California Today: ‘The Cult of Cesar’: Inside the Mountain Compound Led by Cesar Chavez
Today's top stories from California.
The New York Times
California Today

March 30, 2026, 6:31 a.m. Pacific time

Today’s Top Story

More California News

Don’t Call Them Retirement Communities

The founders of Modern Elder Academy are on a mission to make “Golden Girls”-style living mainstream.

ICE May Remain at Airports Even After T.S.A. Pay Resumes, Border Czar Says

Transportation safety officers are set to be paid on Monday, but Tom Homan, the White House’s border czar, said ICE agents may stay where there are shortages.

F.B.I. Said to Dig Up Old Investigative Files on Democratic Lawmaker

The urgent instructions at the Trump administration’s behest to gather and relay the files on Representative Eric Swalwell have alarmed some career law enforcement officials.

As Gas Prices Approach $4 a Gallon, Americans Rethink Vacations

Already pinched by the high costs of living, some families have modified how they plan to travel by road and air as the Iran war pushes gas and oil prices higher.

Justice Dept. Scrutinizes Transgender Prisoner Housing in California and Maine

The investigations are the latest moves by the Trump administration to force prisons to house transgender women with male inmates.

New Political Group to Push Trump’s A.I. Agenda in Midterms

The group, Innovation Council Action, says it plans to spend at least $100 million. It will be led by a former administration official.

Arsenio Hall Shares How the Shy Kid Became the Life of the Party

Eddie Murphy, Snoop Dogg and Bill Clinton (naturally) show up in his gossipy new memoir. He isn’t very sentimental.

Giants Chairman Greg Johnson Q&A: Tony Vitello Hire, Payroll, Real Estate and More

Giants chairman and control person Greg Johnson took questions about these topics and many more in a wide-ranging interview with The Athletic before Friday night’s game.

Local Conditions

Look up the heat index in your area using The Times’s heat tracker.

See active fires using The Times’s wildfire tracker.

Today's Recipe

Article Image

Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.

Flourless Layer Cake With Chocolate and Raspberries

By Carolina Gelen

Filled StarFilled StarFilled StarFilled StarUnfilled Star

5

5 hours 15 minutes

Makes 16 servings

Take a break, play a game

Wordle

Wordle →

Connections

Connections →

Strands

Strands →

Spelling Bee

Spelling Bee →

Crossword

Crossword →

Mini

Mini →

Get notified about extreme weather before it happens with custom alerts for places in the U.S. you choose.

Sign up for Your Places: Extreme Weather.

Get notified about extreme weather before it happens with custom alerts for places in the U.S. you choose.

Get it in your inbox