Bernie Sanders may have not won the primary, but he's won the hearts of many who are using his anti-establishment message to call for a reform on the caucus and super-delegate systems.
Seema Mehta reports in L.A. Times: "The California Democratic Party on Sunday called for a broad overhaul of how the party nominates its presidential candidates, including the elimination of caucuses and most super-delegates."
"The resolution urging the Democratic National Committee to change the nominating rules for the 2020 contest has no official power, but is a symbolic statement from the largest state Democratic party in the nation."
"Many of the changes were sought by supporters of Bernie Sanders, but Hillary Clinton backers also endorsed the effort, resulting in the resolution being unanimously approved at the state party’s executive board meeting on Sunday."
SEE ALSO: Clinton outspending Trump in key states -- L.A. Times.
California's Democratic party has backed pot legalization and supports the removal of the state's death penalty.
Phil Willon reports in L.A. Times: "The California Democratic Party on Sunday stayed true to its left-leaning political ideals, voting to support ballot initiatives to legalize pot and repeal the death penalty."
"The party’s executive board voted to endorse the recently qualified November ballot measures during a weekend meeting in Long Beach. Delegates at the party’s convention in February already had voted to endorse initiatives to hike cigarette taxes, affirm a law banning plastic grocery bags and impose stricter gun control."
"The only mild surprise was the party's decision to take no position on an initiative by the Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation to bar the state from paying more for prescription drugs than the cost negotiated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Drug companies have mounted an aggressive opposition campaign to the measure."
The state's leftward leaning has long proven a stubborn barrier for many GOP members as the party dreams about regaining control of a state where Democrats hold every statewide office.
Michael R. Blood with the AP reports: "Bob Dole thought he could win California with a "fishhook" strategy. George W. Bush came armed with $15 million. John McCain was bullish, too. They all lost."
"Donald Trump's prediction that he can capture the biggest prize in the November presidential election, the state's 55 electoral votes, rubs up against a dismal history for Republicans over a generation. The names on the ballot have changed, but the outcome has been the same — double-digit wins for Democrats since 1992."
"Here's Trump's challenge: unite Republicans while finding millions of new supporters in a state where Democrats hold every statewide office and both chambers of the Legislature. They also have a 3.1 million edge in voters, a number equal to the population of Iowa."
As Orlando continues to try and pick up the pieces from last week's mass murder at Pulse nightclub, San Bernardino survivors offer an extended shoulder and grief management.
Suzanne Hurt with The Press-Enterprise reports: "Last week’s mass shooting is reopening wounds left by the San Bernardino terrorist attack, and the hearts of those still grieving now ache for the Orlando massacre’s survivors and victims’ friends and family."
"Some people have just begun emerging from a numbness that’s gripped them since Dec. 2, when masked terrorists shot 36 people at the Inland Regional Center. Fourteen people died."
"Many who survived or lost someone that day are now experiencing flashbacks and more grief after a lone gunman shot and killed 49 people and wounded 53 at an Orlando gay nightclub June 12."
The public has a growing disgust with the Oakland Police Department, as the sex trafficking scandal that hit their institution last week continues to widen.
James Quealy with the L.A. Times reports: "Residents and local officials reacted with dismay and disgust this weekend to a widening sex scandal that has rocked the Oakland Police Department."
"The scandal has claimed several top police officials and left some wondering whether the department needs outside help to truly reform."
"The scandal involves allegations that officers were having inappropriate relationships with a teenage sex worker, possibly while she was underage. "
Meanwhile, the manager of California's electricity grid has a special message for Southern California: Conserve your energy today from 10am to 9pm.
Scott DiSavino writes in Reuters: "The California Independent System Operator, or ISO, which operates the state's power grid, issued a Flex Alert for Monday for Southern California from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. PDT because of high temperatures expected in the region."
"The ISO urged consumers to conserve electricity especially during the late afternoon when air conditioners typically are at peak use and warned that natural gas, used as fuel for many power generators in the Los Angeles area, may be tight because of limited operations at the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility."
And in California's water wars: Siskiyou County's citizens are banding together to wrestle back control of their local groundwater from companies who extract and export the liquid gold with no permits.
Sarah Kirby writing for the Siskiyou Daily reports: "A ballot initiative created by a group of concerned citizens aims to alter groundwater management in Siskiyou County."
"Chapter 13 of the Siskiyou County Code governs the withdrawal and transport of groundwater, and section 3-13.301 does not allow the unpermitted transport of water from the county; however, “commercial water-bottling enterprises” are exempt from requiring such a permit."
"The revision the group is trying to enact will require a permit for all groundwater extraction for which the water will be transported outside the county, which would include any type of water bottling facility."
And now from our "We're gonna need a bigger boat" file ...
Those enraptured by the cryptic images surrounding a potential sea monster surfacing near Antarctica a few months ago may be sorely disappointed to learn that the beloved Kraken is, in fact, a lifeless, lonesome chunk of stone.
HuffingtonPost: "Is it a Kraken? The Loch Ness Monster’s icy cousin? Cthulhu waking up to run for president?"
"Try none of the above."
"A video going viral shows a “massive disturbance” in the ocean near Antarctica. Indeed, a quick search of Google Earth does reveal something in a dark patch of sea near Deception Island:"
Stay tuned ....
