LAFD's 2024 Howling Heroes winner revealed (2024)

Earlier this month the Los Angeles Fire Department announced the return of its annual Howling Heroes Contest and KTLA was proud to continue its partnership for the fourth consecutive year.The contest closed earlier this week and over $28,000 was raised to support the foundation’s initiatives, including the canine therapy program.Today, on the KTLA 5 News at Noon, the top three finalists joined Lu Parker to crown the winner. A panel of judges including Lance Bass and Pauly Perrette deliberated and crowned Blue the winner and the department's newest mascot.For more information on the LAFD Foundation or to support their cause, visit supportlafd.org.

This segment aired on the KTLA 5 News at Noon on April 26, 2024.

New inflation numbers on April 26, 2024, revealed the cost of many essentials remains high for consumers. The federal government's report showed prices rose at an annual rate of 2.7% last month, just a bit higher than the month before.

"Inflation remains persistent and unacceptably high," said Mark Hamrick, a senior economic analyst at Bankrate.According to the report, one of the sticking points is healthcare costs, which make up about a fifth of the economy. Hamrick said unexpected trips to the doctor often hurt consumers the most. "That can really be damaging to their personal finances," he said.

Vincent Plymell with the Colorado Division of Insurance said the cost of owning a car, from insurance to repairs, is also driving inflation. "To do anything, you need a car," Plymell said. "And so that's going to impact people."

Details: https://ktla.com/news/washington-dc-bureau/new-numbers-show-inflation-remains-stubbornly-high/

Former president Donald Trump is wrapping up his first week on criminal trial for alleged hush money payments.

David Pecker, the former National Enquirer publisher, did admit to burying embarrassing stories of then presidential candidate Trump leading up to the 2016 election. The former president's defense team spent the day trying to find holes in his story.

Inside the courtroom, the 12 jurors listened as Trump's attorneys attempted to pick apart Pecker’s testimony. Pecker admitted he helped buy and then kill embarrassing stories. The ex-tabloid owner says Trump thanked him for his help in 2017 at the White House, a detail defense attorneys say did not match his previous statement.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/washington-dc-bureau/testimony-continues-in-trump-criminal-trial/

A tornado plowed through suburban Omaha, Nebraska on April 26, 2024, destroying homes and other structures as the twister tore for miles along farmland and into subdivisions. Injuries were reported but it wasn’t yet clear if anyone was killed in the storm. Multiple tornadoes were reported in Nebraska but the most destructive storm moved from a largely rural area into suburbs northwest of Omaha, a city of 485,000 people.

Photos on social media showed heavily damaged homes and shredded trees. Video showed homes with roofs stripped of shingles, in a rural area near Omaha. Law enforcement was blocking off roads in the area. Video showed one woman being removed from a demolished home on a stretcher in Blair, a city just north of Omaha.

KTLA's Samantha Cortese reports on April 26, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/nationworld/tornado-tears-through-nebraska-causing-severe-damage-in-omaha-suburbs/

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators and pro-Israel counterprotesters squared off on the campus of UCLA this week as student protests over the Israel-Hamas war developed on a number of college campuses. While the demonstrations have been largely peaceful, minor altercations have occurred.

The activists, including students and outside participants, are calling for universities to divest from any interests in Israel in response to Israel's offensive against Hamas in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack.

KTLA's Mary Beth McDade reports on April 26, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/pro-palestinian-protesters-limiting-access-to-ucla-encampment/

An increase in bear sightings in San Bernardino County campgrounds has prompted an alert from park officials, warning visitors to be on the lookout. “We have about 140 campsites plus six large group campsites and they’re basically full every weekend starting now so it’s very popular,” said Ryann Gill, California State Park Superintendent of Silverwood Lake.

As the weather warms up, more people will begin heading outdoors to enjoy activities at Silverwood Lake. Following the cold winter months, however, this is also when bears emerge from hibernation and sightings will be on the rise.“Bear activity isn’t uncommon at Silverwood,” Gill said. “We do have bear activity here, however, for the last three weeks, I would say we’ve had increasing instances of at least one bear entering our campsites.”

Recently, however, bear sightings were reported at the New Mesa and Old Mesa campgrounds, areas where Gill said bears are not typically seen.

KTLA's Shelby Nelson reports on April 26, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/increased-bear-sightings-prompt-alert-at-san-bernardino-campground/

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators and pro-Israel counterprotesters squared off on the campus of UCLA this week as student protests over the Israel-Hamas war developed on a number of college campuses. While the demonstrations have been largely peaceful, minor altercations have occurred.

The activists, including students and outside participants, are calling for universities to divest from any interests in Israel in response to Israel's offensive against Hamas in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack.

KTLA's Chris Wolfe reports on April 26, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/pro-palestinian-protesters-limiting-access-to-ucla-encampment/

A man was stabbed near a Metro bus in the University Park area of Los Angeles early Friday afternoon, the latest in a series of high-profile attacks. The attack was reported at about 12:35 p.m. when officers responded to the intersection of Adams Boulevard and Figueroa Way, where they found a man who had been cut, according to Officer Miller of the Los Angeles Police Department.

The victim was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he is expected to survive, police said. The alleged attacker was taken into custody at Grand Avenue and Adams Boulevard, police said. A knife was also recovered.

KTLA's Gene Kang reports on April 26, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/man-stabbed-near-bus-latest-in-string-of-metro-violence/

A kidnapping suspect was arrested after an hours-long standoff inside a van, shutting down the 710 and 91 Freeways on Friday night.

The male suspect initially led Long Beach officers on a chase before pulling over on the on-ramp to the southbound 710 Freeway near Alondra Boulevard in Compton around 4:15 p.m. However, he refused to come out and moved into the rear portion of the van.

Traffic was backed up for miles as after-work commuters hit the streets. The suspect later drove away and was PIT-maneuvered on the westbound 91 Freeway before officers were able to overtake the van and arrest him.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/live-suspect-barricaded-inside-van-shutting-down-freeway-lanes/

An increase in bear sightings in San Bernardino County campgrounds has prompted an alert from park officials, warning visitors to be on the lookout. “We have about 140 campsites plus six large group campsites and they’re basically full every weekend starting now so it’s very popular,” said Ryann Gill, California State Park Superintendent of Silverwood Lake.

As the weather warms up, more people will begin heading outdoors to enjoy activities at Silverwood Lake. Following the cold winter months, however, this is also when bears emerge from hibernation and sightings will be on the rise.“Bear activity isn’t uncommon at Silverwood,” Gill said. “We do have bear activity here, however, for the last three weeks, I would say we’ve had increasing instances of at least one bear entering our campsites.”

Recently, however, bear sightings were reported at the New Mesa and Old Mesa campgrounds, areas where Gill said bears are not typically seen.

KTLA's Shelby Nelson reports on April 26, 2024.