days

A BELOVED influencer, actor and Broadway star has died after a lengthy battle with a rare form of cancer.

Bret Hanna-Shuford, 46, passed away just days after posting a heartbreaking photo from his hospital bed of him smiling alongside his husband.

Dad-of-one Bret shared a positive Christmas Day picture where he tragically looked ahead to 2026 and said “hope to see you all soon”.

On Saturday, his partner Stephen Hanna confirmed the sad news that Bret had peacefully passed away.

Stephen said: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that early this morning we said goodbye to the most amazing man, husband and Papa in the universe.

“Bret Hanna-Shuford left this world peacefully with love surrounded by his family.

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“Our hearts are broken but we will continue to make him proud of us.”

He leaves behind his young three-year-old son, Maverick.

The actor, who had roles in the Wolf of Wall Street, Little Mermaid and Wicked, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer over the summer.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and T-Cell Lymphoma – both rare disorders – left Bret in and out of hospital in his final months.

Both cancers attack the body’s immune system with T-Cell Lymphoma being among the deadliest forms of the disease.

Bret and Stephen were best known for their ever-growing social media page which detailed their family life.

Broadway Husbands managed to amass over 255,000 followers at the time of Bret’s death.

The account would go on to update followers on Bret’s health in recent months.

In October, he revealed he spent three days unconscious in the ICU due to the disease attacking his immune system.

His illness also forced Bret to step away from his graduate studies at the University of Central Florida.

The couple had only just moved into their new home in Orlando at the time.

A GoFundMe was launched for the Broadway star in August.

As of Saturday evening, the page has raised over $315,000 of its $350,000 fundraising goal.

One of the final posts on the fundraiser from December 12, stated how Bret had been in hospital since Thanksgiving.

A post from a friend read: “As many of you may have noticed, posts have been rather radio silent from both Bret and Stephen.

“These past few weeks have been some of the toughest that they have faced in this cancer journey. Bret has been in the hospital since just before Thanksgiving.”

But Bret was believed to have been improving health wise.

“As of today, Bret is looking and feeling better. His liver enzymes have plateaued, which is good, and he is back in the right direction with his oxygen,” the post continued.

He also directed an episode of the Emmy Award-winning Hulu series Only Murders in the Building in 2023, according to his IMDb page.

Bret is also known for his acting and producing work on Disney Royals, Disney Animazent Trio IRL, and In Rehearsal with… Stranger Things the Musical.

He and Stephen, who works at Walt Disney World, tied the knot in April 2011.

Strategic planning could help UK workers ‘stack’ their annual leave days around bank holidays to stretch standard holiday entitlement into significantly longer blocks of time, subject to employer approval

As the festive cheer begins to fade and the dreary ordeal of January looms, we’re all on the hunt for a silver lining to brighten up the year ahead.

This glimmer of hope might just be found in recent research that reveals how many of us could potentially maximise our holiday allowance next year – bagging up to 63 days off by using only 28 days of annual leave.

Most UK employees, who work a standard five-day week, are typically entitled to about 28 days of annual leave. However, with some clever planning, astute workers can ‘stack’ their annual leave days to extend their standard holiday entitlement into considerably longer periods of time.

The experts at TargetJobs have detailed how you can effectively double your annual holiday entitlement with a bit of careful manoeuvring.

Do keep in mind though, that your colleagues might also be privy to similar advice, so you’ll need to act swiftly to secure those prime holiday dates before someone else beats you to the punch!

The first holiday you should aim to book is tomorrow (Friday, January 2) – although this might be a tad last-minute for some. Taking into account weekends and bank holidays, this could see you enjoying a four-day break for the price of just one day’s leave.

Next on the agenda is your Easter break. This year, Good Friday falls on April 3, followed by Easter Monday on April 6.

By booking from Monday, 30 March to Thursday, 2 April and then from Tuesday, 7 April to Friday, 10 April, you’ll only use eight days of leave but score a whopping 16 days off work.

