California Today: Madre Fire Expands to 35,000 Acres, Becoming California’s Largest This Year
Today's top stories from California.
The New York Times
California Today

July 3, 2025, 6:31 a.m. Pacific time

Good morning. Here are the top stories from across California.

Today’s Top Story

More California News

Legal Actions in L.A. Highlight Harsh Tactics of Immigration Crackdown

Separate challenges by immigrant rights groups and an American detained by federal agents accuse officers of racial profiling, brutality and unlawful detentions.

7 Missing After Fireworks Warehouse Explodes in Northern California

The cause of the explosion in Esparto, Calif., remained unclear. Two people were injured, and a one-mile evacuation order was still in effect on Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

Downtown Housing Could Rise in California Cities, but Barriers Remain

After scaling back a landmark environmental law, Gov. Gavin Newsom and other state leaders are hoping for a construction boom.

Trump Pulls Back 150 Guard Troops From Federal Duties in California

The Trump administration sent the soldiers back to state command, allowing them to return to firefighting work. Thousands remain under federal control.

The Map Rating Restaurants Based on How Hot the Customers Are

LooksMapping, an A.I.-powered website, rates not the food, but the attractiveness of the diners.

Celebrity Agent Sues National Association of Realtors Over House Listings

Mauricio Umansky, the real estate agent best known for appearing on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” claims N.A.R. has created a monopoly through its databases of listings.

The Pitch That Defines Clayton Kershaw’s Career

The Dodgers lefty looked promising when he started out, but he took off once he added a pitch he didn’t even throw in 2008.

California Rolls Back Its Landmark Environmental Law

Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers scaled back a law that was vilified for its role in California’s housing shortage and homelessness crisis.

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Today's Recipe

An overhead image of a cast-iron skillet filled with corn kernels topped with melted and browned white cheese and sliced scallion greens.

Ryan Liebe for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne.

Korean Corn Cheese

By Darun Kwak

Filled StarFilled StarFilled StarFilled StarUnfilled Star

1,719

15 minutes

Makes 4 servings

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