Axios

Democratic socialist Nithya Raman toppled embattled Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in a stunning upset, putting South Asian immigrants on course to lead America's two largest cities.

Why it matters: With New York's Zohran Mamdani already in office, Raman's win puts democratic socialists on track to run two of America's most powerful city halls — testing whether their promises on affordable housing and better government can survive the pressures of governing.

Congress returns next week facing a renewed push for transparency over the Jeffrey Epstein files, as a top House Democrat promises new investigations following the party's midterm victories.

Why it matters: The Epstein files controversy has been a recurring political issue throughout President Trump's second term and featured prominently in the midterm campaigns. Democrats' incoming House majority could bring fresh scrutiny of his administration's handling of the files.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday he plans to commute all 548 of the state's death sentences to life without parole, a sweeping decision that could empty the nation's largest death row.

Why it matters: If Newsom follows through, it will be the largest mass commutation of death sentences in U.S. history, reducing the national death-row population by more than a quarter.

• The move comes during Newsom's final months as governor and ahead of a potential 2028 bid for president.