California’s early voter turnout is exceeding expectations ahead of November’s special election, with more than 3.4 million mail-in ballots already returned — a potential boost for Proposition 50, the redistricting measure backed by Democrats. In national news, NBA coach Chauncey Billups and player Terry Rozier face federal charges in a sweeping sports gambling probe. L.A.’s firefighters union president accuses Mayor Karen Bass of retaliation after criticizing city funding. Orange County says goodbye to the 50-year-old Westminster Mall as redevelopment plans move forward. In business, Waymo faces a federal investigation after one of its self-driving taxis failed to stop for a school bus in Atlanta.
President Trump demands $230 million from the Justice Department, claiming political investigations caused him financial harm. LAX begins a $30 billion renovation of Terminal 5 ahead of the 2028 Olympics, promising smoother travel and reduced congestion. Matcha lovers face soaring prices as Japan’s supply struggles with climate change, aging farmers, and new import tariffs. Meta lays off 600 AI employees in a restructuring move. Construction begins on a $250 million White House ballroom ordered by President Trump. In business, California insurers plan to charge homeowners new fire-related fees, and the Phillips 66 refinery site in Wilmington is set for redevelopment into a mixed-use space.
A deputy U.S. marshal was wounded by a ricochet bullet fired by an ICE agent during a raid in South Los Angeles, triggering multiple federal investigations. A federal appeals court granted President Trump control of Oregon’s National Guard, overturning a lower court ruling. Governor Gavin Newsom warns millions could lose CalFresh benefits if the federal shutdown continues past Thursday. The planned Trump-Putin summit in Budapest was postponed amid tensions over Ukraine. In business, a major AWS outage disrupted global platforms and Starbucks faces new pressure from its unionized baristas, who are calling on the Olympics to drop the company as its official coffee partner.
A Marine Corps anniversary event at Camp Pendleton sparked alarm when a live artillery round exploded midair over the I-5 Freeway, striking a California Highway Patrol cruiser with shrapnel and prompting an investigation into safety failures. In Pacific Palisades, officials declared eight fire-damaged homes public nuisances after owners missed cleanup deadlines for toxic debris. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and top Democrats in Congress announced a probe into ICE misconduct, citing racial profiling and wrongful arrests of U.S. citizens. U.S. envoys traveled to Israel to help stabilize the fragile Gaza ceasefire after renewed violence. In business, Latino authors and bookstores push for stronger representation in publishing, while NBCUniversal and Apple launch a new streaming bundle combining Peacock and Apple TV.
Malibu declares a state of emergency to remove homeless encampments over wildfire fears. The Trump administration escalates military action in Venezuela, risking a wider conflict. L.A. County prepares to pay nearly $1 billion more to sexual abuse victims. John Bolton pleads not guilty to mishandling classified information. Walmart teams with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT to its shopping app, and Beyond Meat’s stock crashes to record lows amid massive losses.
A California judge blocks federal layoffs during the government shutdown. Governor Newsom unveils a new plan to sell low-cost insulin statewide. Federal prosecutors charge two executives with misusing homelessness funds. California sues over the cancellation of the Solar for All program. Waymo expands its driverless cars to London in its first European rollout. And Spotify teams up with Netflix to bring video podcasts to streaming audiences starting in 2026.
R&B legend D’Angelo has died at 51 after a battle with cancer, remembered as a defining voice of neo-soul with albums like Voodoo and Black Messiah. A major storm is soaking Southern California, bringing flash flood warnings and dangerous driving conditions across the region. The federal shutdown enters a third week as thousands of government workers face layoffs and pay uncertainty. California’s secretary of state is refuting false claims that mail-in ballots expose voters’ choices. Governor Newsom has signed new wildfire insurance laws to speed relief for victims. In business, Newsom signs new AI safety rules into law to protect minors and Long Beach enforces the nation’s first staffing requirements for self-checkout lanes to reduce retail theft.
Former LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner launches his campaign for Los Angeles mayor, challenging Karen Bass. The Trump administration cuts hundreds of jobs at the Education Department, while USC eyes the future of its rivalry with Notre Dame. In the Middle East, Hamas frees the last Israeli hostages. Back in the U.S., Southern California braces for severe storms. In business, Tesla offers customers lackluster discounts and OpenAI expands ChatGPT’s reach with new third-party integrations.
A deadly explosion at a munitions plant in Tennessee has left workers missing as rescue crews search the site. MIT’s president rejected a White House proposal linking university funding to political alignment. The Los Angeles Fire Department is under fire for failing to use thermal cameras before the deadly Palisades blaze reignited. New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted following pressure from President Trump. In business, companies are using AI to create fake news-style ads without disclosure, and Nestlé has withdrawn from a global alliance to cut dairy methane emissions.
