Rough & Tumble ®
A Snapshot of California Public Policy and Politics
 
       
 
 
 
 
 

California Policy and Politics Thursday

Powerful labor coalition backs redrawing California’s congressional map in fight with Texas and Trump -- The California Federation of Labor Unions endorsed Democrats’ efforts to call for a special election in November to redraw California’s congressional districts. The influential group said it would spend several million dollars to support the effort, which is in response to Texas potentially redrawing its maps to boost GOP numbers in Congress at President Trump’s behest. Seema Mehta in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/07/25

California Supreme Court hands victory to rooftop solar panel owners -- The California Supreme Court today sided with environmental groups in a case seen as pivotal for the proliferation of rooftop solar power in California. Malena Carollo Calmatters Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/07/2

 

Millions of Californians may lose health coverage because of new Medicaid work requirements -- The nation’s first mandated work requirement for Medicaid recipients, approved by the Republican-led Congress and signed by President Trump, is expected to have a seismic effect in California. Laura J. Nelson in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/07/25

 

Did immigration agents violate court order during L.A. Home Depot raid? -- A raid by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents of a Home Depot in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning sparked fears and outrage that the federal government could be violating a court order blocking widespread immigration sweeps in Southern California. Sarah Ravani in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/07/25

ICE arrests in L.A. plummeted in July, new data show -- Experts suggest the drop is the result of a federal court ruling that bars federal agents from arresting people without probable cause to believe they are in the U.S. illegally. Jenny Jarvie in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/07/25

Migrants Vanish Into Opaque ICE Detention System -- Frequent long-distance moves leave families and lawyers struggling to keep track of people facing deportation—and undermine their legal defense. Ruth Simon, Elizabeth Findell and Tarini Parti in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 08/07/25

Stanford Daily sues Trump administration over deportation threats -- Stanford’s student newspaper sued the Trump administration on Wednesday for threatening to deport any noncitizen who criticizes Israel or U.S. foreign policy, saying the government is violating freedom of speech and intimidating campus journalists into censoring their own articles. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Ryan Macasero in the San Jose Mercury$ Angie Orellana Hernandez in the Washington Post$ -- 08/06/25

At Sacramento’s immigration court, these volunteers have their eyes on ICE -- Phipps, 39, leads a group of volunteers that has provided the most reliable account of immigration enforcement in the Sacramento area. Stephen Hobbs in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 08/07/25

 

CA elections officials head to battle stations, anticipating redistricting vote -- Elections officials across California are preparing a speed run toward a possible special election on November 4, as the state considers a response to Texas’ efforts to redraw congressional maps to benefit Republicans. Kate Wolffe in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 08/07/25

Gavin Newsom says he’s always supported nonpartisan redistricting. Has he? -- Newsom has proposed that voters approve temporary new congressional maps, drawn up by state lawmakers, in a special Nov. 4 election, which would be in effect for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 elections, before reverting redistricting power back to the commission. Lia Russell in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 08/07/25

Climate

Scientists confirm that climate change is behind California’s earlier wildfire seasons -- In a study published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances, researchers said hotter, drier conditions over the last three decades had gradually elevated the state’s fire risk. Lucy Hodgman in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/07/25

How California missed its chance to protect solar funding from Trump -- The Trump administration wants to cancel solar programs that let everyday people tap into nearby panels. In California, the technology never even got off the ground. Noah Baustin and Camille von Kaenel Politico -- 08/07/25

Wildfire

Homeowners say the Army Corps and its contractors mishandled L.A. fire debris cleanup -- Contaminated pool water has been sprayed onto a neighbor’s yard; fire debris has been left behind; and contractors have not consistently adhered to their own cleanup guidelines. Tony Briscoe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/07/25

Insurer of last resort faces questions over smoke damage claims -- State regulators have taken legal action against California’s home insurer of last resort over its alleged denial and limiting of smoke damage claims stemming from the Jan. 7 and prior fires — a move critics say is overdue and may not amount to much. Laurence Darmiento in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/07/25

Workplace

The Insider’s Guide to San Francisco’s A.I. Boom -- There is one obvious reason that the tech industry’s ground zero for big ideas has moved north from Silicon Valley to San Francisco: OpenAI, the company that created the ChatGPT chatbot that started the A.I. craze, has its offices in a neighborhood that people in the tech industry have started calling the Arena. Eli Tan, Loren Elliott in the New York Times$ -- 08/07/25

The 20-Somethings Are Swarming San Francisco’s A.I. Boom -- Some dropped out of M.I.T., Georgetown and Stanford. Others decided not to go to college. They all say they could not afford to wait to build their own artificial intelligence start-ups. Natallie Rocha in the New York Times$ -- 08/07/25

