Max Park, pictured after winning a December 2021 competition, recently set a world record for solving a 3x3x3 Rubik's cube in 3.13 seconds.
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Courtesy of Schwan Park
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Topline:
Park, of Cerritos, set a new world record for the fastest 3x3x3 Rubik's cube time, with 3.13 seconds, on June 11 at a competition in Southern California. He stunned the speedcubing community, those who compete to quickly solve the twisty puzzles.
Why it matters: MaxPark's achievements have drawn a fandom and inspired others to get into cubing. Parents of autistic children have reached out to say how inspiring Max has been.
The backstory: As a preteen, Max Park couldn't unscrew the cap of a water bottle, let alone try to tackle a Rubik's cube. He lacked fine motor skills, a symptom of his autism. Now, at 21, Max can solve a Rubik's cube in less time than it takes to read this sentence.
As a preteen, Max Park couldn't unscrew the cap of a water bottle, let alone try to tackle a Rubik's cube.
He lacked the fine motor skills, a symptom of his autism.
Now, at 21, Max can solve a Rubik's cube in less time than it takes to read this sentence.
Max, of Cerritos, set a new world record for the fastest 3x3x3 Rubik's cube time, with 3.13 seconds, on June 11 at a competition in Southern California. He stunned the speedcubing community, those who compete to quickly solve the twisty puzzles.
"It's the holy grail of records," said Matthew Dickman, the senior delegate for the United States and Canada at the World Cube Association, the governing body that oversees official speedcubing competitions. He attended the cubing event in Long Beach last Sunday. "I've heard the room when he breaks records before and it gets very loud. But this was a completely different type of loud."
It tops the previous 3x3x3 record set nearly five years ago by China's Yusheng Du at 3.47 seconds. Max, who holds the record for nearly all of the major cubing events, including the 7x7x7 cube, is widely regarded as the world's top "speedcuber" right now.
"He constantly surprises us," said his father, Schwan Park.
Speedcubing is Max's therapy
Miki Park is pictured with Max Park in the Netflix documentary "The Speed Cubers."
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Netflix
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When Max was diagnosed with moderate to severe autism as a toddler, Schwan and his wife Miki realized their son would require long-term care. In addition to his motor challenges, Max has difficulties with social communication.
At age 9, Max took an interest in the Rubik's cube they had lying around their house.
Seeing an opportunity there, Miki seized it.
"His mother thought it might work as a tool to help socialization between mom and Max and to try to help them develop his finger strengths," Schwan said.
She learned how to solve the cube on YouTube so she could teach Max. Within a couple days, Max solved the puzzle. At age 10, he went to his first speedcube competition in downtown Los Angeles.
"Right away, Max lit up," Schwan said. "He looked like a kid who found this tribe."
Ever since, the world of speedcubing has allowed him the space to grow his social skills, his dad said.
Competitions helped teach Max how to wait in line, and how to look to the judge to communicate when he's ready. Even as Max ascends to speedcubing royalty, those are the kind of feats that bring his family the most pride.
When Max won his first 3x3x3 record at the World Championships in 2017, his parents were thrilled by a subtler victory: While standing on the podium, Max looked to other winners to see how to hold his certificate up for the crowd. The moment was captured in The Speed Cubers, a 2020 documentary that follows Max's story.
"For us, an autistic kid looking at his peer and mimicking is like the ultimate goal," Schwan said in the film.
The competitive world of speedcubing
A competitor races against the clock in the 3x3x3 Blindfolded event at the World Cube Association (WCA) World Championships held in Melbourne on July 14, 2019.
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William West
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AFP via Getty Images
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On any given weekend, over a dozen different competitions are held around the world, with around 100 competitors each, according to Dickman of the WCA. More than 140,000 cubers from over 140 countries are registered with the organization.
"Speedcubing is a lot bigger than you would expect," Dickman said.
The mental sport has been growing steadily in the decades since inventor Ernő Rubik's creation first hit stores in the late 1970s and early '80s. More recently, online tutorials and the spread of competitions have spurred a revival worldwide.
The cubing competitions range in complexity. Some involve a pyramid-shaped cube, others are blindfolded; there's also a one-handed challenge. But the original 3x3x3 cube is widely regarded as the main event. The fastest competitors have memorized hundreds of sequences, or algorithms, used to solve the puzzles. From there, it's all muscle memory.
The competition skews younger than it did 10 years ago. Today, most registrants are around 12 to 15 years old, Dickman said. They're getting faster, too. Contestants often edge out others within a minuscule .05 seconds.
