Headlines From The Times

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.  

A Pasadena immigration raid is rippling across L.A., where bus ridership has dropped amid growing fear of ICE enforcement on public transportation. A new study finds that plastic bag bans and fees are making a real difference—coastal cleanups show a sharp drop in bag pollution where policies are in place. The robotaxi wars are intensifying as Waymo, Zoox, and Tesla race toward a driverless future. Microsoft is planning another wave of job cuts, this time targeting sales roles as it pivots heavily toward AI.

A former prison in California is being converted into the state’s largest migrant detention facility under a new federal contract. Businesses across the state (from farms to hotels) are voicing concern about labor shortages tied to immigration enforcement. And under federal orders, national parks are replacing language about past injustices with messaging that centers American pride, raising alarm among historians and civil rights advocates.

California braces for its most dangerous wildfire season yet, but sweeping federal cuts could leave the state exposed. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court upholds bans on gender-affirming care for trans teens, sparking fears of broader rollbacks. And in Los Angeles,  immigration raids target undocumented workers while the employers who hire them continue to operate largely unchecked.

AI scammers are siphoning off millions in college financial aid, a record-breaking jewelry heist has finally led to federal indictments, and Hollywood is turning to Roblox and TikTok to reimagine movie marketing. We explore the rise of financial fraud powered by bots and stolen identities, a long-awaited breakthrough in the high-stakes Brink’s robbery, and how studios are transforming virtual worlds into box-office gold. As crime and culture collide across real and digital spaces, strange new frontiers are reshaping how people learn, steal, and sell in 2025.

A new COVID subvariant called “Nimbus” is driving a surge across California, with doctors warning of painful symptoms and weakened vaccine policies. A federal judge in Los Angeles is considering whether to take control of the city’s homelessness programs, citing mismanagement and missing data. Palisades and Altadena fire victims are suing State Farm, claiming they were grossly underinsured after devastating losses. Elon Musk’s Neuralink makes headlines for helping a monkey “see” an artificial image—pushing the limits of brain-computer tech.