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LA residents near famous Hollywood sign fed up with over-saturation of tourists and illegal vendors
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles residents living near the iconic Hollywood sign have filed a public nuisance complaint over what they describe as out-of-control tourist activity that has turned the area adjacent to the landmark into a "public toilet."
Multiple residents of Hollywood Hills neighborhoods filed a complaint Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court against the city of Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, alleging that officials have allowed the area near the sign to become a public nuisance.
State law defines a public nuisance as "anything which is injurious to health, … or is indecent or offensive to the senses, or an obstruction to the free use of property, so as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property, or unlawfully obstructs the free passage or use, in the customary manner, of … any public park, square, street, or highway."
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According to the complaint, residents have cited illegal street vending and dumping, along with "public urination and defecation that occur regularly on the City’s property." They also point to increased traffic on surrounding streets and what they describe as an unacceptable risk of devastating fires and gridlock that severely limits their ability to leave their homes.
Visitors, they say, routinely smoke cigarettes and throw their cigarette butts into the grass, despite prohibitions against smoking and the significant fire hazard it poses. Likewise, if a fire were to break out — as has happened in the past — increased traffic could prevent fire trucks from reaching their destinations.
Residents allege that the city is liable because it controls the land where the nuisance conditions exist. They claim the city has actively promoted the area to tourists for years while failing to take reasonable steps to control the impact of increasing numbers of visitors and vendors, as well as the numerous nuisance conditions and safety risks.
They also cite increasing obstructions on the narrow neighborhood streets and other blights that they say are "indecent and offensive to the senses."
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Fox News Digital reached out to Bass and Raman for comment. Raman represents City Council District 4, which includes the Hollywood Hills.
The impact of a glut of tourists visiting the Hollywood Hills has long plagued the area, creating safety and quality-of-life concerns for residents.
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"This was a problem 20 years ago—tourists driving into the Hollywood Hills to take pictures of the Hollywood sign or hiking up to it after driving as close to the sign as possible," former Hollywood United Neighborhood Council board member Chuck Suhayda told Fox News Digital. "It caused massive traffic jams and parking problems."
Suhayda served on the board for more than a decade.
Access to what is known as the Hollywood Hills Neighborhoods — which includes Hollywoodland, Lake Hollywood Estates and Hollywood Knolls — is restricted by the area’s geography. The roads are winding, lack sidewalks and average only about 18 feet in width.
The over-saturation of tourists and the corresponding hazards were exacerbated in September 2011, when a "viewing site" of the sign at the intersection of Canyon Lake Drive and Mulholland Highway was cleared of brush on both sides of the street by Council District 4 staff. The goal was to promote tourism by creating a site now known as "Hollywood Sign Lookout."
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The area is zoned as open space and separates two residential zones designated for single-family homes. Residents say it has since become inundated with tourists, illegal street vendors and crippling traffic, leading to increased congestion on surrounding streets.
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In its own documents, the city has admitted that the current situation is "unsustainable." However, residents say officials have ignored the city’s role in promoting Lake Hollywood Park, the viewing site and even the Hollywood Hills Neighborhoods, which they describe as landmarks in their own right—not only because they offer views of the Hollywood sign, but also because of their iconic architecture, steep landscapes and vistas of the Los Angeles basin.
Christina Aguilera strips down in steamy bathtub snap with cheeky Halloween twist
Christina Aguilera is giving fans a Halloween treat.
The 45-year-old pop powerhouse left little to the imagination Wednesday, sharing a steamy bathtub selfie in which she posed nude, using ghost emoji to cover her chest ahead of Halloween.
"last looks before xtinaween," the "Dirrty" hitmaker captioned the Instagram post, adding a string of Halloween emoji.
Fans were quick to react in the comments, with one joking, "that wasn't an earthquake it was just me falling to my knees."
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"Xtina is ON FIRE" another declared, adding fire emoji, while a third wrote, "She’s the moment she’s an icon she’s a star."
Another fan appeared completely stunned, writing, "hold on, let me pick my jaw up from the floor."
Aguilera struck a sultry pose in the dimly lit bathroom, leaning against the tub as she snapped the photo on her phone.
Her platinum blonde hair fell to one side, partially obscuring her face as she teased her annual Halloween celebration.
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The provocative photo is the latest in a string of daring fashion moments from the Grammy-winning singer, who has continued to command attention with her unapologetic style.
Earlier this year, Aguilera turned heads on Instagram during a trip to Paris with a topless look that put the spotlight on a statement diamond necklace. She paired the dazzling jewelry with a voluminous black tulle skirt.
"northern lights, parisian nights," she captioned the Instagram post.