"It's insanely competitive," Dickman said. "You could put any of the top 16 people who are attending Worlds, write their name down on a piece of paper, throw it in a hat and then just pick one. There's a good chance that that person wins."
For all its nail-biting competition, the cubing scene is home to a surprisingly supportive community.
"People are more focused on either the social aspect of it or the thrill of breaking your own personal best," said Dickman.
Max has gained fame for his speedcubing
From left, Schwan, Jason, Max and Miki Park in 2020. Max recently set a record time in solving the original Rubik's cube.
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Schwan Park
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Max's achievements have drawn a fandom and inspired others to get into cubing. Parents of autistic children have reached out to say how inspiring Max has been.
Max's success "gives a sense of hope for the parents too — that your child can find something that they're passionate about and it will help give them a sense of purpose," Schwan said, "sort of like a guiding light."
But Max isn't driven by celebrity. It's difficult for him to grasp the abstract concept of fame, his father said. Max is comfortable with the quantifiable.
"He doesn't see much value in that, being popular and famous," Schwan said. "He understands fame, but he can't really feel it."
The cube, though, is tangible. There are 43 quintillion possible configurations of the original cube.
"To Max, that's not infinite," Schwan said.
Outside of the Rubik's cube, Max has a passion for traveling. South Korea, which is on Max's wishlist, happens to be hosting the WCA World Championship in August.
"He has friends from South Korea, cubers that he's really looking forward to seeing," his dad said.
Robert Garrova
explores the weird and secret bits of SoCal that would excite even the most jaded Angelenos. He also covers mental health.
Published June 3, 2026 5:27 PM
Mosquitoes being dropped into tubes to be tested for West Nile virus.
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Tim Boyle
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Getty Images
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Topline:
Officials in Orange County are reporting the first detection of West Nile virus in mosquitos this year.
Where? Mosquitos collected in the Newport Beach area have tested positive for West Nile, according to Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District. The infected insects were collected in an area bordered by Campus Drive, Jamboree Road, State Route 73 and John Wayne Airport. according to the OCMVCD.
Any humans infected? There are no reported cases so far of West Nile in humansin Orange County.
What’s West Nile again? For humans, the CDC says the virus is commonly spread through the bite of the infected insects and can lead to severe illness affecting the central nervous system. Symptoms can include: fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea or rash.
What’s being done about it? Vector Control workers will continue inspections to try and tamp down on mosquito breeding.
What you can do: O.C. officials said dumping and draining standing water at least once a week is the best way to limit the pests in your community.
The OCMVCD also shared these tips:
Clean and scrub bird baths and pet water bowls.
Wear repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Close all unscreened doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home or space; repair broken or damaged screens.
Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants while outside at dawn and dusk.
David Wagner
covers housing in Southern California, a place where the lack of affordable housing contributes to homelessness.
Published June 3, 2026 3:54 PM
A Los Angeles City Council meeting April 2, 2025.
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Samanta Helou Hernandez
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LAist
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The Los Angeles City Council moved Wednesday to postpone some of the biggest changes possible under a new state law putting more housing near transit stops. Instead, the council advanced plans for increased density in some targeted neighborhoods.
SB 79 is set to take effect July 1. That hotly debated state law allows apartment buildings between five and nine stories tall near train and rapid bus stops. But the law lets cities delay full implementation until 2030 by crafting local, phased-in approaches for creating more housing. On Wednesday, the council voted 13-0 in favor of a new “Low-Rise Ordinance,” allowing buildings up to four stories tall in 57 neighborhoods near transit stops.
L.A.’s proposed new ordinance aims to delay full implementation of SB 79 in areas deemed historically significant, at high risk of fires or economically “low resource.” Advocates for increased development say the way to get rising rents under control is to build more housing. But homeowner groups in areas the city considers “high resource” have argued denser housing doesn’t belong in the nearly three-quarters of residential land zoned for single-family homes.
Barbara Broide, a board member of the Westside Neighborhood Council, said in an earlier City Planning Commission meeting that the city’s plans to delay SB 79 by channeling growth into certain neighborhoods could have “unintended consequences.”
“The promise of having duplex, triplex and courtyard typologies of housing are being lost with this measure,” Broide said. “Instead we’re seeing four-story apartment buildings with no setbacks, no trees, no place for families, for children to play or tomatoes to be planted.”
