Good morning! Here’s what you need to know today.
Your Weather Planner
After a cooler-than-normal Wednesday, we will see a few degrees of warming Thursday.
Marine-layer clouds will be patchy and clear fairly quickly for a mostly sunny day across SoCal.
Expect a shallower marine layer Friday and a few more degrees of warming.
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Watch the latest news from across the country.
Around SoCal
1. California steps up rare earth mining as U.S. seeks to rival China’s control
As tensions rise between Washington and Beijing over access to critical minerals, scientists and lawmakers in California are working to loosen China’s grip on the global supply chain.
Researchers at the University of Southern California are using advanced data analytics to locate new deposits of minerals essential to modern technology — from smartphones and electric cars to fighter jets.
USC computer scientist Craig Knoblock leads a team that built a digital database of mineral deposits around the world. Partnering with the U.S. Geological Survey, the project combines decades of old mining reports and geological surveys to help pinpoint untapped resources.
“We often know roughly where to look,” Knoblock explained, “but knowing exactly where to look is a big deal.”
The U.S. government currently classifies 50 minerals as “critical” to national security and the economy.
2. LeBron James is helping the Lakers in film study while he’s sidelined with sciatica, Redick says
Although LeBron James wasn’t able to play in the Los Angeles Lakers’ season opener, he’s making sure they learn from their loss to Golden State.
Coach JJ Redick said James was “really helpful” during a film session Wednesday as the Lakers’ examined their performance in the 119-109 defeat.
James won’t be ready to begin his unprecedented 23rd NBA season for at least a few weeks due to sciatica, but he is taking a strong interest in the team’s off-court work in an effort to ensure the Lakers get off to a decent start without him, Redick said.
The Lakers are also hopeful Luka Doncic’s groin strain isn’t serious. He practiced with the team Wednesday.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James, left, guard Bronny James, center, and forward Rui Hachimura (28) watch from the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
3. USC students using robotics to help those in need
Robotics is an area that is continuing to grow, but researchers at USC are trying to use the technology for social good.
Amy O’Connell is a fifth-year doctorate student at USC, and she and others from the school have adapted a robot called Blossom, which was created by researchers at Cornell University.
“We’ve programmed Blossom to act as a study companion for college students with ADHD,” she said.
Roughly 12% of all college students in the U.S. have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Some symptoms of ADHD include a short-attention span, impulsivity and emotional dysregulation.
“It’s largely sort of inspired by my own experience as a student with ADHD,” O’Connell said. “I think Blossom’s the perfect robot to do it because it’s so simple.”
Students at USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering use a 3D printer to create the parts used to put Blossom together. O’Connell said assembling Blossom takes about three hours, and they do most of the work on campus at USC’s new center for advanced computing.
Around the Nation
1. Democratic Sen. Merkley of Oregon speaks for more than 22 hours to protest Trump amid shutdown
2. Trump approves $25 million in disaster aid to help western Alaska recover from storms
3. U.S. strikes eighth alleged drug-carrying boat, this time in the Pacific Ocean
Only on Spectrum News 1
DNC Chairman Ken Martin sits down with Spectrum News’ Cassie Semyon for an exclusive interview (Spectrum News’ KJ Carrick)
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin will head to California on Thursday to stump for Proposition 50, which would temporarily redraw the state’s congressional districts to elect more Democrats, Spectrum News has exclusively learned.
Proposition 50 is the only issue on the statewide ballot Nov. 4. The special election was added as a response to Texas redrawing its congressional maps to elect more Republicans.
“The Republicans wanted a showdown in Texas. We’ve given them a showdown,” Martin said in an exclusive interview with Spectrum News.
“It’s shameful what’s happening, and Democrats and, frankly, independents and others are pissed off, and they’re rolling up their sleeves, and they’re saying we’re no longer going to bring a pencil to a knife fight at this point. We’re going to fight fire with fire.”
SoCal Snapshot
New Los Angeles Angels manager Kurt Suzuki (left) and general manager Perry Minasian speak to reporters at Angel Stadium in Anaheim while announcing Suzuki’s hiring on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Greg Beacham)