Headlines From The Times

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges in a New York courtroom Monday, marking his first appearance since U.S. forces seized him and his wife from their bedroom in Caracas late Friday night. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Monday that he is issuing a letter of censure to Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly for participating in a video urging U.S. soldiers to uphold the Constitution. And in other Washington news, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Monday he will not run for a third term. In California, record-setting rain continues, though sunny skies are expected by the weekend. In business, California is weighing a one-time 5% tax on billionaires and their trusts, and Tesla has been overtaken as the world’s top electric vehicle seller by China’s BYD. Read more at LATimes.com.

The United States military presence is growing in the Caribbean, with the Southern Command estimating about 15,000 personnel in the region, as tensions continue to build with Venezuela. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., fallout continues after President Trump added his name to the Kennedy Center — jazz supergroup The Cookers are pulling out of their New Year's Eve show there. Also, the National Guard is no longer in Los Angeles, but they’re patrolling New Orleans —  exactly one year after a New Year's Day attack on Bourbon Street that took the lives of 14 people. In California, the New Year is bringing a new round of rain to the southern part of the state, but even bad weather can't stop the 137th Rose Parade from marching through downtown Pasadena. And as people around the world ring in 2026, there will be partying, but also introspection and reflection; at a New Year's event in Sydney, Australia, a moment of silence – representing a nation's path towards healing — took place to remember the victims of a recent anitsemitic terrorist attack. Read more at LATimes.com.

President Trump said Monday that the U.S. “hit” an alleged drug facility along a shoreline as he escalates pressure on Venezuela. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security launched a fraud investigation in Minneapolis, targeting suspects accused of stealing billions in government funds. In California, the DMV rolled out a new pilot program aimed at cracking down on reckless driving, with added penalties for motorists clocked at more than 100 miles per hour. The state also became the first in the nation to require folic acid in most tortilla and corn masa products, a move aimed at reducing birth defects. And in sports, the Rams fell 27–24 to the Falcons on Monday night, sliding to the No. 6 seed in the NFC heading into the playoffs. Read more at LATimes.com.

President Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago on Monday. The talks focused on securing a U.S.-backed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Over the weekend, Trump also worked to advance a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, speaking by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday before welcoming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to his Palm Beach, Florida, club later that day. Meanwhile, Paramount’s hostile bid to buy Warner Bros. continues. Last week, the deal gained backing from Larry Ellison, father of Paramount CEO David Ellison, who said he would guarantee more than $40 billion in equity. In California, the state has lost more than a quarter of its immigration judges this year. Some retired, while others were terminated without advance notice, adding pressure to an already overburdened court system. And Southern California is facing another week of extreme weather. After days of storms, forecasters are warning of high winds up to 65 miles per hour through Tuesday. Read more at LATimes.com.

The suspect in the recent Brown and MIT shootings was found dead on Thursday night. Meanwhile, for millions of Americans who buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, the clock is ticking; open enrollment for 2026 coverage is still open, but many shoppers are feeling sticker shock. Also, the Kennedy Center board votes to include President Trump’s name in the organization’s title. And, Ford's exhibit, "American Icon: A Mustang Immersive Experience," is now in L.A. Could it boost sales among Gen Z consumers? In business, the Port of Los Angeles is closing a busy 2025, but officials expect trade to fall off next year, and Elon Musk's SpaceX eyes a possible record initial public offering.

The board of Warner Bros. Discovery rejects Paramount's hostile bid. Meanwhile, Nick Reiner appeared for the first time in Los Angeles Superior Court and was denied bail. And for nearly a year, Times reporters have been covering the rebuilding efforts in Pacific Palisades, following the devastating fires that destroyed thousands of homes. Meanwhile, Times reporters are reporting that four alleged members of a child sex abuse network have been charged; investigators say the group, CVLT, is mostly dismantled, but has splintered into another entity. Also, some exciting news for sports fans: it may be a bit easier to score tickets to the World Cup in 2026, with a new supporter entry tier for tickets at a fixed rate of $60. And, just up the 101 in Santa Barbara, the city's newspaper, the Santa Barbara News-Press, is back and with a new editor. In business, experts are saying L.A. County's $700 million estimate to retrofit its old headquarters is grossly inflated, and Instacart is facing backlash following an AI experiment that charged customers different prices for the same items.

The suspected gunmen of an antisemitic terrorist attack in Australia are a father and son, reportedly inspired by ISIS. In the U.S., the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.6%, the highest it's been in four years. Meanwhile, in Texas, the state is moving to expand conservative student clubs in public high schools, with Governor Greg Abbott emphasizing his support for Turning Point USA. Also, in Southern California, forecasters are monitoring a strong storm that's expected to reach the coast on December 23rd and last through Christmas Day. And, new reporting is showing the impact of Brendan Carr's leadership at the Federal Communications Commission on San Francisco-based station KCBS and beyond. In business, the company behind Roomba files for bankruptcy, and an Amazon warehouse near LAX sells for a record price.

Hollywood is mourning the death of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner; their son, Nick Reiner, was arrested soon after on suspicion of homicide. Meanwhile, federal authorities say they stopped a New Year's Eve terror attack, targeting Los Angeles area businesses, arresting four people involved in the plot. In California, a growing teacher shortage is being made worse by a new Trump administration policy requiring employers to pay a one-time sponsorship fee for new H-1B work visas for international workers. And on the first night of Hanukkah, the Pacific Palisades community stood together for their 38th menorah lighting. In sports, the Los Angeles Rams rallied to beat the Detroit Lions and clinch a playoff berth. In business, homeowners who lost their houses in January’s LA wildfires say banks are denying or limiting mortgage forbearance, despite a state law promising up to a year of relief, and the podcast industry is being reshaped by a surge of AI-generated shows.

A federal judge rules that the Trump administration must withdraw the National Guard from Los Angeles, saying the deployment is no longer lawful. Australia becomes the first country to ban social media use for anyone under 16. The Federal Reserve issues its third interest rate cut of the year. Another court orders the release of Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 grand jury records under the new transparency law. The Trump administration proposes a settlement that could remove millions from the SAVE student loan plan, while Congress extends the Secure Rural Schools Act. Candidate Tom Steyer opposes both Netflix’s and Paramount’s proposed acquisitions of Warner Bros. Discovery. Heavy fog disrupts travel across California’s Central Valley. In business, a major appliance chain abruptly closes, leaving customer orders in limbo, and personal finance columnist Liz Weston explains why everyone should have a will.