California Today: After D4vd’s Arrest, Many Still Mourn the Girl Who Never Came Home
Today's top stories from California.
The New York Times
California Today

April 20, 2026, 6:31 a.m. Pacific time

Today’s Top Story

More California News

Why Gas Prices Go Up Fast and Take So Long to Fall

Fuel station owners take some of the hit for consumers when oil prices surge. On the way down, they try to get their money back.

Western States Need Water. San Diego Has Extra. Will They Make a Deal?

San Diego County is shopping a surplus of desalinated seawater to Western states that are facing increasingly urgent drought and short supplies.

Hollywood Talent Giant Draws Suitors Amid Epstein Fallout

Formerly known as Wasserman, the agency that has changed its name to The Team put itself up for sale after its founder’s emails surfaced in the Epstein files.

Federal Court Temporarily Freezes Nexstar’s Merger With Tegna

The judge said the two television companies could not combine operations while an antitrust lawsuit proceeded. Nexstar said its deal was already done.

Humans Who Used a Bear Suit to Defraud Car Insurers Are Sentenced to Jail

The California residents collected more than $141,000 in insurance payouts after staging bear attacks on their luxury cars, state officials said.

Man Charged in Lego Theft Scheme of Replacing Pieces With Pasta, Police Say

A California man was charged with grand theft after the police said he reaped about $34,000 in what an official called an “off the charts” pasta-and-switch scheme involving Lego kits.

Daniel Craig and Lily Allen Sell Their Brooklyn Brownstones

Mr. Craig and Rachel Weisz had owned their Cobble Hill home for almost a decade. Ms. Allen’s sale in Carroll Gardens comes amid the breakup of her marriage.

Ramón Laureano Is Shorter This Season. The Padres Outfielder Also Might Be Better Than Ever

Recently minted leadoff man Ramón Laureano has resumed his steadiness, batting .273 with four homers while providing improved defense in left field.

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Today's Recipe

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Rachel Vanni for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Spencer Richards.

Sweet Potato Fries

By Mark Bittman

Filled StarFilled StarFilled StarFilled StarFilled Star

7,324

35 minutes

Makes 4 to 6 servings

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