Today’s Headlines: Trump indicted in alleged hush-money scheme, becoming first former U.S. president in history to be prosecuted

Hello, it’s Friday, March 31, and here are the stories you shouldn’t miss today:

TOP STORIES

Former President Trump indicted in alleged hush-money scheme

Former President Trump has been indicted in New York City on charges related to a $130,000 payment made by his former attorney Michael Cohen to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the final days of the 2016 presidential campaign, money allegedly paid to prevent the actor from publicly saying she had an affair with Trump.

The unprecedented indictment marks the first time in history that a former U.S. president has been criminally prosecuted. It comes as Trump is facing separate investigations into his alleged involvement in 2020 election interference by his supporters and into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, along with his handling of classified documents after leaving office.

More about the indictment

• There have been so many accusations brought against and investigations into Trump in recent years that it’s hard to keep them all straight. Now there’s an indictment. Here’s a guide to the latest developments.
• Trump is the first former president in history to face a criminal indictment. Here are the four most important takeaways — including the effects on his political future.
• It’s foolish to predict the impact if Trump is indicted. But there’s reason to believe things have changed and his scot-free days may be over, writes columnist Mark Z. Barabak.

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Ridley-Thomas is convicted in his bribery case

Mark Ridley-Thomas, one of Los Angeles County’s most prominent politicians, was found guilty of federal corruption charges related to special benefits his son received at USC.

The verdict marks a devastating fall for a man who for more than 30 years was a power broker in L.A. politics and a vocal advocate for civil rights and racial justice.

Ridley-Thomas, 68, now faces the possibility of years in federal prison and the permanent loss of his seat on the L.A. City Council, from which he has been suspended for the last 17 months.

More about the case

• Mayor Karen Bass described Ridley-Thomas as a champion of the city, a thought leader and “a policymaker who made a real impact.”
• The City Council could reappoint interim Councilmember Heather Hutt to fill the District 10 seat, or opt to hold a special election and put the decision back into the hands of voters.

L.A. County ends COVID-19 emergency

Los Angeles County has officially ended its COVID-19 emergency declaration, a milestone that comes as the region’s coronavirus case rate has fallen to its lowest level since summer 2021.

It’s perhaps fitting that the nation’s most populous county delayed lifting its local declaration — doing so a month after the state. L.A. County has consistently been one of the hardest-hit parts of California.

But L.A. County health officials, like their counterparts across California, say the local declaration has served its purpose and the region is now ready to enter into a new, promising phase.

L.A. County continued to lose population even as other areas rebounded

Los Angeles County was one of the hardest-hit by significant population drops that occurred in urban areas at the beginning of the pandemic. But while some other urban counties began to rebound in 2021-22 with rising population numbers, Los Angeles County continues to lose people, new data show.

L.A. County lost 90,704 people from July 2021 to July 2022, one of several big California counties to see population drops.

Demographic experts stressed the number reflects conditions when COVID-19 was still a major concern and that it is possible Los Angeles County could rebound when data from 2022-23 are released.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Braden Walker rides a wave at Westward Beach in Malibu. Read more: “Surfing and snowboarding in one day? How I survived the ‘California Double’”

(Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)

CALIFORNIA

L.A. D.A. Gascón’s own prosecutors begin lining up to challenge him in 2024. At least three of Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascón’s potential challengers in next year’s election come from within his own office.

L.A. seeks receivership for Skid Row Housing Trust’s 29 distressed buildings. A petition filed in Los Angeles Superior Court proposes that the 29 buildings — many dating from the early 20th century, with others built since the 1990s — be turned over to a statewide receivership firm that specializes in court-ordered nuisance abatement.

Gov. Gavin Newsom launches a national campaign to fight ‘authoritarian leaders.’ The governor on Thursday launched a national campaign to counter the GOP agenda and announced that he’s hitting the road to “take the fight to states where freedom is most under attack.”

A California legislator proposes an ‘Ebony Alert’ bill to report missing Black children and young women. State Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) introduced Senate Bill 673 last week, citing the overrepresentation and underreporting of missing Black children and young women in California.

NATION-WORLD

A fiery derailment of a train carrying ethanol prompts evacuations in Minnesota. A train hauling ethanol and corn syrup derailed and caught fire in Minnesota, and nearby residents were ordered to evacuate their homes, authorities said.

Russia arrests a Wall Street Journal reporter on suspicion of espionage. Russia’s top security agency has arrested an American reporter for the Wall Street Journal on suspicion of espionage, the first time a U.S. correspondent has been put behind bars on spying accusations since the Cold War. The newspaper denied the allegations against Evan Gershkovich.