You could use this time to soak up some spring sunshine as resorts in southern Europe begin to heat up. Alternatively, if lounging on the beach isn’t your cup of tea, you might still be able to fit in a late-season ski trip at high-altitude resorts like Val Thorens in France’s Tarentaise Valley.

The following month, there will be two official bank holidays. If you book four days off over each, you’ll bag a nine-day break.

That’s plenty of time to jet off to the Mediterranean, or even further afield. If your budget allows, you could squeeze in a week in the Caribbean.

The final bank holiday of 2026 falls on Monday, 31 August, which can give you an additional nine-day break, if you take four days of leave immediately afterwards.

Finally, fast-forwarding to next Christmas, the big day lands on a Friday. As Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, that day off is moved to Monday, 28 December. This means you could use just seven days worth of leave to secure yourself 16 consecutive days off.

You could embrace the festive spirit with a snowy getaway in Lapland, or dodge the season entirely and opt for some winter sun.

Bear in mind, though, popular dates like Christmas and Easter tend to fill up quickly, so it’s best to put in your leave request as early as possible.

Additionally, some employers may block out busy periods, prohibiting you from booking individual days off or even outright refusing to permit staff absence during certain times.

NOW that we’re in the midst of the 12 days of Christmas, it’s time to take a look at my 12 months of thriftmas.

I’m a queen of money-saving when it comes to holidays and days out – and here’s my calendar of little-known dates for getting money off tickets.

Some years I’ve saved £1000, just by following my thriftmas calendar.

Obviously we all know about the January sales and Black Friday, but there’s also other deals that pop up month by month that you can make the most of.

In January, cashback sites often boost the amount they offer when booking holiday accommodation or package deals, so you can make a hefty saving while getting your family trip away sorted.

One year, I booked a fortnight all-inclusive in Fuerteventura for my family of five and paid £1,930 upfront for the hotel and meal package, receiving £216 back in my Quidco account a few months later once my cashback had tracked.

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CHEAP BREAKS

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For February, my top tip would be to take a look at which theme parks will be giving out a pair of free tickets on Sun Club or Sunsavers and make a note of when each offer will be launched.

I managed to bag tickets to Chessington in the summer holidays this year by booking as soon as they were on offer on Sun Club in February.

One date that most parents overlook is World Book Day in March.

I’ve got my boys into soft plays and trampoline parks free before, just by turning up as a book character or taking part in a story-related activity.

You need to keep an eye out for posters at the venue or social media posts to see what pops up.

Easter can be a brilliant time to get early season two-for-one tickets as summer attractions start to open and want to bump up visitor numbers.

Sign up to the social media pages of your favourite days out and you’ll be surprised what discount codes pop up on there in April.

And you might even get some early season deals for theme parks at home and abroad.

One Easter we went to Parc Asterix near Paris and kids got in free with paying adults in the first couple of weeks of its season.

May half-term is fantastic for getting ahead before the big summer break if you plan a family day out wisely.

Lots of places convert your day ticket into an annual pass now, which means you’ll be able to use it several times during the summer season.

So if you choose a place like the Space Centre in Leicester and visit it in half-term, you can go back multiple times over the following year.

June is my time for planning days out for the long summer break.

I take a look at how much I have saved in supermarket loyalty schemes like Tesco Clubcard and work out how I can put that to best use over the summer.

Earlier this year, there was even a Clubcard boost that meant if you converted £5 of points into a voucher for a day out, you would get an extra £10 of Clubcard points in your account by October.

Some schools plan inset days in July so you can use these to get into big attractions for term-time prices rather than paying a premium during the school holidays.

We often visit Warwick Castle in the early summer to beat the crowds.

In August, lots of indoor attractions like soft plays or adventure golf have offers to get visitors through the doors, as it can be quiet during holiday season with people away or making the most of the summer weather to get some fresh air.

