An assault trial begins on Friday against rapper A$AP Rocky, who is accused of firing a gun at a former friend in Los Angeles. The rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, faces 24 years in prison if convicted on two felony assault charges in the 2021 incident near a Hollywood hotel.

The shooting trial against popular rapper A$AP Rocky began Friday with opening statements in Los Angeles. The 36-year-old hip-hop rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, is accused of firing a gun at a former friend and bandmate during a heated exchange in 2021 in Hollywood.

The president will depart on Air Force One for L.A. this afternoon for a brief trip that may or may not include his old foe, Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Firefighters have slowed the spread of a huge wildfire churning through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles where dangerous winds gained strength again.