Mahdi Manji, a policy director with the Inner City Law Center, said during Wednesday’s public comment period that he supported allowing mixed-income developments in neighborhoods that have historically resisted such housing. But he called for tweaks that would allow ground-level parking and greater density for projects that include more income-restricted units.
“This could be a unique opportunity to make some of these projects a little bit more feasible while adding a little bit of deeper affordability,” Manji said.
The plan still needs to come back to the full City Council for a final vote. Then it will head to the desk of Mayor Karen Bass. She had asked Gov. Gavin Newsom last year to veto SB 79, arguing the state shouldn’t tell L.A. how to plan for more housing.
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A bipartisan majority in the Republican-led House voted on Wednesday to end the war with Iran, the clearest rebuke yet of President Donald Trump's handling of the conflict and the subsequent economic fallout.
About the vote: The war powers resolution passed by a vote of 215 to 208, with four Republicans joining Democrats in support.
What it means: The vote is mostly symbolic. Democrats, despite multiple attempts, have been unable to pass a war powers resolution through the Republican-led Senate. Even if the measure passed in Congress, it would almost certainly be vetoed by Trump, whose administration has questioned the constitutionality of the War Powers Act.
A bipartisan majority in the Republican-led House voted on Wednesday to end the war with Iran, the clearest rebuke yet of President Donald Trump's handling of the conflict and the subsequent economic fallout.
The war powers resolution passed by a vote of 215 to 208, with four Republicans joining Democrats in support.
The resolution had originally been set for a vote two weeks ago, but Republican leaders sent House members home early for a May recess when it appeared the largely Democratic-backed measure had enough Republican votes for passage. However, the extended break didn't shift GOP support to kill the measure.
Ahead of the vote, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., defended Trump's decision to attack Iran.
"Remember … Iran declared war on us 47 years ago. They chant 'death to America.' The president is trying to keep the people safe," Johnson told reporters.
The vote is mostly symbolic. Democrats, despite multiple attempts, have been unable to pass a war powers resolution through the Republican-led Senate. Even if the measure passed in Congress, it would almost certainly be vetoed by President Trump, whose administration has questioned the constitutionality of the War Powers Act.
Still, Senate Democrats have been inching closer. Last month, they won support on a procedural measure to set up a war powers vote after a handful of Republicans broke ranks to join them. A final vote has yet to be scheduled.
The administration has furiously pushed against the effort in both the House and Senate. Wednesday's vote signals his support for the war may be slipping even among some members of his own party.
Now more than 90 days into the conflict, some Republicans have expressed frustration that the war does not appear to have a clear end in sight. Talks to end the war have yet to gain clear traction, casting doubt on a fragile ceasefire. Just hours before the vote, Iran and the U.S. traded strikes in the Persian Gulf.
The conflict began on Feb 28 with strikes by U.S. and Israeli forces on Iran. Under the 1973 War Powers Act, the president has 60 days to end hostilities if there has been no congressional authorization – though he is able to seek a 30-day extension. The same law also gives Congress the ability to end hostilities by voting on a resolution to end military action, subject to presidential veto.
The top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., warned ahead of the May recess when the vote was delayed that the plan was sure to pass.
"Let's be clear: Republicans pulled this vote because they knew they were going to lose it," Meeks said. "They know this war is a political and strategic disaster."
Copyright 2026 NPR
The latest data shows that EVs typically cost $3,159 per year to insure — nearly $1,000 more than gas-powered cars. It’s an added burden that could make the payback period on EVs significantly longer.
The cost breakdown: On average, the insurance gap between electric and internal combustion engine, or ICE, vehicles was 42%, according to a report released today by the insurance-comparison marketplace Insurify. But it varies drastically by state and model. The most expensive locale was Washington, D.C., where coverage cost $6,394 versus $4,124 for ICE cars. In California, coverage for electric cars costs $3,584 on average versus $2,969 for ICE cars.
Which car brands have the highest insurance? Generally speaking, luxury brands like Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi are particularly expensive to insure, with premiums on many models topping $4,000. Volvo, Chevrolet, Ford, and Hyundai offer cars at the lower end of the spectrum. Insurify wouldn’t disclose which insurers had the most expensive rates, but did say Lemonade, Root, and GEICO offered the most affordable EV coverage. A primary reason for the disparity is that EVs cost more to fix.
