Traffic congestion in Los Angeles and other metropolitan areas is simply a way of life, but a new study finds that the usual rush hour traffic jams aren’t as bad in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.

The study, conducted by the University of North Carolina, found that, while traffic plunged to record lows during the height of the pandemic, overall traffic has returned to its pre-pandemic levels.

But even with the same number of drivers on the road, rush hour traffic isn’t as bad as it was prior to the pandemic. Story: https://ktla.com/news/california/why-rush-hour-isnt-as-bad-in-post-pandemic-l-a/

Police are investigating after an arsonist torched a pickleball storage shed in Santa Monica on Monday night, destroying thousands of dollars worth of equipment.

The fire erupted at Memorial Park around 1 a.m. The storage shed housed pickleball equipment including nets, paddles, balls and more. A nearby fence was also damaged from the blaze. Community members are upset over the targeted attack and want the arsonist to be caught before they strike again.

KTLA's Chris Wolfe reports on September 26, 2023.

Police in Glendale arrested four suspects involved in a series of commercial burglaries early Tuesday morning, the same day it was announced that it was announced L.A. County approved $15.6 million to combat the growing problem of smash-and-grab burglaries. Omar Lewis reports for KTLA 5 News at 10, Sept. 26, 2023. Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/4-suspects-busted-during-commercial-burglary-series/

The Writers Guild of America announced Tuesday afternoon that the strike is officially coming to an end on Wednesday. Carlos Saucedo reports for KTLA 5 News at 10, Sept. 26, 2023. Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/writers-guild-announces-an-end-to-strike/

The Writers Guild of America announced Tuesday afternoon that the strike is officially coming to an end on Wednesday.  

“The WGA reached a tentative agreement with the AMPTP. Today, our Negotiating Committee, WGAW Board, and WGAE Council all voted unanimously to recommend the agreement. The strike ends at 12:01 am.,” the WGA posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.  

Leaders of Hollywood’s writers union declared their nearly five-month-old strike over Tuesday after board members approved a contract agreement with studios.

KTLA's Sandra Mitchell reports on September 26, 2023.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/writers-guild-announces-an-end-to-strike/

A former Riverside County Sheriff’s Department correctional deputy faces a series of local felony charges after he was allegedly caught with more than 100 pounds of fentanyl and a gun. This report aired on KTLA 5 News at 5, Sept. 26, 2023. Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/ex-deputy-faces-felony-charges-after-being-caught-with-more-than-44-pounds-of-drugs-gun-rcda-says/

Police in Glendale arrested four suspects involved in a series of commercial burglaries early Tuesday morning, authorities announced. This report aired on KTLA 5 News at 5, Sept. 26, 2023. Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/4-suspects-busted-during-commercial-burglary-series/

With COVID-era protections gone, the number of renters facing eviction in Los Angeles continues to climb by the thousands each month.

From February through the end of August, approximately 50,000 eviction notices were filed by landlords in the city, according to figures released on Monday by the L.A. Controller’s Office. A spokesperson said 96% of them involved non-payment of rent, and landlords were owed $186.5 million collectively.

KTLA's Rachel Menitoff reports on September 26, 2023.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/eviction-notices-piling-up-in-los-angeles/

A man convicted of robbery, kidnapping and sexual assault has been released from prison after 28 years after it was determined he was wrongfully convicted, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Last week, the conviction of Gerardo Cabanillas was vacated after evidence was reexamined by the DA's Office Conviction Integrity Unit. In a press release issued Tuesday afternoon, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón called Cabanillas' imprisonment a "grave injustice."

KTLA's Sara Welch reports on September 26, 2023.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/wrongfully-convicted-man-released-after-spending-28-years-behind-bars/

Gasoline prices in California edged higher again on Tuesday, hitting an average of $5.84 per gallon – a little over a penny more than Monday’s average, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).

Drivers in metro Los Angeles are paying an average of $6.14/gallon, nearly 80 cents more than a month ago and 30 cents more than a year ago as gas prices tread dangerously close to L.A.’s all-time record of $6.50/gallon from October 2022.

Full coverage: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/why-do-californians-pay-so-much-more-for-gas-than-other-drivers/

A boy was struck and killed by a vehicle in Adelanto Monday morning. Shelby Nelson reports for the KTLA 5 News at 4 on Sept. 26, 2023. https://ktla.com/news/local-news/12-year-old-boy-killed-in-adelanto-crash/

For the last four months, lines have been building outside the Skechers store in Gardena, and it's not the shoes that everyone is buzzing about.

Details: https://ktla.com/food/skechers-opened-an-elevated-concession-stand-at-its-gardena-store-its-an-overnight-success/

Legal cannabis in California is a multi-billion dollar industry, and many Californians are trying to figure out how to get a piece of the action. That’s why the University of California, Riverside has partnered with a prominent online cannabis education company to help Californians learn more about the industry.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/california/uc-riverside-helping-students-kickstart-careers-in-cannabis-with-online-certificate-program/