Headlines From The Times

President Trump said Monday that the U.S. “hit” an alleged drug facility along a shoreline as he escalates pressure on Venezuela. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security launched a fraud investigation in Minneapolis, targeting suspects accused of stealing billions in government funds. In California, the DMV rolled out a new pilot program aimed at cracking down on reckless driving, with added penalties for motorists clocked at more than 100 miles per hour. The state also became the first in the nation to require folic acid in most tortilla and corn masa products, a move aimed at reducing birth defects. And in sports, the Rams fell 27–24 to the Falcons on Monday night, sliding to the No. 6 seed in the NFC heading into the playoffs. Read more at LATimes.com.

President Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago on Monday. The talks focused on securing a U.S.-backed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Over the weekend, Trump also worked to advance a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, speaking by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday before welcoming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to his Palm Beach, Florida, club later that day. Meanwhile, Paramount’s hostile bid to buy Warner Bros. continues. Last week, the deal gained backing from Larry Ellison, father of Paramount CEO David Ellison, who said he would guarantee more than $40 billion in equity. In California, the state has lost more than a quarter of its immigration judges this year. Some retired, while others were terminated without advance notice, adding pressure to an already overburdened court system. And Southern California is facing another week of extreme weather. After days of storms, forecasters are warning of high winds up to 65 miles per hour through Tuesday. Read more at LATimes.com.

The suspect in the recent Brown and MIT shootings was found dead on Thursday night. Meanwhile, for millions of Americans who buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, the clock is ticking; open enrollment for 2026 coverage is still open, but many shoppers are feeling sticker shock. Also, the Kennedy Center board votes to include President Trump’s name in the organization’s title. And, Ford's exhibit, "American Icon: A Mustang Immersive Experience," is now in L.A. Could it boost sales among Gen Z consumers? In business, the Port of Los Angeles is closing a busy 2025, but officials expect trade to fall off next year, and Elon Musk's SpaceX eyes a possible record initial public offering.

The board of Warner Bros. Discovery rejects Paramount's hostile bid. Meanwhile, Nick Reiner appeared for the first time in Los Angeles Superior Court and was denied bail. And for nearly a year, Times reporters have been covering the rebuilding efforts in Pacific Palisades, following the devastating fires that destroyed thousands of homes. Meanwhile, Times reporters are reporting that four alleged members of a child sex abuse network have been charged; investigators say the group, CVLT, is mostly dismantled, but has splintered into another entity. Also, some exciting news for sports fans: it may be a bit easier to score tickets to the World Cup in 2026, with a new supporter entry tier for tickets at a fixed rate of $60. And, just up the 101 in Santa Barbara, the city's newspaper, the Santa Barbara News-Press, is back and with a new editor. In business, experts are saying L.A. County's $700 million estimate to retrofit its old headquarters is grossly inflated, and Instacart is facing backlash following an AI experiment that charged customers different prices for the same items.