California Today: On the Trail of the Los Angeles Fires

Today's top stories from California.

March 12, 2025, 9:31 a.m. Eastern time Good morning. Here are the top stories from across California. Today's Top Story On the Trail of the Los Angeles Fires We hiked to the origins of the Palisades and Eaton fires to investigate how they started. Read more More California News Video | NASA Launches Powerful Space Telescope A SpaceX Falcon 9 lifted off from California carrying the telescope, named SPHEREx, along with a suite of satellites called PUNCH. Katie Porter Will Run for California Governor The former congresswoman is the most prominent candidate so far to start a campaign in the 2026 contest. But the race could be upended if former Vice President Kamala Harris decides to run. $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. 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. California to See 'Widespread' Rain and Snow This Week Areas around Los Angeles and San Francisco could receive up to an inch and half of rain in the middle of the week. 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. L.A. Prosecutor Says He Opposes Releasing the Menendez Brothers Erik and Lyle Menendez still have paths to freedom. But the new district attorney is trying to roll back an effort by his predecessor to ease their punishment for killing their parents. 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. Today's Extreme Weather CITY RISK TYPES Los Angeles Excessive rain San Diego Excessive rain San Jose Excessive rain San Francisco Excessive rain Fresno Excessive rain Sacramento Excessive rain Stockton Excessive rain Risk Some High View detailed forecast Get separate alerts for your own places 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 Yossy Arefi for The New York Times (Photography and Stying) Roasted Broccoli With Vinegar-Mustard Glaze By Ali Slagle 30 minutes Makes 4 servings Take a break, 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