Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Commercial Crimes Division’s Cargo Theft Task Force, assisted by personnel from the California Department of Justice’s Tax Recovery in the Underground Economy Program and the California Department of Motor Vehicles’ Investigation Division, conducted a search operation on Wednesday as part of an ongoing multi-agency investigation into the theft of container chassis, police said.

The five suspects, all residents of Corona, were identified as Jose Del Toro, 43, Maria Ramos, 42, Malissa Del Toro, 25, Jose Del Toro Jr., 23, and Yairet Jimenez, 23.

During the search, investigators seized 84 stolen container chassis, 11 tractors, 25 vehicles, six all-terrain vehicles, and two heavy-duty forklifts believed to be linked to fraudulent vehicle identification numbers, police said.

Three handguns, multiple digital devices and $301,604 in cash were among additional items recovered in the search.

According to police, all five suspects were arrested and booked at the 77th Street Community Police Station jail on suspicion of grand theft.

“Through this collaborative enforcement effort, the total estimated value recovered property exceeds $5 million,” police officials said in a statement.

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional arrests are expected.

Police officials said the case underscores the importance of interagency collaboration in combating large-scale cargo theft and preserving the integrity of commercial supply chains.

Anyone with information regarding the case was urged to call the Commercial Crimes Division at213-486-8766between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. Calls during non-business hours should be directed to877-527-3247. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at800-222-8477or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

WASHINGTON (AP) ' The Trump administration has informed Congress that it intends to proceed with planning for a potential reopening of the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria, which was shuttered in 2012 during the countrys civil war.

A notice to congressional committees earlier this month, which was obtained by The Associated Press, informed lawmakers of the State Departments 'intent to implement a phased approach to potentially resume embassy operations in Syria.'

The Feb. 10 notification said that spending on the plans would begin in 15 days, or next week, although there was no timeline offered for when they would be complete or when U.S. personnel might return to Damascus on a full-time basis.

The administration has been considering reopening the embassy since last year, shortly after longtime strongman Bashar Assad was ousted in December 2024, and it has been a priority for President Donald Trumps ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack.

Barrack has pushed for a deep rapprochement with Syria and its new leadership under former rebel Ahmad al-Sharaa and has successfully advocated for the lifting of U.S. sanctions and a reintegration of Syria into the regional and international communities. Last May, Barrack visited Damascus and raised the U.S. flag at the embassy compound, although the embassy was not yet reopened.

The same day the congressional notification was sent, Barrack lauded Syrias decision to participate in the coalition that is combating the Islamic State militant group, even as the U.S. military has withdrawn from a small, but important, base in the southeast and there remain significant issues between the government and the Kurdish minority.

'Regional solutions, shared responsibility. Syrias participation in the D-ISIS Coalition meeting in Riyadh marks a new chapter in collective security,' Barrack said.

The embassy reopening plans are classified and the State Department declined to comment on details beyond confirming that the congressional notification was sent.

However, the department has taken a similar 'phased' approach in its plans to reopen the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, following the U.S. military operation that ousted former President Nicolás Maduro in January, with the deployment of temporary staffers who would live in and work out of interim facilities.

Many protesters, part of Dena Rise Up, a coalition of Altadena and Pasadena local non-profit and grassroots organizations, gathered at SCE’s entrance gated and directed their ire toward the Rosemead-based utility’s Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program.

They demanded a more “inclusive” reconstruction of Altadena and Pasadena, which along with Sierra Madre saw more than 9,000 structures destroyed by the deadly fire, which also claimed 19 lives.

In particular, many said that while there is no shame in the need to take the money, they are concerned that by taking it, they waive their right to any health claims that could pop up in the future that could come out of litigation.

• Also see: Scrutiny intensifies on Edison as DA investigation, pay cuts, earnings announced

They also demanded an Urgent House Relief Program, urging SCE to reallocate the $21 billion they received in state-allocated fire relief funds and instead provide survivors with $200,000 to prevent temporary displacement.

SCE says its compensation program aims to compensate survivors, though it requires survivors to waive their litigation against the company over its equipment’s possible role in igniting the catastrophic blaze.

But critics, including those gathered outside the SCE Energy Education Center in Irwindale on Friday, said it does not go far enough in making survivors whole.

