By Libor Jany An interim Los Angeles police chief could be named as early as this week, as city decision-makers are beginning to feel the crunch of picking a temporary successor for outgoing leader Michel Moore, who is set to depart at the end of the month. The Board of Police Commissioners, the LAPD’s civilian policymaking body, is set to discuss the hiring of an interim chief at its regular weekly meeting Tuesday at police headquarters. After hearing from members of the public, the commission will go into closed session for “Discussion and possible Board action” on the matter, according to an agenda…
Author: SBE Staff
By Aaron Katersky As many as 70 current and former New York City public housing employees were charged Tuesday with accepting kickbacks from contractors in exchange for awarding city contracts, federal prosecutors in New York said. “We were trying to send a message with a 70-person takedown,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in announcing the arrests in six states and all five boroughs. Superintendents and assistant superintendents at about 100 New York City public housing buildings collectively took $2 million in kickbacks from contractors in exchange for being awarded small jobs under $10,000 that did not require a bid. “This…
Get ready to press play on the latest Spotlight Dorado lineup of short films from rising Latino and Hispanic filmmakers. Starting today, audiences nationwide can visit SpotlightDorado.com to immerse themselves in three distinct projects stemming from the latest edition of the short film contest. The finalists are: Marissa Díaz’s adventure-filled Mexican standoff, “Fancy Florez’s Summer Staycation,” Kryzz Gautier’s virtual reality romance, “Chimera,” and Pablo Riesgo’s satire sci-fi, “Cuando Volvimos A La Tierra.” Fans can vote for their favorite film until February 11 to help determine the grand prize winner. “Fancy Florez’s Summer Staycation” by Marissa DíazFor ten-year-old Fancy Florez, it’s all in the name. She wants the finer things…
Filmmakers and Studios Continue to Embrace the Vital Role PAFF Plays as a Key Platform for Reaching Black Audiences and Premiering Black Films LOS ANGELES – The Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) continues to be the premiere International Black Film Festival to “Inspire” indie filmmakers and showcase Black cinema from around the world. This year’s festival is bigger and better than ever with three red carpet world premieres including the Opening Night film A Hip Hop Story, starring Affion Crockett, Cedric the Entertainer, Lil Rel Howery, and Wayne Brady, the powerful Ethiopian war film, For the Love of the Motherland which will screen as…
OS ANGELES – Ten people were arrested in multiple cities over the past day in relation to two federal indictments charging members of an organized crime syndicate who allegedly conspired to traffic and import hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and other controlled substances from Mexico through Los Angeles for export to Canada or re-distribution throughout the United States. Arrest and search warrants were executed this morning by a coalition of international law enforcement partners in various cities, including Los Angeles; Sacramento, California; Miami; Odessa, Texas; and the Canadian cities of Montreal, Toronto and Calgary. In addition to those arrested, two defendants…
By Louisa Loveluck and Missy Ryan For U.S. troops under fire from Iran-linked groups in Iraq and Syria, the military mission that brought them to the Middle East is largely complete, experts say. Whether and when to withdraw them is more complicated — an issue that has taken on greater urgency after three U.S. service members were killed in a drone attack in Jordan on Sunday. The roughly 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria are described by U.S. officials as part of an operation to keep the Islamic State from regaining a foothold in the region. But with the jihadist group…
The Hatami for Los Angeles District Attorney campaign announced a sum of $552,139.49 in total contributions – without any personal candidate contributions or loans – received through the December 31, 2023, and January 20, 2024 fundraising reporting periods. “I’m a long-time county prosecutor, military veteran, and father of two who came from humbled beginnings and put myself through college with financial aid, pell grants and the GI Bill. Roxanne and I bought our home through the VA Home Loan program, we are products of public school, and our children attend public school,” said Hatami. “I didn’t enter this race with…
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Karen Bass and the City of Los Angeles are gearing up for a momentous celebration of African American Heritage Month. The Our Authors Study Club, Inc., is proud to present the awards ceremony on Friday, February 2nd at 11:00 am on the front lawn of LA City Hall. This highly anticipated event will honor remarkable individuals who have made significant contributions in media, entertainment, arts, academia, business, medicine, government, and the nonprofit sector. Hosted by Ashley McKay from ABC 7 Eyewitness News, this year’s African American Heritage Month celebration promises to be a memorable occasion filled with joy and appreciation for the rich African American heritage. After a challenging…
By Andrew Sheeler The Civil War ended 159 years ago, but the language used by the secessionists who started it lives on today, most recently in a statement from Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. In a statement issued last week, Abbott said that “the federal government has broken the compact between the United States and the states” and announced that he was deploying the Texas National Guard and other state public safety personnel to “secure the Texas border.” It’s the word “compact” that draws concern from some, as that is how seven of the 11 seceding states (including Texas) referred…
By Emily Rauhala and Steve Hendrix THE HAGUE — The International Court of Justice on Friday ordered Israel to do more to prevent the killing and harm of civilians in Gaza but did not call for a cease-fire, disappointing Palestinians who had hoped the court would endorse their pleas for immediate relief from the violence. At a closely watched hearing at The Hague’s Peace Palace, the court’s president read out its order and reasoning, confirming that the ICJ has jurisdiction in the landmark case brought by South Africa and arguing that there is an urgent need for measuresbecause of the plausibility of genocide. It called…