Authorities say a woman has been charged with murder in her 9-year-old daughter death. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that 40-year-old Ashlee Buzzard was taken into custody. Authorities say the remains of 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard were found in Utah. Police believe she has been dead since October when she first went missing. Her mother has been charged with murder. Detectives have been searching for the child since a school administrator reported her prolonged absence Oct. 14.

Ashlee Buzzard, whose 9-year-old daughter, Melodee Buzzard, had been missing since October, was arrested Tuesday after the girl’s body was found in Utah earlier this month. Mary Beth McDade reports for KTLA News on December 23, 2025.

A significant storm will arrive in Southern California for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as residents and local officials prepare for the heavy downpour and floods. Dec. 23, 2025.

A significant storm will arrive in Southern California for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as residents and local officials prepare for the heavy downpour and floods. KTLA's Vera Jimenez, Rachel Menitoff and Sara Welch report on Dec. 23, 2025.

Driven by consumer spending, the US economy grew at a faster-than-expected rate of 4.3% in the third quarter. If that shutdown-delayed data holds, it will be the best quarter of economic growth the U.S. has seen in two years. With more on the economic year that was 2025, and the trends and headlines that will likely define 2026, Cher Calvin and Micah Ohlman are joined in-studio by KTLA Consumer Reporter David Lazarus. December 23, 2025.

Ashlee Buzzard, whose 9-year-old daughter, Melodee Buzzard, had been missing since October, was arrested Tuesday after the girl’s body was found in Utah earlier this month. KTLA's Kimberly Cheng reports on Dec. 23, 2025.

Condé Nast Traveler reveals its top food destinations for 2026, with Boston, Massachusetts taking the number one spot.

KTLA's David Lazarus discusses the resumption of wage garnishment for student loan borrowers in default.

The heaviest rain is expected late Tuesday night into Wednesday, with another intense period possible Wednesday night into Thursday, according to the NWS. KTLA's Kacey Montoya shares the pre-Christmas forecast on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025.

The Powerball jackpot has reached $1.7 billion after no winners in last night's drawing. The lump sum option is $781 million before taxes. Lottery tickets make a great last-minute Christmas gift.

Brown University has placed its campus police chief on leave following a mass shooting that killed two students and injured nine others. The university is conducting a comprehensive review of its security protocols and response to the December 13th attack, including preparedness and emergency response. A former police chief has been hired to run public safety operations in the interim. The Trump administration has launched an investigation into the university's security protocols. The gunman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

A Florida tow truck driver was arrested after towing a car with a toddler inside. The child fell out of the car and was treated for minor injuries. The driver is charged with child neglect.