This holiday season, two families are grieving losses due to gun violence.

The 136th Rose Parade in Pasadena is right around the corner, and individuals building the floats are working harder than ever to make sure their elaborate creations look perfect on the big day. KTLA 5's Omar Lewis reports. (Dec. 28, 2024)

People are coming to -- and leaving-- Southern California in droves as the holiday season wraps up and families trek back to their homes. KTLA 5's Erin Myers reports. (Dec. 28, 2024)

A car caught fire in the middle of the 101 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles early Saturday morning. KTLA reports on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.

Los Angeles Police Department investigators are looking into the circumstances surrounding a fatal shooting at a smoke shop in downtown L.A. early Saturday morning. (Dec. 28, 2024)

A woman died and three others were hospitalized after two townhomes caught fire in Panorama City overnight.  KTLA 5's Erin Myers reports. (Dec. 28, 2024)

In a rare return to the Southern California coast, a beloved family of orcas made a few star appearances for whale watchers on Friday. Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/playful-pod-of-orcas-reappear-off-orange-county-coastline/

The last of the crystal triangles that make up this year's Times Square New Year's Eve ball were installed on Friday morning, marking the first time in 10 years that all 2,688 were replaced at once.

Rapper Pitbull and inventor Joy Mangano were among those on hand to help the organizers of the celebration put the final pieces in place atop One Times Square, the skyscraper from which the 11,875-pound (5,386-kilogram) geodesic sphere drops to mark the new year.

Details: https://ktla.com/entertainment/ap-final-crystal-triangles-installed-on-times-square-ball-ahead-of-new-years-eve/

Sportscaster Greg Gumbel, best known for his long career with CBS Sports, has died Friday, Dec. 27, according to CBS Sports and Gumbel's family. Gumbel worked in broadcasting for over 50 years.

In a statement Friday, Gumbel's wife Marcy Gumbel and daughter Michelle Gumbel said: "It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gumbel. He passed away peacefully surrounded by much love after a courageous battle with cancer.  Greg approached his illness like one would expect he would, with stoicism, grace, and positivity."

KTLA's Steve Hartman reports on Dec. 2, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/sports/greg-gumbel-cbs-sports-icon-dies-at-78/

A lucky Californian is the state's newest billionaire after winning numbers for the $1.22 billion Mega Millions jackpot were drawn Friday night, Dec. 27, 2024.

The winning ticket that hit all six numbers was sold at Sunshine Food and Gas located at 3505 Rhonda Rd. in Cottonwood, a city in Northern California. The jackpot was the fifth-largest in the game's history.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/winning-1-22-billion-mega-millions-ticket-sold-in-california/

In the thick of holiday travel, another unticketed passenger attempted to stow away on a Delta Airlines flight.

The stowaway, who has not been identified by name, boarded a flight from Seattle to Honolulu on Christmas Eve. Atlanta-based Delta said that the unticketed passenger was discovered while the plane was taxing for departure.

KTLA's Rachel Menitoff reports on Dec. 2, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/nationworld/another-unticketed-passenger-attempts-to-stow-away-on-a-delta-flight/

A relative of three people found dead with multiple stab wounds inside a Baldwin Park home Thursday night has been arrested, authorities announced Friday. The driver, identified only as a 23-year-old man, was detained as a person of interest and later arrested on suspicion of murder, the Sheriff's Department stated in a news release.

Inside the home, investigators found three victims suffering from multiple stab wounds. All three were pronounced dead at the scene. They were only identified as an 8-year-old girl, a 16-year-old boy and a 44-year-old woman.

KTLA's Angeli Kakade reports on Dec. 2, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/3-found-dead-with-multiple-stab-wounds-inside-baldwin-park-home/

A woman was arrested after she was caught on video angrily setting a car on fire at a Hollywood gas station on Friday.

Video shows the woman approaching a Toyota Corolla parked at a Mobil gas station on the 6300 block of Santa Monica Boulevard at around 4 a.m. Residents said they’ve seen the woman walking around the neighborhood, often making angry outbursts. They also believe the woman is homeless but that detail has not been confirmed by police.

KTLA's Mary Beth McDade reports on Dec. 27, 2024.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/video-captures-woman-lighting-car-on-fire-hollywood-gas-station/