‘Empire’ author Sabaa Tahir says she’s working on a new adult fantasy series

• October 1, 2026

Author Sabaa Tahir won the 2022 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature for her novel, “All My Rage,” which drew on her experiences growing up in Ridgecrest, where her parents, who were originally from Pakistan, ran a Mojave Desert motel. Her bestselling An Ember in the Ashes quartet established her as one of the most popular names in fantasy, and she returns with a new book, “Empire,” which is the conclusion of the two-part Heir series. Tahir will be appearing with Nicola Yoon on Oct. 2 in Huntington Beach and she took time to answer our questions about her work via email ahead of the event.

Q. This new novel is part of a series. Can you describe it for readers just learning about “Heir” and “Empire”?

“Empire” is the second book in the Heir duology. It follows the adventures of Aiz, an orphan, Sirsha, an outcast, and Quil, a prince, all of whom are cast into uncertainty by war, poverty and politics. At first, their stories are separate, but eventually they converge and we learn how deeply interconnected this world is, for good and for ill. 

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Q. For those who aren’t familiar, can you describe the Martial Empire and the world you created first in “The Ember in the Ashes”?

The Martial Empire is a fairly brutal place that is inspired by ancient Rome. Many of the mythologies, however, are inspired by the tales I grew up with, of Jinn and efrit and other eerie creatures. Like the Roman Empire, the Martial Empire is heavily socially stratified, and supernatural forces encourage that, seeking to create havoc in the human world. 

Q. What do you think the characters and the dystopian world of the books reflect about our own world?

Despite the brutality of this world, it is not dystopian. It is a fantasy world inspired by our own history. And in that way, it reflects the gamut of human emotion and human experience. Our desire for home, our desire to belong, our desire to be accepted and loved by the people who matter to us. At a more macro level, I explore themes like power, colonialism, the cost of war, found family, destiny and love. 

Q. In preparation for this book, you reread your previous ones. Did anything stick out to you as something you wanted to include as the series concluded?

Too many things to count! But the main theme I wanted to thread to this book was hope. I think we need it, now, more than ever. I might write books where the characters go through a lot of tribulations, but ultimately, I’m committed to hopeful (though not always purely happy) endings. 

Q. What message do you hope readers walk away with after finishing the series? 

I wouldn’t dare tell my readers what to take away from a book! I let them decide this for themselves. 

Q. Fans are definitely craving more. Do you have plans to return to the Martial Empire or any of your characters that you can talk about?

My next book is an adult fantasy that takes place in a different world. But I would like to come back to the Empire eventually. 

22 new books coming in October 2026 to add to your reading list

Q. What about fantasy draws you in as an author?

Two things. First, the narrative possibilities are endless in fantasy. As long as your world has some rules, you really can do anything. Second, fantasy offers a vehicle by which I, and by extension my reader, can examine complex and often distressing topics like conflict, genocide, colonization and war — but in a thoughtful, in-depth way.  

Q. Can you talk a little about what fans can expect at your upcoming event in Huntington Beach with author Nicola Yoon? 

Nicki and I have been friends for about twelve years now. So you can expect a lot of laughter and joking, as well as some excellent questions and a thorough discussion of Heir and Empire. 

Q. You grew up in Ridgecrest; what about living there has fueled your writing the most?

I observed a lot about human nature in Ridgecrest, and it was the source of the question that is at the heart of a lot of my work, which is: Why do we treat each other this way? Ridgecrest is also in the high desert, a stark and beautiful place, and the desert often shows up as a landscape in my work. 

Q> Do you have any other projects you’re working on that you’d like to talk about?

I have an adult fantasy book I’m working on. I can’t say much, other than that the question at the heart of it is about power, specifically: Can we have power over people and not be corrupted by it? One of my characters says “Absolutely!” The other one says “Absolutely not.” The conflict between them drives much of the book. 

Q. What is something about a piece of your work that you wish people knew?

That all of my books take so much time. My first published book took six years. My contemporary novel “All My Rage” took 15. To me, it is worth it. No decision is made lightly, no sentence not looked over again and again. That is the craft of writing and I take great joy in it.

Q. And finally, if you could ask your readers one question, what would it be?

Between Elias, Laia, Helene, Quil and Sirsha, you can only keep two alive. Who makes the cut? 

