California Today: He Wants People Restarting Their Lives to See Themselves Onstage

Today's top stories from California.

August 21, 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 Philip Cheung for The New York Times He Wants People Restarting Their Lives to See Themselves Onstage Tarell Alvin McCraney, the artistic director of the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, is focused on bringing marginalized people to the theater. Read more More California News Families Are Going Into Debt for Disney Vacations Some families are spending more than they can afford on Disney vacations. They say it's because they know their children won't stay young forever. Matthew Perry's Death Shines a Harsh Light on Ketamine Treatment Was Mr. Perry, whose struggles with substance abuse were widely known, a good candidate for a drug used to relieve depression? Doctors say his case raises thorny questions. Most Columbia Students Arrested During Protests Will Return to Campus Some students who were arrested after setting up tents on campus or occupying a university building last spring are still on probation. Others could face consequences later this year. Maria Branyas Morera, World's Oldest Person, Dies at 117 Ms. Branyas, who cultivated a following on social media as "Super Catalan Grandma," died peacefully in her sleep, her family said. 7 Last-Minute Escapes for Labor Day Weekend If you're still hoping to stretch out the last days of summer, there are places in North America that are not too hot, not too crowded and not necessarily that far away. The Hotelification of Offices, With Signature Scents and Saltwater Spas Hoping to lure workers back to their desks, companies are designing "work resorts," luxe spaces meant to compete with the comforts and versatility of their living room. 'PST Art' Lifts Off, as NASA Scientists Team With Artists Sound collages and mechanical grass are being created with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in a collaboration to unlock creative pathways that "are just not open." Half Their Land Burned in a Decade: The California Counties Constantly on Fire Park fire became California's fourth largest this month. It erupted in a part of the state that is increasingly covered with the scars of wildfires. Today's Recipe Bryan Gardner for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Lish Steiling. One-Pot Orzo With Tomatoes, Corn and Zucchini By Lidey Heuck 45 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