Headlines From The Times

California’s State Bar admits it used AI to write bar exam questions, triggering outrage, legal review, and calls for reform. Los Angeles voters approved billions in new homelessness taxes, but the maze of oversight boards has left even elected officials struggling to track results. The NLRB says Amazon must negotiate with Teamsters at its San Francisco warehouse, a case that could set a national precedent. Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max joins the streaming crackdown on password sharing.

The Catholic Church prepares to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis. Southeast Asian immigrants in Southern California are being detained or deported during routine ICE check-ins. Labor negotiations across California stall after the Trump administration fires federal mediators. And Walgreens agrees to pay up to $350 million in an opioid settlement as it prepares to close 1,200 stores.

Californians mourn the passing of Pope Francis, honoring his legacy of compassion, inclusion, and peace. Mayor Karen Bass delivers a hopeful State of the City speech, outlining plans to tackle L.A.’s budget crisis, streamline fire recovery, and combat homelessness. A 53-story residential tower gets the green light in downtown L.A., promising hundreds of new apartments amid a housing shortage. On Wall Street, a dramatic drop in the stock market and concerns about the U.S. dollar spark investor anxiety.

LAX drops out of the top 10 busiest airports in the world as regional airports like Long Beach and Burbank break records. Newly declassified documents on the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy are being released by President Trump, fueling renewed interest in the case. As gold prices hit record highs, more people are melting down old jewelry for fast cash, though experts warn against selling heirlooms. And Trader Joe’s announces five new stores in California, part of a larger national expansion effort.

California lawmakers push for a bill that would pause mortgage payments for disaster survivors—no interest, no penalties, no taxpayer cost. Hopes for the Menendez brothers' release hit a snag as a key hearing is delayed over a clemency report. Hundreds of Southern California Edison techs are moving to unionize in the wake of wildfire scrutiny. And a federal judge rules Google held an illegal monopoly in online ad tech.