'General Hopsital' Star's Murder

Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón is facing new criticism today for his response to yet another high-profile criminal case.

The latest scrutiny involves his decision to pursue less severe measures against violent gang members involved in the murder of "General Hospital" actor Johnny Wactor.

Quick Catchup

• Wactor’s senseless murder has become symbolic of growing issues related to violent robberies in Los Angeles.

• He was shot to death on May 25 after he came upon four men trying to jack up his car as police said they were trying to steal the actor’s catalytic converter.

• Wactor had just gotten off work as a bartender at 3:30am, he was left to die in the arms of a coworker.

Suspect Charges

📌Gascón announced the charges against four suspects during a press conference in Los Angeles on Monday.

📌Prosecutors say two of the suspects- both 18 years old- both members of the Florencia 13 Gang in South LA- face murder charges.

📌The other suspects, also alleged gang members, are 18 years old and 22 years old, and face robbery, gun, and other charges related to the murder.

📌The suspects are being held at LA County Jail (bail ranges from $120k- $2 million).

Family Frustration

Legal experts argue that the decision not to file special gang and gun enhancement charges against the suspects could result in significantly reduced prison sentences if they are convicted.

The family of Johnny Wactor is expressing frustration with Gascón’s decision, insisting that the District Attorney’s office should apply these special charges. They believe that, given the suspects’ violent backgrounds and extensive criminal histories, additional charges are warranted.

Voters Ready to Replace Gascón

A recent poll reveals that if the Los Angeles election were held today, voters would replace George Gascón with criminal defense attorney Nathan Hochman as the new LA County District Attorney.

The LA Times/ UC Berkeley Poll indicates that voters blame Gascón for the perception that crime is worsening across Los Angeles.

According to the poll, 60% of voters believe that public safety in the county has deteriorated over the past three years, and they attribute a significant portion of this decline to Gascón’s policies.

And if you are wondering where Nathan Hochman stands on the Johnny Wactor case- you can check it out here:

NEW PROTECTION FOR UNDOCUMENTED SPOUSES

Starting this week at the San Diego border, the new "Parole in Place" program is streamlining the path to green cards and citizenship for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens.

Quick Catchup

• The Biden White House estimates that 500,000 undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens are eligible for this new program.

• There are strict requirements:

  

  NBC News

• Critics, particularly Republicans, are condemning it as “mass amnesty” and warning that it will jeopardize border security.

• Former President Trump said he would reverse Biden’s order if reelected.

WAYMO APOLOGY

If you’re keeping up with the drama of the honking driverless cars in San Francisco, buckle up—it’s still going strong.

Waymo executives have finally apologized and started handing out ice cream, but only after residents took to live streaming their sleepless nights, thanks to relentless honking in the wee hours.

Here’s the latest on this bizarre saga:

SKY HIGH SUMMER ELECTRIC BILLS

If your electric bill hit new heights this month, it wasn’t just the blistering summer heat to blame—and you’re not alone.

Many Southern California Edison customers are sweating under the TOU pricing system: That’s ‘Time of Use,’

Consumer expert David Lazarus breaks it down.

NASAL SPRAY TAKES ON EpiPen

San Diego-based ARS Pharma has introduced Neffy, a nasal spray alternative to the popular EpiPen, offering a needle-free solution for those with severe allergies.

Recently approved by the FDA, Neffy is expected to save lives and ease fears, especially among children who dread injections.

Doctors and parents alike see this innovation as a game-changer in emergency allergy care.