A woman was killed in Reseda Thanksgiving morning and her boyfriend, the father of her 8-year-old child, was arrested and booked on suspicion of murder, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Police said Ricardo Sauz and the victim, whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, had a history of domestic violence.

The incident was reported in the 7500 block of Enfield Avenue around 10:50 a.m.

The woman is believed to have been killed by blunt force injuries.

Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD Detective John Doerbecker at 818-374-9550.

We say "Antarctic animals," you call out "penguins!"

We again say "Antarctic animals" and you break out your best penguin impression, walk like a penguin, stand like a penguin.

Penguin people, and that's probably all of us, can be forgiven for immediately associating Antarctica with the tuxedo-terrific birds, those stunning, ocean-diving superstars of the avian world.

But long ago, the southernmost area of our planet wasn't a vast world of ice, but rather a "lush, temperate pre-historic environment where crocodile-sized amphibians and elephant-sized dinosaurs once roamed."

So mega.

And also mega? Those dinosaurs will soon visit the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, at least through drawings, models, and a host of way-cool, info-deep displays.

After all, these dinos lived millions of years ago, and we currently do not live millions of years ago, making any modern meet-ups rather impossible.

But not impossible because of "Antarctic Dinosaurs," the traveling exhibition roaring into the Exposition Park museum on Apr. 3, 2019 for its West Coast debut.

It's a large-scale show, with so many cool, learn-a-lot components, and it is ready to nest at NHMLA right into, wait for it, early 2020, on Jan. 6.

Prepare to behold "full-sized replicas of four species of dinosaurs," including the Cryolophosaurus (the one rocking the bony crest atop his noggin) and Glacialisaurus (an herbivore described as being as large as an elephant).

A pair of "recently discovered" sauropodomorphs will also be in the spotlight.

Possibly the coolest-of-the-cool, when it comes to this exhibit? You'll be able to touch real fossils hailing from "lost worlds."

Of course, the cool-a-tude doesn't end there, with opportunities to gaze through microscopes and learn more about the work of paleontologists.

Stomp, stomp, stomp: That's no penguin headed this way, but some biggies of the scaly prehistoric set, the "Antarctic Dinosaurs" that will beguile and fascinate thousands of dino-devoted Southern Californians, starting in early April 2019.

Need more dino-tastic knowledge? Information will be shared soon, on the Natural History Museum site. Rrawr!

There are more Santa hats than top hats seen around the holidays, and while woodland animals pop up in a lot of seasonal cartoons, rabbits aren't necessarily the stars of the shows.

And yet? We use the word "magic" an awful lot as the year wraps up, to describe light displays and Christmas trees and the general hum in the air.

But what if an actual on-stage magic show, a production that's been abracadabra'd solely for the most festive stretch of the year, could increase the whole magic-a-tude flowing through our minds and hearts?

That's the ensorcelling set to happen at Santa Monica Playhouse on select dates from Saturday, Nov. 24 through Sunday, Dec. 23.

The name of the act-packed show is "A Very Merry MagicMania," and audience members can expect a "... festival of 30 ever-changing magic and variety acts over the course of nine shows and five weekends."

That's a buncha a magic, you bet. More magic than you can stuff in a stocking or stick in a box with a bow.

An array of top-notch, how'd-they-do-that magicians, including Jon Armstrong, Eric Buss, Misty Mew, Ivan Pecel, and host Albie Selznick will be jangling the rings, shuffling the cards, and now-you-see-it-now-you-don't-ing before a live audience.

An audience that should definitely including kids age 8 and older, if your youngster is into the magical arts. This'll be at treat, though you may spend the ride home listening to your aspiring magician attempt to figure out the logic behind the illusions.

A ticket? It's $40, so wave your hands over whatever bank account or money source you use now, and conjure up your seat for a magical holiday bon bon of a mind-bending show.

He might be the steal of the offseason. 

Lakers center JaVale McGee is quickly becoming a fan favorite in Los Angeles, but there's one person who isn't surprised by the Big Man's numbers this season. 

