California Today: Mayors Are Filming Videos, Mamdani Style, With Varying Degrees of Cringe

October 5, 2026, 6:31 a.m. Pacific time

Today’s Top Story

Mayors Are Filming Videos, Mamdani Style, With Varying Degrees of Cringe

The growing use of walk-and-talk social videos can be traced to Zohran Mamdani’s successful campaign for mayor of New York City. But not all candidates are naturals on camera.

‘Creepy, Weird’ Steve Hilton Ad Denounced by California Republicans

An online spot for Mr. Hilton, the G.O.P. candidate, is full of sexual innuendo that has befuddled Republicans and Democrats watching the race for governor in California.

Voters Say Congress Is Too Old. But Older Candidates Keep Winning.

In primary races across the country, incumbency trumped calls for generational change, as older members of Congress held off younger challengers.

Former Nurse Convicted of Murder in Crash at 130 M.P.H. That Killed Six

Nicole Linton was found guilty of six counts of second-degree murder, which included the death of an unborn child, related to a 2022 crash in Los Angeles.

5 Challenges David Ellison Faces as He Snags His Hollywood Prize

The tech scion has given his combination of Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount a new name: Skydance. Now he must make tough decisions about news, movies, streaming, sports and debt.

Democrats Project a Party Milestone in Congress: 100 Women in the House

Democrats are increasingly confident they will have a record number of women serving in the House next year, after backing women in competitive districts they are now positioned to win.

How the Gold Rush Broke America

In “The Rush,” Nathaniel Philbrick paints a portrait of the treasure seekers, prospectors and conniving politicians who shaped the destiny of the United States.

Where to Eat in Los Angeles Right Now

Our current favorites in one of the greatest food cities in the world.

Braves Tame Dodgers’ Star-Studded Lineup in Game 2. Can They Knock Out the Champs?

The Atlanta Braves arrived Sunday knowing they’d be throwing yet another bullpen game. The Los Angeles Dodgers did not, but a short start by Blake Snell left them no choice.