'You cannot poison a community and then ask it to waive future health claims,' Eaton Fire survivor Charles Thomas criticizes Edisons Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program, saying in a written statement ahead of the protest that it pressures survivors to accept less than they are owed and sign away legal rights, including future health claims.  'Celebrations are easy. Accountability is harder. If Pedro Pizarro can host this event, he can face the families his company displaced.'

Pizarro was among a series of guest speakers at the annual Black History Month event that included Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren, Natalie White, vice president of community relations for the LA Sparks and Brian E. Kennedy, senior pastor at Mt. Zion Church in Ontario. All are Black leaders in their communities.

Pizarro acknowledged the protesters outside the event during his remarks.

'We respect that, we appreciate that, but I really respect that all of you chose to come in the room and be part of the conversation,' Pizarro said of the guests who were in the room.

But survivors and protesters said their rally, at this particular event, was underpinned by a singular question: 'If Edison can celebrate Black resilience, why is it refusing to keep Black families housed?' the coalition said in a statement.

From its founding in 1887 through the 1920s, Black Americans settled in Altadena from Georgia, Texas, and other states, establishing generational legacies that remain today.

Altadenas large Black population grew more in the 1960s and 1970s as a result of redlining in Pasadena. Their descendants stayed, and the Black home ownership rate in Altadena was almost double the national average, by the time of the fire.

Advocates and survivors want to hold on to that kind of ownership in the area, but are concerned about being priced out, because of the costs of construction, gaps in insurance coverage, and just the sheer emotional strain that many survivors continue to grappled with.

By 9 a.m., a small coalition of 30 protesters led by Dena Rise Up had formed at the center’s gate.

In addition to organizers, six fire survivors who lost homes or family members in the Eaton Fire also spoke about navigating their financial and housing situation without immediate financial support from SCE.

Survivor Zaire Calvins sister, Evelyn McClendon, died in the fire. He called survivors housing insecurity 'hell on Earth' and brought out his 85-year-old mothers eviction notice.

'Were asking for stabilization,' Calvin said. '$200,000 is nothing compared to the $21 million that [Edison International CEO and President Pedro Pizarro] makes.

Southern California Edison released broader statement on the coalition’s demands.

'We certainly recognize the challenges and struggles that everyone, anyone that was affected by the fire has faced throughout 2025 and now into 2026,” SCE spokesperson Scott Johnson said. “Which is why Southern California Edison did launch the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program … We want to be a part of the recovery and the rebuild for the community. We are striving for final settlements, so that the community members really can move on.'

Friday’s event follows a week in which the giant utility came under heightened scrutiny for its role in the recovery.

Pizarro has said that the company’s equipment might likely be at the root of how the fire was ignited, though the company has sued L.A. County and other local agencies it believes bears responsibility for the blaze.

This week, the company acknowledged in financial filings that the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office has launched a probe into any possible criminal liability on the part of SCE.

And while the the company on Wednesday announced increases in its profits in 2025 over the previous year, it also said it was reducing the bonuses to several of its executives, including Pizarro, and giving $2 million to the Pasadena Community Foundation to support recovery.

But critics among survivors say measures such as the bonus reductions are symbolic gestures for a giant company that can afford to provide more direct help, given its equipment’s potential role in the fire.

Other demands included covering 'The Gap' for total and partial loss households regardless of insurance or current litigation or settlement; Repairing community-level damage and establishing a Community Preservation and Wellness Fund, managed transparently by a locally elected board; and providing advanced support to vulnerable survivors, like those whove lost loved ones, seniors or disabled survivors.

Another survivor, Felicia Ford, moved to Altadena with her disabled daughter, Faith, six months before the Eaton Fire. For her, the $200,000 would cover necessities she cant fully cover with her insurance claim, like her daughters gait trainer.

'We have elected officials who have made a career out of getting photo ops, and they’ve not done anything beyond that,' Ford said. 'Whats wrong with saying ‘We got this wrong, but we want to make this right?'

At the onset of the protest, Irwindale Police arrived and informed Organizer Heavenly Hughes that protesters couldnt park in SCEs private lot.

Throughout her time speaking, Hughes led crowd chants, 'Were not buying it!'

