The Associated Press reported on the recent deadly flash flooding in the Grand Canyon quoted UCLA hydroclimatologist Park Williams about how a strong El Niño this year may have contributed to the floods. Read more about UCLA in today’s Santa Monica Daily Press, The Conversation and other outlets.

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More highlights from UCLA in the News: September 2, 2026

Student homelessness surges nearly 30% in county schools | Santa Monica Daily Press

Student homelessness in Los Angeles County climbed nearly 30% in a single school year, far outpacing state and national trends, according to new UCLA research warning that the crisis is deepening just as the funding built to address it runs dry. (UCLA’s Mayra Cazares-Minero and Joseph Bishop were quoted.)

The latest on the conflict in Iran | CNN

“Activity is what we've seen in the last 48 hours: rockets being fired, both sides taking shots at each other. The facts haven't changed, meaning the stalemate is still there. The blockade is in place. The Strait of Hormuz is still constricted. Those facts haven't changed. So, this exchange of fire doesn't necessarily tell us that anything is moving in any direction in the big picture,” said UCLA’s Benjamin Radd.

Court rules states can regulate prediction markets like gambling | LAist’s “AirTalk”

“I think this is definitely going to the Supreme Court, and I think there’s a good chance that it will move quickly. One reason is the stakes are high. It’s not just a high money value case; it’s a case that impacts many Americans, millions of people are involved in these apps,” said UCLA’s Andrew Verstein (approx. 7:30 mark).

Can the U.S. president legally use donations to build the ballroom? | The Conversation

(Commentary by UCLA’s Ellen Aprill) The fate of President Donald Trump’s estimated $400 million White House ballroom may hinge on the little-known and somewhat surprising rules as to when the federal government and its agencies can accept privately donated funds. That’s because Trump’s using the fact that he’s been accepting private donations to pay for at least some of the project’s cost as a justification for not needing Congress’ explicit authorization.

Concerns about mail-in voting for the midterms | CNN

“It strengthens the state's case, and in fact, today the lawyers representing the 23 states and the District of Columbia brought the whistleblower’s report to the attention of the judge by filing supplemental authority,” said UCLA’s Rick Hasen (approx. 5:30 mark).