The countdown to 2025 has begun, and the Las Vegas Strip is lighting up a bit brighter with countless shows, parties, new openings, and more. Las Vegas entertainment and lifestyle journalist Melinda Sheckells joined us with a guide on how to ring in the new year.

For more information on this Vegas guide to New Year’s Eve, follow Melinda on Instagram @MelindaSheckells.

This segment aired on the KTLA 5 Morning News on Dec. 26, 2024.

U.S. officials say Russia could be behind a passenger plane crash in Kazakhstan that left dozens dead on Christmas Day.

U.S. officials say it looks like the plane was hit by a Russian air defense system, but investigators haven't been able to confirm what happened yet. An Azerbaijani airliner headed to Russia went off course and then crashed, killing dozens of the 67 people on board.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/nationworld/investigation-is-underway-in-kazakhstan-plane-crash/

People gathered in prayer and visited mass graves in Indonesia’s Aceh province on Thursday to mark 20 years since the massive Indian Ocean tsunami hit the region in one of modern history’s worst natural disasters.

Many wept as they placed flowers at a mass grave in Ulee Lheue village, where more than 14,000 unidentified tsunami victims are buried. It is one of several mass graves in Banda Aceh, the capital of Indonesia’s northernmost province, which was one of the areas worst hit by a magnitude 9.1 earthquake and the massive tsunami it triggered.

KTLA's Rachel Menitoff reports on Dec. 26, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/nationworld/ap-prayers-and-tears-mark-20-years-since-the-indian-ocean-tsunami-that-killed-some-230000-people/

As folks travel back home after the holidays, those driving on the roads or taking a flight into Southern California should brace for large crowds, high traffic and general travel delays.

KTLA's Mary Beth McDade repots on Dec. 26, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/nationworld/post-christmas-travel-these-are-the-best-and-worst-times-to-drive/

The first Menorah candle was lit outside the California state capitol building on Dec. 25 as the Sacramento Jewish Community officially marked the beginning of Hanukkah. Community members gathered outside the west steps of the capitol building to take part in the festivities.

Eytan Wallace takes us inside the Capitol to meet the newest members of the California Legislature. Both chambers will be filled with returning veterans along with several rookies elected to office for the first time.

Malls and retailers across Southern California are filled with shoppers returning or exchanging unwanted gifts the day after Christmas.

KTLA's Chip Yost reports on Dec. 26, 2024.

A severed human leg was found in Palos Verdes Estates early Christmas morning.

The partial leg was found on the Bluff Cove Trail near the 800 block of Paseo Del Mar, and no other body parts were found so far as cadaver dogs continued scouring the area.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/human-leg-found-in-palos-verdes-estates/

It took over 100 firefighters more than an hour and a half to contain a fire at a historic downtown Los Angeles building in an incident that officials declared a "Major Emergency." Dec. 26, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/homeless-flee-burning-vacant-structure-in-downtown-los-angeles/

KTLA's Gil Leyvas reports on a police shooting in Long Beach on Dec. 26, 2024.

The Los Angeles Fire Department declared a "Major Emergency" as a vacant structure burned in downtown Los Angeles Thursday morning.

Gil Leyvas reports for the KTLA 5 Morning News on Dec. 26, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/homeless-flee-burning-vacant-structure-in-downtown-los-angeles/

Approximately 119.3 million people were expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the holidays, with about 107 million choosing to drive, according to AAA. Now that Christmas has passed, many are beginning their journeys back home. https://trib.al/m5xVitk

Azerbaijan on Thursday observed a nationwide day of mourning for the victims of the plane crash that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured as speculation mounted about a possible cause of the disaster, with some experts saying that the airliner was damaged by Russian air defense fire.

This video aired on the KTLA 5 Morning News on Dec. 26, 2024.