Good morning. We’re reading about how thousands of octopuses are converging off of California’s coast. Onto the five USC, Los Angeles and California stories you need to know for today.

1.

A new study found that the waves along California’s coast have gotten significantly bigger since the 1970s, a phenomenon fueled by climate change that could lead to worsening coastline erosion. The study’s authors analyzed 90 years of seismic records — the same ones used to measure earthquakes — which can detect when two waves moving in opposite directions collide.

2.

A two-story commercial building in downtown LA’s Fashion District caught fire early Wednesday morning, sending a plume of smoke into the air for miles. At the time of sending this newsletter, firefighters were still battling the blaze and no injures were reported. Los Angeles Street between 11th and 12th is shut down.

3.

For years, a mysterious company bought up thousands of acres in rural Solano County for prices well above market rate. Theories abounded. A massive wind farm? A new Disneyland? A Chinese conspiracy? Turns out some of the biggest venture capitalists and CEOs in Silicon Valley want to build a new city: their solution to the state’s homelessness and housing woes. Experts say it’ll take decades before the project breaks ground.

4.

West Nile virus infections are on the rise after a particularly wet California winter bore ideal conditions for mosquito reproduction. The state reported 55 total cases this year on Aug. 25, double what was reported in 2022 at the same time. Five of this year’s cases have been fatal.

5.

Northern California’s electric utility said it may shut down power for thousands of customers in the Sacramento Valley after officials posted a fire danger warning. It would be the utility’s first shutoff since 2021, when it cut power to nearly 2 million customers in the Bay Area and drew fierce criticism. The issue of shutoffs has become central in the Lahaina fire, where Maui County claims the island’s utility negligently failed to cut power despite fire conditions.

You’re all caught up. Thanks for reading Morning, Trojan, and have a good day. Anna Hsu copy edited this newsletter.

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