This is an L.A. Times Studios podcast.

Hi, I'm Angelica Cornado at L.A. Times Studios. Here are some of today's headlines from the Los Angeles Times.

R&B singer Cassie Ventura gave an explosive testimony this week,

accusing music mogul's Sean Diddy Combs of more than a decade of abuse.

Richard Winton reports,

she told a federal jury that Combs raped her,

beat her,

and forced her into drug-fueled sex acts known as freak-offs,

which he directed, recorded, and sometimes used for blackmail.

Prosecutors say this was part of a broader criminal operation involving sex trafficking,

bribery, and obstruction of justice. One hotel surveillance video from 2016 shows Combs punching

and dragging her, footage that is now central to the case.

The defense admits Combs had violent outbursts,

but says the charges are overblown

and rooted in a toxic relationship, not criminal conduct.

The trial is unfolding in Manhattan,

and Ventura's testimony could play a key role in the outcome.

Governor Gavin Newsom is trying to fast-track a disputed $20 billion water tunnel through

the Sacramento-San-Waquine Delta.

Ian James reports the proposal would speed up permitting, limit lawsuits, and clear the way to

start building the 45-mile Delta Conveyance Project.

Newsom says California needs to modernize its water system to deal with a hotter, drier future.

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