While Aguilera is no stranger to turning up the heat online, the singer has also pushed back against scrutiny of her appearance.
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In December 2024, the "Beautiful" singer shared a video montage featuring clips of herself throughout the year, alongside online comments criticizing her looks amid speculation about Ozempic use.
Aguilera made it clear she had no intention of explaining herself to strangers on the internet.
"This year, doing something a little different. This is a reminder to everyone that you are your OWN STORYTELLER in your OWN LIFE," she wrote. "No one else can dictate who you are. No one deserves an explanation. I am evolved enough to know that nothing comes easy and no one is perfect.
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"Everyone will judge you. No matter WHAT you do," she continued. "And/ or what you don’t do. Acceptance comes with accepting yourself first. And the difficult journey it takes sometimes to get there. I celebrate everyone taking the time to put one step in front of the next everyday in order to build the next version of themselves for the better. Allowing yourself grace, patience and respect."
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Although Aguilera's appearance has fueled speculation about possible Ozempic use, she has not directly addressed the rumors.
The "Genie in a Bottle" singer is a mom of two, son Max and daughter Summer.
FOX News Media teams up with Breast Cancer Research Foundation
FOX News Media teamed up with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) Thursday for a special panel highlighting advances in breast cancer research and treatment while urging women to take an active role in their healthcare.
The event, held at Fox News headquarters in New York City during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, featured Kat Timpf, the "Gutfeld!" co-host and breast cancer survivor, alongside Dr. Priya Malhotra, director of research impact at BCRF.
Speaking with Fox News Digital after the panel, Timpf emphasized that while breast cancer awareness is widespread, misconceptions about the disease persist and may discourage people from asking important questions about their health.
"There is also so much that people don’t know. It can happen at any age, without genetic markers. I would know that," Timpf told Fox News Digital. "Talking about it is always helpful because it removes a lot of the stigma, and it makes you feel like you can ask these questions to your doctor."
Timpf was diagnosed with Stage 0 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in February 2025, just 15 hours before giving birth to her first child. She announced the news on social media days later, writing what she called an "unconventional birth announcement."
"Last week, I welcomed my first child into the world. About fifteen hours before I went into labor, I was diagnosed with breast cancer," Timpf wrote on X at the time.
"Now, before you worry, my doctor says it’s stage 0 and is confident that it almost certainly hasn’t spread. Or, as I’ve explained to the few people I’ve managed to tell about it so far: Don’t freak out. It’s just, like, a LITTLE bit of cancer."
Throughout her breast cancer experience, Timpf leaned on her signature humor, a coping mechanism she said helped her through some of the most difficult moments of her diagnosis and recovery.
"Humor is how I've gotten through every hard thing that's ever happened to me," Timpf said. "I was making jokes the day I was diagnosed about getting huge replacement [implants] and stuff like that. That's just how I do things because I feel like when you say that you can't joke about a subject, you're giving it even more power over you than it already has.
"For me, making jokes about a subject is a way to instead feel power over the things that are threatening to take you down."
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Timpf's central message to women was to take an active role in their healthcare, stay on top of recommended screenings and speak up when something doesn't feel right.
"Your own health is up to you. So, you have to make sure you pay attention and ask your doctor questions," Timpf said. "Don't think it can't happen to you because I thought that, and I was wrong."
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the U.S. and worldwide, with approximately one in eight U.S. women expected to develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime, according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
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While breast cancer has historically been more commonly diagnosed in older women, rates are rising among younger women, including those under 40, before routine mammograms are generally recommended for women at average risk.
Dr. Malhotra emphasized that while breast cancer diagnoses in younger women account for a relatively small share of cases, the impact is profound.
"Incidence of breast cancer is rising in younger women," Dr. Malhotra told Fox News Digital.
"Maybe 10% of breast cancers are in younger women," she added. "But still, if you're one of the 10%, it's crushing."
Dr. Malhotra, who previously served on the faculty at Georgetown University, now works at BCRF to help advance breast cancer research. She highlighted the growing number of targeted treatments developed in recent decades.
"In 1977, we had one targeted treatment for breast cancer. Twenty years later, we had two," Dr. Malhotra explained. "Fast forward to today, we have over 30 targeted treatments, 19 in the last decade alone. So, it’s moving very quickly, and we're proud to say that our investigators are involved in all of those, getting them across the finish line."
She also stressed the importance of recognizing changes in one's body and speaking up during medical appointments.
"My biggest thing is to know your body because if you feel that something is out of whack — even if you think it's minor — it’s worth it to talk to your doctor about," Dr. Malhotra said.
Jonathan Taylor addresses trade rumors amid Colts' fire sale: 'Hopefully that day may not come'
With the Indianapolis Colts already beginning their fire sale, NFL trade deadline speculation swirls around running back Jonathan Taylor.
