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Actress Leah Remini files lawsuit against Church of Scientology, leader David Miscavige

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:53 GMT

Leah Remini has stepped up her years-long battle against the Church of Scientology. The actress filed a lawsuit on Wednesday in a Los Angeles superior court against the church and its current leader, David Miscavige. Remini made the announcement in a statement on Substack."After 17 years of harassment, intimidation, surveillance, and defamation, I am filing a lawsuit against Scientology and David Miscavige," she wrote. The point of the lawsuit is to require the church "and any entity it controls and funds, to cease and desist its alleged practice of harassment, defamation an other unlawful conduct against anyone who Scientology has labeled as an 'enemy.'"She's also seeking compensation for what she claims "Scientology has inflicted on her and her career."Leah Remini arrives at night one of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sept. 14, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)The former "King of Queens" star further explained in her statement that spe...

Small plane crashes at Van Nuys Airport; 2 killed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:53 GMT

A small plane crashed and burst into flames at the Van Nuys Airport Wednesday morning, killing two people aboard the aircraft.The crash was reported at 10:37 a.m., and shortly after responders arrived at the scene in the 16300 block of Waterman Drive, they put out the blaze, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department."Fire crews quickly extinguished the flames, but, sadly, both occupants on board were found to be deceased," the LAFD added.Footage shared to the Citizen app showed a dark plume of smoke rising from the area.Aerial footage captured by Sky5 showed a large amount of fire retardant around the scorched aircraft.Firefighters extinguished a plane fire in Van Nuys on Aug. 2, 2023. (KTLA)The victims have not been identified and the cause of the crash is unknown, but the Federal Aviation Administration said preliminary information indicates the craft was a single-engine CSA SportCruiser.The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.Nancy Fontan contributed...

All National Parks will be free to enter on Friday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:53 GMT

Entrance fees at all of America's national parks will be waived on Friday, in honor of the anniversary of the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act.The Great American Outdoors Act passed in 2020, clearing the way for increased funding, expanded recreation and infrastructure improvements in the National Park system and other public lands.Friday is one of five days this year designated by the National Park Service as a fee-free day. This week's fee-free day is the first since April 22, which celebrated the first day of National Park Week.Entrance to the parks is free, but does not cover amenities inside the park, including camping, boat launches and tours.Bear Gulch Reservoir in Pinnacles National Park. (Getty Images)There are more than 400 park sites that are available to visit every day, including 63 that are officially designated National Parks. Many parks, recreation areas and historical sites are free to enter daily, but many, including most National Parks, charge an entranc...

FBI finds 200 sex trafficking victims, including 59 missing children

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:53 GMT

The FBI announced Tuesday it found more than 200 sex trafficking victims and more than 125 suspects during a two-week child exploitation operation in July.During "Operation Cross Country," the FBI also located 59 victims of child sex trafficking and child sexual exploitation and 59 missing children. The operation was in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.The FBI teamed with other federal agencies and state and local police to identify or arrest 126 suspects of child sexual exploitation and human trafficking and 68 suspected traffickers.“Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights that preys on the most vulnerable members of our society,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement. “The FBI’s actions against this threat never waver, as we continue to send our message that these atrocities will not be tolerated.” Nearly 140 arrested in Southern California child sex abuse raids "About 300,000 children are trafficked every year ac...

Disneyland Holidays set to return with seasonal rides, attractions and food in November

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:53 GMT

While most people are still deciding how they will celebrate the last weeks of summer, die-hard Disneyland fans are looking forward to the “merriest time of the year” at the “Happiest Place on Earth.”Theme park officials announced some details guests can expect at this year’s Holidays at the Disneyland Resort celebration, which will run from Nov. 10 until Jan. 7, 2024.Holiday Ride OverlaysJack Skellington, Sally, Zero and Oogie Boogie will once again take over the Haunted Mansion attraction this holiday season. The attraction is expected to close on Aug. 14 to undergo the annual transformation, according to the Disneyland calendar.Haunted Mansion Holiday at the Disneyland Resort From Sept. 1–Oct. 31, 2023, (Disneyland Resort)The Haunted Mansion Holiday ride is typically available through the Halloween and holiday seasons at Disneyland.The Haunted Mansion Holiday will again join the holiday version of “It’s a small world.”Across the walkway at Disney California Adventure, Cars Land’...

