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Around SoCal

1. Federal grand jury indicts Jonathan Rinderknecht, man charged with starting Palisades Fire

A federal grand jury Wednesday indicted a 29-year-old former Pacific Palisades resident who is charged with allegedly intentionally sparking what eventually became the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, an Uber driver who most recently lived in Florida, is charged in the three-count indictment with one count of destruction of property by means of fire, one count of arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and one count of timber set afire, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

If convicted as charged, Rinderknecht would face a sentence of between five and 45 years in federal prison, prosecutors said.

Rinderknecht has been in federal custody since his arrest on Oct. 7. His next court appearance will be his arraignment, which is expected to occur in the coming weeks in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles.

According to court documents, law enforcement officials determined that the Palisades Fire was a “holdover” fire — a continuation of the Lachman Fire that began early in the morning on New Year’s Day 2025. Although firefighters quickly suppressed the Lachman Fire, the fire continued to smolder and burn underground within the root structure of dense vegetation.

2. Port of LA experiences drop in cargo volume in September

Despite a 7.5% decline in cargo volume in September compared to the same month last year, the Port of Los Angeles closed out its third quarter with a total of 2.9 million twenty-foot equivalent units moved, one of its best quarters ever, officials announced Wednesday.

In total, the port processed 883,053 TEUs in September with loaded imports at 460,044 TEUs, a 7.6% decrease compared to September 2024. Loaded exports came in at 114,693 TEUs, and empty container units stood at 308,317 TEUs, approximately 10% less than last year.

Nine months into 2025, the port has handled a little more than 7.8 million TEUs, a 3% increase over the same period in 2024.

“As we’ve reported for the last few months, imports continued to outweigh American exports by a four-to-one ratio. This data reflects the real impact that ongoing trade negotiations are having on our agriculture sector,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said.

3. Long Beach officials investigate patient with severe mpox strain

Long Beach health officials Wednesday were continuing to investigate the infection of a resident with a more severe strain of mpox — the first known case of the disease in the country involving a patient without any history of travel.

The unidentified patient is the first person confirmed in Long Beach to have acquired clade I mpox, and only the seventh person nationally. The person was hospitalized but is now isolating and recovering at home, according to the city Department of Health and Human Services.

Clade I mpox is a more serious strain of mpox that clade II, which led to a 2022-23 mpox outbreak in the United States. Clade I generally causes more severe illness. Symptoms can include rash or lesions, fever, chills, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes and body aches.

“While the overall risk of mpox clade I exposure to the public remains low, we are taking this very seriously and ensuring our community and health care partners remain vigilant so we can prevent any more cases,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement. “This underscores the importance of continued surveillance, early response and vaccination.”

Clade I mpox has been primarily found in Central and Eastern Africa.

The risk of mpox infection is low but the state Department of Health anyone who may be at higher risk to get vaccinated. (Getty Images)

Around the Nation

1. Trump won’t rule out U.S. strikes on Venezuelan soil, confirms CIA operations

2. Judge temporarily blocks the Trump administration from firing workers during the government shutdown

3. Vance dismisses bipartisan outrage over racist and offensive Young Republican group chat

Only on Spectrum News 1

(Spectrum News/Jas Kang)

Local entrepreneur aims to help people with disabilities find employment

Finding employment for people with disabilities isn’t easy, but one local company is trying to help.

Making Space aims to help people with disabilities find positions within a wide network of companies. 

Click the link above for more information.

SoCal Snapshot

A Los Angeles Dodgers grounds crewman paints the field on Wednesday, ahead of Game 3 of baseball’s National League Championship Series between the Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)