Will the Colts let their biggest offensive weapon go to accumulate my draft stock?
Taylor was asked about the rumors, and for one, he has not requested a trade. He has reaffirmed his desire to stay, but also understands that’s not his call at the end of the day.
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Business is business in the NFL, and he understands that.
"I haven’t heard anything," he said on Thursday, per FOX59’s Mike Chappell. "I can’t control that, obviously. Like you guys know, I’m proud to wear the horseshoe, proud to be here. Similar to Quenton [Nelson] and [DeForest Buckner], they were proud to wear the horseshoe, they were proud to be here. But obviously, circumstances may cause otherwise. Hopefully that day may not come, but I can’t control that."
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The Colts initiated a blockbuster to kick off the trade deadline period, sending Nelson, an All-Pro guard, to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick and 2028 fifth-round pick on Tuesday.
Then, fellow All-Pro DeForest Buckner, who is also a three-time Pro Bowler, reunited with the San Francisco 49ers, the team that took him seventh overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, after the Colts traded him for a 2027 fourth-round pick later on Tuesday.
Since then, wide receiver Josh Downs has reportedly requested a trade from Indianapolis. And this all comes after owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon fired GM Chris Ballard on Oct. 19 following a 10-year stint with the team that went 72-82-1 under his roster construction.
So, it’s hard to focus on the weekly grind when those trade rumors are flying around with other players, but Taylor, despite him being atop team’s list if available, is trying his best to block it out.
"The only thing that I can control is rallying these guys in the locker room, helping us put together a great plan and executing a great plan for Jacksonville because it's a division game and they're licking their chops right now. They think they're going to kick us while we're down and that has to be the point of emphasis," he added.
Irsay-Gordon reportedly does not want to move Taylor, who signed a two-year, $44 million contract extension in August. But we’ve already seen players, who signed extensions get dealt, with the Tennessee Titans reaching a blockbuster deal with the Chicago Bears on Thursday despite inking a three-year, $105.8 million deal that made him the highest-paid defensive tackle in the league back in June.
The Colts also landed New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner this time last year after he signed an extension. So, anything is in the cards, especially when there’s a lot of time left for teams to consider trades before the deadline on Nov. 10.
Meanwhile, head coach Shane Steichen will continue to prepare his club. He was asked if Taylor had asked for a trade.
"Those are hypothetical things right now," he responded. "I know there’s stuff floating around there, but JT’s on our football team."
If the Colts are indeed willing to trade Taylor for the right package, a team would be getting one of the best at his position in the NFL. The 27-year-old has rushed for at least 1,100 yards in four of his six NFL campaigns, and he’s on pace for another after rushing for 587 yards with eight touchdowns through seven games.
Russell Brand’s wife defends actor at rape trial while admitting his past monogamy struggles
Russell Brand’s wife, Laura Brand, took the stand Thursday as a defense witness, one day after the comedian and actor testified in his ongoing rape and sexual assault trial.
Brand, 51, is accused of three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault involving six women between 1999 and 2009. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and vehemently denies the allegations.
According to Sky News, Brand acknowledged that he had been "reckless" and used his fame to pursue sexual relationships, but insisted that the encounters were consensual. He also told the jury that consent was "fundamental, essential and necessary."
During Laura's testimony, the mom of three — who first met her husband when she was 19, and he was 31 — opened up about the start of their relationship.
The pair began dating in 2006, but split the following year due to Brand’s difficulty with monogamy and her "inexperience."
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"When I met him, I was aware that he liked women, and I was aware toward the latter half of that year that he was engaging with other women," Laura told the court, per Sky News. "I was not interested in having a relationship with him if he was sleeping with other people. I was invested; we both had told each other we loved each other, but it was clear it was difficult for him to be monogamous."
The couple rekindled their relationship in 2015 and married in 2017. They share three children.
Laura described Brand as "caring and kind, a wonderful father to our children, and an amazing, attentive husband," adding that he has an "eye for detail I have never known before."
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"I feel very seen by him," she said. "We have a very honest, frank and clear relationship and marriage.… Our relationship has always been [about] honesty. I love him very much."
According to the outlet, there was a brief moment of tension in court when defense attorney Ian Winter asked Laura about her "view as to the truth of the allegations."
The judge quickly intervened, telling the attorney that Laura was not an expert witness. The jury was temporarily sent out of the courtroom.
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Prosecutors allege that Brand committed the offenses against six women over a 10-year period. The women have testified in court about alleged encounters at a hotel, a bar, a radio station, a workplace and Brand’s home.
