New York. 1 killed and 1 critically injured in wall collapse in Brooklyn. FDNY Chief Boylan said that work was being done on a retaining wall when it collapsed at a 90 degree angle on two workers.

Trialist Pavel Prikhodko attempts to pull an An-2 plane as a cat walks nearby during a charity event near the village of Tatarka in Stavropol Region, Russia. REUTERS/Eduard Korniyenko

On Dec 24, Tampa Police responded to the report of a disturbance with gunfire at the Rodeway Inn. The armed suspect, Renardo Bucklon, then barricaded himself in a room, leading to a 21-hour negotiation for his surrender. Officers worked to de-escalate Bucklon, who has an extensive history of violent crime. Officers who attempted to approach the room were met with gunfire. One officer’s ballistic shield was struck by a bullet which became embedded. While negotiations were ongoing, less than lethal options, such as the deployment of chemical irritants, were used in effort to have Bucklon exit the room. An exchange of gunfire occurred when SWAT officers attempted a tactical approach of Bucklon’s room. Bucklon was struck and sustained a non-life-threatening wound. He was eventually taken into custody and transported to the hospital, where he remains in stable condition. (Read the Full Story.)

LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva: As Sheriff of Los Angeles County, I firmly believe we are not safer by putting the interests of offenders over the needs of victims of crime.

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge recently made clear in court that California Penal Code stands “in the interest of justice,” over newly elected Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón’s radical news policies dismissing enhancements and special circumstances in criminal cases. The Globe recently reported on Gascón’s new policies.

Within minutes of being sworn in, Gascón announced he would be getting rid of all crime enhancements, and eliminating cash bail, despite California voters rejecting the elimination of cash bail in the November election. In a statement on his first day, D.A. George Gascón said this:

“The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office will advance an effective, ethical and racially equitable system of justice that protects the community, restores victims of crime, and honors the rights of the accused. We are a learning organization that believes in reduced incarceration and punishment except in circumstances in which it is proportional, in the community’s interest, and serves a rehabilitative or restorative purpose.”

Gascón says he believes enhancements are ineffective and racist and claims his policies are not unethical. Except his role as a District Attorney and prosecutor, is to be the chief prosecutor for local Los Angeles County.

The transcript from the case of PEOPLE v. RUDY DOMINGUEZ shows a very interesting back-and-forth between Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold and LA Deputy District Attorney Jeffrey Herring.

Deputy DA Herring filed a Motion to Dismiss the special circumstances, alleged sentencing enhancements – all gun enhancements and gang allegations – “in the interest of justice,” at the direction of LA County DA Gascon, in the Dominguez case. (Read more.)

Live: House votes on $2,000 stimulus check bill, veto override effort on defense bill.

Investigators work near the site of an explosion on 2nd Avenue that occurred the day before in Nashville, Tennessee. REUTERS/Harrison McClary

BREAKING: US House votes to increase stimulus checks to $2,000; bill goes to Senate.

TEXAS: The Austin Police Department identified the man accused of shooting at an officer multiple times on Christmas Eve. There is a combined reward of up to $11,000 for information leading to his arrest. APD said he is 41-year-old Louis ‘Taz’ Rhyne.

NYPD: Due to a police involved shooting, please avoid the area of Lenox Road and Rogers Avenue in Brooklyn NYPD 67 Pct. Expect heavy delays and a large police presence in the area. Plan an alternate route if possible.

LOS ANGELES: The LA River, which is normally just concrete, is really moving! Be careful out there!

Truck drivers from Poland sit around a Christmas tree made of beer cans at a service station on the outskirts of Ashford, Britain. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

That is so eerie - like something out of a movie’ remarks the officer as he walks by the RV - pre-recorded evacuation announcement clearly heard.

My utmost respect to these officers for their calm professionalism in this crazy situation.

Officer Michael Sipos, 1 of the officers who responded to 2nd Ave N Christmas Day in the minutes prior to the explosion , had been issued a body camera just days earlier. Here is what he saw ans heard. (Full video.)

We need more of this. 👻

LOS ANGELES: File this under things we did not expect to see in 2020: Hail accompanied by a rainbow in La Habra.

The port town of Andratx in Mallorca was left in a battered state after fierce winds raging across the island on Monday with gusts upwards of 80 mp.h.