Uber Driver Kidnapping Spree | Gray Whales Return | LA Today

LOS ANGELES, CA — Share-worthy stories from across the Southland Patch cities to talk about tonight:

Obesity Costs U.S. Economy $1.7 Trillion Annually: Study

Milken Institute estimated direct health-care costs of $480.7 billion due to obesity in 2016, and $1.24 trillion in lost productivity.

Uber Driver Holds Passengers Hostage In Kidnapping Spree: Police

Multiple victims reported the suspect may be armed with a gun and threatened to kidnap them.

Gray Whale Sighting Off Dana Point

SoCal residents familiar with the annual migration of these large marine mammals & know Dana Point to be one of the best places to see them.

No Arrests In West Hollywood's Massive Halloween Carnaval

Out of the 150,000 to 200,000 reported attendees, no one was arrested in connection with the world's largest halloween party.

Man Guilty Of Stabbing Baby And 2 Women In Valley Rampage

A Valley man faces several life terms for repeatedly stabbing his girlfriend's baby sister, mother and and aunt before a wild police chase.

Mission Viejo Residents Arraigned In Brutal Machete Murder

Two Mission Viejo men and one Lake Forest woman were charged in the brutal murder of a man at the Forest Glen apartments in early October.

City Mulls Law Against Bigotry And Discrimination

LA leaders are considering an ordinance outlawing various forms of discrimination and bigotry.

Attempted Murder At Mosaic Apartments; One Suspect Arrested

One man was severely injured overnight and remains in critical condition, after an altercation at the Mission Viejo apartment complex.

Another Aid Accuses LA City Councilman of Misconduct

City Councilman Jose Huizar calls the allegations of misusing staffers for personal errands and retaliation over an alleged affair "crazy."

SoCal Chiropractors Charged In Workman's Comp Fraud

A Newport Beach Chiropractor was among four other Southern California doctors are charged with insurance fraud of Spanish speaking workers.

Anaheim Ducks Showcase Wild Wing Jerseys On Tribute Night

The Ducks were to warm up, Thursday night, in one of the most unique jerseys in NHL history which was worn in four games in 1995-96.

Pasadena Unified To Close Cleveland Elementary School

Wilson Middle and Franklin Elementary schools remain on the chopping block while the board looks for further cuts.

4 Injured In Chatsworth Pileup

A three-vehicle crash on North De Soto Avenue left two people in critical condition Thursday.

Brush Fire Shuts Down 10 Freeway Lanes

A car fire spread to the roadside brush alongside the Santa Monica (10) Freeway near Bundy Drive.

Video filmed by drone pilot Grayden Fanning and videographer Craig DeWitt; Photo: Youtube Screengrab