L.A. Times - Politics

Confusion over protected status leaves employers and Salvadoran immigrants scrambling

Itzel Luna, Andrea Castillo — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 22:29:25 GMT

Thousands of Salvadoran immigrants nationwide faced uncertainty after the federal government failed to decide by a Wednesday deadline whether to extend or terminate their longtime temporary protections against deportation.

Newsom signs bills that aim to make social media, AI chatbots safer for young people

Queenie Wong — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 21:16:26 GMT

Newsom signed a slew of new bills, including one that would bar certain online platforms from providing an 'addictive feature' to users under 16 years old.

L.A. County probes Farmers Insurance Company's handling of wildfire claims

Melody Petersen — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 19:49:02 GMT

Los Angeles County launched a probe into Farmers Insurance Company's handling of claims by policyholders impacted by last year's devastating Eaton and Palisades wildfires, after a growing number of residents complained of delays, denials and underpayments

Jimmy Kimmel interview with Senate candidate James Talarico won't air on ABC

Meg James — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 16:56:34 GMT

The comedian's Thursday interview with the Texas Democrat will play on YouTube rather than on television "out of consideration for our ... ABC affiliates in Texas who would have to deal with this nonsense," Kimmel said.

Questions swirl over Trump's pledge to give $5,000 payouts if GOP wins

Ana Ceballos, Michael Wilner — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:31:19 GMT

The promise would likely cost more than $1 trillion and require congressional approval, and would further exacerbate the country's nearly $1.8-trillion annual budget deficit and concerns about inflation.

With support from loggers and (some) environmentalists, Congress unites on major wildfire bill

Noah Haggerty — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Congress seems poised to pass the Fix Our Forests Act, which would expedite forest thinning work, test new firefighting tech and build up homes' wildfire armor.

Arellano: Your patron saints for the 2026 election

Gustavo Arellano — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

This campaign season contains all sorts of scenarios screaming for holy intervention. We should pray extra hard to these saints for the next two months.

25 years on, they haven't forgotten. How 9/11 changed these TV journalists' lives

Stephen Battaglio — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Five TV journalists who covered 9/11 — Bret Baier, Byron Pitts, Chris Jansing, NJ Burkett and Carson Daly — on what they saw and how it reshaped their careers.

Becerra backers with business in Sacramento spend tens of millions boosting his gubernatorial bid

Seema Mehta, Gabrielle LaMarr LeMee — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Companies and special interest groups with some of the diciest issues expected to land on California's next governor's desk are among the top financial backers of Democrat Xavier Becerra, the gubernatorial front-runner.

Rep. Young Kim joins other GOP candidates in tight races distancing themselves from Trump

Nicole Nixon, Michael Wilner — Wed, 9 Sep 2026 22:19:34 GMT

Orange County Rep. Young Kim has removed several references to President Trump from her campaign website as she tries to broaden her appeal to voters in a race against fellow Republican Rep. Ken Calvert.

California, other states warn Supreme Court of 'chaos' if it lets USPS mail ballot rules stand

Kevin Rector — Wed, 9 Sep 2026 20:54:36 GMT

A federal judge has already halted the plan nationwide, but the Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to revive it, arguing the federal government would be seriously harmed by voter fraud if it does not.

Commentary: 'Help Wanted/Leave Now!' How U.S. immigration policy remains maddeningly consistently inconsistent

Patt Morrison — Wed, 9 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT

A new exhibition at the California Museum in Sacramento, 'Help Wanted/Leave Now!' focuses on the country's 'revolving door' of programs and practices toward immigrants.

Salvadorans anxiously await news on whether TPS protections will end

Andrea Castillo, Itzel Luna — Wed, 9 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The Department of Homeland Security has not yet announced whether it will end or extend Temporary Protected Status for some 170,000 Salvadorans, including 36,000 in California.

'Our border is closed': Inside Trump's push for zero migrants — and the tunnels defying it

Steve Fisher — Wed, 9 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border are at historical lows, but the Trump administration continues to push officials in Mexico — including U.S. officials stationed there — to tighten the border even further.

Newsom's defamation case against Fox News scheduled for trial in 2028

Nicole Nixon — Wed, 9 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Gov. Gavin Newsom's defamation case against Fox News is scheduled to go to trial in early 2028, when the California Democrat could be in the midst of a presidential bid.

