California’s reading wars may finally be over. After decades of debate over how to teach reading, a new bill aims to use phonics to solve the state’s literacy crisis.

Have you ever said something crass you regret and wish you could take back? Millions of readers have learned this simple trick to avoid embarrassment and hurt feelings since it was first published in 2013. We’re republishing it as part of L.A. Timeless, a collection of classic pieces from the Times’ 143-year archive.

In this interactive photo gallery, see the cleanup process for the Palisades and Eaton fires.