Map: 100 Southern California independent bookstores to visit in 2026

Sabaa Tahir and Nicola Yoon

When: 7 p.m. Oct. 2

Where: Barnes & Noble Huntington Beach, 7881 Edinger Ave. #110, Huntington Beach

Tickets and information: https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780062212543-0

​ Orange County Register 

White Sox sweep Astros for 1st playoff series win since 2005

• October 1, 2026

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer

HOUSTON — From 100 losses to their first playoff series win in two decades, these scrappy Chicago White Sox just keep outdoing themselves.

The White Sox used a big first inning and a three-run homer from Chase Meidroth to propel them to a 7-3 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday to sweep their best-of-three American League Wild Card Series.

“I’m proud of the guys and certainly happy for them as they’re probably the only ones in this country that believed that they could be in this spot,” Manager Will Venable said. “And they maintained that belief in the beginning of the season and went throughout the season maintaining that, and they made it happen. So it’s awesome to get to this point.”

It’s the first time Chicago has won a playoff series since beating Houston in the World Series in 2005. Under the direction of Venable, the second-year skipper, and with a letter of support from Pope Leo XIV, the White Sox advanced to face AL Central champion Cleveland in a best-of-five AL Division Series beginning Saturday in Cleveland.

“It means everything for our fans,” Meidroth said. “They have been incredible all year. So the main thing was getting back to Chicago for some postseason baseball, and so we’re really blessed that we get to do that.”

The White Sox, who lost 100 games in each of the past three seasons, are the only team in major league history to follow consecutive 100-loss seasons with a playoff berth.

The AL West-winning Astros went 81-81 to become the first team to reach the postseason without a winning record. Their recent playoff woes in Houston continued Wednesday as they dropped their ninth consecutive home playoff game in a ninth trip to the postseason in the past 10 years.

Chicago pounced on the Astros for four runs in the first inning a day after scoring three in the first two innings of a 6-3 win. Houston ace Hunter Brown was lifted after getting just two outs and wasn’t helped by a sloppy defense which committed two first-inning errors.

He was 6-0 with a 2.39 ERA in six career starts against the White Sox before Wednesday’s debacle.

The Astros clawed their way back into it with solo home runs from Jeremy Peña, Cam Smith and Jose Altuve to trail by one run entering the sixth inning.

AJ Blubaugh, who opened Game 1, and Peter Lambert, pitching on two days’ rest, combined to retire the next 13 batters after Brown exited. Chicago’s next baserunner came when Lambert walked Andrew Benintendi to start the sixth and then walked Tristan Peters.

Bryan Abreu came in, and Meidroth smashed his fifth pitch off the wall in left field to extend the lead to 7-3. He yelled on his entire trip around the bases to the delight of a patch of White Sox fans seated near the visitor’s dugout.

“I was looking for something middle up,” Meidroth said. “He’s had my number all year, really good fastball, so I got something middle up and I was able to cash in for the team. So, yeah, that was awesome.”

Houston faced boos for a second game in a row from an unusually thin crowd. It’s a second straight playoff trip in which the Astros have been swept at home in a Wild Card Series after losing both games to Detroit in 2024.

Now they’ll face an uncertain future with Manager Joe Espada’s contract set to expire at season’s end after General Manager Dana Brown was fired last month.

“We fought back and we set our goal to win this division and we accomplished that,” Espada said. “We wanted to play deep in October. We came short on that. But just the way our guys stayed together and were able to get this far, extremely proud of our team.”

It was a disappointing series for Houston slugger and likely AL MVP Yordan Alvarez, who managed only a single with two strikeouts in eight at-bats in the series.

Altuve’s shot to the seats in left field in the fourth inning got the Astros within 4-3. It was the 28th postseason homer of his career, which is second in MLB history behind Manny Ramirez (29).

“We’re all sad,” Altuve said. “We wanted to go to the World Series and win it. But today is sorrow for the final day of the season.”

The Astros had a shot to take the lead before Meidroth’s homer. They loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth, but Anthony Kay retired Altuve on a fly out to end the inning.

​ Orange County Register 

Orange County scores and player stats for Wednesday, Sept. 30

• October 1, 2026

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Scores and stats from Orange County games on Wednesday, Sept. 30

Click here for details about sending your team’s scores and stats to the Register.

The deadline for submitting information is 10:45 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 p.m. Saturday.

GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL

NORTH HILLS LEAGUE

La Habra 18, Foothill 8

GOLDEN WEST LEAGUE

Godinez 12, Costa Mesa 7

NORTH HILLS LEAGUE

Troy 27, Brea Olinda 21

EMPIRE LEAGUE

Garden Grove 28, Kennedy 21

CRESTVIEW LEAGUE

Yorba Linda 27, Canyon 0

FREEWAY LEAGUE

Sonora 18, El Dorado 13

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Woodbridge 48, Portola 12

Sage Hill 39, Northwood 7

Rosary 13, Irvine 6

NONLEAGUE

St. Joseph/Lakewood 33, Fountain Valley 6

BOYS WATER POLO

TRINITY LEAGUE

St. John Bosco 8, Orange Lutheran 7

SUNSET LEAGUE

Los Alamitos 14, Fountain Valley 2

GROVE LEAGUE

Saddleback 14, Loara 2

GOLDEN WEST LEAGUE

Kennedy 11, Ocean View 9

NONLEAGUE

Segerstrom 10, Santa Ana Valley 7

GIRLS GOLF

NONLEAGUE

Brea Olinda 202, Villa Park 255

Green River GC

​ Orange County Register 

Rams expect to have WR Puka Nacua back against Eagles on Sunday

• October 1, 2026

WOODLAND HILLS — The Rams got a big addition back on Wednesday when wide receiver Puka Nacua participated in practice in a limited capacity.

“I do,” Rams coach Sean McVay said when asked whether he expects Nacua to play on Sunday when the Rams (1-2) play at the Philadelphia Eagles (2-1). “[He] had a good workout on Sunday and a good walkthrough just now. I’m excited to be able to have him back.”

Nacua has been dealing with injuries dating to training camp. The 2025 first-team All-Pro came into the season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers with a psoas injury, but played through it. Since then, he’s missed two straight games with a lingering groin issue, but looks to be on track to suit up against the Eagles.

McVay welcomes the potential addition of Nacua back into an offense that is strikingly thin at the wide receiver spot.

“It adds a great football player that’s a huge part of our offense. It’s a big deal,” McVay said.

Davante Adams again stepped up in Nacua’s absence during the Rams’ 30-26 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday night. The veteran receiver hauled in seven catches for 137 yards and a touchdown, giving him consecutive games of 100-plus receiving yards for the first time since the 2024 season.

Nacua’s absence has created additional opportunities for Konata Mumpfield. The 2025 seventh-round draft pick had a big game in Denver, reeling in four catches for a career-high 93 yards and a touchdown.

“I think it was great for him. Repetition is the mother of learning. Getting that experience is conscientious like I talked about. Always learning, great route runner, great separator. Just a really good football player,” McVay said. “He’s a Ram through and through, we’re grateful to be able to have him.”

Adams, the veteran leader of the position group, praised Mumpfield’s effort and attention to detail.

“He works hard,” Adams said. “He’s one of the most attentive young players I’ve been around as far as getting better and understanding the details of the position … he plays X, F, Z. He literally plays every position. There’s not a lot of players that are able to do that, let alone get asked to do that by a coach like Sean.”

Mumpfield is appreciative of the trust and support he’s received from key figures in the locker room like McVay, Adams, and quarterback Matthew Stafford.

“Just trying to build like that routine and consistency day in and day out,” he said. “Sunday, they put me in a great position to go out there and make those plays. I appreciate the trust from Matthew and Coach McVay. Just the guys in general.

“So being able to go out there and execute on a big-time platform, like, it means the world to me.”

INJURY REPORT

Defensive lineman Aaron Donald did not practice on Wednesday due to a sore back.

McVay mentioned that at this stage, the team is being precautionary. He did not go as far as to say the 35-year-old Donald, who came out of retirement to rejoin the team in August, would miss the upcoming game against the Eagles.

“We’re just taking it a day at a time,” McVay said. “I wouldn’t say anything of that nature yet. I think his back is a little sore and he’s as tough as it gets. I’ll continue to add updates as the week goes.” …

Also limited during Wednesday’s practice was safety Kamren Kinchens. He’s missed the past two games. Kinchens would provide some much-needed relief in the secondary for a Rams’ defense that lost cornerback Jaylen Watson to a dislocated shoulder in the loss to Denver. …

Tight ends Terrence Ferguson and Colby Parkinson did not practice, opening the door for rookie Max Klare to potentially get extended opportunities on Sunday.

“Being able to play with multiple tight ends is part of our identity,” McVay said. “I’ve seen a guy that maximized a lot of opportunities during practice … got a lot better through the course of camp. Hasn’t taken a lot of reps because the top four guys being available. This week will represent the opportunity to get some reps and get some good game-time action for us.”

​ Orange County Register 

Chargers’ emerging ground game faces tough test vs. Seahawks

• October 1, 2026

EL SEGUNDO — No rest for the winless.