Hilton proposes eliminating DMV, slashing vehicle registration fee if elected governor

Seema Mehta — Wed, 9 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Republican candidate Steve Hilton is vowing to abolish California's DMV and cap annual vehicle registration at $73, reviving memories of Arnold Schwarzenegger's fee reduction.

Canada's tariffs go into effect, spotlighting soured relations with U.S.

Michael Wilner, Ana Ceballos, Annika Duneja — Tue, 8 Sep 2026 22:19:28 GMT

Ottawa's latest measures are a response to tariffs imposed by President Trump last month on Canadian exports.

Gov. Gavin Newsom's former chief of staff seeks to delay sentencing because of health issues

Dakota Smith — Tue, 8 Sep 2026 17:11:43 GMT

Dana Williamson, Newsom's onetime chief of staff, is seeking to delay her sentencing date for political corruption because of health issues, according to documents.

Is the news stressing you out? MS NOW partners with Calm

Stephen Battaglio — Tue, 8 Sep 2026 13:49:54 GMT

The cable channel is offering meditation exercises on its new digital platform that launches Wednesday.

Becerra, Hilton to debate in governor's race days before voters receive mail-in ballots

Seema Mehta — Tue, 8 Sep 2026 13:01:00 GMT

Days before California voters receive their mail-in ballots, gubernatorial candidates Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, and Steve Hilton, a Republican, will debate in a nationally televised face-off.

Becerra once pushed for the death penalty, but says he would extend a moratorium if elected governor

Nicole Nixon — Tue, 8 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

California's next governor will decide whether to continue a moratorium on executions. Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton hold very different views on the death penalty.

Trump's economic record is working against him in the midterms

Michael Wilner, Ana Ceballos — Mon, 7 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The president, who won reelection based on a promise to turn the economy around, now faces a reckoning in midterms centered largely on his economic record.

As Trump locks in oil deal, Venezuelans ask: What happened to elections?

Ana Ceballos, Mery Mogollón — Mon, 7 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Some Venezuelans fear President Trump's oil deal with the Venezuelan government will entrench what's becoming a dictatorship.

U.S. is running low on advanced defensive missiles — and it could take years to recover

Doyle McManus — Sun, 6 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

As the U.S. burns through key Patriot and THAAD interceptors, experts warn it could take years to rebuild defenses against potential conflicts with China or Russia.

Backlash over data centers hits California, and the midterms

Justine McDaniel — Sun, 6 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Widespread anxiety over environmental risks and rising costs have turned the rapid expansion of AI data centers into a focal point in midterm elections nationwide.

Barabak: Integrity on the ballot: Election deniers target secretary of state races in key states

Mark Z. Barabak — Sun, 6 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Trump's attempts to undermine democracy has elevated the importance of election oversight. Election deniers are on the ballot in Arizona, Nevada and Wisconsin and could cause mischief in 2028.

Trump administration is 'playing shadow games' with top SoCal prosecutor, public defenders say

Brittny Mejia — Sat, 5 Sep 2026 18:22:45 GMT

Public defenders in L.A. renew efforts to oust top Trump prosecutor Bill Essayli following a major 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling.

Trumpism's shadow looms over German election as far right eyes historic power

Erik Kirschbaum — Sat, 5 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Leaders of an extremist, far-right party in Germany have quietly borrowed pages from President Trump's playbook to cast doubt on the integrity of absentee voting — alleging without evidence that residents of nursing homes have had their ballots manipulated and calling for an end to postal voting.

'60 Minutes' opens its new season under Bari Weiss with the L.A. Rams

Stephen Battaglio — Sat, 5 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Jon Wertheim's Rams profile leads the Sept. 13 season premiere of "60 Minutes" — the first since Bari Weiss' purge of the CBS News newsmagazine.

Low-income patients at UCLA Health scramble to find new doctors as contract ends

Melody Petersen — Sat, 5 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Thousands of low-income patients, some desperately ill, are scrambling to find new doctors as they lose access to UCLA Health physicians after an eight-year Medi-Cal contract was not renewed.

Judge again halts Postal Service mail ballot plan as Trump administration seeks Supreme Court relief

Kevin Rector — Fri, 4 Sep 2026 22:58:11 GMT

A federal judge again Friday blocked the U.S. Postal Service from enacting President Trump's sweeping new mail ballot rules for the November election.

FCC asks court to reject ABC's 1st Amendment claims

Meg James — Fri, 4 Sep 2026 19:02:34 GMT

The FCC is arguing Disney's lawsuit is a wrong-headed attempt to short-circuit the agency's review process after ABC was deficient in its earlier responses.