California higher education layoffs: UC, Stanford and Cal State universities cut, freeze jobs -- Federal funding cuts, inflation and drops in enrollment are among the reasons cited for the pink slips. Tina Chen in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 08/07/25

California court rules UC hiring practice is discriminatory -- A California court ruled UC must reconsider its policy barring the hiring of students living in the country illegally from on-campus jobs. Molly Gibbs in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 08/07/25

Skydance Takes Over Paramount, and a New Era Begins -- The merger catapults new power players to the top of Hollywood and ends a tortuous process that has lasted well over a year. John Koblin and Benjamin Mullin in the New York Times$ -- 08/07/25

Education

UCLA has more than half a billion dollars in funding suspended by Trump administration -- UCLA is at risk of losing more than half a billion dollars in federal research funds as the Trump administration continues to pressure the school to address allegations of antisemitism on campus. Nicole Norman Politico Sara Randazzo in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 08/07/25

Santa Ana Unified, OC School of the Arts settle special ed lawsuit for $8.55 million -- The dispute, which began in 2019, centered on whether OCSA, then a charter school under SAUSD, owed the district for districtwide special education costs under state law — initially, the district said $16 million was due. Hanna Kang in the Orange County Register$ -- 08/07/25

California inmates can take college classes, but often with no internet and limited tech -- Even in California, where prison access to technology and research resources is better than average, students regularly face dead ends. Tara García Mathewson Calmatters -- 08/07/25

Analysis: California community colleges offer quick return on tuition investment -- In the best examples, students who finish relatively low-cost programs at 26 California community colleges earn back their education costs at new jobs in six months or less, according to the analysis. Michael Burke EdSource -- 08/07/25

These are the best California community colleges for return on investment -- Some institutions see graduates able to recoup their costs within months, according to a new ranking. But at others, it could take a decade or longer. In some programs, students may never earn enough to offset the cost of attending. Jessica Roy in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/07/25

Street

No charges for L.A. County deputy who shot man in back as he lay on pavement -- Los Angeles County prosecutors found there was “insufficient evidence” to prove Deputy Yen Liu was not acting in lawful self-defense when he shot Adrian Abelar at a Rosemead auto body shop four years ago, firing a round that fractured several vertebrae and nearly paralyzed him, according to court records and Abelar’s attorney. James Queally in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/07/25

Also

Lopez: My bathroom scale is rigged, and so are my book sales. Lawsuits and pink slips to follow -- I stepped on my bathroom scale the other morning and could not believe the three digits staring up at me. And I mean that literally — the scale was rigged. Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/07/25

Newton: Jerry Garcia wasn’t political. But the Grateful Dead symbolized defiance in a deeply political moment -- It is frequently the case that cultural and political movements emerge, thrive for a while and then produce backlash. Jim Newton Calmatters -- 08/07/25

Arellano: L.A. never needed the Olympics. With Trump wanting in, it's time to pull out -- The latest embarrassment is LA28 chair Casey Wasserman, the man tasked with making sure the 2028 Summer Olympics are a massive success. At a news conference this week announcing that President Trump will head a federal Olympics task force, Wasserman offered L.A. a giant whoopie cushion. Gustavo Arellano in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/07/25

Walters: Deepfakes pose an obvious peril in politics, but California’s bans amount to censorship -- A few weeks ago, a video popped up on YouTube, purporting to be a verbal clash between Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, and Gov. Gavin Newsom during a congressional hearing. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 08/07/25

POTUS 47

Trump demands a new U.S. census that excludes undocumented immigrants -- Historically, the census has counted all U.S. residents regardless of their immigration status, a process that helps determine both the allotment of congressional seats and billions of dollars in federal money sent to states. Tyler Pager in the New York Times$ -- 08/07/25

Trump Delayed a Medicare Change After Health Companies’ Donations -- Oliver Burckhardt came prepared for the dinner that President Trump hosted for a small group of major donors at his private Mar-a-Lago resort in South Florida on March 1. A week earlier, one of Mr. Burckhardt’s biotech companies had donated $5 million to MAGA Inc., a pro-Trump political committee, that paved the way for him to attend the event. Kenneth P. Vogel, Sarah Kliff and Katie Thomas in the New York Times$ -- 08/07/25

Trump Pledged to Bring Back Manufacturing. The Sector Is Sputtering -- President Trump has claimed that his sweeping tariff regime will reshore American companies and revive manufacturing in the U.S. So far, that hasn’t happened. Economic activity tied to manufacturing has shrunk for most of Trump’s second term. Chao Deng and John Keilman in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 08/07/25

