This is an LA Times Studios podcast.

Hi, I'm Angelica Coronado at LA Times Studios.

Here are some of today's top headlines from the Los Angeles Times.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced plans to make sweeping changes to the Department of Health

and Human Services. Jenny Jarvey reports that Kennedy plans to cut a quarter of its workforce,

apparently saving $1.8 billion annually. The number of departments will shrink from 28 to 15,

with the biggest impact being on the FDA and CDC.

This means thousands of jobs are slated to be eliminated.

Kennedy believes this will improve U.S. health by getting rid of bureaucracy,

but others warn it could hurt essential research.

These cuts could possibly affect everything from cancer research to AIDS studies, impacting

Americans' well-being.

Kennedy admitted that the overhaul of the department would be a painful period for the agency.

But he said he wanted all employees to rally together behind a simple, bold mission.

Eugene Big U. Henley, a notorious figure in L.A., has been hit with a massive federal indictment.

Reporter Brittany Mejia details how prosecutors say Henley ran a mafia-like operation, extorting

celebrities, stealing from his own charity, and even ordering murders.

He allegedly controlled who could work in his neighborhood, demanding payment for protection.

Authorities also link him to a deadly kidnapping in Las Vegas.

Wiretaps caught him boasting about power over Nipsey Hustle and threatening to kill rivals.

Henley denies it all, claiming he's being targeted for helping his community. But with a grand jury indictment and a possible life sentence, the feds aren't buying it.

His arraignment is set for April 8th.

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