It’s that time again. Get your pen ready – starting today mail ballots for the June primary election will be arriving at people’s doors.
Jean Merl reports for the Los Angeles Times: “There's no such thing as election day any more," said Allan Hoffenblum, publisher of the nonpartisan California Target Book, which analyzes campaigns. "Now it's election month."
“Paul Mitchell of Political Data, which tracks balloting and other election statistics, said more voters are asking to be put on the vote-by-mail rolls permanently, so they don't need to request a mail ballot at every election. In 13 California counties, his data show, the percentage of permanent mail balloters tops 60% — including rural Alpine and Sierra counties, where all voting is done by mail.”
Democrats could get an election boost from a new strategy by big-money donors, to support candidates at the state-level and mobilize new voters.
Matea Gold reports for the Washington Post: “The effort reflects a sense among many top donors on the left that Democrats missed opportunities in 2010 to shape the redistricting process and contain the tea party wave that helped propel Republican victories around the country.”
There may be an opportunity for Dems to take a Republican congressional seat in a competitive Southern California district.
Tony Perry reports for the Los Angeles Times: “The 52nd is one of only seven districts in the nation — and the only one in California — rated as a "pure toss-up" by the nonpartisan Rothenberg Political Report. Registration is closely divided: 33.8% Republican, 32.3% Democrat, 28.7% independent.”
San Diego is being considered the “hub” of the controversial U.S. drone industry.
Lisa Halverstadt reports in Voice of San Diego: “Yet analysts mostly believe San Diego’s drone industry will continue to grow and that drones – also called unmanned aerial vehicles – will be used for more and more commercial endeavors in the future.”
“The industry is facing a key turning point.”
California’s drought is prompting cities to look to seawater for a solution.
Alicia Chang reports for the Associated Press: “Not long ago, there was a rush to quench California's growing thirst with seaside desalination plants. Currently, there are about a dozen proposed projects, according to the California Coastal Commission, which is charged with permitting the facilities.”
“The Western Hemisphere's largest desalination plant is under construction north of San Diego after overcoming years of regulatory hurdles. The developer — Poseidon Resources LLC — is seeking approval to build another one in Huntington Beach, south of Los Angeles.”
University of California President Janet Napolitano defended her record at the Department of Homeland Security concerning immigration.
Conan Nolan reports for NBC Los Angeles: “A lot of the people were captured at the border and had not yet entered the United States," she said Sunday, "but because of the way we handled them differently than prior administrations they were counted differently."
“Napolitano also said that under her leadership she had "prioritized" certain individuals for deportation and that the department had instituted the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, allowing children of undocumented immigrants the right to stay and work in the U.S.”
Graduation attire is now considered “integral” to education, meaning California schools need to cover the cost.
Loretta Kalb reports in the Sacramento Bee: “Parents have long shelled out money for caps and gowns, along with yearbooks and grad-night tickets, to help celebrate the end of high school. But for the first time, the state has called on school districts to provide graduation attire at no cost to students or their families if required during the diploma ceremony.”
The Big Apple is taking more productions away from Tinsel Town.
Richard Verrier and Steve Zeitchik report in the Los Angeles Times: “This summer New York City will debut its biggest-ever TV production, a $200-million, 60-episode television series for Netflix based on the Marvel Defenders characters.”
“By comparison, Los Angeles has seen a sharp decline in its share of TV production, especially for one-hour dramas. During last year's pilot season, Los Angeles captured only 22% of all TV pilots for dramas, down from 63% in 2007, according to a study by FilmL.A. Inc.”
“Entertainment industry experts point to New York's incentives as the biggest reason for the state's growing film and TV production business.”
Embattled Clippers owner Donald Sterling is expected to put up a fight to keep the team he chastened with racist comments.
David G. Savage reports for the Los Angeles Times: “"He thinks he's going to be the owner for a long time," Garcetti said Sunday on the CBS TV program "Face the Nation."
“Garcetti said he spoke to Sterling several days ago and said the owner did not seem to realize the effect of taped remarks that NBA officials say were made by Sterling about African Americans that became public”
This weekend’s Kentucky Derby champ California Chrome is enjoying a few days break.
Gary B. Graves reports for the Associated Press: “With attention likely to increase as California Chrome heads to Pimlico for the Preakness on May 17, trainer Art Sherman wants his horse as relaxed as possible before returning to work. The horse will rest this week at Churchill Downs before flying to Baltimore next Monday to prepare for the Triple Crown's next jewel.”
Your iPhone always keeps track of where you’ve been and how long you’ve been there, in case you didn’t know…
Jim Waterson reports in Buzzfeed: “According to Apple, the data is collected “in order to learn places that are significant to you” and improve traffic routing services. The company says the data is stored locally on your iPhone and will not be accessed elsewhere or shared with anyone else.”
“But it’s weird, fascinating, and just a little bit scary to realise that your phone contains a perfect record of where you’ve been in the last month or so.”