California Today: In the Race for San Francisco Mayor, Chinese Voters Take Center Stage

Today's top stories from California.

August 13, 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 Mike Kai Chen for The New York Times In the Race for San Francisco Mayor, Chinese Voters Take Center Stage The leading mayoral candidates are racing to hire influential activists in the city's large Chinese community and looking for every opportunity to reach Chinese-speaking voters. Read more More California News Do Robots Love Their Customers? Automated Restaurants Face Human Issues. Technology promises cost savings, but it turns out the dining experience is all about feelings. Why Are Free School Lunches Becoming a Campaign Issue? Here's what you should know about federal and state programs to feed children, and what the two parties are saying. Musk Tees Up Softball Questions for Trump on X, After Technical Problems Elon Musk offered frequent praise as he proved a sympathetic partner to help amplify Donald J. Trump's views on a social-media platform that once barred him for pushing his false election claims. Immigrants Are Becoming U.S. Citizens at Fastest Clip in Years The government has reduced a backlog of applications that built up during the Trump administration. New citizens say they are looking forward to voting in November. California's Rice Royalty Is Stepping Down Koda Farms, a family-run rice business revered by chefs, ends a century-long tradition. 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. 4.4-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Los Angeles The quake was centered about five miles northeast of downtown, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. There were no initial reports of serious damage. How Los Angeles Aims to Make a Profit on the 2028 Olympics The Summer Games will be the third for Los Angeles as host, but it will be a challenge to repeat the financial success of 1984. Today's Recipe Yossy Arefi for The New York Times (Photography and Styling) Macaroni Salad With Lemon and Herbs By Alexa Weibel 25 minutes Makes 10 to 12 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