California test scores rose for a second straight year, with major gains in Compton and L.A. Unified as the state adopts new literacy reforms. The federal shutdown deepened after President Trump suggested furloughed workers might not get back pay. A Lakers fan sued LeBron James, claiming a misleading retirement tease. Trump announced an Israel-Hamas peace deal with hostage releases and troop withdrawals. L.A. County moved toward declaring an emergency over ICE raids. In business, experts warn of an AI investment bubble, and three University of California scientists won the Nobel Prize in Physics for advances in quantum computing.
Federal agents arrested a Florida man accused of starting the Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes. President Trump deployed Texas National Guard troops to Chicago, sparking lawsuits from state leaders. Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to lying to Congress in a politically charged case. Los Angeles residents will see trash bills nearly double to offset a billion-dollar budget deficit. In business, police raided L.A.’s CoolKicks store and arrested its CEO over allegedly buying stolen sneakers, meanwhile California shoppers face new import fees after tariff exemptions were rolled back.
Illinois and Chicago sue to block a federal plan to deploy National Guard troops as tensions rise in major U.S. cities. The Supreme Court rejects Ghislaine Maxwell’s appeal, while indirect talks begin in Egypt to end the war in Gaza. Three scientists earn the Nobel Prize for breakthroughs in immunology. Then, a Chevron refinery fire threatens to raise gas prices, and developers in Los Angeles prepare for flying taxis that could reshape urban travel.
Firefighters battled a massive explosion at Chevron’s El Segundo refinery, shaking nearby homes and raising questions about operations and gas prices. In Michigan, thousands donated to the family of a church gunman. Russia launched its largest drone assault on Ukraine’s energy grid as Ukraine struck targets deep inside Russia. Former President Trump declared drug cartels terrorist groups, prompting bipartisan concern over unchecked military action. In Burbank, a former school board member was charged with diverting district funds for personal gain. In business, Apple shifted resources from its Vision Pro product to AI smart glasses following weak sales and PepsiCo is testing natural dyes for Cheetos and beverages to meet consumer demand for healthier ingredients.
Title: Kilmar Abrego Garcia Denied Asylum, Israel Intercepts Flotilla, Manchester Synagogue Attack, Trump Cuts Climate Funds, Sephora Waste Settlement, UCLA Stagflation Forecast Description: A Baltimore judge denied asylum to Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an El Salvador native at the center of immigration debates, leaving him at risk of deportation. Israeli naval forces intercepted a flotilla bound for Gaza, detaining activists and drawing international condemnation. In the U.K., two people were killed in a terror attack outside a synagogue in Manchester during Yom Kippur. The Trump administration cut nearly $8 billion from clean energy projects in Democratic states, while expanding coal production. In business, Sephora will pay $775,000 in a hazardous waste settlement, and a UCLA forecast warns of “stagflation-lite” due to the Trump administration’s tariff policy and fed rate cuts.
Jane Goodall, the pioneering primatologist and conservationist, has died at 91. President Trump urges military training in U.S. cities, sparking lawsuits and backlash. The U.S. government shuts down after failed negotiations, while California ends carpool lane access for clean-air vehicles. In business, OpenAI launches new parental controls for ChatGPT, and DoorDash expands its grocery services nationwide through a major Kroger partnership.
The federal government moves to reopen DACA for first-time applicants as legal challenges loom. In California, police confront gaps in the law after stopping a driverless Waymo car. President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announce sweeping changes to military standards and policies. In Silicon Valley, AI “vibe-coding” reshapes software development. In business, California fire survivors gain mortgage relief under a new law and Trump’s revived TikTok security plan draws criticism for leaving national security risks unresolved.
President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announce a 20-point plan to end the Gaza war, though Hamas has not responded. Attorneys for Tyler Robinson, accused of killing activist Charlie Kirk, seek more time to review evidence as prosecutors pursue the death penalty. In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass orders increased patrols at houses of worship following a deadly church shooting in Michigan. Trump also met with congressional leaders ahead of a looming government shutdown. In sports, the Dodgers open their playoff run against the Reds, while the Clippers face an NBA investigation into possible salary cap violations. In business, L.A.’s tourism industry reports sharp drops in international arrivals after wildfires, immigration raids, and tariff threats. In Sacramento, Governor Newsom weighs two new AI chatbot safety bills aimed at protecting minors amid pushback from tech giants.
Former FBI Director James Comey is indicted, while Trump announces new tariffs that could raise drug prices. At the UN, dozens of delegates walked out of the organization's general assembly when Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu took the stage. A U.S. veteran detained by ICE speaks out. In business, Starbucks announces mass layoffs, and new polls show Trump’s economic approval slipping.
The long-awaited report on the Eaton Fire reveals critical evacuation failures, while Californians see refunds on their October electric bills. The White House warns federal agencies of job cuts ahead of a shutdown, and debate grows over a $1 million restroom project at Runyon Canyon. In business, Calvin Harris says he lost $22.5 million in a stalled Hollywood development, and Amazon agrees to a $2.5 billion settlement over deceptive Prime membership practices.