Headlines From The Times

New data shows 24 million Americans traveled to Europe in 2025 alone — a record high, led by trips to the UK, France, and Italy. But the boom isn't reaching everyone equally: the wealthiest households are driving the surge, and by age, travelers 55-64 led the way, followed by 18-24 year olds.   And, a new UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll, co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times, shows California voters are divided on two major ballot measures ahead of the November election. Proposition 40, a one-time tax on billionaires to help fund healthcare, holds a narrow lead, while Proposition 39, which would require voter ID and citizenship verification, is currently opposed by a majority of likely voters.   Finally, rookie quarterback Ty Simpson impressed in his first NFL action, completing 21 of 25 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns in the Rams' 20-12 preseason win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Head coach Sean McVay praised Simpson's command of the offense, while the performance adds intrigue to the battle for the Rams' backup quarterback job behind Matthew Stafford.   Read more at https://www.latimes.com

Former Disney CEO Bob Iger and venture capitalist Josh Kushner are set to buy the Los Angeles Lakers for more than $12 billion — just over a year after Mark Walter took a controlling stake at a then-record $10 billion. The sale still needs NBA Board of Governors approval, which could take a few weeks.   And, federal health officials say jalapeños imported from Mexico are the likely source of a salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 345 people across 27 states. Taylor Farms is recalling a wide range of ready-to-eat products from major retailers, including Trader Joe’s, Target, and Walmart.  See the full list of recalled products at https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-08-11/taylor-farms-recall-expands-to-jalapenos-pulled-from-trader-joes-target.   Finally, Spotify is rolling out a new “AI Persona” label for artists who were created with artificial intelligence. Starting in mid-September, those AI artists will also be excluded from Spotify’s personalized mixes and Discovery playlists. The platform will use both AI detection and human review to identify AI artists, and an appeals process will be available.   Read more at https://LATimes.com

Nvidia is partnering up with six asset managers, including BlackRock and Goldman Sachs, to bring half a trillion dollars into AI infrastructure — chips, power plants, and data centers. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says the goal is to connect its customers with lenders for loans and credit, though key details about the project remain unclear.  BlackRock’s Larry Fink says the move reminds him of the creation of mortgage-backed securities, treating AI compute as a new investable asset class.   Nithya Raman could lose her leadership role as chair of Los Angeles City Council’s Housing and Homelessness Committee. Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson plans to split the committee into separate housing and homelessness panels, with Raman no longer leading either one. The political shakeup comes as Raman challenges incumbent Karen Bass for mayor of Los Angeles. Raman is accusing city leaders of political retaliation, while the Bass campaign is criticizing Raman’s record on homelessness. Homelessness remains one of the driving issues of the mayoral race.   Disney+ and Hulu are expanding their podcast offerings through a new deal with iHeartMedia. The partnership brings popular video podcasts — including "Hey Jonas!" with the Jonas Brothers and "Pod Meets World" — to the streaming platforms, with more shows arriving this fall.   And, Jackie, arguably the world’s most famous bald eagle, dies after mysterious illness.   Read more at https://LATimes.com

The S&P 500 closed at a record high on Tuesday. Faith Pinnow from L.A. Times Studios breaks down what's driving the rally — from strong second-quarter earnings reports to growing optimism around a potential Iran ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Plus: a look back at how far the index has come since 1957.   California lawmakers have rejected a proposal that would have phased out pesticides containing PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals," on farms across the state. Supporters cited health concerns linked to PFAS exposure, while agricultural groups argued a ban would hurt farmers and limit crop protection tools. The revised bill now focuses on publicly identifying pesticides that contain PFAS.   Read more at https://LATimes.com

President Trump is threatening to drop Todd Blanche as his pick for Attorney General until he can lock down Senate approval. The warning comes after Republican Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn signaled they'd vote no — both objecting to a deal Blanche struck settling Trump's IRS lawsuit, including a controversial "anti-weaponization fund" Cornyn says protects Trump and his family from tax audits.   Plus, the Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, even as inflation sits above the central bank’s target, with the war in Iran disrupting trade routes and pushing energy prices higher.   Meanwhile, The financial empire of Dodgers and Lakers owner Mark Walter is reportedly under investigation by federal prosecutors and the Securities and Exchange Commission over $16 billion in loans tied to companies he controls. Authorities are examining whether the transactions were properly disclosed, while Walter's representatives say he acted in good faith and is cooperating with investigators.   And, Major record labels — including Sony Music, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group — are proposing new standards for how AI-generated music should be treated on official music charts. The guidelines say the songs can chart, but must meet strict requirements around copyright and human involvement. Songs that rely on fake streams or chart manipulation would also be disqualified. This comes as streaming platforms see a boom in AI-assisted songs, raising concerns about the future of the music industry.   Read more at https://LATimes.com

