California Today: After the L.A. Wildfires, a Lingering Anxiety: What Is in the Soil?

Today's top stories from California.

March 10, 2025, 9:31 a.m. Eastern time Good morning. Here are the top stories from across California. Today's Top Story Mark Abramson for The New York Times After the L.A. Wildfires, a Lingering Anxiety: What Is in the Soil? Federal agencies are removing topsoil from burned areas but will not test it for contaminants. So scientists and residents are testing fire-affected properties themselves. Read more More California News Small Earthquake Rumbles in Los Angeles Area The authorities said there were no initial reports of damage from the quake, which struck in the hills west of Malibu. Newsom Splits With Democrats on Transgender Athletes: 'It's Deeply Unfair' The remarks by Gov. Gavin Newsom of California, a potential White House hopeful, were an extraordinary break from fellow Democrats and signaled a newly defensive position on the issue. As Trump Goes After Universities, Students Are Now on the Chopping Block Uncertainty about how much money colleges and universities stand to lose has led some schools to reduce the number of doctoral students, in some cases reneging on offers. Bourbon Is Banned, California Wine Canceled, as Canada Pulls U.S. Alcohol Canadian provinces have restricted American alcohol sales as part of retaliatory measures against President Trump's tariffs. Some Insurers Pledge to Ease Burden on L.A. Fire Victims, but Others Say No Most insurance companies will not require policyholders to itemize lost belongings, though some major companies, including State Farm, have refused. All She Wanted to Do Was Play. Football, That Is. To create opportunities for others who shared her goal, Odessa Jenkins started her own professional full-contact league for women players. $1.5 Million Homes in California A Spanish-style house in San Rafael, an 1899 cottage in St. Helena and a 1978 condo in Santa Monica. L.A. County Sues Southern California Edison Over Eaton Fire The county says electrical equipment owned by the electric utility is to blame for the blaze that killed 17 people and destroyed 9,400 buildings. 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 Ryan Liebe for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne. Butter-Basted Chicken Breasts By Ali Slagle 25 minutes Makes 3 to 4 servings PLAY A GAME Wordle → Connections → Strands → Spelling Bee → Crossword → Mini → Wordle → Connections → Strands → Spelling Bee → Crossword → Mini → 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