September is when you get early bird deals for Santa’s grottos and winter wonderland experiences.

One year, I booked to see Santa at Gulliver’s Land in Milton Keynes for just £29 for five people, using a discount code.

If you fancy a cheeky little UK staycation, October half-term can be the perfect time to get a deal, because the school holidays are often staggered over three weeks so everyone is not trying to book the same week off, keeping prices lower.

We love visiting a caravan park for Halloween or Bonfire Night as you usually get lots of themed activities or even a fireworks display included.

We all know about Black Friday in November and this can be the perfect time to grab discounted tickets to family attractions.

This year, I spotted half-price tickets to my local water park that could be used until the end of the year, so perfect for the Christmas holidays.

December is a great time to check any membership schemes you are signed up to, like Blue Light Card.

They often boost their offers in the run-up to Christmas.

This year, my favourite deal was children go free with paying adults to the Twycross Zoo winter light trail.

Now is the perfect time to get organised for the year ahead and think about what you want to book and when.

A little bit of planning can save you loads over the course of the year.

For other travel deals, here are 15 things to do now to save on your 2026 holiday – how to shave £300 off hotels and save £393 at the airport.

Plus, how to get a cheaper holiday – four tips and tricks revealed by travel experts.

A TOWN frozen in time since World War II will open to the public for a limited time.

The abandoned ghost village stays cut off from the world for most of the year, with visits only permitted this week.

History buffs and nature lovers alike swarm to the area, where 150 people once lived until 1943.

Since then, the abandoned village of Imber in Wiltshire, only sees visitors for 12 days out of the year.

During the second World War, residents of the area were given 47 days to evacuate their homes so the village could be turned into a military training area for troops.

While they were promised they would be able to return after the war, the village is still occupied by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to this day.

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And now it has invited the public to visit, with roads opening through Imber this week, until 8am on Friday, January 2.

Public access has been granted to the village as well as the Grade I-listed St Giles Church, which will be open from 11am to 4pm daily.

The original surviving building is free to visit during open days with any donations going towards the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) for maintenance and restoration.

Along with an old pub, the church is one of the few remaining original structures in the village.

Most of the larger stone buildings were damaged during military training, and were subsequently demolished.

Meanwhile, other houses in the village are either hollowed-out shells or have been converted into modern windowless buildings createdto simulate urban environments for military training.

While those who once lived in the village have the right to be buried on the church grounds, the only living residents now are an abundance of undisturbed wildlife, including owls, badgers, birds, and foxes.

Imber also holds open days during Easter weekend and a single day in summer, with all visitors required to adhere to the public rights of way and designated areas, and comply with signposting.

The Trans-Siberian Railway is a series of train routes in Russia, Mongolia and China that connect remote parts of the world and offer holidaymakers ‘absolutely incomparable landscapes’

The Trans-Siberian Railway in Russia is the longest railway journey, traversing three countries and two continents, taking holidaymakers to some of the world’s most secluded spots. The train links Russia, Mongolia and China on a continuous journey across eight time zones.

The classic Trans-Siberian journey takes seven days, connecting Moscow to Vladivostok over a distance of 9,258km (6,152 miles).

Other routes include the six-day Trans-Manchurian trip from Moscow to Beijing, a five-day journey to Ulan-Bator, and the shortest route, the Trans-Mongolian, which runs from Moscow to Beijing via Mongolia.

Ticket prices range from roughly $120 (£88) for a standard ticket to $1,000 (£740) for first class travel.

Russian Train stated: “As soon as it was built at the beginning of the 19th century, the Trans-Siberian Railway was proclaimed the finest of the diamonds on the crown of the Russian Empire and became famous to the whole world.

“Since then, it has been attracting many travellers striving to see the miracle of engineering and to experience the peculiar way of journey.

“At the same time, the Trans-Siberian regular trains are mostly used by locals for their commuting needs, so it is an excellent way to meet the real people and feel the pure soul of the country.”