Truth Social's new Truth API is set to launch August 1, offering paying clients real-time access to posts from President Trump and other top administration officials. The service reportedly costs $100,000 per month and is designed to help institutional investors react to breaking news in milliseconds.   L.A. Times Studios' Faith Pinnow speaks with former White House chief ethics lawyer Richard Painter, who argues the service raises significant ethics and legal questions. He explains why he believes giving paying firms faster access to market-moving information could create an unfair advantage, benefit the president financially, and potentially draw scrutiny from federal regulators.   And, Los Angeles is in the midst of an unusually humid weather pattern, making this summer feel much hotter than normal and contributing to more heat-related emergency room visits across LA County. Meteorologists say monsoon moisture, tropical storm remnants and warm ocean waters are to blame.   Read more at https://LATimes.com

Trump Media & Technology Group is launching a new service that gives paying customers real time access to President Donald Trump's Truth Social posts, potentially milliseconds before others see them. The new "Truth API" could benefit institutional investors and high frequency trading firms, where even fractions of a second can be worth millions of dollars.   In this episode, we speak with L.A. Times business columnist Michael Hiltzik about the legal and ethical questions surrounding the service, why Wall Street reacts so quickly to the president's posts, and whether the $100,000 per month product could become a major new source of revenue for Trump Media as the company looks to offset steep financial losses.   Netflix has acquired Ben Affleck's AI film-tech startup, InterPositive, for $587 million. The company says the technology will help speed up filmmaking while keeping creators in control, as Hollywood continues to debate the future of AI in entertainment.   A Los Angeles Times investigation found that homeless nonprofit A Step to Freedom paid more than $1.7 million to companies owned by its CEO over three years. County officials later determined the food service contract created a conflict of interest, though no criminal allegations have been made against the organization.   Read more at https://LATimes.com

President Trump is threatening to bomb Iranian bridges and power plants for every attack Iran carries out against ships in the Strait of Hormuz, marking a dramatic escalation in the nearly five month conflict. Iran is warning of an "eye for an eye" response, while attacks in the Red Sea and rising oil prices are fueling concerns the war could spiral into a wider regional conflict.   Meanwhile, lawmakers have introduced the bipartisan "AI Kill Switch Act," which would require the nation's largest AI companies to build emergency shutdown capabilities into their most advanced systems. The proposal comes just days after OpenAI disclosed an unprecedented cyber incident in which one of its AI models hacked another company's servers, reigniting debate over how to regulate rapidly advancing artificial intelligence.   And, Dodgers rookie catcher Dalton Rushing snapped out of a slump during Dodgers’ win over Phillies before the team is set to visit the White House, Thursday.   Read more at https://LATimes.com

The Trump administration is withholding an additional $1 billion in Medicaid funding from California and Minnesota, marking the second time this year the federal government has targeted the states' public health insurance programs over suspected fraud. While the withheld funds make up a relatively small share of each state's Medicaid budget, the loss could still impact programs providing behavioral therapy for children with autism and in-home care services helping people with daily tasks like bathing, eating, and taking medications.  Meanwhile, the average cost of living in Miami is now more expensive than in the New York City metropolitan area, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, with housing in Miami about 5% higher than in the New York area. Once seen as the cheaper alternative to New York with the added attraction of no state income tax, Miami has gotten pricier as the ultra-wealthy are buying properties there. In Palm Beach, firms like BlackRock and Redbird Capital Partners are opening up new offices, earning the area a new nickname: "Wall Street South." Read more at https://LATimes.com

The Paramount-Warner Brothers saga continues as a federal judge in California hit pause on one of Hollywood's biggest mergers. The ruling temporarily blocks the $111 billion merger of Paramount-Skydance and Warner Brothers Discovery after a coalition of 12 state attorneys general, led by California AG Rob Bonta, filed a restraining order to stop the deal.   Meanwhile, the United States' trade war is escalating with Canada as the Trump administration is slapping a new set of 50% tariffs on goods ranging from wine to hockey sticks to cement. The administration says the broad tariffs are in response to what they view as Canada's “discriminatory treatment” of U.S. auto, alcohol, and dairy industries.   Marvel Studios has released the first full trailer for "Avengers: Doomsday," featuring Doctor Doom, the return of Steve Rogers & a massive team-up of the Avengers, Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts & X-Men ahead of the film's December release.   And, a new UC San Diego study found e-bike injuries are rising rapidly across California, with the highest number of injured riders being 14 years old or younger. Researchers say e-bike crashes are also more likely to result in serious injuries than traditional bicycle accidents.   Read more at https://LATimes.com