The Chargers dropped to 0-3 after their loss Sunday to the Buffalo Bills, and now it gets tougher and perhaps more complicated, with the Seattle Seahawks up next as a difficult stretch of standout opponents continues. The Seahawks are, after all, the defending Super Bowl champions.

“Tremendous team,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday.

So far, the Chargers have not played anything close to tremendous football.

Harbaugh suggested there was some growth in certain facets of the game, including an emerging ground game that averaged a season-best 4.7 yards per carry in a 24-16 loss to the Bills, with Omarion Hampton rushing for 56 yards on 15 attempts and Keaton Mitchell gaining 52 yards on eight carries.

It was an improvement over Week 2, when the Chargers gained an average of four yards per attempt during their 26-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, which was an improvement on their average of 3.9 yards per carry during their 26-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1.

For what it’s worth, the Chargers ran the ball 28 times against the Bills, and quarterback Justin Herbert attempted 34 passes. They had 32 running plays against the Raiders, and 27 passes. They ran the ball 21 times against the Cardinals and passed it 27 times against the Cardinals.

Overall, Hampton has a team-leading 193 yards plus two touchdowns on 50 carries, an average of 3.8 yards per attempt. What’s been missing has been a big gain or two or three from him. Mitchell, who has been the speedy outside counterpoint to Hampton’s inside running, has 85 yards on 17 carries, averaging five yards per rush.

“Building, building,” Harbaugh said, repeating himself for emphasis when asked about the state of the ground game through three games. “It’s another thing we’re growing. You’re striving to perfect your craft, whether it’s run game or pass game. I thought we had growth (Sunday), yeah.”

The next challenge is punishing a team on the ground with a defense as sound as the Seahawks, a team that ranks at or near the top in almost every defensive category in the NFL. They are giving up only 87 net rushing yards per game (sixth in the league) and 3.83 yards per play (first)

Seattle (2-1) has given up an average of 16.7 points per game, tied for third.

The Chargers are averaging 14.7 points, 29th-best in the 32-team league.

“Really well coached defensively,” Harbaugh said. “The way they run to the ball is what stands out the most. The way they tackle. Just good in so many areas. They play really well together. … Everything’s connected with the coverages, the linebackers. You can see how connected the front is to the back. They play with a tremendous edge.”

STAT OF THE WEEK

Since the 2013 season, teams that had five turnovers in a game and a minus-four turnover margin, as the Bills did against the Chargers on Sunday, are 3-81-1. The three winners are the Bills over the Chargers on Sunday, the Jacksonville Jaguars over the Chargers in the Jan. 14, 2023 AFC wild-card game and the Denver Broncos over the Chargers in the 2015 season.

Statistical research courtesy Evan Abrams.

INJURY UPDATES

Left guard Kayode Awosika (fibula), defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe (eye), cornerback Donte Jackson (concussion), tight end Charlie Kolar (forearm), outside linebacker Khalil Mack (rest), defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson (hamstring) and wide receiver Brenen Thompson (quadricep) didn’t practice.

Safety Elijah Molden (hamstring) joined his teammates for practice for the first time since he was injured in the Chargers’ season-opening loss. Linebacker Denzel Perryman (undisclosed) worked out in the weight room. He began the season on injured reserve and could be activated after Sunday’s game.

​ Orange County Register 

Man arrested on suspicion of planning an attack on the Texas Capitol, authorities say

• October 1, 2026

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A 40-year-old man was arrested early Wednesday on suspicion of plotting to attack the Texas State Capitol, authorities said.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said in a statement that it received “credible information about an individual planning a violent attack” for Thursday in Austin.

The tip came in Tuesday evening, and SWAT officers made the arrest around 3 a.m. Wednesday at a residence in Converse, Texas, near San Antonio.

Benny Caldera Jr. was jailed on a $75,000 bond. He could face charges including felony terroristic threat against a public servant, the DPS statement said.

Messages were left seeking comment from an attorney listed for Caldera.

Officials did not provide details about the alleged plot, citing the ongoing investigation.

DPS notified state lawmakers about the threat and arrest early Wednesday. The Capitol remained open during regular operating hours.

Texas Senate Secretary Patsy Spaw said in a notice that there will be increased security at the Capitol during the investigation.

Gov. Greg Abbott said the state DPS was assisted by the FBI in making the arrest.

“Texas will NOT tolerate threats of violence against our Capitol,” the governor said in a statement on social media.