HOLLYWOOD AND THE ARTS

Jennifer Aniston says the ‘world needs humor’ as younger set find ‘Friends’ offensive. Jennifer Aniston says younger people find “Friends” offensive, comedy is tricky these days and that especially now, “The world needs humor!”

Metallica, Guns N’ Roses and AC/DC to headline PowerTrip concert at Empire Polo Club. Guns N’ Roses, AC/DC and Tool will join the previously rumored Metallica, Iron Maiden and Ozzy Osbourne for the inaugural edition of the festival from Coachella promoter Goldenvoice on Oct. 6-8.

Priyanka Chopra had ‘beef’ with people in Bollywood. So she left. Former Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra Jonas explained on Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast why she left India to work in the United States.

BUSINESS

Roku to lay off another 200 workers in the latest round of cuts. Streaming device maker Roku said it plans to lay off 200 employees, or 6% of its workforce, as it seeks to trim expenses in a tough economic environment.

A Mexican masked man fights for immigrant worker rights, in the streets and on the radio. Activist Luis Valentan battles from a Pasadena radio booth against wage theft, verbal abuse and other ways that immigrant day laborers are exploited. So does his masked wrestler alter ego.

U.S. opens investigation into Tesla seat belts coming loose. U.S. highway safety regulators have opened yet another investigation into problems with Teslas, this time tied to complaints that the seat belts may not hold people in a crash.

SPORTS

Six biggest questions the Dodgers face as they open an unpredictable season. After a string of dominant years, the Dodgers lost a lot of talent and enter the new season with several questions about whether they can repeat as NL West champions.

Nearly two dozen former UCLA quarterbacks to gather with one charitable purpose. Troy Aikman, Gary Beban, Cade McNown and 19 other former UCLA quarterbacks will take part in a fundraiser for UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital in April.

Everything you need to know about UCLA gymnastics hosting the NCAA regionals. The UCLA gymnastics team is pushing to advance out of the three-round, nine-team NCAA regional at Pauley Pavilion that concludes Saturday.

OPINION

It’s another Big Lie to say Congress can’t help prevent another Nashville. America’s assault weapons ban, in effect from 1994 to 2004, shows that such a law enacted now would mean many fewer Nashvilles in the future.

The migrant deaths at Mexican detention center symbolize failed immigration policies. The deaths of at least 39 migrants at a Mexican detention center near the border this week show that immigration policies in Mexico and the U.S. are failing miserably in addressing the historic number of migrants escaping oppressive regimes.

YOUR WEEKEND

For a calming challenge and the best views in L.A., head to a trail and start running. L.A. offers trail running with views of oceans, canyons and DTLA. Here’s a guide to getting started and the best trails, from the Altadena Crest Trail to Westridge Trail.

How to make friends in L.A.? Get brunch with strangers. Compton native Aryn Morris, 28, dreamed up a monthly L.A. Bestie Brunch gathering with a clear intention: bringing together women in Los Angeles who are looking to make friends. The meetups, along with the selected theme, are announced each month on BestieBrunchLA.com and the event’s Instagram.

The 30 best hikes in Orange County. Caverns in Laguna Niguel. A redwood grove in Brea. Scores of poppies in Anaheim. Hiking trails in O.C. deliver surprises for everyone.

WHAT OUR EDITORS ARE READING

Note: Some of the sites we link to may limit the number of stories you can access without subscribing.

A 67-year-old American shares what retirement is ‘really’ like—with ‘no work and all that free time.’ Retirement — with no work and all that free time — sounds like a dream. No deadlines? Living near the beach in a $420-per-month rental apartment? Sounds like a dream. But it wasn’t an entirely smooth journey at first for Janet Blaser. CNBC

Our streets are getting smarter – here’s what roads could look like in the future. As populations rise and cities become denser, demand for more sustainable streets will grow along with them. CNN explores four possible ways smart street technology will evolve. CNN

How big companies choose who is laid off. Amid massive tech layoffs, how do companies choose who to let go? It can be a variety of factors, but today it is more common for companies to conduct layoffs based on skills rather than tenure, according to human-resources executives. Wall Street Journal

FROM THE ARCHIVES

A scene from the original “Matrix” movie.

(Jasin Boland / Warner Bros.)

On this day in 1999, “The Matrix,” a visual effects-laden sci-fi film starring Keanu Reeves, was released.

The science-fiction story about the adventures of a computer programmer, Neo, was not only a commercial success, but also left a lasting impression on action film-making through its creative use of slow-motion and spinning cameras.

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