Christopher Nolan's nearly three-hour epic "The Odyssey" grossed over $124 million domestically this weekend, proving it was worth the risk for Universal despite being one of the priciest R-rated movies ever made. Shot entirely on IMAX 70-millimeter cameras, the film set a new IMAX record for the largest opening weekend in international markets, excluding China, Japan, and South Korea. Universal Pictures' president of domestic distribution says "it's something that truly has to be experienced on the big screen," and audiences are running to theaters to be part of this cultural moment.   Meanwhile, FIFA celebrated its own victory, as Spain lifted the 2026 World Cup trophy, with the organization estimating nearly $9 billion in revenue for the tournament. The expanded format went from 32 to 48 teams with 104 matches instead of 64. This meant increased ticket sales, sponsorships, and broadcast rights – though fans complained the tournament was wildly unaffordable.   A major water main break continues to shut down part of Sunset Boulevard after a 110-year-old pipe spilled nearly 17 million gallons of water across West Hollywood. As crews work to repair the damage, additional water pipe breaks were reported in Venice & Hollywood, raising new concerns about Los Angeles' aging water infrastructure.   Spain defeated defending champion Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win the 2026 FIFA world cup. Ferran Torres scored the match-winning goal, Rodri was named the tournament's best player & Lionel Messi closed out what is expected to be his final world cup appearance.   Read more at https://LATimes.com

The AI boom is fueling a race to build data centers across the United States. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul is hitting pause, becoming the first state to temporarily ban approvals for the largest of those projects. The executive order halts new permits for "hyper-scale" data centers that use over 50 megawatts of power for one year. And, AI-generated character Tilly Norwood is set to star in the feature film "Misaligned," reigniting debate across Hollywood over whether artificial intelligence can truly be considered an actor. Meanwhile, a man was arrested in East Hollywood after police say he climbed on top of a Waymo & vandalized it.

Lindsey Graham, the Republican senator from South Carolina, died on Saturday at 71 years old. According to the medical examiner, Graham died from an aortic dissection, a tear in the main artery. Graham served as a close advisor to President Trump. A fierce supporter of Ukraine and Israel, he pushed for more aggressive foreign policy measures. And for months, lawmakers called it a ‘once in a lifetime’ housing bill. Over the weekend, it quietly went into effect. The measure won't bring a single sweeping change; instead, it's a collection of 56 regulatory tweaks aimed at boosting the housing supply by lowering costs and encouraging more construction. It passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. Meanwhile, the LAPD has suspended its use of Flock Safety's license plate reader cameras while officials work to address concerns over data privacy, security & information sharing. Finally, Conor McGregor's return to the Octagon ended just 69 seconds into UFC 329 after suffering a right knee injury against Max Holloway. UFC President Dana White says doctors believe McGregor may have torn his ACL. Read more at https://LATimes.com

In Maine, Graham Platner is officially suspending his campaign for U.S. Senate after sexual assault allegations against him came to light this week. In an eleven-minute video posted to social media, Platner said his movement will continue, but that he can't carry the torch forward. Under Maine law, a political party can choose a new nominee when one steps aside, meaning Democrats have until July 27th to pick a replacement candidate for the general election in November.   Also, a federal judge ordered President Trump to pay writer E. Jean Carroll the more than $5 million that he owes her. A Manhattan jury awarded Carroll the settlement over three years ago, after Trump was found liable of sexually assaulting and defaming her.   And Bonnie Tyler, the Welsh singer behind one of the biggest power ballads of all time, has died at 75. Tyler's family said she died unexpectedly at a hospital in Portugal, where she was being treated for an illness. Best known for her 1983 hit "Total Eclipse of the Heart," Tyler's distinct, raspy voice made the song a global phenomenon.   Meanwhile, former Chargers star Marcellus Wiley is denying allegations made by his wife after she filed for divorce & obtained a temporary restraining order. Wiley says the claims are false & plans to fight them through the legal process.   Finally,  a new California bill would allow abused & neglected animals seized in cruelty cases to be placed in foster homes or with rescue groups while criminal cases move through the courts, helping reduce long shelter stays.   Read more at https://LATimes.com

President Trump says the U.S. will let Ukraine manufacture Patriot air defense systems to help counter Russian missile attacks, which killed at least 21 people in Kyiv just days ago. Trump also shifted his tone while meeting with Zelensky, praising the Ukrainian leader as "very effective" in the war.   Meanwhile, the market is down and oil prices are surging after Trump announced the ceasefire deal between the U.S. and Iran is over, following Iran's retaliatory attacks on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump says Iran's civilian infrastructure could be next, after Iran targeted U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait.   Also, Netflix is expanding beyond movies and TV shows by adding short-form videos from major digital publishers. The new feature launches August 3 and will include celebrity interviews, travel, gardening and more.   Meanwhile, after more than five decades of family fun, Fiesta Village Family Fun Park in Colton is closing for good. Park owners cite rising operating costs & declining attendance as the main reasons behind the closure.   Read more at https://LATimes.com

