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  • The Daily Brief: Skid Row Ballot Scheme Ends in Guilty Plea, Judge Lets Prosecutors Keep Key Mangione Evidence, and more.

The Daily Brief: Skid Row Ballot Scheme Ends in Guilty Plea, Judge Lets Prosecutors Keep Key Mangione Evidence, and more.

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Max Stretton & Gary Smith
May 18, 2026

Good Afternoon! It’s Monday, May 18.

Los Angeles is seeing sunny skies today, with temperatures reaching a high of 73° and dipping to a low of 57°. Clear and sunny conditions are expected to continue throughout the day, with temperatures increasing over the next few days.

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Skid Row Ballot Scheme Ends in Guilty Plea

A Marina del Rey woman admitted in federal court to paying homeless individuals on Skid Row for ballot signatures and voter registrations as part of a yearslong scheme tied to California ballot initiatives. Prosecutors say she sometimes used her own address for mail-in ballot paperwork and could face up to five years in prison.

LA28 Wants a Greener Olympic Legacy

LA28 is investing $800,000 into local nonprofits tackling wildfire resilience, cooling solutions and coastal protection, as the city looks to make the 2028 Olympics leave more behind than stadiums and souvenirs. The inaugural Resilience Champions Fund supports projects stretching from Boyle Heights to Long Beach.

Roki Sasaki Delivers Breakout Performance in Dodgers Sweep

Roki Sasaki turned in the best outing of his young Dodgers career Sunday, striking out eight batters over seven dominant innings as Los Angeles rolled past the Angels 10-1 in Anaheim. The rookie right-hander showcased his electric splitter while the Dodgers offense exploded for 31 runs across the three-game series sweep.

Chelsea Handler, Spencer Pratt Trade Personal Jabs

Chelsea Handler mocked Spencer Pratt’s mayoral campaign over the weekend, calling the reality star unqualified to hold office. Pratt quickly fired back by posting a Shane Gillis roast clip tied to Handler’s past attendance at a Jeffrey Epstein dinner party alongside several high-profile media figures.

Judge Lets Prosecutors Keep Key Luigi Mangione Evidence

A New York judge handed down a mixed ruling in Luigi Mangione’s murder case Monday, suppressing some evidence tied to his 2024 McDonald’s arrest while allowing prosecutors to keep key items including the alleged ghost gun, silencer and red notebook. The decision marks a major development ahead of Mangione’s upcoming state and federal trials connected to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

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Simi Valley fire burns at least 1 building and forces evacuations

Evacuations were ordered Monday when a wind-driven brush fire spread to at least one home and threatened other buildings as it produced a thick cloud over smoke over a Simi Valley neighborhood. The fire was reported in the area of Sandy Drive, where at least one home has burned and flames were threatening more buildings in the area at the…

Pursuit suspect accused of making criminal threats arrested after standoff in South Gate

On Monday morning, an alleged armed pursuit suspect accused of making criminal threats was arrested following a tense standoff in South Gate.

Deadly crash on 101 Freeway in Studio City

A deadly crash on the 101 Freeway and 134 Freeway split prompted the temporary closure of all southbound lanes of the 101 early Monday morning. 

ESPN has the Rams making one more splash this offseason with a flashy wide receiver who could round out the room in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Rams could use one more weapon in their wide room, and ESPN believes there is a perfect man for the job in Los Angeles.

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