California Today: Despite Park Fire’s Rapid Spread, Some Residents Are Determined to Stay Put

July 29, 2024, 9:31 a.m. Eastern time

Today’s Top Story

Despite Park Fire’s Rapid Spread, Some Residents Are Determined to Stay Put

In Butte County, Calif., some defied evacuation orders so they could protect their property from the fire that has quickly become the state’s largest this year.

The Lesser-Known Side of Harris’s Identity: Asian American

Some Asian American leaders are rooting for Kamala Harris to become the first Asian American president. But she is not widely known as Asian American, reflecting the complexity of the identity.

Clear Encampments? Mind Your Own Business, Los Angeles Tells Newsom.

In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s declaration urging cities to clear homeless camps met its strongest opposition in Los Angeles.

California Highway Reopens After Lithium Battery Fire Trapped Drivers

A portion of I-15 near Baker, Calif., fully reopened early on Sunday after a truck carrying lithium batteries caught fire, stopping traffic for hours in sweltering heat.

California School Official Who Embezzled $16.7 Million Gets Nearly 6 Years in Prison

Jorge Armando Contreras used his position at a school district in Orange County to fund a luxurious lifestyle, prosecutors said.

Jerry Miller, 81, Lauded Guitarist With the ’60s Band Moby Grape, Dies

He drew praise for his blues-inflected fretwork as his critically acclaimed band rode high, if briefly, during San Francisco’s Summer of Love.

Not Too Hot, Not Too Crowded: 6 Spots for a Late Summer Trip

Let others fight the lines and the heat while you relax on a secluded beach or bike a trail through the mountains.

Is It Safe to Exercise When the Air Is Smoky?

The answer depends on your overall health, along with the length and intensity of your workout.

Today's Recipe

David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.

Paprika Chicken and Potatoes

By Yasmin Fahr

35 minutes

Makes 4 servings

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