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.
-Seventy-four-year-old Carlos Santana collapsed on stage while playing a show in Michigan, citing dehydration and heat exhaustion. [ABC]
—The cultivation tax on California cannabis growers has been eliminated, but consumers may find themselves paying more at the register due to a forthcoming 15% excise tax. [Hollyweed]
—Thanks to all those 4th of July fireworks, L.A.'s air quality was downgraded for much of Southern California due to high levels of particulate matter and metal air pollutants. [LAT]
—There's a $25,000 taco being served at the Grand Velas Los Cabos resort, featuring a gold-infused corn tortilla with lobster and Kobe beef, topped with black truffle Brie cheese, Beluga caviar, a salsa made from dried morita chiles, añejo Tequila, and Luwak coffee. Oh, and more gold. So far, two have been sold. [Tasting Table]
—40-year-old David Brian Pearce has been charged with murder in the overdose deaths of two women who were left outside of Los Angeles hospitals in November 2021, and is also being connected with seven sexual assaults. 42-year-old Brandt Osborn is also being charged with two counts of accessory after the fact with knowledge of the crime. Pearce could face life in prison if convicted. [CBS;Deadline]
—An analysis of tap water from nine sites in the U.S. reveal more "Forever Chemicals" than EPA tests are showing. [The Guardian]
—The Dodgers Chris Taylor will be on the sidelines due to a fractured left foot. [ESPN]
—30-year-old nonprofit Students Run LA had over 500 pairs of donated shoes stolen in two break-ins. [LAT]
—Three men in their twenties from the San Fernando Valley were killed in a high-speed crash in Winnetka on Sunday night, while another six were injured after their SUV collided with a pickup truck. [NBC]
—Santa Barbara’s 30-year-old Carniceria La Nueva has been the victim of two vandalism incidents that may be racially motivated. [SB Independent]
—Laser scans have revealed evidence of ancient settlement in Bolivia in the Amazon River Basin. [Big Think]
