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.