Good morning. Yesterday, I linked to a story in Los Angeles Magazine reporting that pro-Palestinian demonstrators at UCLA shouted “beat that f——— Jew” while smashing a piñata bearing the image of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

I checked the original video myself that morning and believed that’s what the protestors did in fact say, but after listening again, it sounds like that may not actually be the case; a single demonstrator shouting into a megaphone seems to say two syllables after the expletive, which would disqualify the word “Jew.”

I now believe that LA Magazine is mistaken in its reporting, and apologize for linking to that story. I’ve also asked UCLA’s press office whether a statement Chancellor Gene Block issued — parts of which I included in yesterday’s summary — was referencing the piñata incident specifically, as the magazine reported.

You’ll be the first to know when I get a reply. Special thank you to the subscriber who pointed this out to me. Onto the five (other) USC, LA and California stories you need to know for today.

1.

A prominent USC neuroscientist was accused of doctoring data to suggest that an experimental drug developed to limit brain damage after strokes was effective — when in fact preliminary data suggested the drug actually increased deaths. Former members of Berislav Zlokovic’s lab described a culture of intimidation in which Zlokovic frequently pushed them to alter lab notebooks to ensure they contained only the desired results. And forensic image analysts said some of Zlokovic’s published images appear to be digitally manipulated.

2.

A USC professor was put on administrative leave for comments he made at a pro-Palestinian rally on Thursday that drew heavy criticism and calls for his resignation. Videos show Professor John Strauss telling demonstrators: “Hamas are murderers. That’s all they are. And every one should be killed.” Edited versions containing only the last sentence quickly circulated on social media with captions suggesting Strauss was referring to Palestinians in general. Strauss contended that he was referring to Hamas specifically.

3.

The large fire that shut down a busy section of the Interstate 10 indefinitely was caused by arson, officials said. No suspect has been named. The fire began under the overpass at Alameda Street in a storage yard that hosted wood pallets and sanitizer, both of which helped fuel the blaze. Officials said they still don’t have a clear timeline for reopening, and didn’t provide any more details about the arson.

4.

USC graduate student workers threatened to strike starting Nov. 28 if the university doesn’t “come to the table with fair offers and stop committing unfair labor practices.” The union of academic workers overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike last month, setting the stage for the late-November deadline. “Up until then, admin has the power to agree to a fair contract and keep USC running,” the union wrote on social media.

5.

A drive-thru Denny’s opened in the Fresno County town of Kerman, the first of its kind in the state and only the second in the country. The restaurant’s franchisee said it made sense to test the novel drive-thru feature in the small town because “that’s where we actually can have an impact on the community.” One customer had friends and family camp outside the restaurant in shifts so she could be one of the first to dine in the new establishment.

You’re all caught up. Thanks for reading Morning, Trojan, and have a good day. Anna Hsu copy edited this newsletter.

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