Headlines: Gang Violence Closes Compton Youth Academy
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Welcome to L.A. TACO’s daily news briefs, where we bring our loyal members, readers, and supporters the latest headlines about Los Angeles politics and culture. Stay informed and look closely.
—Compton: Gang violence, including a December 9 shooting caught on camera, has indefinitely closed Compton's Wildcat Youth Academy, a longstanding sanctuary that gives 40 children a place to go after school. Founder Derrick Cooper has started a GoFundMe to help find a replacement location for the after-school program. [KTLA]
—After 75 years in business, In-N-Out Burger has announced it will open a corporate hub in Tennessee, paving the way for the California-grown chain's first locations east of The Rockies. In-N-Out projects, the first restaurants will hit Nashville in 2026. [Inc.]
—Residents of the City of Los Angeles are now required to compost all their applicable food waste. All of L.A. Sanitation's 750,000 customers must now toss their food and food-soiled paper, like pizza boxes, into their green bin, along with their yard waste. [CBS]
—Most California cities and counties, according to a SCNG’s analysis, are falling way behind on state housing goals, earning an average letter grade of C-. The findings show California cities and counties continue to struggle with an affordable housing crisis that further stokes soaring rents and home prices while fueling homelessness. [LADN]
—Lake Elsinore: A candlelight vigil was held last night for Darnell Calhoun, a Riverside County sheriff's deputy who was shot and killed Friday in the line of duty, in Lake Elsinore. Another is planned tonight in Murietta. The slain 30-year-old deputy had been in the department for less than a year when he responded to a call of "unknown trouble" in Lake Elsinore, before being shot. A 42-year-old local suspect is in the hospital after being shot by another deputy. [Patch]
—Downtown: Downtown's Damian is now serving the duck carnitas from chef Enrique Olvera's Cosme in New York City. The preparation of the pointedly sourced duck includes hanging for three days, sauteing it with chiles and oranges in condensed milk and Mexican Coke, and covered in duck fat overnight. [Damian]
—28-year-old Orange County resident Dante Chapple-Young has been arrested in New Mexico for of suspicion of killing 24-year-old Elyzza Guajaca with his Camaro during a street takeover in South L.A. on Christmas Day before he reportedly fled the scene. [ABC]
—Elysian Park: Two local websites are reporting the discovery of a dead body in Elysian Park this week, with no further details given. [Northeast.LosAngeles/LincolnHts]
—Griffith Park is the most filmed location in this city, possibly in the world. [HI]
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