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.
—If you've used Facebook (aka Meta) in the last 16 years, you may be able to obtain part of a $725 million settlement the company is being forced to pay out over allowing Cambridge Analytica and other third parties to access private user information and misleading users about its privacy practices. [CNN]
—LAPD officer/police-influencer Toni McBride has filed a $5 million lawsuit against the LAPD for retaliation and discrimination. Her lawsuit alleges that Chief Michel Moore asked McBride to take down her social media posts showing McBride participating in AR-rifle shooting competitions and that he blocked her promotions when she refused. McBride drew scrutiny over her fatal shooting of 38-year-old Daniel Hernandez, who was said to be approaching her with a box cutter before the officer shot him six times. According to McBride, Moore told her she needed to "'choose between being an LAPD officer’ or posting social media videos.” [LAT]
—Los Angeles gets a giant F-grade for its air quality and is still the "smoggiest metropolitan area in the nation," according to a new report by the American Lung Association. The report also says that 98% of Californians live in communities with unhealthy levels of smog or fine particles. [MSN]
—Koreatown: A drama series set in and named for L.A.'s Koreatown, written by Alan Yang and Gene Hong, is going into development from Amazon Studios and Universal Studios. The story involves two Korean-American brothers —"a savvy nightclub owner and a recovering addict"—who must make amends with their past to run a drug operation to care for their dying mother. [Deadline]
—23-year-old Namir Malik Ali Greene was arrested on suspicion of committing 31 armed robberies or attempts at gas stations and convenience stores in Orange and Los Angeles County from March 21 to April 15. 2023, as well as carjacking two drivers, according to a federal complaint filed yesterday. Greene allegedly stole at least $15,360 total during the three-and-a-half-week robbery spree, which targeted gas stations and convenience stores in neighborhoods including Long Beach, Hermosa Beach, Marina del Rey, Pico Rivera, Whittier, Montebello, Santa Monica, and Mid-City. [O.C. Register]
—Stone Brewing is collaborating with MOVA Brewing Co. in Dnipro, Ukraine on "Stone Side By Side IPA" to support its Kiev-based distribution partners. Proceeds of the beer will support those affected by the war in Ukraine. The tap handle art, designed by artist Dartsya Zironka, shows soldiers side-by-side, with one having a slightly ghosted appearance, meant to be "representative of the support offered in spirit from across the world." The brew will be available on draft at Stone Brewing locations in the United States and at locations throughout the world. [Mova Brewing]
