For the most part, trains that move passengers and cargo on railroads across the United States only follow a red light safety system that became the industry standard more than 150 years ago. The National Transportation Safety Board has long urged railroad officials to invest in Positive Train Control, or PTC, Read more
As the 2018 federal deadline looms for Positive Train Control, or PTC, the rail industry continues spending millions on lobbyists on Capitol Hill to persuade lawmakers to delay and weaken the 2008 Rail Safety Improvement Act, which amounts to a $15-billion dollar investment for railroad companies. The federal law requires most Read more
Patricia Nazario’s reports live report from outside IndyMac’s Encino branch where customers were, again, forming long lines before sunrise this morning – eager to withdraw whatever they could. Los Angeles Police officer Joe Breyer cordons off an area for customers with their names on a waitlist at the Read more
Loud explosions, roaring flames and tons of water – all the makings of an action flick! But no cameras insight for the real-life fire ripping through a Universal Studios backlot. Patricia Nazario reports live as firefighters managed to contain the blaze and theme-park executives reopened the park, albeit a Read more
Flags at half staff and fire trucks –polished and bright– lined up near the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels downtown set the scene for Brent Lovrien’s farewell. He is the first firefighter Los Angeles has lost on the job in almost four years. Patricia Nazario was there as friends, Read more
Some members of the Los Angeles Police Department’s SWAT team still remember the 11-hour standoff on February 7, 2008, like it was yesterday. Just before midnight, SWAT officers responded to a hostage call at a house in the West San Fernando Valley. At about 12:30 in the morning, senior SWAT Read more
Around 12:30 in the morning, LAPD SWAT officers escalate force to a “flash bang” grenade. The team hoped the loud and bright diversionary explosion would stun the shooter, and give them a tactical advantage. According to the LA Weekly, it didn’t work, because the shooter was down a hallway and well Read more
Los Angeles Police Captain Michelle Veenstra arrived at Northridge Medical Center shortly after her husband, LAPD SWAT officer James Veenstra, was admitted for emergency surgery to his face and jaw. His partner, SWAT officer Randal Simmons, was shot in the neck during a violet 11-hour standoff, and died at Northridge Read more
Dozens of reporters gather to learn more about the events that lead to an 11-hour standoff and gun battle about a quarter mile away from the bloody crime scene. Deputy Chief Michel Moore of the LAPD Valley Bureau says Edwin Rivera called 911 around 9 p.m. to say he was holding six Read more
Edwin Rivera, 20, is identified as the shooter who called 911 on February 6, 2008 saying, “…come get me,” after killing his father and two older brothers, including 25-year-old Endi Rivera. Los Angeles Police say when officers arrived, the high-school dropout with mental-health issues shot at them, which started an Read more