of marijuana products, an unregistered firearm with high-capacity magazines, and documents indicating sales of illegal fireworks.

Four individuals were arrested in connection with the investigation, and additional arrests may follow, according to Pasadena officials at a Tuesday news conference.

Officials believe this is the largest fireworks seizure ever in the Pasadena area. Photos released by authorities show the seized fireworks, along with the gun and magazines.

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo emphasized the operation removed a significant threat, especially in communities vulnerable to wildfires. “This was a very coordinated effort,” Gordo said.

“It removed lots of fireworks that could be harmful to not just individuals but communities given the experiences we’ve had in the past with fires.”

The investigation is ongoing and is believed to be tied to a criminal street gang enterprise that smuggles fireworks from Nevada, officials said.

Junior Dorean Arnold, a multi-sport athlete at Los Angeles High School, competes in football, basketball, and track and field. In basketball, he helped the Romans achieve a 14-10 overall record and an 11-0 Metro League record.

Basketball is a family tradition; his father played for the Romans, and his brothers competed for Hamilton, Dorsey, and View Park. "It’s kind of like our family sport, but we’re also just an athletic, athlete family," Arnold said.

"Sports is in our DNA." Arnold plays point guard in basketball and serves as a wide receiver and cornerback in football. Football and basketball enhance his athleticism and footwork.

He values football for the camaraderie with friends and the lesson in perseverance. "Never give up, if we’re down or up big, at the end of the day, this is a team sport," he said.

"There’s people leaving and just to take in the time and to actually want to win for your team and for your friends." As a student athlete, Arnold balances schoolwork with team obligations. Athletic director and boys’ basketball coach Andrew Hunter noted Arnold’s leadership: "I had [Arnold] in my World History class last year.

He would help with organizing the class, get them into groups," Hunter said. "He’s really taking on a role of being a coach on the floor." Arnold took Advanced Placement English and U.S.

History during his junior year. "I feel like it’s more than just a name," he said.

"It’s important to be able to handle sports all year and be able to get good grades and just have fun." In track and field, he runs the 100m and 200m sprints and has relay experience. Track helps with stretching, speed, flexibility, and core strength.

Balancing academics and athletics is challenging, especially with basketball’s daily practices and multiple games per week. "Handling the school work and making sure my body is right and I’m not tired every day," Arnold said.

"Just to be able to go up, wake up, go to school and then go to practice and then have a game."