- August 16, 2026
California Medi-Cal rules tighten as 2026, 2027 changes take effect
California is tightening Medi-Cal eligibility in phases, with new limits already in place and more changes coming in 2027.
Gen Z Treats Sports Betting as Investing, Survey Finds
Betterment found 26% of Gen Z investors see sports betting as part of their financial plan, far above baby boomers at 1%.
USCIS Makes DNA Test Offers Mandatory in Family Immigration Cases
USCIS now requires officers to offer DNA testing when primary documents do not adequately prove family ties in immigration and adoption cases.
3 Koreans Died in ICE Custody, Including 2 Suicides
AILA records show three Korean nationals have died in ICE detention since 2003, and two of the deaths were ruled suicides.
Gulf Coast Vibrio Outbreak Kills 7; Officials Warn Swimmers With Wounds
Vibrio vulnificus has killed at least seven people this year on the Gulf Coast, and experts say people with open wounds should avoid seawater.
Spotify MAUs Near 780 Million as Paid Subscribers Hit 300 Million
Spotify said its monthly active users rose to 777 million in the second quarter, with paid subscribers reaching 300 million.
Not Washing Produce Can Be Dangerous for Cancer Patients, Doctors Warn
Oncologists warn that unwashed fruits and vegetables can trigger dangerous infections in people with weakened immune systems.
Downey Police Shootout Leaves Armed Man Dead on Fontana Street
Downey police say an armed man was shot and killed after confronting officers Friday afternoon on Fontana Street.
War’s Drag on U.S. Jobs Revives Trump-Fed Rate Fight
Prolonged conflict pressures U.S. businesses and jobs, while softer hiring boosts Wall Street and rekindles tension between Trump and the Fed.
New York City Homeowners Sue Over Luxury Second-Home Tax
Three New York City homeowners say the city’s new tax on expensive second homes was enforced improperly and should be delayed.
Wi Sung-lac Meets New U.S. Ambassador Michelle Steel for First Time
South Korea’s national security adviser met with new U.S. Ambassador Michelle Steel days after her arrival in Seoul.
New York Stocks Fall on Iran Strait Warning as Sandisk Tumbles 7%
Wall Street fell after Iran said it may restrict shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while Sandisk dropped sharply on weak earnings guidance.
Social Security COLA Seen Rising 3.8%, Topping $2,000 a Month for First Time
A projected 3.8% Social Security COLA would lift average monthly benefits above $2,000 for the first time.
South Korea’s Yoon Calls for Faster Military Academy Merger, Citing Coup History
President Lee pressed for a merged military academy, saying the Army academy’s coup history shows the need to prevent future abuses.
Kim Bum-ryong’s Dinner Show Draws Strong Crowd at Fantasy Springs
Korean singer Kim Bum-ryong’s Fantasy Springs dinner show ended with big applause, classic hits, and a warm fan interaction.
LA Mayoral Race Heats Up as Homelessness Returns as Top Issue
Los Angeles homelessness rose again in the latest count, intensifying pressure on Mayor Karen Bass as her challenger blames failed leadership.
DeepSeek’s Ultra-Low-Cost AI Model Challenges Claude on Price
DeepSeek’s latest model is drawing attention for costing far less to run than Anthropic’s Claude, though experts say total costs still depend on token use.
Michelle Steel Visits Namdaemun Market, Gushes About Seoul in Early Korea Tour
New U.S. Ambassador Michelle Steel posted photos from Namdaemun Market and Gwanghwamun, highlighting her personal ties to Seoul.
Jung Mong-gyu, Hong Myung-bo Apologize at National Assembly Hearing Over Korea Soccer
Former Korea Football Association chairman Jung Mong-gyu and ex-national team coach Hong Myung-bo apologized for failing to meet public expectations.
Court Orders SK Chairman to Pay 944.0 Billion Won in Divorce Asset Split
A Seoul appeals court ordered SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won to pay 944.0 billion won to his estranged wife, Noh So-young, in a long-running divorce case.
Nithya Raman blasts Bass over Boyle Heights warehouse fire response
Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman criticized Mayor Karen Bass’ response to the Boyle Heights warehouse fire and its lingering impacts.
