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Today: November 10, 2025
Today: November 10, 2025
Pooja Mamnoor

Pooja Mamnoor

Staff Writer

Pooja is a content specialist with a knack for writing. With a deep rooted interest in news and content writing, she has worked as a journalist with brands like CNBC-TV18 and Mirror Now. She has a PG Diploma in TV journalism and has worked across all sectors of content creation - TV production, content creation for digital platforms, anchor videos for YouTube and writing for various digital websites. Currently covering news on the LA Post, her goal is to write content that piques reader interest. Pooja spends her free time dancing, traveling and playing.

Latest From Pooja Mamnoor

Local

California awards $414 million to build more than 2,000 affordable homes

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California will build 2,099 new homes across 16 counties through a $414 million funding package announced by the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development, with nearly all units designated for low-income residents as part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s strategy to address housing affordability and homelessness. The funding allocation reserves 2,068 homes for residents earning between 30% and 80% of their area’s median income. Of these units, 794 will serve extremely low-income Californians who earn up to 30% of the Area Median Income, 866 will house families earning between 31% and 50% of the median, and 408

California awards $414 million to build more than 2,000 affordable homes
Local

Cannabis tax reform: What it means for California's economy

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 564, which eliminates a 25% tax increase on the state’s legal cannabis industry and reduces the excise tax rate from 19% back to 15%. The measure takes effect Oct. 1 and maintains the lower rate through June 2028. The legislation reverses a tax hike that took effect on July 1, when the cannabis excise tax increased from 15% to 19%. The bill passed with overwhelming support, receiving a 74-0 vote in the Assembly in June and a 39-1 vote in the State Senate on Sept. 11. “We’re rolling back this

Cannabis tax reform: What it means for California's economy
Local

Immigrants abandon their American dream amid rising fears of enforcement raids

An unprecedented number of immigrants without legal status are choosing to leave the U.S. rather than face potential detention and deportation, marking what immigration experts describe as the first widespread instance of pressure-induced self-deportation in American history. The departures come as President Donald Trump’s administration employs what the Migration Policy Institute calls a “potent combination of carrots and sticks” to encourage voluntary departure. Immigration arrests fell in August compared with July and remain below the administration’s stated goal of 3,000 daily arrests, prompting officials to pursue alternative enforcement strategies. “This has never happened in our country before. We have had

Immigrants abandon their American dream amid rising fears of enforcement raids
Health

Dr. Shahin Ghadir: America's compassionate fertility specialist transforming patient care

Dr. Shahin Ghadir, a double-board-certified reproductive endocrinologist recognized as one of America’s top fertility specialists, has joined HRC Fertility’s newly opened Beverly Hills center. The move positions one of the nation’s most acclaimed fertility doctors at a state-of-the-art facility offering advanced treatments including needle-free IVF and comprehensive fertility packages. Ghadir brings extensive credentials to his new role, holding dual board certifications in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Los Angeles Magazine and Super Doctors of Southern California have repeatedly named him among the top doctors in the United States. His additional honors include recognition as “Altruist of the

Dr. Shahin Ghadir: America's compassionate fertility specialist transforming patient care
Health

UCLA's mRNA-based solution aims at reversing peanut allergies

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, have developed a nanoparticle treatment that successfully prevented and reversed peanut allergies in laboratory mice, potentially offering new hope for millions of Americans affected by food allergies. The research team, led by Dr. André Nel, distinguished professor of medicine and director of research at the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA, created a first-of-its-kind technology that delivers mRNA to specific liver cells to reprogram the immune system. The study was published in the journal ACS Nano in 2023. “As far as we can find, mRNA has never been used for an allergic disease,”

UCLA's mRNA-based solution aims at reversing peanut allergies
Travel

Spirit Airlines cancels flights to key California airports: What this means for your travel plans

Spirit Airlines announced the cancellation of flight services to four California airports as the budget carrier filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in less than a year. The discount airline will cease operations at Oakland, Sacramento, San Jose, and San Diego airports effective Oct. 2, 2025, as part of broader cost-cutting measures to address mounting financial losses. The Florida-based airline revealed it would discontinue service to 11 airports nationwide while also abandoning plans to launch flights to Macon, Georgia, which were scheduled to begin in mid-October. Spirit will continue to fly out of LAX, Hollywood Burbank Airport, and