Norah O'Donnell returns to 'CBS Mornings' as co-host

Stephen Battaglio — Thu, 3 Sep 2026 19:32:57 GMT

O'Donnell rejoins Gayle King and Nate Burleson at the table of the struggling morning program.

Commentary: The bigoted rhetoric against Muslim American politicians is backfiring. Next up: Abdul El-Sayed

Lorraine Ali — Thu, 3 Sep 2026 19:22:11 GMT

The bigoted rhetoric against Muslim American politicians is backfiring

Fox News cuts ties with Maria Bartiromo, weeks after she vanished from her own shows

Stephen Battaglio — Thu, 3 Sep 2026 17:43:33 GMT

Bartiromo, who hosted "Sunday Morning Futures" and "Mornings with Maria," has been off the air since Aug. 9.

Trump targets private school tax-exempt status over race-based aid. California takes notice

Howard Blume, Jaweed Kaleem, Collin Binkley — Thu, 3 Sep 2026 16:39:11 GMT

The Treasury Department proposed the change Thursday. If finalized, the rule would take effect after May 2027, aiming to end race-based student policies or programs.

Gloria Steinem, charismatic feminist and co-founder of Ms. Magazine, dies at 92

Steve Chawkins, Sonja Sharp — Thu, 3 Sep 2026 11:26:18 GMT

Gloria Steinem, who urged women to pursue self-affirmation, political power and equality both in the workplace and at home, has died.

Convicted Trump Media-linked fraudster funded pro-Trump film in hopes of pardon, lawsuit says

Ben Wieder — Thu, 3 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Michael Shvartsman provided funding for the documentary 'The Man You Don't Know' and attended its Mar-a-Lago premiere in hopes of winning a pardon, according to a lawsuit by an L.A. studio alleging threats and extortion.

Trump backs a federal film tax credit. What that could mean for Hollywood

Samantha Masunaga — Thu, 3 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

After President Trump threw his support behind an effort for a national film tax credit, Hollywood is hopeful that a lifeline could finally be on its way.

Tribes could co-manage ancestral forests under bill heading to Newsom's desk

Lila Seidman — Wed, 2 Sep 2026 17:28:45 GMT

Assembly Bill 2494 aims to pivot state demonstration forests away from commercial logging toward ecotourism and Indigenous stewardship. It now heads to Newsom's desk.

Coverage for smoke damage, money for protecting homes passed to help wildfire victims

Nicole Nixon, Noah Haggerty — Tue, 1 Sep 2026 23:35:58 GMT

California lawmakers passed laws that would ensure insurance companies provide better coverage for smoke-damaged homes and financing for upgrades protecting residences from future fire damage.

Judge dismisses Justice Department lawsuit challenging California transgender sports policies

Kevin Rector — Tue, 1 Sep 2026 23:20:47 GMT

A federal judge threw out a U.S. Justice Department lawsuit challenging California school policies that allow transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports.

California lawmakers kill wildfire bill after utility complaints

Melody Petersen, Dakota Smith — Tue, 1 Sep 2026 21:59:58 GMT

Legislation that would have helped wildfire victims receive compensation more quickly, but that utilities said didn't do enough to reduce their financial risks, died in Sacramento after the Assembly declined to vote on it.

Jewish artists defend Mark Ruffalo amid Paramount's allegations of antisemitism

Meg James — Tue, 1 Sep 2026 18:07:29 GMT

An open letter invokes 'the very essence of Jewish ethical duty' to call out connections between the Israel-Gaza war and Hollywood's mega-merger.

State lawmakers pass bills targeting industrial operators after Boyle Heights fire

Dakota Smith — Tue, 1 Sep 2026 16:32:53 GMT

Some Republican legislators question the sweeping scope of the bills.

Whistleblower says USPS defied court to push 'untested' portal for Trump mail voting order

Kevin Rector — Tue, 1 Sep 2026 14:14:28 GMT

The effort is part of the implementation of President Trump's executive order limiting mail voting and has been temporarily halted by a federal judge. The ruling is being appealed by the administration and the directive may ultimately end up back before the U.S. Supreme Court.

California lawmakers OK restrictions on hiring former ICE agents, ban electric-shock gloves

Nicole Nixon — Tue, 1 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

California lawmakers voted Monday to ban federal immigration agents from being hired for many local and state government jobs and to outlaw electric-shock gloves.

