🌱 LAUSD Mandates COVID Testing + Betty White Rumor Refuted

Happy Tuesday, neighbors! Let's get this day started. Here's everything you need to know today in town.

First, today's weather:

Times of sun and clouds. High: 62 Low: 46.

Here are the top stories in Los Angeles today:

1. Gunman In Los Angeles Trader Joe's Robberies Gets 21 Years (City News Service)
2. Betty White's Death Not Linked To COVID Booster Shot, Agent Says (Hollywood Patch)
3. L.A. County faces delays in ambulance response to 911 calls as COVID-19 strains employees, hospitals (KTLA)
4. How To Get A Free At-Home COVID Testing Kit In Los Angeles (Los Angeles Patch)
5. Women Directors Actually Losing Ground in Hollywood. Progress In Other Roles Is Glacial (LAist)
6. Betty White’s favorite meal at Pink’s Hot Dogs endures – and proceeds go to help animals (LA Daily News)
7. LAUSD Requires COVID Tests As Districts Grapple With Surge (Los Angeles Patch)
8. Flight Cancellations, Delays Continue At LAX (CBS Los Angeles)
9. UCLA, UCI Begin Winter Quarter Classes Remotely (CBS Los Angeles)

Today's Los Angeles Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Ring, the home security company. Ring does a lot more than doorbells: check out their full suite of smart home products at Ring.com. And thank you Ring for helping to make local news happen in Los Angeles!

Today in Los Angeles:

• Donate your used toms for someone in need (9:00 AM)
• Virtual Book Club - Miraleste Library (11:00 AM)
• 2022 Guide to Burning Belly Fat - LIVE INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP (1:00 PM)
• Yoga - City of San Fernando (5:30 PM)
• Board of Neighborhood Commissioners Meeting (6:00 PM)
• Chronic Disorganization? Hoarding? There is Hope! A class to help. Register today! (6:00 PM)
• HOW TO SCORE A GOAL-SOCCER MANUAL How to Soccer a Goal- Soccer Manual (7:00 PM)
• Zumba - City of San Fernando (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Los Angeles Unified: "Los Angeles Unified Families: The first day of the Spring semester for all K-12 students will now be on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. For more information about our Spring 2022 policies, please visit achieve.lausd.net/spring2022." (Instagram)
• Mayor Eric Garcetti: "Know your status. Get tested. If you're experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19, you can get tested for free at locations across L.A. County. Testing is available on weekdays and weekends." (Instagram)
• Los Angeles Unified: "Los Angeles Unified now requires COVID-19 baseline testing for all students and employees, regardless of vaccination status, before the first week back from winter break. All students and employees will be required to have proof of a neg..." (Instagram)
• LA County Museum of Art: "Look back on the best of LACMA 2021! Find exhibition soundtracks, art-inspired cooking demonstrations, behind-the-scenes artist tours, relaxing art conversation videos, and more in our 2021 roundup. Read on at the link in our bio." (Instagram)
• Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department: "Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Missing Persons Unit investigators are asking for the public’s help locating At- Risk Missing Person Yaxin Zheng. She is a 48 year-old female Asian who was last contacted on December 29, 2021." (Facebook)
• Los Angeles City Park Rangers: "The famous Ranger Tom makes an appearance! A park patron flagged a Ranger down and handed him a young Vaux Swift which was stuck in water after the heavy rain. The bird was handed to our Flora and Fauna expert, Ranger Tom." (Instagram)
• County of Los Angeles Department of Parks & Recreation: "Over the weekend, one of our #LACounty Natural Areas received a late holiday present! 🏔 Over at Devil’s Punchbowl, the park received over 4 inches of snow and coated the entire region! Swipe through to check out some photos! ❄️☃️" (Facebook)
• Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden: "Happy Monday! Enjoy this walk with us through our Aloe Trail. This garden highlights the beauty and diversity of plants from Africa. The Arboretum is open daily from 9am with last entry at 3:30pm." (Facebook)
• Los Angeles, CA - Lost Dogs, Cats & Pets: "Please spread the word! Doki was LOST on December 31, 2021 in Los Angeles, CA 90063 near Cesar Chavez Ave & Michigan Ave, East Los Angeles Message from Owner: We miss Doki dearly! Please help us find him!" (Facebook)

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Events:

• Make your New Year's Resolution to become a better speaker w/Speakers by the Sea! (January 5)
• Zodiac-Inspired Music and Art Performance (January 8)
• Run/Walk 5k/10k benefitting WeSPARK Cancer Support Center - Jan 30 (January 30)
• Add your event

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That's it for today! I'll see you around.

— Paige Austin

About me: Email: paige.austin@patch.com Phone: 714-721-1222