Auto Industry Takes $12 Billion Hit From Trade War -- The obvious responses to tariffs are to raise prices and move production to the U.S. Neither would be an easy fix. Stephen Wilmot in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 08/07/25

Trump says he will put 100 percent tariff on semiconductors -- President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he plans to impose 100 percent tariffs on tens of billions of dollars of imported semiconductors used in consumer electronics and other products, but indicated he would not charge companies that commit to making chips in the U.S. Doug Palmer Politico Amrith Ramkumar, Natalie Andrews and Rolfe Winkler in the Wall Street Journal$ Tripp Mickle and Ana Swanson in the New York Times$ -- 08/07/25

‘This is sending a message’: DOJ moves to sanction lawyer who took pro bono deportation case -- The move comes after Trump directed the department to seek to sanction lawyers “who engage in frivolous, unreasonable, and vexatious litigation.” Josh Gerstein Politico -- 08/07/25

Putin suggests meeting Trump in UAE as Kremlin senses advantage -- The Kremlin confirmed a meeting would take place between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump but said it was at Washington’s request, contradicting the White House. Robyn Dixon, Siobhán O'Grady, Catherine Belton and Francesca Ebel in the Washington Post$ -- 08/07/25

 

California Policy and Politics Wednesday

Federal agents use Penske rental truck as ‘Trojan Horse’ to raid Los Angeles Home Depot -- After weeks of relative quiet, Border Patrol agents raided a Home Depot in Westlake on Wednesday as a top federal agent warned, “We’re not leaving,” and posted images of half a dozen border agents running from a Penske truck through the parking lot. Nathan Solis, Rachel Uranga and Brittny Mejia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/06/25

Justice Department releases a new list of sanctuary jurisdictions. L.A. County is not on it -- Although the list includes the Trump administration’s typical targets — the city of Los Angeles and the state of California — it is much shorter than a previous list issued by the Department of Homeland Security. And at least one local area that has become a major battleground over immigration is not on it: L.A. County. Jenny Jarvie in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/06/25

San Diego County included in DOJ’s new list of ‘sanctuary jurisdictions’ -- San Diego County's sheriff has refused the Department of Justice's recent request to provide data on all noncitizen jail inmates, citing state law. Alexandra Mendoza in the San Diego Union Tribune$ -- 08/06/25

UC must reconsider policy barring undocumented students from jobs, court rules -- A California court ruled that the UC system’s policy banning the hiring of undocumented students on campus is discriminatory and violates state law. Clara Harter in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/06/25

Trump officials are reopening old immigration cases, even for dead people. ‘They don’t do their homework,’ lawyers say -- Attorneys and their clients are racing to submit opposition to the legal actions. In one case, the government sought to recalendar proceedings against a man who was dead. Melissa Gomez, Dakota Smith and Rachel Uranga in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/06/25

 

California Democrats Look to Redraw House Map to Counter Texas G.O.P. -- As a Texas senator summoned the F.B.I. to round up Democrats, the redistricting war that began in Texas was spreading, with California aiming at five Republican House seats. Laurel Rosenhall, J. David Goodman, Shane Goldmacher and Nick Corasaniti in the New York Times$ -- 08/06/25

‘If this fails, he'll have egg on his face’: Gavin Newsom bets political future on redistricting power play -- The brawl over redistricting is handing Gavin Newsom something that has eluded Democrats since their 2024 humiliation: a shot at striking a tangible blow against Donald Trump. Melanie Mason Politico -- 08/06/25

Garofoli: Here’s what redistricting in California used to look like: ‘A diabolical masterpiece’ -- When California handed over the job of drawing congressional maps to a citizen-led, independent commission in 2010, it was billed as a way to rise above the partisan fray and ensure fairness and equity. The subtext was clear: When elected leaders were the ones drawing the maps, redistricting was a slimy mess of partisan gamesmanship. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/06/25

How California Republicans are fighting Newsom’s redistricting push -- Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Roseville, introduced legislation Tuesday that would impose a federal ban on all mid-decade redistricting, including in Texas. Nicole Nixon in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 08/06/25

Walters: Democracy be damned: Texas and California plot dueling congressional gerrymanders -- Under pressure from President Donald Trump, Texas’ dominant Republicans are attempting to redraw the state’s congressional districts and thus increase the number of GOP-held seats after the midterms. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 08/06/25