Reining in Big Tech: How California lawmakers plan to regulate AI and social media

Queenie Wong, Dakota Smith — Tue, 1 Sep 2026 00:57:01 GMT

California lawmakers advance bills targeting addictive social media, artificial intelligence in the workplace and voracious data centers amid mounting public anxiety over technology's harms.

L.A. County sues State Farm over its handling of wildfire claims

Melody Petersen — Tue, 1 Sep 2026 00:15:25 GMT

L.A. County announced Monday that it had filed a lawsuit against State Farm General after hundreds of victims of last year's devastating wildfires complained that their policy claims had been delayed, denied or underpaid.

Trump calls for federal tax incentives to revive U.S. film industry

Ana Ceballos — Tue, 1 Sep 2026 00:03:27 GMT

President Trump on Monday urged Congress to approve federal tax incentives aimed at reviving American film and television productions.

State lawmakers back environmental carve-out for new San Diego stadium

Dakota Smith — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 23:58:21 GMT

California lawmakers voted to fast-track a San Diego stadium and housing project by helping it avoid lawsuits over its environmental impacts.

Citing California as a problem state, Trump administration shuts down 110 trucking schools

Andrea Castillo — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 22:35:38 GMT

Federal officials said the targeted schools were connected to more than 5,000 drivers who had failed English proficiency tests.

Supreme Court, in 5-4 vote, clears way for Trump's new ballroom

David G. Savage, Michael Wilner — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 20:12:17 GMT

Trump's White House ballroom will be built with mostly private funds and without approval of Congress.

Trump calls on FCC to punish 'Meet the Press' moderator Kristen Welker

Stephen Battaglio — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 17:19:54 GMT

Welker said the president had "mixed" results with his candidate endorsements. He didn't like that.

Solar power for renters would get easier with two bills now on the governor's desk

Blanca Begert, Ian James — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 16:48:16 GMT

Renters could get access to solar panels if the governor signs two bills just passed by the Legislature.

Lawmakers send bills to Newsom shoring up ballot security, transparency for paid political posts

Nicole Nixon — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 04:25:17 GMT

California lawmakers on Sunday approved bills aimed at preventing interference in this fall's midterm elections and requiring more transparency from social media influencers who are paid by political campaigns.

California lawmakers vote to change childhood sex abuse law

Dakota Smith — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 03:08:50 GMT

The 2019 law resulted in billions of dollars in payouts from local governments.

Barabak: Don't look now, but suddenly the U.S. Senate is in play

Mark Z. Barabak — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The four-seat gain Democrats need to win control once seemed all but out of reach. Odds are looking up, though the party still faces a tough path, with toss-up races in a half dozen (mostly red) states.

A conservative California upbringing paved Natalie Harp's way to Trump

Ana Ceballos, Hannah Fry — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The presidential aide spent much of her early life in Southern California, where she was home-schooled and attended a mega-church on Sundays, her brother said.

California lawmakers reach deal in high-stakes fight over regulating data centers

Dakota Smith, Blanca Begert — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 21:25:27 GMT

After weeks of intense negotiation, state lawmakers on Friday reached a compromise on legislation to regulate energy use by California's growing data center industry, action triggered by community anger over the facilities and fears of high utility bills in some communities.

Facing protests, Newsom drops most of plan limiting utility wildfire liabilities

Melody Petersen — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 19:56:32 GMT

In a late-night deal with lawmakers, Gov. Gavin Newsom agreed to drop his push for legislation that would have shifted more of the cost of utility-sparked wildfires to property insurers, which could have sharply raised premiums across the state.

Arellano: Racist 'Magic Deportation Bus' isn't the way for Trump to keep Latino voters

Gustavo Arellano — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

If the GOP wants any chance of holding on to Congress in the midterms and winning other key races, they need to get down on their hands and knees and beg Latinos for forgiveness,

Trump administration considering trading Yosemite land to private developer

Kevin Rector — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 21:26:33 GMT

The Trump administration is considering trading a parcel of Yosemite National Park to a private commercial developer to connect a proposed development on adjacent land to an interior park road, according to administration officials, members of Congress and documents reviewed by The Times.

California lawmakers crack down on AI used in public comment

Hayley Smith — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 19:00:14 GMT

Senate Bill 1159 will make it easier for public agencies to protect themselves from the rising use of artificial intelligence for civic engagement.

