California Today: Can Waymo’s Expanding Driverless Car Service Be a Sustainable Business?

Today's top stories from California.

September 4, 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 Maggie Shannon for The New York Times Can Waymo's Expanding Driverless Car Service Be a Sustainable Business? Now that its technology is showing it can work on city streets, Alphabet, which owns Waymo, plans to invest billions more. Read more Extreme Weather in Los Angeles Moderate risk of extreme weather today, including unhealthy heat. View detailed forecast TODAY TODAY Unhealthy heat Moderate risk Extreme Weather in San Diego Moderate risk of extreme weather today, including unhealthy heat. View detailed forecast TODAY TODAY Unhealthy heat Moderate risk Extreme Weather in San Jose Moderate risk of extreme weather today, including unhealthy heat. View detailed forecast TODAY TODAY Unhealthy heat Moderate risk Extreme Weather in Fresno Moderate risk of extreme weather today, including unhealthy heat. View detailed forecast TODAY TODAY Unhealthy heat Moderate risk Extreme Weather in Sacramento Moderate risk of extreme weather today, including unhealthy heat. View detailed forecast TODAY TODAY Unhealthy heat Moderate risk Extreme Weather in Bakersfield Moderate risk of extreme weather today, including unhealthy heat. View detailed forecast TODAY TODAY Unhealthy heat Moderate risk Extreme Weather in Stockton Moderate risk of extreme weather today, including unhealthy heat. View detailed forecast TODAY TODAY Unhealthy heat Moderate risk More California News Killing of Israeli-American Hostage Prompts Outpouring of Grief Across U.S. Hersh Goldberg-Polin was among the hostages whose bodies were found on Saturday. Many remembered him as a gleeful and good-humored person — who later became a symbol of hope. Las Vegas, Scorched by Its Hottest Summer on Record, Prepares for More 100-Degree Heat Much of the Western U.S. will bake in high temperatures this week. Excessive-heat warnings have been issued for major cities including Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Will the College Protests Matter in November? Republicans tied campus unrest to their party platform. But the intensity may have fizzled. Collector Sues to Block Investigators From Seizing Roman Bronze Lawyers for the collector, based in California, said the Manhattan district attorney's office did not have the jurisdiction or the evidence to support seizing the ancient statue. About 10,000 Hotel Workers Walk Off the Job on Labor Day Weekend The union representing the workers, UNITE HERE, has planned a rolling strike for several days in cities like Boston, San Francisco and Seattle after contract negotiations stalled. In a Scenic California Town, Worsening Landslides Force Power Shutoffs The movement of the ground in Rancho Palos Verdes is threatening homes. But as the city searches for solutions, many residents are committed to staying. Silicon Valley Wants to Fight Fires With Fire How some high-tech entrepreneurs are trying to use new forms of technology to solve the problem of mega-wildfires in the age of climate change. How Wildfire Smoke Threatens Health As wildfires grow more frequent and more intense, scientists are studying how their smoke might harm our health. Local Conditions Look up the heat index in your area using The Times's heat tracker. See active fires using The Times's wildfire tracker. Today's Recipe Julia Gartland for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Samantha Seneviratne. Grilled Eggplant, Herby Lentils and Turmeric Tahini  By Hetty Lui McKinnon 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