CA Student Test Scores Up, Shutdown Back Pay Fallout, Lakers Fan Sues LeBron, Israel Gaza Peace Deal, ICE L.A. Emergency Declaration, AI Bubble, UC Scientists Win Nobel Prize

Headlines From The Times

L.A. Times Studios

News, Daily News, Society & Culture, The Times, California

4.1 • 544 Ratings

🗓️ 10 October 2025

⏱️ 8 minutes

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Summary

California test scores rose for a second straight year, with major gains in Compton and L.A. Unified as the state adopts new literacy reforms. The federal shutdown deepened after President Trump suggested furloughed workers might not get back pay. A Lakers fan sued LeBron James, claiming a misleading retirement tease. Trump announced an Israel-Hamas peace deal with hostage releases and troop withdrawals. L.A. County moved toward declaring an emergency over ICE raids. In business, experts warn of an AI investment bubble, and three University of California scientists won the Nobel Prize in Physics for advances in quantum computing.

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is an LA Times Studios podcast.
0:09.8	Hi, I'm Faith Bino, and you're listening to Headlines from LA Times Studios.
0:14.4	Here are some of today's top stories from the Los Angeles Times.
0:18.6	California students are finally clawing back from pandemic learning loss as state test scores
0:24.9	are on the rise for the second year in a row, with Compton and LA Unified showing some of the
0:30.9	strongest gains in the state.
0:33.4	Howard Bloom and Jenny Gold report that nearly half of all students scored proficient or advanced in English and about 37% in math, with both up nearly two points from just last year.
0:47.1	Compton students now exceed the state average, while LA Unified hit record highs under the current testing system.
0:54.8	Governor Gavin Newsom says the upward trend is proof that state investments are paying off.
1:00.4	On Thursday, he signed a sweeping new education law that requires all schools to teach reading
1:06.6	using phonics-based instruction, a strategy aimed at boosting literacy and closing achievement gaps.
1:13.6	Newsom also took aim at President Trump, accusing the administration of cutting education funds,
1:20.0	even as California doubles down on student support.
1:23.8	Despite the progress, scores still trail pre-pandemic levels. And state leaders say the goal now is to turn those small gains into lasting achievement.
1:33.3	And thousands of federal employees are facing fresh uncertainty as the government shutdown enters its second week.
1:41.3	According to Michael Wilner, President Trump suggested
1:45.1	Tuesday that back pay for furloughed workers is not guaranteed, even though federal
1:50.9	law guarantees compensation. Trump also signaled potential mass layoffs if the
1:56.1	shutdown continues, calling the closure a, unprecedented opportunity to cut agencies permanently.
2:03.9	Legal experts say withholding pay or targeting workers is illegal, and some unions have already
2:10.1	filed lawsuits challenging the administration's actions. Public policy scholars warned the move
2:16.2	could have long-term effects, including discouraging future generations from federal service and undermining the government workforce.
	...

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