'We won.' 'Winding down.' 'Close to over.' Six months of Trump on the Iran war

Christopher Buchanan — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Over the six months of war with Iran, President Trump consistently attempted to shape the conflict's narrative through shifting and often contradictory statements. His comments have swung wildly from predicting imminent peace to threatening total obliteration of the Islamic Republic.

Two of California's top law enforcement leaders trade barbs over state election integrity

Kevin Rector — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Bill Essayli, the top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, and California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta have engaged in a public and personal online spat this week.

California lawmakers reach deal to adjust childhood sex abuse law — but rebuff damage caps

Rebecca Ellis, Dakota Smith — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 02:20:34 GMT

State legislators said Thursday that they plan to make "modest" changes to a controversial law that extended the statute of limitations for lawsuits over sexual abuse, resulting in billions of dollars in payouts from local governments.

State lawmakers pass bills to punish unethical lawyers, limit hedge funds that influence cases

Rebecca Ellis — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 21:01:55 GMT

Legislators advanced bills, backed by California's powerful trial lawyer trade group, aimed at policing the state's legal industry, which has been bruised by 'a wave of inappropriate attorney conduct' highlighted by The Times.

California Legislature passes bill to track use of 'forever chemicals' by farms

Dakota Smith — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 20:41:32 GMT

Studies show that exposure to certain levels of PFAS may lead to decreased fertility and developmental delays in children and increase the risk of cancer.

Insurance executives warn that Newsom plan to shift utility wildfire liability would raise premiums

Melody Petersen — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 18:45:55 GMT

Insurance company executives warned Gov. Gavin Newsom in a letter Wednesday that his plan to shift utility wildfire liability to property insurers would raise premiums.

California moves to outlaw disposable vapes, a toxic trash plague from beaches to battery fires

Susanne Rust — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 18:09:56 GMT

Lawmakers passed legislation Wednesday that would ban disposable vape cartridges, a scourge to waste haulers and facilities.

California moves to outlaw child marriage with bill headed to Newsom's desk

James Queally — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 23:06:38 GMT

A bill that would make it illegal to issue marriage licenses to anyone under the age of 18 in California is now headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom for final approval, likely ending a decade-long fight to outlaw the practice.

California, other states sue again to block new Postal Service rules for mail ballots

Kevin Rector — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 16:37:47 GMT

California and a coalition of other Democratic-led states sued again to block the U.S. Postal Service from implementing new nationwide rules for mail ballots.

California AG Bonta open to Warner Bros. settlement talks if Paramount 'stops playing games'

Meg James — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 21:20:17 GMT

California's top prosecutor blasts Paramount-Warner Bros. conduct as 'amateur hour.'

Canada retaliates in rapidly escalating U.S. trade war

Michael Wilner — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:32:31 GMT

The new duties will hit a variety of American products with tariffs as high as 50%, including steel, dairy products, appliances and farm equipment.

Chabria: Sheriff Chad Bianco can't catch a break. That's a good thing

Anita Chabria — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco confiscated ballots, claiming he was investigating election fraud. California's Supreme Court justices called Bianco's logic "bizarre."

Newsoms list Sacramento-area mansion for $7.5M, plan to exit city governor once called 'so dull'

Iris Kwok — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 22:59:00 GMT

The 12,700-square-foot mansion in Fair Oaks — an unincorporated community in Sacramento County bordering the American River — has been listed for $7.5 million.

California Supreme Court appears skeptical of sheriff's authority to seize ballots

Sonja Sharp — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 22:48:32 GMT

The state's high court heard arguments Monday in the dispute over whether Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco had the authority to seize more than 600,000 ballots in last year's special election in what he claimed was an investigation into potential voter fraud.

Supreme Court for now allows Trump to plan new mail ballot rules. California to sue again

David G. Savage, Kevin Rector — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 21:38:04 GMT

California officials stressed that the court's ruling does not allow final implementation of the new rules requested by Trump.

To further isolate Iran's economy, U.S. rolls out 'D-Day' sanctions

Ana Ceballos, Nabih Bulos — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 21:05:13 GMT

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the measures as the opening of an all-out financial assault on the Iranian government and its trade partners.

Prominent Latino group blasts proposed Paramount-Warner merger

Meg James — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 20:53:28 GMT

The group urged California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta to continue his fight to block David Ellison's $111-billion deal, saying it would have a "devastating and unacceptable impact on Latinos."

Emily Compagno joins Fox News' 'The Five' as co-host

Stephen Battaglio — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 18:29:39 GMT

The former attorney will depart "Outnumbered" for the top-rated program starting Sept. 8.

