A bizarre search and rescue operation unfolded Monday for an occupant of an SUV that reportedly plunged 1,000 feet down a hillside Saturday night in Ventura County.

This report aired on Dec. 2, 2024.

Full story: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/search-underway-for-occupant-of-suv-that-plunged-down-ventura-county-cliffside/

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Defense Secretary, spent a second day Tuesday on Capitol Hill, meeting privately with Republican senators amid rising questions about his ability to effectively lead the Pentagon.

John Fenoglio reports on Dec. 3, 2024.

Details: ktla.com

After a Southern California store was targeted by a shoplifter, the owner decided to feature the thief as the star of their latest clothing collection.

Surveillance cameras captured the male shoplifter entering Vardagen, located along Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, in broad daylight. He quickly snatches a sweatshirt and another item from a display rack before walking away.

The shop’s owner, decided to use the crime to his advantage by creating a new clothing collection called "Wanted,” featuring a caricature of the suspect front and center.

KTLA's Carlos Saucedo reports on Dec. 3, 2024.

An arson suspect slammed into a white BMW, killing a 25-year-old woman and injuring two others as he fled from officers in Orange County Monday night, police said.

Mary Beth McDade reports on Dec. 3, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/1-killed-when-pursuit-ends-in-violent-rollover-crash-in-orange-county/

A Chinese national living illegally in Ontario was arrested Tuesday for sending guns, ammunition and military equipment to North Korea through shipping containers out of Long Beach, federal prosecutors allege.

Angeli Kakade reports on Dec. 3, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/chinese-man-living-illegally-in-i-e-tried-to-send-weapons-ammo-to-north-korea-doj/

Nathan Hochman was officially sworn in as the 44th Los Angeles County District Attorney on Tuesday in a ceremony held on the front steps of the Hall of Justice.

Hochman replaces former District Attorney George Gascón, who lost his reelection bid in a landslide in November.

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger officially swore in Hochman. During the ceremony, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell and other local leaders spoke.

KTLA's Samantha Cortese reports on Dec. 3, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/nathan-hochman-officially-sworn-in-as-l-a-county-district-attorney/

A 2-year-old child from Crestline was killed after what authorities are calling a “gun-related accident” involving the child’s 7-year-old brother. KTLA's Shelby Nelson reports from Rancho Cucamonga. Dec. 3, 2024.

An arson suspect slammed into a white BMW, killing a 25-year-old woman and injuring two others as he fled from officers in Orange County Monday night, police said. KTLA's Gene Kang reports. Dec. 3, 2024.

KTLA's David Lazarus covers the day's top consumer news. Dec. 3, 2024.

Hochman replaces former District Attorney George Gascón, who lost his reelection bid in a landslide in November.

A whirlwind road trip to see country music star Zach Bryan in concert ended on an even higher note for a Southern California mother and her son thanks to a winning California Lottery Scratcher ticket. Nov. 3, 2024.

Story: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/zach-bryan-fan-lottery-winner/

After a tumultuous stint characterized by shelter overcrowding and high euthanasia rates, Staycee Dains, the General Manager of the Los Angeles Animal Services, has stepped down.  KTLA 5's Kimberly Cheng reports. (Dec. 3, 2024)

Police tracked down and arrested a reckless driving suspect who fled the scene of a crash that left a woman injured in Upland Monday night.

This video aired on the KTLA 5 Morning News on Dec. 3, 2024.