Spirit Airlines cancels flights to key California airports: What this means for your travel plans
News|Local

Santa Monica considers fiscal emergency amid mounting sex abuse settlements

Santa Monica city leaders face a proposal to declare a fiscal emergency as the city grapples with a mounting budget crisis driven by costly legal settlements and ongoing financial pressures. A staff report prepared for the City Council meeting outlines multiple challenges threatening the city’s fiscal stability. The city has paid more than $229 million in settlements related to sexual abuse by Eric Uller, a former Santa Monica police dispatcher. Uller worked with children at a police nonprofit’s after-school program before his misconduct came to light. The city now faces additional abuse claims from over 180 claimants, according to the

Santa Monica considers fiscal emergency amid mounting sex abuse settlements
Local

California launches new $38M pilot program to tackle prison heat

California prison officials plan to spend $38 million on a pilot program to test cooling systems in three facilities, following years of inmate complaints about dangerous temperatures during summer heat waves that have reached 95 degrees inside some prisons. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) received legislative approval for the four-year pilot program amid mounting pressure from advocates, lawmakers, and federal judges to address heat risks affecting the state’s 91,000 inmates. The program will test air conditioning, insulation, and combination approaches at Kern Valley State Prison, Central California Women’s Facility, and California State Prison in Los Angeles County.

California launches new $38M pilot program to tackle prison heat
Local

How L.A. is tackling its worst animal shelter crisis yet

Los Angeles shelters are implementing creative solutions to address an unprecedented animal welfare crisis, with intake numbers reaching all-time highs due to pandemic pet abandonments and deportation-related surrenders. Local rescue organizations have developed innovative programs ranging from pop-up adoption events to emergency foster networks as traditional shelters operate beyond capacity. The crisis has intensified in recent months as deportations have left pets stranded in empty apartments or dropped at overcrowded facilities. The L.A. Times reported that “pets belonging to people who are deported or flee are being left in empty apartments, dumped into the laps of unprepared friends and dropped

How L.A. is tackling its worst animal shelter crisis yet
Crime

Religious group's leaders arrested amid mysterious disappearances

Leaders of an Inland Empire religious organization were arrested, and police seized automatic weapons as part of an investigation into the suspicious disappearance of a former member two years ago. Authorities are also investigating a second disappearance connected to the group from 2017. Emilio Ghanem, 40, vanished in May 2023 shortly after leaving the Hemet-based His Way Spirit Led Assemblies and starting a pest control business that competed with one operated by the religious group’s leaders. Family members reported him missing after he failed to return from a meeting at a Starbucks location. Surveillance footage later captured his rented Nissan

Religious group's leaders arrested amid mysterious disappearances
Health

The sunscreen dilemma: Should you be worried about chemicals?

A growing movement questioning sunscreen safety has emerged across social media platforms, with influencers promoting alternatives ranging from homemade remedies to complete avoidance of sun protection products.  The trend has alarmed dermatologists and public health experts who warn that rejecting sunscreen increases the risk of skin cancer, one of the most common forms of cancer in the U.S. Videos on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube feature people declaring they have stopped using sunscreen entirely, claiming that gradual sun exposure without protection can boost immunity. Others promote do-it-yourself alternatives using oils, butters, and natural ingredients as substitutes for commercially manufactured products. The

The sunscreen dilemma: Should you be worried about chemicals?
Uncategorized

600 heists unraveled: Inside the retail crime that shocked California

Authorities announced the arrest of 14 people accused of operating what officials called the largest organized retail theft ring in Home Depot’s history, stealing more than $10 million worth of merchandise from 71 stores across Southern California.  The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed a 48-count criminal complaint against the crew, which conducted more than 600 thefts over several years in five counties. The multi-agency investigation, dubbed “Operation Kill Switch,” resulted in charges against nine defendants so far, according to Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff. The operation targeted Home Depot locations in Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino

600 heists unraveled: Inside the retail crime that shocked California
Local

California State announces prison shutdown affecting 2,700 inmates

California officials announced plans to close the California Rehabilitation Center in Riverside County by fall 2026, marking the latest facility closure as the state’s prison population reaches its lowest point in decades. The medium-security prison houses approximately 2,766 inmates and employs 1,191 staff members. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation made the announcement on Aug. 4, citing declining prison populations that have allowed the state to eliminate reliance on contract facilities. “The adult prison population has steadily declined in recent years, which has allowed CDCR to eliminate its reliance on in-state and out-of-state contract prison capacity,” the department reported.

