California Today: Maybe America Needs Some New Cities
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The New York Times
California Today

February 12, 2026, 6:31 a.m. Pacific time

Today’s Top Story

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L.A. 2028 Olympic Organizers Stand by Chairman Linked to Epstein

Casey Wasserman exchanged flirtatious messages over 20 years ago with Ghislaine Maxwell, a longtime companion of Jeffrey Epstein. The 2028 board said its review found no other indiscretions related to Mr. Epstein.

Four States Sue Administration Over Loss of Public Health Funds

The states, all led by Democrats, claim the cuts were intended as retribution and will harm efforts to control H.I.V. and other sexually transmitted infections.

WNBA Mock Draft: Lauren Betts Leads Five First-Round Picks from UCLA

In the normal WNBA calendar, February is generally a good time to check in on the state of the draft. Of course, this isn’t a normal WNBA offseason.

To Stay in Her Home, She Let In an A.I. Robot

At 85, Jan Worrell lived alone on a remote corner of the Washington coast. Could ElliQ become her companion?

Hard-to-Track Digital Currencies Like Bitcoin Are Common in Ransom Demands

Investigators have spent days analyzing notes from people claiming to be Nancy Guthrie’s kidnappers, including one that demanded millions of dollars in Bitcoin for her release.

House Passes Strict Voter ID Bill, Amplifying Trump’s Claims of Fraud

The measure had no path forward in the Senate, where Democrats are all but certain to block it and Republicans have said they will not try to skirt filibuster rules to ram it through.

James Van Der Beek, Teenage Heartthrob of ‘Dawson’s Creek,’ Dies at 48

He first appeared in a hit TV drama as a wide-eyed 15-year-old who then grew up over six seasons. He announced he had cancer in 2024.

Can Artists Help Shape American Cities Again?

Artists have played a vital role in defining the American city only to be forced out when rents rise. A novel approach in San Francisco seeks to break the cycle.

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Today's Recipe

Article Image

Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Monica Pierini.

Chicken and Mushroom Soup With Spinach

By Sue Li

Filled StarFilled StarFilled StarFilled StarUnfilled Star

41

25 minutes

Makes 4 servings

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