Ex-FBI Director James Comey's prepared statement released ahead of his scheduled Senate hearing this morning describes 'uncomfortable' meetings with President Trump. Comey said he felt pressured as POTUS45 asked him multiple times to rescind, or redirect, his investigation against former NatSec Advisor Michael Flynn.
McClatchy DC's MATTHEW SCHOFIELD/KATIE GLUECK: "President Donald Trump repeatedly tried to convince an uneasy James Comey to drop, or redirect, pieces of the Russian election case, calling it "a cloud" over his already-troubled administration, according to statements the fired FBI director is expected to deliver Thursday."
"But Comey also told Trump he was not personally under investigation."
"The revelations come in seven pages of prepared testimony Comey will deliver Thursday before the Senate Intelligence Committee."
READ MORE related to Beltway/Kremlingate: Comey's pre-testimony debated by legal experts -- The Chronicle's BOB EGELKO; Comey heads to highly anticipated Senate hearing on whether Trump tried to stop the FBI's Russia investigation -- LA Times' JOSEPH TANFANI; Any working woman could have told James Comey what would happen when he spurned President Trump -- LA Times' ROBIN ABCARIAN; Polls open in UK election after campaign marred by attacks -- AP's DANICA KIRKA/JILL LAWLESS; Iran says 5 Tehran attackers had fought for Daesh -- AP's NASSER KARIMI/AMIR VAHDAT; Half a century after the euphoria of the Six-Day War, some Israelis wonder if it was a victory -- LA Times' JOSHUA MITNICK; Former Obama adviser announces campaign for Tony Thurmond's assembly seat -- Daily Californian's BOBBY LEE
Scientists who recently discovered human fossils dating back 300,000 years say it alters the narrative of history of mankind dramatically, expanding the cradle of life from Ethiopa outwards.
NYT's CARL ZIMMER: "Fossils discovered in Morocco are the oldest known remains of Homo sapiens, scientists reported Wednesday."
"Dating back roughly 300,000 years, the bones indicate that mankind evolved earlier than had been known, experts say, and open a new window on our origins."
"The fossils also show that early H. sapiens had faces much like our own, although their brains differed in fundamental ways."
READ MORE related to Environment: Berkeley Mayor, campus chancellor, UC president join pledge to support Paris Agreement -- Daily Californian's BOBBY LEE; Why is the state withholding asbestos records at Oroville Dam? -- Sacramento Bee's RYAN SABALOW/DALE KASLER; Dozens of trees 'decimated' at historic LA apartments despite landmark status -- Daily News' DANA BARTHOLOMEW; End of drought could mean the beginning of a busy wildfire season in SoCal -- San Gabriel Valley Tribune's STEVE SCAUZILLO
Regarding the problems of cheating in a firefighter promotion exam, the State Personnel Board has now officially exonerated hundreds of candidates and the eligibility list has been reinstated.
The Press-Enterprise's BRIAN ROKOS: "The State Personnel Board has ordered Cal Fire to reinstate an eligibility list for battalion chief candidates that was frozen after two people were disciplined for cheating on the test."
"The board also ordered that seven captains who had been appointed to battalion chief before the scandal was discovered be allowed to keep their promotions. The board took the actions during a June 1 hearing."
"Cal Fire said 488 captains took the test last year and 289 passed. Those in the three groups with the highest scores can then apply and interview for openings in specific locations. There are 61 vacancies, said Battalion Chief Mike Mohler, a Cal Fire spokesman."
READ MORE related to Public Safety: Former LA sheriff's official says he was forced out. His lawsuit accuses Sheriff McDonnell of a bribe attempt -- LA Times' MAYA LAU; ATF seeks suspect in 2nd fire at same Emeryville development -- The Chronicle's MICHAEL BODLEY; Ghost Ship convictions might be a tall order -- The Chronicle's EVAN SERNOFFSKY; 2-year-old allegedly fed meth in People's Park -- Daily Californian's BOBBY LEE
A recent phishing scam was one of the most convincing in modern memory: Scammers employed phony state worker bonuses as a carrot to lure victims.
Sacramento Bee's ADAM ASHTON: "Teasing state workers with long-promised contract bonuses is a good way to get them to click on a bogus email."
"That’s one takeaway from a cybersecurity test a state department carried out on its employees last month that promised them a fast deposit of a $2,500 contract bonus."
"All they had to, the email said, was click a link to “validate their employment” at a website that appeared to be endorsed by Golden 1 Credit Union and state government’s largest union, Service Employees International Union Local 1000."