California State announces prison shutdown affecting 2,700 inmates
Health|Food

Your potato is innocent, but your cooking method might not be

Americans consume nearly 50 pounds of potatoes annually, making them the nation’s most popular vegetable. However, new research reveals that the preparation method determines whether this staple food supports or undermines health.  A large-scale study published in BMJ found that eating three servings of french fries weekly increased the risk of Type 2 diabetes by approximately 20% compared to consuming less than one serving per week, while other potato preparations showed no such association. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health research examined data from longitudinal studies spanning nearly four decades and including more than 200,000 participants who did

Your potato is innocent, but your cooking method might not be
Lifestyle|Local

Premium Santa Monica hotel accused of underpaying despite luxury rates

The Santa Monica Proper hotel, where nightly rates range from $600 to $2,600, faces accusations of failing to pay employees the minimum wage, despite charging premium prices for its amenities. A class-action lawsuit filed this week in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleges the luxury establishment has systematically underpaid approximately 100 workers for years. The 263-room hotel markets itself as providing experiences where “every moment is considered through a luxury lens,” featuring two restaurants, a rooftop pool, a fitness center, and a spa. The complaint notes the establishment offers “$21 mocktails and $250 wagyu steaks” while allegedly paying some employees

Premium Santa Monica hotel accused of underpaying despite luxury rates
Crime

Wife arrested after killing husband with kitchen knives on his birthday

A Santa Ana woman received a sentence of 16 years to life in prison for fatally stabbing her husband on his birthday morning in 2021. Michelle Gutierrez, 36, was convicted of second-degree murder in April by an Orange County Superior Court jury and received her sentence on Friday, Aug. 8. The defense maintained that mental health complications from seizure medication prompted Gutierrez to kill her spouse, while prosecutors contended the attack occurred after the couple had argued the night before the incident. Officers responding to the 1000 block of West Bishop Street on Jan. 21, 2021, encountered what Senior Assistant

Wife arrested after killing husband with kitchen knives on his birthday
Local|Crime

Man charged in alleged theft of rare Chinese manuscripts from UCLA

A 38-year-old man has been charged with federal theft after allegedly stealing $216,000 worth of rare Chinese manuscripts dating back more than 600 years from the University of California, Los Angeles library system using multiple false identities.  Jeffrey Ying, reportedly from the San Francisco Bay Area, operated under the aliases “Jason Wang,” “Alan Fujimori,” and “Austin Chen” to carry out the alleged scheme, authorities said.  According to a report from the Department of Justice, the thefts occurred between December 2024 and July 2025. Ying allegedly borrowed the historical documents from UCLA’s special collections, took them home for extended periods, then

Man charged in alleged theft of rare Chinese manuscripts from UCLA
Local

Trump and Newsom: Unlikely alignment on homelessness crackdown

President Donald Trump signed an executive order this week directing cities and states to use law enforcement to remove homeless people from streets, creating uncertainty for California service providers who may need to overhaul their approach or risk losing federal funding. The order, titled “Ending crime and disorder on America’s streets,” threatens to upend two core principles that have guided California’s homelessness policy for years. Trump’s directive seeks to prioritize funding for states and cities that enforce bans on open drug use, camping, loitering, and squatting. The order also instructs the Attorney General to make federal funds available for removing

Trump and Newsom: Unlikely alignment on homelessness crackdown
Education|Local

Can L.A. schools overcome funding woes for green projects?

Eight Los Angeles schools are poised to transform their concrete schoolyards into green spaces with native gardens and trees after receiving a $1.6 million grant from Cal-Fire in 2023. However, the schools face a funding challenge as the grant covers only design costs, not the estimated $15.5 million needed for construction across all sites. The selected schools, including Diego Rivera Learning Complex in Florence-Firestone, represent some of the most underserved areas in the region. Two schools are located in the San Fernando Valley, while six serve communities in and around South L.A. These sites were chosen based on a 2016

Can L.A. schools overcome funding woes for green projects?
Local

Can SoCal Edison's new aid program meet fire survivors' needs?

