Los Angeles, Ca
Disney's D23 expo kicks off with high expectations, high stakes
Disney fans and journalists from around the world this weekend will gather at the Anaheim Convention Center near Disneyland Resort, for D23, billed as “The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.”
The biennial event features the company’s biggest announcements of the year across its all divisions, including its theme parks and movie production, along with panels and other presentations.
KTLA consumer reporter David Lazarus says this D23 comes at a pivotal moment for the House of Mouse.
”First of all, it needs to rekindle heat for the Disney brand, which has been tarnished by box-office misses and rising theme-park prices,” says Lazarus. “The company needs to demonstrate to its most loyal customers that the magic is still there.”
After a series of box office misfires, including “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” “The Marvels” and “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” Disney’s film division has roared back with summer blockbusters “Inside Out 2” ($1.6 billion globally) and “Deadpool & Wolverine” ($900 million and counting).
Upcoming releases include “Moana 2,” “Mufasa: The Lion King” and “Captain America: Brave New World,” as well as a long-delayed “Snow White” reboot starring Rachel Zegler in the title role.
Disney, Lazarus believes, needs to demonstrate to both fans and shareholders that it can keep the momentum.
“It’s not enough to once again pin hopes on Robert Downey Jr., who is switching from hero to villain as he takes on the Doctor Doom character,” Lazarus says. “It’s an open question whether there’s a significant market for a live-action ‘Snow White’ or yet another ‘Avatar’ movie. And shareholders will be watching closely to see how Disney’s theatrical plans dovetail with the company’s Disney+ streaming service, which is finally profitable.”
On Friday, Disney (NYSE: DIS) was trading at $86 per share, less than half its all-time high of $200 in March 2021, when viewers flocked to the fledgling Disney+ platform during the height of the pandemic.
DisneylandForward
Fans anticipate big announcements about DisneylandForward, the $1.9 billion 10-year plan to bring new rides and lands to Disneyland Resort. The Anaheim City Council greenlit the project earlier this year.
One project revolves around a new area based on the Avatar film franchise. A similar Pandora-themed area opened at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida in May 2017.
“This is an announcement I am very confident will be made during the presentation,” says Gavin Doyle, Mickey Visit founder and bestselling author of “Disneyland Secrets.” “It is clear that [Iger] personally believes in that intellectual property and wants to have it featured prominently in the expansion, especially as they prepare to release even more Avatar movies.”
Fans await updates on a new ride in Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure centered around Marvel Comics villain King Thanos. With Disneyland Resort’s 70th anniversary next year, additional announcements will potentially include how the resort plans to draw big crowds.
Details about the DisneylandForward expansion are expected to be revealed during D23’s Disney Experiences Showcase on Saturday evening.
Carly Neil with Wealth of Geeks via AP contributed to this report.
Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
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A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
Los Angeles, Ca
Boyle Heights warehouse cleanup begins as crews face 85 million pounds of spoiled food
Cleanup efforts are underway Thursday at the Boyle Heights cold-storage warehouse that burned for eight days after firefighters officially declared the massive blaze knocked down Wednesday evening. Los Angeles Fire Department crews remain at the Lineage warehouse near Union Pacific Avenue and South La Puente Street as they transition into the overhaul phase, searching for […]
A hospital needs help identifying a male patient who was found injured and unconscious in downtown Los Angeles.
The man is believed to be in his 30s, according to the Los Angeles General Medical Center.
He was found injured on the ground on Omar Street and has been hospitalized since June 22.
He stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 176 pounds. He has brown eyes, dark brown hair and tattoos across his upper body.
He did not have any personal belongings to help staff identify him or contact loved ones. Workers did not disclose the nature of his injuries.
Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to call clinical social worker Cesar Robles at 323-409-6885.
The public can also call the L.A. General Medical Center’s Department of Social Work at 323-409-5253 or, after hours from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., call 323-409-6883. On weekends, call 323-409-5254.
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