Jun 23, 2026
Closing Arguments Wrap in Palisades Fire Arson Trial — Jury Now Decides
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6,800
structures destroyed
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The federal arson trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht, the 30-year-old accused of igniting the brush fire that became the Palisades Fire, reached closing arguments Tuesday — with the jury now holding the verdict in one of the most consequential criminal cases in Los Angeles history.
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Why it matters: Prosecutors contend Rinderknecht intentionally set a small brush fire above Pacific Palisades on New Year's Eve 2025, which smoldered underground for six days before emerging as the deadliest wildfire in L.A. history — killing 12 people, destroying roughly 6,800 structures, and displacing thousands of families, many of whom are now renting in Brentwood.
What's next: Rinderknecht faces up to 45 years in federal prison if convicted on three arson counts; the jury began deliberating today.
Westside Current, Jun 23 · Forward
Jun 23, 2026
Council Votes 14–0 to Put Half-Cent Sales Tax for LAFD on November Ballot
The Los Angeles City Council voted 14–0 Tuesday to place a half-cent sales tax measure on the November 2026 ballot dedicated exclusively to funding the LAFD — a proposal that the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City qualified with more than 225,000 signatures.
Why it matters: If voters approve it in November, the measure would raise the city's sales tax from 9.75% to 10.25% and generate at least $345 million in its first year — earmarked for new hires, equipment, and fire station repairs that the department says are urgently needed, with current response times averaging nearly 8 minutes against a 4-minute standard.
The wrinkle: An LAFD review found the department needs 62 new fire stations and 4,000 additional firefighters — numbers that put the scale of underfunding in stark relief, particularly for a neighborhood that watched the hills above Pacific Palisades burn for weeks.
Westside Current, Jun 23 · Forward
Jun 23, 2026
Judge Issues Five-Year Restraining Order Against Sabrina Carpenter's Alleged Stalker
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David L. Wasserman issued a permanent five-year restraining order Tuesday against William Applegate, 31, who allegedly attempted to breach pop star Sabrina Carpenter's residence more than a dozen times.
The hook: Applegate reportedly told the court his repeated appearances at the singer's home were essential to "national and global security" — a defense that did not impress the judge; the order requires Applegate to stay 100 yards away from Carpenter, her sister, and her sister's partner, and prohibits firearms possession and any contact.
Brentwood News LA, Jun 23 · Forward
Jun 23, 2026
Heat Advisory in Effect Through Thursday Night — Wednesday Is the Worst of It
A National Weather Service heat advisory runs through 9 p.m. Thursday across much of Los Angeles County, with temperatures forecast to run 3–8 degrees above normal — Wednesday is expected to be the hottest day.
Worth knowing: Coastal and Westside areas are expected to reach the upper 70s to low 80s, while inland valleys push into the low-to-mid 90s; LA County cooling centers are open for vulnerable residents — check ready.lacounty.gov/heat for locations.
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+8°
degrees above normal, peak forecast
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Westside Current, Jun 23 · Forward
Jun 23, 2026
LAUSD Board Formally Accepts Superintendent Carvalho's Resignation
The LAUSD Board of Education formally acknowledged receiving the resignation letter of Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho, effective June 21 — ending a tenure that included the pandemic recovery era and the Palisades Fire displacement crisis, which enrolled hundreds of displaced children into Brentwood-area schools.
Worth knowing: Carvalho, who resigned effective June 21 following placement on paid administrative leave in February after FBI search warrants were executed at his office and residences, denied wrongdoing; Acting Superintendent Andrés Chait is now leading the district while a search for permanent leadership begins.
Brentwood News LA, Jun 23 · Forward
Jun 16, 2026
County supervisors order coordinated response to post-fire vegetation hazards in the Santa Monica Mountains
Santa Monica Daily Press · Jun 16
The LA County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion directing county departments to develop a coordinated strategy addressing hazardous vegetation on fire-impacted residential properties in the unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains — the ridgelines that form Brentwood's northern boundary through Sullivan Canyon and Mandeville Canyon.
Why it matters: Burned hillside vegetation from the Palisades Fire creates both landslide and re-ignition risks heading into fire season, and the supervisors' action signals a formal, multi-agency response rather than leaving property owners to navigate abatement individually.
Santa Monica Daily Press, Jun 16 · Forward
Jun 16, 2026
Olive Young opens its first standalone LA location at Century City — a two-minute drive away
Brentwood News LA · Jun 16
Olive Young, the dominant South Korean health and beauty retail chain, opened a 2,694-square-foot store at Westfield Century City on June 13 — its second physical LA location and part of a planned nationwide retail expansion.
The hook: The brand made its domestic debut in Old Pasadena last month; the Century City store gives Westside K-beauty fans their first local option for the full product range without the drive to Koreatown.
Brentwood News LA, Jun 16 · Forward
Jun 16, 2026
Orlebar Brown opens its first Brentwood boutique at the Country Mart
Brentwood News LA · Jun 16
British luxury resortwear brand Orlebar Brown — owned by Chanel and known for its tailored quick-drying swim shorts — opened a new retail location at Brentwood Country Mart on June 12, its fourth California boutique and second on the Westside.
