By CHRISTOPHER WEBER and DAMIAN DOVARGANES, Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A dangerous, multiday heat wave descended on much of California and the U.S. Southwest, with near-record temperatures expected along with a higher risk of wildfires.

Officials opened cooling centers this week in Los Angeles, where residents are warned to avoid strenuous outdoor activities. California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered state firefighting resources deployed in areas where blazes could ignite.

Here’s what you need to know:

Sizzling hot

The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning for Southern California starting Wednesday into the weekend. If outdoor activities can’t be avoided, forecasters say, they should be moved to early morning hours. And everyone should hydrate.

Downtown Los Angeles was forecast to reach 97 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday, while valleys to the north braced for temperatures as high as 108 F. It will be several degrees hotter in desert areas including Palm Springs.

A visitor takes pictures of the TCL Chinese Theatre as a street vendor works nearby in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Candice Catlett, who uses a wheelchair, rolled herself toward some shade as temperatures started spiking Tuesday in downtown LA.

“It’s sizzling hot out here,” Catlett said. “I have sunblock. Hopefully, I can find some cold water. I’m trying to stay out of the direct sun.”

Further north, nearly-always-hot Death Valley could see a severe 120 F, the weather service said, 14 degrees shy of its record high of 134 F set more than a century ago when in 1913 it hit the highest-ever recorded temperature on Earth.

In Arizona, the peak of the heat wave will hit Thursday and Friday, with the mercury possibly reaching 110 F in the southern and western parts of the state. Similar temperatures were likely in Las Vegas.

A woman rests on a picnic table at Griffith Park in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Fire risk

Red flag warnings, signaling elevated wildfire danger, have been issued across Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties until Saturday.

“If you live in a high fire danger area in the mountains or foothills, review your evacuation plans and route and stay tuned to your local emergency officials,” the weather service said in a statement.

A person walks through the shade along a wall patterned by sunlight in Norwalk, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

The state has sent 10 fire engines and multiple firefighting teams to LA County to assist local agencies if blazes break out.

“By prepositioning firefighting crews, equipment, and other resources in high-risk areas, we can respond faster and more effectively when needed,” said Nancy Ward, director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

California’s largest blaze this year, the Gifford Fire, was at 95% containment Wednesday after charring nearly 206 square miles of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties since erupting on Aug. 1. The cause is under investigation.

Related Articles

Fed minutes: Most officials worried about inflation moving higher

Judge denies Justice Department request to unseal Epstein grand jury transcripts

Scientists get a rare peek inside of an exploding star

US sanctions more ICC judges, prosecutors for probes into alleged American, Israeli war crimes

Many towns are unprepared to handle train derailments and hazmat spills

Thunderstorms, too

Adding to the chance for wildfires, especially in mountain areas, is lightning that could accompany thunderstorms, said Sam Zuber, a meteorologist with the weather service’s San Diego office.

“We have monsoonal moisture coming in, we have an unstable environment because of the heat, and that creates perfect condition for thunderstorms,” Zuber said Wednesday. She added that lightning can strike in dry areas up to 15 miles away from where downpours occur.

Heavy rain could also cause localized flooding and mudslides, forecasters warned.

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Most Federal Reserve officials said last month that the threat of higher inflation was a greater concern than the potential for job losses, leading the central bank to keep its key rate unchanged.

According to the minutes of the July 29-30 meeting, released Wednesday, members of the Fed’s interest-rate setting committee “assessed that the effects of higher tariffs had become more apparent in the prices of some goods but that their overall effects on economic activity and inflation remained to be seen.”

Related Articles

Google’s Pixel 10 phones raises the ante on artificial intelligence

Annual fees over $500? Here’s when they make sense

Wall Street falls as Nvidia, Palantir and other AI stars keep sinking

Trump thinks owning a piece of Intel would be a good deal for the US. Here’s what to know

Target CEO to step down amid company struggles

The minutes underscored the reluctance among the majority of the Fed’s 19 policymakers to reduce the central bank’s short-term interest rate until they get a clearer sense of the impact of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on inflation. So far inflation has crept up in the past couple of months but hasn’t risen as much as many economists feared when Trump unveiled some of his duties.

The Fed left its key interest rate unchanged last month at about 4.3%, though two members of its governing board dissented in favor of a rate cut. Both dissenters — Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman — were appointed to the board during Trump’s first term.

At a news conference after the meeting, Chair Jerome Powell signaled that it might take significant additional time for the Fed to determine whether Trump’s sweeping tariffs are boosting inflation.

When the Fed changes its rate, it often — though not always — affects borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards.

The Fed typically keeps its rate high, or raises it, to cool borrowing and spending and combat inflation. It often cuts its rate to bolster the economy and hiring when growth is cooling.