The Trans-Siberian Railway presents holidaymakers with “absolutely incomparable landscapes”, making the journey a truly unique adventure.

One traveller reviewed the train trip on Tripadvisor as a “unique, unforgettable journey”, while another described it as a “fascinating experience”.

“My wife and I crossed off our list one of these ‘must-do in our lifetime’ items, which was the Trans Siberian Railway. Time flies on the train, I barely read one book in four days, the rest of the time stared out of the window; Russia by train is fascinating!”

Skyscanner recently shared insights into the best and worst times to buy flight tickets

Securing affordable flight deals can often seem impossible, but assistance might just be at hand. Skyscanner recently unveiled insights on the best and worst times to purchase international tickets, spotlighting both seasonal patterns and particular weekdays.

The travel search engine analysed historical data to reveal these trends and also addressed an ongoing debate in holiday planning: is it better to book early or to hold out for last-minute bargains?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a straightforward answer to this, as Skyscanner stressed that it largely depends on the route. Whilst quieter journeys or off-peak days may see price reductions as the departure date approaches, popular routes are likely to witness prices soar dramatically.

Irrespective of the season, Fridays and Sundays consistently emerge as the worst days to book flights due to high demand. However, statistics showed that cheaper fares are usually discovered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when bookings drop off.

“Based on past pricing trends, fares have dropped on Tuesday mornings after Monday deal releases,” Skyscanner wrote earlier this year, according to the Daily Record. When asked if prices decrease nearer a departure date, it added: “Sometimes, especially if seats are still available.

“But prices also tend to rise as departure nears. Last-minute deals exist, but they’re never guaranteed. You can also use the Skyscanner Savings Generator to find the best time to book flights based on your route.”

Skyscanner recommended that travellers book short-haul flights at least one to three months in advance to avoid disappointment. For long-haul journeys, it’s best to secure tickets two to six months before the trip.

Those wishing to monitor fluctuating flight prices can utilise Skyscanner’s alert system. To activate it, simply select a preferred route and click the ‘Get Price Alerts’ button located at the top left corner of the website.

To use this feature, you’ll need a Skyscanner account as alerts will be sent to the email linked with your account. Google also offers a similar alert system within its flight price tracking tool.

Google’s current advice states: “You can track flight prices for specific dates or, if your plans are flexible, any dates. To get flight alerts for a specific round trip, choose your dates and flights and select Search. Then, you can turn on price tracking.”

For more information on Skyscanner’s price-tracking tool, click the link here.

For the latest money-saving tips, shopping and consumer news, go to the new Everything Money website.

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Driving Home For Christmas singer Chris Rea was making festive posts on social media hours before he died ‘peacefully in hospital’ at the age of 74 following a short illness

Chris Rea made reference to his famous Christmas song in his final social media post which he shared just hours before his sudden death. A spokesperson for the music legend announced on Monday that he had died following a short illness, at the age of 74.

The musician, who was from Middlesbrough, is arguably best known for his 1988 song, Driving Home For Christmas. And amid the 2025 festive season, he had been sharing social media posts about the countdown to Christmas.

On Sunday, the star uploaded a photo of a car driving through snow along a busy motorway. A Variable Message Sign was also in shot which had the message: “Driving home for Christmas with a thousand memories. Adding a caption of his own, Chris wrote: “Top to toe in tailbacks … If it’s a white Christmas, let’s hope the journey’s a smooth one.”

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The singer added the hashtages #DrivingHomeForChristmas, #ChristmasSongs, #ChristmasMusic and #ChrisRea to the post – as well as a snowflake and a car emoji. Just hours later, family members of the singer were around the star as he died.

A spokesperson confirmed on Monday: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris. He passed away peacefully in hospital earlier today following a short illness, surrounded by his family.”