'This Black History Month, we are a resilient people and we want to make it clear: Black History Month is not just a season for corporate PR,' Hughes said. 'Let’s take action now to secure the future of Altadenas Black community.'

Police officers remained in the lot for the entirety of the demonstration. According to an SCE spokesperson, Edison did not call the police.

'While they’re in here, celebrating, we’re homeless,' Hughes said.

'This milestone reflects our steadfast commitment to transparency, fiscal integrity and responsible stewardship,' Carson Finance Director William Jefferson said in a written statement. 'Our budget now stands as a testament to the high standard of service we provide to our community.'

To qualify for this award, the city had to excel in its budget presentations and the way it provides information to the public. This includes a comprehensive policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communications device.

'This prestigious honor reflects the unwavering commitment of the City Council, executive team and staff to excellence in municipal budgeting,' the city said in a Wednesday, Feb. 18, press release. 'This recognition highlights Carsons ongoing efforts to ensure its internal processes are not just functional, but award-winning. While the program includes over 1,900 participants across North America, this marks the first time since the citys inception that Carson has earned this national accolade.'

The city has an 'open finance portal' where members of the public can navigate through the citys financial data. It provides information on revenues collected and how they are used, including information on expenditures, revenue sources and payroll records. The site is updated at the end of each business week and includes prior years data for comparison. The open finance portal can be found at carsonca-of.finance.socrata.com/#!/dashboard.

'I am thrilled that for the first time in Carsons history, we have received the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award,' Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes said in a written statement. 'The ‘Jewel of the South Bay shines because of our residents, and this achievement is a direct result of our dedication to working on their behalf.'

WASHINGTON (AP) ' Melania Trump said 'its incredible' to see her white and black-trimmed inaugural ball gown on display at the Smithsonian Institutions National Museum of American History.

Its the second inaugural gown she has turned over to the First Ladies Collection at the museum, following the donation of her 2017 gown.

On Friday, Melania Trump continued the long-standing tradition of first ladies donating their inaugural gowns when she handed over the strapless white and black-trimmed sheath and a black neckpiece adorned with a reproduction of a Harry Winston diamond brooch she wore on the night of Jan. 20, 2025. The ensemble was on display on a mannequin on stage.

She gave brief remarks about the gown, its meaning and her love of fashion design, and described it as more than a dress.

'This is more than 50 years of education, experience, and wisdom realized with each thread, each stitch, each sharp edge,' she said. 'The meticulously formed black shape ‘Z on the front bodice summons decades of my early memories, life experiences, and influences. And, all of these stories are tucked deep within its crisp, strong seams ' forever.'

The first lady, a former fashion model, said fashion design is another form of creative expression and that the black and white in the gown 'sets a mood rich with emotion.'

'This dress speaks with a distinct point of view, a modern silhouette, bold and dignified, and ruthlessly chic,' she said.

After a short program, the mannequin was taken upstairs and added to the first ladies exhibit, which features more than two dozen of their gowns. Melania Trump and Herve Pierre, her longtime stylist and the designer of both of her gowns, came to see the gown in its see-through case.

'Its incredible. Its a historic moment,' she said when a reporter asked how it felt to see the gown on display. The museum was reopening to the public Friday afternoon.

He received the 'Top Leader in a Public Sector' award in the Southern California chapter.

'Freddy Lozas journey is a quintessential success story of internal growth,' the city said in a Wednesday, Feb. 18, press release. 'He began his career as a maintenance intern for the City of Carson and has since emerged as the Public Works Superintendent. A passionate advocate for workforce development, Freddy has served for seven years on the Public Works Institute committee and is currently co-chair of the APWA Southern California Chapter.

'He actively mentors young professionals,' the release added, 'leads student site visits and fosters inclusive pathways into the public works profession. '

Loza has been with Carson for 22 years and one of his greatest accomplishments is securing a $1 million USDA Urban and Community Forestry grant aimed at expanding the citys tree canopy.

'This initiative focuses on climate resilience, equity and community health,' the press release said. 'In his role, he manages complex projects, including facility upgrades, the multi-phase electrification of the municipal fleet and various capital improvement projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget and with sustainability at their core.'

