Headlines From The Times

Hurricane Melissa leaves devastation across the Caribbean as Cuba braces for impact. Israel reinstates a ceasefire after deadly strikes in Gaza. A Chicago judge clamps down on ICE raids. L.A. moves forward with an $800 million hydrogen power project. Putin touts a new nuclear-powered drone. The Dodgers struggle in the World Series. Disney merges Hulu + Live TV with Fubo to expand its streaming reach. And Grindr’s board members offer to take the company private in a $3.5 billion buyout.

With just a week until California’s special election, Governor Gavin Newsom’s Proposition 50 campaign surges ahead, drawing over $114 million in donations as early voting accelerates statewide. The U.S. military carried out deadly strikes in the Pacific targeting alleged drug-smuggling boats again. Federal funding cuts threaten millions of Californians’ healthcare access as the government shutdown deepens. A San Bernardino deputy was killed during a high-speed chase on the 210 Freeway. President Trump strengthens trade and security ties during his visit to Japan. The Dodgers take a historic 18-inning World Series victory at home. In business, OpenAI’s Sora app faces backlash for hyperreal deepfakes and rising cocoa prices push Halloween shoppers toward gummy candy this year.

Hurricane Melissa intensifies into a Category 5 storm as Jamaica braces for catastrophic flooding and evacuations. The ongoing U.S. government shutdown halts SNAP benefits, leaving millions without food assistance. A U.S. missile destroyer arrives in the Caribbean amid escalating tensions with Venezuela. Washington threatens to pull funding from California over noncitizen commercial licenses, while LAX experiences major delays as unpaid air traffic controllers protest. Governor Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris both signal possible 2028 presidential runs. In business, El Segundo moves forward with plans for a $175 million surf park, and EV maker Rivian announces more than 600 layoffs amid slowing electric vehicle demand.

President Trump halts all trade negotiations with Canada after accusing officials of using a misleading ad about tariffs. In Los Angeles, thousands of deputies inside the county jail system are now required to wear body cameras following a record number of inmate deaths. The Justice Department will monitor polling sites in five California counties during next month’s Proposition 50 election. The Dodgers prepare for the World Series without reliever Alex Vesia, who’s out for personal reasons. In business, Californians bought a record number of electric vehicles before federal tax credits expired, and Life360 unveils a new GPS pet tracker that lets owners monitor their pets in real time.

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.