Updating . .
Los Angeles reaches deal with international Olympic leaders to host 2028 Summer Games -- City Council President Herb Wesson’s office confirmed the deal Monday. Spokeswoman Caolinn Mejza says the pact is expected to be reviewed by the council later this week. The agreement to be formally announced later Monday follows a vote earlier this month by the International Olympic Committee to seek a deal to award the 2024 and 2028 Games. Michael R. Blood Associated Press David Wharton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/31/17
Los Angeles father, detained by ICE after dropping daughter off at school, could be deported -- The family of Romulo Avelica-Gonzalez, an immigrant in the country illegally whose case has drawn international media attention, was devastated to learn that he could be deported as early as next week. Andrea Castillo in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/31/17
In California's poultry plants, refugees fill the vacuum left after President Bush's immigration raid -- Taiseer Al Souki spends most days on his feet at a Foster Farms poultry plant, hefting table-sized plastic brown boxes and feeding them into a machine that cleans them. Cindy Carcamo in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/31/17
LA County not giving up on closing Aliso Canyon gas storage facility -- Attorneys for Los Angeles County filed updated papers with a state appeals court today in a renewed effort to block the restart of operations at the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility in Porter Ranch, site of the largest methane leak in U.S. history. The item is in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 7/31/17
Ventura Blvd. marches have something in common: The homeless. But that’s where it ends -- As the number of homeless people in the San Fernando Valley has grown, some residents say they’re fed up with criminal activity they claim is associated with those who ask for money at freeway off-ramps or live in tent encampments. Elizabeth Chou in the Los Angeles Daily News -- 7/31/17
Concerned about aggressive panhandling, Chatsworth group escorts customers into Ralphs -- Customers entering a Ralphs in Chatsworth Saturday were greeted by members of a Facebook page who held a “Safe Shopping Day” calling attention to panhandling and homelessness in the area. Wes Woods in the Los Angeles Daily News -- 7/31/17
San Francisco Civic Center focus of urgent, coordinated cleanup effort -- In San Francisco, checking out a book from the Main Library, attending a Symphony concert or going to City Hall for a marriage license can mean confronting some of the most egregious examples of the city’s drug and homelessness problems. Dominic Fracassa in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 7/31/17
Taylor: BART needs more riders to step up to help keep system safe -- “BART really needs to do a better job of making people feel safe.” That’s what a reader wrote in response to my column about BART commuters terrorized for several stops on the Pittsburg/Bay Point line last week by a man threatening to kill them — and how one rider felt the reaction from BART police was inadequate. Otis R. Taylor Jr. in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 7/31/17
• Trump Removes Anthony Scaramucci From Communications Director Role -- President Trump has decided to remove Anthony Scaramucci from his position as communications director, three people close to the decision said Monday, relieving him just days after Mr. Scaramucci unloaded a crude verbal tirade against other senior members of the president’s senior staff. Maggie Haberman, Michael D. Shear and Glenn Thrush in the New York Times$ Catherine Lucey Associated Press Tara Palmeri Politico -- 7/31/17
Politically, millennials are a pain -- Millennials are better educated than previous generations; they are technologically savvy. For political types, they are a headache. They are the largest living generation. Even though there are 9.4 million California millennials, making them a potentially rich source of votes, they don’t vote in very high percentages unless they’re thrilled. Chuck Mcfadden Capitol Weekly -- 7/31/17
Millennium Tower can survive Big One, city-ordered report says -- Good news for jittery residents of the Millennium Tower in San Francisco — an engineering analysis ordered up by the city has concluded that, while the 58-story downtown high-rise continues to both sink and tilt, it can nonetheless withstand a magnitude 8.0 earthquake. Matier & Ross in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 7/31/17
Nearly 2 million California acres were set aside for frogs. But ranchers say decision ignores them -- Tiny frogs and toads used to swarm over the Sierra Nevada. Now they’re considered endangered, and the government says they need to be protected. California ranchers say those protections are hurting their ability to make a living. So another conflict over the Endangered Species Act is going to court. Dale Kasler, Carolyn Wilke and Ryan Sabalow in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 7/31/17
Booze flows freely in Fresno, but where you find it makes a difference -- As Fresno recently weighed what to do about recreational marijuana businesses, several pastors from the city’s poorer central and southern neighborhoods spoke in support of a ban. They said they were already feeling overrun by beer, wine and liquor retailers. Tim Sheehan in the Fresno B ee -- 7/31/17
Movies still dominated by white male actors despite talk of diversity -- In 2016 “Moonlight” won best picture and “Hidden Figures” was the 14th highest grossing film of the year, but popular Hollywood films remained as white and male-dominated as ever. Lindsey Bahr Associated Press -- 7/31/17
A tug-of-war between Metro, Metrolink intensifies as thousands switch to cheaper Gold Line -- But some existing train riders — particularly those living in eastern Los Angeles County and western San Bernardino County — have found a different kind of option. Thousands are switching from riding Metrolink, a commuter rail, to taking the Gold Line light rail. Both go to Los Angeles but the Gold Line is much cheaper, offers more trains more often and less waiting. Steve Scauzillo in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 7/31/17