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The fourth California outpost for the Chanel-owned brand — stocking polos, pants, and quick-drying trunks at 225 26th Street.
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Worth knowing: A pre-opening party on June 3 was hosted by brand founder Adam Brown; the boutique carries polos, pants, shirts, and trunks alongside the label's signature swim shorts.
Brentwood News LA, Jun 14 · Forward
Jun 16, 2026
VA scales back veteran housing goal at West LA campus, now soliciting bids for 220 upgraded units
Westside Today · Jun 15
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220
minimum units · down from 800
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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs issued a new Request for Proposals to construct a minimum of 220 temporary housing units at the West LA campus — a significant reduction from a previously stated 800-unit goal — with contractor proposals due June 23 and a contract worth up to $30 million expected by August 2026.
Why it matters: The RFP implements President Trump's executive order to create a National Center for Warrior Independence on the campus, where the VA previously terminated leases with Brentwood School's 22-acre sports complex, Safety Park Corporation, and Bridgeland Resources.
What's next: Units are required to be completed by April 2027; the contract award is expected in August 2026.
Westside Today, Jun 15 · Forward
Jun 14, 2026
Cinespia Drops Its July Lineup — and It Includes a Fireworks Night
Cinespia has revealed its full July 2026 schedule at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, headlined by a holiday fireworks spectacular on July 3–4 and a run of anniversary-edition classic screenings as part of the venue's 25th season.
Worth knowing: The July slate includes crowd favorites Shrek, Jurassic Park, Pulp Fiction, Rosemary's Baby, and Edward Scissorhands — so if your summer to-do list has a gap, now's the time to grab tickets before they sell out.
Brentwood News LA, Jul 1 · Forward
Jun 14, 2026
DA Hochman Is Pushing Sacramento for Tougher Repeat-DUI Laws
LA County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman called on state lawmakers to pass Senate Bill 907 — known as Braun's Law — which would impose mandatory felony charges on repeat drunk drivers and add sentencing enhancements for chronic offenders.
Why it matters: SB 907 passed the State Senate unanimously on May 26 and now heads to the Assembly — a meaningful signal that bipartisan appetite for tougher DUI accountability is real, even in Sacramento.
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0–0
Senate vote on SB 907 — unanimous in favor
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Brentwood News LA, Jun 13 · Forward
Jun 14, 2026
Santa Monica's Police Chief Explains Why the Promenade Assault Wasn't Charged as a Hate Crime
Santa Monica Police Chief Darrick Jacob issued a public open letter explaining why hate crime charges were not filed following a May 24 assault near 3rd Street and Broadway — an incident that drew significant community attention given its location on the Promenade.
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"Based on the evidence developed during the investigation, including the victim's own statements, the facts did not meet the legal standard for a hate crime allegation or enhancement."
Brentwood News LA, Jun 14 · Forward
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Jun 11, 2026
Meals on Wheels West LA Walks for Hunger — Right Here in Brentwood — This Saturday
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87K
meals
per year
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Meals on Wheels West Los Angeles — based at 343 S. Church Lane in Brentwood and delivering over 87,000 meals a year to homebound seniors in 90049 and surrounding ZIP codes — holds its annual Walk to End Hunger fundraiser this Saturday, June 13, with check-in at 9 a.m. and the walk commencing at 10 a.m.
Worth knowing: Individual tickets are $40 (funds four clients' meals); a $70 couple rate covers a full week of food for a senior; $100 for a family registration covers 10 days of deliveries.
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Brentwood News LA, Jun 10 · Forward
Jun 11, 2026
Tower Cancer Foundation Marks 30 Years With a Posthumous Tribute to Harvard-Westlake's Jason Collins
Tower Cancer Research Foundation held its 30th annual Tower of Hope Gala on June 9 at the Skirball Cultural Center, posthumously honoring Jason Collins — the Harvard-Westlake alumnus and first openly gay athlete in major North American professional sports, who died of Stage 4 glioblastoma last month at age 47.
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Twin brother Jarron Collins accepted the award on his behalf at the gala as the foundation announced a new cohort of grant recipients — including Dr. Jessica Tsai of Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
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Why it matters: Collins's Harvard-Westlake ties make this a genuinely local story — and the foundation's focus on novel cancer treatment research brings real neighborhood weight to what could otherwise read as a gala calendar item.
Brentwood News LA, Jun 9 · Forward
Jun 11, 2026
Vietnamese Restaurant Vui Ve Is Coming to Brentwood — and It's Taking Over the Old Pita Bar Spot
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Vui Ve, the Vietnamese restaurant group with locations in Little Tokyo and North Hollywood, is opening its first Westside outpost at 1168 S. Barrington Avenue — the former Pita Bar & Grill space near Wilshire — owner Lanli Su confirmed.
The hook: The concept is positioned as casual, everyday Vietnamese — pho, bánh mì, rice plates — and Uber Eats delivery is already live for the Brentwood address, suggesting an opening is closer than you might think.
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Brentwood News LA, Jun 11 · Forward