California Today: Jimmy Carter, Peacemaking President Amid Crises, Is Dead at 100

Today's top stories from California.

December 30, 2024, 9:30 a.m. Eastern time Good morning. Here are the top stories from across California and the region, selected for you by Times editors. Today's Top Story Neal Boenzi/The New York Times Jimmy Carter, Peacemaking President Amid Crises, Is Dead at 100 Rising from Georgia farmland to the White House, he oversaw the historic Camp David peace accords, but his one-term presidency was waylaid by troubles at home and abroad. Read more More California News The Number of Murders Kept Falling This Year, but Fear of Crime Persists Crime was a talking point on the presidential campaign trail. But after a spike during the pandemic, murders have been dropping steadily, including in big cities like Chicago and San Francisco. Skiing Palisades Tahoe, California's 'Big, Powdery Playground' The resort in the Sierra Nevada, known for its challenging terrain, has cool, swagger and a long history. A first-timer is tested by its slopes and its weather. Interior Dept. Is Caught Between Tribes in Casino Battles The Biden administration's consideration of three proposed tribal casinos in California and Oregon has touched off a fierce debate about tribal sovereignty and land rights. Winning $1.22 Billion Mega Millions Ticket Is Sold in California The identity of the jackpot winner was not immediately known, but lottery officials in California are expected to reveal it. $4 Million Homes in California This week's listings include a compound in Healdsburg, a 1940s house in Glendale and an ocean-view home in Ventura. Warren Upton, Who Escaped Sinking Battleship at Pearl Harbor, Dies at 105 The last survivor of the U.S.S. Utah, he was a 22-year-old Navy radioman when Japanese forces attacked. Migrants and End of Covid Restrictions Fuel Jump in Homelessness The number of people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. topped 770,000, an increase of more than 18 percent over last year. Bird Flu Samples From Very Ill Patient Had 'Concerning' Mutations Tiny genetic alterations could help the bird flu virus enter cells in the upper respiratory tract, the C.D.C. said. But there is no sign that mutations are widespread in nature. Local Conditions Look up the heat index in your area using The Times's heat tracker. See active fires using The Times's wildfire tracker. Today's Recipe David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. Tobiko Pasta By Eric Kim 20 minutes Makes 4 to 6 servings Play a Game The Mini Crossword Solve this bite-sized puzzle in just a few minutes. Spelling Bee How many words can you make with 7 letters? Wordle Guess the 5-letter word with 6 chances. See all our games Sign up for Your Places: Extreme Weather. Get notified about extreme weather before it happens with custom alerts for places in the U.S. you choose. Get it in your inbox Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for California Today from The New York Times. To stop receiving California Today, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018