Politicians rise or fall on disaster response. The LA fires are Gavin Newsom’s big test
CALMatters, ALEXEI KOSEFF: "Gov. Gavin Newsom has become a familiar sight around Los Angeles since the firestorm that swept through the region last month, leveling neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
In the first days of the disaster, he was spotted touring the wreckage. In the weeks after, he launched a recovery initiative with celebrity friends and greeted President Donald Trump on the tarmac at LAX."
CALMatters, ANA B. IBARRA: "When strong winds shattered the windows on the top floor of Nancy Busacca’s Pasadena home, Michelle Hollis knew it was time to go.
Hollis, Busacca’s caretaker for the past year, packed the essentials. She tried to remain as calm as possible so as not to frighten Busacca, who, weakened by esophageal cancer, could not walk."
California bill aims to ban the sale of potent antiaging products to shoppers under 18
LAT, ANDREA CHANG: "Calling the trend of children buying antiaging skin care “ridiculous and a paradox,” a state legislator has introduced a bill that would ban the sale of such beauty products to customers under the age of 18.
The recent obsession among so-called Sephora Kids for skin care containing potent chemicals has alarmed parents and dermatologists, who say anti-wrinkle serums, exfoliants and peels are too harsh for sensitive young skin."
L.A. fast food workers call on city officials to approve ‘fair work week’ law
LAT, SUHAUNA HUSSAIN: "A group of Los Angeles fast food workers walked off the job Tuesday to urge city officials to approve a law that would give them more control over their work schedules.
Fast food workers have long complained of unstable schedules that make it difficult to plan their finances, child care, medical appointments and other obligations."
Trump attempting ‘end-run’ around California car pollution standards, expert says
The Chronicle, KURTIS ALEXANDER: "President Trump has vowed to halt California’s ambitious plan to phase out gas car sales. Now his administration is trying to make good on that pledge, taking what some legal experts are calling an “end-run” on the law and a threat to future state climate policies.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin said late last week he will ask Congress to intervene on this issue of whether California can implement vehicle pollution policies that go beyond what the federal government requires."
How Mexico’s president has kept Trump at bay — for now
LAT, PATRICK J. MCDONNELL/KATE LINTHICUM: "She has been unflappable as President Trump has fired off broadsides — threats to impose devastating tariffs, mass deportations and even a military campaign against what he called an “intolerable alliance” between the Mexican government and organized crime.
“Keep a cool head,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum likes to say."
The real motive behind Trump renaming the Gulf of Mexico to ‘Gulf of America’ (COLUMN)
LAT, GUSTAVO ARELLANO: "Before President Trump, the most high-profile call to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico came from Stephen Colbert, who joked on his Comedy Central show in 2010 that the body of water should be referred to as the Gulf of America in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill because “we broke it, we bought it.”
Almost 15 years later, it could have been worse: Trump could have decreed the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of MAGA. (Don’t anyone give him any ideas!)"
Paul Pelosi underwent a successful kidney transplant — donated by his daughter
The Chronicle, JOE GAROFOLI: "Paul Pelosi, husband of Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, was released from the hospital in San Francisco Tuesday following a kidney transplant procedure, her office said in a statement.
Pelosi, 84, received the kidney from his daughter Jacqueline Pelosi, “to whom I am endlessly grateful,” he said. The surgery took place on Feb. 14."
Riverside Sheriff joins California governor’s race as first major Republican candidate
Sac Bee, NICOLE NIXON: "Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco became the first well-known Republican to announce a bid for California governor to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2026.
Bianco is an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump and has criticized Newsom and other Democrats leading California."
‘Doesn’t feel very “locked arms” to me’: Texts reveal strain between Bass and Horvath
LAT, JULIA WICK: "Los Angeles was still deep in crisis on Jan. 21 when county Supervisor Lindsey Horvath made her frustration known to Mayor Karen Bass.
The Palisades fire was only partially contained. Forecasters had issued a rare alert amid vicious winds, warning that new fires could spark. And the first rain of the season was expected soon, meaning mud and debris could careen down scorched hillsides."
Alameda County has a new DA. Her first act is to undo a key Pamela Price policy
The Chronicle, DAVID HERNANDEZ: "Ursula Jones Dickson said her first act after being sworn in as Alameda County’s district attorney on Tuesday would be rescinding a defining policy of her predecessor, one that sought to spare most defendants from lengthy prison sentences.
The shift away from the policy, which required prosecutors to seek permission to file special allegations that could extend sentences, will represent a change of course for an office that prioritized criminal justice reforms under recalled District Attorney Pamela Price."
CA scientists could lose big with Trump medical research cuts
Capitol Weekly, DAVID JENSEN: "California scientists took what looked like an $800 million hit last week in their efforts to develop revolutionary treatments and cures for diseases ranging from cancer to diabetes.
It was a jab from the Trump administration, one that generated apocalyptic predictions and mind-numbing jargon about paying bills for janitors, water, electricity, computer support and hazardous waste disposal, among other things."
