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Karen Bass Still Leads, But LA’s Mayor Race Is Growing Uneasy

Karen Bass remains the frontrunner in Los Angeles’ 2026 mayoral race, according to new polling, but the mood around City Hall appears far more uncertain than it did when she first took office. Frustration over homelessness, affordability, wildfire response and public safety continues to shape voter sentiment as challengers like Nithya Raman and Spencer Pratt gain attention in an increasingly unpredictable race. With the World Cup and Olympics approaching, many Angelenos are now weighing whether the city feels like it is improving or still drifting through overlapping crises.

Matthew Perry Ketamine Middleman Sentenced to Prison

Erik Fleming, a former Hollywood producer turned drug counselor, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for helping procure the ketamine that killed Matthew Perry in 2023. Prosecutors say Fleming acted as a go-between for Perry’s assistant and alleged dealer Jasveen Sangha, known as the “Ketamine Queen.” Court filings revealed Fleming acknowledged both the illegality and danger of the transactions, despite working in addiction treatment at the time. The case continues to expose the network surrounding Perry’s fatal overdose.

Stephen Cloobeck Arrested in Fiancée’s Criminal Case

Former California gubernatorial candidate and billionaire businessman Stephen Cloobeck was arrested Tuesday after prosecutors accused him of trying to influence witnesses connected to the criminal case against his fiancée, Adva Lavie. Lavie, an Israeli model and influencer, has pleaded not guilty to allegations that she used dating apps and romantic relationships to target wealthy victims in a burglary and theft scheme across Los Angeles. The case has drawn additional attention because Cloobeck hired attorney David Hochman, brother of L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, while prosecutors continue building their case against both Lavie and Cloobeck.

Judge Says Enough in Blake Lively Legal Battle

Even after a sweeping settlement in the sprawling Blake Lively and Wayfarer legal fight tied to It Ends With Us, one major issue remains unresolved. Lively’s legal team is still pursuing attorneys’ fees and damages under California’s anti-retaliation law, arguing the defamation claims against her amounted to retaliatory litigation. But Judge Lewis Liman made clear this week that he does not want any more filings before issuing a ruling, signaling growing frustration with the high-profile case as it enters its final stage.

Alex Murdaugh Murder Convictions Overturned, New Trial Ordered

In a stunning ruling, the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Alex Murdaugh’s 2023 murder convictions in the killings of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, finding former court clerk Becky Hill improperly influenced jurors during the high-profile trial. The unanimous decision vacated Murdaugh’s life sentences and ordered a new trial, while also criticizing prosecutors for leaning too heavily into evidence tied to his financial crimes. Murdaugh will remain behind bars on separate fraud-related convictions as state prosecutors prepare to retry the murder case.

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