About L.A. Now L.A. Now is the Los Angeles Times’ breaking news section for Southern California. It is produced by more than 80 reporters and editors in The Times’ Metro section, reporting from the paper’s downtown Los Angeles headquarters as well as bureaus in Costa Mesa, Long Beach, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Riverside, Ventura and West Los Angeles. Have a story tip for L.A. Now? Can I call someone with news? Yes. The city desk number is (213) 237-7847. Continue reading →

An inmate who escaped nearly 30 years ago was captured Thursday in Azusa, authorities said. Carlos Campos, 50, was convicted of second-degree burglary in Los Angeles County. He escaped in August 1983 while on a work furlough program, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. While on the run, Campos lived as Carlos Hererra, an identity he purchased, authorities said. Special agents from the department of corrections tracked Campos down after discovering that he had been arrested in 1993 for assault with a deadly weapon. He was placed on probation, but state parole authorities were not initially notified, the department said in a statement. Agents finally found Campos comparing fingerprints on law enforcement databases. Campos was taken to the state prison in Chino ... Continue reading →

Two Los Angeles police officers were treated for minor injuries Thursday evening after their squad car was struck by another vehicle and knocked into other cars in Brentwood. The officers were responding to back up another police unit on a report of a stolen vehicle when they were struck about 6:55 p.m. near Santa Monica Boulevard and Barrington Avenue, the Los Angeles Police Department said. "They spun out and struck some other cars," Officer Bruce Borihanh told The Times. The LAPD cruiser came to rest next a wall. The officers were transported to a hospital, where they were treated and released, police said. There was no immediate information regarding whether other injuries were reported. Investigators were at the scene Thursday night gathering evidence. ALSO: Arson ... Continue reading →

Los Angeles County lifeguards are testing a robot rescue craft that would save struggling swimmers, officials said Thursday. The remote-controlled rescue robot zips through the surf to reach stranded swimmers, who can then use the machine as as a flotation device until lifeguards reach the area, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said. Lifeguards have been conducting mock rescues in the surf at Zuma Beach. The robot is named "Emily," after Emily Rose Shane, 13, who was killed in 2010 after being struck by a car on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. Emily was a friend of the robot designer's daughter, officials said. Additional testing is needed before the rescue robot will be seen on local beaches. ALSO: Arson suspect's mother ordered extradited to Germany ... Continue reading →