West
Charles Manson follower imprisoned in Hollywood killings gets major ruling from governor
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom has reversed a parole board’s decision to release Patricia Krenwinkel, a former follower of cult leader Charles Manson and one of the perpetrators of the 1969 Tate-LaBianca murders.
In a decision issued Oct. 13 and obtained by Fox News, Newsom wrote that Krenwinkel, now 77, “lacks the requisite insight she needs to be safely released.”
“Ms. Krenwinkel has engaged in productive introspection,” the governor’s order says, quoting the psychologist who evaluated her, “but she exhibits some deficits in self-awareness, such as a tendency to externalize blame for her prior transgressions.”
Newsom said he agreed those factors remain relevant to her current risk and concluded that, despite her “commendable” progress, she “currently poses an unreasonable danger to society if released.”
MENENDEZ BROTHERS’ BID FOR NEW TRIAL REJECTED AS KILLER SLAMS JUDGE’S DECISION AS ‘MENTAL GYMNASTICS’
Charles Manson is shown in the custody of Los Angeles police officers. (Bettmann Archive via Getty Images)
Krenwinkel was 21 years old when she joined other members of Manson’s so-called “Family” in two nights of killings that left seven people dead, including actress Sharon Tate, who was eight months pregnant.
According to the governor’s summary of the case, Krenwinkel and others fatally stabbed Tate’s friend Abigail Folger, and helped restrain or attack several of the victims. The following night, the group murdered Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, leaving phrases such as “Death to Pigs,” “Rise” and “Healter [sic] Skelter” written in blood around their home.
The parole board has held 17 hearings for Krenwinkel since 1977, denying parole 14 times, and she voluntarily declined to seek it once.
In May 2022, the board found her suitable for release, but Newsom reversed the decision that October, citing her lack of insight and tendency to externalize blame. Krenwinkel’s challenge to that reversal was denied by the Los Angeles County Superior Court in January 2024, and the ruling was later affirmed on appeal.
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Murder victims Jay Sebring and Sharon Tate, left, and Charles Manson, right. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images; Getty Images)
The board held another hearing on May 30, 2025, at which Krenwinkel exercised her right not to testify. Newsom’s current decision reverses the board’s latest proposed grant of parole.
In his latest review, Newsom acknowledged that Krenwinkel was 21 at the time of the crimes and noted that psychological evaluations described her as displaying “transient immaturity, impulsiveness and recklessness” and “a lessened capacity to extricate herself from disadvantageous environments.” Still, he determined that her current self-awareness remains insufficient.
The governor credited her extensive rehabilitation — self-help programs, vocational training, multiple college degrees and mentoring work — but concluded that these gains are outweighed by her continuing “deficits in self-awareness” and “tendency to externalize blame.”
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From left, Susan Denise Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten laugh after receiving the death sentence for their part in the Tate-LaBianca killings at the order of Charles Manson. (Bettmann Archive via Getty Images)
He also considered elderly parole factors, noting Krenwinkel’s chronic medical conditions and declining strength at age 77, yet wrote that “her current physical condition is not the most relevant indication of her current risk level.”
“When considered as a whole, the evidence shows that she currently poses an unreasonable danger to society if released from prison at this time,” Newsom concluded.
Krenwinkel’s attorney, Keith Wattley, disputed the governor’s findings and called for her release.
“Patricia Krenwinkel is the longest-incarcerated woman in the United States,” Wattley said in a statement. “For more than five decades, she has committed to deep healing and rehabilitation, earning degrees, counseling others and becoming a mentor to younger women inside.”
From left: Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten walk to court to appear for their roles in the 1969 killings. (George Brich/ AP)
He argued that under California law, parole must be granted when a person no longer poses “an unreasonable risk to public safety.”
“Patricia’s record meets that standard. She deserves to be paroled,” Wattley said, adding that her transformation from “the lost 19-year-old who sought guidance from Charles Manson” to “a compassionate mentor” demonstrates the purpose of the state’s parole system.
Advocates also emphasize that Krenwinkel qualifies under youth offender parole, elderly parole and domestic violence survivor parole provisions — laws designed to recognize offenders who were young, vulnerable or under coercive control at the time of their crimes.
The parole board finalized its most recent decision on Sept. 27. Newsom had until Oct. 27 to either affirm the release, block it or refer the case for an en banc review. With the reversal now in effect, Krenwinkel remains incarcerated at the California Institution for Women.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
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Alaska
Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund distributes over $3.3 million in Halong aid
A donation fund has distributed over $3.3 million to communities impacted by Typhoon Halong.
The Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund quickly formed in the days after the storm struck Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta communities. It destroyed homes and property, and displaced hundreds of people from their home villages.
The fund is facilitated by the Alaska Community Foundation (ACF) and has continued to collect donations to support disaster relief. It also has over a dozen partner organizations, including the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation, Bethel Community Services Foundation, and the Association of Village Council Presidents.
In an announcement this week (Dec. 8), the foundation reported that $2.9 million has gone directly to tribal councils, city governments, and other regional organizations in Kipnuk, Kwigillingok, Chefornak, Napakiak, Napaskiak, Nightmute, Quinhagak, Bethel, and Tuntituliak. The money is intended to support temporary housing and home repairs as well as essential supplies and emergency assistance.
Some funding Over $225,000 of the fund has been used to purchase ATVs, snowmachines, and other winter supplies to aid in clean up and travel between villages.
Other money $130,000 has gone towards replenishing subsistence food stores. These funds were doled out with support from Bethel Food Bank, SeaShare, and the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission which are facilitating a traditional foods drive out of Bethel through the end of this week (Dec. 10).
Donations have also supported programs for mental health and violence prevention facilitated by the Teens Acting Against Violence Program under the Tundra Women’s Coalition.
They’ve also supported displaced students in the Lower Kuskokwim School District through school supplies and clothing.
KYUK also received support through the fund for its reporting and facilitation of community communication.
The Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund will continue to accept donations. To make a contribution, visit their website at alaskacf.org/westernalaska.
Arizona
AP men’s basketball Top 25: Arizona remains No. 1, Nebraska earns highest ranking since 1991
Arizona maintained its position as the No. 1 team in the Associated Press men’s basketball Top 25 on Monday, earning 42 of 61 first-place votes after a week that included a 96-75 win over No. 16 Alabama.
The Wildcats (9-0), one of seven undefeated teams remaining in Division I, already own five wins over high-major opponents.
There was little movement in the top 10 after a week with few upsets. Michigan (10-0), Duke (10-0), Iowa State (11-0) and UConn (10-1) remained Nos. 2-5, respectively. The only team to move up in the top 10 was No. 7 Gonzaga (10-1), which swapped places with No. 8 Houston (10-1) after adding another top-tier win over UCLA on Saturday.
The greater movement occurred between Nos. 10-25.
Nebraska (11-0) was the biggest riser, jumping eight spots to No. 15 after Saturday’s 83-80, buzzer-beating win over No. 18 Illinois. The Huskers, the lone power-conference team to never win an NCAA Tournament game, achieved their highest ranking since 1990-91, when they finished the season No. 11.
Illinois (8-3) and No. 23 Florida (6-4) were the biggest fallers, dropping five spots apiece.
Georgia (9-1) was the lone newcomer to the poll at No. 25, while UCLA (7-3) dropped out.
Here’s the full poll, along with my ballot:
|
Rank
|
Team
|
Record
|
Prev
|
CJ’s vote
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
9-0 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
2 |
10-0 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
3 |
10-0 |
3 |
5 |
|
|
4 |
11-0 |
4 |
3 |
|
|
5 |
10-1 |
5 |
4 |
|
|
6 |
10-1 |
6 |
6 |
|
|
7 |
10-1 |
8 |
7 |
|
|
8 |
10-1 |
7 |
10 |
|
|
9 |
9-1 |
9 |
9 |
|
|
10 |
9-1 |
10 |
8 |
|
|
11 |
9-1 |
11 |
11 |
|
|
12 |
9-1 |
14 |
15 |
|
|
13 |
10-0 |
15 |
12 |
|
|
14 |
8-2 |
17 |
14 |
|
|
15 |
11-0 |
23 |
13 |
|
|
16 |
7-3 |
12 |
17 |
|
|
17 |
8-3 |
19 |
16 |
|
|
18 |
8-3 |
13 |
18 |
|
|
19 |
7-3 |
16 |
21 |
|
|
20 |
7-3 |
20 |
20 |
|
|
21 |
8-3 |
21 |
NR |
|
|
22 |
6-3 |
22 |
24 |
|
|
23 |
6-4 |
18 |
19 |
|
|
24 |
9-1 |
24 |
22 |
|
|
25 |
9-1 |
NR |
25 |
|
|
NR |
9-2 |
NR |
23 |
Others receiving votes: USC 68, Iowa 47, Seton Hall 46, LSU 19, Kentucky 19, UCLA 16, Clemson 14, California 13, Saint Mary’s 12, Arizona State 5, Villanova 5, Notre Dame 4, Indiana 4, Miami (Ohio) 4, Miami (Fla.) 4, Utah State 2, Saint Louis 1, Wisconsin 1.
