Murder Suspect Hired Workers To Haul Body Parts: Report | Newsom Tanks

CALIFORNIA —On the weekend, we present a week in review of the top stories and headlines from all across California. Here's a roundup of some of the most-read stories across the state. You can also find your local Patch and catch up on those stories by clicking here.

• Murder Suspect Hired Laborers To Haul Bags Of Body Parts Away: Report
• A Gem Of A Penguin Named At SeaWorld
• Fire Destroys Famed WWII-Era Blimp Hangar
• Video: LA Man Pulls Gun On Would-Be Armed Robbers
• Woman Accidentally Locked Inside Jail Overnight While Visiting Inmate
• Yellow-Eyed Wolf-Hybrid Captured, Reunited With Owner
• Rare Human Cases Of Mosquito-Borne Encephalitis Virus On Rise In CA
• Paramedics Find Child Porn During Medical Call: Police
• Massive CA Reservoir Fast-Tracked By Newsom
• Rapist Former Police Lieutenant Arrested In Human Smuggling Case
• Dismembered Body Found In Plastic Bag At LA Strip Mall
• Video: Robbers Knew What They Were Looking For In Brazen Freeway Heist
• 14 Injured After Bus And Car Crash Into Restaurant
• CA Voters Disapprove Of Newsom, Poll Finds
• Tree Believed To Be CA's Oldest Threatened By Housing Development
• Bay Area Baby Dies From Fentanyl, Mom Arrested: Police
• Outrage Mounts Among LA Leaders After Jewish Man's Death At Protests

Other notable stories this week include:

18 Rescued From Bay Area Human Trafficking Ring; 9 Arrested: Officials

Investigators said the operation targeting a human trafficking ring in the South Bay and East Bay was among California's largest ever.

Thousands Forced To Switch Insurance As Yet Another Provider Leaves CA

The company has started sending non-renewal notices to its California customers, with policies set to begin expiring next month.

CA School District Considers Paying For 6-Month Resignation Notices

District employees planning a departure could get a financial incentive equal to 2% of their annual salary if they give six months' notice.

Meta To Ban Political Advertisers From Using AI Tools: Report

Facebook's parent company has also committed to creating a watermark system for AI content, Reuters reported.

CA Woman Disappears In Guatemala During Yoga Retreat

Her family has been searching for weeks after the 29-year-old went missing. The FBI and State Department are also probing her

Toxic Smoke Forces Closure Of OC Schools

District officials closed public schools in Tustin Thursday in response to concerns about air quality.

Open Heart Kitchen Seeks To Raise $3M For Food Redistribution Site

Open Heart is looking to convert a warehouse into a food redistribution site for other food pantries.

2 Massive Solar, Battery Storage Projects Come Online In CA Desert

The Oberon Solar Project and the Arlington Solar Energy Center achieved full operational status, the Biden administration announced Monday.

John Doe ID'd 43 Years Later In North Orange County Cold Case

A homicide victim found 43 years ago in north Orange County was identified through investigate genetic genealogy, authorities announced.

2 CA Eateries Named Among 12 Best New Restaurants In America

One is in Southern California, the other is in Northern California. See which restaurants made Eater's list.

Body Found In Trunk Of Car Parked In Huntington Beach Neighborhood

An Arizona man was arrested on suspicion of murder in the death of a woman whose body was found in the trunk of a car, police said Tuesday.

World Leaders To Arrive In Bay Area For Global Trade Summit

President Joe Biden will join other heads of state for APEC Economic Leaders' Week in San Francisco, and impacts will be felt region-wide.

87 CA Hospitals Earn ‘A’ Grades, 23 Get ‘D’ Grades In Leapfrog Ratings

See how California ranked in the survey that graded 3,000+ hospitals on their ability to prevent medical errors, accidents and infections.

5 SoCal ZIP Codes Among 10 Most Expensive In Country: New Study

Southern California dominates a new list of the 100 most expensive real estate markets in the country with 38 uber-expensive ZIP codes.

Alan Ruck Pizza-Shop Crash Was Possibly A Tech Mishap: Report

The "Succession" actor crashed his pickup truck into a pizza shop last month. Police say it may have just been a tech mishap, TMZ reported.

DNA Links LA Home Invasion, Sex Assault To Notorious Maryland Murder

The loved ones of a mother brutally murdered in Maryland hope to find her killer by scouring LA where the same man is linked to a sex crime.

Halloween Cold Case Killer Still Sought In North County 28 Years Later

An Escondido family answered the door to give candy to a trick-or-treater on Halloween night in 1995. Then, a fatal shot was fired.

5 CA Vets Granted Cars In Keys To Progress Veterans Giveaway: 2023

Since 2013, Progressive has honored local veterans with vehicle donations through the "Keys to Progress" veteran vehicle giveaway program.

Strong El Niño Is A Certainty: How Much Snow And Rain Can CA Expect?

California residents may be in for another winter of atmospheric rivers as forecasters predict El Niño to hit the state hard.

Historic CA Drought Finally Ends

California's most extreme drought in the last 126 years was officially declared over Thursday after historic summer and winter storms.

Police Mourn K-9 Basko, 'Invaluable Member Of Department'

Basko, who served the department for eight years from 2012 to 2020, died Nov. 2.

North County Broadway Star Takes Center Stage In 'Mamma Mia!'

Carlsbad native Alisa Melendez takes the SoCal stage this week as the meddlesome daughter "Sophie" in the hit ABBA musical "Mamma Mia!"

Massive Pumpkin Gifted To Orphaned Bear Cubs At Ramona Wildlife Center

Two orphaned bear cubs found in the San Bernardino Mountains, being raised at the Ramona Wildlife Center, got a taste of fall this week.