Good morning. It’s Monday, and I’m hyped for the Carol Folt lookalike contest. Onto the five USC, Los Angeles, and California stories you need to know for today.

1.

A star USC neuroscientist is on “indefinite” leave nearly a year after whistleblowers accused him of falsifying research results. Berislav Zlokovic allegedly doctored images and data to suggest that one of his experimental drugs could limit brain damage after strokes — when in fact it may have caused more harm.

Corinne Purtill / Los Angeles Times

2.

The USC student who allegedly attacked her professor with a water bottle in September was slapped with a 100-yard stay-away order from campus. Brianna Gallimore, a 24-year-old public policy undergrad, will appear in court for a preliminary hearing in January.

Aditya Thiyag / Annenberg Media

3.

Students appeared split over Carol Folt’s legacy after she announced her retirement Friday. Some described her as a “queen,” while others assailed her response to pro-Palestinian protests. Others just didn’t give a shit. “I guess I’m just unsure of what she’s doing for USC,” said a freshman economics major.

Emily Cao / Annenberg Media

4.

Firefighters said the Ventura County wildfire is largely “buttoned up” as favorable winds and humidity aid their efforts. The blaze has destroyed around 200 structures, injured six people, and caused millions in crop losses — though the damage assessments have only just begun.

Tony Biasotti / Ventura County Star

5.

For weeks, an elderly El Sereno woman heard a knocking sound from beneath her floorboards and assumed it was a stray animal. Turns out it was actually a naked guy. A family member said it took more than six hours to arrest the 27-year-old intruder after police dogs and two rounds of tear gas failed to “fish him out.”

Clara Harter / Los Angeles Times

Bulletin

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