Good morning, SoCal. Here's what you need to know today.
Your Weather Planner
Smoke from wildfires in the Sierra Nevada mountains lingers for another day as an area of low pressure dives into the Southwest, eventually parking itself over Baja California through tomorrow.
As a result, thunderstorms will develop this afternoon over the San Bernardino and Riverside county mountains. Later this afternoon into the early evening, some thunderstorms may reach the coast in San Diego and Orange counties.
Some of the thunderstorms could produce flash flooding and hail so stay alert today if you see storm clouds in your neighborhood.
Get your 7-day forecast: LA West | LA East | San Fernando Valley/Ventura County | Orange County
Around SoCal
1. LA County ready to administer COVID vaccine booster shots once approved
Los Angeles County remains poised to ramp up administration of COVID-19 vaccine booster shots once federal authorities give final approval to the additional doses, the public health director said Thursday, noting that the county will continue prioritizing getting more first doses into arms of the unvaccinated.
An advisory panel for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday recommended Pfizer booster shots for people 65 and older, those in long-term care facilities and people 50-64 with underlying health conditions, as well as select people aged 18-49 with serious health issues. The shots would have to be administered at least six months after a person received their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
The recommendation still needs approval from the full CDC.
County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer noted that the county has 1,300 fixed vaccination sites, along with 400 mobile clinics, meaning there's a local capacity to administer 130,000 shots per day, so the county is well-positioned to handle demand for booster shots.
2. Compton lawsuit accuses LA County Sheriff Station of ripping off the city
The city of Compton is seeking millions of dollars in damages from Los Angeles County, accusing deputies at the city's sheriff's station of fraudulent billing, potentially going back to the station's inception in 2000.
The fraud allegations stem from an anonymous letter sent by a whistleblower in February alleging the fraud resulted in fewer patrol cars on the street and overtime for deputies — all on the city's dime.
Compton City Attorney Damon Brown filed the lawsuit alleging breach of contract, intentional misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, concealment, false promise and unfair competition Wednesday in LA Superior Court.
"The complaint that was filed today in the Los Angeles Superior Court contains credible and specific allegations that expose a concerted plan by individuals at all levels in the Sheriff's Department which, for decades, has been designed to defraud Compton residents of their hard-earned tax dollars," Brown said in a statement to Spectrum News 1.
"My office is unwaveringly committed to the pursuit of justice on behalf of the residents of Compton, each of whom has the rightful expectation of protection and service by the Sheriff Department, and that every penny of the $24M they pay for municipal law enforcement services is being properly appropriated according to the service levels set forth in the contract."
3. Melrose residents, businesses, worried about increased crime
After a string of high-profile crimes, including a midday strong-arm robbery of three cafe patrons, the theft of more than $10,000 worth of merchandise from a streetwear store and the murder of a retail worker looking to break up a fight, the residents of the Melrose neighborhood are pushing back.
Just how they’re doing it is still up in the air. Ideas include an automated surveillance system, restrictions on sidewalk sales and lobbying for increased policing. Whatever they decide, they’re trying to make Melrose safe again, come hell or high water.
On Thursday morning, a handful of residents associated with the Melrose Action neighborhood watch group — which maintains a blog of major incidents within the neighborhood — met and toured the district with Los Angeles mayoral candidate and 15th District City Councilmember Joe Buscaino.
Around the Nation
1. Debunked architects of Arizona vote review to release report
2. CDC endorses Pfizer-BioNTech COVID booster for 65 and older, high-risk
3. Gabby Petito case: Arrest warrant issued for Brian Laundrie on bank card fraud charges
Don't Miss This
Only on Spectrum News 1
Now that California's gubernatorial recall race is in the rearview mirror, the slightly vitriolic, always entertaining Larry Elder joins us to rehash what went right and wrong in his campaign to unseat Gov. Gavin Newsom. Plus, why he thinks he garnered most of the votes out of the recall candidates. His answer might surprise you.
SoCal Snapshot
Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, left, steals second as Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa, center, waits for the throw while second base umpire Todd Tichenor watches during the sixth inning of a baseball game Thursday in Anaheim. The Astros challenged the play after it appeared shortstop Carlos Correa might have tagged Ohtani before his foot reached the bag, but the call was upheld. Ohtani eventually came around to score the go-ahead run and the Angels held on to win 3-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)