California Coverage

3 healthy kittens born to mountain lion tracked by biologists in wilderness near Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A mountain lion studied by biologists in wilderness areas near Los Angeles has given birth to three healthy kittens, the National Park Service said Thursday.

Campgrounds at California's Yosemite National Park to close over flood threat as snowpack melts

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) -- Three popular campgrounds at California's Yosemite National Park will be temporarily closed starting Monday because of a forecast of flooding as warming temperatures melt the Sierra Nevada's massive snowpack.

Fact check: Newsom says 'DeSantis' bill' would remove Florida's concealed carry rules

As California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, promoted a new bill restricting who can carry a concealed firearm in his state, he said Florida was moving in the "exact opposite direction." PolitiFact checks his claim.

Yacob Reyes, PolitiFact reporter

California mass shooting leaves 9 dead, police still searching for shooter

Nine people are dead after a mass shooting in California. Police are still searching for the man responsible.

Chance of power outage grows in California as heat wave worsens

Californians are being asked to conserve power as oppressive heat threatens the west.

California to Ban the Sale of New Gasoline Cars

California regulators on Thursday will vote to put in place a sweeping plan to restrict and ultimately ban the sale of gasoline-powered cars, state officials said, a move that the state’s governor described as the beginning of the end for the internal combustion engine.

Coral Davenport, Lisa Friedman and Brad Plumer, New York Times

California Woman Pleads Guilty to Punching Flight Attendant in the Face

A 28-year-old California woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to repeatedly punching a flight attendant in May, bloodying her face and chipping three teeth, federal prosecutors said, part of a surge in violent behavior by airline passengers in the past year.

Alyssa Lukpat, New York Times

Dogs in California training to sniff for COVID-19

Grommet is still learning. He can sniff out a positive COVID-19 sample. His handlers believe he can sniff it out on a person as well.

Experts say at least one fifth of California's Sequoias were destroyed in fires over the past 2 years

As fire crews have worked to contain California's deadly wildfires, thousands of the state's iconic Sequoia trees have been destroyed in the process. Experts say at least a fifth of the majestic giant Sequoias that are internationally recognized treasures-- and historic landmarks --have been lost in just the past two years alone.

Birds set free after being injured in California oil spill

The oil spill off California's coast has killed at least dozens of fish and birds. Others just needed some care and cleaning.

Gavin Newsom holds onto his job as California governor, CNN projects

California's Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has survived the effort to remove him from office, according to a projection from the CNN Decision Desk. Newsom will now finish out the remainder of his term.

By Maeve Reston and Gregory Krieg, CNN

Californians set off illegal fireworks overnight

Despite dry conditions and the risk of starting wildfires, some Los Angeles residents were lighting fireworks overnight. This after law enforcement announced the seizure of some 80,000 pounds of illegal fireworks.

Scottish Man Who Faked His Death in California Is Jailed for Rape

It is not uncommon for the police to receive calls about people in distress at Monastery Beach in California -- known locally as Mortuary Beach because of its deadly undertow and steep drop into the ocean.

Christine Hauser and Jenny Gross, New York Times

California police help man propose to girlfriend

The man is asked to get out of the car and is put in handcuffs.

San Jose Gunman Detested Workplace Long Before Rampage, Police Say

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The first reports of gunfire at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light rail yard near downtown San Jose came in at 6:34 a.m. Wednesday, about half an hour into a morning shift.

Thomas Fuller, Kellen Browning, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs and Patricia Mazzei, New York Times

No Longer the ‘Devil’s Lettuce’: How the Town of Weed Embraced Weed

WEED, Calif. — When they see the signs for Weed, carloads of curious travelers veer off the freeway to stop and gawk. They file into gift shops that sell “Weed Is So Dope” refrigerator magnets and sweatshirts advertising a fictional University of Weed: “A Place of Higher Learning.”

Thomas Fuller, New York Times

A 9-Year-Old Boy Is Among 4 Killed in Southern California Shooting

ORANGE, Calif. — A gunman opened fire at a Southern California real estate office on Wednesday, killing four people, including a 9-year-old boy who the authorities said appeared to have died in his mother’s arms as she tried to shield him from the gunfire.

Louis Keene and Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio, New York Times

Caught on cam: Police chase ends when stolen truck bursts into flames

A police chase in San Dimas, California comes to a screeching halt when the suspect's stolen flatbed truck bursts into flames.

Chapel Hill family offers $10,000 reward for information on missing daughter

Sydney West has been living in the San Francisco area since late August.

Uh-oh! Sinkhole swallows up van in California

A couple in Los Angeles woke up to a surprising scene -- their van in a huge sinkhole.

One California community's election has gone to the dogs (and cats)

The fur is flying (literally) in a political race in one California community.

Child's good deed to return purse caught on security camera

One California boy saw a purse sitting on top of a car at a California home. He took it but he did so to make sure the owner got it back.

California fire department rolls out robot firefighter

The Los Angeles fire department has introduced a new member of the fire fighting team.

Bear helps itself to camper's food

A large brown bear crashed a campsite in northern California giving some campers the shock of their lives.

This day in history: Arnold Schwarzenegger becomes California governor

The four-time Mr. Universe and action film star replaced Grey Davis on Oct. 7, 2002. Davis had been recalled by CA voters.