Fox: California at Politicon -- The third annual Politicon convention in Pasadena on all things political produced long lines for lively debates and entertainment, and while a major focus was on national events, as always California and Californians captured a good share of the spotlight. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 7/31/17
California Policy & Politics This Morning
‘Hurry up and die’: Threats, racism intensify against California officials -- The letter begins with “Dear Corrupt Mexican” and ends with “hurry up and die.” It’s signed “White Power.” Taryn Luna in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 7/31/17
John Chiang is the no-drama candidate for governor in the Trump era, and you're probably saying his name wrong -- It took decades for John Chiang to hustle into the top ranks of California politics, and he relished all the schmoozing along the way. Michael Finnegan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/31/17
This millionaire might be California’s next governor. How Gavin Newsom got connected -- Up a narrow staircase above his wine shop, Gavin Newsom glides across the cramped office before making his way to its showpiece. Off to the side sits a mop sink that city inspectors made him install even though he argued the floors were carpeted. Christopher Cadelago in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 7/31/17
These political newbies are stepping up to run for Congress, and many say it's because of Trump -- Not too long ago, Katie Hill’s weekends were filled with hikes and rock climbing. Now that she’s decided to challenge GOP Rep. Steve Knight for his Palmdale House seat, she spends them going to meet-and-greet events and making hours of fundraising phone calls. Christine Mai-Duc in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/31/17
Walters: California’s war over public schools moves to a new front -- The multi-front political and legal war over the direction of California’s immense public school system has a new front. The state Board of Education – and inferentially, Gov. Jerry Brown and the education establishment – want to take a minimalist approach to complying with the new federal education law, the Every Student Succeeds Act. Dan Walters Calmatters.org -- 7/31/17
California's minor life-without-parole law blasted as unfair -- The California Supreme Court and state lawmakers say current state law violates recent rulings by the nation's high court limiting life sentences for teenagers convicted of murder. The U.S. Supreme Court bans mandatory life-without-parole sentences for those under 18 convicted of murder. The court made the ruling retroactive last year for more than 2,000 offenders nationwide. Don Thompson Associated Press -- 7/31/17
#NoConfederate campaign against HBO slave drama takes off -- A social media campaign to derail HBO's planned modern-day Southern slavery drama quickly caught fire, prompting the cable channel to ask detractors to withhold judgment until they see "Confederate." Lynn Elber Associated Press -- 7/31/17
Economy, Employers, Jobs, Unions, Pensions
In birth of new state program, what’s in a name? -- It’s time to bring in some “Mad Men,” like those vintage Madison Avenue advertising professionals in the critically acclaimed television show, and run the name of a new state retirement savings plan up the flagpole and see who salutes. The current name, Secure Choice, doesn’t say much about a big new program that in five years could be a mandatory option to supplement Social Security for an estimated 7.5 million Californians currently not offered a retirement plan by more than 200,000 employers. Ed Mendel Calpensions.com -- 7/31/17
Google’s new program to track shoppers sparks a federal privacy complaint -- A prominent privacy rights watchdog is asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate a new Google advertising program that ties consumers’ online behavior to their purchases in brick-and-mortar stores. Elizabeth Dwoskin and Craig Timberg in the Washington Post$ -- 7/31/17
Homeless
Veterinarians treat homeless pets at Santa Ana River Trail for free -- Michael Diehl has had Osiris since the pit bull was just a pup. Diehl, 46, suffers from sudden seizures and Osiris helps keep him safe, alerting him before they happen, he said. “He means everything to me,” he said. “He protects me from everything.” Erika Ritchie in the Orange County Register -- 7/31/17
Education
California state universities add dorm rooms as strategy to raise graduation rates, provide affordable housing – The CSU system now has on-campus room for only about 11 percent of its 400,000 students but new construction is underway. Larry Gordon EdSource -- 7/31/17
Immigration / Border
Border mayors talk trade, border crossings and the wall -- The U.S.-Mexico Border Mayors Association brought together leaders of about 20 border communities for two days of meetings that touched on subjects such as trade, the environment, health, and border infrastructure. Four of the mayors came from Mexico, the remainder from the United States. Sandra Dibble in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 7/31/17
Health
Insurance company won't pay entire medical bill? New state rules will help -- California this month instituted some of the nation’s toughest rules against “balance billing,” which has affected tens of millions of patients over the years. Paul Sisson in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 7/31/17
Environment
Are new-tech trucks ready to replace diesel, keep California’s pollution-fighting promise? -- The race to replace Southern California’s biggest polluter is on. It’s going to take science, time, money — and maybe an assist from Elon Musk. At the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, an ambitious $14 billion clean-air plan calls for the elimination of dirty-burning diesel equipment by 2035 — $9 billion just to purchase and deploy trucks. Rachel Uranga in the Inland Daily Bulletin$ -- 7/31/17
Cleaning up human waste is cheapest way to improve health of region's beaches, report finds -- It’s been thought for decades that stormwater runoff is the major source of bacterial pollution in the county’s rivers, bays and beaches — triggering swimming advisories up and down the region’s shoreline for 72 hours after it rains. Joshua Emerson Smith in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 7/31/17
Also . . .