This award marks a 'double crown' for Carson, as Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes said during the Tuesday, Feb. 17, City Council meeting. Last year, the city also received the Emerging Leader award. With this years win, the city has secured the only two individual awards available to the public sector.

'I am thrilled to have another ‘first for Carson,' Davis-Holmes said in a written statement. 'This historic recognition for Freddy Loza reinforces the Citys belief that when we invest in our people, we are investing in the very future of Carson. High-level performance in the public sector is born from a team that feels valued, leading to more innovative sustainability projects, more efficient city services, and a more resilient ‘Jewel of the South Bay. This award is a testament to the excellence the City strives for every day.'

Two former Google engineers and one of their husbands were indicted for allegedly stealing trade secrets relating to the companys Tensor processor for Pixel phones.

The three ' all Iranian nationals ' were charged in a US indictment unsealed Thursday on 14 felony counts of conspiracy and theft of trade secrets and destroying evidence.

Samaneh Ghandali, 41, was a hardware engineer at Google in Silicon Valley and her sister, Soroor Ghandali, 32, was an intern before they both joined another tech firm. Samanehs husband, Mohammadjavad Khosravi, 40, applied multiple times at Google but was not hired, and worked for a third tech company.

The three were arrested Thursday and made initial appearances in federal court in San Jose, California, the Justice Department said in a statement. If convicted on the most serious charges, they could be sentenced to at least 20 years in prison, according to the statement.

'We have enhanced safeguards to protect our confidential information and immediately alerted law enforcement after discovering this incident,' José Castañeda, a Google spokesperson, said in a statement. 'Todays indictments are an important step towards accountability and well continue working to ensure our trade secrets remain secure.'

A lawyer for the defendants at the public defenders office couldnt immediately be reached for comment outside regular business hours.

While working at Google, Samaneh Ghandali sent more than 300 files, including company trade secrets, to a third-party communications application based outside of the US, according to the indictment.

Soroor Ghandali sent 34 files, also including trade secrets, in the same way, the indictment says.

Prosecutors allege the three intended to provide the trade secrets to third parties, but its not clear from the indictment if this happened.

Googles internal security system detected the sisters downloading of its files and notified the FBI, according to the indictment.

The case is USA v. Ghandali, 26-cr-00071, US District Court, Northern District of California (San Jose).

' With assistance from Brody Ford.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

©2026 Bloomberg L.P.

The first time I saw a Tesla Model S was also the first time I met Elon Musk.

It was 2011, and he had brought an early Model S to the West Side Highway in Manhattan, where we met to go for a drive. It didnt strike me as a crucial meeting. In the course of my work as an automotive reporter, I met with plenty of people shilling new cars, and back then Musk was just the founder of a company that merged with another company that became PayPal. Only the wonkiest of tech nerds might have recognized him by name.

The sedan he brought that day was the opposite of the big-spoiler sports cars I was used to seeing, like the Porsche 911 GT3. Completely smoothed to maximize air flow, the Model S was simultaneously low-key and unique.

When I first got inside, it felt weird that there was no sound or vibration to indicate that anything had turned on, but the car felt surprisingly fast as we headed up the highway. So fast, Musk said, that it could beat an Aston Martin. He claimed it would change the world. I took that with genuine curiosity and a big pinch of salt; no one I knew at the time was asking for a laptop on wheels.

Fifteen years later, Tesla Inc. has sold hundreds of thousands of that smooth sedan I first saw in New York. (The company doesnt break out sales numbers between the Model S and X, but their cumulative sales total is higher than 630,000. A spokesperson didnt respond to a request for comment.) By 2023 the Model S had helped make Tesla the only automaker in the 'Magnificent 7,' a term coined to describe seven stocks leading gains in the S&P 500 index: Alphabet, Amazon.com, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia ' and Tesla.

Things have shifted since those heady days. Its first-mover advantage long gone, the Model S has grown outdated among the wide range of EVs now available in the US. These are cars every other automaker had developed to keep up with Tesla. Today Tesla is the only member of the Magnificent 7 whose reported earnings have declined since 2023, and Musk says Tesla will now emphasize robots rather than passenger vehicles, sales of which have suffered because of a stagnant product lineup and the loss of federal incentives.

