Taste This!: Hosting a holiday gathering should be more merry and less stressful. We're joined by content creator, Erin O’Brien, who shows us how to create a festive atmosphere along with delicious recipes from her brand new cookbook "Dig In." Be sure to follow Erin on Instagram and TikTok @ErinnO'Brienn and you can pre-order her debut cookbook, "Dig In!."

This segment aired on the KTLA 5 Morning News on Dec. 18, 2025.

KTLA Meteorologist Vera Jimenez looks at the weather impacting Southern California.

Nearly a year after the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires, many residents are frustrated with the lack of planning into how the city can prevent future fires from destroying whole communities. Rick Chambers reports Dec. 18, 2025.

Immigrants’ rights advocates are sounding the alarm about noise machines placed high above the parking lot on light poles at a Home Depot in Cypress Park. Carlos Saucedo reports Dec. 18, 2025.

A person was hospitalized after a stabbing and robbery at the Westfield Topanga Mall in Canoga Park Thursday evening. This report aired Dec. 18, 2025.

Nick Reiner was officially charged with the murders of his parents on Tuesday, but his arraignment, which was initially set to take place on Wednesday morning, has been postponed. KTLA's Lindsey Pena reports on Dec. 18, 2025.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/its-still-uncertain-whether-nick-reiner-will-appear-in-court-wednesday/

Surveillance video captured suspects breaking into Somos Familia Valle in Sun Valley, an LGBTQ+ center, and stealing nearly $8,000 worth of electronics and equipment on Dec. 15. KTLA’s Ellina Abovian reports on Dec. 18, 2025.

Former race driver Greg Biffle and members of his family were among seven people who died in a plane crash Thursday in North Carolina, state police confirmed. The business jet, which was registered to a company run by Biffle, erupted into a large fire when it hit the ground during an attempted landing at Statesville Regional Airport, roughly 45 miles north of Charlotte and the nearby Charlotte Motor Speedway. KTLA's Samantha Cortese reports on Dec. 18, 2025.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/business-jet-crashes-at-north-carolina-airport-local-sheriff-confirms-fatalities/

https://ktla.com/news/nationworld/what-we-know-about-the-6-who-died-in-plane-crash-alongside-nascars-greg-biffle-absence-leaves-an-immeasurable-void/

Authorities searching for a shooter who attacked students Saturday at Brown University are asking for tips from people who might have video of the shooter potentially casing the area the week before.

Authorities have released several videos from the day of the attack, which left two students dead and nine wounded, showing the person they're seeking on streets just off campus. The person is wearing a mask or has their head turned in the footage. KTLA's MaryBeth McDade reports on Dec. 18, 2025.

Details: https://ktla.com/news/ap-top-headlines/ap-investigators-release-additional-video-of-possible-brown-gunman-as-search-continues/

Police are investigating reports of a stabbing at the Westfield Topanga Mall in Canoga PArk on Thursday night. Gil Leyvas reports from Sky5.

A man broke into a flight school hangar at the Van Nuys Airport early Thursday morning and tried to steal a plane – only to crash it without getting off the ground. KTLA's Jillian Smukler reports. Dec. 18, 2025.

Police are investigating possible ties between Saturday’s shooting at Brown University and Monday’s slaying of a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. KTLA's Kimberly Cheng reports on Dec. 18, 2025.

What began as a case of stolen Christmas packages has turned into a devastating medical crisis for a Fontana family and their 2.5-year-old dog, Sparky. Details: https://ktla.com/local-news/fontana-dog-to-lose-leg-after-christmas-gift-theft-left-gate-open-family-says/