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- The Daily Brief: Alleged Arsonist Arrested for Setting Palisades Fire, Gubernatorial Candidate Katie Porter Goes Viral Over Redistricting Question, and more.
The Daily Brief: Alleged Arsonist Arrested for Setting Palisades Fire, Gubernatorial Candidate Katie Porter Goes Viral Over Redistricting Question, and more.
Your daily update is here.
Good Afternoon! It’s Wednesday, October 8.
Los Angeles was met with more cloud cover on Wednesday, accompanied by mild temperatures topping out at 72°. Tomorrow, sunshine is expected to make its return, bringing warmer weather along with highs of 81° projected.
Former Uber Driver Charged With Setting Deadly Palisades Fire That Killed 12
Federal investigators say 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, “maliciously” set the blaze that became the deadly Palisades Fire, killing 12 people and destroying thousands of homes along L.A.’s coast. Prosecutors allege Rinderknecht ignited brush on a mountain trail on New Year’s Eve while listening to a French rap song about despair, then later offered to help firefighters battle the flames. Officials say his arrest brings long-awaited justice to the victims of one of Los Angeles’ most devastating wildfires.

Katie Porter’s Heated CBS Interview Sparks Viral Backlash
California gubernatorial frontrunner Katie Porter is under fire after abruptly ending a CBS interview when pressed about redistricting and her strategy to win over Trump voters. The tense exchange — in which Porter snapped, “I don’t want this all on camera,” before storming off — has ignited a viral storm online and prompted criticism from her rivals, including Antonio Villaraigosa and Xavier Becerra, who say the moment raises questions about her temperament and leadership style.
CoolKicks CEO Arrested After LAPD Seizes $500K in Stolen Nike Merchandise
Los Angeles sneaker empire CoolKicks is under fire after LAPD officers raided the company’s warehouse and uncovered more than $500,000 worth of stolen Nike shoes and apparel. CEO and co-founder Adeel Shams was arrested during the Oct. 2 bust, which recovered over 2,000 pairs of sneakers and 150 boxes of clothing. The brand—known for its celebrity clientele and cult following—issued a statement denying any knowledge of the goods being stolen, insisting it purchased them “in good faith.” Shams is due in court later this month.
Dwayne Johnson’s The Smashing Machine Shows His Range—but Not His Box Office Power
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson took a bold leap into drama with The Smashing Machine, portraying a troubled UFC fighter battling addiction and inner demons. The role earned him rave reviews and a standing ovation at Venice—but when the film hit theaters, audiences didn’t follow. Despite the weakest opening of his career, critics are calling it Johnson’s most powerful performance yet, proving that even Hollywood’s biggest action star can take risks worth watching.
Candace Owens Alleges Charlie Kirk Feared Assassination Before His Death
Conservative commentator Candace Owens has ignited a firestorm with claims that Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk feared he was going to be assassinated shortly before his death. On her podcast, Owens alleged that multiple associates received “frantic” warnings from Kirk just a day before his killing on September 10, 2025. Her remarks—linking the incident to Kirk’s shifting stance on Israel and tensions with donors—have drawn backlash for promoting unverified theories as Turning Point officials push back and defend Kirk’s nuanced final statements

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