Brand has denied forcing any of the women to engage in sexual activity against their will.
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In a video posted to X last year, Brand thanked his fans for messages of support, then criticized the British government and legal system before addressing the charges directly.
He explained that he "was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord. I was a drug addict, a sex addict and an imbecile, but what I never was was a rapist. I've never engaged in nonconsensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes."
Brand added, "Of course, I'm now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court, and I'm incredibly grateful for that."
He wrapped up his video by assuring his followers that he'd continue to address the allegations against him.
As police explained in a press release, detectives began investigating Brand after allegations were made public by U.K. media outlets Channel 4 and The Sunday Times in September 2023.
The outlets launched a joint investigation into the allegations, resulting in a lengthy article on the Times' website, as well as an episode of Channel 4's documentary series, "Dispatches," called "Russell Brand: In Plain Sight." Both contained a number of anonymous complaints, with women accusing Brand of physical and emotional abuse and bullying, as well as some instances of sexual assault.
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Brand denied the claims shortly after they were made public, saying in a video statement shared on social media that his relationships were "always consensual."
The actor revealed that he received a few inquiries from media outlets with regard to "a litany of extremely egregious and aggressive attacks."
"Amidst this litany of astonishing, rather baroque attacks are some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute," he said.
According to Brand, the encounters occurred during a "time of promiscuity" but were "always consensual." He also noted that he "was always transparent about that then, almost too transparent, and I am being transparent about it now as well."
"To see that transparency metastasized into something criminal, that I absolutely deny, makes me question: Is there another agenda at play?" he asked.
Fox News Digital's Janelle Ash and Stephanie Giang-Paunon contributed to this post.
Cruise passengers face blocked access as angry protesters set barricades on fire
Angry port workers in Barcelona, Spain set a barricade ablaze Wednesday, blocking access to a cruise terminal and forcing passengers to haul their luggage on foot, according to local reports.
The protest took place near Barcelona's cruise terminals, where workers blocked an access road leading to the Porta d'Europa bridge, Spanish news outlet Crónica Global reported.
The workers were protesting potential pay cuts, with the road closures forcing cruise passengers to walk with their luggage instead of traveling by bus or car, the same outlet reported.
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Roughly 200 workers took part in the protest, which lasted about four hours, Spanish outlet Metrópoli said.
There was a burning barricade made of branches. Riot police were reportedly deployed to the area, according to Crónica Global.
Four cruise ships carrying a combined total of more than 13,000 passengers were in port during the disruption, according to Cruise Hive.
The vessels reportedly included Royal Caribbean's Odyssey of the Seas, Mein Schiff 7 and AIDAmar, which were visiting Barcelona.
Norwegian Escape was also in port preparing to embark passengers for a new voyage, Cruise Hive reported.
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Spanish outlets reported that the protest followed a government audit that found discrepancies between approved salary budgets and the amounts workers were actually paid.
Workers fear the findings could lead to pay cuts of up to 8%, according to local news outlet betevé.
Employees have argued they should not be penalized for the discrepancies.
"The solution is not to cut salaries," the workers' committee said in a statement Wednesday, translated from Spanish, according to maritime news outlet Diario del Puerto.
In a statement, the Port of Barcelona said it was required to correct the payroll discrepancies identified in the government audit but maintained that the issue was not the result of wrongdoing by the port, according to local broadcaster betevé.
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Barcelona is one of Europe's busiest cruise destinations, with the port recording nearly 4 million cruise passenger movements in 2025, according to the Port of Barcelona.
The disruption comes as Barcelona continues to grapple with broader tensions surrounding tourism.
Earlier in October, Fox News Digital reported growing tensions over tourism in Barcelona, where protests have raised concerns about the impact on visitors to the popular Spanish destination.
Earlier this summer, Barcelona officials pushed to increase taxes on cruise passengers visiting the city for less than 12 hours to as much as $35, as part of broader efforts to curb overtourism.
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The U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Spain and Andorra issued a demonstration alert for Spain (not related to the port protests) on Oct.28.
"Demonstrations and protests continue to occur in Spain. While some demonstrations have been announced, including on October 31, other protests are spontaneous. Last minute changes can happen and may occur outside planned routes," the alert said.
"Local authorities may increase security measures, including road closures, traffic restrictions, or increased security presence in areas where the demonstrations will occur. U.S. citizens should avoid demonstrations and areas of unrest.
"Stay away from areas with large crowds or significant police activity," it added. "Even peaceful protests can turn confrontational and escalate into violence."
Dem probes could ‘torture’ young Trump officials with crushing legal bills, subpoenaed conservative warns
Repeated calls by Democratic lawmakers to investigate President Donald Trump and his allies are raising concerns from a conservative organization previously subpoenaed during former Biden-appointed special counsel Jack Smith’s 2020 election investigation.