Just one month after winning Maine's Democratic Senate primary, Graham Platner is facing growing calls to end his campaign. Last night, a woman who dated Platner went on CNN and accused him of raping her in 2021. Platner called those allegations "categorically false" and said he's taking time to reflect on the best path forward for his campaign.   Also, Senator Mitch McConnell is reportedly "continuing his recovery" after being hospitalized more than three weeks ago. Since then, his office hasn't said anything about the condition of his health, or when he's expected to return to the Capitol. The Senate returns from recess next week, but it's unclear if McConnell will be there. In the meantime, his team says he's receiving "excellent care."   Yesterday, Rui Hachimura inked a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, continuing the Los Angeles Lakers free agency refresh. And, Tom Sandoval and ex-girlfriend Victoria Lee Robinson are now accusing each other of abuse as dueling restraining order claims head to court.   Read more at https://LATimes.com

Early Monday, Russia launched a series of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and the greater region, killing at least 21 people and wounding at least 60 others. Also, as parts of the world bake under extreme summer heat, Southern California is next, as a strengthening El Niño threatens to bring record-high temperatures there over the coming weeks. A heat advisory is in effect from Tuesday to Thursday, as temperatures are expected to climb into the high nineties, even reaching triple digits across inland Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties. And, in a rare move, FIFA overturned U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's one-game suspension, clearing him to play in Monday's win-or-go-home match against Belgium. According to multiple outlets, Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino last week, asking him to reverse the call. Read more at https://www.latimes.com

Four House Republicans joined Democrats to pass a resolution for the first time that would limit President Trump's powers over the Iran War. The resolution is symbolically powerful, because it represents a growing divide between GOP lawmakers, especially those concerned about the war's effect on rising gas and food prices here at home. Meanwhile, California's primary election results are still trickling in for the mayoral and gubernatorial races. Incumbent Karen Bass is advancing to the November general election, while Spencer Pratt is leading City Councilmember Nithya Raman in the L.A. mayor's race, though many mail-in ballots remain uncounted. In the governor's race, Republican Steve Hilton is leading and likely to face Democrat Xavier Becerra in the general election.

Explosions echoed overnight across Ukraine, as Russia fired hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles at Kyiv and nearby cities in one of the Kremlin's largest offensives in recent months. Meanwhile, in New Jersey, advocates are rallying on Tuesday to protest Trump's mass deportation policies, following weeks of demonstrations at the Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark, where detainees have gone on hunger and labor strikes over what advocates say are harsh and inhumane conditions. And voters are heading to the polls today in California to cast ballots in some of the country's most high-profile primaries, from the race for governor to the battle for L.A. mayor, though L.A. County is notorious for slow election counts and results could take days. Read more at https://www.latimes.com

Gas prices dropped modestly on Monday morning, even as crude oil prices jumped following a new round of military strikes between the U.S. and Iran. The drop may not last long, as gas price changes typically trail oil prices by a few days. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, voters across the city and county will also decide on several ballot measures that could impact taxes, healthcare, hotels, and the cannabis industry, with the biggest county-wide question being a proposed half-cent sales tax to help fund public hospitals and clinics. And Serena Williams, the greatest women's tennis player of all time, is returning to the tour four years after she left the sport. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion is taking a wild card invite to play doubles next week at Queen's Club, a prestigious grass-court tournament that precedes Wimbledon. Read more at https://www.latimes.com   

The showdown for LA mayor is tighter than ever. New polling from UC Berkeley co-sponsored by the L.A. Times shows Karen Bass at 26%, City Council Member Nithya Raman at 25%, and former reality TV personality Spencer Pratt at 22%, meaning Bass has a statistically insignificant lead. Governor Gavin Newsom endorsed Bass, and she's secured support from major political groups. But Pratt's anti-establishment campaign is gaining traction. Voters will also decide seven City Council seats, the City Attorney, Controller, three School Board spots, and ballot measures on hotel and cannabis taxes. On the county level, races include Sheriff, Board of Supervisors, a healthcare sales tax, and Superior Court judge positions. If you plan to vote by mail in the California primary, it's not too late. You can drop your ballot at an official drop box, take it to a polling center by 8 p.m. on election day Tuesday, June 2, or mail it. But if you send it by mail, your ballot must be postmarked on or before June 2. If you missed the voter registration deadline in May, you can still cast a ballot through the same-day conditional voter registration process by heading to a vote center or county election office. Read more at https://www.latimes.com

Down in Texas, a stunning Republican runoff election could give Democrats an edge in the upcoming U.S. Senate race after Trump-backed Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated longtime incumbent John Cornyn. Meanwhile, Leo is speaking about the risks of artificial intelligence, pushing for more significant regulations around AI. In his first encyclical, Pope Leo says artificial intelligence needs to be “disarmed." Read more at https://www.latimes.com

