California swelters as heat wave engulfs state

California was in a state of emergency as a brutal heat wave brought the threat of power outages and wildfires. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday declared an emergency to increase energy production and relaxed rules aimed at curbing air pollution and global warming gases.

He emphasized the role climate change was playing in the heat wave. Rolling blackouts "are a possibility but not an inevitability" during the current heat wave, said Elliot Mainzer, president and CEO of the California Independent System Operator. Cooling centers were being opened across the state and officials encouraged people to seek comfort at public libraries and stores — even if just for a few hours to prevent overheating.