California Today: Man in California Is Arrested for Arson as Wildfires Rage in the West

Today's top stories from California.

September 11, 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 Philip Cheung for The New York Times Man in California Is Arrested for Arson as Wildfires Rage in the West No state is battling more large fires than Oregon. The authorities have arrested a man suspected of starting one of the biggest blazes in California. Read more More California News Harris Dominates as Trump Gets Defensive: 6 Takeaways From the Debate Laying out bait that Donald Trump eagerly snatched, the vice president owned much of the night, keeping him on the back foot and avoiding sustained attention on her own vulnerabilities. How to Protect Yourself From Wildfire Smoke Monitor air quality, prepare to stay inside and pay close attention to people with chronic conditions. Matt Damon, Robert De Niro, Oprah and Other Celebrities Pitch in for Harris Fund-raisers held by Hollywood stars over the next few weeks will be particularly helpful for Vice President Kamala Harris, who has limited time to headline big-money events. Orange County Leader Faces Scrutiny Over Charity's Pandemic Spending Andrew Do, an Orange County supervisor, has been asked to resign after directing more than $13 million to a nonprofit run by his daughter and allies. The group was supposed to spend the money on meals for vulnerable residents. Inmate's Wife Subjected to Cavity Search Will Get $5.6 Million in Settlement Christina Cardenas of California was subjected to the search after going to visit her husband at a state prison in 2019, according to her lawsuit. "It left me traumatized," she said. When Self-Driving Cars Don't Actually Drive Themselves An immersive article shows readers what a New York Times reporter has tracked for nearly a decade: Robot taxis still need human help. The Trade-Off for Mountain Tranquillity in California? Increasing Fire Risk. Many Southern Californians have moved to San Bernardino County for more affordable homes and calmer lifestyles, but some also face disaster risks. Are Art and Science Forever Divided? Or Are They One and the Same? The sprawling California festival "PST Art" promises a dialogue between "two cultures." But painting and physics may have more in common than their practitioners know. 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 Julia Gartland for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne. Dijon and Cognac Beef Stew By Regina Schrambling About 3 hours Makes 4 to 6 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 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 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 TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018