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The Daily Brief: Military Veteran & Green Beret Tied to New Year’s Day Attacks, Most-Read Stories of 2024, and more.

Your daily update is here.

Author

Andrew Curry
January 02, 2025

Good Afternoon! It’s Thursday, Jan 2nd.

With a high of 76°, we will have a beautifully sunny start to our new year.

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A U.S. Army Veteran and Active-Duty Green Beret Connected to Separate New Year's Day Attacks

On New Year's Day, the nation witnessed two separate attacks, stirring fears of terrorism. Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, an Army vet turned violent, caused mayhem in New Orleans—plowing through a crowd and firing randomly, leaving 15 dead. Shockingly, an ISIS flag was found in his vehicle. Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, an unrelated explosion killed active-duty Green Beret Matthew Livelsberger, who detonated a rented Cybertruck outside a Trump hotel using fireworks and gas tanks. The FBI confirmed no definite connection between the incidents. The New Orleans attack was one of the deadliest, with Jabbar's radical associations under investigation. Livelsberger's explosion in Las Vegas added to the chaos of the day. Authorities stress the importance of understanding and learning from these acts to improve national security measures going forward.

The Most-Read Stories of 2024: A Wild Year in Los Angeles

Explore Los Angeles in 2024—a year filled with celebrity scandals, courtroom dramas, and tales of resilience. From the staged wedding of Christine Quinn to atmospheric challenges, discover the stories that defined the city and beyond. Dive into the unexpected twists that shaped LA this year.

LAPD Hunts Alleged Shoplifter Who Opened Fire in a Busy DTLA Target Sparking Gun Battle

A shoplifting incident at a crowded DTLA Target turned violent, leaving two security guards shot. LAPD released a suspect's image, urging public help to capture the armed suspect.

Breakouts and Binges: LA Mag's Biggest Entertainment Stories of 2024

Dive into LA Mag's 2024 entertainment highlights! From Jo Koy's buzzworthy Golden Globes performance to captivating interviews with stars and groundbreaking music moments, discover the stories behind the headlines.

The Stories That Defined Travel & Luxury in 2024

Experience the perfect blend of tradition and innovation in 2024’s luxury travel scene. From Paris to Hawaii, discover the stories behind this year's most exciting travel transformations and iconic moments.

Health inspections change

Say bye-bye to the blue “A” grade and hello green

An Arctic outbreak will send a chill through much of the U.S. Here's how to prepare

Blasts of Arctic air are poised to bring below-average temperatures to much of the central and eastern U.S. throughout the first half of January. Here's what to expect and how to prepare.

SoCal's rainy season off to dismal start

The last time downtown L.A. saw significant rain was 276 days ago.

China Hits Dozens of U.S. Companies With Trade Controls

The move was the latest escalation in the back and forth between Beijing and Washington over products considered vital to national security.

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