California News Roundup: Waymo Expansion Approval, Palisades Village Reopens and More
Here’s a roundup of recent California news: Waymo won state approval to expand its robotaxi service across 18 counties, including the Bay Area and Los Angeles; the Palisades Village shopping center reopened in a milestone for the fire-recovering community; and an 18-year-old San Diego man pleaded guilty to repeatedly kicking a protected sea lion in La Jolla. Southern California faces heat up to 105 degrees with renewed fire weather, a new fire was reported in Siskiyou County, and the Coastal Commission is weighing closing La Jolla Cove to protect sea lions.
Waymo wins California approval to expand robotaxis across 18 counties
Waymo received approval to expand its autonomous ride-hailing service across 18 California counties, including the Bay Area, Los Angeles and more. KTVU and ABC7 Bay Area both reported the expansion approval this week, with Electrek describing it as approval to expand robotaxis across 18 counties. (KTVU, Aug. 15, 2026; ABC7 Bay Area, Aug. 15, 2026; Electrek, Aug. 15, 2026)
Palisades Village shopping center reopens
Palisades Village, the shopping center in Pacific Palisades, has reopened — a milestone for the fire-weary community recovering from the January wildfire that devastated the area. (Los Angeles Times, Aug. 15, 2026)
18-year-old pleads guilty to kicking sea lion in La Jolla
Tyler Muehl, 18, pleaded guilty to a federal charge under the Marine Mammal Protection Act after video showed him repeatedly kicking a sea lion on the La Jolla coast last month. Prosecutors said the incident happened at a San Diego beach, and Muehl could face up to a year in prison. (The Guardian, Aug. 15, 2026; The New York Times, Aug. 14, 2026; WJAR, Aug. 15, 2026; U.S. News & World Report, Aug. 14, 2026)
Heat up to 105 degrees, fire weather returns to Southern California
Southern California is bracing for heat up to 105 degrees, with fire weather concerns returning to the region, KTLA reported. (KTLA, Aug. 15, 2026)
New Picard Fire reported in Siskiyou County
A new wildfire — the Picard Fire — was reported in Siskiyou County on Saturday, Aug. 15, according to the Sacramento Bee. (sacbee.com, Aug. 15, 2026)
Coastal Commission considers closing La Jolla Cove to protect sea lions
The California Coastal Commission is considering closing La Jolla Cove to protect sea lions, NBC 7 San Diego reported. The proposal comes as the area has seen growing conflicts between beachgoers and marine mammals. (NBC 7 San Diego, Aug. 15, 2026)
Hundreds of quartz countertop workers stricken with silicosis, study finds
Hundreds of California quartz countertop workers developed an incurable lung condition — silicosis — and dozens have died, according to reporting by KCRA and the Los Angeles Times on a new study. (KCRA, Aug. 2026; Los Angeles Times, Aug. 2026; New York Post, Aug. 2026)
For more on the Golden State, see the California guide.
Sources
KTVU; ABC7 Bay Area; Electrek; Los Angeles Times; The Guardian; The New York Times; WJAR; U.S. News & World Report; KTLA; Sacramento Bee; NBC 7 San Diego; KCRA; New York Post.