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Looking for free Wi-Fi and A/C? These L.A. libraries deliver

As Los Angeles swelters under summer heat and remote workers seek refuge from cramped home offices and costly cafes, public libraries across the region have become vital community spaces, offering free air conditioning, high-speed Wi-Fi, and peace and quiet to all who walk through their doors. “There’s no place like it,” said Joyce Cooper, director of branch services for the L.A. Public Library. “Where else can you just walk in off the street and get help for whatever you need?” Since reopening after the pandemic, L.A. libraries have seen a notable increase in visitors using b

Free school for 4-year-olds? California says yes — if parents hear about it

California races to stop golden mussels from threatening water supply

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Can California really balance fish, farms, and faucets with one plan?

California water regulators unveiled a revised framework for managing the Bay-Delta watershed that seeks to protect fish habitats while maintaining water deliveries to communities across the state. The State Water Resources Control Board's proposal incorporates Gov. Gavin Newsom's Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, marking the first significant overhaul of water management rules in the region since 1995. The initiative allows water agencies, farmers, and other users to enter into cooperative partnerships rather than face traditional regulatory mandates. "I am proud to see the Health

Community library in El Sereno offers tools, books, and belonging

Father of Georgia school shooter had letter from son ‘asking for forgiveness’ on day of the shooting, testimony reveals

Firefighters rescue family trapped by fallen tree; home declared total loss

SYLVA, North Carolina (WLOS) -- A Sylva woman is sharing her story after a massive tree came crashing down on her home during a powerful thunderstorm Thursday afternoon.That woman, Autumn Richards, said she and five of her family members, including her six-year-old granddaughter, were all inside their home on Chickadee Lane when it happened.Richards explained that they were all in separate parts of the home when the tree came down.“I felt it in the floor and the lights flickered twice. Then a loud crash. I thought the whole house was gone. I came running out, screami

Man accused of stealing garbage truck, crashing on bridge after chase

Police officer detained by ICE is being held at Massachusetts facility

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Business|Political|US|World

White House says Trump-Putin meeting is a 'listening exercise'

Friday's Alaska summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin "is a listening exercise for the president," the White House said on Tuesday, tempering expectations for a quick Russia-Ukraine ceasefire deal."Only one party that's involved in this war is going to be present, and so this is for the president to go and to get, again, a more firm and better understanding of how we can hopefully bring this war to an end," said White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt."This is a listening exercise for the president."Trump will meet one-on-one with Putin during the tal

Arts|Business|Entertainment|US

Donald Trump celebrates his pantheon of Trump-approved stars

Everyone likes to share their taste. Donald Trump is just like us, except he also has tanks.On Wednesday, the president returned to the Kennedy Center to make announcements about this year’s honorees, showing off his vision for the arts institution that would fulfill the goal he promised earlier this year: to “reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation.”Trump is eager to leave his imprint on America not just through participating in legislation and budgeting but by changing what culture we recognize and celebrate and teach, across American museums, universities a

Frelick and Turang homer off Skenes as the Brewers beat the Pirates 14-0 for their 11th straight win

Texas Democrats weighing whether to return to state and end redistricting standoff, sources tell CNN

Sherrod Brown to run for US Senate in 2026, hoping to win back Ohio seat

Former Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown has told Democratic allies that he intends to run for Senate next year, two people familiar with his plans told CNN, and is soon poised to launch a 2026 campaign aimed at vindicating his defeat two years ago after three decades in Congress.The decision to run for Senate, which Brown had quietly considered for months, adds another layer of intrigue to the Democratic Party’s uphill fight to win control of the Senate. Yet his candidacy is far from a winning bet, considering the rising GOP strength in Ohio, where Republican Sen. Jon Husted, who was appointed to the

Election|US

Trump ally Ken Paxton escalates Texas redistricting fight with call for Beto O'Rourke to be jailed

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton ratcheted up President Donald Trump's congressional redistricting fight by calling Tuesday for progressive activist Beto O'Rourke to be put “behind bars” for helping Democrats who have managed to block the GOP's gerrymandering efforts with an extended walkout. Hours earlier, Texas Republican leaders said they were prepared to end their stalemated special session that includes the proposed new maps and immediately begin another standoff with Democratic legislators. Dozens of Democrats have left the state to prevent their GOP colleagues from

Steelers' Aaron Rodgers eager for helmet switch: 'It looks like a spaceship'

Inflation holds steady, but Trump’s tariffs are boosting some prices

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Catch ’em all but dump the fries. Pokémon fans leave McDonald’s Japan in massive food waste drama

Piles of untouched Happy Meals littered sidewalks outside McDonald’s restaurants in Japan over the weekend, as frenzied customers scrambled to buy limited-edition sets with Pokémon cards.The promotional tie-up between McDonald’s and Pokémon ended just hours after it launched on Saturday as customers bought bulk orders of the meals to get their hands on an exclusive set of cards for resale, discarding the food entirely.A Happy Meal set costs about $3.50 (around 510 yen) – with food, a drink and a toy – but scalpers are listing McDonald’s Japan Pokémon cards on eBay for $28 each.Pho

Business|Entertainment|Food|Lifestyle|World

McDonald's Japan's Pokemon card Happy Meals promotion comes to an unhappy end

Fast-food chain McDonald’s Japan has canceled a Happy Meal campaign that came with coveted Pokemon cards, apologizing after resellers rushed to buy the meals and then discarded the food, leaving trash outside stores. The meals, called Happy Sets in Japan, were meant for children. They came with a toy, such as a tiny plastic Pikachu, and a Pokemon card. They sold out in a day, according to Japanese media reports. Mounds of wasted food were found near the stores. “We do not believe in abandoning and discarding food. This situation goes against ou

Floodwaters from glacier near Alaska's capital city break record levels and prompt evacuations

Trump and Putin will meet at an Alaska military base long used to counter Russia

Business|Travel|World

Air Canada plans to lock out its flight attendants and cancel all flights starting this weekend

Air Canada is preparing to lock out its flight attendants who voted to go on strike this weekend. Travel disruptions could start Thursday and could continue until a deal is reached.The airline said it would suspend operations on Saturday and could remain shut down till a deal is reached.The union, represented nationally by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, gave a strike notice according to the airline, which triggered a 72-hour lockout notice by Air Canada effective Aug. 16. Nearly all members, 99.7% of the membership voted to strike, the union said.“For the past nine months, we have p

Business|Crime|Environment|Europe|World

Wildfires fanned by heatwave and strong winds rage across Europe

Wildfires caused by arsonists or thunderstorms and fanned by a heatwave and strong winds wreaked destruction across southern Europe on Wednesday, burning homes and forcing thousands of residents and tourists to flee.Fire has affected nearly 440,000 hectares (1,700 square miles) in the eurozone so far in 2025, double the average for the same period of the year since 2006, according to the EU Science Hub's Joint Research Centre.Flames and dark smoke billowed over a cement factory that was set alight by a wildfire that swept through olive groves and forests and disrupted rail traffic on the outsk