On Jan. 28, he announced Tesla will discontinue the Model S (and X).

But that doesnt diminish the impact of this revolutionary vehicle. Love it or hate it, the success of the Tesla Model S forced every legacy automaker to jump into the race that Musk created ' to fill the world with electric vehicles. It changed everything else along the way ' and will continue to drive what comes next.

First among peers

The Model S wasnt the first car Tesla developed. (That was the two-door Roadster built on a Lotus chassis, which arrived in 2008 and sold fewer than 2,500 units.) But it was the first car that Tesla created from scratch, and the one that catapulted the company to become the most valuable automaker in the world by 2020.

I racked my brain for some other vehicle from this century making as much of an impact. In 2013, Porsches 918 Spyder and Ferraris LaFerrari, each a symphony of engineering and design, proved that hybrid electric technology could provide superior driving performance, not just better efficiency. BMWs athletic i8 hybrid arrived that year, too. Along with the diminutive i3, it proved that a legacy automaker could wrap electric power in ingenious designs that were well-suited for consumers worldwide. But none of those reached the production numbers or status of Teslas star.

Nissans Leaf could qualify as car of the century. The worlds first series production battery EV, the Leaf launched in 2010 and outpaces the Model S with more than 650,000 sold worldwide. It was great for its affordability, convenience and fuel savings. But the Leaf lacks the cultural and ideological heft of the Model S, the flagship of a pure-play EV brand that spawned 75,000 Superchargers, a rabid following and a host of imitators.

'Without the Model S, we wouldnt be where we are today,' says Stephanie Valdez Streaty, director of industry insights at Cox Automotive Inc. 'It was the performance, the range and the design. It created like this awareness of EVs that was something totally different than what we got with the Leaf.'

Another contender: the Porsche Cayenne. It belonged to the first wave of premium SUVs, now the most profitable segment in the industry. The Cayenne generated a ton of cash that allowed Porsche to attempt a historic (failed) takeover of Volkswagen, and it proved that Porsche could make SUVs without losing its core sports car customers.

But the Cayennes impact was limited primarily to Porsche. Even then, the soccer mom rig did not become the bedrock of a brands cultlike status the way the Model S did: favored by millions who cheered the CEO online. At Porsche, thats the 911s job.

Others have suggested that a car from BYD might qualify as most important. After all, the Chinese automaker beat Tesla as the worlds biggest seller of EVs in 2025. But its too early to hand the crown to a Seal or Qin L just yet. They arent sold in the US, the worlds biggest auto market by revenue. Even though many analysts say its only a matter of time before BYD sells here, the US still deters Chinese companies with steep tariffs and bans software systems developed or controlled by them. Check back in a few years.

A mule for disruption

The Model S surprised people from the start. When I first slid into the passenger seat and gazed up at Manhattans skyscrapers through its panoramic glass roof, my overwhelming impression from the inside was that here was something unlike anything wed seen before.

It took me years to fully grasp how disruptive it was. Even Musk himself was still driving the sporty Roadster as his daily. I rode in it with him soon after the Model S drive as part of further reporting in Los Angeles. He likened driving these electric cars to sailing, marveling at how you could enjoy the sounds of nature without the roar of a combustion engine.

'We need to figure out how to have the things we love and not destroy the world,' he told me.

When the Model S arrived, people went gaga for the minimalist cabin, its front trunk, or frunk, and flush-mounted automatic door handles (currently undergoing a redesign because of safety concerns). The large vertical touchscreen mounted inside was what made the car feel the most futuristic.

Unlike the quirky Leaf, the Model S felt like a proper automobile for adults, and it had the range (around 260 miles per charge) and charging capacity to back it up. It was undoubtedly the most progressive EV, with the biggest potential for mass appeal, anyone had ever seen. But the Model S also forced changes in the car industry that had nothing to do with its being electric. It was the reason Tesla became the first all-new mainstream automaker to enter and survive in the US market since Hyundai did in the 1980s.

The Model S busted the myth that people wouldnt buy a new car online. Musk wanted to show the model in proprietary retail shops, not franchised dealerships. So he went to court against the franchise laws and dealer associations that stipulated vehicles must be sold in traditional showrooms. He won, and the Model S became the first car you inspect in a mall and then buy with the click of a button.

It was also the first mainstream vehicle to offer comprehensive, over-the-air software updates to improve technology and fix bugs, which simultaneously kept it feeling cutting-edge and reduced the need for maintenance. Now legacy automakers like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche offer a host of similar software upgrades, and Lucid, Afeela and Rivian all copy the direct-to-consumer method Tesla pioneered with the Model S as the vanguard.

Then theres Autopilot, which Tesla put in the Model S in 2016. Its advanced driver-assistance systems, like traffic-aware cruise control, were the precursors to the companys current Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system that allows Level 2 self-driving.

'Nothing has transformed the reputation of the Model S as much as Teslas pursuit of self-driving,' Keith Barry wrote in a Consumer Reports analysis of the car a decade after its launch. 'The cars story is now forever entwined with Musks promises about vehicle autonomy.'

Many Tesla acolytes today say that what they want most in a new car is real self-driving. Musk has been promising that since at least 2013, and analysts like Anthony Salerno, senior vice president of automotive analytics at J.D. Power, tell me they still believe hell eventually deliver.

In the meantime, the autonomous Tesla Cybercab, which you can hail via smartphone, is expected later this year. Call it the latest indicator that Tesla is shifting further away from making consumer cars altogether.  Its almost like EVs were just technology mules ' a means to an end toward Musks more far-fetched goals. Tesla is converting factory space where the Model S and Model X were made in Fremont, California, into a manufacturing hub for the Optimus robot.

'I can see the day where Tesla has morphed into this other thing that is not a passenger vehicle company anymore,' says Kevin Tynan, director of research for the Presidio Group. 'So that the only thing thats left ultimately would be a robotaxi.'

Musk announced earlier this month that he will combine SpaceX and xAI as he works to generate cash to fund future dreams while simultaneously deemphasizing the very things that bring in the cash: cars.

But even when Teslas passenger cars disappear altogether, the legacy of the Model S will continue. The sleek sedan that catapulted EVs into our consciousness was more than cutting-edge. It was the key that unlocked a whole new world.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

©2026 Bloomberg L.P.

All truckers and bus drivers will have to take their commercial drivers license tests in English as the Trump administration expands its aggressive campaign to improve safety in the industry and get unqualified drivers off the road.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the latest effort Friday to ensure that drivers understand English well enough to read road signs and communicate with law enforcement officers. Florida already started administering its tests in English.

Currently, many states allow drivers to take their license tests in other languages even though they are required to demonstrate English proficiency. California offered tests in 20 other languages. And Duffy said that a number of states have hired other companies to administer commercial driver’s licenses tests, and those companies aren’t enforcing the standards that drivers are supposed to meet.

'And the third party tester is participating in the scam because they are not adequately testing the people who went through a sham school,' Duffy said.

He said every American wants drivers who get behind the wheel of a big rig to be well-qualified to handle those vehicles. But Duffy said that for too long the problems in the trucking industry were 'allowed to rot and no one’s paying attention to it for decades.”

'Once you start to pay attention, you see that all these bad things have been happening. And the consequence of that is that Americans get hurt,' Duffy said. 'When we get on the road, we should expect that we should be safe. And that those who drive those 80,000-pound big rigs, that they are well-trained, theyre well-qualified, and theyre going to be safe.'

The campaign will also now expand to go prevent fraudulent trucking companies from getting into the business while continuing to go after questionable schools and ensure states are complying with all the regulations for handing out commercial licenses.

Earlier this week, the Transportation Department said 557 driving schools should close because they failed to meet basic safety standards. And the department has been aggressively going after states that handed out commercial drivers licenses to immigrants who shouldnt have qualified for them ever since a fatal crash in August.

A truck driver who Duffy says wasnt authorized to be in the U.S. made an illegal U-turn and caused a crash in Florida that killed three people. Other fatal crashes since then, including one in Indiana that killed four earlier this month, have only heightened concerns.

Duffy said that the registration system and requirements for trucking companies will be strengthened while Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration inspectors conduct more spot checks of trucks and commercial drivers license schools.

Currently, companies only have to pay a few hundred dollars and show proof of insurance to get registered to operate, and then they might not be audited until a year or more later.