Rep. Ro Khanna seeks ‘new generation of leaders’ in the Democratic Party. Is he the answer? -- The ambitious Silicon Valley progressive and Bernie Sanders ally is testing the waters to run for president in 2028. Grant Stringer in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 08/06/25

California’s governor race ad blitz begins with million-dollar campaigns -- Now that Kamala Harris made it official that she’s not running for governor, the rest of the crowded field is expected to drop millions of dollars to introduce themselves to voters via broadcast television and digital advertising. Nicole Nixon in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 08/06/25

Elon Musk and X notch court win against California deepfake law -- A federal judge on Tuesday struck down a California law restricting AI-generated, deepfake content during elections — among the strictest such measures in the country — notching a win for Elon Musk and his X platform, which challenged the rules. Chase DiFeliciantonio Politico -- 08/06/25

LA fire deaths

The Los Angeles fires may have killed hundreds more people than official records show -- The devastating January fires that consumed entire swaths of Los Angeles, displaced tens of thousands of people and altered parts of the city’s iconic landscape, may have been far more deadly than previously recorded. Ruby Mellen in the Washington Post$ -- 08/06/25

Education

As immigration fears surge, LAUSD ‘compassion fund’ to support families amid return to school -- As many immigrant parents express fear about sending their children back to school next week, Los Angeles Unified has set a goal of $1 million in donations for a “compassion fund” for families affected by federal immigration raids, Supt. Alberto Carvalho announced Tuesday. Howard Blume in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/06/25

Students without legal status have the right to attend public school. Will Trump change that? -- Since last year about a half-dozen states have attempted to pass laws that would allow schools to charge tuition to noncitizens. None passed, but advocates said they plan to keep trying. Carolyn Jones Calmatters -- 08/06/25

Campus

Stanford to lay off more than 300 employees amid $140 million in budget cuts -- Stanford University will lay off at least 363 employees this fall as part of $140 million in budget cuts driven by rising costs and changes in federal funding policies, including a steep revision to the endowment tax. Ryan Macasero in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 08/06/25

‘Immediately rescind’: UC researchers ask judge to undo Trump’s UCLA grant suspensions -- UC researchers claim a judge’s previous order barred the National Science Foundation from suspending UCLA’s grants. Mikhail Zinshteyn Calmatters -- 08/06/25

UC says Trump’s grant suspensions at UCLA total $584 million, a ‘death knell’ for research -- The University of California said that it would negotiate with the Trump administration to restore $584 million in grant funding to UCLA. UC leaders did not indicate the terms of any potential federal agreement. Jaweed Kaleem in the Los Angeles Times$ Nicole Norman Politico Sara Randazzo in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 08/06/25

Trump is now targeting UCLA. Will UC follow other elite colleges to appease him? -- President Donald Trump’s massive effort to infuse American higher education with his political agenda has shifted to the University of California, where UCLA has become UC’s first target — and a test for what concessions the new leadership at both the system and campus might agree to. Nanette Asimov, Sara DiNatale in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/06/25

Stanford Newspaper Challenges Legal Basis for Student Deportations -- A new lawsuit brought by a First Amendment watchdog group argues that the use of a rarely invoked immigration law to target pro-Palestinian demonstrators is unconstitutional. Zach Montague in the New York Times$ -- 08/06/25

Environment

Major clean power plant serving L.A. goes fully online in Kern County -- A giant clean power plant in Mojave stores solar electricity for use after the sun sets It feeds Los Angeles and Glendale, providing 7% of LA’s need for power. The Los Angeles Department of Water & Power aims to eliminate climate-changing emissions from burning natural gas or coal, and the new plant brings it closer. Hayley Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/06/25

The California Coastal Commission’s fight with Elon Musk’s SpaceX is back on -- U.S. Space Force officials will be back in front of the commission next week with a proposal to double SpaceX’s rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force base from 50 to 95 per year — and staff at the agency charged with protecting California’s 840-mile coastline are recommending commissioners reject it. Alex Nieves Politico -- 08/06/25

Cannabis

L.A. marijuana businesses will pay higher fees, as industry struggles -- The vote would increase renewal fees for existing marijuana businesses by thousands of dollars, bringing fresh financial woes for operators already struggling in a constricting market. Noah Goldberg in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/06/25

Wildfire

California fires are burning and incoming heat wave could make things worse -- The warming trend is forecast to bake almost all of inland California over the next week, dialing up the heat on what’s already been a fiery summer in the state’s southern half, and raising the risks up north after a relatively quiet start to the season. Grace Toohey in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/06/25