Southern California Edison announced it will establish a compensation program for victims of the deadly Eaton Fire that killed 19 people and destroyed thousands of acres in Altadena in January. The utility company faces multiple lawsuits after acknowledging that investigators believe its transmission lines likely caused the blaze. The “Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program” will launch this fall and provide payments to eligible victims who claim injury, death, or property loss. Edison International Chief Executive Officer Pedro Pizarro said the program aims to offer “an expedited process to pay and resolve claims fairly and promptly” while allowing “the community to focus

Can SoCal Edison's new aid program meet fire survivors' needs?
Crime

Inside the $13M crypto fraud: Ex-Hollywood resident pleads guilty

A former Hollywood Hills resident who operated under aliases including “Vincent Midnight” and “Director Vinchenzo” pleaded guilty to federal charges in connection with a cryptocurrency investment fraud scheme that defrauded victims of more than $13 million. Vincent Anthony Mazzotta Jr., 54, now living in Arizona, admitted to one count of money laundering and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice before U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer. U.S. Attorney Bilal A. Essayli of the Central District of California announced the plea agreement. Mazzotta faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for money laundering and up to five

Inside the $13M crypto fraud: Ex-Hollywood resident pleads guilty
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Study explains why you can't outrun a bad diet after all

A study published in the journal PNAS challenges the widespread belief that reduced physical activity is the primary driver of the global obesity epidemic. Research led by Herman Pontzer at Duke University found people across 34 different countries burn remarkably similar amounts of calories daily, regardless of their vastly different activity levels and obesity rates. The findings suggest that diet, particularly ultra-processed foods, plays a far more significant role in weight gain than previously understood. The study compared daily calorie expenditure among more than 4,200 adults from populations ranging from hunter-gatherers to sedentary workers in industrialized nations. “Surprisingly, what we

Study explains why you can't outrun a bad diet after all
Local|WrittenByLAPost

Southern California’s 89-year-old grocery giant faces first-ever strike threat

Workers at Stater Bros. Markets overwhelmingly voted to authorize an unfair labor practice strike against the San Bernardino-based grocery chain, marking the first strike authorization in the company’s 89-year history. The United Food and Commercial Workers union, representing approximately 12,000 employees from the U.S.-Mexico border to Bakersfield, approved the measure amid allegations that the company violated federal labor laws. This is the “first ever strike vote” taken against the 89-year-old Stater Bros., said UFCW spokesman Jenna Thompson. The authorization does not guarantee an immediate work stoppage, as union officials emphasized negotiations remain scheduled for July 30 to 31. No date

Southern California’s 89-year-old grocery giant faces first-ever strike threat
Science

Gene Therapy from UCLA may give children their voice

A UCLA surgeon is developing a one-time gene therapy treatment for creatine transporter deficiency, a rare genetic disorder that prevents the brain from accessing vital energy and leaves children unable to speak or develop normally.  Dr. Gerald Lipshutz, a professor of surgery, molecular and medical pharmacology, and a member of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA, began researching the condition after attending a patient symposium in Utah in 2022, where parents shared accounts of living with the devastating disorder. “It sounds corny, I know,” said Lipshutz. “But when you meet these

Gene Therapy from UCLA may give children their voice
Local

Sen. Allen halts controversial Wildfire Bill until 2026

Sen. Ben Allen announced he will pause Senate Bill 549 until 2026, following a tense committee hearing over legislation that would have allowed Los Angeles County to establish a Resilient Rebuilding Authority for wildfire recovery efforts. The bill had been scheduled for consideration after California lawmakers met to discuss the measure that would enable property tax funding for acquiring fire-damaged properties. Allen, whose district includes Pacific Palisades, cited concerns over governance, transparency, and local control as reasons for the delay. “When we first introduced SB 549, we knew that it would be difficult to pull together a framework that would

Sen. Allen halts controversial Wildfire Bill until 2026

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