This evening: Newsom banks on AI to help close a $3-billion deficit in California’s budget

Plus she embraced her Chumash roots at 70 and helped revive a dying skill.‍ What you need to know this evening.‍  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­   ADVERTISEMENT January 9, 2026 | View in browser This Evening's Big Stories AI windfall helps California narrow projected $3-billion budget deficit The Newsom administration today released the proposal for the upcoming 2026-27 budget year, which acts as a starting point for negotiations with the Legislature about the programs and policies they want to prioritize. Read More ADVERTISEMENT California is free of all drought, dryness for first time in 25 years. Inside the remarkable turnaround After experiencing one of the wettest holiday seasons on record, still soggy California hit a major milestone this week — having zero areas of abnormal dryness for the first time in 25 years. Read More As L.A. mayor's race takes shape, Palisades fire is a defining issue The catastrophic Palisades fire has redefined the L.A. mayor's race, creating a political minefield for incumbent Karen Bass as she seeks a second four-year term. Read More ADVERTISEMENT Powerful Santa Ana winds return to Southern California, prompting warnings Santa Ana winds have returned to Southern California, prompting wind warnings across the region, according to the National Weather Service. Read More The daredevils are back with a vengeance on Mulholland. 'Race car driving is like sex' For motorcycle and car enthusiasts, riding the section of Mulholland Highway known as 'the Snake' can feel akin to a religious experience. Locals have a very different view. Read More Keep up with California Your support helps us deliver the news that matters most. Subscribe to the Los Angeles Times. Subscribe Now Abandoned shops and missing customers: Fire-scarred businesses are still stuck in the aftermath One year after the fires, some businesses are rebuilding while others have given up. Read More Anger overflows in west Altadena: Where is the accountability for 19 deaths, epic losses? Residents of west Altadena are escalating calls for answers and accountability a year after officials failed to issue their community timely evacuation alerts and deploy needed firefighting resources. Read More Bear under Altadena home for 6 weeks is finally evicted by paintballs, electrified mat A 550-pound male black bear wedged itself into the crawl space underneath an Altadena home just after Thanksgiving. Officials tried air horns, cherry and caramel flavored bait and even a trap that caught the wrong bear. Read More At 70, she embraced her Chumash roots and helped revive a dying skill Susanne Hammel-Sawyer knew almost nothing about the traditions of her Chumash ancestors until she was 70. Today she is one of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians' premier basketmakers. Read More ADVERTISEMENT Thank you for reading This Evening's Big Stories from the Los Angeles Times Sign up for more L.A. Times newsletters. Sign Up You received this email because you opted to receive email communications from L.A. Times. Unsubscribe | Manage marketing email preferences | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell My Personal Information | CA Notice of Collection Advertisers have no control over editorial decisions or content. Place an ad or classified. Copyright © 2026, Los Angeles Times 2300 E. Imperial Highway, El Segundo, CA 90245 1-800-LA-TIMES latimes.com