Los Angeles Daily Brief: Fire chief lawsuit, Pasadena immigration protections, Westlake pursuit, offshore quake
Los Angeles, CA – February 24, 2026 – Fire chief lawsuit, Pasadena immigration policy vote, Westlake chase arrests, and a small offshore quake.
Top local headlines
Former L.A. fire chief sues the city over her ouster
A new lawsuit from the city’s former fire chief is putting renewed attention on how Los Angeles handled last year’s destructive Palisades Fire and the political fallout that followed. The suit alleges retaliation connected to internal disputes over preparedness, funding, and public messaging after the fire. City leaders have pushed back, saying the claims lack merit.
Pasadena moves toward stronger limits on immigration enforcement activity on city property
Pasadena’s City Council unanimously approved a resolution directing staff to develop added protections related to civil immigration enforcement on city property. The vote also calls for clearer police protocols for interactions with federal immigration agents and new transparency requirements tied to city contractors. The action follows months of heightened concern from residents about enforcement activity and information-sharing.
Pursuit ends in Westlake after suspects bail out and run
Police pursued suspected burglars across multiple neighborhoods before the chase ended in Westlake, where the fleeing vehicle reportedly struck another car. Several suspects ran from the scene and officers chased on foot; at least one person was taken into custody. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether all suspects were located.
Small offshore earthquake felt along parts of the L.A. County coast
A preliminary magnitude 3.5 earthquake struck off the coast near Rancho Palos Verdes late Sunday, with no immediate reports of injuries or major damage. Even small quakes are a reminder to refresh basic supplies and check communication plans, especially for households near older buildings or hillsides.
Sources
- https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-02-24/fired-la-fire-chief-crowley-sues-over-her-dismissal-says-mayor-bass-blame-her-as-she-blew-whistle-on-cuts
- https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/los-angeles-fire-chief-lawsuit-karen-bass/
- https://pasadenanow.com/main/pasadena-city-council-unanimously-approves-sweeping-immigration-enforcement-protection-resolution
- https://www.foxla.com/news/la-police-chase-february-24
- https://abc7.com/post/preliminary-36-magnitude-earthquake-rattles-rancho-palos-verdes-los-angeles-county-coastline-usgs-says/18637401/