And one of its leaders is warning that young professionals could face reputational damage and steep legal bills.
Rachel Bovard, vice president of programs at the Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI), said Smith's investigation left her organization on the hook for millions of dollars in fees to ensure compliance with the subpoenas.
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"Jack Smith was a test run in how to do this," Bovard told Fox News Digital. "Jack Smith basically went in crazy, subpoenaed a host of information across the right. His goal was to map the right, and he did it. And all of that information is still on file at the FBI and the Justice Department. It doesn't go away, so it's sitting there waiting for the next Dem administration to pick it up, and we expect that's what they'll do with it."
Though CPI was targeted by the Biden Justice Department and not Congress, Bovard said she fears Democrats will follow what she described as Smith's playbook if they win control of Congress in the midterm elections.
The concerns come after Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., stated during an event earlier this month at the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics that she wants Democrats to send a "deterrence message" to any young person considering working in the Trump administration. Slotkin said she wants to "not just focus on the president, but on the people who enabled him."
"They literally just want to use the government as a political weapon, which is exactly what Jack Smith also did to a bunch of people, including my organization," Bovard told Fox News Digital. "We were never credibly accused of any crime, but we had to spend millions of dollars to comply with subpoenas."
Bovard said Smith's subpoenas allowed the Justice Department to obtain detailed information such as CPI's health coverage and benefits, which she said had no relevance to Smith's investigation.
Fox News Digital reached out to Slotkin's office for comment but did not receive a response before publication.
Abhishek Kambli, a former federal prosecutor and a partner at Holtzman Vogel, told Fox News Digital that Congress' ability to issue subpoenas and conduct investigations must be related to legislative duties and that Congress can't issue subpoenas for law enforcement purposes. Kambli said remarks by Slotkin and other members of Congress could be used as evidence by anyone seeking to challenge a subpoena.
"You had multiple members of the House and the Senate that talk about the accountability agenda and holding the Trump administration accountable for wrongdoing," Kambli told Fox News Digital.
"And if they just throw in boilerplate language that this is for legislative purpose, anyone challenging those subpoenas will have that entire record to demonstrate that it's anything but that."
While Michael Morley, a law professor at Florida State University College of Law, agreed that Slotkin's remarks are bad optics, he said Congress' authority to conduct investigations is still broad, pointing out that Congress can investigate the agencies it has created.
"I don't think that is consistent with our norms, and I certainly don't think it's something that we'd like to see become a routine part of our discourse," Morley said of Slotkin's remarks. "But I don't think that necessarily means it rises to the level of a constitutional issue."
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Hans von Spakovsky, a senior legal fellow at Advancing American Freedom, said that while Congress may be able to hold someone in criminal contempt for not complying with a subpoena, it's up to the Justice Department to prosecute, which it could decline to do.
Spakovsky said that precedent was established during the Obama administration, when the Justice Department declined to prosecute then-Attorney General Eric Holder after the House held him in contempt for refusing to comply with a subpoena related to the Fast and Furious investigation.
But Kambli said that doesn't erase the risks potential Trump administration officials could face, arguing that the investigative process itself can be the punishment.
"There is no doubt that some members of Congress intend to use that process to bankrupt people who cannot afford legal representation," Kambli told Fox News Digital. "That is a real threat, regardless of whether anyone is ultimately prosecuted."
Bovard said when she first saw Slotkin's remarks about seeking a "deterrence message" she interpreted them as a call to use the investigative process to "torture" young professionals.
"I don't know that these Democrats think they can actually put people in jail. I think that's almost beside the point for them," Bovard told Fox News Digital.
Kambli said concerns remain that if a Democrat returns to the White House, former Trump administration officials could be subjected to Justice Department investigations.
"Where the real exposure lies is in the scenario where a Democrat wins the presidency in 2028, and they maintain both houses of Congress," Kambli told Fox News Digital.
Just weeks before Slotkin's remarks, Trump said during an interview with Time magazine that he would issue preemptive pardons to members of his administration before leaving the White House, pointing out that President Joe Biden issued a pardon for Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Bovard said it was unfortunate that political affairs had reached a point where mass pardons were even under consideration, but she argued they made sense given the rise in lawfare.
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"This is how we're going to have to live: mass pardons of your political parties on either side, and that's obviously a terrible outcome. But if, you know, the Slotkin theory is put to the test. I don't think Trump's going to have a choice. I think he's going to have to do that," Bovard told Fox News Digital.