Chris had suffered from a number of health conditions in recent years, including peritonitis, pancreatic cancer and diabetes – while it has been reported that he would inject insulin up to seven times per day as he battled his conditions. Following the news of his death, fans have flooded social media with tributes and memories of the star.

One wrote on X: “Genuinely gutted to hear this. A proper Teesside legend. Safe drive home Chris… Damn… he lived for his cars, wonderful guitarist, and made so many great albums. RIP Chris Rea… Aah no! Bad news…”

Another typed: “Chris Rea has died. Shocked. Talented, he was also a really nice guy. I’m freaked because I mentioned him in a pre-Yule newsletter from my website. Chris had loads of friends in Ireland. He’ll be missed. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam…”

Chris had previously discussed his health issues – revealing: “I’ve had nine major operations in ten years. A lot of it is to do with something called retroperitoneal fibrosis, where the internal tissues attack each other. No one knew it existed 20 years ago, and it’s completely unpredictable.. It’s affected the colon, the pancreas, the gall bladder, the liver – and then I get a stroke.”

The singer went on to explain that his health was something that could not be taken for granted, despite the chart and commercial success he enjoyed over the years. He said: “I made a lot of money, but you can dangerously let it lead you on…

“It depends what company you keep. I once said to Michael Winner, ‘I’m the poorest man on this Barbados beach.’ On days like today, the richest man in the world is the one who hasn’t got a bad shoulder.”

Chris is survived by his wife Joan Lesley, who he was together with since they were teenagers, and their two daughters; Josephine, born 16 September 1983, and Julia Christina, born 18 March 1989. As well as Driving Home For Christmas, he penned tracks including On the Beach, Let’s Dance, and The Road To Hell.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

If you’re like me, perhaps you’re waiting until the last minute to buy holiday gifts.

This fun, but nerve-racking practice isn’t for the faint of heart, and often I rely on an edge: caffeine.

That’s why I was pleased when my colleague Lisa Boone highlighted 15 L.A. spots that offers coffee and gifts, quite the happy hybrid experience.

Let’s jump into her list and maybe you’ll find your own shop that offers the best of both worlds.

(Lisa Boone/Los Angeles Times )

Flowerboy Project (Venice)

With Flowerboy Project, equal parts coffeehouse, florist and gift shop, partners Sean Knibb and Stella Shirinda have created an intriguing space that offers a feel-good mix for all the senses.

On Lincoln Boulevard in Venice, the concept cafe and flower shop offers apparel, jewelry, Venice Organics chocolate, home decor and apothecary items alongside fresh-cut and dried floral arrangements.

The cafe serves hot and cold coffee drinks, plus a few specialty drinks such as the Dirty Rose Girl (rose latte) and Lavender Boy (lavender latte), served with flowers on top. Custom flower arrangements are offered at prices ranging from $90 to $175.

(Lisa Boone/Los Angeles Times )

Javista at the Atrium (West Hollywood)

Billed as “The Botanist’s Bodega,” the bustling two-story Atrium in West Hollywood is a unique blend of coffee and plants. With Javista Coffee on the ground floor and a delightful array of plants, gifts and additional seating upstairs, the Atrium is a haven for plant enthusiasts and coffee lovers alike.

In addition to coffee staples such as macchiato and espresso, the bodega offers some exotic beverages like the CBTea Latte.

But that’s not all. The Atrium also hosts plant-related workshops, such as a recent one on how to mount a staghorn fern and create a terrarium. Plant lovers will appreciate a variety of plant accessories, including ceramic pots, misters, river stones and LED grow lights.

To support other small businesses, owner Andrew Ruiz stocks a wide selection of books and clothing along with candles from Flamingo Estate, Lavune and Marak, adding a local touch to the Atrium’s offerings.

(Lisa Boone/Los Angeles Times)

Little Nelly (Burbank)

Conveniently located in a Burbank neighborhood with plenty of parking, this takeout spot is a great place to shop for gifts while you wait for your espresso or hot combo sandwich (shaved turkey, hot coppa, Gioia burrata, giardiniera, wild arugula and pesto).

