California Today: Can Free Rent Revive Downtown San Francisco?

Today's top stories from California.

August 12, 2024, 9:31 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 Carolyn Fong for The New York Times Can Free Rent Revive Downtown San Francisco? The city, which is among those most devastated in the country after the pandemic, is trying to lure businesses back with a free-rent period. Read more More California News Los Angeles, Next Up for Summer Olympics, Hopes to Turn a Profit The 2028 Games will be the third for Los Angeles as host, but it will be a challenge to repeat the success of 1984. Los Angeles Has Promised a 'Car-Free' Olympics in 2028. Can It Do It? The countdown is on for the city, which will host the next Summer Games and is working on transit upgrades to accommodate hundreds of thousands of visitors. Tom Cruise Jumps Off Stadium Roof to Pass Baton to Los Angeles Cruise, one of Hollywood's most well-known movie stars, rappelled down into the Stade de France, and the crowd of Olympians went wild as Paris handed over to the next Summer Games, in Los Angeles. In Counterculture San Francisco, a Church Has Become the Place to Be Yoga, laser art and Bobby McFerrin are attracting residents who are longing for a community — but not necessarily religion. $2.6 Million Homes in California A renovated 1951 house in Los Angeles, a home with San Francisco Bay views in Greenbrae and a shingled house near the water in Manhattan Beach. How 'Head Hunters' Shook Up Jazz (and Herbie Hancock's World) The 1973 album proved that jazz could make a major impact on the modern pop mainstream. Its surviving musicians are reuniting for a Los Angeles concert this month. Meet the 'Hydraulic Press Girl,' Dancing the Undanceable Online Sarah McCreanor, or Smac, has attracted millions of followers with her reproductions of the weird-yet-familiar images and memes that shape internet culture. Tourists Accused of Defacing Joshua Tree National Park With Paintballs Three tourists from Germany shot paintballs at signs, bathrooms and dumpsters, officials for the park said, violating rules against defacing federal property. Today's Recipe Johnny Miller for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Vivian Lui. One-Pot Chicken Meatballs With Greens  By Yasmin Fahr 40 minutes Makes 4 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