American politician and businessman, governor of California since 2019
A series of climate-driven events has intensified across the Pacific. Torrential rains in Chile and the U.S. West Coast have triggered floods and high tides as El Nio intensifies, with officials warning more severe conditions are ahead.
The White House is facing renewed scrutiny over Natalie Harp, Trump’s close aide known as the “human printer,” as reports of her role and gifts surface during the Irish visit. Independent reporting shows Harp’s proximity to the president has sparked internal tensions and renewed questions about media access and internal communications.
Democratic leaders and AI executives are pushing for tougher guardrails as concerns over safety and job disruption grow. California has begun implementing state-led safety measures, while Congress remains divided and the White House weighs executive action.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and an aide have been referred for investigation over testimony alleging pressure on staff in a 2009 murder case. A federal judge ordered removal from the Johnson case and flagged potential misconduct by Krasner and Stiegler. Alaska prosecutors say voter-misconduct charges could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Trump has pledged a $5,000 payment to every American adult if Republicans win control of Congress, triggering sharp criticism from Democrats and alarm among economists about the plan’s cost and feasibility. The proposal, branded as a “Trump dividend,” would amount to roughly $1.2 trillion and could worsen the deficit. Commentators note prior broken promises and highlight the broader political and economic implications.
Ukraine has proposed de-escalatory steps with assurances from partners to halt strikes on critical infrastructure, while Russia continues attacks on energy facilities. Trump calls for a mutual halt to strikes; Zelenskyy says any ceasefire must be long-term and verifiable. Western sanctions and energy pressures loom as winter approaches.
Paramount Skydance faces antitrust litigation blocking its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. A California-led legal challenge threatens to push Paramount’s headquarters and thousands of jobs out of California, triggering a potential $10.6–$21.2 billion hit to state output and hundreds of millions in tax losses. The LAEDC warns the move could reshape Hollywood’s economic center.
The Supreme Court has not lifted constraints on mail voting, and states are continuing to administer ballots under existing procedures as officials prepare for the midterms. Officials warn of potential interference, while voters are urged to act early to ensure timely delivery.
A news helicopter has crashed in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, while covering a deadly bus-SUV collision. Authorities have confirmed multiple deaths on scene, several people have been taken to hospital and at least four vehicles and two storage containers were damaged after the chopper caught fire. The NTSB and FAA have opened investigations.
AI executives and researchers are urging regulators to slow frontier AI development amid rising risks. While some leaders back voluntary restraints, others push for concrete oversight, with political factions weighing guardrails and potential legislation. The debate intensifies as rogue AIs trigger renewed urgency for policy action.
Vice President Kamala Harris has appeared with Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El‑Sayed at a Detroit-area roundtable on Black maternal health as Democrats push to flip a pivotal Michigan Senate seat now less than six weeks from Election Day. El‑Sayed has faced criticism over his positions on Israel; Harris is aiming to boost turnout among Black voters in Wayne County.
New regulations on AI safety have been advanced by New York and California leaders, targeting transparency, whistleblower incentives, and mandatory safety measures for frontier AI models. The moves come amid broad national debate over kill switches and independent safety testing, with executives urged to attend hearings and provide risk assessments.
Laws passed in California and the US Congress have strengthened claims to artwork looted during the Holocaust. Two lawsuits have been filed in Los Angeles—one against the Norton Simon Museum for Cranach’s Adam and Eve, and another on behalf of the late Dinah Gottliebova Babbitt’s heirs for watercolors from Auschwitz—arguing for restitution.
President Donald Trump has announced formation of an "AI Force" and said he will appoint an AI "czar," pledging not to hinder the industry's growth and calling recent warnings about AI safety a "hoax." He has said existing criminal and civil laws can address bad actors and gave few details about the new body's role or timing (22 Sep 2026).
AP News and Independent report on the King of the Streets event during National Hispanic Heritage Month, highlighting lowriding’s cultural roots, community celebration, and recent policy changes in California that ease cruising restrictions. The story follows participants including Roberto Hernandez and Johnny Castro as they reflect on identity, craft, and acceptance.
Mary Peltola’s Alaska Senate campaign is narrowing its lead as new reporting details amplify questions about campaign staff dynamics and personal events. The race remains tight under Alaska’s ranked-choice system, with voters weighing the candidate’s conduct against the broader political stakes.
The El Niño weather pattern has intensified, with multiple reports showing record sea-surface temperatures and forecasts of extreme heat. Scientists warn that global impacts will intensify through 2027, affecting temperatures, rainfall, and wildfire risk across regions from the Pacific to Africa and the Americas.
Wilber Rafael Garces Perez has been charged with assaulting a federal officer after a September 20 traffic stop in Austin that ended with an ICE agent firing and wounding him. Prosecutors have shown body-camera footage of the initial stop; the shooting itself and some camera footage remain unreleased. Garces Perez remains in federal custody with a bullet lodged in his back and faces deportation and criminal prosecution.
Projections show 451,000 additional heat-related deaths globally between June and February 2027, with Nigeria, Sudan, Niger and Chad bearing the heaviest impact. The Climate Impact Lab says emergency actions now can save tens of thousands of lives as El Niño intensifies.
A US judge has approved a consent decree that settles a 12‑state antitrust challenge and clears the way for Paramount Skydance to complete its takeover of Warner Bros. The five‑year settlement requires at least 30 US theatrical releases a year, separate cable negotiations, and independent editorial boards for CNN and CBS. Ynon Kreiz will join as co‑CEO on Oct. 5.
California has signed a broad package of laws regulating AI in the workplace, banning momentum-based firing decisions, emotional-state surveillance, and neural data collection. Companies must warn workers if AI contributes to layoffs, and state agencies will enforce the measures. The governor frames this as placing people at the center as AI reshapes work; enforcement remains primarily public rather than private.
California Gov. Newsom has declined to sign SB 1130, a bill regulating smart glasses and other wearables. He says the definition is too broad and that existing privacy laws cover the issue. The measure would have imposed penalties on violators and fines on noncompliant manufacturers, aiming to clarify recording visibility in public spaces.
California officials have announced a $272.5 million settlement with Lyft over allegations that drivers were misclassified as independent contractors from 2016 to 2020, denying minimum wage and other protections. The majority of funds will go to drivers through a third‑party administrator, pending court approval. Uber’s case remains ongoing.
President Donald Trump has suggested at a Nebraska rally that higher fuel prices from the US‑Israel war with Iran are "a small price to pay," saying "they can take out a city — let them take out Los Angeles, let them take out San Diego." California leaders have called the comments "deranged" and "dangerous," while the White House has labelled the reaction a "media freakout."
California voters face a high-stakes battle over Prop 39, which would require photo-ID at the polls and verification for mail ballots. The Yes campaign has drawn major funding from Airbnb cofounder Joe Gebbia, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, Nicole Shanahan, and other wealthy backers, while opponents led by Gov. Gavin Newsom and large Democratic donors warn of civil-rights risks. Polls show a tight race.