A look at four stories we're following today on NBCLA.com, including California Surfing Day
By Jonathan Lloyd ••
Take a look at four stories to watch for Thursday.
California Surfing Day: Making Waves in the San Joaquin Valley
California's best-known surfing spots evoke daydreams of waves rolling toward a sandy shoreline with dramatic pastel sunsets providing an otherwordly background over the Pacific Ocean. So why are surfers drawn to a San Joaquin Valley community located about 40 miles due south of Fresno and nowhere near the ocean? Check out these mathematically generated waves.
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A look at Kelly Slater's Surf Ranch, located about 100 miles from the ocean in California's San Joaquin Valley.
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Kelly Slater competes during the qualifying round of the World Surf League Surf Ranch Pro on September 6, 2018 in Lemoore, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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A general view of the wave making machine on September 6, 2018 in Lemoore, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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The machine creates a swell and the pool's bottom has contours that produce waves. Miguel Pupo of Brazil is seen here during the World Surf League Surf Ranch Pro on September 6, 2018 in Lemoore, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Kelly Slater is pictured at Surf Ranch on September 6, 2018 in Lemoore, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Kelly Slater heads toward the artificial wave pool. Gullies on the side of the pool calm its water before a wave is generated for the next surfer. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Joel Parkinson of Australia competes during the men's qualifying round of the World Surf League Surf Ranch Pro on September 6, 2018 in Lemoore, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Courtney Conlogue competes during the qualifying round of the World Surf League Surf Ranch Open on September 6, 2018 in Lemoore, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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The project began in 2006, when world champ Slater joined a USC professor to design the artificial wave machine. Miguel Pupo of Brazil competes during the Men's qualifying round of the World Surf League Surf Ranch Pro on September 6, 2018 in Lemoore, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Construction began years later after computer simulations suggested Slater's idea could become reality. Slater, pictured here, looks on during the men's final round of the World Surf League Surf Ranch Pro on September 9, 2018 in Lemoore, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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The key to the project was a hydrofoil -- sort of like a snow plow blade -- that runs along the side of the pool to generate a swell. Kelly Slater looks on during the men's final round of the World Surf League Surf Ranch Pro on September 9, 2018 in Lemoore, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Bethany Hamilton exits the water during the women's qualifying round of the World Surf League Surf Ranch Pro on September 8, 2018 in Lemoore, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Unlike waves produced by Mother Nature that take time to form, the surf ranch wave develops in very little time. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Kolohe Andino competes during the qualifying round of the World Surf League Surf Ranch Pro on September 8, 2018 in Lemoore, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Kelly Slater is seen during the qualifying round of the World Surf League Surf Ranch Pro on September 6, 2018 in Lemoore, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
DMV Delays: Outages Reported at Several Locations
An outage at the California Department of Motor Vehicles was causing delays for visitors Thursday. The DMV cited "technical difficulties" that were affecting transactions at several California locations. We'll have updates here.
Puerto Rico, One Year After Hurricane Maria
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Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.
One year ago, Hurricane Maria made landfall on Puerto Rico and brought widespread destruction. Take a look at conditions one year later. NBC4's Angie Crouch will have a report this afternoon on a local effort to put roofs on homes on the devastated island.
See Buena Park's Scary Side
Most days of the year, Buena Park bathes in sunshine. Sept. 20 isn't most days -- it's the opening of Knott's Scary Farm. See what kind of frights await.
Knott's Scary Farm
There are 14 attractions in all, including "Dark Entities" which is set in space. Hold onto your moon boots, all who dare enter this new maze.
Knott's Scary Farm
There are 14 attractions in all, including "Dark Entities" which is set in space. Hold onto your moon boots, all who dare enter this new maze.
Knott's Scary Farm
Dare you step inside a phantom-packed hospital with the team of PARANORMAL, INC.?
Knott's Scary Farm
THE HOLLOW, a scare zone, is home to "... armies of creatures (that) have risen to go to battle with the witch hunter." Might you find yourself in the middle of this mayhem?
Knott's Scary Farm
So you dig a fun carnival, but what if it has an element of "evil" to it? Follow the clowns into this playful abyss of a scare zone.
Knott's Scary Farm
Dark rides are a staple of fun fairs and theme parks, but a maze that's themed to a Dark Ride? You just don't what's within... (but bet it'll deliver the shivers).
Knott's Scary Farm
Waders aren't required to enter Forsaken Lake, a scare zone that's been taken over by "gothic creatures" that have emerged from "dark and murky waters."
Knott's Scary Farm
This isn't the cute pumpkin sitting on your porch: It's the Pumpkin Eater, a returning favorite from the maze category.
Knott's Scary Farm
What do "The Depths" hold? A creature, deep within a cave, that you probably don't want to meet. This is a new entry for 2018, eek.
Knott's Scary Farm
And, as is terrifying tradition, the streets of the historic Ghost Town will see their share of roaming monsters. Brave enough? Curious about it all? Ready to do it all again, for another year? Knott's Scary Farm will haunt Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, on select nights, from Sept. 20 through Oct. 31.
