This is an LA Times Studios podcast.

Hi, I'm Angelica Cornado at LA Times Studios.

Here are some of today's headlines from the Los Angeles Times.

The Supreme Court has declined to hear a major Second Amendment challenge on semi-automatic

rifle bans. David Savage reports the court rejected an appeal from gun rights activists

claiming AR-15s and similar rifles are protected as commonly owned weapons.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch wanted to take the case, but Brett

Kavanaugh held back, saying the court will likely tackle the issue in a future term.

But for now, this leaves in place bans in Maryland, California, and other states, where lawmakers

argue these rapid fire military-style weapons are

simply too dangerous for civilian use. The decision shows the court isn't rushing to overturn

state gun laws, even as the national gun debate heats up.

California's landmark environmental law is on the brink of its biggest overhaul in decades.

Liam Dillon reports Governor Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers are fast-tracking two bills to revise the California Environmental Quality Act, or SICWA.

One bill would exempt most urban housing projects from SICWA, while the other would loosen rules for infrastructure and development statewide.

For years, SICWA has been blamed for slowing down housing and public projects, despite its goal of protecting the environment.

Supporters say the changes could help solve the state's housing crisis, but critics argue it might take away local community's power to shape projects.

If passed, these changes could become law within weeks, showing California's ready to build big.

Disney is cutting jobs again as it faces challenges in a shifting TV landscape. Meg James

reports that hundreds of workers worldwide were notified Monday that their positions

have been eliminated. The layoffs hit marketing, publicity, casting, development, and financial

teams. This follows a round of 200 layoffs just three months ago, including at ABC News.

...