Millions of students caught in California data breach
You send your child to school expecting teachers to protect their education. You probably don't think much about what happens to their personal information after they take a standardized test. But a massive data breach in California is raising some uncomfortable questions about who has access to student records and how safely that information is stored.
Hackers accessed and copied sensitive records belonging to millions of current and former California public school students. The stolen information includes home addresses, birth dates and even details about disabilities. And here's something families need to know. You could live thousands of miles from California today and still be caught up in this breach if you or your child previously attended a public school there.
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ORACLE HEALTH DATA BREACH EXPOSES NEARLY 20 MILLION PATIENTS
The breach involves Educational Testing Service (ETS), a nonprofit organization that works with the California Department of Education. ETS helps administer statewide student assessments and maintains information connected to those tests. According to state officials, someone gained unauthorized access to an ETS-operated secure file transfer site. Investigators determined that the attacker used a compromised login credential to enter the system. The intruder then copied files containing student information at various times between May 22 and Sept. 18, 2026.
ETS discovered the suspicious activity on Sept. 25. The company disabled the affected account and took the file transfer site offline. It also brought in outside cybersecurity specialists to investigate. The company says it has since built a replacement system with stronger security controls. So far, ETS reports finding no evidence that the stolen information has been made publicly available. However, investigators have confirmed that someone accessed and copied the records.
The California student data breach involved far more than test scores. Depending on the student, the compromised files may contain information that could help someone identify a child or learn personal details about their family circumstances.
The exposed records may include:
Some records also identified whether a student qualified for programs serving children experiencing homelessness or other educational needs. Fortunately, officials say the stolen files did not contain Social Security numbers, financial account details, driver's license numbers, passwords or parent and guardian personal information.
However, there is still plenty to be concerned about. Someone who knows a child's name, school and address could potentially use that information to create a convincing message that appears to come from a teacher or school administrator. Disability information also raises additional privacy concerns because those details are particularly personal.
This is where the story gets especially troubling. Although the breach involves California's public school system, the people whose records were stolen may now live anywhere in the United States. According to the California Department of Education, the compromised information includes records covering all students enrolled during the previous three school years. However, the affected population extends beyond those students.
The state also identifies a group of former students who left California public schools as far back as 2006 and whose transfers to another school were never confirmed with the department. That creates a situation many families may never have considered. Say your child attended elementary school in Los Angeles before your family relocated to Texas. Perhaps you graduated from a California public school years ago and now live in Florida. Your old student information could still be among the compromised records if it falls within the affected groups.
Former students who are now adults may also be eligible for the free identity-protection services being offered. Importantly, this does not mean every student attending school outside California has been affected. In a statement to CyberGuy, ETS confirmed that no other ETS customers were affected by the incident. The concern for families elsewhere comes from their past connection to California's public schools. California has roughly 5.7 million public school students, according to reporting on the breach. Since the compromised files span multiple school years, millions of people are potentially involved. Officials have not yet released a final count of unique affected individuals.
The California Department of Education and the State Board of Education are coordinating with cybersecurity specialists and other state agencies. The California Cybersecurity Integration Center is assisting with the technical investigation. Meanwhile, state officials are reviewing ETS's compliance with applicable data security requirements and its contractual obligations.
In its statement to CyberGuy, ETS said, "We have implemented additional safeguards, including enhanced monitoring, strengthened access controls, and further third-party review of our security practices." ETS says it continues monitoring for signs that the stolen information has surfaced publicly. For families, the unresolved question is what happens to the copied information next. Even without evidence of a public leak, sensitive student records in unauthorized hands create a privacy risk that deserves continued attention.
A SCAMMER HAS YOUR NAME, PHONE NUMBER AND ADDRESS. WHAT CAN THEY ACTUALLY DO?
ETS began notifying affected students and families on October 16, 2026. The state expects notifications to continue through early November. Letters and emails will explain the incident and identify the types of information involved. They will also include instructions for accessing complimentary identity-protection services. However, here's an important warning. Not receiving a notification does not necessarily mean your information is safe. Some former students may have outdated contact information on file.
Families who are concerned should visit the official California ETS incident webpage. It contains frequently asked questions and links to breach notifications available in 27 languages. You can also call the incident assistance line at 833-931-8488, Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time.
ETS is offering affected current and former students 24 months of free identity theft protection. Parents or legal guardians can enroll eligible children under 18, while adults, including former students, can enroll themselves. The services are designed to help monitor for potential identity theft and provide assistance if someone misuses their personal information.
The enrollment deadline is March 19, 2027. Eligible minors who turn 18 before March 19, 2029 may also qualify for adult coverage using the activation code provided in their notification. Enrollment is free, and no credit card is required. Identity restoration assistance is also available to eligible individuals for 24 months from their notification date, even without enrolling in monitoring services. For complete eligibility details and enrollment instructions, visit the California Department of Education's official incident webpage at at cde.ca.gov/nr/in/ets-incident.asp.