READ MORE related to Local: Jimmy Gomez on winning 34th CD: 'Was that a dream?' -- LA Times' CHRISTINE MAI-DUC; More than 4,000 'incidents' marred California's November election, according to watchdog group -- The Press-Enterprise's JEFF HORSEMAN; Former Long Beach City Hall staffer arrested hours after 'heated argument' with city councilwoman -- LA Times' JAMES QUEALLY; State senate passes bill that could stop closure of Alta Bates -- Daily Californian's JAMARI SNIPES
Yolo County is vying for the Cannabis Throne in California, trying to position itself as the state's cannabis leader.
Sacramento Bee's MOLLY SULLIVAN: "As Yolo County tries to become a hub of the legal marijuana industry in California, employers and pot advocates held the county’s first cannabis job fair in Davis on Wednesday."
"The fair drew more than 300 people looking for jobs in marketing, farming, media, accounting, distribution and holistic medicine to the largely rural county, where traditional crops include tomatoes and alfalfa."
"There’s a great need for filling jobs and stimulating economic growth in this industry,” said Lorne Silverstein, CEO of Integrate Cal Community Partners, a sponsor of the job fair."
READ MORE related to Economy: 10,000 new homes are coming to 'desirable' part of the Sacramento region -- Sacramento Bee's TONY BIZJAK; Rent control loses a battle, but war rages on -- The Chronicle's KATHLEEN PENDER; Bay Area chef circles back to childhood with Persian breads -- The Chronicle's LEENA TRIVEDI-GRENIER; Despite Silicon Beach, LA is merely America's 18th top tech city, report finds -- LA Times' ALEXA D'ANGELO; City [Berkeley] tackles gender wage gap with proposed ordinance -- Daily Californian's MADELINE WELLS
LAX is being strangled by L.A.'s infamous traffic congestion. but the City Council has officially adopted a plan: It's called the Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP).
Daily News STAFF: "A comprehensive $5.5 billion plan aimed at reducing auto traffic and congestion at Los Angeles International Airport was approved Tuesday by the City Council."
"The centerpiece of the plan is a Consolidated Rent-A-Car Center that would bring together more than 20 car rental offices and feature a 2.25-mile Automated People Mover to eliminate the need for rental car courtesy vehicles to enter the central terminal area and reduce the number of autos driving in and out of LAX by 3,200 each day."
"The plan — called the Landside Access Modernization Program — also includes roadway improvements to increase vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian access at LAX, the second busiest airport in the United States."
READ MORE related to Transportation: Six California metro areas make the top 10 for highest rates of car theft, report says -- LA Times' MAKEDA EASTER
The University of California will pay $595 dollars for every manhour of work that went into the state audit revealing the mishandling of hundreds of millions of dollars at UC.
Bay Area News Group's EMILY DURUY: "The University of California will pay up to $210,000 for an independent investigation into a recent state audit that accused the system of failing to disclose hundreds of millions of dollars and tampering with a survey sent to campuses that was supposed to remain confidential."
"According to a contract obtained by this news organization, UC will pay the law firm Hueston Hennigan “at the blended rates of $595 per hour for partners and $395 for associates. Your total fees are not to exceed $165,000 for this matter, without prior written approval.” The firm will contract with former California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno “at an additional fee not to exceed $45,000.”
"The contract notes that, “In a departure from past practice, overages will only be granted in extraordinary circumstances.”
READ MORE related to Education: Wilmington teen fatally shot near his home dreamed of graduation -- LA Times' NICOLE SANTA CRUZ
A Los Angeles County health test done by 1,500 volunters to survey 20,000 residents near a closed Exide Technologies battery recycling plant is likely to be met with myriad obstacles.
Daily News' SUSAN ABRAM: "Nearly 20,000 residents near the shuttered Exide Technologies battery recycling plant could be visited Saturday as part of what Los Angeles County officials called a massive, unprecedented effort to gather health information from those who have lived for years near the chemical-spewing facility."
"But the 1,500 volunteers who plan to go door-to-door through a half-dozen Southeast Los Angeles neighborhoods are expected be greeted with a host of challenges, most notably the misconception that they are agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement."
"The growing fear of deportation, brought on recently by the Trump Administration’s hard-line policies on illegal immigration, runs so deep that Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis implored the community during a Wednesday news conference not to be scared."
READ MORE related to Health: A year after it passed, California's right-to-die law still faces challenges -- OC Register's DEEPA BHARATH
