Friday, December 26, 2025

New California Laws Rewrite Car-Buying Rules With Return Policy And Pricing Reforms

By Ryan Sabalow, CALMATTERS

California lawmakers made major changes to the state’s car-buying rules this year, including a  controversial rewrite of the state law that allows buyers to get their money back if they are sold a defective vehicle and a right to return a used vehicle within three days.

After an intense lobbying push this year from automobile companies, dealers and consumer groups, more legislative battles over California vehicle purchases could follow in 2026. Sky-high car prices show no signs of falling, and a Republican-led Congress and the Trump administration have sought to thwart Newsom’s goal of having 100% of new cars sold in California be zero-emission by 2035.

Sen. Ben Allen, a Democrat representing the El Segundo area, said he expects California’s Democratic-controlled Legislature will likely push back against national Republicans’ attack on California’s vehicle policies in some form next year, though he said it wasn’t yet clear how.

Friday, December 26, 2025

Storm’s Not Over: Second Wave of Rain Expected Today

CITY NEWS SERVICE and NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

Another surge of rain was expected across the Southland Friday, with a high potential for flooding, after record rainfall drenched the area on Christmas Eve, according to forecasters.

“Locally heavy rain is expected … early Friday morning, especially in the mountains, with rain rates up to a 0.50-0.75 inches per hour possible,” according to the National Weather Service.

“Given the amount of water that fell [Wednesday] it won’t take much additional rain to generate significant impacts, including additional mud and rock slides through the canyons and dangerous flooding on area roads and highways.”

Forecasters said another 2 to 5 inches of rain are likely to fall in the mountains during the second wave, but other areas should receive less than 2 inches, unless isolated thunderstorms develop with heavy rains.

As of early Friday, rainfall was reported in parts of the Southland, including the Long Beach and West Los Angeles areas.

Friday, December 26, 2025

A Kwanzaa Tradition Returns ‘Home,’ Carrying Light Through Uncertain Times

As December settles into its brief pause between Christmas and the New Year celebrations, a branch library will again become the setting for a ritual that has endured nearly four decades.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 27, Pasadena’s 37th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration will take place inside the meeting room of the La Pintoresca Branch Library, marking the event’s return to its traditional venue.

Pasadena’s annual Kwanzaa celebration was first held in 1989. The event has been held at La Pintoresca Branch Library for much of its history, moved online during the COVID-19 pandemic, and was relocated to the Jefferson Branch Library in 2023 and 2024.

Saturday’s celebration is organized by the Pasadena Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in partnership with the Pasadena Public Library, and will honor Kujichagulia — self-determination — the second principle of Kwanzaa, observed on the holiday’s second day.

The event is free and open to the public, with no prior registration required.

Friday, December 26, 2025

Up Next: Parade Week! Here’s All You Need to Know Before New Year’s Day Morning

In Pasadena, the Rose Parade does not simply arrive on New Year’s morning. It tiptoes in days earlier, bringing in glitter, marching-band drumlines, the smell of glue and crushed flowers,

By Sunday, the transformation is already well underway. At the Rosemont Pavilion, the float barns open their doors for Decorating Places, an irresistible invitation to watch the painstaking, petal-by-petal work that turns steel frames into airborne fantasies. Visitors wander through the hangar-sized space as volunteers wield tweezers with surgical devotion, attaching seeds, bark, beans, and blossoms in designs that will later glide down Colorado Boulevard at a stately two and a half miles per hour.

It is part craft fair, part miracle, and entirely Pasadena.

Monday brings an embarrassment of riches. In Burbank, Equestfest unfolds at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, where horses from around the world perform with ceremonial seriousness, reminding spectators that the Rose Parade still honors its earliest roots. Back in Pasadena, the first of three Bandfests fills Robinson Stadium at Pasadena City College,

Thursday, December 25, 2025

Rain, Winds Predicted for Christmas Day

[Updated] A powerful atmospheric river storm pummeled Pasadena and Altadena over Christmas Eve, bringing heavy rain, wind gusts, flash flood warnings and mudslide risks in foothill burn scar areas. Officials continued to alert residents near the Eaton Fire zone as saturated soil heightened debris flow dangers.

The National Weather Service reported East Pasadena received 2.65 inches of rain by Wednesday evening, accompanied by gusts reaching 55 mph locally and up to 60 mph across Los Angeles County.

A rare tornado warning was issued for the Pasadena area Wednesday afternoon but was canceled shortly afterward.

Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for Los Angeles County.

The storm damaged at least one local business. In Altadena, Sidecca Boutique at 2455 Lake Avenue flooded with four inches of water from front to back, with parts of the ceiling collapsing. The shop had only reopened in November after being severely damaged in the Eaton Fire earlier this year. Neighbors and strangers quickly arrived to help,

Thursday, December 25, 2025

Wind Advisory in Effect for Pasadena and Altadena Through Thursday Afternoon

The National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard office issued a wind advisory early Thursday warning Pasadena and other Los Angeles County communities to expect strong south to southeast winds through 3 p.m.

