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USC legend Reggie Bush set to speak Thursday after Heisman Trophy reinstatement

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USC legend Reggie Bush set to speak Thursday after Heisman Trophy reinstatement

Reggie Bush, the legendary University of Southern California running back who helped guide the Trojans to two National Championships in the mid-2000s, will speak to the media on Thursday for the first time since his 2005 Heisman Trophy was returned this week.

Bush, a San Diego County native who played for USC from 2003 to 2005, forfeited college football’s most prestigious award in 2010 in light of the discovery of “improper benefits” in the form of money and other items being awarded to him during his career, according to the LA Times.

In addition to the stripping of the title of “Heisman Trophy winner,” the 2004 BCS National Championship, and all wins from that 13-0 season, was vacated from USC itself.

Reggie Bush, University of Southern California tailback holds the Heisman Trophy during the 2005 Heisman Trophy presentation at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City, New York on December 10, 2005. Bush received 2,541 points in the ballot. (Photo by Michael Cohen/WireImage)

On Wednesday, The Heisman Trophy Trust decided to give the trophy back to Bush, and the replica back to USC after a “deliberative process” in light of the massive structural changes to college athletics.

“We are thrilled to welcome Reggie Bush back to the Heisman family in recognition of his collegiate accomplishments,” said Michael Comerford, President of the trust. “We considered the enormous changes in college athletics over the last several years in deciding that now is the right time to reinstate the Trophy for Reggie. We are so happy to welcome him back.”

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Bush’s astounding 2005 season was marked with 1,740 rushing yards, 478 receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns. USC finished the season at No. 2 in the BCS rankings, after falling to Texas in the National Championship game, which is now remembered as one of the greatest games in college football history.

Bush won the Heisman Trophy in a landslide vote over Texas quarterback Vince Young.

The Heisman Trust said in addition to being re-awarded the hardware, Bush will be invited to all future Heisman Trophy ceremonies, beginning in the next one this December.

FILE – Southern California tail back Reggie Bush walks off the field holding the game ball after the Trojans defeated Fresno State, 50-42, at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Nov. 19, 2005. Reggie Bush, whose Heisman Trophy victory for Southern California in 2005 was vacated because of NCAA violations, was among 18 players in the latest College Football Hall of Fame class announced Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)

Former winners rejoiced in the news that Bush was rejoining the Heisman family.

Thank you to the [Heisman Trophy] for doing what’s right and welcoming a storied member of our history back into the fold,” former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Maziel, the 2012 winner, said on X. “There were many voices throughout this process that stood on the table for Reggie simply because of the kind of human being he is. I look forward to being on that stage with you this December.”

Bush’s teammate Matt Leinart, who was the Trojan’s quarterback from 2003 to 2005, said Wednesday was a “huge day for college football” in a video posted to his social media accounts. Leinart won the Heisman in 2004, one year before Bush.

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“Everybody knows how long of a road this was,” Leinart said. “Over 10 years in the making … Now the trophy is back in the hands of where it belongs.”

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Los Angeles, Ca

Wealthy L.A. investor blasted for seeking paid firefighters: ‘Will pay any amount’

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Wealthy L.A. investor blasted for seeking paid firefighters: ‘Will pay any amount’

A 40-year-old Los Angeles millionaire, well known for his success in real estate, has deleted his X account, after facing intense criticism for pleading on the social media platform for private firefighters to save his Pacific Palisades home on Tuesday.  

Keith Wasserman, whose X bio used to read “entrepreneur, investor, contrarian, compounding,” is a partner and co-founder at Gelt Venture Partners, described on his Linkedin page as “Multifamily Real Estate Investments with High Net Worth Individuals and Families.”  

“Does anyone have access to private firefighters to protect our home in Pacific Palisades?” the 40-year-old posted on X Jan. 7 as the fire raged. “Need to act fast here. All neighbors houses burning. Will pay any amount. Thank you.”  

The Palisades Fire, which was first reported at around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, quickly spread through residential and commercial districts, prompting immediate evacuations for tens of thousands of people and has since destroyed thousands of structures across more than 19,000 acres.  

The wildfire is believed to be the most destructive natural disaster in L.A. history, with the damage estimated to be somewhere in the $50 billion range.  

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Wasserman, who, according to the Daily Beast, had previously posted about his disdain for paying property taxes, writing “real estate ballers don’t pay any,“ was immediately “dragged” by other X users.  

“Congratulations on no longer having to pay property taxes,” one user wrote, tagging Wasserman whose home reportedly burned down in the fire.  

