NewsCast4_13_24

The Santa Ana Riverbed in Newport Beach is set to be cleaned of homeless encampments, which are causing issues for endangered birds. Residents of a wealthy neighborhood in Santa Barbara County are facing fines for blocking public access to hot springs. A second Boeing whistleblower has come forward, claiming retaliation for raising concerns about plane safety. The $0.99 store chain is closing all its outlets due to various issues. Ireland has elected its youngest prime minister, while former South African president Jacob Zuma has won a court decision allowing him to run in the upcoming election. In sports, the New Orleans Pelicans and Anaheim Angels had mixed results. There are traffic accidents in downtown Los Angeles and Glendale, and the weather will be cloudy with showers tomorrow. The Santa Ana Riverbed may be finally returning to its natural habitat along Newport Beach. Good evening, this is KBeach88 News at five o'clock, brought to you by Orange Crush, and this is Anthony Rapp reporting. The Newport Beach area of the Santa Ana Riverbed is scheduled to be cleaned up of the homeless encampments lining the environmentally sensitive marshland on April 26th and 27th. The land falls under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers jurisdiction, which has stalled efforts. It is mating season for many endangered birds on the federally protected land. Activists are not allowed to be within 500 feet of the birds, yet the homeless are existing amongst the birds' habitat, unabated lighting fires that could risk spreading. Supervisor Katrina Foley's chief of staff has stated services and housing is available to the homeless outside of this delicate ecosystem. The residents of the wealthy neighborhood of Montecito in Santa Barbara County have been served notice of a daily fine of $850 as well as a civil or criminal prosecution if they do not remove boulders blocking public access to natural hot springs they place at the trailhead to the hot springs. The residents' main issue is lack of parking for day trippers. While visiting the hot springs in their neighborhood, however, in 2022, when the county planned to create a 62-vehicle parking lot in the area, the homeowners sued. The county is currently working with residents to determine what boulders may remain along the trailhead to the hot springs and which ones cannot. On the heels of the alleged suicide of one Boeing whistleblower, a second Boeing whistleblower has said he has been retaliated against for raising similar concerns. Boeing engineer Sam Selleport believes shortcuts taken on at least 400 777s and 1,000 787s could become catastrophic as the planes age. Selleport has stated he filed his complaint with the FAA so that Boeing will remain a successful company by preventing crashes from happening. The FAA is currently investigating and a senate subcommittee will begin the same next week. The $0.99 store only chain is closing all 371 of its outlets. The stores are located in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas. The interim CEO cited the COVID pandemic, employee theft, shoplifting, inflation, consumer damage, and administrative errors for the reasons the chain has struggled over the past several years. The chain was founded in 1982 and had a 42-year run before going public on the New York Stock Exchange, ultimately being sold for approximately $1.6 billion in 2011. Ireland has elected its youngest prime minister ever. Lawmaker Simon Harris is 37 and will be taking over the head of Ireland's three-party coalition government. From recently resigned leader Leo Verticar, Harris, who had been serving as higher education minister, was voted in as prime minister by parliament with a 88-69 vote of confidence. Former South African president Jacob Zuma won a court decision and will be allowed to run in the upcoming election. In 2021, Zuma had been convicted for defying a court order and sentenced to 15 months in prison. Zuma's 2009 to 2018 presidential term was being probed for corruption allegations. Originally, the Independent Election Commission had ruled Zuma was not fit to run for office due to his criminal record. The decision allows Zuma to once again run for president. KBCH Coast Mesa News time is 5.05. Sports traffic and weather next. Orange Crush. There's no caffeine between you and all those natural flavors. No wonder Orange Crush is so dear. In sports, the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Sacramento Kings 135-123. The Pelicans clinched the 6th seed for the Western Conference. The Anaheim Angels lost to the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2. In local sports, Newport Harbor Baseball lost to Corona Del Mar for a second time of a score of 5-0. In traffic, as you head into downtown Los Angeles on the 710, there's a two-car accident, so expect a slow crawl for a few miles. Also, there was an accident on the 101 by Glendale, so expect traffic in that area. In weather, the high today will be 63 with a low of 52 with cloudy skies. Tomorrow, expect showers with a high of 61 and a low of 50. The news has been brought to you by Orange Crush. I'm Nathan Rath reporting for KBCH 88.