The advisory forecasts sustained winds of 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph across the San Gabriel Valley, including Pasadena. The weather service cautioned that gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and that very wet soils this week increase the risk of downed trees.

Officials said travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Winds this strong can make driving hazardous, and residents are urged to use extra caution.

The advisory is part of a broader set of warnings across Southern California tied to a powerful atmospheric river storm. High wind warnings remain in effect for mountain and coastal regions, including the western and eastern San Gabriel Mountains, where gusts could reach 80 mph. Other areas under warnings include the Santa Clarita Valley, Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands,

Thursday, December 25, 2025

Governor Proclaims State of Emergency for SoCal Storm

CITY NEWS SERVICE

In response to a series of powerful storms impacting California during the Christmas holiday, Gov. Gavin Newsom Wednesday proclaimed a state of emergency, unlocking resources and state assistance for Los Angeles County, Orange County and four others.

“California is acting early and decisively to do all we can to get ahead of dangerous winter storms. The state has prep-positioned resources, activated emergency authorities and we are working closely with local partners to protect communities and keep Californians safe,” Newsom said in a statement.

The emergency proclamation allows for the rapid mobilization of state resources and support for local governments under the California Disaster Assistance Act and the deployment of the California National Guard, if needed. The order also authorizes the California Department of Transportation to seek federal assistance for repairs to damaged roads and highways.

Newsom’s office said state agencies deployed 55 fire engines, 10 swiftwater rescue teams, five hand crews, five dozers, four loaders, three helicopters and an incident management team,

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Arriving ‘Pineapple Express’ Storm Won’t Reach Peak Intensity Until Midmorning Wednesday

National Weather Service labels system “very dangerous” with flood watch in effect through Thursday

The atmospheric river storm forecast to bring dangerous flooding and debris flows to Los Angeles County had not yet reached peak intensity in Pasadena and Altadena as of early Wednesday, with the most hazardous period expected to extend through midday as heavier rainfall moves into the region.

As of 3:15 a.m. Wednesday, light rain had begun across the area, but “the heaviest rainfall has not yet arrived,” according to an early-morning status summary compiled from official forecasts and public safety reports.

“We’ll be closely monitoring all day,” Pasadena Chief Communications Officer Lisa Derderian said early Wednesday.

A Flood Watch was in effect for Pasadena, Altadena and much of Los Angeles County from Tuesday afternoon through 10 p.m. Thursday, and a Wind Advisory remained in effect for the Pasadena-Altadena area into Thursday afternoon.

County officials said evacuation warnings tied to the Eaton Fire burn scar began Tuesday morning,

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Heavy Rain, Flooding, Mudslides Could Make Holiday Travel Dangerous in Altadena, Pasadena

Officials are warning Pasadena and Altadena residents to prepare for hazardous driving conditions today as a powerful atmospheric river storm is expected to cause widespread flooding, mudslides and debris flows across the region on Wednesday and Thursday. 

The National Weather Service said rainfall rates ranging from 0.6 to 1.25 inches per hour, with localized downpours up to 1.5 inches on south-facing mountain slopes, will make roads treacherous.

“There will almost certainly be numerous rockslides and mudslides along with areas of severe flooding in urban locations and along freeways, which is why being out on the roads will be exceptionally dangerous,” NWS meteorologist Ariel Cohen said at a Tuesday news conference. 

He urged travelers to reconsider plans that call for driving on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

Lower elevations such as downtown Pasadena are expected to receive 2 to 4 inches of rain, while other areas could see 4 to 8 inches. That includes foothill terrain above Pasadena and Altadena, where saturated soil and canyon roadways increase the risk of slides. 

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Rain Falling in Pasadena and Altadena as Storm Arrives

Light rain was reported in Pasadena on Tuesday and early Wednesday as an atmospheric river storm moved into Southern California, according to local weather accounts and resident observations. The onset of precipitation marked a shift from overcast skies to measurable rainfall in the region.

As of 4:30 a.m., up to 1.2 inches of rain have fallen in Los Angeles County, according to one report.

At 1:44 a.m. Wednesday, the Pasadena Weather account on X (formerly Twitter) noted conditions changing to light rain with temperatures rising to 58 degrees and winds increasing to 22 mph. Earlier, at 11:31 p.m. Tuesday, a local resident posted that rain had started in Pasadena, expressing concern about the storm’s severity.

These reports, shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), provide real-time confirmation of rainfall in Pasadena and surrounding areas. While broader flood warnings were issued for Southern California, the localized posts specifically document rain beginning in Pasadena, with implications for nearby foothill communities Altadena and Sierra Madre.

No special media or media reports reviewed in the past 10 hours mentioned active mudflows or debris movement.