Koreatown Graffiti Surges as LA Cuts Removal Budget
Koreatown ranks third in Los Angeles for graffiti complaints with 9,416 reports, yet the city reduced its removal budget by $2.3 million and cut 20 cleanup crews.
Over 50 Cars Caught in Illegal Street Race at LA Intersection
More than 50 vehicles gathered early Saturday at Avalon Blvd and Imperial Hwy in Los Angeles for an illegal street race, prompting a 911 call and LAPD response.
LAPD Arrests 4 to 5 Near LA Koreatown Following Search Operation
Los Angeles Police Department detained four to five individuals, including a suspect, near 515 S Manhattan Place in Koreatown after launching a search operation late Wednesday.
Koreatown’s Gold Finger Tailor Delivers Handmade Suits With Master Kim’s Craftsmanship
Master tailor Kim Byung-ho brings decades of handmade suit expertise to Los Angeles’ Gold Finger Tailor in Koreatown, blending tradition with personalized service.
PepsiCo’s $7 Dorito Price Cut Fails to Boost Demand, Warning to $20 Korean Ginseng Soup
PepsiCo’s 15% price cut on Doritos and Lay’s didn’t increase sales, signaling that once prices exceed consumer limits, demand stalls—a caution for Korea’s rising food costs.
Delta Launches Cheaper First and Business Fares With Fewer Perks
Delta Air Lines introduces new “Basic” premium fares offering lower prices for first and business class seats but with restricted perks like seat selection and lounge access.
California Ranks as 3rd Worst U.S. State to Move to in 2026 Report
A new ConsumerAffairs report places California as the 48th best state to move to in 2026, citing crippling housing costs and high crime rates as primary drivers.
World Cup Fail Exposes KFA’s “Shield” Strategy as Only Hong Myung-Bo Remains
After South Korea’s 2026 World Cup collapse, the KFA blames only coach Hong Myung-Bo while ignoring deep structural flaws, sparking calls for government and parliamentary reform.
LADWP Clarifies Koreatown E. coli: Testing Station Issue, Not Whole System, Deepens Trust Gap
LADWP says E. coli in Koreatown came from one testing station, not the entire water system, but residents question how a monitoring point could be contaminated, fueling distrust.
500 Gather for Illegal Street Takeover in Gardena as Residents Demand Action
Residents of Gardena, California, report up to 500 people and hundreds of vehicles blocking Main Street and 154th Avenue for illegal street takeovers, creating a life-threatening safety crisis that local officials are failing to address.
JoongAng Ilbo Enters Management Sale Talks Amid Financial Crisis
South Korea’s JoongAng Ilbo has officially begun selling its management rights as part of a restructuring plan to address a severe liquidity crisis triggered by affiliate defaults.
AI Era Demands Change: Why Korean Football Still Clings to Human Coaches and Tycoon Presidents
In an age where AI can instantly identify tactical flaws, Korean football still relies on human intuition and corporate power, sparking calls for systemic reform.
South Korea’s World Cup Hope: A Toxic Shortcut That Could Harm Football’s Future
Critics warn that South Korea’s potential 2026 World Cup advancement via other teams’ results, rather than self-qualification, could harm the nation’s football future due to flawed tactics and rigid coaching.
Why Google’s Top AI Talent Is Fleeing to OpenAI and Anthropic
Google faces a major talent exodus as key AI leaders Noam Shazeer and John Jumper depart for OpenAI and Anthropic, triggering a 5% drop in Alphabet stock and $225 billion in market value loss.
Japan Makes World Cup History With 4-0 Rout of Tunisia
Japan beat Tunisia 4-0 in Monterrey, becoming the first Asian team to score four goals in a World Cup match.
Nobel Laureate John Jumper Leaves Google DeepMind for Anthropic
John Jumper, the Nobel-winning scientist behind AlphaFold, is leaving Google DeepMind after nearly nine years to join Anthropic.
Trump’s Mail-In Voting Attacks Stir Debate Over California Elections
Trump’s renewed criticism of mail voting in California could energize distrust — and hurt Republicans in key districts.