LeBron James revealed earlier this week that he lobbied the Lakers front office to sign the 30-year-old center as a free agent this offseason because of his recent history of playing against him in the NBA Finals.

"I played against him in the last two NBA Finals and I wanted him on this team because I know what he brings," James told the Associated Press. "It's his energy, his energy level, his ability at the rim. If you don't have that on your team, you're not going to have much, man. You need to have people with high IQ, which he's got. That's why I wanted JaVale to be part of this team."

McGee is having his best NBA season for the Lakers, averaging career-highs in points (13.4), rebounds (6.6), assists (1.1), field goal percentage (63.7%), and free throw percentage (66.7%).

He currently ranks third in the NBA in blocks, fifth in field goal percentage, and 19^th in offensive rebounds. With those stats, its' easy to see why McGee is considered to be one of the seals of the offseason.

"He's been great," said Lakers head coach Luke Walton of "The Big Daddy Wookie." "He's been professional. He's taking care of himself. He's vocal in the locker rooms and the huddles, he's been producing for us, obviously his shot blocking has been a big part of us having some success on defense. We're very pleased with JaVale." 

McGee admits he's grown and matured as a player after winning back-to-back championships with the Golden State Warriors. The 7-foot center out from Michigan had a lot of options in free agency, but admits that when the King calls and says he wants to play with you, you take note. 

"He could have said 'get anybody,'" said McGee. "It's just a reassuring feeling, a confidence builder I guess, knowing that you're going into a situation wanted as an option, like you're really wanted. That's pretty dope."

McGee has been an anchor on defense and is a big part of the reason why the Lakers are three games above .500 for the first time since 2013. Now, with the addition of veteran center Tyson Chandler, McGee will be able to continue to grow and learn from one of the best defensive centers in the game.

Maybe it was the tryptophan.

LeBron James scored 22 points and the Los Angeles Lakers survived a sloppy game, defeating the Utah Jazz, 90-83, on Friday night at Staples Center. 

The Thanksgiving hangover was evident early as both teams got off to a slow and sluggish start as they went into the intermission tied 38-38. The 76 total combined points was among the lowest scored in a half in the NBA this season. 

The 38 points scored by the Lakers was their lowest point total in half this season, however, the 38 points they allowed to Utah was a season-low as well.

The low-scoring affair was sloppy from start to finish as both teams combined to commit 43 turnovers.

Two days after committing 15 turnovers in a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Lakers turned the ball over a season-high 24 times in the win over the Jazz.

Both teams combined to shoot 11-for-46 from beyond the arc. 

James finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Brandon Ingram had a game-high 24 points for the Lakers and JaVale McGee had 12. No other Laker scored in double figures. 

Joe Ingles led the Jazz with 16 points and eight rebounds. Rudy Gobert chipped in 13 points and seven rebounds, and Alec Burks had 17 points off the bench in the loss. 

Jazz star Donovan Mitchell left the game in the second quarter with rib contusion and did not return to the game.

The Lakers victory snapped a six-game losing streak against the Jazz overall, with their last win coming on April 13, 2016. 

Please refresh this page for more updates, stats, and player reactions…

The family of 31-year-old Gregory Baltazar says they want to remember his big smile, his big eyes and his big heart. Instead, they're forced to relive his murder every day.

On January 11, 2018, just after 9pm on Simshaw Avenue in Sylmar, Baltazar died in his mother's arms.

"I couldn't do anything for my son,” Roselia Baltazar says through tears, "I couldn't do anything."

LAPD Valley Homicide Division Detective Eloy Navarro says Baltazar was on the couch watching TV when two men came pounding on the door. 

"It's obvious that Gregory knew his assailants and that they had some kind of feud," Navarro says, adding that neighbors could hear the argument escalate – and then, the gunshots.

"I was here and I feel so guilty because I didn't protect my son," Roselia Baltazar says.

Gregory's father, Gregorio, said in Spanish that it was the moment his own life ended.