New York City public school students will head back to class on Thursday, Sept. 4. For many families across the five boroughs, that means stocking up on a fresh batch of school supplies—the costs of which can add up. 

NYC students lined up for the first day of school in 2021. (Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office)

New York City public school students will head back to class on Thursday, Sept. 4. For many families across the five boroughs, that means stocking up on a fresh batch of school supplies—the costs of which can add up. 

According to a 2022 survey conducted by Junior Achievement USA, a nonprofit that advocates for the economic advancement of young people, 33 percent of the teens it surveyed across the country expressed insecurity over the cost of school supplies. This can lead to a stressful period as families try to get everything that is required on their child’s school supply list, in addition to uniforms, new clothes, sneakers, shoes and more.

Luckily, many New York City elected officials and local organizations host giveaways to help ease some of that burden.

“Unfortunately a lot of households already have limited resources and now with [all these] cuts it’s going to be a lot harder for people,” said Lance Sagesse, a leader with the Pentecostal Church of God in Flatbush, Brooklyn, which is organizing one such event on Aug. 23, referring to federal cuts to Medicaid, food stamps and other safety net programs. “So whatever we can do to relieve the burden from parents as well as students, that’s going to be our goal.” 

City Limits compiled this list of back to school supplies and backpack giveaways happening in the coming weeks. Heads up: most events are first-come, first-serve and have limited inventory available, and require the child or children be present.

Know one we missed? Email editor@citylimits.org.

For residents in Queens City Council District 22: City Councilmember Tiffany Cabán will host the following backpack distribution events, co-hosted by Congressmember Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, Big Reuse, the Hispanic Federation, the NYC District Council of Carpenters, and other partners. Backpacks will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis, one per child (the child must be present):  

Wednesday, Aug. 20: 4 to 6 p.m. Gorman Playground, 25th Avenue between 84th & 85th Streets in Queens

Saturday, Aug. 23: 1 to 4 p.m. at NYCHA’s Astoria Houses, 4-05 Astoria Blvd., Queens

New York Restoration Project will hold several backpack and school supply giveaways throughout the month of August at NYRP gardens. Learn more and register at nyrp.org/backpacks:

Friday, Aug. 22: Essex Street Community Garden (Cypress Hills, Brooklyn) featuring a cooking demo with chef Genny Mack

Saturday, Aug.  23: McLeod’s Community Garden (Brownsville, Brooklyn) & Los Amigos Community Garden(East Harlem, Manhattan)

Friday, Aug.  29: Bed-Stuy Community Garden (Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn) in partnership with Councilmember Chi Ossé

Saturday, Aug, 30: Target Bronx Community Garden (Highbridge, The Bronx) featuring a cooking demo with chef Brandy Cochrane & Creston Avenue Playground (Fordham, The Bronx)

Saturday, Aug. 30: Creston Avenue Playground (Fordham, The Bronx)

Sunday, Aug. 31: Eastchester Road Community Garden (Eastchester, The Bronx) in partnership with Councilmember Kevin C. Riley

NYC Health and Hospitals:

Jacobi Back To School Health Fest: Friday, Aug. 22, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1400 Pelham Parkway South, Bronx, NY 10461, Pedestrian Mall

Elmhurst Summer Yoga: Friday, Aug. 22,  12 to 1 p.m. at 79-01 Broadway, 4th Floor Room D4-17A, Elmhurst, NY 11373

Lincoln back to school health fest: Wednesday, Aug. 27 (Rain Date: Thursday, Aug. 28),  11a.m. to 2 p.m. at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, 234 E. 149th St, Bronx, NY 14051, Great Lawn

NYC Health and Hospitals North Central Bronx Back to school health fest: Friday, Aug. 29, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3424 Kossuth Ave., Bronx, NY 10467 (Kossuth Avenue between 208th and 210th streets)

NYC Health and Hospitals Elmhurst Mental Health and Wellness Block Party: Saturday, Sept. 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 41st Avenue and 80th Street, Elmhurst, Queens

Queens Library events:

Thursday, Aug 21, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the East Elmhurst Library, 95-06 Astoria Boulevard, East Elmhurst, NY 11369. More here.

Tuesday, Aug. 26, 12 to 3 p.m. at the Elmhurst Library, 86-07 Broadway, Elmhurst, NY 11373. More here.

Thursday, Aug. 28, 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the South Hollis Library, 204-01 Hollis Avenue, South Hollis, NY 11412. More here.

Pentecostal Church of God will be hosting a back to school giveaway on Saturday, Aug. 23 between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2310 Cortelyou Road, Brooklyn, NY 11226

Backpack Giveaway presented by New York City Councilmember Robert F. Holden: Wednesday, Aug, 20, 3 to 5 p.m. (while supplies last) at 58-38 69th St., Maspeth, NY 11378. Participants must reside in the 30th City Council district and have their children present with them. Event is hosted collaboration with Broadway Stages, Greater Ridgewood Youth Council, Madison Square Garden and Maspeth Town Hall.

