The Daily Brief: Former Torrance Mail Carrier Pleads Guilty In Theft Case, How Midcentury L.A. Influenced Marvel's Latest Film, and more.

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Ex-Torrance Postal Worker Pleads Guilty to 3-Year Mail Theft Scheme

A former U.S. Postal Service letter carrier in Torrance has pleaded guilty to stealing checks, credit cards, and personal information from her route over a three-year period to fund luxury travel and high-end purchases. Federal prosecutors say Mary Ann Magdamit, 31, flaunted her ill-gotten wealth on Instagram, including stacks of cash and a Rolex. Agents seized more than 100 stolen cards, Treasury checks, and a loaded “ghost gun” from her home. She remains in federal custody pending sentencing.

Midcentury L.A. Meets Marvel in The Fantastic Four’s Retro-Futuristic World

Production designer Kasra Farahani drew inspiration from Los Angeles’ midcentury modern architecture and 1960s futurism to craft the stunning world of Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Blending influences from design icons like Eames, Neutra, and Saarinen with Googie whimsy and real-world prototypes like the Chrysler Turbine car, Farahani creates a vivid, optimistic alternate universe that feels both fantastical and familiar.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Unveils Crackdown Plan to Stop Dangerous Street Takeovers

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has announced a sweeping action plan to curb the city’s growing street takeover problem, which has led to looting, violence, and fatal crashes. The proposal includes harsher penalties—up to $5,000 in fines and a year in jail for repeat offenders—alongside expanded enforcement, youth education programs, and physical deterrents at takeover-prone intersections. The plan, backed by county officials, could be up for a vote as early as September.

FBI: $10M Fugitive Ex-Olympian Likely Altered Appearance to Evade Capture

The FBI in Los Angeles believes Ryan Wedding — a former Olympic snowboarder turned cartel-connected drug kingpin with a $10 million bounty on his head — may have undergone plastic surgery in Mexico to avoid capture. Wedding, accused of running one of North America’s most sophisticated cocaine trafficking networks and tied to multiple murders, has been on the run since 2024. Authorities warn he remains dangerous, with access to hitmen and international criminal allies, as the manhunt zeroes in on the Mexico City area.

Tesla Diner Slashes Menu Just Two Weeks After Hollywood Debut

Elon Musk’s long-awaited Tesla Diner and Supercharger station in Hollywood has already cut its menu nearly in half, just two weeks after opening. Popular items like the Epic Bacon burger, all-day breakfast, and vegetarian options are gone, with the chef citing “unprecedented demand” and a need for efficiency. The 24-hour restaurant has also faced criticism over limited hours, charging restrictions, and mounting backlash from locals and online critics.

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