The fragile ceasefire between the UniteThe fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran is under new pressure after the U.S. launched what they called ‘defensive’ strikes on southern Iran on Monday, with Tehran condemning the strikes as a sign of "bad faith and unreliability" as the two sides go back and forth on the terms of a long-term peace deal. Meanwhile, a chemical crisis in Southern California is cooling off. Orange County officials raised concerns late last week that a damaged chemical tank in Garden Grove could explode, forcing nearly 50,000 local residents to evacuate. But some of those evacuation orders were lifted after officials deemed the area safe, saying there was no risk of a catastrophic explosion from Garden Grove's GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems plant. And we remember jazz great Sonny Rollins, who passed away at 95 at his home in Woodstock, New York. He was born in Harlem in the 1930s, and became one of the most famous improvisers in jazz and helped transform the genre into its more expressive and free form, recording more than 60 albums as bandleader and playing with legends like Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. Read more at https://www.latimes.com

SpaceX, Elon Musk's rocket and space company is preparing to go public next month in what could become the biggest IPO to hit Wall Street. New filings reveal a sky-high projection that values the company at just over $1 trillion and estimates the offering could raise between $50 and $75 billion when shares hit the market in June. If it does, the SpaceX IPO would shatter the current record held by Saudi Aramco or the Saudi Arabian Oil Company, which raised about $26 billion in 2019. Meanwhile, James Murdoch is buying half of Vox Media for more than $300 million, with the deal including their podcast network, Vox.com, and New York Magazine. And tonight will be the final night of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.” In 2015, Colbert took over from David Letterman, the first and only host of CBS's “The Late Show,” and for most of Colbert’s time with the show, he was the highest-rated late-night host.

Thousands of families in Southern California's Simi Valley fled their homes on Monday, as crews raced to contain the fast-burning Sandy Fire, which has already scorched more than 1,300 acres, with strong Santa Ana winds threatening to make the fires worse Also, the World Health Organization says it is deeply concerned about a rapidly spreading Ebola virus outbreak, with over 500 suspected cases and more than 130 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. And in the first game of the NBA Western Conference Finals, the San Antonio Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in a double-overtime battle. Meanwhile, another battle is taking shape as the New York Knicks gear up to host the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night. Read more at https://www.latimes.com/

In Beijing, China, thousands of people lined the streets hoping to catch a glimpse of President Trump as he arrived in China for his first visit in nearly a decade, setting the stage for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump invited 17 of the world's biggest financial leaders to join him on the trip, including Tesla's Elon Musk, Apple's Tim Cook, and Nvidia's Jensen Huang, with the White House pushing for new deals that could boost American agriculture and aircraft sales and establish a board of trade to help avoid another full-scale tariff war. Meanwhile, the former mayor of Arcadia, California, Eileen Wang, will plead guilty to acting as an illegal foreign agent of the Chinese government, a charge that has a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. And, former NBA center Jason Collins has passed away at 47 years old after fighting glioblastoma, one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer. Collins was seen as a trailblazer, as the first openly gay player in any of America's major sports leagues. Read more at https://www.latimes.com

Six years after a cruise ship outbreak of COVID-19 sparked a global pandemic, fears of a similar health crisis are emerging. The World Health Organization says there have been 11 total cases, including three deaths, all among passengers or crew members. Hantavirus is a rare disease, but has a fatality rate between 30 and 40%. It's usually contracted through contact with rodent droppings, but the strain that infected those on board the luxury cruise can be spread from person to person. We spoke with L.A. Times reporter Karen Garcia and Dr. Craig Spencer, an ER doctor and public health expert at Brown University, for more on this. Read more at https://www.latimes.com

On Friday, the Pentagon released a batch of never-before-seen files. All 162 documents, photos, and videos are related to what the government calls "Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena," or what most people call UFOs. The latest files are posted to a new website from the Department of Defense, and officials say there's more to come, with files to be released to the public on a rolling basis. But one expert and former Department of Defense official that spoke with L.A. Times Studios says there's really nothing new in the files, and that the release without analysis or context could create more conspiracy theories and pseudoscience. Read more at https://www.latimes.com

40 pounds of fentanyl were seized and 18 people arrested, as federal agents and local authorities in Los Angeles raided MacArthur Park on Wednesday in what First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli is calling "Operation Free MacArthur Park." Following the raid, Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said on X that the DEA and LAPD had "taken back MacArthur Park." Meanwhile, what started as a transit dream in 1962 is finally becoming a reality in Los Angeles. After nearly 65 years of roadblocks, the first phase of Metro's long-awaited D Line extension opens on Friday. It'll add nearly four miles of track under Wilshire Boulevard from Koreatown to Beverly Hills with three stations along the way, and Metro says the D Line could dramatically cut commute times. Read more at https://www.latimes.com

