California Today: To Undecided Voters, Harris Is Famous, but Unknown. They Want to Learn More.

Today's top stories from California.

August 19, 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 Erin Schaff/The New York Times To Undecided Voters, Harris Is Famous, but Unknown. They Want to Learn More. Vice President Kamala Harris has lit a fire among loyal Democrats. But many voters still want to know more about what she stands for. Read more More California News As California Clears Homeless Camps, Two Projects Point a Way Forward While L.A. County grapples with homelessness, elegant new housing projects in Long Beach and Venice signal the solutions — and challenges — ahead. '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." The 47 Seconds That Saved Kamala Harris's Political Career Nearly 14 years ago, Kamala Harris's opponent in the California attorney general's race gave an answer at a little-watched debate that was frank — and fateful for the future Democratic presidential nominee. Kamala Harris and the Return of 'Tough on Crime' Over her career, her rhetoric has tracked the national mood. So do Americans now want a prosecutor-in-chief? Leonard Hayflick, Who Discovered Why No One Lives Forever, Dies at 96 A biomedical researcher, he found that normal cells can divide only a certain number of times before they age — which, he said, explained aging on a cellular level. 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. $4 Million Homes in California A three-story contemporary house in Santa Monica, a four-bedroom home in Mill Valley, and a floating house on a slip in the Santa Barbara Harbor. Willie Brown to Donald Trump: Mention My Name Again and Get Sued The former president has falsely claimed that he nearly died in a helicopter ride with Mr. Brown, and that Mr. Brown said "terrible things" about Kamala Harris. Today's Recipe Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Rebecca Jurkevich. Roasted Zucchini and Shrimp With Za'atar Yogurt By Melissa Clark 45 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