“You really can’t make this stuff up,” another X user said. “The rich guy Keith Wasserman bragged about not paying taxes & now wants private firefighters to protect his home while neighbors’ home burn.”  

Not all the comments were entirely negative, however. Some users came to the real-estate investor’s defense.  

“It’s deeply disheartening to witness the backlash against Keith Wasserman,” a user from San Diego wrote. “Keith was fighting to save his home and the cherished memories of his family. Almost anyone in his position, faced with flames at their doorstep, would have acted similarly.”  

“If you’re sitting in the comfort of your home judging Keith Wasserman for trying to save his home – maybe realize that you are lucky and be thankful. We all need to be more gentle,” yet another X user posted.  

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It’s not entirely uncommon for those with the financials means, like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West in 2018, to get for-hire firefighters, though they were also heavily criticized at the time as well.  

It’s unclear if Wasserman has any intentions of returning to X, but his account no longer existed by Jan. 9.  

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Los Angeles, Ca

Here's how to help those impacted by the wildfires across Southern California

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Here's how to help those impacted by the wildfires across Southern California

As devasting wildfires continue to burn Southern California, residents and organizations are stepping up to provide aid to those affected.

Here’s how you can support wildfire victims on their path to recovery.

  • KTLA 5 parent company, Nexstar Media Group, has partnered with the American Red Cross to launch a donation page for Southern California wildfire victims. Donations can be placed here.
  • Baby2Baby is accepting donations to support children impacted by the wildfires.
  • GoFundMe has compiled a list of verified fundraisers for people impacted by the ongoing wildfires.
  • SPCALA’s Disaster Animal Response Team is seeking donations to support emergency services, such as temporary animal shelters and front-line veterinary care.
  • The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation is accepting donations to support firefighters on the front lines. The foundation is seeking monetary donations, wildland brush tools, hydration backpacks, and emergency fire shelters.
  • The California Fire Foundation is looking for donations to support surviving families of fallen firefighters, firefighters, and the communities they serve.
  • The Salvation Army is accepting monetary donations and items to support those affected by the wildfires.
  • World Central Kitchen, spearheaded by Chef José Andrés, has a relief team in Southern California to assist first responders and families. The organization is accepting donations to support the ongoing relief effort.
  • The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is accepting donations and looking for volunteers.
  • Direct Relief is also accepting donations to support those impacted by the wildfires.
  • Community Organized Relief Effort, or CORE, is accepting donations to support wildfire victims.
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Los Angeles, Ca

Eaton Fire victim dies holding a hose, defending home

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Eaton Fire victim dies holding a hose, defending home

One of the five confirmed fatalities from the destructive Eaton Fire was identified on Wednesday morning when his family found his body on the side of the road by their home – with a garden hose still in his hand.

According to his loved ones, 66-year-old Victor Shaw died trying to defend the home that had been in his family for nearly 55 years.

As of Wednesday night, Victor’s body was still on his family’s property in the 3000 block of Monterose Avenue as conditions were not yet safe enough for the coroner’s office to retrieve him.

Victor lived in that home with his younger sister, Shari Shaw, who said that she tried to get him to evacuate with her on Tuesday night as the fire moved toward them.

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Those close to Victor said he had some health problems that prevented him from moving around very well.

As she was running out the door, Shari said Victor told her he wanted to stay behind and try to fight the fire.

“When I went back in and yelled out his name, he didn’t reply back, and I had to get out because the embers were so big and flying like a firestorm – I had to save myself,” Shari told KTLA’s Rick Chambers. “And I looked behind me, and the house was starting to go up in flames, and I had to leave.”

A family friend, Al Tanner, told KTLA that the next morning, they found Victor’s charred body on the side of the road with the hose.

“It looks like he was trying to save the home that his parents had for almost 55 years,” said Tanner.

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“I fell to the ground, and I didn’t know – I didn’t want to look at him,” said Shari. “They just told me that he was lying on the ground and that he looked serene, as if he was at peace.”

As of early morning Thursday, the cause of the 10,600-acre Eaton Fire remained under investigation. 

The Eaton Fire was one of four large, active wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The largest, the 17,234-acre Palisades Fire, destroyed an estimated 1,000 structures. A separate 855-acre fire, the Hurst Fire, burned in the L.A. neighborhood of Sylmar. A fast-moving fire in the Antelope Valley called the Lidia Fire has burned at least 348 acres and forced evacuations. Crews have made progress on the 43-acre Sunset Fire which forced rapid evacuations in the Hollywood Hills.

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