CNN founder Ted Turner has died at 87. Turner revolutionized television in 1980 by launching CNN, the first 24-hour news channel, creating an "always on" cycle that defines media today. He went on to build a cable empire, including with TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network, and Turner Classic Movies. Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is proposing a pied-à-terre tax on luxury properties over $5 million for owners who don't live in the city full-time. He says it will raise at least $500 million for free child care and other social services. Billionaire Ken Griffin, whose $238 million Central Park penthouse was featured in Mamdani's video on Tax Day, has fired back, calling the tax discriminatory and saying he'll create more jobs and build out his offices in Miami. And if your summer bucket list includes a trip to Yosemite, you might find yourself stuck in hours of traffic instead of taking in the views. The park is seeing its largest crowds in a decade, with more than half a million people visiting so far this year, after the Trump administration slashed the National Park System's staff by 25% in February and ended the reservation system entirely. Read more at https://www.latimes.com

Both Iran and the U.S. are claiming control over the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway where prior to the war about 20% of the world's oil, or over 100 tankers, passed through each day. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth branded this mission "Project Freedom" and described the U.S. as having a "red, white and blue dome over the strait.” Meanwhile, voters in Ohio and Indiana are headed to the polls on Tuesday in primaries that offer a temperature check on President Trump's second term, with gerrymandering at the center of both elections. And Delta announced they'll stop serving free snacks and drinks on flights under 349 miles unless you're sitting in first class, impacting about 500 flights per day starting May 19th. Read more at https://LATimes.com.   

Kylie Jenner is facing a second lawsuit from a former housekeeper, who says she suffered abuse, harassment, and discrimination while working for the celebrity. Meanwhile, the State Department detained five Iranian green card holders, based in the Los Angeles area, and is now trying to strip them of their residency. Far-right influencer Laura Loomer taking credit for two women's arrests and saying she had been "quietly documenting" their social media and sharing that information with the government.  And the Kentucky Derby kicks off Saturday, with this year's favorite being Renegade, a bay colt bred in Kentucky. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

The Pentagon says the Iran War is costing $25 billion, but Democratic leaders are skeptical of the pricing, and Harvard’s Linda Bilmes says the war could end up costing up to $1 trillion. "Wars always cost more than expected" is how Bilmes puts it. Meanwhile, a new poll from Ipsos and Reuters found that only 24% of Americans see the war as being worth it. And the Iran War is costing everyday Americans too. The U.S. will keep a naval blockade on Iran until they give up their nuclear program, meaning oil prices will likely remain high, and when oil goes up, so does the cost of shipping, travel, and even groceries. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

The FCC is ordering a sweeping review of all broadcast licenses owned by ABC in what is perhaps the most aggressive attempt by the federal government to target the media. Officially, regulators say it’s about an investigation into Disney's diversity and inclusion policies and whether they violate the Communications Act of 1934. But the timing of the FCC review, which could allow them to pull those ABC stations off the air, is hard to ignore, as it comes just days after Jimmy Kimmel's jokes about Melania Trump. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

The Justice Department is now authorizing firing squads as a method of execution, marking a major shift in federal death penalty policy. The method has rarely been used in modern U.S. history, with only three executions carried out this way since the 1970s. The move is part of a broader push to expand and speed up capital punishment under the Trump administration. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche says the policy supports victims, while critics, like Alexis Hoag-Fordjour, Professor at Brooklyn Law School and Robin Maher, Executive Director at Death Penalty Information Center, pushback against the move and argue it’s a reaction to prior efforts to limit executions. And the Lakers failed to sweep the Houston Rockets in Game 4 of the first round playoff series. The Rockets capitalized on the excessive turnovers from the Lakers and a poor performance from Lebron James. The Lakers are coming back home for Game 5 with a 3-1 series lead, where they will face the Rockets with Kevin Durant back on the roster without key players like Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Read more at https://LATimes.com

Right now, Americans are paying on average $4 per gallon at the pump, and in California, where the average price of regular gas is $6 per gallon, rideshare drivers with companies, like Uber and Lyft, say it's becoming more and more difficult to make a living. LA Times Studios caught up with Sergio Avedian, a rideshare driver who's notched over 10,000 trips and is a senior contributor at "The Rideshare Guy" blog, and Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics for more on what’s happening. Read more at https://LATimes.com.   

Congressman Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign following reports that he sexually assaulted a former staffer; allegations also came out that he sent multiple women explicit photos and text messages. The congressman, who up until this weekend led the polls in a crowded field of Democratic candidates, now faces a criminal investigation and pressure from some members of Congress to resign, as a bipartisan effort to expel him from the House is quickly gaining steam. Meanwhile, Hungarians are celebrating Péter Magyar's win as the next president of their country, replacing far-right authoritarian Viktor Orbán in a massive moment that will affect the course of politics for Europe and the rest of the world. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Anthropic is now briefing the government and starting an effort called Project Glasswing, giving 50 tech organizations like Microsoft and Nvidia access to their new platform Mythos Preview in an attempt to strengthen digital defenses. Meanwhile, an exclusive Wall Street Journal report reveals the U.S. Justice Department's investigation into whether the NFL is engaging in anticompetitive tactics that harm consumers. And, for nearly a decade, Californians watched as their neighbors left the state in record numbers, but research from the California Policy Lab shows the biggest driver is simple: affordability. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

The United States and Iran came to a ceasefire deal on Tuesday night, expected to last two weeks, but Iran is already saying Israel is violating it by continuing attacks on Lebanon. The ceasefire came just a day after President Trump warned he would destroy a "whole civilization" unless Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, nearly 400,000 Los Angeles students could be out of class next week, as three major unions representing teachers, school staff, and administrators threaten a historic strike on April 14th, with the district now considering emergency "hubs" for families with no other childcare options. In business, the AI boom has propelled San Francisco's median home price to a record $2.15 million as high-earning tech workers flood a market with historically low inventory, and California’s data center expansion is facing significant local opposition, causing developers to scrap or delay multi-billion dollar projects, and even shift to other states like Texas. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

President Trump said the Iran war is “nearing completion” while warning the U.S. will strike Iran extremely hard over the coming weeks. Oil prices jumped as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained shut down, with global benchmarks climbing above $100 a barrel. In California, a fight over AI infrastructure is growing, with a proposed $40 million data center in Monterey Park facing backlash over cost, noise, and pollution. Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom is drawing criticism for a more aggressive social media strategy that pokes fun at conservatives. In business, the eco-friendly footwear company Allbirds has agreed to sell its assets to American Exchange Group for a fraction of its previous $4 billion valuation, and Trader Joe’s continues its steady growth with new locations in Paso Robles and Anaheim Hills. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

On the first day of his second term in office, President Trump signed an executive order arguing that babies born in the United States to parents who are either undocumented immigrants or temporary foreign visitors are not citizens, going against U.S. policy that dates back more than 150 years based on a longstanding interpretation of the 14th Amendment. On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court took up that question again, and in a historic move, Trump attended the oral arguments in person, something no sitting president has ever done before. We should see a decision on this in late June or early July. Meanwhile, for the first time in more than 50 years, humans are headed for the moon. On Wednesday evening, NASA's Artemis II is launching four astronauts on a lunar fly-around. Already, the mission is making history, the crew includes the first woman, the first person of color, and the first non-American to set off for the moon, with liftoff scheduled from Cape Canaveral, Florida. In business, organizers of the Barbie Dream Fest in Florida are issuing full refunds after attendees reported the high-priced immersive event failed to meet expectations, and Apple is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

The United States and Israel's war on Iran is going on a month now, with Iran reportedly dismissing President Trump's ceasefire plan and offering a proposal of their own. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is ordering 2,000 soldiers from the Army's 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East. In total, an estimated 50,000 U.S. troops are stationed throughout the region in what the Pentagon is calling "Operation Epic Fury." And lawmakers are facing intense pressure to fund the Department of Homeland Security as travel chaos spreads across the country, with the Senate appearing to be closing in on a deal that would fund parts of DHS like TSA, but not ICE, which has been at the core of the dispute. Now, airlines are turning up the heat on lawmakers. Delta Airlines announced Wednesday that it will suspend special accommodations for members of Congress, including airport escorts and priority travel support. In business, Amazon-backed Zoox is quadrupling its autonomous vehicle service area in San Francisco and preparing for launches in Austin and Miami, and plus-size fashion retailer Torrid is shuttering a significant portion of its physical locations as it shifts focus toward digital sales. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Markwayne Mullin was sworn in Tuesday as DHS secretary, taking the reins of a department that's faced growing scrutiny over its immigration enforcement and mass deportation operations. The Oklahoma senator and former MMA fighter is an ally of President Trump and has long supported his predecessor, Kristi Noem. Meanwhile, a University of Southern California professor created a methodology that determined which candidates from the California gubernatorial race should be invited to a debate. That debate was supposed to happen on Tuesday night, but USC canceled it with less than 24 hours notice after they received backlash for not including any candidates of color. In business, discount retailers like Ross are seeing record growth in California as consumers pivot away from traditional department stores, and developers of the massive One Beverly Hills luxury complex have secured $4.3 billion in financing to complete the 17.5-acre project. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

