American billionaire businessman; Los Angeles-based real estate founder and USC board chair.
Tom Steyer has been pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into his California governor bid, setting spending records and overshadowing rivals. He has funded extensive TV ads, digital campaigns, and staff, while rival candidates court influence and the race narrows toward the November election.
The Los Angeles mayoral primary remains undecided as ballots continue to be counted. Bass has advanced to the November runoff, while Raman has gained a narrow lead over Pratt for the second slot as mail ballots are tallied.
Jonathan Rinderknecht has pleaded not guilty to federal charges linked to the Palisades Fire that destroyed thousands of homes and killed 12 people. Prosecutors say the New Year’s blaze began Jan. 1, 2025 and grew into a deadly inferno by Jan. 7. Defense argues he is being blamed for firefighting failures. Jury selection is underway in a Los Angeles federal court and the trial is expected to last about two weeks.