FBI looks for more possible victims after woman escapes from cinder block cell in Oregon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:53 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A man who posed as an undercover police officer kidnapped a woman in Seattle, drove her hundreds of miles to his home in Oregon and locked her in a cinder block cell until she bloodied her hands breaking the door to escape, the FBI said Wednesday.Negasi Zuberi, 29, faces federal charges that include interstate kidnapping, and authorities said they are looking for additional victims after linking him to violent sexual assaults in at least four more states.“This woman was kidnapped, chained, sexually assaulted, and locked in a cinderblock cell,” Stephanie Shark, the assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s Portland field office, said in a news release. “Police say she beat the door with her hands until they were bloody in order to break free. Her quick thinking and will to survive may have saved other women from a similar nightmare.”After the woman escaped from his home in Klamath Falls, Zuberi fled the southern Oregon city of roughly 22,000 people but was ...

Jesus Banda, Kadee Hernandez, and 7 Others Injured in 2-Car Crash on State Route 17 [Moses Lake, WA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:53 GMT

Nine Hurt in Two-Vehicle Collision near North Lake RoadMOSES LAKE, WA (August 2, 2023) – Jesus Banda, Kadee Hernandez, and 7 others were hurt in a 2-car crash on State Route 17, Sunday afternoon.The incident occurred around 12:10 p.m., just five miles north of Moses Lake near North Lake Road on July 30th.Per reports, 34-year-old Banda drove a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan through a stop sign onto North Lake Road. As a result, Banda struck a northbound 2007 Chevy Tahoe, driven by Hernandez.Due to the impact of the collision, multiple occupants inside the Tahoe including 19-year-old Joylynn E Rodriguez, of Moses Lake suffered injuries. Paramedics transported nine occupants to Samaritan Hospital for treatment.Following preliminary duties, officers do not believe that alcohol or drugs played a factor. However, an active investigation to determine further information is still currently underway.Driving can be very dangerous and almost anything can happen if you are not prepared. Always ...

Raphael Landry Arrested after Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Crash on State Route 2 [Snohomish County, WA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:53 GMT

25-Year-Old Driver Arrested after Pedestrian Collision near Milepost 39SNOHOMISH COUNTY, WA (August 2, 2023) – Friday night, Raphael Landry was arrested after a hit-and-run pedestrian crash on State Route 2.Dispatchers responded to the scene around 10:20 p.m., near milepost 39 just east of Index on July 28th.For reasons under investigation, 25-year-old Landry was heading the wrong-way on the westbound lanes. Landry then struck a male pedestrian and immediately fled the scene while heading east.Medics arrived and transported the 20-year-old pedestrian to Harborview Medical Center for further treatment of unspecified injuries.Following preliminary duties, officers located Landry on the eastbound lanes at milepost 55. As a result, police arrested him and took him into custody with DUI related charges.At this time, an active investigation to determine further information is still currently underway. Once available, more details will be provided.Operating a vehicle is a responsibil...

Walter Ubaldo Rodriguez Killed in Pedestrian Crash on 14 Freeway [Santa Clarita, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:53 GMT

Sylmar Man Killed in Pedestrian versus Truck Collision near Sand Canyon RoadSANTA CLARITA, CA (August 2, 2023) – Saturday night, Walter Ubaldo Rodriguez was killed in a pedestrian accident on the 14 Freeway.The collision happened at around 8:00 p.m., along the northbound lanes of Highway 14, south of Sand Canyon Road.According to reports, a pedestrian standing next to a parked vehicle walked into the oncoming traffic.Subsequently, an oncoming Freightliner traveling north on 14 Freeway struck the man. Police said the pedestrian sustained major injuries and died at the scene.Later, the CHP identified the man as 57-year-old Walter Ubaldo Rodriguez of Sylmar, Los Angeles. It remains unclear whether drugs and alcohol played a factor in the incident.Those with additional information about the 14 Freeway pedestrian crash are encouraged to contact the CHP Newhall area office at 661-600-1600.The team at Sweet James sends their sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Walter Ubal...

Silicon Valley is “stabilizing” as tech layoffs wane: top real estate exec

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:53 GMT

SAN JOSE — The owner of San Jose’s Santana Row is seeing optimistic signs for the company’s retail, restaurant, office and housing business — including stability for the Silicon Valley economy — as tech layoffs start to fade.The encouraging outlook includes the iconic Santana Row mixed-use complex, executives with Federal Realty Investment Trust, said during a conference call with Wall Street analysts to discuss the company’s second-quarter financial results. Federal Realty is the principal owner and developer of Santana Row.“It feels like Silicon Valley is stabilizing,” Donald Wood, Federal Realty’s chief executive officer, said Wednesday during the conference call.The hopeful signs have emerged primarily because the pace of tech layoffs has dramatically decreased in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley, according to Wood.The improving picture for the tech industry and high-tech jobs has also brightened the prospects for the brand-ne...