Good morning. It’s Thursday, and I’m reading about how California’s “angriest sea otter” may have finally found peace as a mother. Onto the five USC, Los Angeles and California stories you need to know for today.

1.

A man armed with a kitchen knife attacked a Studio City family early Wednesday morning, shouting “I’m going to kill you because you are Jewish.” The family successfully fought the attacker until police arrived, and no injuries were reported. Authorities said the suspect, Daniel Garcia, may have been intoxicated and could’ve been tipped off by the mezzuzah the family had on its doorframe. The attack underscored the deep divisions in the United States as the war between Israel and Hamas nears its third week.

2.

A 22-year-old who allegedly killed four Pepperdine University students in a car crash last week said he was being chased in a road rage incident. Authorities said there’s no evidence to support the claim and noted that Fraser Michael Bohm’s car reached speeds as high as 104 mph in a 45 mph zone. Bohm, who passed all field sobriety tests and has no criminal record, faces multiple life sentences if convicted of the four counts of gross vehicular manslaughter.

3.

Gov. Gavin Newsom met with Chinese President Xi Jinping as part of a weeklong trip to negotiate climate partnerships Wednesday in Beijing. The governor said the two leaders spoke about working together to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, but critics were quick to accuse the governor of using the trip to burnish his national reputation as he gears up for what many suspect will be a 2028 presidential run. “It’s the make-believe president tour,” said one Republican state assemblymember.

4.

Prosecutors fear that hundreds of criminal investigations could be compromised by the LA Police Department’s latest scandal, in which at least two officers are accused of making illegal stops and stealing from suspects. As many as 15 other officers are involved in the still-unfolding investigation, meaning thousands more cases could be jeopardized if prosecutors can no longer rely on their testimony.

5.

An off-duty pilot who said he took psychedelic mushrooms before attempting to cut the engines on a San Francisco-bound flight may have jeopardized the effort to legalize the drug in California. Just one negative story can often stop progressive movements dead in their tracks — as may be the case here. Gov. Newsom will no doubt be relieved that he vetoed a bill earlier this month that would’ve legalized some psychedelics, citing the need for more guardrails. State Sen. Scott Wiener, who introduced the first bill, said he still plans to spearhead another legalization effort.

You’re all caught up. Thanks for reading Morning, Trojan, and have a good day.

3630 Watt Way, ANN 102, Los Angeles, CA 90089.