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Murder Investigation and Arrest – Redondo Ave. LB

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Murder Investigation and Arrest – Redondo Ave. LB

 

LONG BEACH — The Long Beach Police Department has arrested a suspect for the murder of a female adult, following an Aug. 11, incident that occurred in the 1400 block of Redondo Avenue.

On Aug. 11, about 3:06 a.m., officers responded to the 1400 block of Redondo Avenue regarding a death investigation.

Upon arrival, officers located a female adult with a gunshot wound. Long Beach Fire Department personnel responded and determined the victim deceased.

The victim was identified as Suzette Aparijo, a 48-year-old resident of Hawaiian Gardens.

Homicide detectives responded to the scene. Through their investigation, detectives determined a male adult suspect was responsible for Aparijo’s death. The suspect was identified as Juan Antonio Cruz, a 45-year-old resident of Long Beach. Cruz was arrested and booked at the Long Beach City Jail for murder. Bail was set at $2,000,000.

Detectives determined Cruz and Aparijo were in a dating relationship. The motive and circumstances remain under investigation.

Detectives will present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office for filing consideration.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact homicide detectives Thai and Contreras at 562 570-7244 or anonymously at 800-222-8477; www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Port of Los Angeles Approves $66.5M for New Parking and Road Improvements Along Waterfront

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Port of Los Angeles Approves $66.5M for New Parking and Road Improvements Along Waterfront

 

LOS ANGELES — Aug. 13, 2026 – The Los Angeles Harbor Commission has approved $66.5 million in construction contracts for the Port of Los Angeles to add new permanent parking and expanded road infrastructure along the LA Waterfront, the host site for sailing competitions during the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The Harbor Boulevard and 22nd Street project will develop a 17.5-acre parking area that will feature up to 2,100 new parking stalls. The new parking lot will include a public restroom, pedestrian walkways connecting to Harbor Boulevard and Miner Street, and a trolley stop.

Another portion of Harbor Boulevard will be reconfigured and expanded under the project. As one of the main thoroughfares along the LA Waterfront in San Pedro, the popular roadway will be expanded to two travel lanes in each direction from the S.P. Slip to 22nd Street. A landscaped, scenic pedestrian walkway will be added to this section as part of the project.

The construction contract was awarded to general contractor Griffith Company. Work on the project is expected to begin this November and be completed by January 2028.

In a separate action, the Harbor Commission also approved a $3.7 million construction contract to add a restroom building and shade structures on the west end of Wilmington Waterfront Park. Work by project contractor CALTEC Corp. is expected to start this fall and be completed in early 2028.

Community ALERT: Daytime Southbound Lane Closure of Vincent Thomas Bridge for Pavement Repairs

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Community ALERT: Daytime Southbound Lane Closure of Vincent Thomas Bridge for Pavement Repairs

 

SAN PEDRO — Caltrans announces a single-lane closure of southbound State Route 47 (SR-47) at the Vincent Thomas Bridge on Aug. 15 for pavement repairs.

Crews will close one southbound lane, impacting westerly travel, on Saturday between the Ferry Street on-ramp and the Harbor Boulevard off-ramp from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. One southbound lane will remain open to traffic.

This repair work is not related to the ongoing Vincent Thomas Bridge Deck Replacement Project. However, construction on the deck replacement will require overnight full closures of northbound SR-47, impacting easterly travel, on Aug.16-21, Sunday night through Friday morning, at 10:45 p.m. to 6:45 a.m.

Due to weather or operational reasons, the schedule is subject to change, including the times and dates, the number of closures, and other details. Motorists should expect delays when utilizing the Vincent Thomas Bridge and use Caltrans QuickMap to review current traffic conditions before traveling.

Caltrans reminds drivers to exercise increased caution near the closure and Slow for the Cone Zone.

