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  • The Daily Brief: LAFD Union Backs Push For Sales Tax Hike, Dodgers Continue Offseason Spending Spree, and more.

The Daily Brief: LAFD Union Backs Push For Sales Tax Hike, Dodgers Continue Offseason Spending Spree, and more.

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Good Afternoon! It’s Friday, January 16.

Sunny Skies were seen across Los Angeles on Friday, with highs reaching 75°. Cloudy conditions are forecast as we head into Saturday, but warmer weather will stick around with a high of 79° forecast.

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LAFD Union Pushes Sales Tax Hike, Warns City Is Underprepared for Major Fires

One year after the devastating Palisades wildfire, the union representing Los Angeles firefighters says the LAFD is at its lowest staffing level since the 1960s and is struggling with outdated equipment and too few responders. Union leaders are now urging voters to back a proposed sales tax increase that would be dedicated exclusively to fire services, funding new hires, modern equipment, and station repairs. Supporters say the measure is essential to prevent another catastrophic fire season, while critics question raising taxes in an already costly city.

Dodgers Make Another Massive Splash With Kyle Tucker Signing

The Dodgers added yet another superstar to an already loaded roster, signing four-time All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker to a four-year, $240 million contract that includes opt-out clauses and a record-setting $60 million average annual value. The move gives L.A. its eighth $100 million-plus deal and pushes the team deeper into luxury-tax territory as spring training approaches. Tucker, coming off a strong season despite injury setbacks, is expected to slot into the heart of a lineup anchored by Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani.

New Disney+ Documentary Reveals How Disneyland Was Built

Kathleen Kennedy Steps Down as President of Lucasfilm

After 14 years leading Lucasfilm through the modern Star Wars era, Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down as president and transitioning to full-time producing. Disney confirmed that Dave Filoni, a longtime Lucas protégé and the creative force behind The Mandalorian, will assume a leadership role alongside co-president Lynwen Brennan. Kennedy leaves behind a legacy that includes reviving the Star Wars film franchise, launching major Disney+ series, and overseeing some of the highest-grossing films in box office history. The leadership shift clears the way for Lucasfilm to move forward with a new slate of projects under Filoni’s creative direction.

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Reunite for Netflix Crime Thriller The Rip

Netflix has unveiled The Rip, a tense new crime thriller that reunites longtime collaborators Ben Affleck and Matt Damon as two Miami cops whose discovery of a massive cartel cash stash triggers a moral and psychological unraveling. Directed by Joe Carnahan and inspired by real-life experiences, the film favors realism and character over spectacle, with Miami’s heat and volatility mirroring the pressure on its protagonists. Anchored by the pair’s decades-long friendship and layered performances, The Rip positions itself as a high-stakes, emotionally grounded Netflix original with genuine cinematic ambition.

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