How good is Nebraska?
I caught Nebraska in person earlier this season when it beat New Mexico and Kansas State in Kansas City, Mo., and I’ve been a believer since. It’s a classic Fred Hoiberg team with a playmaking big, tons of shooting and awesome offensive execution. But what also stood out was how hard the Huskers played, and the defense is better than many of his best teams of the past at Iowa State.
The numbers are starting to back that up. The Huskers are up to 28th in adjusted defensive efficiency, the highest ranking ever for a Hoiberg defense. All this team was missing was signature wins, and it got two this past week, crushing Wisconsin 90-60 and then winning on the road at No. 18 Illinois on a last-second shot.
HE HIT IT‼️
Jamarques Lawrence’s 3-pointer right before the buzzer sends No. 23 @HuskerMBB to a dramatic win at No. 13 Illinois. pic.twitter.com/PhSr8kmnQn
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 13, 2025
Arkansas could keep climbing
Arkansas fell out of my rankings for a few weeks early in the season because its computer numbers were bad after a few close calls against mid-majors. It was obvious the talent was there, but the Razorbacks just weren’t sharp early. They’re starting to play up to their talent, and I moved them up to 14th this week, which is one spot below where I had them in the preseason.
John Calipari’s best teams always have an NBA-level point guard, and he has one in Darius Acuff, who is averaging 17.7 points and 5.7 assists. Calipari also has three big wings who could develop into pros — Meleek Thomas, Karter Knox and Billy Richmond III — and as I wrote about in my weekly rankings, Trevon Brazile is playing the best ball of his career. This team is deeper and more talented than last year’s group, which got hot late and made the Sweet 16. Might still be a little low on this group.
Best team not ranked: Iowa
Iowa has yet to make the AP Top 25, but I’ve ranked the Hawkeyes the last three weeks and would argue their case was made even stronger last week in a loss. Iowa led Iowa State by 13 in the first half last Thursday at Hilton Coliseum and ended up taking a 4-point loss, which actually moved it up in the computer models. The Hawkeyes now rank 20th at KenPom and Bart Torvik, 19th in the NET and 21st at Evan Miya.
As the Hawkeyes proved against Iowa State, they are a tough out. Similar to Drake last year, Ben McCollum’s second Division I team gives nothing in transition, is hard to score against in the half court and is exhaustingly patient offensively waiting for a great shot to develop.
I can understand why my fellow voters aren’t there yet. With Ole Miss being a disappointment, you could argue Iowa is missing a signature win. The first opportunity is Jan. 3 when Iowa hosts UCLA.
California
Feds say they foiled New Year’s Eve terror plot in L.A., Southern California
A plan to attack several Los Angeles-area businesses on New Year’s Eve was detailed, dangerous and already in motion, authorities said.
But as four people allegedly tied to an anti-government group gathered last week in the Mojave Desert to make and test several test bombs, FBI officials foiled the terror plot.
“They had everything they needed to make an operational bomb at that location,” First Assistant U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli said at a news conference Monday morning. “We disrupted this terror plot before buildings were demolished or innocent people were killed.”
The four people were arrested on suspicion of plotting an attack that Essayli called “organized, sophisticated and extremely violent.” They were all tied to a radical faction of the Turtle Island Liberation Front called Order of the Black Lotus, which FBI Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis called “a violent homegrown anti-government group.”
Officials wouldn’t say what buildings or businesses were planned to be targeted but Essayli said they were different “logistics centers” similar to ones that Amazon might have.
Officials said they believe that everyone involved in the planned attack has been arrested, though the investigation into the plot remains ongoing.
The four alleged conspirators, Audrey Carroll, Zachary Page, Dante Gaffield and Tina Lai, have been charged with conspiracy and possession of an unregistered destructive device, Essayli said.
“The subjects arrested envisioned planting backpacks with improvised explosive devices to be detonated at multiple locations in Southern California, targeting U.S. companies,” Davis said.
The plans the FBI uncovered also included follow-up attacks after the bombings, which included plans to target ICE agents and vehicles with pipe bombs, Essayli said.
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