California Today: California Ignored Sexual Abuse of Women in Prison, Justice Dept. Says

August 14, 2026, 6:31 a.m. Pacific time

Today’s Top Story

Dan Hernandez/San Francisco Chronicle, via Associated Press

California Ignored Sexual Abuse of Women in Prison, Justice Dept. Says

A Justice Department report released on Thursday found that inmates at two state-run women’s prisons routinely had their rights violated. State officials say they have already put reforms in place.

Who Is a Jew? California Considers a Small Box With Big Implications.

A bill would allow Jews to identify themselves as an ethnic group on state forms. Supporters argue it’s a step toward acknowledging the complex nature of Jewish identity.

Wildfire Continues to Threaten California’s Famed Big Sur Region

The Timber fire has burned more than 4,000 acres and was 7 percent contained on Thursday.

A Silicon Valley Dirt Farmer Hangs Up His Shears

Andy Mariani grows exotic and ethereally delicious stone fruit in the shadow of tech giants. But at age 80, it’s time to give up the land.

A Rapper’s ‘Diss Track’ Has Palestinians Asking, Who Gets to Speak for Us?

Shabjdeed, a rapper in the West Bank, criticized a fellow Palestinian musician in a song, saying his Western lifestyle and lyrics were far removed from life back home.

Flock Announces Privacy Updates to Its Car-Tracking Cameras

Critics say the measures are “public relations” and leave room for continued misuse.

How Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner’s Friendship Led Them to the Lakers

Bob Iger, the former chief executive of Disney, and Josh Kushner, the venture capitalist, are buying the Los Angeles Lakers. Their wives set them up.

A K-Pop Star Turned Art Collector Gets His Feet Wet as Curator

RM, of BTS, brings 145 works by Korean artists to SFMOMA this fall. “I know Picasso, I know van Gogh. I don’t know anyone from my country,” he told himself as he began to buy. “You have to find your root.”