California Today: Palo Alto Confronts Billionaires Over Their Housing Compounds
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California Today

December 19, 2025, 6:31 a.m. Pacific time

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U.S. Will Pay $450,000 to Wildfire Fighters With Cancer

They will be eligible for a one-time payment as well as college tuition for their children. The effort is part of a legislative push to address the dangers of working in toxic smoke.

Trump Administration Tries to Stop Some Immigrants From Driving Trucks

The Transportation Department said the new rules were intended to make roads safer, but there’s no data to suggest that immigrants cause more truck accidents.

The Junior Congressman Who’s Pushing Republicans on Epstein

The top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, Representative Robert Garcia has brought aggressive tactics and reality-show flair to investigating Jeffrey Epstein’s ties to President Trump.

The Reiners Struggled With Their Son’s Addiction. These Families Can Relate.

Nick Reiner, charged with murdering his parents, Rob and Michele Singer Reiner, spent much of his life battling drug addiction, an affliction that millions of Americans face.

The Flop That Proved Rob Reiner Could Take Criticism With Humor

Roger Ebert said he “hated, hated, hated, hated, hated” Reiner’s 1994 film “North.” The director took it in stride.

California’s ‘Twilight Zone’ of Endless Fog Is Finally Clearing

An unrelenting gloom has blanketed much of the state’s Central Valley since late November.

Luka Dončić’s Monster Triple-Double Leads Lakers Past Jazz: ‘It’s Ridiculous’

The NBA's leading scorer impressed teammate LeBron James with his 45 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists Thursday night.

36 Hours in San Luis Obispo County, Calif.: Things to Do and See

Wineries and boutique hotels have sprouted along the backroads and once-sleepy main streets of this Central Coast county.

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Today's Recipe

Article Image

Andrew Bui for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Kaitlin Wayne.

Date Caramel Babka

By Carolina Gelen

Filled StarFilled StarFilled StarFilled StarUnfilled Star

8

5 hours 15 minutes

Makes 8 to 12 servings

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