Actor and comedian Dane Cook headlined the opening night show of The Laugh Factory’s newest location in Covina to support the Writers Guild of America.

All proceeds from Wednesday night’s sold-out show was donated to the WGA amid the ongoing writers strike. Wednesday marks 50 days since WGA members began striking.

The city of Covina acquired the historic theater in December 2022 before transforming the over 100-year-old building into the Laugh Factory. Housing an audience of around 200 people, the city hopes the new addition will bring marquee comedy acts for San Gabriel Valley residents to enjoy.

Cook explained the decision to donate all proceeds to the WGA is in support of a cause that's close to his heart.

KTLA's Shelby Nelson reports on June 21, 2023.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/comedian-dane-cooks-opening-night-show-at-the-laugh-factory-covina-benefits-wga/

An 18-year-old girl from Ventura County was arrested after she led CHP officers on a multi-county chase and crashed into a squad car. (May 5, 2024)

More than half-a-dozen people were struck by gunfire outside a night club in Long Beach on Saturday night, authorities said. KTLA 5's Erin Myers reports. (May 5, 2024)

Law enforcement officers in riot gear cleared another encampment formed by pro-Palestinian demonstrators on the campus of the University of Southern California early Sunday morning. A statement issued by USC's Senior Vice President of Communications Joel Curran just before 7 a.m. Sunday confirmed the removal of the encampment and said that while some protesters were not peaceful, no arrests were immediately reported. KTLA 5's Annie Rose Ramos reports. (May 5, 2024)

Law enforcement officers in riot gear cleared another encampment formed by pro-Palestinian demonstrators on the campus of the University of Southern California early Sunday morning. According to media reports, as many as 100 protesters had pitched tents and erected banners at the private university in Los Angeles. KTLA 5's Annie Rose Ramos reports. (May 5, 2024)

The chief of the University of California, Los Angeles Police Department is facing criticism for a “string of serious security lapses” before the pro-Palestinian encampment on the school’s campus was attacked by a mob last Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Times reported.

According to the Times, campus leadership had directed UCLA Police Department Chief John Thomas to provide a safety plan for the campus community days before the attack, but he did not do so.

KTLA's Chris Wolfe reports on May 4, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/los-angeles-times-ucla-police-chief-accused-of-security-lapses-before-attack-on-pro-palestinian-encampment/

Former Los Angeles Lakers guard Darius Morris has died on Saturday. He was 33 years old.

"We are heartbroken by the passing of Darius Morris," the Lakers said in a post to X, formerly Twitter.

As a Laker, he averaged 3.7 points per game and his best scoring season was the 2012-2013 season, averaging 4.0 ppg. Morris played for several other NBA teams including the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Brooklyn Nets. He also spent time playing professionally overseas.

Details: https://ktla.com/sports/ex-lakers-guard-and-carson-native-darius-morris-dead-at-33/

A fatal crash in South Los Angeles claimed the life of one man and, not for the first time, severely damaged a church. A Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson told KTLA that the collision happened on East Manchester Avenue in L.A.’s Green Meadows neighborhood around 12:20 a.m. Saturday.

The spokesperson confirmed that the driver, only identified as a Hispanic man, was traveling west on Manchester when he lost control and smashed into Challenge of Faith Church of God in Christ. 

KTLA's Sara Welch reports on May 4, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/church-sustains-heavy-damage-after-fatal-crash-in-los-angeles/

High waters flooded neighborhoods around Houston on Saturday following heavy rains that have already resulted in crews rescuing more than 400 people from homes, rooftops and roads engulfed in murky water. Others prepared to evacuate their property.

A wide region was swamped from Houston to rural East Texas, where game wardens rode airboats through waist-high waters rescuing both people and pets who did not evacuate in time. One crew brought a family and three dogs aboard as rising waters surrounded their cars and home.

A flood watch was in effect through Sunday afternoon, May 5, 2024, as forecasters predicted additional rainfall Saturday night and the likelihood of major flooding.

KTLA's Sara Welch reports on May 4, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/nationworld/ap-houston-braces-for-flooding-to-worsen-in-wake-of-storms/

The chief of the University of California, Los Angeles Police Department is facing criticism for a “string of serious security lapses” before the pro-Palestinian encampment on the school’s campus was attacked by a mob last Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Times reported. 

According to the Times, campus leadership had directed UCLA Police Department Chief John Thomas to provide a safety plan for the campus community days before the attack, but he did not do so.

KTLA's Chris Wolfe reports on May 4, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/los-angeles-times-ucla-police-chief-accused-of-security-lapses-before-attack-on-pro-palestinian-encampment/

A family continues grieving after a 12-year-old boy was struck and killed while crossing the street in South Los Angeles. On April 18, Derrick Serrano, 12, was walking home from school when he decided to cross the street near Vernon and Wadsworth Avenues at around 3 p.m.

That’s when a driver struck and killed the boy. His mother, Claudia Gramajo, believes the deadly crash could’ve been prevented if proper safety measures were put in place. Serrano was a 6th grader at Carver Middle School located in the South Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.

He takes a short walk back home, but one that navigates heavily congested roads and intersections and is noticeably devoid of crosswalks, signs or safety signals to protect students.

KTLA's John Fenoglio reports on May 4, 2024.

The police chief for the University of California, Los Angeles Police Department is facing criticism for a “string of serious security lapses” before the pro-Palestinian encampment on the school’s campus was attacked by a mob last Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Times reported.  KTLA 5's Carlos Herrera reports. (May 4, 2024)

An overnight fatal crash in South Los Angeles claimed the life of one man and severely damaged a church. A Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson told KTLA that the collision happened on East Manchester Avenue in L.A.’s Green Meadows neighborhood around 12:20 a.m. Saturday. The spokesperson confirmed that the driver, only identified as a Hispanic man, was traveling west on Manchester when he lost control and smashed into Challenge of Faith Church of God in Christ. Church officials told KTLA 5’s Omar Lewis that this is the fourth time a vehicle has smashed into their house of worship. (May 4, 2024)