The market and sandwich shop, which also offers catering, is filled with cookbooks, handmade ceramics, wood carving boards perfect for charcuterie displays, candles and greeting cards. And for the foodies in your life, the market stocks unique pantry items such as spices, olive oils, vinegar and hot sauce that are perfect for stocking stuffers.

Made by DWC Cafe and Gift Boutique (Downtown L.A.)

Made by DWC, the Skid Row gift shop launched by the Downtown Women’s Center in Los Angeles in 2011, offers handmade gifts — soaps, bath salts, soy candles and greeting cards — crafted by women on L.A.’s Skid Row area as part of a vocational training program.

All profits from the Made store and cafe, which sells organic coffee, smoothies, salads and pastries from Homeboy Industries, help fund the center’s career training and mentorship programs. Note: The gift shop is not open on weekends.

(Lisa Boone/Los Angeles Times)

Sachi.LA (Del Rey)

Influenced by their Japanese heritage, sisters Sachi and Chiyo Hartley opened their Del Rey coffeehouse in 2018 to share “Sachi” — the Japanese kanji character meaning happiness, fortune or good luck — with their community. The coffeehouse, which serves a wide variety of coffee drinks including matcha and the Sachi Special, a signature cold brew with oat milk and vanilla syrup, is just the beginning.

Adjacent to the coffeehouse, which also serves pastries, the sisters have opened a retail space that is a treasure-trove filled with houseplants, gifts, vintage clothes and plant accessories such as bud vases and planters. They also host occasional pop-ups, so keep an eye on their Instagram for updates.

For the entire list, check out the full article here.

The week’s biggest stories

(Tomas Ovalle/For The Times)

Crime, courts and policing

Apps, social media and tech

Statewide news

What else is going on

Must reads

Other meaty reads

For your downtime

(Illustrations by Lindsey Made This; photograph by Kim Newmoney)

Going out

Staying in

L.A. Affairs

Get wrapped up in tantalizing stories about dating, relationships and marriage.

L.A. Timeless

A selection of the very best reads from The Times’ 143-year archive.

Have a great day, from the Essential California team

Jim Rainey, staff reporter
Hugo Martín, assistant editor, fast break desk
Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor
Andrew J. Campa, weekend writer
Karim Doumar, head of newsletters

How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@latimes.com. Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on latimes.com.

I visited Disneyland last weekend expecting huge crowds, busy restaurants and monster ride wait times. But the day was quite enjoyable thanks in part to Disneyland’s Lightning Lane Pass.

I commented to some employees throughout the day, “I thought this would be worse.”

Almost unanimously, each had the same answer: The real rush was yet to come.

Yes, Disneyland’s busiest time is upon us, from Saturday until Jan. 3.

That’s when the cost of a single-day adult park-hopper pass, which allows a patron to visit Disneyland and adjacent California Adventure Park, soars to $314 (buy a week later, prices will drop by $50.)

Many Disney experts and influencers advise you to avoid the resort during this time.

But what if you’ve already bought tickets? What if out-of-town family is desperate to visit? What if this is the only free time to take the kids?

Fortunately, Traver, known as the SoCal Disney Dad to his 74,000 YouTube subscribers, spoke with me Friday morning and offered tips on how to enjoy a magical time at the busiest place on Earth.

Wake up early

Traver explained to me that preparing for the holiday rush is not all too dissimilar from spring break.

One essential tip is to arrive at Disneyland before the park’s opening at 8 a.m.

Security checks begin as early as 7 a.m. and the gate, which opens around 7:20 to 7:30, allowing patrons to line up for the rope drop.

“For people interested in getting on the most popular rides, this is how you cut down on wait times,” Traver said.

