California Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking state lawmakers to shield utilities from financial trouble if their equipment sparks a wildfire by limiting the amount they have to pay victims and attorneys. He's pushing the plan in the final days of his last legislative session as governor. Property insurers and fire victims say utilities should continue to cover the cost of damages from blazes they spark. But the state's major utilities are urging lawmakers to pass Newsom's plan. The plan could ensure victims get paid more quickly after a blaze. The issue has loomed large throughout his nearly eight years in office.
Tens of thousands of people in northwest Indiana are entering a second week without power after a deadly storm toppled trees and power lines. Residents are throwing out spoiled food and lining up for hot meals. Some are searching for places to charge their phones or wash their clothes. Schools remain closed and businesses have been unable to reopen. The region's major utility company says 63,500 customers were still without power Thursday morning. Some areas may not have electricity back until next week. A professor who studies community resilience says prolonged outages can pose growing health risks and take a financial toll on those unable to work.
An electrical worker carries wire on the street to repair power in Gary, Ind, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, more than a week after a deadly storm passes through the area. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
An electrical worker repairs power lines along a street in Gary, Ind, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, more than a week after a deadly storm passes through the area. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
An electrical worker work power on the street for repair power in Gary, Ind, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, more than a week after a deadly storm passes through the area. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
An electrical worker repairs power lines along a street in Gary, Ind, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, more than a week after a deadly storm passes through the area. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Shatiya Hardin uses a flashlight as she looks around her basement after power outages at her house in Gary, Ind., Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, more than a week after a deadly storm passes through the area. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Shatiya Hardin uses a flashlight as she looks around her garage after power outages at her house in Gary, Ind., Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, more than a week after a deadly storm passes through the area. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Shatiya Hardin uses a flashlight to go to her basement after power outages at her house in Gary, Indiana., Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, more than a week after a deadly storm passes through the area. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Shatiya Hardin open a door for ventilate her house after power outages in Gary, Ind., Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, more than a week after a deadly storm passes through the area. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