California cancels mediation session for the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery deal

Meg James — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 13:48:43 GMT

Paramount-Warner Bros. merger talked delayed as California's Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta accuses studio of 'playing games.'

Paramount accuses Mark Ruffalo of 'antisemitic tropes' on the eve of mediation talks in antitrust battle

Meg James — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 21:55:44 GMT

Amid caustic political charges, Paramount executives and lawyers representing 12 states are set this meet this week to see if a truce is possible.

Will Trump interfere in the midterms? Democrats and their allies are preparing

Kevin Rector, Justine McDaniel — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Across California and the nation, Democratic leaders and voting rights advocates are ramping up coordination and gaming out responses to a raft of potential actions by the Trump administration to subvert the November vote or deny its outcome.

Barabak: Ripple or blue wave? This race will test Democratic strength in November

Mark Z. Barabak — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The contest in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District should be a shoo-in for Republicans. But a problematic candidate, inflation and Trump's unpopularity give Democrats not far-fetched hopes for a massive upset.

'Every advocate's nightmare': Inside ICE's strategy to sidestep local oversight laws

Andrea Castillo — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

In some instances, contracts have been changed to declare that the centers are simply not subject to local or state laws. In others, ICE has purchased facilities owned and operated by private companies.

Trump cites national security as Supreme Court weighs challenge to ballroom

David G. Savage, Michael Wilner — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 21:44:10 GMT

The Trump administration says the massive new White House ballroom is urgently needed for national security, to protect the president, his staff and guests from attacks.

Aisha Wahab wins election to complete former Rep. Eric Swalwell's term

Nicole Nixon — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:08:43 GMT

Wahab, a progressive state senator from the East Bay, defeated BART President Melissa Hernandez in a special election to complete Swalwell's term.

Eric Swalwell briefly detained as feds seize his phone at San Francisco airport, source says

Richard Winton, Dakota Smith, Michael Wilner — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 17:39:22 GMT

The latest developments in the federal inquiry come four months after Swalwell dropped his gubernatorial bid, denying allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.

Key takeaways from investigation into Edison's role in the deadly Eaton fire

Melody Petersen — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

New evidence from government investigators and court filings raise questions about Southern California Edison's claim that it operated its electrical system safely before last year's deadly Eaton fire.

Californians are more concerned about Trump interference in midterm than fraud, poll finds

Kevin Rector — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Californians are more concerned about the Trump administration interfering in the state's midterm elections than they are about voter fraud, noncitizens voting illegally or foreign interference, according to a new poll.

Arellano: In Karen Bass' bad debate night, she even trashed taco vendors

Gustavo Arellano — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Again and again, Bass went after Raman in the pettiest, most personal ways. She kept mocking her as a supposed egghead with no real-life governing experience.

Paramount-Warner merger could erase 4,500 jobs in L.A., report says

Meg James — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 23:45:42 GMT

Paramount's merger with Warner Bros. Discovery could lead to massive job losses, battering an already fragile L.A. entertainment economy.

Trump-backed candidates struggle, and other takeaways from Florida, Wyoming, Alaska primaries

Christopher Buchanan — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 21:51:21 GMT

A democratic socialist won the Democratic nomination in a Florida Senate race over a moderate favored by the party establishment.

MS NOW will launch direct-to-consumer streaming service on Sept. 9

Stephen Battaglio — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:43:51 GMT

MS NOW is calling subscribers "members" and is promising a more connective experience with its content and talent.

Anxiety grips Pacific allies as Trump pulls back

Michael Wilner — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

President Trump's move to curtail military drills with South Korea has stoked anxiety in Asia, as the region's sole U.S. aircraft carrier heads to the Mideast.

California voters favor progressive candidates, split over democratic socialism, poll finds

Justine McDaniel — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

California voters are more inclined to back progressives running for office than mainstream Democrats, a new poll found, though a marked generational divide separates those who favor each camp.

Arellano: Why Catholics must take the lead to rebuke MAGA in the midterms

Gustavo Arellano — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Trump is a walking manifestation of the seven deadly sins, to the point that he has depicted himself as Jesus and a pope on social media.

Becerra pledges to debate Hilton — more than once — between now and Nov. 3

Seema Mehta — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Democrat Xavier Becerra pledged on Tuesday to participate in more than one debate against Steve Hilton, his GOP rival in the California governor's race.