Federal investigation of Democratic consultants in Sacramento nets guilty plea
LA Times, KATIE KINGS: "A Sacramento lobbyist and former high-level staff member in the California Legislature on Thursday accepted a plea agreement tied to a criminal case that includes Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff and an advisor to a top Democratic candidate for governor.
Lobbyist Greg Campbell stood emotionless beside his attorney, Todd Pickles, inside a Sacramento federal courtroom and pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one charge of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud."
Poll: Two Republicans and Swalwell top the pack of 2026 CA governor candidates
SacBee, NICOLE NIXON: "In the race for California governor, a new poll shows two Republicans and a recently-announced Democratic candidate topping the field.
The Emerson College survey shows Chad Bianco, the Republican sheriff of Riverside County, with support from 13% of voters. Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, and Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell, who got into the race last month, both have 12%. Former Rep. Katie Porter had 11% while the rest of the declared candidates pulled single-digit support."
Netflix to Buy Warner Bros. After Split for $72 Billion
Wall Street Journal, JOE FLINT and LAUREN THOMAS: "Netflix NFLX 0.48%increase; green up pointing triangle has agreed to buy Warner Bros. for $72 billion after the entertainment company splits its studios and HBO Max streaming business from its cable networks, a deal that would reshape the entertainment and media industry.
The cash-and-stock transaction was announced Friday after the two sides entered into exclusive negotiations for the media company known for Superman and the Harry Potter movies, as well as hit TV shows such as “Friends.”
Read More about Netflix deal: Netflix agrees to buy Warner Bros. in a $72-billion deal that will transform Hollywood, LA Times: MEG JAMES, Netflix to Buy Warner Bros. in $83 Billion Deal to Create a Streaming Giant, NY Times, BROOKS BARNES, LAUREN HIRSCH and NICOLE SPERLING; Netflix to buy Warner Bros. Discovery in $83 billion cash-stock deal, Washington Post, SCOTT NOVER
Struggling Bay Area university receives $50 million donation from MacKenzie Scott
SF Chronicle, ALDO TOLEDO: "Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donated $50 million to Cal State East Bay, a record-setting donation for a university struggling with steep enrollment declines.
It’s the largest ever single gift the university has received in its 68-year history, President Cathy Sandeen said in a LinkedIn post. She said the grant ensures that the university’s mission “will continue now and far into the future.”
‘A bit like poker,’ California’s wet winter brings La Niña/El Niño confusion
LA Times, RONG-GONG LIN II: "Californians can be excused for being confused about the weather forecast. Scientists in October said La Niña had arrived, which many associate with dry conditions, particularly in the Southland.
But we have instead experienced a very wet season — at least so far — with rain bringing much-needed moisture to the brush, likely putting an end to the autumn fire season, and helping to keep the state’s reservoirs in good shape."
Tijuana River sewage still pollutes the San Diego Coast. She’s fighting to clean it up
CalMatters, DEBORAH BRENNAN: "Hours after a November storm, the Tijuana River flooded a grove of trees in Imperial Beach, gushed through a row of calverts and exploded into mounds of fetid foam. This is ground zero for the contaminated river, which sickens thousands of people in southern San Diego County.
“The Tijuana River is one of, if not the most polluted, river in the entire United States,” said San Diego County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre, who viewed the overflowing river wearing black rain boots and a hot pink respirator mask. “The river is carrying dangerous chemicals, pollutants, pathogens and toxic gases that are impacting South San Diego communities.”
To protect underage farmworkers, California expands oversight of field conditions
LA Times, ROBERT J. LOPEZ: "California officials said they are launching new enforcement actions to protect underage farmworkers, including enhanced coordination among two state agencies charged with inspecting work conditions in the fields.
The actions follow an investigation by Capital & Main, produced in partnership with the Los Angeles Times and McGraw Center for Business Journalism, which found that the state is failing to protect underage farmworkers who labor in harsh and dangerous circumstances. Thousands of children and teenagers work in California fields to provide Americans with fresh fruit and vegetables. While laborers as young as 12 can legally work in agriculture, many described being exposed to toxic pesticides, dangerous heat and other hazards."
‘We may be deporting the wrong people’: New poll shows doubts about immigration crackdown
CalMatters , WENDY FRY: "A new poll by Goodwin Simon Strategic Research examines California voters’ attitudes toward due process for immigrants with criminal convictions during the Trump administration’s nationwide crackdown on unauthorized immigration. The survey also examined support for how tax dollars are spent and Californians’ views on the state’s sanctuary policies...
“This survey shows that there’s clear concern about the current administration’s approach to immigration enforcement,” said Sara Knight, a research director at Goodwin Simon Strategic Research. “I’m not surprised by the results, but I am heartened to see how strong the support for due process is and the growing frustration with treating people inhumanely in our immigration system.”
Advocates warn Afghan community of ICE immigration arrests in Sacramento
SacBee, ROSALIO AHUMADA: "Several members of the Afghan community living in the Sacramento area have been detained by federal immigration agents as part of a nationwide crackdown on refugees from Afghanistan, according to community advocacy groups.
At least 10 immigrants from Afghanistan have been arrested since Monday during routine appointments at the downtown Sacramento field office for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, commonly referred to as ICE. Many of the refugees live in the eastern suburbs of Sacramento, including Carmichael and Arden Arcade."
Second act for a queer icon: San Francisco’s Castro Theatre relaunches at pivotal moment
LA Times, KEVIN RECTOR: At the start of the pandemic, when live entertainment was shut down across California, Gregg Perloff — chief executive of Another Planet Entertainment — told his team to use the downtime to find a new project that excited them.
They quickly set about identifying a versatile venue somewhere in San Francisco, and began driving around — socially distanced in half a dozen cars — to scout options. Then they came across the Castro Theatre, a once-grand movie palace that had slipped into disrepair despite being one of the most recognizable LGBTQ+ landmarks in the world, and learned the family that has owned it since it was built in 1922 was looking for a partner to help restore it."
California is drafting new rules for wildfire smoke cleanup. Are home insurers calling the shots?
SF Chronicle, SARA DiNATALE, MEGAN FAN MUNCE, SUSIE NEILSON: As the Los Angeles wildfires died out in January, firefighters trekked through the burn zones to take stock of the destruction. For every home they found leveled, they counted another still standing. The structures looked fine from the outside, but ash and oily soot often coated the floors and furniture, while invisible chemicals burrowed into clothes, blankets and even walls.
Many of these smoke-soaked homes quickly became battlegrounds. On one side were cost-conscious insurance companies, who largely resisted testing for heavy metals, ordering the homes wiped clean and telling policyholders it was fine to move back. On the other, survivors of the Eaton and Palisades fires, fearful that the dangerous pollutants dusting their homes could one day make them sick."
California lawmakers flag concerns about World Cup visas, ban threats and ticket prices
LA Times, KEVIN BAXTER: "With the World Cup just six months away and the tournament draw unfolding Friday, members of California’s congressional delegation are expressing concern about preparations for what will be the largest and most complex single-sport competition in history.
The tournament, which will feature 48 teams playing 104 games across the U.S., Mexico and Canada, offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the 11 U.S. host cities to both showcase themselves to the world and grab a slice of what FIFA estimates will be a $30.5-billion economic impact. But to take full advantage of that opportunity, organizers need government assistance on issues ranging from visas to security while also dealing with ticket prices far beyond the means of the average fan."