California Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday publicly challenged U.S. Vice President JD Vance to a face-to-face debate while the vice president is in Los Angeles for security briefings with federal and local agencies. In a video message, Newsom urged Vance to meet survivors of recent wildfires that the governor described as among the most devastating in U.S. history and pressed him to discuss additional disaster aid with President Donald Trump. The governor’s comments come amid a legal tussle with the White House over the federal deployment of National Guard units to manage protests sparked by increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in the city. Vance’s office said the vice president’s itinerary includes meetings with the Defense Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Homeland Security, ICE, the Los Angeles Police Department and the California Highway Patrol. The exchange has fueled speculation that the two officials—both widely seen as possible 2028 presidential contenders—could preview a future national matchup.

Billionaire investor Mark Walter has reached an agreement to acquire a controlling stake in the Los Angeles Lakers from the Buss family at a valuation of about $10 billion, people familiar with the terms said. The figure sets a record for the sale of a professional sports franchise, eclipsing the Boston Celtics’ $6.1 billion transaction announced in March. The deal ends 47 years of majority Buss ownership. Jerry Buss bought the Lakers for $67.5 million in 1979; his six children inherited roughly 66 percent of the team after his death in 2013. Under the new arrangement the family will keep just over a 15 percent holding, and Jeanie Buss will remain team governor to preserve continuity in the front office. Walter, 65, already owns 27 percent of the Lakers and is chief executive of both Guggenheim Partners and TWG Global. His sports portfolio includes controlling interests in Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers, the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, and a stake in Premier League club Chelsea FC. Forbes estimates his net worth at $6.1 billion. The $10 billion valuation dwarfs Forbes’ most recent $7.1 billion estimate for the Lakers and highlights surging demand for elite sports assets as media and sponsorship revenues grow. Analysts expect Walter’s deep resources to translate into increased spending on basketball operations, facilities and player development once league rules allow. Completion of the purchase is subject to approval by the NBA’s Board of Governors, which next meets in July in Las Vegas. The review process could take several months, but observers see little resistance given Walter’s existing minority position and track record in professional sports.

Vice President JD Vance, visiting Los Angeles on 20 June, said federal troops remain “very much necessary” to deter further violence after this month’s protests against the Trump administration’s immigration raids. He warned that any city that fails to control rioters will see National Guard or other federal forces deployed, saying, “If you let violent rioters burn great American cities to the ground, then of course we’re going to send federal law enforcement in to protect the people.” Vance accused California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass of encouraging “far-left agitators” and endangering federal officers, citing reports that demonstrators have harassed Border Patrol agents. Earlier in June, President Donald Trump ordered roughly 4,000 California National Guard troops and about 700 Marines to assist local police after some demonstrations turned violent; Los Angeles police have logged nearly 600 arrests linked to the unrest. Newsom and Bass, who have called for peaceful protest and condemned vandalism, argue that federal militarization inflamed tensions and have sued to regain state control of the Guard. Their challenge suffered a setback on 19 June when the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals allowed Trump to retain command of the troops while litigation continues. Vance’s stop in Los Angeles underscores the administration’s broader stance that cities must enforce their own laws or accept direct federal intervention. He met with law-enforcement officials at a joint operations center before departing, reiterating that the White House will “do it again if necessary” should violence resume.

Federal immigration authorities are reported to have detained two landscapers while they were mowing a homeowner’s lawn in Southern California on 20 June, according to multiple local television stations. Neighbours said the agents arrived in unmarked vehicles and left within minutes, taking the workers without explanation and leaving power tools and a truck on the curb. The episode is one of several immigration enforcement actions across the Los Angeles area this week. FOX 11 reported that roughly 30 people, including a U.S. citizen, were held during a raid on a Hollywood business, while a 20-year-old flower vendor in San Fernando said agents questioned him and temporarily stopped sales outside his family’s stand. Witnesses also described agents briefly detaining a tamale vendor, who fainted and was taken to hospital. DHS has not released an official tally or the names of those arrested. Border Patrol Assistant Chief David Kim told FOX 11 that agents rely on "indicators" and that most contacts are conducted as “consensual encounters,” without detailing criteria. Community advocates say the sweep resembles racial profiling and has prompted some undocumented residents to stay indoors. The stepped-up activity follows President Donald Trump’s order for intensified operations in large U.S. cities, a policy that immigration lawyers warn could chill cooperation with local authorities and disrupt small businesses that rely on day labor.

River Plate has arrived in Los Angeles ahead of their second match in the FIFA Club World Cup against Monterrey, also known as Rayados. The match is scheduled for Saturday and is part of the tournament's second round. River Plate fans have shown strong support, organizing a large banderazo event on the beaches of Los Angeles, including Venice Beach, with around 20,000 supporters expected to attend the game. Monterrey is preparing for this encounter following a draw against Inter Milan in their opening match. Monterrey's coach, Torrent, emphasized that the team will not underestimate River Plate, aiming to secure a win to advance to the tournament's round of 16. The event is being covered live on Disney Plus under the FIFA Club World Cup premium plan.