California Briefs: State Launches Environmental Youth Council and Governors Appointment

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California Briefs: State Launches Environmental Youth Council and Governors Appointment

 

California Launches Environmental Youth Council as Feds Silence Youth Voices

SACRAMENTO — The California Environmental Protection Agency or CalEPA is now accepting applications for the California Environmental Youth Advisory Council or Youth Council, a new statewide leadership opportunity for young people ages 14-20 who want to help shape California’s environmental future.

While the Environmental Protection Agency or U.S. EPA quietly disbanded the federal National Environmental Youth Advisory Council, California welcomes young leaders who will help shape and protect the environment they inherit. California’s Youth Council is open to young, passionate leaders from diverse backgrounds, communities, and experiences who are ready to bring fresh ideas to the table.

California’s youth are no strangers to the effects of wildfires, extreme heat, flooding, poor air quality, and other pollution. The Youth Council will help advance California’s nation-leading environmental policies for the next generation.

Young people from both rural and urban backgrounds, tribal communities, and those whose voices have historically been underrepresented in environmental decision-making are encouraged to apply. No previous advocacy or leadership experience is required.

The mission of CalEPA is to restore, protect, and enhance the environment, to ensure public health, environmental quality, and economic vitality for all Californians.

Members of the Youth Council will have the opportunity to:

  • Share ideas directly with California environmental decision-makers and learn about how their work is done.
  • Help shape conversations about issues that matter to their generation, including climate action, clean air and water, and community health.
  • Build leadership skills through mentorship, networking, and hands-on learning.
  • Collaborate with other young people from across California who are passionate about creating positive change.
  • Make recommendations to inform state-level environmental policies and programs.

The application period is open now to Sept, 21. Applicants will be required to submit an online application and one letter of recommendation.

For questions about the eligibility and application process, submit an email to YouthCouncil@calepa.ca.gov

Details: https://calepa.ca.gov/youthcouncil

 

Gov. Newsom Announces Appointments

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom Aug 5 announced the following appointment:

Jennifer Song, of Los Angeles, has been appointed deputy secretary and special counsel for enforcement at the California Business and Consumer Services Agency. Song has been an economic impact fellow at the Progressive State Leaders Committee since 2026. She was an advisor and counsel to the director at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from 2021 to 2025. Song was chief of staff to the senior policy advisor at Harris for President in 2024. She was the director of policy at the Democratic Attorneys General Association from 2017 to 2021. Song held multiple positions at the California Department of Justice including special counsel for Consumer Protection in the Office of Attorney General Kamala D. Harris from 2015 to 2017 and a senior staff attorney at the California Monitor Program from 2012 to 2014. She was a staff attorney at Asian Americans Advancing Justice in 2012. Song was an Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps legal fellow at Asian Americans Advancing Justice from 2010 to 2012. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Southern California. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $220,008. Song is a Democrat.

 

Ports Brief: POLB Sees Second Best July and POLA to Increase Clean Air Incentives

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Ports Brief: POLB Sees Second Best July and POLA to Increase Clean Air Incentives

MARAD, Port of Long Beach Announce Second-Best July on Record

LONG BEACH — Stephen Carmel, Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration, joined Port of Long Beach CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba to announce our second-busiest July on record and the fourth-strongest month in the Port’s 115-year history.

The Port of Long Beach moved 928,508 twenty-foot equivalent units last month, down 1.7% from July 2025.

Imports declined a flat 0.1% to 467,461 TEUs, exports rose 14.8% to 104,843 TEUs and empty containers were down 7.4% to 356,205 TEUs.

Year-to-date, the Port of Long Beach has moved 5,758,086 TEUs through the first seven months of 2026, up 1.2% compared to the same period last year.

Details: Watch the announcement video here.

 

Port of Los Angeles to Increase Clean Ship, Truck Incentives

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Harbor Commission has approved an addendum to further accelerate clean air technologies and incentives as part of the Port of Los Angeles’ 2025 clean air cooperative agreement with the South Coast Air Quality Management District or South Coast AQMD and neighboring Port of Long Beach.