​ Orange County Register 

Earthquake close to Anza in Riverside County detected – magnitude 3.1 on Sept. 30

• October 1, 2026

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIF. — A preliminary 3.1 magnitude quake occurred near Anza, about 62.1 miles east-southeast of Riverside, on Wednesday afternoon, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

A tremor shook the area at 5:01 p.m. The earthquake’s epicenter was roughly 13 miles east-southeast of Anza and occurred at a depth of 3 miles.

Did you feel it?

If you felt the quake, you can share your experience using the USGS Felt Report form.

Source: The U.S. Geological Survey

​ Orange County Register 

Cornell’s reckonings with fraternities haven’t prevented misconduct

• October 1, 2026

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH

A gang rape allegation at Cornell University has brought fresh scrutiny of fraternities at the Ivy League school, which has a history of misconduct cases followed by efforts to reform the Greek system.

Authorities reopened an investigation Monday as outrage built over a woman’s lawsuit filed Sept. 16 against the Chi Phi fraternity, the university and the seven students she says assaulted her. She told police in November 2024 that she was assaulted at the fraternity house the month before, and prosecutors decided at the time not to prosecute anyone.

The Associated Press generally does not name people who say they have been sexually assaulted. The woman’s lawsuit uses a pseudonym for her.

The Chi Phi chapter has been barred from campus, and its national organization said Wednesday that the Cornell chapter unanimously voted to remove the accused members from its rolls within days of the woman filing a police report. Cornell has said its investigation had led to some students being disciplined or expelled.

It’s a horrifying but familiar story on many campuses, said Elizabeth Allan, a professor of higher education at the University of Maine and director of the school’s Hazing Prevention Research Lab. She said failed reforms show “how entrenched some of the behaviors are and that we need to take an approach that’s transformative.”

The university in Ithaca, New York, has rolled out reforms in response to hazing deaths, lawsuits and arrests in its Greek system.

In 2019, Cornell required Greek life chapters to hire independent event monitors and submit to random security spot checks, among other changes, after freshman Antonio Tsialas was found dead at the bottom of a gorge. His parents’ lawsuit said he and other fraternity pledges were hazed by being forced to drink dangerous amounts of alcohol.

Cornell has had fraternities — and problems — since its founding in 1865, said Adam McCready, a University of Connecticut associate professor who studies fraternities and sororities. One of the first confirmed hazing deaths happened at Cornell in the 1870s, he said.

Over time, the fraternities built what he described as “palatial mansions that dictate the social environment on campus.”

Fraternities have a long record of hazing and abuse cases

In 1997, a Cornell student alleged in a lawsuit that he suffered weeks of paddling and beatings. The following year, a half dozen Cornell students were arrested over allegations that a fraternity pledge was taken from his dorm room, blindfolded and bound with rope and duct tape.

In 2012, a fraternity was found guilty of hazing in the alcohol poisoning death of a Cornell student. After the death, Cornell University moved to eradicate risky pledging practices.

At the time, more than one quarter of Cornell students were members of fraternities and sororities. These students graduate and turn into donors, McCready said. “It can be a challenge to making change if there’s pressure not to do so,” McCready said.

In 2018, a fraternity chapter was placed on probation over a contest that members dubbed the Pig Roast in reference to the weight of the women they slept with.

Cornell again took steps to reign in fraternities, moving to ban hard liquor from chapter houses and require live-in advisers.

But in 2022, allegations of a sexual assault and students being drugged at off-campus housing affiliated with fraternities led Cornell to temporarily suspend fraternity parties. Fraternity leaders were supposed to use the time to “implement stronger health and safety plans,” the university had said.

The gang rape allegation followed two years later.

Advocates call for a stronger response

Cornell has said it is committed to implementing recommendations from a task force that launched last year on campus sexual assault. The university has also pointed to the expulsions and suspensions it implemented in the case.

But that is too little for advocates of sex crime victims.

The people the woman says gang raped her were allowed to write essays to Cornell “to mitigate their conduct,” the woman’s lawsuit said. That’s unacceptable, said Maha Ibrahim, a director at Equal Rights Advocates, a nonprofit that represents survivors.

“There’s no schema where that’s an appropriate response to a gang rape,” Ibrahim said.

Allan said the case highlights a need to better understand what contributes to this kind of violence and misconduct, not just in groups, but communities, institutions and society.

“The lack of understanding around consent issues are broad-reaching and we have to be taking a public health approach to change behavior, change attitudes” in more sustainable ways, Allan said.

Leah Willingham in Boston contributed to this report.

The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

​ Orange County Register