This is an L.A. Times Studios podcast.

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

COVID levels are rising again in California, and a new sub-variant called Nimbus could be to blame.

Ron Lynn reports this Amacron version is now the most common variant jumping from 2% in April to 55% of cases today.

Nimbus has been linked to painful symptoms.

Many call razor blade throat.

Wastewater data shows COVID activity is high in places like Santa Clara, San Bernardino, and L.A. County. Federal officials are being criticized for weakening vaccine guidance, including dropping recommendations for pregnant women and firing the Vaccine Advisory Committee. Doctors and public health leaders are sounding the alarm, saying the changes could destabilize vaccine policy and put lives at risk. Experts say we could

be heading into another summer surge. In an unprecedented move, a federal judge is considering

whether to take control of Los Angeles' homelessness programs.

Doug Smith reports the decision comes after a heated two-week hearing where thousands of

objections flew and witnesses described a system in crisis. The LA Alliance for Human Rights says

the city has fallen short on its promises, claiming not enough beds have been built and encampments have

grown. The city disagrees, arguing it's on track and backed by voters who approved a $1.2 billion

housing bond. But a court-ordered audit found serious gaps in data, double-counted beds, and

missing documentation. Advocates say people are dying on Skid Row while

money and plans fall short. The judge, who once called the system a rocky horror picture show,

must now decide if L.A. needs an administrator to fix the crisis or just more accountability.

State Farm is facing a major lawsuit from L.A. fire victims who say they were grossly underinsured.

Caitlin Huamani reports seven households are suing, claiming the provider low-bold replacement costs that left them without enough money to rebuild.

The lawsuit says State Farm misled homeowners and deliberately set coverage limits too low,

in some cases by more than $2 million. One couple was told their $1 million policy would be

enough to rebuild, but post-fire estimates came back at over $3 million. California's insurance

...