March 4, 2023 Big Bear Valley is covered with snow Thursday after a series of storms blanketed the San Bernardino Mountains. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) By Kenya Romero Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. It is Saturday, March 4. Here’s a look at the top stories of the last week Gov. Gavin Newsom declares state of emergency in 13 counties as winter storms hammer California. Newsom declared a state of emergency for 13 counties in California that have been hammered by historic winter storms. More on the California storm: Cut off for 10 days and running low on food, stranded mountain residents are angry, afraid and demanding help. Mountains of snow close Yosemite and other California parks after recent winter storms. Before and after photos from space show storms’ effect on California reservoirs. Yet more rain is expected to hit California this month. Warmer storms could cause problems. Could winter storms ease drought conditions in California? California lawmakers revive an effort to ban involuntary servitude as punishment for crimes. State lawmakers could let voters decide whether to “prohibit slavery in any form,” which could change work requirements in prisons. L.A. County’s COVID-19 emergency will end March 31. Los Angeles County will end its COVID-19 emergency declaration at the end of March, becoming the latest region to take that step amid improving pandemic conditions. A $150,000 ‘executive protection dog’? Rich L.A. homeowners are snapping them up. Cheaper than a bodyguard, more portable than an alarm system, guard dogs costing six figures are in high demand in L.A.’s wealthier precincts. See the photos behind this week’s biggest stories: California ends pandemic emergency but enters a winter wonderland.