California Today: ‘Shoot Me Up With a Big One’: The Pain of Matthew Perry’s Last Days

Today's top stories from California.

August 16, 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 Michelle Groskopf for The New York Times 'Shoot Me Up With a Big One': The Pain of Matthew Perry's Last Days Court papers show that Mr. Perry, the "Friends" star who had long struggled with addiction, was increasingly taking ketamine, a powerful anesthetic, in the days before he died. Read more More California News Local News Is Dying, but Not in San Francisco The city has become a hothouse for experimentation in local news. Could it serve as a model for the rest of the country? Matthew Perry's Assistant and Doctors Charged With Getting Him Ketamine Five people have been charged with a conspiracy to distribute the powerful anesthetic that led to the death of the "Friends" star. Three of them are pleading guilty. A Controversial Crackdown on Homeless Encampments Gov. Gavin Newsom has taken sweeping action in the wake of a landmark Supreme Court ruling. 24 MIN LISTEN 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. A Hollywood Producer's Home That Would Make a Perfect Movie Set The former studio head Amy Pascal's house needed a change. Maybe she did, too. California A.I. Bill Is Amended; Vote Is Expected by End of August Silicon Valley companies still worry that state lawmakers are jumping the gun on regulating a still-unproven technology. Burning Man Has Sold Out Since 2011. Why Not This Year? The desert arts festival returns this month after two consecutive years of challenging weather, including mud that stranded attendees, and a Covid-19 hiatus. Four Arrested in Killing of 'General Hospital' Actor The police said they arrested three men on murder charges in the fatal May 25 shooting of Johnny Wactor, 37, in Los Angeles. A fourth person was also charged. Today's Recipe David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. Pesto Beans By Christian Reynoso 35 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