California Today: These Employees Like Their A.I. Boss. Its Shop Is Kind of a Disaster.

August 4, 2026, 6:31 a.m. Pacific time

Today’s Top Story

Mike Kai Chen for The New York Times

These Employees Like Their A.I. Boss. Its Shop Is Kind of a Disaster.

A new study of a bot running a first-of-its-kind San Francisco store finds it is really friendly, but not very smart.

Execution-Style Murder in California Tied to Business Dispute, D.A. Says

The fatal shooting last week stunned the city of Chino Hills, an upper-middle-class community roughly 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.

Uber’s Strategy for Fighting Sexual Assault Suits: ‘What Were You Wearing?’

The ride-hailing giant promised to handle legal claims “in a way that is best for the survivor.” Its lawyers are pursuing a far more aggressive strategy.

California Democrats Want to Tax Billionaires. They Can’t Agree on How.

Leaders of the state Democratic Party endorsed the ballot measure slated for November, but the party remains far from united on the issue as Democrats nationwide grapple with a growing wealth gap.

A Mall in the Palisades, Protected From Wildfire, Prepares to Reopen

Rick Caruso, the billionaire real estate developer and former Los Angeles mayoral candidate, is reviving a property still surrounded by burned-out lots.

Inside the Spending of One of America’s Largest Super PACs

In recent years, AIPAC has more than doubled the amount it spends in political campaigns across the country, including races in California, while rarely mentioning Israel. Its biggest test yet, the Michigan Senate primary, comes Tuesday.

Airport Lines Are Grueling. New Programs Aim to Change That.

U.S. airlines and airports, including in San Francisco and Los Angeles, are experimenting with initiatives that screen passengers and their bags more efficiently in an effort to slash wait times.

Off-Leash and on the Waves: Scenes From the 2026 Dog Surfing Championships

Several thousand people packed Linda Mar Beach, south of San Francisco, on Saturday to catch a glimpse of tail-wagging joy rides at the 10th annual World Dog Surfing Championships.