A driver is being praised for her heroic actions after she stopped a trash truck that was engulfed in flames from crashing into Orange County homes on Friday morning. Nearby homeowners, Mark and Candice Holman, told KTLA’s Rachel Menitoff that their children were still in bed when it happened. Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/driver-stops-truck-on-fire-from-crashing-into-orange-county-homes/

Security cameras captured a series of brazen, destructive thefts that continue targeting homes across the San Fernando Valley. A Valley Village resident said she was stunned and shaken up after thieves ransacked her home on Dec. 17 between 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The break-in was captured on surveillance cameras as a male suspect approached the house and appeared to be disguised as a delivery man. Once realizing no one was home, several accomplices entered the property by shattering a glass back door.

KTLA's Angeli Kakade reports on Dec. 20, 2024.

Authorities are searching for four men suspected of rear-ending a man, kidnapping him and then burglarizing his home in Corona, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday. The victim, Donald Pierre Jr., tells KTLA's Chris Wolfe how the events transpired. Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/four-suspects-rear-end-kidnap-man-and-burglarize-his-home-in-riverside-county/

Following a whirlwind week on Capitol Hill, the House of Representatives voted 366-34-1 Friday afternoon in favor or a spending bill to avert a government shutdown before a midnight deadline. The bill then headed to the Senate for final approval. Before that vote, California Senator Alex Padilla (D) joined Micah Ohlman and Cher Calvin to discuss the bill, the winners and losers of its passage, the growing influence of Elon Musk over the legislative process, and more. Dec. 20, 2024.

The Mega Millions jackpot has reached $862 million, the highest ever offered in December, and no California Lottery player has ever won a jackpot of its size, officials said.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/california/no-california-lotto-player-has-ever-won-a-mega-millions-jackpot-this-big/

This video aired on the KTLA 5 News at 6 on Dec. 20, 2024.

Another SpaceX launch from Southern California has the potential to create sonic booms for several hundreds of miles. The launch window opens Saturday morning at 3:34 a.m., with a backup window planned for Sunday around 3:12 a.m., if needed.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/california/california-rocket-launch-could-produce-sonic-booms-this-weekend/

This video aired on the KTLA 5 News at 6 on Dec. 20, 2024.

A car plowed into a busy outdoor Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg on Friday, killing at least two people and injuring at least 60 others in what authorities believe was an attack.

The driver was arrested shortly after the car barreled into the market at around 7 p.m., when it was teeming with holiday shoppers looking forward to the weekend.

KTLA's Samantha Cortese reports on Dec. 20, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/nationworld/at-least-2-dead-60-hurt-after-car-drives-into-german-christmas-market-in-a-suspected-attack/

Party City, once among the top names in party-supply retailers, is going out of business, according to an announcement from CEO Barry Litwin.

Litwin, during a conference call with employees, broke the news Friday, the outlet reported. “Unfortunately, it’s necessary to commence a winddown process immediately,” Litwin reportedly said. Party City, founded in 1986, has over 700 locations in North America as of August 2024.

KTLA's Sandra Mitchell reports on Dec. 20, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/party-city-going-out-of-business-starting-process-immediately-report/

A Southern California woman recalls the terrifying moment she said was Tazed and attacked during an attempted kidnapping.

The incident happened on Dec. 18 as the victim, Erin Quinn, a Temecula resident, said she was dropping off toys at a local holiday toy drive. Little did she know, she was allegedly being set up.

KTLA's Ellina Abovian reports on Dec. 20, 2024.

Bluey, a blue heeler dog from the children’s show of the same name, will be making her theme park debut at Disneyland and Walt Disney World next year. Walt Disney Co. also announced that the character will join the Disney Cruise Line as well. https://trib.al/A3hlJAY

Southern California's holiday forecast may include a bit of rain this Christmas Eve.

Henry DiCarlo has KTLA's forecast on Friday, Dec. 20, 2025.

Unionized baristas across 500 Starbucks stores across the country, including in Los Angeles, started a five-day strike on Friday. KTLA's Jennifer McGraw reports on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.