Marissa Wenzke

Marissa Wenzke is a journalist based in Los Angeles. She has a bachelor's degree in political science from UC Santa Barbara and is a graduate of Columbia Journalism School. Lithium-ion fire strands drivers on California-Las Vegas freeway The 15 freeway has been closed for more than a day - with no plans to reopen - as hazmat teams and firefighters work to resolve the situation. Now every DA in SoCal is pursuing murder charges in fentanyl cases For the first time, nearly every DA in Southern California is pursuing murder charges in fentanyl cases -- even progressive prosecutors who previously said they have no plans to. Deadly shooting reported just outside Metro's Leimert Park station in South LA A man was shot and killed just outside the LA Metro Leimert Park station in South Los Angeles early Saturday. Los Angeles looks to Paris in preparing for the 2028 Olympics Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass made a visit to Paris to see how the city is hosting the Olympic games, seeing what she can learn as LA prepares to host the international event in 2028. 25 people evacuated from East Hollywood building due to hazmat situation A propane leak in East Hollywood led to the evacuation of people working in two nearby buildings. Firefighters work to put out brush fire just off 14 Freeway in Acton Firefighters managed to get ahold of a brush fire in Action, appearing to get it mostly extinguished even as some cars in the area were left heavily damaged and burned. Nearly 15 years later, police identify victim in brutal O.C. killing as 14-year-old girl In Orange County, police have identified the victim of a brutal killing by two men as a 14-year-old girl. The discovery comes nearly 15 years after she was found lying dead in a parking lot. Traffic jams along 15 Freeway after big rig goes up in flames in Cajon Pass A big rig went up in flames along the 15 Freeway in Cajon Pass, jamming up traffic as some lanes of the freeway were shut down. Killer in 4 Sinaloa Cartel-related slayings sentenced to life without possibility of parole A man convicted of killing four people as part of a failed plot to take over a drug business was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Stabbing reported at Metro Red Line station in North Hollywood A 45-year-old man was stabbed at the stairwell of the LA Metro station in North Hollywood while the suspect remains at large. 4 men charged with armed robberies in LA, allegedly posting stolen cash to Instagram Four Los Angeles County men are facing federal charges after being accused of a series of armed robberies, mostly targeting 7-Eleven stores in South LA before posting photos of the allegedly stolen cash to Instagram. Disney workers reach tentative labor deal, averting planned strike Thousands of Disney workers at the company's theme parks and resorts in Southern California will no longer go on strike after reaching a tentative labor agreement, the union coalition representing them says. Wildfire in Ventura County burns 1,552 acres, triggering evacuations A quickly moving wildfire in Ventura County triggered the evacuation of nearby residents as it burned 885 acres. Man, 67, shot dead near equestrian trail in Simi Valley A 67-year-old man was shot to death by another man who he had gotten into an altercation with, police say. Panorama City gang leader stabbed to death in prison A convicted murderer who reportedly ordered killings as the leader of a Panorama City gang was stabbed to death in prison. Show More