Under the updated agreement, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will enhance incentives for the cleanest ocean-going vessels, establish new incentives to increase the use of zero-emission trucks, and invest $20 million toward regional charging and fueling infrastructure for zero-emission drayage trucks.

The agreement also includes implementation milestones, annual reporting and public engagement requirements to ensure transparency and accountability as the programs move forward.

Signed by both ports and the South Coast AQMD in November 2025, the initial cooperative agreement called on both ports to develop comprehensive zero-emission infrastructure plans covering all major port emission source categories, including cargo-handling equipment, harbor craft, trucks, trains and ocean-going vessels. At that time, both ports agreed to continue working with South Coast AQMD to consider additional measures to reduce emissions from higher polluting sources, like trucks and ships.

The new agreement builds on the success of the two ports’ Clean Air Action Plan or CAAP, an air quality program approved in 2006. The South Coast AQMD approved the cooperative agreement addendum earlier this month, and with the approval of the Los Angeles Harbor Commission, the addendum officially goes into effect.

California Takes Historic Action Against Data Brokers

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California Takes Historic Action Against Data Brokers

 

SACRAMENTO — Data brokers are starting to delete Californians’ personal information, and the state is taking action against companies not complying with two of California’s landmark consumer privacy laws. Over 475,000 state residents have already requested their data to be deleted through California’s one-stop-shop tool for deleting personal information from data brokers, and the California Privacy Protection Agency Board recently issued a decision taking action against Iowa-based data broker LocateSmarter LLC after the company failed to timely register as a data broker and unlawfully required Californians to provide sensitive personal information, including partial Social Security numbers, before they could opt out of the sale of their personal information. Recent action supports enforcement of California’s privacy laws and holding data brokers accountable.

In 2023, Gov. Newsom, with the Legislature, enacted the Delete Act — that gives Californians more control over their data and the ability to tell data brokers to stop selling their personal information. As of Jan. 1, 2026, Californians can submit a single deletion request to registered data brokers through the Delete Request and Opt-Out Platform or DROP. DROP verifies the user’s California residency and then transmits the deletion request to the data brokers. The Delete Act requires data brokers to register with CalPrivacy, California’s Privacy Protection Agency, annually in January and pay a fee that funds the Data Broker Registry and DROP. As of August 1, 2026, data brokers are required under the Delete Act to begin processing deletion requests.

DROP helps give Californians better control over their data and simplifies the process of requesting that data brokers stop sharing and selling their data. Previously, consumers had to make requests to each data broker individually, making the process extremely difficult and time-consuming.

Details: https://privacy.ca.gov/drop/.

City Launches Creative Corps Program to Prepare Residents for Entertainment Industry Careers

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City Launches Creative Corps Program to Prepare Residents for Entertainment Industry Careers

LONG BEACH — The City of Long Beach Department of Economic Development & Opportunity or EDO is launching the Long Beach Creative Corps Entertainment Production Assistant Program or program, a new workforce development initiative designed to prepare local residents interested in careers in film, television, live events, broadcast production, digital media and the broader entertainment industry. Applications are available online until 11:59 p.m., Sept. 4.

The no-cost pilot program, administered by the Department’s Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network (LBWIN) Youth Career Services Center in partnership with Codega Media, will train a cohort of 10 young adults ages 18 to 24 through industry-led production assistant training, career coaching and paid work-based learning opportunities that connect participants directly to employers throughout Southern California’s entertainment ecosystem. Training is expected to take place on Sept. 23, and Sept. 24, at the LBWIN Youth Career Services Center (508 W. Willow St.).

A virtual information session for prospective participants interested in learning more about the Program will be offered on, Aug. 26, from 4 to 5 p.m.

Participants will gain production assistant training and be introduced to career paths that may include roles such as stagehand, live event production technician, broadcast production assistant, camera production assistant, audio and lighting assistant, event operations support, digital media production assistant, production office assistant, streaming and live broadcast support.

The program prioritizes applicants who face barriers to education or employment, including people who have experienced housing instability, foster care, justice involvement, disabilities, low-income circumstances or other related challenges.

