California Democrats and Republicans agree on one big thing: They support UC, poll shows
LAT, JAWEED KALEEM: "Republican and Democratic voters share common ground when it comes to the University of California: Both sides express widespread support for UC, its research, medical centers and ability to elevate the lives of students, a statewide poll shows.
Strong majorities of registered voters across demographic groups — urban and rural, racial, education levels — said UC research was good for their communities, including 62% of Californians with only high school degrees. Voters in their 20s have the most favorable view of research."
They have a completely different playbook’: California leaders acknowledge Trump's success
Politico, CAMILLE VON KAENEL and ALEX NIEVES: "Gov. Gavin Newsom’s top climate adviser acknowledged Wednesday that President Donald Trump has been more effective than she anticipated at attacking California’s core climate policies.
“We thought it would look more like Trump 1.0, and they have a completely different playbook,” Lauren Sanchez said during a panel at POLITICO’s “The California Agenda: Sacramento Summit.” “They had four years to study what they did wrong in the first administration and employ new tactics.”
READ MORE on Newsom/Trump: Gavin Newsom: 'I don't think Donald Trump wants another election' -- Politico, MELANIE MASON and DUSTIN GARDNER
Trump says Beverly Hills is crime-ridden. Really? ‘I’ve never felt unsafe here’
LAT, KAREN GARCIA/CHRISTOPHER BUCHANEN: "President Trump this summer has railed against American cities he says are beset by crime and disorder.
Los Angeles: “Lawless.” Chicago: “A killing field.” Baltimore: “A hell hole.” Washington: “Out of control.”
But Beverly Hills?
S.F. tourism to grow in 2025 despite Trump’s hostility, declines from Canada and Mexico
Chronicle, ROLAND LI: "San Francisco’s critical tourism sector is growing in 2025 thanks to more conferences and domestic visitors, but President Donald Trump’s hostility toward foreigners is taking a toll, experts said.
Overnight international visitors are projected to drop 3.2% this year to 2.26 million from 2024. International spending will drop 2.7% to $4.89 billion, according to the San Francisco Travel Association, the city’s tourism bureau."
Previous Napa wildfires were ‘apocalyptic’ for wineries. This one is different
Chronicle, ESTHER MOBLEY: "The Pickett Fire is still burning in Napa County, one week after igniting. But the outlook is positive: No structures have been confirmed as damaged or destroyed, and the containment percentage has risen to 33%. As it’s moved through more than 6,800 acres of this rural northeastern corner of the county, the flames have mostly consumed open land.
In fact, the fight against the Pickett Fire can already be considered a remarkable success — and the mood in Napa County reflects that."
Meteorologists now face a Trump ‘loyalty test’ when applying to National Weather Service jobs
Chronicle, ANTHONY EDWARDS and SARA DiNATALE: "Some federal meteorologist jobs cut under President Donald Trump are open again at California National Weather Service offices — but there’s a catch. Applicants are being asked to describe their support for the president’s policies and executive orders.
Four essay questions that are part of the “merit hiring plan” unveiled by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management in May are now included in the applications for new openings at the weather service. The essay questions — which have nothing to do with meteorology — are part of federal guidelines launched as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to recruit “patriotic Americans” to its workforce."
California weather: Omega, rex block patterns dominate before possible heat
Chronicle, ANTHONY EDWARDS: "An atmospheric pattern with a funky name won’t cause any hazardous weather in Northern California, but it will lock in a stable weather pattern for the holiday weekend.
An Omega block — named after the Greek letter for its shape — will set up over the northern Pacific Ocean for the next few days as three weather systems will do an atmospheric dance. A low-pressure system in the Gulf of Alaska, a high-pressure system over Alaska and another low near the Pacific Northwest will reinforce each other as they remain nearly stationary."
San Diego home market in ‘remarkable transformation’ as prices fall again
Times of San Diego, CHRIS JENNEWEIN: "San Diego home prices fell again in June and turned negative for the last 12 months in what the authoritative Case-Shiller index termed “a remarkable transformation” from the boom years.
Prices for single-family homes fell 0.31% in June following a 0.08% decline in May, and are down 0.61% for the past 12 months."
The FDA overhauled its COVID vaccine guidance. Here’s what it means for you
LAT, RONG-GONG LIN II: "New federal guidance surrounding COVID vaccine authorization could make it more difficult for many people to be inoculated against the circulating — and, now, seasonally spiking — coronavirus.
Under the approval for the updated COVID-19 vaccines that was issued Wednesday by the Food and Drug Administration, adults younger than 65 who are otherwise healthy would need to consult with a healthcare provider before getting the shot."
California GOP’s answer to redistricting? A two-state solution
SacBee, LIA RUSSELL: "California Republicans are now suggesting a “two-state solution” to counter Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to redraw congressional boundaries, following a second attempt earlier this week to get the state Supreme Court to intervene.
Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher, R-Yuba City, unveiled a long-shot resolution Wednesday to sever inland counties from the coast and form a separate republic that he said would be more responsive to rural citizens’ priorities. During a press conference, he invoked “Go Down Moses,” the African-American spiritual traditionally associated with the anti-slavery movement and the Civil War."
(OPINION) California socialist pledges to ‘save our planet from capitalism.’ Can he win this statewide race?
Chronicle, EMILY HOEVEN: "“Abolish the insurance companies. Save our planet from capitalism.”
No, this isn’t a rant from a random Reddit account. Rather, it’s part of the campaign platform of Eduardo “Lalo” Vargas, a 29-year-old socialist and Los Angeles high school teacher who’s running to be California’s next insurance commissioner."
Burning Man attendee electrocuted as gates close again amid storms
Chronicle, AIDIN VAZIRI: "A Burning Man attendee was electrocuted and flown to a trauma center Tuesday night, authorities said, as organizers again shut down the gates to Black Rock City on Wednesday after fresh rain and thunderstorms soaked the playa.
Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen confirmed that a man had been airlifted from Black Rock City for electric shock."
This Bay Area city passed one of the region’s harshest anti-camping laws. Has it worked?
Chronicle, SARAH RAVANI: "Nearly six months after Fremont passed one of the harshest anti-camping ordinances in the Bay Area, little has changed.
Despite outcry from homeless people and advocates, the City Council voted in February to prohibit people from camping and storing personal belongings on all public property. Violators now face a fine of up to $1,000 and six months in jail."
The space race is transforming Southern California’s economy — again
LAT, LAURENCE DARMIENTO: In a giant Long Beach warehouse near where Boeing used to build the C-17 cargo jet, Vast is fabricating what could be the first commercial space station to circle Earth.
Just up the road in El Segundo, Varda Space Industries has grown molecular crystals in microgravity with few impurities for pharmaceuticals that one day could be injected in cancer patients."
Immigration agents signed up to recruit at a California university. Then the protests started
MIKHAIL ZINSHTEYN, CalMatters: “Cal Poly Pomona postponed its annual fall job fair this week after students, alumni and community members criticized its inclusion of Customs and Border Protection as an in-person recruiter, underscoring the heightened sensitivity about immigration agencies on college campuses this fall.
The interim president of the Los Angeles County campus with nearly 28,000 students — the majority of whom are Latino — said leadership responded to the criticism and decided to rethink their approach to job fairs.“