Gateway Center Back To School Fest: Saturday, Aug. 23, 1 to -3:30 p.m. at Gateway Center Mall located at 579 Gateway Drive, Brooklyn, NY 11239. Live DJ, face painting, photo booth, games and more.

State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez Backpack Giveaway: Saturday, Aug. 23, 12 to 4 p.m. at 3025 Cross Bronx N. Service Rd., Bronx, NY 10465. Supplies are limited.

EmblemHealth and Neighborhood Care’s special back-to-school event and giveaway: Aug. 28, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at 88-31 55th Avenue, Elmhurst, NY 11373

Gerritsen Beach Library: Aug. 28 between 4 to 7 p.m. at 2808 Gerritsen Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11229. Organized by City Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse. One backpack per child. First come, first served. For more information, call 718-241-9330.

Back to School Homecoming 2025: Saturday, Sept. 6, 10  a.m. to 3 p.m. at PS/ MS 206 Schoolyard, 508 East 120th St., New York, NY 10035. Family fun, arts and crafts, face painting, music, games, giveaways, backpacks, school supplies, food, health care information 

University Settlement and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine’s backpack giveaway: Sept. 7, 1 to 3 p.m,184 Eldridge St., New York, NY

Midwood Block Association:  Families are invited to enjoy a fun-filled day with free school supplies for students, music, food, games, raffles, and more: Sept. 13, 2 to 5 p.m., located at 200 Midwood St., Brooklyn, NY 11225.

The post Upcoming Backpack & School Supplies Giveaways in NYC appeared first on City Limits.

By LARRY NEUMEISTER, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge who presided over the sex trafficking case against financier Jeffrey Epstein has rejected the government’s request to unseal grand jury transcripts.

The ruling Wednesday by federal Judge Richard Berman in Manhattan came after the judge presiding over the case against British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former girlfriend, also turned down the government’s request.

Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence after her conviction on sex trafficking charges for helping Epstein sexually abuse girls and young women. Epstein died in jail awaiting trial.

A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment.

Berman said the information contained in the Epstein grand jury transcripts “pales in comparison to the Epstein investigative information and materials in the hands of the Department of Justice.”

According to Berman’s ruling, no victims testified before the Epstein grand jury. The only witness, the judge wrote, was an FBI agent “who had no direct knowledge of the facts of the case and whose testimony was mostly hearsay.” The agent testified over two days, on June 18 and July 2, 2019. The rest of the grand jury presentation consisted of a PowerPoint slideshow shown during the June 18 session and a call log shown during the July 2 session, which ended with grand jurors voting to indict Epstein. Both of those will also remain sealed, Berman ruled.

Maxwell’s case has been the subject of heightened public focus since an outcry over the Justice Department’s statement last month saying that it would not be releasing any additional documents from the Epstein sex trafficking investigation. The decision infuriated online sleuths, conspiracy theorists and elements of President Donald Trump’s base who had hoped to see proof of a government cover-up.

Since then, Trump administration officials have tried to cast themselves as promoting transparency in the case, including by requesting from courts the unsealing of grand jury transcripts.

Related Articles

Scientists get a rare peek inside of an exploding star

US sanctions more ICC judges, prosecutors for probes into alleged American, Israeli war crimes

Many towns are unprepared to handle train derailments and hazmat spills

Texas school districts can’t put the Ten Commandments in every classroom, judge says

Summer celebrations meet closed beaches and warnings on US East Coast due to Hurricane Erin

“The government is the logical party to make comprehensive disclosure to the public of the Epstein file,” Berman wrote in an apparent reference to the Justice Department’s refusal to release additional records on its own while simultaneously moving to unseal grand jury transcripts.

“By comparison,” he added, “the instant grand jury motion appears to be a ‘diversion’ from the breadth and scope of the Epstein files in the Government’s possession. The grand jury testimony is merely a hearsay snippet of Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged conduct.”

Meanwhile, Maxwell was interviewed at a Florida courthouse weeks ago by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, and the House Oversight Committee had also said that it wanted to speak with Maxwell. Her lawyers said they would be open to an interview but only if the panel were to ensure immunity from prosecution.

In a letter Maxwell’s lawyers, Rep. James Comer, the committee chair, wrote that the committee was willing to delay the deposition until after the resolution of Maxwell’s appeal to the Supreme Court. That appeal is expected to be resolved in late September.

Comer wrote that while Maxwell’s testimony was “vital” to the Republican-led investigation into Epstein, the committee would not provide immunity or any questions in advance of her testimony, as was requested by her team.