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World Series, other events prompting likely traffic nightmare in L.A. on Friday

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World Series, other events prompting likely traffic nightmare in L.A. on Friday

If you have anywhere to be on Friday night — leave early.

That advice is always apt for Los Angeles-area residents but it’ll be especially true on Friday as sporting events and high-profile concerts are likely to congest the roads in ways rarely seen.

The crowded night of events is headlined by Game 1 of the highly anticipated World Series between the L.A. Dodgers and New York Yankees.

Manager Dave Roberts #30 and the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate with the trophy after the Dodgers defeated the New York Mets to win Game Six of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

The game, despite the shocking ticket prices, will start at 5:08 p.m. on Friday, just in time for rush hour. Traffic is already an issue at that time, as Angelenos know, and the biggest baseball game in Chavez Ravine in years won’t help.

But the World Series is hardly to blame for the increase in traffic. In all, there are five high-profile sporting events in the area on Friday and two major concerts.

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Not to be upstaged by the boys in blue, the purple and gold is playing its second game in the young NBA season as the Lakers take on the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena at 7 p.m. in downtown L.A.

Those tickets will, of course, be in high demand as fans flock to see LeBron James, Anthony Davis and rookie sensation Dalton Knecht against Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Bronny James (9) stand on the court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Meanwhile, over in Exposition Park, the USC Trojans host Rutgers in a Big Ten football matchup at the LA Memorial Coliseum. USC will look to rebound from a disappointing loss at Maryland last week with a win against a new conference rival.

Speaking of Friday night lights, it’s also a major day for high school football in the Southland.

One of the region’s biggest rivalry games, St. John Bosco vs. Mater Dei, is set to kick off at 7 p.m. at Santa Ana Bowl. While that game is further away in Orange County, the traffic will be sure to follow.

Meanwhile, as SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, it’ll be time for another one of the best rivalries in high school football as the East L.A. Classic takes shape. Garfield and Roosevelt square off in the home of the Rams and Chargers at 7:30 p.m., with the Black Eyed Peas performing during the halftime show.

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Inglewood traffic will be especially crowded as two major nearby concerts take place. At the brand-new Intuit Dome, David Gilmore of Pink Floyd fame is set to perform, and at the KIA Forum, Jeff Lynne’s ELO will take the stage. The concerts are set for 7:30 and 8 p.m. respectively.

Those going to the events have already accepted that traffic isn’t going to be fun to navigate.

“You really can’t prepare for it, you just have to go with the flow,” said Chris Halverson, who’s going to the ELO concert at the Forum. “Just get going early. That’s all you can really do tomorrow.”

Los Angeles, Ca

Man found guilty of sex trafficking victim along L.A.’s Figueroa Corridor

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Man found guilty of sex trafficking victim along L.A.’s Figueroa Corridor

A former Riverside County man was found guilty of sex trafficking a female victim and forcing her to engage in commercial sex acts along L.A.’s notorious Figueroa Corridor.

Elias Abdul Shabazz, 34, formerly of Perris, was found guilty by a jury following a five-day trial, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Prosecutors said Shabazz had led the victim to believe they were in a romantic relationship before he turned physically and sexually violent. He began demanding that the victim engage in commercial sex acts from May to October of 2021, court documents said.

He carried a handgun with him and, on occasion, was accused of using it to pistol-whip the victim. He also fired the gun at her feet while threatening to kill her, prosecutors said.

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At trial, the victim said Shabazz demanded that she meet a daily quota of commercial sex proceeds and that she was terrified of the consequences of not meeting that quota. 

She testified that Shabazz compelled her to work in the notorious Figueroa Corridor in South L.A., a dangerous area known for human trafficking and prostitution.

Shabazz had confiscated her identification card, Social Security card and birth certificate. He constantly monitored her cell phone to stop her from communicating with any friends or family.

“He also introduced her to addictive narcotics and controlled every aspect of her life, including when she ate, slept and showered,” prosecutors said.

In May 2025, Shabazz was arrested and has remained in federal custody. His last known address at the time was in Washington, D.C.

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On June 26, 2026, Shabazz was found guilty of one count of coercing or enticing interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6, where he faces 15 years to life in prison.

“Sex trafficking matters rank among the most tragic cases our office prosecutes,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “This defendant will now face many years in a federal prison cell for his sick, disgusting, and disturbing behavior.”

“Elias Shabazz preyed on a vulnerable victim using physical and sexual violence and cruel psychological coercion to compel commercial sex acts for his own profit,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “There is no place for this type of conduct in civilized society. We deeply respect the victim’s courage to face her trafficker in court. The Criminal Division will continue to bring these cases and try them.”

Anyone with information about human trafficking can report tips to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888

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Los Angeles, Ca

Watch Project Angel Food's 'Lead with Love' telethon on KTLA

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Watch Project Angel Food's 'Lead with Love' telethon on KTLA

The star-studded feel-good giveback event of the summer has returned. KTLA 5 is teaming up once again with Project Angel Food for the annual “Lead with Love: Going the Distance” telethon to raise critical funds for medically tailored meals delivered to people living with serious illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The seventh annual telethon airs […]

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Los Angeles, Ca

Woman ambushed, violently attacked by robber in downtown Long Beach

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Woman ambushed, violently attacked by robber in downtown Long Beach

A woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was violently attacked by a robber in downtown Long Beach. On June 18, Jennifer Silva, 34, was attending a World Cup watch party at a Hooters restaurant at 90 Aquarium Way. After the game ended, she left the restaurant just before 11 p.m. As she walked […]

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