He noted rope drop, the insider term for the moment a literal rope around attractions, restaurants and shops drops when the park opens at 8 a.m. is the best time to head to the “Star Wars”-themed “Rise of the Resistance,” which can easily draw two-hour lines later in the day.

Traver added this tidbit: Disney hotel guests receive early entry on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, so the other days are best for early arrivers.

Consider eating at the bigger restaurants

He said patrons looking to maximize time and find a seat should search for larger capacity places.

Those include Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland, the Red Rose Taverne in Fantasyland, the Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree in Bayou Country, Galactic Grill and Alien Pizza Planet in Tomorrowland.

“The larger the crowd, the bigger the fight for seats,” Traver said. “Go to places with more seats.”

Next week, there might be one more consideration: Forecasters predict rain on Tuesday and Thursday.

Traver said restaurants like Alien Pizza Planet, which is 90% covered, or the Golden Horseshoe Restaurant in Frontierland, which is completely indoors, will be in high demand.

Take advantage of single rider

Both Disneyland and California Adventure offer a handful of single-rider lines.

If family members don’t mind riding alone, they can cut long waits at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the Matterhorn Bobsleds, Space Mountain and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Disneyland, the lone single-rider attractions at the park.

Traver’s favorite single rider attraction is California Adventure’s Radiator Springs Racer, where wait times are notorious.

“It will cut the wait time by a third,” Traver said.

Be realistic, but bring a good attitude

Maybe the biggest secret: Set proper expectations, Traver said.

“If you expect things to go smoothly and they don’t, now you’re disappointed,” he said. “But, if you arrive with lower expectations and an understanding that lines are going to be long and you’re just going to have to wait, you may be pleasantly surprised.”

The week’s biggest stories

(Jim Cooke / Los Angeles Times; Photos via Getty Images)

A chance for justice. A strain on today’s classrooms

• California school districts have paid nearly a half-billion dollars to settle past sexual abuse claims, Times reporters discovered.
• Starting in 2020, Assembly Bill 218 offered survivors of childhood sex abuse in California a three-year window to sue over past molestation and sexual assault.
• The wave of litigation has caused financial strain across the state’s schools and programs.
• Also, several California school districts have used confidentiality agreements to settle sex abuse claims and conceal them from the public.

Tyler Skaggs’ family reaches settlement with Angels

• Friday’s settlement in the wrongful death case brings an end to several days of juror deliberations and a four year legal battle.
• Terms of the agreement, which follows previous unsuccessful settlement efforts from the former Angels pitcher’s family, were not immediately available.

Reiner slayings

After the fires…

What else is going on

Must reads

Other gripping reads

• Nearly a year after the L.A. fires, the television drama “Fire Country” drew inspiration from those who fought it.
• Six directors on “wasting” (and saving) money, the future of movie theaters and more.

For your downtime

Lively video projections behind a 1965 Ford Mustang make guests feel like they’re on a ride through Southern California at “American Icon: A Mustang Immersive Experience.”

(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)

Going out

Staying in

L.A. Timeless

A selection of the very best reads from The Times’ 143-year archive.

Have a great day, from the Essential California team

Jim Rainey, staff reporter
Hugo Martín, assistant editor, Fast Break desk
Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor
Andrew J. Campa, weekend writer
June Hsu, editorial fellow
Karim Doumar, head of newsletters

How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@latimes.com. Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on latimes.com.

The Strictly Come Dancing cast have rallied around judge Shirley Ballas after she shared some heartbreaking news online

Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has been flooded with support after she shared a family death.

The dancer will be back on screens on Saturday (December 20) for the show’s epic final. Remaining stars like Amber Davies, George Clarke and Karen Carney will be battling it out to take home the iconic Glitterball trophy.

However, just days before the final, Shirley has been dealt some major heartbreak. Taking to her Instagram on Wednesday evening (December 17) Shirley confirmed her beloved aunt – who was like a “second mum” to Shirley – had passed away.