Kennedy says panel will examine childhood vaccine schedule after promising not to change it
LAT, AMANDA SEITZ: "To earn the vote he needed to become the nation’s top health official, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a special promise to a U.S. senator: He would not change the nation’s current vaccination schedule.
But on Tuesday, speaking for the first time to thousands of U.S. Health and Human Services agency employees, he vowed to investigate the childhood vaccine schedule that prevents measles, polio and other dangerous diseases."
A proposed law could force California health insurers to explain claim denials
LAT, CHRISTINE MAI-DUC: "When Colleen Henderson’s 3-year-old daughter complained of pain while using the bathroom, doctors brushed it off as a urinary tract infection or constipation, common maladies in the potty-training years.
Henderson, however, suspected it could be something worse, and asked for an ultrasound. The doctor and ultrasound technician told her that her insurance provider, UnitedHealthcare, would not cover it, but Henderson decided to do it anyway, charging the $6,000 procedure to her credit card. Then came the news: There was a grapefruit-sized tumor in her toddler’s bladder."
Waking up more as you age? The reason for interrupted sleep may not be what you think
The Chronicle, CATHERINE HO: "Earlier this month, we put out a call to Chronicle readers to gauge your interest and questions about sleep and aging. We received dozens of responses, many from readers in their 60s, 70s and 80s.
An overwhelming number of the questions and concerns were about waking up in the middle of the night — sometimes multiple times — and not being able to fall back asleep."
‘A step backwards’: How federal threats to DEI are impacting California schools
EdSource, MALLIKA SESHADRI/LASHERICA THORNTON: "Tough decisions lie ahead for schools across California as the federal government cracks down on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
The latest measure came in the form of a letter issued Friday by the U.S. Department of Education, giving K-12 schools across the country two options: to eliminate programs focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within two weeks, or face unspecified cuts in federal funding."
Yosemite halts camping reservations, with no timetable for their return
The Chronicle, MOLLY BURKE: "Yosemite National Park announced Friday that reservations for some of the park’s most popular campgrounds will be delayed.
The park will delay the sale of reservations between June 15 and July 14 for the Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Wawona and Hodgdon Meadow campsites. The reasoning behind the delay is unclear."
Air Force to launch unarmed nuclear missile from Vandenberg overnight
LAT, CLARA HARTER: "The Air Force is set to launch an unarmed missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base overnight, in a demonstration of the readiness of the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
Clear skies will make the spectacle easy to behold from Southern California. Residents in Oregon and Nevada as well as western parts of Utah, Arizona, and Mexico should also be able to spot the missile streaking across the sky."
Do you earn a living wage in California? Here’s how much you need to afford basics in 2025
Sac Bee, KENDRICK MARSHALL: "If it feels like you’re living paycheck to paycheck in California, you’re not alone.
The amount of money you need to earn to afford living in the Golden State has increased since 2024, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s living wage calculator."
Residents of this Bay Area city have the longest average commute time in the U.S.
The Chronicle, CHRISTIAN LEONARD: "Workers living in the far east edge of the Bay Area have the worst commutes in the nation, according to United States Census Bureau data.
It took residents of Brentwood, a city of about 65,000 people in Contra Costa County, an average of 46 minutes a day to get to their place of work in 2023, among those who didn’t work remotely. That was the longest average commute of any city in the U.S. with at least 10,000 working residents over the age of 15."
Truxel bridge design OK’d by Sacramento City Council as car-free advocates urge different path
Sac Bee, ARIANE LANGE: "The Sacramento City Council voted Tuesday night to proceed with a $227 million bridge over the American River, a half-mile from Interstate 5 linking South Natomas to the city’s core.
The council voted 7-1 to move ahead with the proposal with Councilmember Mai Vang abstaining. Councilmember Lisa Kaplan, who represents North Natomas, voted against the current plan, pointing to climate goals and the dangers of more car infrastructure."
Rapper ASAP Rocky acquitted of assault charge over alleged Hollywood shooting
LAT, JAMES QUEALLY/MALIA MENDEZ: "ASAP Rocky has been acquitted of two counts of assault stemming from a 2021 Hollywood shooting, capping a month long trial marked by allegations of courtroom misconduct and frequent appearances by the defendant’s superstar paramour, Rihanna.
The verdict was read in front of a packed courtroom, including Rihanna, who Rocky leaped over a courtroom divider to hug as his supporters let out a loud roar when the court clerk read the words “not guilty.”"
San Francisco archbishop’s relationship advice to Elon Musk goes viral
The Chronicle, NORA MISHANEC: "San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone offered relationship advice to Elon Musk this month, and the exchange has gone viral.
The Catholic leader, a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage and abortion, responded to a video of Musk with one of his 13 children that was captioned with a quote from the Tesla CEO that read, “Of anything in my life, I would say kids by far make me the happiest.”"