Capital of California; seat of Sacramento County; at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers
The New York Yankees have placed Aaron Judge on the 10-day injured list with a right rib stress fracture. The team is adapting with Spencer Jones recalled and Giancarlo Stanton and Jasson Domínguez's returns in flux. Rice is stepping up as the No. 2 hitter, while the bullpen and base-running strategy take on added emphasis as they navigate Judge's absence.
In California’s top-two primary, Kevin Kiley leads a Republican surge in a Democrat-dominated district after Prop 50 redraw, threatening Democratic hopes of advancing candidates. Michael Stansfield, a virtually unknown Republican, trails in second, potentially blocking any Democrat in the general election. Richard Pan trails in third, with Pan hoping more ballots will change the result as counting continues.
A generational contest within California’s Democratic ranks is playing out in Sacramento, where long-time incumbent Doris Matsui faces a challenge from progressive Sacramento City Council member Jenny Vang. The race follows a broader intra-party push by younger Democrats in 2026 as older incumbents seek to fend off more energetic challenges. Matsui has secured the party endorsement but shows vulnerability after a high-stakes primary race.
Altadena faces a political clash as lawmakers debate a five-year moratorium on state density laws in the wake of the Eaton Fire. SB 9 and SB 1123 could reshape housing and rebuilding, provoking angry local sentiment and questions about affordable housing and landscape change.
A growing class-action suit accuses major gas retailers of using Kalibrate's AI pricing to coordinate higher gas prices across more than 1,700 California stations. The suit cites six-cent average increases, up to 30 cents in dense Kalibrate usage areas, and potential billions in annual driver costs.
An 18-year-old has opened fire at the Chico branch of the Butte County Library, killing two adults and injuring a child. Police moved quickly to detain the suspect within minutes; the library is closed for now as investigators examine the scene and motive remains under investigation.
Federal judges in multiple courts have halted President Trump’s efforts to tighten mail‑in voting. A D.C. judge has sided with the NAACP to block a USPS rule that would return ballots unless states hand over voter lists; a Massachusetts judge has barred key parts of an executive order that would force federal citizen lists and limit post‑Election Day ballot delivery.
The NBA has adopted a single free-throw rule for summer leagues in Salt Lake City, Northern California and Las Vegas to speed up play. The rule replaces multi-shot free throws with one shot worth the total points and applies only to non-final periods, not overtime.
Federal and local probes have produced new findings and warnings about autonomous vehicles. The NTSB has reported that a Tesla driver manually overrode Full Self-Driving before a June crash that killed a 76‑year‑old in Katy, Texas. NHTSA has issued a directive demanding AV developers fix cases where driverless cars enter or block emergency scenes; Waymo and California regulators are under pressure over several incidents.
Waymo has announced the expansion of its driverless robotaxi fleet to four new U.S. cities, starting with employee rides before opening to the public. The Ojai vehicle is introduced as a comfort-focused option, with expansion plans across San Diego, Las Vegas, Tampa, and Denver. The rollout faces regulatory approvals and past safety incidents.
A US-brokered framework envisions an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon with Hezbollah disarmament as a precondition. Lebanon’s political divide is intensifying as tensions rise, roadblocks persist and fears of civil strife grow amid daunting regional dynamics.
New York lawmakers propose a 10% self-checkout discount for shoppers at stores that also sell food. The bill, introduced in May, would require supermarkets to offer the discount, funded by saved labor costs. The measure is in early stages and would need committee votes before becoming law.
The Odyssey has ignited a global cinema moment as fans travel to London, LA and beyond for 70mm Imax screenings. Tickets sell out, with unprecedented demand and cross-border pilgrimages, while industry observers weigh the impact on cinemas and traditional distribution.
Two Forest Service biologists were kidnapped near Gumboot Lake in Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Joseph Charles Henrichsen and his son Phoenix have been charged with kidnapping federal employees after a near daylong standoff that ended with the hostages released and the suspects in custody. A large multiagency response was mounted, and prosecutors say the pair face life in prison if convicted.
New Jersey has enacted the Fair Price Protection Act, pausing ESL rollouts for a year while studying their impact. The law bars using shoppers’ personal data to set individualized prices and preserves existing discounts and loyalty programs. Aimed at protecting consumers from surveillance pricing, the measure follows similar moves in Maryland and Connecticut and echoes calls for action in New York.
Californios has earned its third Michelin star, becoming the first Mexican restaurant worldwide to reach this height. Chef Val Cantú and his 40‑person team are celebrated for blending Mexican tradition with California ingredients, a move Michelin inspectors say crosses borders without losing identity. The accolade comes amid a broader rise in recognition for Mexican cuisine, set against tightening immigration enforcement.
Unaccompanied migrant children in government care face potential gaps in legal representation as a federal contract for legal services expires. Providers warn that without attorneys to guide them through asylum proceedings, children could face higher deportation risks amid ongoing immigration enforcement drives.
Firefighters have established containment lines around Spokane-area blazes, with cooler weather offering limited relief. Thousands remain evacuated as investigations probe arson and natural causes amid a record-breaking Northwest fire season.
Russell Westbrook has announced his retirement after an 18-year career that included a 2016-17 MVP season, 42 triple-doubles in a season, and stints with several teams, including the Thunder, Rockets, Wizards, Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets and Kings. The farewell video, narrated by Michael B. Jordan, marks the end of an era.
Veteran guard DeMar DeRozan is reportedly signing a one-year, 3.9 million pact with the Denver Nuggets, aiming to chase a championship after being waived by Sacramento. The move adds veteran scoring and backcourt experience as Denver reshapes its roster around Nikola Jokic. The deal includes discussions with Jokic, Gordon and Murray, and follows trade activity involving Peyton Watson.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and lawmakers are negotiating a broader overhaul of wildfire-response liability before a Friday deadline. Talks have stalled amid internal disagreements, with a frontline debate over how utilities should be funded for fire damages and how quickly survivors are paid.