Electric vehicles offer many opportunities to save money: on gas, on oil changes, on engine maintenance. But, it turns out, insurance isn’t one of them. In fact, the latest data shows that EVs typically cost $3,159 per year to insure — nearly $1,000 more than gas-powered cars. It’s an added burden that could make the payback period on EVs significantly longer.
On average, the insurance gap between electric and internal combustion engine, or ICE, vehicles was 42%, according to a report released by the insurance-comparison marketplace Insurify. But it varies drastically by state and model. The most expensive locale was Washington, D.C., where coverage cost $6,394 versus $4,124 for ICE cars. Maine was the cheapest at $1,476, just $184 more than a conventional car. The difference was most pronounced in Rhode Island, which has a 73% spread.
Generally speaking, luxury brands like Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi are particularly expensive to insure, with premiums on many models topping $4,000. Volvo, Chevrolet, Ford, and Hyundai offer cars at the lower end of the spectrum. Insurify wouldn’t disclose which insurers had the most expensive rates, but did say Lemonade, Root, and GEICO offered the most affordable EV coverage.
“Insurers were charging those higher premiums to balance their risks,” said Julia Taliesin, an economic analyst and insurance agent at Insurify, who wrote the report. It is based on more than 235 million quotes in Insurify’s proprietary database. Seven states — Alaska, Hawai‘i, North Dakota, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming — are excluded due to lower quoting volume. But high insurance expenses means it can take more driving before an EV pays for itself through lower fuel and operating costs. Even if electricity were free and gas stays at $4 per gallon it translates to at least 5,800 more miles a year compared to a car that gets 25 mpg.
A primary reason for the disparity is that EVs cost more to fix.
“We do see that there is a delta in the cost of repair for electric vehicles compared to ICE,” said Ryan Mandell, a vice president of strategy and market intelligence at Mitchell, a company which provides data and software related to car repairs. He pegs the difference at about 15%, noting that batteries are relatively expensive to fix and for mechanics to work around and that EVs have complicated electronics. But there are more fundamental factors as well, like the lack of an engine.
Mandell gave the Ford F-150 as an example. From 2022 to 2025 an electric version of the pickup truck, called the Lightning, was available alongside gas-only and hybrid versions. When Mitchell subjected the gasoline and EV models to a front-end crash test the engine in the traditional model actually absorbed quite a bit of the impact. Because it doesn’t have that additional structure, Ford designed the Lightning with additional reinforcement that cost around 30% more to fix.
“The Lightning had more crash parts on the front of the vehicle,” said Mandell. He also noted that Ford requires removing the battery before doing any work, which increases labor costs. “It adds up.”
Repair costs, however, are not the only factor insurers consider. Insurify’s data showed insurance rates for the two trucks are roughly the same, which Taliesin said suggests driver demographics and behavior play a role, too. “One of the most significant is personal driving history and credit history,” she said. Given the Lightning’s much higher cost, the credit scores of owners could potentially be higher. And Insurify’s data shows that the ticket and accident rates for Lightning drivers are about half that of traditional F-150s.
“Factors like climate risk, vehicle theft rates, population density, insurance regulation, repair infrastructure, and EV adoption levels contribute to regional cost differences,” the Insurify report stated. In several states it cited climate-driven extreme weather, such as hurricanes and flooding, as drivers of high costs.
This EV insurance story isn’t unique to the United States. In 2024, BloombergNEF found about the same spread in the United Kingdom and Germany. France saw double the disparity. Overall, though, American EV owners still paid 87% more for insurance than Europeans.
“Several model-specific factors have driven the wider cost gaps in the large and SUV segments,” said Aleksandra O’Donovan, head of electrified transport at BloombergNEF, pointing to the Tesla Model Y as a particularly extreme example. “[The U.S. price] is nearly triple the insurance rate for the same vehicle in Germany.”
From 2023 to 2025, the EV insurance gap in the U.S. grew from 29% to 49%. But this year, it came down slightly, which Taliesin said is among a few good signs for EV drivers. Another is that the disparity among cars made in the last two years was only 18 percent — compared 42% across all years.
That drop is partly because auto insurance prices fell across the board in the last year. But Taliesin also said that ICE cars are catching up to EVs in terms of how complicated and expensive they are to fix. The cost of EV batteries is also trending downward, too. As EV sales have grown, there is more data for companies to base their prices on and more incentive for them to court EV owners.
”We’ve been seeing a ton of insurance-shopping behavior as insurers have been dropping their rates to compete for business,” said Taliesin, who is bullish for consumers. “That’s definitely a welcome reprieve.”