That has made it easy for fraudulent companies that are known in the industry as chameleon carriers to register multiple times under different names and then simply switch names and registration numbers to avoid any consequences after crashes or other violations.

Officials are also trying to make sure that the electronic logging devices drivers use are accurate, and that states are following all the regulations to ensure drivers are qualified to get commercial licenses.

After that Indiana crash, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration knocked the company that employed the driver out of service and pulled the DOT numbers assigned to two other companies that were linked to AJ Partners. Tutash Express and Sam Express in the Chicago area were also disqualified, and the Aydana driving school that the trucker involved in the crash attended lost its certification.

Immigration authorities arrested that driver because they said the 30-year-old from Kyrgystan entered the country illegally. Authorities say he pulled out and tried to go around a truck that had slowed in front of him and his truck slammed into an oncoming van.

In December, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration took action to decertify up to 7,500 of the 16,000 schools nationwide but that included many defunct operations.

Duffy said the companies involved in that Indiana crash were all registered at the same apartment. In other cases there might be hundreds of these chameleon companies registered at a single address.

The curbside self-serve kiosk offers no-questions-asked access to naloxone kits.

The hospital has a history of supporting those struggling with addiction through its Recovery Center, which offers behavioral health support and substance abuse treatment. The new naloxone kiosk is designed to serve a need for expanding access to lifesaving tools, hospital officials said in a news release.

“Naloxone is one of the most effective emergency medications we have because it works within moments to restore breathing when someone is experiencing an opioid overdose,” said Dr. Miles Shaw, emergency medicine physician at the San Pedro hospital, 1300 W. Seventh St. “When administered quickly, it can save a life before paramedics or hospital teams even arrive.”

Naloxone quickly reverses an opioid overdose by blocking the effects of opioids in the brain, the news release said. Narcan is the most widely recognized brand name for naloxone, which refers to the medication itself. Both terms are used interchangeably.

The kiosk demonstrates a proactive effort to reduce barriers and normalize naloxone as a tool for community safety. It also includes QR codes linking to local mental health and addiction recovery resources, ensuring individuals are connected to ongoing support.

Providence St. Joseph in Burbank also has a kiosk outside of the hospital.

“Many hospitals and nonprofit organizations now have free naloxone,” said Stefanie Lai, a nurse and manager of emergency services at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro. “However, most have specific hours and days of the week when people can pick up naloxone or their distribution boxes are indoors, which is a barrier for some.”

With naloxone prescription fill rates remaining as low as 1%, the kiosk is seen as a practical way to ensure lifesaving medication is available when and where its needed most ' while providing anonymity and eliminating costs that could prevent individuals from otherwise accessing this medication.

“By expanding access to naloxone, were putting a lifesaving resource directly into the hands of individuals and families for the moments when it can make the greatest difference,” said Jacqueline Herd, chief nursing officer at Providence Little Company of Mary San Pedro. “Every kit taken from this kiosk represents a chance to prevent tragedy.”

From Jan. 1, 2023, to May 18, 2025, Lai said in a written response to questions, the emergency department at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro saw 24 patients for unintentional opioid overdoses.

Los Angeles County, she added, reported a 1,652% increase in fentanyl-related overdose deaths from 2016 to 2022, with a continued rise to 1,970 deaths in 2023, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

In December, she said, Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro’s emergency department  saw five patients for fentanyl overdoses.

“The South Bay region, which includes San Pedro,” Lai said, citing county Public Health Department statistics, “has been identified as a high-need area, particularly due to the growing number of fentanyl-involved overdoses among unsheltered and underserved populations.”

The kiosk, she said, is next to the sidewalk in front of the emergency department and “anyone from the public can access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

Community members who would like to learn more about the addiction recovery services, including family members who have been impacted by a loved ones addiction, can visit the Little Company of Mary San Pedro Recovery Center website.

What to know

If you think someone has overdosed on opioids, you should:

• Call 911 immediately.
• Give naloxone as quickly as possible, if available. Do not wait for emergency workers to arrive before giving naloxone.
• Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
• Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
• Stay with the person until emergency workers arrive.
• Naloxone is a temporary treatment. More than one dose might be needed under some circumstances, especially if an overdose event involves illicitly manufactured fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances.