Headlines From The Times

California fire season is off to a dangerous start, with experts warning of a severe year ahead. A California man is indicted for sharing a hit list with a white supremacist terror group. Nordstrom announces it will close its Santa Monica store after 15 years, amid concerns over safety. And the L.A. City Council approves a $425 million plan to use “mansion tax” funds for affordable housing and homelessness programs.

A new Gallup poll shows national pride is dropping—especially among Democrats and Gen Z. Tesla sales continue to decline amid political backlash tied to Elon Musk. Tinder rolls out mandatory facial scan verification in California to fight scams. And despite growing divisions, Fourth of July fireworks celebrations are still happening across L.A., from the Hollywood Bowl to Catalina Island.

Sean “Diddy” Combs avoids the most serious charges in a closely watched federal case. A new poll shows Kamala Harris is a clear favorite in the California governor’s race—if she runs. Jane Fonda and other celebrities call out Amazon over treatment of pregnant warehouse workers. And Microsoft announces layoffs, joining a growing list of tech companies cutting jobs in California.

The Senate passes Trump’s sweeping tax and healthcare bill by a single vote — but it still faces a challenge in the House. Questions grow around Pam Bondi’s claim of “tens of thousands” of Epstein videos, as legal experts say there’s no evidence they exist. Apple considers outsourcing Siri’s core technology to OpenAI or Anthropic as it struggles to compete in the A.I. space. And Lululemon files a lawsuit against Costco, accusing the wholesaler of selling lookalike gear that mimics its high-end designs.

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ defense team pushes back on racketeering and trafficking charges, with legal experts saying a guilty verdict isn’t guaranteed. Meanwhile, the Trump administration accuses Harvard of failing to protect Jewish students from antisemitic abuse and warns it could lose federal funding. In California, Blue Shield faces criticism for moving its parent company out of state — a change approved quietly by regulators. And President Trump says he won’t extend a pause on global tariffs beyond July 9, urging countries to cut deals or face steep new trade penalties.

Gas prices in California are set to jump this July, with new taxes and refinery rules adding costs at the pump. Meanwhile, illegal fireworks are already lighting up L.A., raising safety and environmental concerns ahead of the Fourth of July. Across the U.S., consumers are pulling back on spending as inflation outpaces income growth, affecting travel, recreation, and more. And in the face of growing energy demands, big batteries are emerging as a key tool in preventing summer blackouts.

The Supreme Court has ruled that states can block Medicaid patients from using Planned Parenthood, reshaping access to reproductive healthcare. In federal court, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial wraps up as the jury prepares to deliberate charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. Meanwhile, Apple rolls out major changes to its App Store in Europe to avoid future antitrust fines, offering lower fees and more flexibility to developers. And in California, Fourth of July cookouts will cost more this year due to inflation, supply issues, and labor disruptions.

President Trump reaffirms NATO support and signals openness to aiding Ukraine if Russia resists a ceasefire. In California, lawmakers strike a $321-billion budget deal—hinging on a housing reform vote. A judge rules the state’s FAIR insurance plan illegally limited wildfire smoke claims, opening the door for thousands of homeowners to seek compensation. And Tesla’s new robotaxis draw federal scrutiny after test videos show alarming safety lapses.

A Pentagon report challenges claims that U.S. strikes destroyed Iran’s nuclear program, with experts saying the damage may only set them back a few months. A federal judge orders the Trump administration to hand over records related to military deployments in California. In housing news, Southern California sees its first year-over-year price dip since 2023. And In-N-Out sues a YouTuber for impersonating an employee and posting a prank video the company says spread false and harmful information.

President Trump announced on truth social late Monday that Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire deal.  Protesters across L.A. rallied against immigration raids, which caused pushback from the LAPD and implemented a downtown curfew.  Hollywood may be in crisis, but top executives are still cashing in.  Apple just signed a new deal with media mogul Peter Chernin’s ‘North Road Studio’ — a move that could boost its growing presence in Hollywood.