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    Greater LA

    Buying a Christmas tree? Expect price hikes and slimmer pickings

    Christmas tree shoppers have to dig a little deeper in their pockets this year for the perfect tree, or settle for one that doesn’t quite reach the ceiling. That’s due to supply chain problems and drought.

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    Person smiling broadly wearing glasses and plaid shirt against ivy-covered wall background.By Steve Chiotakis • Dec 6, 2021 • 25m Listen

    Christmas tree shoppers have to dig a little deeper in their pockets this year for the perfect tree, or settle for one that doesn’t quite reach the ceiling. That’s due to supply chain problems and drought. Meanwhile, a local tree farmer and a home decor business are having to adapt.

    On the second season of the “Lost Hills” podcast, a mother and son from Malibu drowned off the coast of Santa Cruz Island in 1981. The husband has been in prison for their murder. Did he do it?

    And at Mater Dei High School, a football player suffered a traumatic brain injury and a broken nose in a hazing incident. The family says the school tried to minimize the situation and didn’t cooperate with a police investigation.

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 0:00

      Real and fake Christmas trees are hit by port backlogs and price hikes. What that means for your shopping

      Christmas tree shoppers have to dig a little deeper in their pockets this year for the perfect tree, or settle for one that doesn’t quite reach the ceiling. That’s due to supply chain problems and drought.

      Read the story
      9 min
    2. 8:58

      ‘Lost Hills’ podcast returns with a Santa Cruz Island drowning and rumors in Malibu

      On the second season of the “Lost Hills” podcast, a mother and son from Malibu drowned off the coast of Santa Cruz Island in 1981. The husband has been in prison for their murder. Did he do it?

      Read the story
      10 min
    3. 18:39

      Young football player’s traumatic brain injury exposes culture of hazing at Mater Dei High

      A hazing ritual at Mater Dei High School left a young football player with a traumatic brain injury and a broken nose in February.

      Read the story
      7 min
    • Person smiling broadly wearing glasses and plaid shirt against ivy-covered wall background.

      Steve Chiotakis

      Afternoon News Anchor

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • KCRW placeholder

      Jenna Kagel

      Radio producer

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Kathryn Barnes

      Producer, Reporter

      NewsCultureHolidaysBusiness & EconomyLos Angeles

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 0:009 min

      Real and fake Christmas trees are hit by port backlogs and price hikes. What that means for your shopping

    2. 8:5810 min

      ‘Lost Hills’ podcast returns with a Santa Cruz Island drowning and rumors in Malibu

    3. 18:397 min

      Young football player’s traumatic brain injury exposes culture of hazing at Mater Dei High

    Back to Greater LA