Laura J. Nelson

A Battle with My Blood When I was diagnosed with leukemia, my first thought was that this couldn’t be happening to me, to my family.

“When you are dying, at least in my limited experience, you start remembering everything.” Tatiana Schlossberg, the daughter of Caroline Kennedy, writes about receiving a terminal diagnosis. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/4SkkDI

The California Campaign to Introduce a First-of-Its-Kind Billionaire’s Tax A union-backed ballot measure is aimed at raising healthcare funding. But it faces opposition from Gov. Gavin Newsom.

California is home to more billionaires than any other state. Voters may have a chance next year to hit them with a 5% wealth tax.

My story with @laurajnelson.bsky.social:

www.wsj.com/business/cal...

End of The Line: how Saudi Arabia’s Neom dream unravelled Mohammed bin Salman’s utopian city was undone by the laws of physics and finance

NEW: The End of the Line: the centrepiece of Saudi Arabia’s Neom gigaproject - a 500m tall, 170km long wall-like building intended ultimately to house 9 million people - can’t get out of the ground, say more than 20 former Neom architects, engineers and senior executives.
ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...

The road that led, 13 years later, to hearing: ‘Austin is dead’ | CNN Politics The mystery of what happened to Austin Tice has plagued multiple US administrations. Since the Assad regime fell in December 2024, witnesses have emerged, including many who point to one man that CNN tracked to an apartment in Beirut.

CNN's Clarissa Ward tracked down and confronted a top advisor to former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, who held American journalist Austin Tice after his capture in 2012.

"Of course, Austin is dead. Austin is dead," he said in a video captured on hidden cameras. www.cnn.com/2025/10/28/politi...

10 years ago tonight

truly one of the rare situations where pacific time has a chance to shine

at what point do they let the runner-up teams start playing

oh Mike I’m so, so sorry. she brought joy to so many of us.

Newsom, Harris both considering runs for president in 2028 Gov. Gavin Newsom says he’s considering a run for president in 2028 — a day after former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris made the same pronouncement.

Newsom, Harris both considering runs for president in 2028

Please keep those suggestions coming

Thank you!!!!

Some news: Today is my first day at the Wall Street Journal!

I'll be reporting from L.A., tracking big California stories and digging into the nexus between politics and tech. Really excited to get started.

For coffees, tips, ideas, gossip, etc., I'm at Laura.Nelson@wsj.com.

this was perfect (pearfect), thank you

Artillery Shell Detonated Over Interstate 5 During Marines’ Celebration, California Officials Say

An artillery shell fired during 250th anniversary celebration of the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton on Saturday detonated prematurely over Interstate 5, damaging a California Highway Patrol vehicle on JD Vance's security detail www.nytimes.com/2025/10/19/u...

I’m honestly very surprised that their most popular recipe of all time is BEEF STEW. I would read 5,000 words on this phenomenon.

I want you to know that I laughed at this very niche joke

Thank you so much 💕

I have, and will continue to, from afar. Thank you so much!

One of my favorite stories EVER. Thank you!!

Some personal news, as they say: This is my last day at the
@latimes.com.

Thank you, thank you to everyone who has shared their time, expertise and stories over the last 13 years, and to my kind and brilliant colleagues. Grateful doesn't even begin to cover it.

YouTube video by Jimmy Kimmel Live Jimmy Kimmel is Back!

As I was saying…

Protester found not guilty of assault despite top Border Patrol official's testimony A misdemeanor assault case against Brayan Ramos-Brito was the first to go to trial after dozens of people were accused of impeding or attacking federal agents during protests against immigration enfor...

Protester found not guilty of assault against federal officer at L.A. immigration protest despite top Border Patrol official's testimony. Latest w/ @brittnymejia.bsky.social www.latimes.com/california/s...

California's incarcerated firefighters, who make about $30 per day, could get a big raise On Thursday, California lawmakers unanimously approved a plan to pay incarcerated firefighters the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour while assigned to an active fire, a raise of more than 700%.

California's incarcerated firefighters, who make about $30 per day, could get a big raise

I need it

'The whole thing is screwed up': Farmers in deep-red Pennsylvania struggle to find workers They're pushing lawmakers to move faster on a farm labor solution, even as the president cracks down on immigration.

"The U.S. agricultural workforce fell by 155,000 — about 7 percent — between March and July, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data. That tracks with Pew Research Center data that shows total immigrant labor fell by 750,000 from January through July."

California legislators strike last-minute deal to help oil industry but limit offshore drilling The compromise would streamline environmental approvals for new wells in oil-rich Kern County and make offshore drilling more difficult by tightening the safety and regulatory requirements for pipelin...

California legislative leaders have introduced a last-minute deal aimed at increasing oil production in Kern County’s oil fields while further restricting offshore drilling. @laurajnelson.bsky.social @grace2e.bsky.social www.latimes.com/california/s...

A little like green car is parked in front of a brick building and a big tree. A sunbeam illuminates the brick.

Midtown Sacramento

Thank you for admitting this and making my day a little brighter

Schiff lawyer told Justice Department it should investigate Pulte for probing mortgages of Trump opponents An attorney for Sen. Adam Schiff told the Department of Justice that there was 'no factual basis' to investigate Schiff over mortgage fraud claims, but 'ample' reason to investigate the Trump official...

Shortly after Trump accused Sen. Schiff (@schiff.senate.gov) of mortgage fraud, Schiff's attorney wrote to DOJ that there was “no factual basis” for the claims — but “ample basis” for an investigation of Bill Pulte's work digging into Trump’s political opponents.

www.latimes.com/politics/sto...