California Today: Atmospheric River and Hurricane-Strength Storm Drenches the West

November 20, 2024, 9:31 a.m. Eastern time

Good morning. Here are the top stories from across California and the region, selected for you by Times editors.

Today’s Top Story

Atmospheric River and Hurricane-Strength Storm Drenches the West

A “bomb cyclone” over the Pacific Ocean is expected to bring days of damaging winds, rainfall and blizzards to Northern California, Oregon and Washington.

Nearly 600,000 Without Power in Washington State as Storm Topples Trees

A storm system approaching the Northwest with hurricane-force winds was expected to drench the region with rain. At least one death was reported.

Los Angeles City Council Passes ‘Sanctuary’ Ordinance in Response to Trump

The swift action, two weeks after Donald J. Trump’s presidential win, signaled a sense of urgency from city leaders.

House Race in California Is Separated by 314 Votes

The closest House race in the nation is in Southern California, where Representative Michelle Steel is trailing her challenger, Derek Tran, by a tiny margin after nearly 310,000 votes have been counted.

The Hidden Truth Linking the Broken Border to Your Online Shopping Cart

The incoming Trump administration promises an immigration crackdown. But for years, the on-demand economy has been fueled by unscrupulous staffing agencies exploiting migrant workers.

Newsom Will Delay His Decision on Clemency for the Menendez Brothers

Gov. Gavin Newsom of California said he would hold off deciding whether to grant clemency to Lyle and Erik Menendez until after the incoming Los Angeles County district attorney reviewed the case.

22 Patrons Stuck for 2 Hours on a Pinwheel Ride in California

Two of the riders at Knott’s Berry Farm in Orange County were taken to the hospital after the malfunction on Monday.

Liberal Berkeley’s Toughened Stance on Homeless Camps Is a Bellwether

The progressive stronghold in California plans to target large encampments, relying on a Supreme Court decision handed down by a conservative majority.

At 17, She Just Passed the State Bar of California

Sophia Park is believed to be the youngest person to pass the California State Bar Exam, besting the previous record-holder: her older brother, Peter.

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

Kerri Brewer for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Spencer Richards.

Lentil Tomato Soup

By Carolina Gelen

30 minutes

Makes 4 servings

Play a Game

The Mini Crossword
Solve this bite-sized puzzle in just a few minutes.

Spelling Bee
How many words can you make with 7 letters?

Wordle
Guess the 5-letter word with 6 chances.

See all our games

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

Get it in your inbox

Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance.

You received this email because you signed up for California Today from The New York Times.

To stop receiving California Today, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request.

Subscribe to The Times Get The New York Times app

Connect with us on: