Here are the morning’s top stories on Wednesday, September 16, 2026
- Federal scientists now say it’s very likely that a strong El Niño will continue through the end of the year. The natural phenomenon is pushing a massive stretch of warm water toward California, and climate scientists worry that this process could trigger monumental flooding later this year.
- California just became the first state in the nation to pass rules that require insurance companies to address smoke damage after major fires.
- Backers of a November ballot measure that would levy a tax on billionaires are facing an uphill battle, according to a new poll released today.
Derek Bentley is practicing karate on new blue mats in his San Rafael studio. His business is just yards from a marina connected to San Francisco Bay. The building flooded through seams in the foundation during a January storm, stacked on top of a king tide. Some of the old dirty mats are still stacked in a corner.
“We were closed for about a week after the flood and then we opened but we had like air dryers and some of the mats were still wet,” said Bentley. “Took a little bit of a credit card to it, but we got some new mats finally. We’re slowly rebuilding.”
He fears that a very strong El Niño will raise water levels and steer storms toward the Bay Area…