California Governor Gavin Newsom was at a private wine-tasting event in Napa Valley on 7 June while rioters in Los Angeles set vehicles ablaze, vandalised buildings and clashed with law-enforcement officers, City Journal reported, citing on-site sources and photographs. The magazine article by Christopher Rufo and Richard Thorpe says the governor sampled Cabernet at a luxury estate as police in Los Angeles struggled to contain fires and looting that erupted the same evening. No injuries or arrest figures were provided in the report. Political opponents seized on the timing to accuse Newsom of neglecting his duties during a public-safety crisis. The governor’s office had not issued a public response to the article as of late Thursday.

Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has been actively responding to multiple structure fires across the city on June 18 and 19, 2025. Notable incidents include a fatal traffic accident at 4474 N Woodman Avenue in Sherman Oaks, and several structure fires in Winnetka, Vermont-Slauson, Boyle Heights, Panorama City, Florence, and downtown Los Angeles. The most prominent fire occurred at a commercial building located at 215 E Winston Street in downtown Los Angeles' Chinatown area. Nearly 100 firefighters were deployed to battle heavy smoke and flames that extended through the roof, prompting a defensive operation at one point with firefighters pulled off the roof and ladder pipes used to combat the blaze. During the incident, a fire truck also caught fire. The LAFD maintained an ongoing major emergency response to this downtown structure fire as of late June 19, 2025.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass lifted the curfew in the downtown area on June 17, 2025, which had been imposed a week earlier in response to protests against immigration raids conducted by the Trump administration. The curfew was originally established on June 10 following incidents of vandalism, looting, and clashes with police during demonstrations opposing the federal government's immigration crackdown. Mayor Bass cited successful law enforcement efforts in crime prevention and suppression as reasons for lifting the curfew. She also attributed the violence and unrest to the escalation caused by the Trump administration's actions. Despite lifting the curfew, Bass indicated she remains prepared to reinstate it if necessary to maintain safety and stability. The removal of the curfew was welcomed by downtown businesses anticipating a return of customers after the disruptions. The protests and related unrest had begun to subside, prompting the decision to end the curfew.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service’s criminal-investigations arm have formed a joint task force to identify the money streams behind the violent anti-ICE demonstrations that have rocked Los Angeles since early June. At a press conference on 17 June, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, FBI Los Angeles chief Akil Davis and IRS Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher said agents are “tracing money to determine who is providing funding for these riots” and pledged to dismantle any financial networks supporting the unrest. President Donald Trump, who last week federalized California’s National Guard and dispatched Marine units to protect federal property, said the Justice Department and Congress are also examining the funding. “These people are paid professionals, and we will find out who they are,” he told reporters. Lawmakers including Senator Josh Hawley have launched parallel inquiries, requesting records from nonprofits that allegedly offered logistical or financial help to demonstrators. The federal investigation follows roughly 575 arrests linked to the protests, which began after Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in the city. Prosecutors this week unveiled new state and federal counts against several suspects, including attempted arson of police vehicles, assault with deadly weapons and conspiracy to commit civil disorder. Authorities urged the public to submit tips as they work to trace the flow of funds and warned that anyone who bankrolls violent acts could face prison terms and heavy fines.

The recent anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles, which escalated into riots, have cost the city nearly $20 million, primarily due to police overtime and city repair expenses. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) incurred substantial overtime costs during the unrest. To manage these expenses, the Los Angeles City Council approved a $5 million loan to cover police overtime related to the protests. These costs come amid a broader fiscal challenge for the city, which is currently facing a $1 billion budget shortfall. Additionally, reports indicate that Los Angeles paid out $1.1 billion in overtime hours last year, highlighting ongoing financial pressures on city resources. The protests and subsequent police response have also raised concerns about the impact on vulnerable populations, including children and pregnant women affected by ICE raids.

A coalition of press rights organizations, including the Los Angeles Press Club and investigative reporting site Status Coup, has filed lawsuits against the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Police Chief Jim McDonnell, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The lawsuits allege that law enforcement officers violated journalists' constitutional rights during protests related to immigration raids in Los Angeles. According to the complaints, LAPD officers used "less-lethal" munitions, charged journalists with horses, detained them, and blocked access to permitted protest areas, resulting in over 50 documented incidents of police misconduct. One notable case involves an Australian reporter who was shot on a live feed. The lawsuits claim these actions infringed upon the First and Fourteenth Amendment rights of journalists. Additionally, press groups have sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), accusing DHS officers of assaulting peaceful protesters, brandishing rifles, withholding identifying information, and using excessive force in violation of constitutional rights during the same protests. The legal actions seek court orders to prevent ongoing abuses against journalists covering these demonstrations. The controversy highlights concerns over the use of "less-lethal" but potentially harmful weapons by police during protests. Meanwhile, separate efforts are underway by public media and allied organizations to defend funding for NPR and PBS amid political challenges.

Spectrum experienced widespread internet outages across Los Angeles and Ventura counties following deliberate vandalism involving the cutting of fiber-optic lines. The disruption, which began on Father's Day, was caused by vandals who initially attempted to steal copper wire but instead damaged fiber-optic cables, affecting thousands of customers in areas including Los Angeles, Van Nuys, and the San Fernando Valley. Service was also interrupted near Mapleton and in Windward Oahu, where Hawaiian Telcom crews are working on restoration. Spectrum offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the suspects. The company has since restored service in affected areas, providing customers with a full day's credit for the outage. Repairs required over a day of work to fully restore internet and TV services.