At New York City's LaGuardia Airport, two pilots were killed and dozens more injured after an Air Canada plane crashed into a Port Authority fire truck. The Federal Aviation Administration closed LaGuardia until the late afternoon on Monday. The fatal collision comes as anxiety surrounding air travel is already growing due to the ongoing partial government shutdown, which has led to hourslong security lines at some airports tied to a nationwide shortage of TSA agents. Meanwhile, President Trump calmed some market uncertainty brought on by the war in Iran, which is entering its fourth week, announcing a five-day moratorium on U.S. attacks of Iranian energy sites; this caused oil prices to come down, with the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all ticking up. In business, California lawmakers are debating a bipartisan bill that would prohibit children under 16 from maintaining social media accounts, and Uber is partnering with Rivian to deploy up to 50,000 autonomous R2 robotaxis across North America and Europe by 2031. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

A deal to merge two of the largest local television news companies, Nexstar and Tegna, closed Thursday despite a lawsuit from the attorneys general of eight states to block it. The Federal Communications Commission and the Justice Department approved the $6.2 billion deal, clearing the way for Nexstar to expand its already massive broadcast operation. Meanwhile, Muslims around the world are celebrating the holiday of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It's a day traditionally greeted with joy as families and friends gather in prayer, enjoy traditional delicacies, and take part in vibrant festivities, but this year the celebration comes amid conflict, with war in and across the Middle East. In business, Edison International's CEO received a significant pay raise despite ongoing scrutiny over its potential role in the fatal Eaton Fires, and a new bipartisan bill restored billions in federal funds to help Southern California aerospace and defense startups. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Cesar Chavez's name adorns city streets and university buildings, but later this month, Californians for the first time will celebrate Farmworkers Day after lawmakers voted on Thursday to change the name of the state holiday. This comes after a New York Times investigation came out Wednesday under the headline "Cesar Chavez, a Civil Rights Icon, Is Accused of Abusing Girls for Years." It was a watershed moment and a time of reckoning with Chavez's legacy. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is racing to contain a growing global energy crisis as the war with Iran pushes oil prices further. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox Business on Thursday that the U.S. government could lift sanctions on Iranian oil, freeing up more than 100 million barrels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. In business, Josh D’Amaro has officially succeeded Bob Iger as CEO of Disney, and travelers face increasing ticket prices as jet fuel costs surge globally. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

As the Iran War rages on, it's continuing to cause ripples across the global economy, including an increase in the cost of jet fuel, meaning flights might get more expensive for consumers. Meanwhile, as controversial prediction markets take off, one of the biggest names in the industry, Kalshi, is being hit with criminal charges by the state of Arizona. And, just a year after the deadly 2025 Eaton fires, Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison, which claimed responsibility for the blaze, rewarded two of their top executives with massive paydays. In business, Amazon has launched a one-hour delivery service in Los Angeles and hundreds of other cities, and Grindr is introducing AI features for premium subscribers to improve user matching and conversation tracking. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

The SAVE America Act, a controversial election bill backed by President Trump, is headed for a Senate showdown. It would be one of the largest revisions to voting rights in U.S. history. Meanwhile, National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent is resigning, writing on X that he "cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran," which has left over 1,400 Iranians dead. And, Southern California is bracing for what climate scientist Daniel Swain is calling a "full on summer heat wave in March," with temperatures expected to peak Tuesday through Friday, reaching the 80s on the coast, and inland, possibly over 100 degrees. In business, Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick has confirmed his relocation to Texas, joining a growing list of billionaires leaving California ahead of a proposed 5% wealth tax, and Downtown Los Angeles advocates are pushing for the adoption of San Francisco’s "Vacant to Vibrant" program to fill retail vacancies. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr is threatening to revoke the licenses of news outlets that fail to align their reporting with what his agency deems the public interest. Meanwhile, leaders of the country's top airlines are urging Congress to end the partial government shutdown, which has left tens of thousands of TSA agents working without pay. The CEOs of American, JetBlue, Delta, and Southwest sent an open letter to lawmakers Sunday, calling on them to restore funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the TSA. In business, El Pollo Loco plans to open 20 locations outside of California after reporting high sales numbers last year, and the luxury outdoor mall Victoria Gardens sold for $500 million dollars to a real estate venture group. Read more at https://LATimes.com.

The U.S. military announced the death of six service members, who lost their lives when a refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, bringing the total to at least 13 U.S. troops killed in the Iran War. At least 1,300 Iranian civilians have been killed. Meanwhile, the Senate on Thursday passed the most significant housing bill in about 35 years to address the nation's housing crisis. New data shows U.S. economic growth slowed at the end of 2025 after the record-long government shutdown. Hundreds of Los Angeles residents are wearing body cameras to record their daily chores, providing data to help train AI. And, California gas prices have reached an average of $5.20 per gallon, sparking renewed interest in electric vehicles, despite the elimination of federal tax credits and production cutbacks by major automakers. Read more at https://LATimes.com.