The TV star shared several photos of her and her aunt and paid a heartbreaking tribute to her in the caption. She wrote: “My dearest Auntie Mavis … where do I begin.

“How I’ll miss you so very much. I’ll miss all your sayings of ‘you’re right love’, ‘do you know what I mean like love’, ‘yeah I know’ and l’d say ‘no you don’t know Mavis’. That one was my favourite.”

Shirley continued: “Mavis was always there for me and my family, she had been like a second mum to me. Mum and I are sad you’re not here with us any more, Mavis. We will treasure the memories. Mum has many that’s for sure. Her best friend of over 65 years.

“The bond between Mavis and my mother was absolutely unbreakable. We will miss every minute of every second not chatting with you, talking with you and you making us laugh with all your antics. May you rest in peace now with your beautiful daughter Helen and your wonderful husband.

“We will celebrate you often, talk about you often, laugh often with all the things that you and my mum got up to. I truly thought that you would live forever, Mavis.”

Shirley finished off the emotional post and said: “Thank you for always being there for me through the ups, through the downs and through all the parts of my life. Thank you for tuning into @bbcstrictly and then switching off after you’d seen my dress. That always made me smile.

“I’ll treasure every single memory I ever had with you. Rest in peace beautiful Mavis. Hugs and love, Shirley and Audrey. X.”

Shirley’s fellow showbiz pals and fans quickly rushed to the comments section to send their support. Claudia Winkleman penned: “Sending all my love,” while Neil Jones commented an orange heart emoji.

One fan said: “So sorry for your loss. Your mum has lost her beautiful friend.” Another follower chimed in: “Aw bless you all, so sorry for your loss….. Sending so much love to you all and may Mavis rest in peace.” A third penned: “Sorry for your loss, sending love to you both rest in peace Mavis.”

Strictly Come Dancing airs this weekend on BBC One.

Physicians are seeking a return of salaries to their 2008-2009 levels before they were eroded by inflation.

Resident doctors in England will go ahead with a five-day strike this week after rejecting the government’s latest offer aimed at ending a long-running dispute over pay and working conditions.

Formerly known as junior doctors, the physicians, who make up nearly half of England’s medical workforce, will walk out from 07:00 GMT on Wednesday until 07:00 GMT next Monday.

The action follows an online survey by the British Medical Association (BMA) in which members voted to reject the proposal.

“Tens of thousands of frontline doctors have come together to say ‘no’ to what is clearly too little, too late,” BMA resident doctors committee chairman Jack Fletcher said in a statement, adding that members had rejected the government’s latest offer on working conditions.

Fletcher said the union remained willing to work towards a resolution.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting appealed to doctors to call off the strike.

“There is no need for these strikes to go ahead this week, and it reveals the BMA’s shocking disregard for patient safety,” he said, describing the action as “self-indulgent, irresponsible and dangerous”.

Speaking to Sky News, Streeting said the government was open to the BMA rescheduling the strike to reduce risks to patients during a surge in flu cases.

Flu-related hospitalisations in England rose by more than 50 percent in early December, reaching an average of 2,660 patients a day, the highest level for this time of year. Health leaders have warned there is still no clear peak in sight.

Across Europe, health authorities are grappling with an unusually early and severe flu season, warning of rising cases across the continent.

The BMA said 83 percent of resident doctors voted to reject the government’s offer with a turnout of 65 percent among its more than 50,000 members.

The offer, made on Wednesday, did not include new pay terms. The BMA has been campaigning for improved pay even before the Labour Party won last year’s general election.

Shortly after taking office, Streeting agreed a deal offering doctors a 22 percent pay rise, short of the 29 percent sought by the union.

The BMA has also called for improvements beyond the 5.4 percent pay increase announced earlier this year, arguing resident doctors continue to suffer from years of pay erosion.

Doctors are seeking “full pay restoration”, meaning a return of salaries to their 2008-2009 levels in real terms before they were eroded by inflation.