Even without stolen passwords or financial account numbers, student records deserve serious attention. Here are practical steps I recommend taking if your family may be affected.
Scammers frequently use real data breaches as an excuse to send fraudulent emails. A message claiming to come from ETS or Experian could direct you to a fake enrollment website. Instead of clicking an unexpected link, open your browser and visit the official California Department of Education incident page. Follow the verified instructions from there.
Eligible families should take advantage of the 24 months of free identity-protection services being offered following this breach. Follow the enrollment instructions in your official notification and keep a copy for your records. No credit card is required.
For additional protection, consider an identity theft protection service which offers identity monitoring, alerts about suspicious activity and access to restoration specialists if identity theft occurs. Some services also offer paid family plans that can cover children, making it an option for parents concerned about protecting their family's personal information over the long term. Coverage and benefits vary by plan. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at CyberGuy.com.
One of the strongest steps you can take against certain forms of identity theft is placing a security freeze on a child's credit file. The Federal Trade Commission says parents and legal guardians can request a free credit freeze for children under 16. Teenagers ages 16 and 17 can request their own freezes. Contact Equifax, Experian and TransUnion separately. Each bureau has its own process for handling minors. A freeze can make it harder for criminals to open new credit accounts using a child's identity. However, it cannot prevent every form of fraud.
Pay closer attention to unexpected emails or text messages claiming to involve school records. A scammer with access to personal details could make a fraudulent communication seem unusually credible. For example, someone might claim that your child's testing account requires immediate verification. Before responding, contact the school using a phone number you already trust. Avoid sharing personal information through unexpected links or attachments. Consider using strong antivirus software on your family's devices. It can help detect malicious links, suspicious downloads and malware hidden in fake school notifications. While it cannot recover stolen student information, it adds another layer of protection against scammers who may try to exploit the breach. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
Scammers can use information found online to build a more detailed profile of you or your family. That's why I recommend considering a personal data removal service. These services can help remove personal information from data broker websites that collect and sell details such as names, addresses and phone numbers. While these services cannot retrieve information stolen in this breach, they can help reduce how much additional information is publicly available. If you're concerned about your child's information, check whether the service offers protection for minors before signing up. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com.
Adults who may have been affected can review their credit reports for unfamiliar accounts or suspicious activity. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to obtain free reports from the three major credit bureaus. Parents should also watch for unexpected bills or collection notices addressed to their children. Those can be warning signs that someone has misused a minor's identity. If you discover evidence of identity theft, report it through IdentityTheft.gov . The FTC provides a recovery plan to help you address fraudulent accounts and document the problem.
You can also contact your child's school district to better understand how it handles student records. Ask what information outside contractors receive and how long they retain it. Schools may have legal obligations to maintain certain records. Still, parents can ask about retention policies and security safeguards. This conversation is worthwhile regardless of where your family lives.
I've covered plenty of data breaches over the years, but this one bothers me because we're talking about children who had no choice about handing over their information. They went to school, took required tests and trusted the adults and organizations handling their records. Now, some of those details have ended up in the wrong hands. What I find especially troubling is how far back some of these records could go. Think about someone who left California years ago and has no reason to believe their old student information is still sitting on a testing company's system. That person could be living on the opposite side of the country and suddenly have to worry about a breach involving records from childhood. I appreciate that ETS is offering free identity protection, but I'd like to see schools and testing companies explain more clearly how long they keep sensitive student information and why. Parents deserve answers before a breach happens.
Should schools and outside testing companies be allowed to keep sensitive student records for years after a child leaves, or should families have more control over when that information gets deleted? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis recovering in hospital after medical emergency
Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis is recovering after going through a medical emergency, his father announced.
Lewis suffered the emergency while in the Buffaloes’ facility on Wednesday and was quickly transported to a hospital.
It’s unknown what exactly Lewis is dealing with, but his father wrote a statement on X explaining the situation.
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"He is recovering and thankful to his medical team, teammates, and Colorado fans for their prayers and support," T. Carlton Lewis wrote. "Please respect Julian and the Lewis family’s privacy. We will have no further comment at this time."
The Buffaloes responded to OutKick’s request for comment.
"Colorado Athletics extends our full support to JuJu and his family through this medical emergency. He remains in the thoughts of every CU player, coach, and staff member and we will continue to assist in any way we can in his full recovery. His health and well-being remain our top priority during this time," the statement said.
Lewis, a 19-year-old sophomore with the Buffaloes, began the season as the team’s starting quarterback. However, head coach Deion Sanders made the decision to bench him after four games.
