Southern California breaking news and trends
Supreme Court on GPS tracking: Police will now need a warrant
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The heyday of hidden, high-tech tracking came to a screeching halt Monday as the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that authorities must obtain a search warrant before employing GPS technology in pursuit of criminal suspects.
In the case of United States v. Jones, the court found that the FBI and police violated the 4th Amendment "by attaching a GPS device to a Jeep owned by a drug suspect," explains the L.A. Times.
The GPS device helped authorities link Washington, D.C., nightclub owner Antoine Jones to a suburban house used to stash money and drugs. He was sentenced to life in prison before the appeals court overturned the conviction.
Although justices were in agreement that a search warrant is required, they were divided on what constitutes "tracking."
Chuck Norris endorses Newt Gingrich for President
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Chuck Norris endorsed Republican presidential candidate, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich seen here speaking during a campaign stop at Salem High School on January 06, 2012.
Chuck Norris can cut a hot knife with butter; he can do a wheelie on a unicycle; and when he plays Pac Man the ghosts stay in the box, the web memes say.
But can the action star's endorsement make Newt Gingrich the next President of the United States?
Friday, on the conservative website World Net Daily, Norris wrote that he and his wife "believe Newt’s experience, leadership, knowledge, wisdom, faith and even humility to learn from his failures (personal and public) can return America to her glory days."
The CBS television star even used a phrase from fellow CBS heavyweight "Survivor" to back the former Speaker of the House. "[Gingrich] is the best man left on the battlefield who is able to outwit, outplay and outlast [President Barack] Obama and his campaign machine," Norris wrote.
Before Gingrich and wife Callista start measuring the curtains they should take pause because even though Internet mythology has it that Chuck Norris once killed 37 terrorists with 2 bullets (and one was just a warning shot), he doesn't have the best accuracy in identifying GOP nominees.
Kobe Bryant will fork over about $75 million and all three Newport Beach mansions in divorce
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images
Kobe and Vanessa Bryant attend the skills competition at the NBA's All-Star Saturday Night in Dallas in February, 2011.
Kobe Bryant is not like most men.
When most men get divorced they lose the house to the ex-wife and drive away in the station wagon.
Kobe Bryant is losing the house, the other house, and the third house. Yes, all three Newport Beach mansions will go to the Laker guard's soon-to-be ex-wife.
The Los Angeles Times is reporting that property records at the Orange County Clerk-Recorders Office in Santa Ana indicate that the homes have been recently transfered to Vanessa Bryant.
The three OC properties are worth a total of $18.8 million. But before you shed a tear for #24, Kobe made about $35 million in 2011 according to Sports Illustrated.
The couple, who have been together for 10 years, have yet to officially divorce, but the Times speculates Kobe is worth about $150 million, thus will be ordered to fork over approximately $75 million since the pair never signed a pre-nuptial agreement.
Dr. Seuss' 'Oh, The Places You'll Go' revealed as 2013 Rose Parade theme
Congratulations!
Today is your day!
The theme was announced
for the next Rose Parade!
OH!
THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!
"Oh, the Places You'll Go!," the inspirational book by former La Jolla resident Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, has been chosen as the theme for next year's Rose Parade, 2013 Tournament of Roses President Sally Bixby announced yesterday on Facebook.
So...
come to Pasadena
by car or by ferry.
And do not forget a rhyming dictionary.
You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your parade is waiting.
So...get on your way!
Lady products recalled: FDA finds Staphylococcus, benzocaine, unsubstantiated claims
Two highly questionable feminine products are being recalled by a Los Angeles-based company following the Federal Drug Administration discovery of Staphylococcus bacteria and other pathogens in one product, and the anesthetic benzocaine, in the other.
The products are sold to herbal stores, beauty shops and drug stores by an Alhambra-based company called USA Far Ocean Group Inc. (U.S.A. Far Ocean), that promotes the product with disturbing questions like, "Are you deeply concerned about female diseases?" and "Do you want to get rid of them forever and regain your charm?"
The products, sold also in stores, online and via mail order, are packaged individually as "Vagifresh Ball" and "Vagifresh Gel," and packaged together as "Female One."
FDA lab analysis found that the Vagifresh Gel contained benzocaine, a local anesthetic commonly used as a topical pain reliever, while analysis of the Vagifresh Ball found bacteria including Staphylococcus lentus, S. sciuri, Bacillus Lantus, Alloiococcus otitis, Aerococcus viridans, Aeromonas salmonicid, Gemella spp, Leuconostoc spp.