Nayelli Baltazar, Gregory’s sister, was the first to find her brother on the pavement just outside the front door.

"I just remember screaming his name and he was just gone," she says. "I don't even recognize who I am anymore because the pain has consumed me so much. And it's just so hard."

Nayelli says she and her brother were close – the best of friends. 

"You never stop believing he's going to walk through the door one day and be like, 'Hey guys, I'm back. This is all a bad dream.' But he doesn't," she says.

Gregory's mother, Roselia, says she was so distraught finding her son bleeding to death that she forgot the number to call for 911.

"They killed my son but they killed us inside," she says. "We're dead people walking in this family without my son, we miss him a lot."

They say Gregory, the father of a 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son, was kind, trusting and noble. Kelly Blass, the mother of Gregory’s two children, says his absence has a taken a big toll on the kids. 

"They lost their dad," she says through tears. "We all lost a part of him. He took a piece of all of us when he left." 

Now, the Los Angeles Police Department and the city of LA are offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those involved. Navarro says they've poured through surveillance video of the neighborhood from that night, but he adds that all he needs is a tip to point him in the right direction. 

"They can be anonymous," Navarro says. "Come forward, say whatever they need to say."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Eloy Navarro at 818-374-1942 or Det. John Doerbecker at 818-374-1943. You can also submit tips anonymously online at www.LAPDOnline.org and click "Anonymous Web Tips."

A vehicle was stuck in lanes, a man proceeded to exit the vehicle and was promptly hit and killed by another vehicle Friday night in Diamond Bar, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The CHP said they received notice of a car stuck in lanes at 9:25 p.m. and that the man was struck by another vehicle at 9:30 p.m. 

The man died on the scene.

A SigAlert was issued on the 60 Freeway, with the 3, 4 and 5 lanes affected by the incident.

Attorneys for Woolsey Fire victims in a lawsuit against Southern California Edison held a town hall Friday night in Westlake Village, and survivors of the Southern California wildfire that took three lives and destroyed over a thousand structures came to listen and speak.

"We'd just finished building it four months ago," Michael Weisberg says about his home. "We just finished hanging the art the week before, and then, literally two weeks ago today on Nov. 9, I looked out, saw the flames, told my wife we got 10 minutes to get out."

Weisberg's security system shows the view before the power went out and the Woolsey Fire overran his family home in Malibu.

With their home incinerated, the Weisbergs now live in a hotel, and a friend set up a GoFundMe to help the family.
Note: If you would like to donate to the gofundme, you may do so here but please note that GoFundMe deducts a percentage for platform fees.

Friday night, however, the Weisbergs were in Westlake Village hearing from attorneys who say they'll navigate insurance and even go to court to make fire victims whole again.

"This is not a class action," attorney Patrick McNichols says. "It's a mass action. By 'mass action,' we mean each and every one of you have an individual case that's individual to you."

Attorney Richard Bridgford says, "We believe and have alleged in our complaint that SoCal Edison is the primary target defendant and responsible for the fires."

Together in a hotel ballroom, WoolseyFire victims and their hosts acknowledge a long, arduous road ahead. Despite profound losses and an uncertain future Woolsey Fire survivors say there's power in staying connected while not looking back. 

"It's amazing," Ben Weisberg says. "The kindness of everyone in the community. It's truly healing."

Michael Weisberg says, "It'll make me crumble if I think about the past, so going forward and thinking about rebuilding, starting our lives, moving forward."

He adds, "Lives can't be replaced."

Police were pursuing a vehicle at high speeds in the Monrovia and Baldwin Park area Friday night.

Newschopper4 Alpha and Eliana Moreno were over the scene and followed the pursuit vehicle as it screamed past vehicles at high speeds.

The vehicle traveled through Baldwin Park into Monrovia before exiting the 210 Freeway at Huntington Drive and heading onto surface streets. The pursuit vehicle performed a couple acrobatic maneuvers and continued to travel at unreasonably high speeds on surface streets.

Soon after, the vehicle lost control when attempted to go around a bend in the road and crashed into the center divider.

After a short standoff, the driver exited the vehicle and surrendered peacefully. Two other passengers also surrendered without further incident.

The CHP told NBC4 that the pursuit started in La Puente, when police attempted to make a traffic stop. CHP said the vehicle crashed into a house before taking off.

The United States is already feeling the heat from climate change — and the damage could cost hundreds of billions of dollars by the end of the century if more preventive measures aren't taken now, a new federal report has found.

Climate change has worldwide implications as well, which also means more trouble for the United States, NBC News reported. And it warns of a "cascading effect" that will alter lives and economies across the country, causing fuel shortages and increased power outages.

"The impacts of climate change beyond our borders are expected to increasingly affect our trade and economy, including import and export prices and U.S. businesses with overseas operations and supply chains," it says. "With continued growth in emissions at historic rates, annual losses in some economic sectors are projected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars by the end of the century — more than the current gross domestic product (GDP) of many U.S. states."

"Extreme weather and climate-related impacts on one system can result in increased risks or failures in other critical systems, including water resources, food production and distribution, energy and transportation, public health, international trade, and national security," the report says.

An undocumented migrant mother was injured at the U.S.-Mexico border in south San Diego Friday night when she tried to illegally enter the United States by climbing a barbed wire fence with her two small children.

The incident happened just before 8:30 p.m. at East San Ysidro Boulevard and Rail Court, an area east of the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

U.S. Border Patrol agent Tekae Michael told NBC 7 the 26-year-old mother fell from the primary border wall onto pieces of rebar on the ground. The rebar pierced the woman's side. Tekae said the rebar is part of a primary replacement wall being built at the border.

The children – ages 3 and 5 – had also attempted to climb the fence with their mother but were not hurt, Michael said.

Border Patrol agents helped the woman after her fall and called paramedics. The mother was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Tekae said the children were also taken to a hospital for medical evaluation to make sure they hadn't suffered any potential fall trauma. The children were then turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol.

Michael said the family is from Guatemala but the Border Patrol agent said they were not part of the migrant caravan currently heading to the nation’s southern border.

Michael said the mother would be treated, processed by Border Patrol and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She is expected to make a full recovery.

The agency said climbing the border fence should never be attempted.

"Entering our country illegally, particularly over our walls is not only dangerous, but also very foolish," San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Rodney Scott said Saturday. "This woman placed her own life and her children’s lives in peril. She could have easily died if not for the quick response by our agents and EMS."

The fence at the U.S.-Mexico border has been reinforced for the past few weeks to keep migrants from illegally climbing into the U.S. as a caravan of thousands of migrants from Central America makes its way to the border.

The migrant caravan has made its way by foot and bus from Central America to the southern border of Mexico and from there to Tijuana, where thousands are now living in overcrowded shelters until they can seek asylum from the U.S.

In response to this potential influx of migrants, the Department of Defense sent approximately 5,800 active duty, reserve and National Guard troops – including 1,100 Camp Pendleton-based U.S. Marines – to span the border to assist the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the “hardening” of the border. Concertina wiring was added to the border fence, too.

Last week, when DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen toured the fence she told reporters that those border fortification efforts would continue with the help of the military.

“This is a border wall with row upon row of concertina wire,” said Nielsen. “Make no mistake – we are very serious. You will not get into our country illegally.”

Nielsen called the migrant caravan a “crisis” that could mean serious trouble for the U.S. She said traveling with the caravan does not give migrants “a special right to enter this country” and that those migrants would have to “get in line” when it comes to the asylum-seeking process.

It's a bad day to be a Michigan fan. 

If the Wolverines stunning, 62-39, loss to Ohio State that knocked them out of the College Football Playoff wasn't enough for Michigan fans, Ohio's greatest son has decided to throw some salt on the wound. 

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, an Ohio native, and therefore an Ohio State fan, tweeted at his teammate, Moritz Wagner, after the blowout loss on Saturday afternoon.

"Somebody please go check on my teammate Moritz Wagner!!! I don't believe he's doing so well right now. Someone please call 911," wrote James in the social media post, but without using the letter "M," for Michigan.

The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted James out of High School, but he has repeatedly said that if he had gone to college, he would have gone to Ohio State. James frequently visits the university, and has been seen on the sidelines wearing a No. 23 Ohio State jersey during some of College Football's biggest games, including the 2015 National Championship game. 

Meanwhile, Michigan has lost to their greatest rivals for seven consecutive seasons. To put that in perspective, the last time Michigan defeated Ohio State, James had just completed his first season with the Miami Heat, and had yet to win an NBA Championship.

Since then, James has won three titles and played for the Heat, Cavaliers, and now Lakers. Needless, to say it's been a long time since the Wolverines tasted the sweet sensation of victory over the hated Buckeyes.

Piling on top of the hundreds of flights already grounded in the Midwest, more than 700 flights have been canceled in Chicago Sunday during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year as severe weather threatens to move in the area.

So far, O'Hare has seen nearly 600 flights canceled, with 589 having been cut so far Sunday. The average flight delay is still around 15 minutes, but air traffic has already been snarled due to conditions that will continue to deteriorate through the rest of the evening. 

A total of 123 flights have been canceled at Midway. 

Because of the strong winds and blizzard conditions across much of Nebraska and parts of Kansas, Iowa and Missouri, about 600 flights headed to or from the U.S. had been canceled by Sunday morning in the central plains and Great Lakes region, according to the flight-tracking website FlightAware. Many were supposed to be routed through Chicago or Kansas City. And part of Interstate 80 between Lincoln and Omaha in Nebraska was closed Sunday after snowfall caused multiple accidents, including semitrailer trucks that jackknifed across the highway.

Travelers were being urged to check their flight's status with their airline.

Ahead of potentially heavy snow on Sunday, a Blizzard Warning will be issued to replace the Winter Storm Warning in place for several counties across Illinois, starting at 6 p.m. Sunday until 6 a.m. Monday, impacting travel plans for those returning from their Thanksgiving holiday.

Sunday in Chicago is expected to be cold and windy with temperature highs in the upper 30s and lows in the mid-20s.

Thirteen sea lions have been found dead along the shores of Washington since September, according reports from a wildlife welfare group.

As NBC News reported, six of the sea lions died of gunshot wounds, four in West Seattle and two in Kitsap County, according to Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network. The other seven died of acute trauma suspected from human interactions around Kitsap County and the Puget Sound, with one sea lion washing up decapitated, said Seal Sitters, an organization that responds to reports of dead or stranded sea lions.

Marine mammals, like sea lions, are protected in the U.S. by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prohibits people from harassing, hunting, capturing, killing marine mammals, or attempting to do so. Violations of the MMPA could result in fines of up to $28,520 and/or one year in prison. The 13 sea lion deaths are currently being investigated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries. Sea lion deaths increase around the time that fishing runs do, according to Seal Sitters, because fishermen and sea lions often hunt for the same food.

“We are concerned about a number of recent reports of marine mammal deaths caused by gunshots in the greater Seattle area. All marine mammals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act and OLE investigates all reported unlawful takes of sea lions,” Greg Busch, assistant director of the NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement (OLE), said in a statement.

Now you see it, now you don't.

The Los Angeles Lakers showed up for the first quarter, but vanished for the remaining three, as they lost for the second time in eight days to the Orlando Magic, 108-104, on Sunday afternoon at Staples Center.

Nikola Vucevic cast a spell of the Lakers defense for the second straight game, scoring 31 points with 15 rebounds and 7 assists in the victory.

In two total games against the Lakers, Vucevic has 67 points and 18 rebounds.

Los Angeles fell in Orlando last week, 117-130, in one of their worst performances of the season. Similar to Sunday, the Lakers came out hot, and held a 31-15 advantage after one quarter.

However, the next three quarters were a defensive disaster as the Magic put the Lakers in a trance for the final three frames, scoring 105 points.