As the city expands its entertainment infrastructure, including the new F&M Bank Amphitheater of Long Beach and ongoing investment in the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, there is a growing demand for a skilled local workforce to support major productions such as concerts, festivals, television and film, live broadcasts, conventions, sporting events and more.

 

Details: longbeach.gov/workforce.

Nick Reiner Indicted in Murders of Parents Rob and Michele Reiner

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Nick Reiner Indicted in Murders of Parents Rob and Michele Reiner

LOS ANGELES — A grand jury indictment was unsealed Aug. 12 charging Nick Reiner with the murder of his parents, Hollywood actor-director Rob Reiner and photographer-producer Michele Singer Reiner last December in their Brentwood home.

“This was a profound betrayal by someone who was loved and trusted by the very people he is accused of killing,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “The indictment unsealed today also adds a special circumstance allegation that the defendant committed the murders by means of lying in wait. We hope that by having a grand jury return an indictment in this case it will bring us one step closer to a trial and achieving justice.”

Nick Reiner (dob 9/14/93) pleaded not guilty Aug. 12 to two counts of murder with the special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder by means of lying in wait after the indictment was unsealed. He also faces a special allegation that he personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon, a knife.

He is scheduled to return for a pretrial hearing on Sept. 15 in Department 108 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

The indictment was returned on July 20.

On Dec. 14, 2025, Reiner is accused of fatally stabbing Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, at their home in the 200 block of South Chadbourne Avenue in Brentwood. Nick Reiner fled but was arrested later that evening in Exposition Park.

If convicted as charged, Reiner faces death or life in state prison without the possibility of parole. A decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be made at a later date.

He is being held on no bail.

Alvin Chu Appointed Director of Internal Audit at the Port of Los Angeles

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Alvin Chu Appointed Director of Internal Audit at the Port of Los Angeles

 

LOS ANGELES — The Port of Los Angeles Aug. 6 named Alvin Chu as its new director of the internal audit division. In this role, Chu will oversee a comprehensive audit program to identify risk, promote efficiency, and advocate for responsible stewardship of port resources.

“We are proud to welcome Alvin to our team at the Port of Los Angeles,” said Port of Los Angeles Chief of Staff Stephanie Magnien Rockwell. “He brings a wealth of experience from both the public and private sectors to this critical function within our organization.”

Chu comes to the Port with 19 years of auditing experience, most recently serving as Assistant City Auditor at the Long Beach city auditor’s office. Chu also previously led the fraud, waste, and abuse unit within the office of Los Angeles city controller’s audit division.

Chu graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a double major in economics and history, and is a certified internal auditor and certified fraud examiner.

Longtime Commercial Executive Joins Port of Long Beach

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Longtime Commercial Executive Joins Port of Long Beach

 

Longtime shipping and ports industry leader Bryan Brandes joined the Port of Long Beach this week as the new Chief Commercial Officer/Managing Director of Commercial Operations.

The Commercial Operations Bureau spearheads the port’s business services, representing the port to current and potential customers around the world, overseeing data technology and managing business resiliency and security operations. The bureau is composed of four divisions: business development, tenant services, information management and security.

Brandes, who has more than 30 years of experience in the industry, has served as director of maritime for the Port of Oakland since 2020, leading all maritime operations, strategy and administration for the key Northern California port. Just prior to that he was director of U.S. West Coast Operations for CMA CGM, the world’s third-largest container shipping company. He also worked two decades for A.P. Moller-Maersk/APM Terminals, rising to director of California Inland Operations.

“We’re excited to welcome Bryan to the Port of Long Beach team,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba. “He’s a skilled and respected leader with a rare combination of deep supply chain and port authority experience that will help us strengthen the Port’s commercial competitiveness as we work to double our container volumes by 2050.”

Brandes has an MBA from Claremont Graduate University and a B.S. from San Diego State University.

Brandes joined the port on Aug. 10. He replaces Casey Hehr, who in March 2026 was named the port’s chief administrative officer.

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