Homeless

Living without documentation or a home in one of California’s hottest regions -- Intensifying ICE presence in the Imperial Valley has hindered the efforts of local outreach organizations to help the local unhoused population, a group most vulnerable to the area’s high temperatures. Marcos Magaña in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/06/25

Street

Inside the high-stakes clandestine poker world that led to a Hollywood Hills murder -- Authorities say illegal card games hosted at mansions in Encino, Sherman Oaks and the Hollywood Hills bring together Israeli organized crime figures, Latino gang members and gamblers who racked up debts as high as $1.5 million. Matthew Ormseth in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/06/25

‘Essentially Epstein Island’: Law firm calls for federal inquiry into L.A. County sex abuse -- A prominent law firm suing L.A. County over childhood sexual abuse is pushing for a federal investigation into how so many children were harmed on the government’s watch. Rebecca Ellis in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/06/25

L.A. agrees to pay $500,000 to reporters arrested at 2021 Echo Park protest -- Without admitting wrongdoing, the city agreed Monday to settle a lawsuit brought by the reporters, averting a federal civil trial just before jury selection was set to begin. Libor Jany in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/06/25

As inmate population declines, Norco prison will close. Will it be a luxury hotel again? -- The California Rehabilitation Center is slated to close in fall 2026, saving the state $150 million annually, officials said. Norco is now free to begin reimagining the future of the “historic gem.” Andrew J. Campa in the Los Angeles Times$ Adam Ashton Calmatters -- 08/06/25

Also

The Mystery of the L.A. Mansion Filled With Surrogate Children -- A couple with ties to China say they wanted a big family. Surrogates who carried the children say they were deceived. Katherine Long, Ben Foldy, Sara Randazzo Philip Cheung in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 08/06/25

Family TSA lines launch around the U.S., including at this popular SoCal airport -- John Wayne Airport in Orange County joins select airports around the country in offering a new family-friendly TSA line to reduce the stress of traveling with children. Clara Harter in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/06/25

Wild pigs are turning up with ‘neon blue’ flesh in California. Authorities sound the alarm -- Dan Burton has trapped hundreds of wild pigs for clients of his wildlife control company in Salinas, but even he was startled when he cut one of them open and found blue meat inside. Salvador Hernandez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/06/25

POTUS 47

Trump said he would double tariffs on India as punishment for buying Russian oil -- President Trump announced on Wednesday that he would double tariffs on India, to 50 percent, beginning this month as punishment for the country’s continued purchase of Russian oil. Tony Romm in the New York Times$ -- 08/06/25

The Tariff Effect: Billions in Revenue but No Economic Earthquake -- U.S. tariffs are higher than they have been in decades. Their effects have been mild. Jeanne Whalen, Konrad Putzier and Alex Leary in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 08/06/25

Trump names himself chair of L.A. Olympics task force, sees role for military during Games -- Trump said he would send the military back to Los Angeles if he so chose in order to protect the Games. More concentrated involvement from Trump could spell further strain with Los Angeles city officials. Michael Wilner, Julia Wick and Thuc Nhi Nguyen in the Los Angeles Times$ Seung Min Kim and Meg Kinnard Associated Press -- 08/06/25

Trump’s tactics are bending the criminal justice system to his agenda -- Trump and his team have mounted a direct assault on all three pillars of the justice system: Judges, prosecutors and the legal profession. Naftali Bendavid in the Washington Post$ -- 08/06/25

Trump Threatens Federal Takeover of D.C. After Member of DOGE Assaulted -- President Trump shared a photograph that appeared to show a 19-year-old software engineer shirtless and bloodied, after an attempted carjacking. Nicholas Nehamas and Campbell Robertson in the New York Times$ Emily Davies, Olivia George and Meagan Flynn in the Washington Post$ -- 08/06/25

Officials Move to Open Inquiry on Trump’s ‘Russia Hoax’ Grievance -- President Trump has urged and browbeaten supporters to shift their obsession from the Jeffrey Epstein files to the investigation and potential prosecution of Democratic officials he accuses of persecuting him, a cardinal grievance that bonds him to his base. Glenn Thrush, Alan Feuer, Devlin Barrett and Maggie Haberman in the New York Times$ -- 08/06/25

Up on the Roof, Trump Surveys the Home He’s Making His Own -- White House reporters looked up from the driveway to see a familiar figure in a most unfamiliar location. Katie Rogers in the New York Times$ -- 08/06/25

Democrats take off the gloves on redistricting — but could it backfire? -- It represents a dramatic turnaround by a party that for more than a decade has claimed to be at the vanguard of good government and reform. Karen Tumulty in the Washington Post$ -- 08/06/25