His last appearance came on Sept. 26, a loss to the Baylor Bears, before the ball was turned over to junior Isaac Wilson.
It hasn’t been much better for Wilson, though, as the Buffaloes are 0-3 since he took over on offense. The Buffaloes are now 2-5 on the year and dead last in the Big 12 with an 0-4 conference record.
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The day before Lewis suffered his medical emergency, Sanders was asked by the media if he’d turn back to his sophomore signal caller because of the skid for his team.
"That’s on him," Sanders responded, via BuffsTV. "I don’t think you could find a player in this program — or you may could find some bitter players that have left and didn’t want to leave, but life is what it is — but I don’t treat people unfairly. I don’t play games with young men and their careers and hate on folks.
"If I’m anything, I’m too forgiving and very, very kind. …You’ve got to always understand that we may know a little more than you do, because we’re inside the locker room. We’re there. We understand what happens."
This season, Lewis has thrown for 733 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions across his four starts.
Kamala Harris breaks with left flank, warns Dems that impeaching Trump is 'not a good idea'
Former Vice President Kamala Harris broke with some on the left flank of the Democratic Party on Wednesday over whether Democrats should pursue impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump if they regain control of Congress in November.
"The Parnas Perspective" host Aaron Parnas asked Harris what she would recommend Congress do if Democrats regain control following the midterm elections.
"Would it be to go the investigations route and potentially an impeachment one day," he asked, "or would it be go past policy and force the president to veto it?"
JAMES CARVILLE WARNS DEMS AGAINST IMPEACHING TRUMP IF THEY WIN CONTROL IN MIDTERMS
"I think that going on in the direction of impeachment is not a good idea. OK, just to be honest with you. Because we have limited resources and I think the energy and the resources need to be put into accountability, need to be put into investigations and that's where the time should be spent. Remember I was in the Senate for the last go-round and the votes aren't there, right? So that's how I feel," Harris said.
She argued Democrats need to focus on getting things done and that they should be "ruthless."
HOUSE DEMS PLOT TRUMP INVESTIGATION BLITZ IF THEY SEIZE MAJORITY
"When I say we should be ruthless, I don't mean cruel, but we should be uncompromising and not sit around, you know, being genteel about the relationships and instead actually get stuff done, whether it be about accountability or restoring, for example, what they took in terms of the Medicaid cuts, restoring what we need to do around some check and balance around this war nobody wants," the former VP said.
Some Democrats in Congress have pushed again to impeach Trump, who was impeached twice during his first term in office but acquitted in the Senate on both occasions. Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, forced a vote on a resolution to impeach Trump over his administration's immigration enforcement policies, including the deaths of people during federal immigration operations earlier this year. The move divided House Democrats, whose leaders have largely avoided emphasizing impeachment as they work to regain control of Congress in the November midterms.
Florida Democratic Senate candidate and state Rep. Angie Nixon said in an interview with Politico that she would not oppose impeachment hearings and would vote to remove Trump if elected.
"The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart expressed a similar sentiment during a question-and-answer segment at the end of his "The Weekly Show" podcast. He was asked whether Democrats should seek to impeach Trump if they regain control of Congress in the midterm elections.
He said he wanted Democrats to make a full-scale effort to rebalance the economy rather than hold performative hearings.
"I don't want to see a f---ing five-act performative play of House hearings," Stewart said. "I just don't want to see it. I don't want to see everybody having the opportunity to pantomime accountability because you know they're actually not going to bring it."
"There will be enormous pressure to seek accountability if Democrats win control in either or both chambers next week, but the push to make things better for the American people may be even more intense. If successful, Democrats would be wise to try to strike some balance and to work on parallel tracks to deliver results. Voters want justice and accountability, but they want affordable gas and groceries more," Costas Panagopoulos, a professor of political science at Northeastern University, told Fox News Digital of Harris' remarks.
Republican strategist Liz Mair, head of Mair strategies, said Harris was "right," in a statement to Fox News Digital. She added, "Democrats will win these midterms not because swing voters who deliver those victories want them to spend the next two years impeaching the president, but because they want them to focus on bringing costs down or at least limiting ongoing price hikes."
DEM MAKING SENATE COMEBACK BID SAYS HE WOULDN'T SUPPORT A TRUMP IMPEACHMENT PUSH
"Every second Democrats spend trying to impeach President Trump again is a minute they're not spending addressing affordability challenges, and appeasing their base at the expense of doing what they will literally have been elected to accomplish," Mair said.
Harris has endorsed several big institutional changes, such as Supreme Court expansion, possibly getting rid of the Electoral College, and Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico statehood.