Woman In Fatal Crash Viewed Porn While Driving: PD | Actor Dies | Teens Save Climber | Terror Plot: CA News

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.

• CA Driver Viewed Porn Seconds Before She Caused Fatal Crash: Authorities
• Woman Becomes First To Swim Entire CA Coast, Passing Whales And Great Whites
• 'Everyone Was Yelling': United Flight Suddenly Drops Near LAX, Injuring 4

• Teen Girls Arrested In School Shooting Terror Plot Had List Of Names: Police
• Norcal Teens Help Rescue Stranded Mt. Shasta Climber
• Tom Skerritt, Emmy-Winning 'Alien' And 'Top Gun,' Actor Dies At 93
• Rabbi Faces Murder Charge In Costco Parking Lot Crash
• Famed Guitarist Steps Away Due To 'Serious Health Issue,'
• Beloved Bakery Closes, Cites Sale Slump, Political Backlash
• Man Arrested In Sexual Abuse Investigation At Daycare
• Deputy Saves Unconscious Cat From Burning Van
• Serial Rapist And Cosmetics Heir's Release From Prison Sparks Outrage In Suburban LA County
• Girl, 3, Reunites With Firefighters Who Saved Her From Drowning
• California Ski Season 2026-27: Mammoth, Tahoe Resorts Opening Dates As Snow Arrives
• 49ers Brock Purdy To Appear At Bay Area Costco. Here's Which One
• California Ski Season 2026-27: Mammoth, Tahoe Resorts Opening Dates As Snow Arrives
• Facing Voting Charges In Embattled Trump 'Crackdown'
• Dog Taken By Masked Man Found, But Owner Still Searching For Clues
• High School Students Launch Free Community Closet For Families In Need
• Testicle-Grabbing Attacker Convicted Of Attempted Robbery In San Francisco: DA
• Amazon To Hire More Than 2,400 Workers In San Diego For Holiday Season
• 6 More OC Parents, 1 Sibling Charged With Child Endangerment For E-Moto Crashes, DA Says
• A Redwood City Wall Is Covered In Sticky Notes, The Messages Could Change Someone’s Day
• 'Sovereign Citizen' Driver Says He Is Exempt From CA Laws, Claims 'Duress' When Cited
• First 'Gas Station Heroin' Death Reported In San Francisco
• La Jolla Couple Accuses Disney And 'Toy Story' Actor Of Elder Abuse, Fraud In Lawsuit
• UC Berkeley Sued Over Records Request On Pro-Palestinian Group Rules
• 3 Romanians Arrested Near Oceanside, Including Suspected Organized Crime Member
• CA Lawmakers Targeted With Threats, Suspicious White Powder In Mail
• Tesla Was In Self-Driving Mode When It Fatally Struck Pedestrian Crossing I-80 Freeway: CHP

• Castro Valley Gold Store Owner Accused Of Kidnapping, Sexually Assaulting Employee: Report
• Tipsters To Split $100K Reward In Ambush Of Deputies
• Ringleader Of Massive RivCo Human Smuggling Operation Admits To Kidnappings
• Cole's, One Of LA's Oldest Restaurants, Plans To Reopen
• Jim Concannon, 'Father Of Petite Sirah,' Dies At 95
• New Program Helps Neurodivergent Adults Navigate Life After School In Marin County
• Sexually Violent Predator Found Dead In San Diego After Weeks-Long Search

• Rescued Beluga Whale Dies Unexpectedly At SeaWorld
• Coast Guard Suspends Search For 11 Missing After Saving 16

Other notable stories this week include:

RivCo Woman Arrested For Sexual Assault Of Minor: Sheriff

Authorities said they believe there may be additional victims.

Students Win Cash Prizes In SMC, South Bay For Art Honoring Overlooked Innovators

Local students were among the artists recognized in a national competition awarding $24,000 for works celebrating unsung heroes.

New Program Helps Neurodivergent Adults Navigate Life After School In Marin County

The academy offers job training, life skills, arts and continuing education for autistic and neurodivergent adults.

Oceanfront Laguna Beach Home Sells For $82.6M, One Of Highest In OC: Report

The blufftop Laguna Beach estate is partially suspended above the shoreline with oceanfront views, The Orange County Register reported.

Priceless Family Heirlooms Saved By OC Firefighters Amid Norte Fire Destruction

A south Orange County family devastated by the Norte Fire was able to find a silver lining, thanks to Orange County firefighters.

Driver Accused Of Turning Car Into ‘Missile’ Pleads Not Guilty In 405 Freeway Deaths

The defendant faces two murder charges in the 2025 collision that killed an LAFD sergeant and a stranded motorist.

3 Construction Workers, Company Charged In Fatal SF Trench Collapse: DA

The company was working on a sewer tunnel rehabilitation project for the city when a trench collapsed, killing a worker, prosecutors said.

Shellfish Farms Cleared To Reopen After Sewage Spill In Marin's Tomales Bay

Shellfish businesses can resume harvesting after water-quality testing cleared the way for reopening

Metro Renames DTLA Station For Formerly Enslaved LA Pioneer

Born into slavery, Biddy Mason won her freedom in Los Angeles before becoming one of the city’s first Black women to own property.

Manhattan Beach Eyes Taller Buildings At 2 Prime Downtown Sites

Proposed zoning changes could allow taller buildings at two city-owned sites, with new rules for rooftop structures and parking.

Rancho Palos Verdes Gets $1.9M To Reduce Landslide Pumping Costs

The federal grant will help replace generators costing the city about $53,000 a month to operate landslide dewatering wells.