It was déjà vu all over again on Sunday as the Lakers jumped out to a 29-19 first quarter lead before the defense disappeared again the remainder of the way.

Orlando outscored the Lakers 89 to 75 in the final three quarters as they improved to 10-10 on the season.

Kyle Kuzma scored 13 first quarter points, but went cold the rest of the game, finishing with 21.

LeBron James led the Lakers with 24 points. Lance Stephenson scored 13 points off the bench. 

JaVale McGee had 12 points and a season-high seven blocks in the contest.

The Lakers led by as many as 12 points in the first half, but trailed by 16 in the third quarter.

James and the Lakers tied the game with just over a minute remaning, but couldn't complete the comeback, falling to 11-8 on the season. 

Los Angeles shot 20-of-31 from the free throw line, for a paltry 64.5 percent. 

The loss snapped the Lakers six-game winning streak at Staples Center against the Magic. 

Please refresh this page for more updates, stats, and player reactions…

A longtime leader of the California Republican congressional delegation says his former colleagues were punished by voters in the midterm election because they failed to stand up to the Trump Administration.

"Oversight, which is a Constitutionally directed responsibility, is so critically important," said former Congressman David Dreier, who spent 32 years in Congress before deciding not to seek re-election in 2012. "And my Republican colleagues did not, I believe, do an adequate enough job."

"When President Bush was president and I was chairing the Rules Committee, we insisted on oversight among our committee chairmen," Dreier said. "And we did a lot of it. Ours is a nation of institutions. We need to remember that, and Congress needs to exercise that (oversight) authority."

Dreier is the co-producer of a feature documentary out next month on the issue of US-China relations. The film "Better Angels" by Oscar winning director Malcom Clark advocates for a less confrontational approach to the world's second-largest economy. While saying he "recognizes the problems with China" from human rights violations to intellectual property theft, Dreier says the United States cannot afford to see China as an enemy.

"The threat of conflict does exist," Dreier said. "...How do we avoid getting into a shooting war with China while pursuing our values? ...I think we have an opportunity to lower the temperature in the relationship, and I believe 'Better Angels' can be transformational in that relationship."

Also appearing on the program was State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, who said that despite the "super majority" Democrats now enjoy in the legislature, his party will continue to discuss policy goals with Republicans. As for the election, Rendon said voters rewarded Democrats because of confidence in the legislature's accomplishments.

"I think that says a lot about what we've done on infrastructure...our record funding on education...this is a blue state, but it is a blue state because we've gotten the work done," Rendon said on the program.

Rendon says he and Governor-elect Gavin Newsom have had several meetings regarding the next legislative session: "We've talked about early childhood equation...He definitely wants to be aggressive on poverty... so I'm excited to get to work with Gavin Newsom."

A man allegedly attempted to run over two people outside a synagogue Friday night in what police are investigating as a possible hate crime.

Mohamed Mohamed allegedly insulted a couple people walking out of a synagogue before getting into a vehicle and attempting to run them over, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The two people managed to get out of the way of the vehicle and avoid injury, but the suspect's vehicle crashed into another vehicle per LAPD.

The incident took place on the 300 block of North La Brea Avenue in the Hancock Park area, near the Fairfax district.

The 32-year-old suspect was being held on $55,000 bail and was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with a vehicle, and LAPD said it is not calling the incident a hate crime as yet.

It took more than 15 years for Mississippi and other Southern states to catch up to the Supreme Court's landmark desegregation decision, Brown v. Board of Education, and many in the school systems found ways around the new system, NBC News reported.

The issue came to light again last week when the Jackson Free-Press reported that Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, who faces a special election Tuedsay, attended a school in Brookhaven, Mississippi, that was founded in 1970 to flout the integration order. Its mascot was a confederate general.

Such so-called segregationist academies around the South prevented black students from entering through financial barriers and unstated discriminatory practices.

"The state of Mississippi and other states began offering private school vouchers to support this effort to bypass integration," according to Richard Kahlenberg, a senior fellow at the Century Foundation and an expert on American education and segregation.