BART pushes cellphone theft awareness campaign -- As Bay Area Rapid Transit police noted a suspect arrest at an East Bay station last week, they hope a campaign they are rolling out will help lower already dropping numbers on cellphone thefts. George Kelly in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 7/31/17
Named for a San Diego hero, Navy's newest destroyer reports for duty -- Dubbed the “9,250-ton greyhound” of American military power and high-tech wizardry, the $1.5 billion guided-missile destroyer Rafael Peralta was commissioned on Saturday morning at Naval Air Station North Island, within gunshot of the carriers it will protect for the next four decades. Carl Prine in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 7/31/17
Dozens of Venezuelans stage protest in Hollywood over controversial elections in homeland -- Dozens of Venezuelans staged their own protest in Hollywood on Sunday as violence erupted in Caracas over elections that would give controversial President Nicolas Maduro more power. Andrea Castillo in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/31/17
Beltway
Putin’s Bet on a Trump Presidency Backfires Spectacularly -- A little more than a year after the Russian effort to interfere in the American presidential election came to light, the diplomatic fallout — an unraveling of the relationship between Moscow and Washington on a scale not seen in decades — is taking its toll. David E. Sanger in the New York Times$ -- 7/31/17
How tax breaks could break tax reform -- Hundreds of special tax provisions for groups of all stripes litter the tax code, and clearing them out won't be easy. Brian Faler Politico -- 7/31/17
Hackers descend on Las Vegas to expose voting machine flaws -- Election officials and voting machine manufacturers insist that the rites of American democracy are safe from hackers. But people like Carten Schurman need just a few minutes to raise doubts about that claim. Kevin Collier Politico -- 7/31/17
-- Sunday Updates
What happened to L.A.'s push to end its pay-to-play reputation? So far, not much -- As an election loomed earlier this year, Los Angeles politicians were eager to prove that moneyed interests had not bought City Hall. Emily Alpert Reyes and David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/30/17
BART workers get ridership bonus, even with fewer passengers -- Virtually all of BART’s 3,600 employees will get a $500 ridership bonus in their August paycheck — even though ridership is down systemwide. BART employees have long been guaranteed bonuses of up to $1,000 under their labor contract if ridership exceeds expectations. Matier & Ross in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 7/30/17
The carrots and sticks BART is using to manage homeless population -- When it comes to the homeless population on BART, there are three categories of people, says Armando Sandoval, BART’s homeless outreach worker and crisis intervention trainer: those willing to accept help, those who refuse it and those whose mental state leaves them unable to decide either way. Erin Baldassari in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 7/30/17
Can a pay raise fix agriculture industry’s labor crisis? Yes and no -- All over California, there’s a desperate labor shortage on farms, ranches, processing and packing houses. But at Christopher Ranch — the nation’s largest producer of fresh garlic and co-founder of this weekend’s Garlic Festival — every job is filled. Even now, at the peak of harvest season, all 600 of its packing and processing positions are claimed. Lisa M. Krieger in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 7/30/17
Homebuilders want high school students for construction jobs -- Sacramento homebuilders are trying to deal with a severe shortage of construction workers by training high school students in summer internships. They want the teens and their parents to consider the possibility that a construction career might be a good alternative to college, though that can require some convincing. Hudson Sangree in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 7/30/17
Tech leaders struggling to disrupt Democratic Party -- There’s a prevailing belief in Silicon Valley that technology can improve almost anything. So in that spirit, some prominent tech leaders are launching plans to disrupt the Democratic Party, which has plenty of problems. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 7/30/17
How Barbara Lee Became An Army of One -- She was the only member of Congress to vote against the use of force after 9/11. Now, she’s finding unlikely allies in her campaign against America’s forever war: Republicans. Austin Wright Politico -- 7/30/17
Bay Area housing: Sales plunge for homes under $500,000 -- Homes under $500,000 are becoming an endangered species in the Bay Area. The region’s sales of single-family homes in that price range fell 17 percent in June from the same time a year ago simply because there are so few to be had. Richard Scheinin in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 7/30/17
Trump resistance buoyed by Senate health care vote -- With Democrats unified in opposing Donald Trump’s agenda, and Republicans so far unable to capitalize on their Congressional majority, the country’s rightward shift has run smack into a wall — and not the one the president hopes to build. The question now for the Trump resistance: Did it simply win a skirmish, or a decisive battle in a four-year war? Tracy Seipel in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 7/30/17
Abortion foes swarm San Francisco officials’ neighborhoods -- Anti-abortion protesters upset over the San Francisco Planning Commission’s approval of a Planned Parenthood center on Bush Street used military-like precision in protests the other day in neighborhoods where four of the commissioners live. Matier & Ross in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 7/30/17
Lawsuits could force feds to pay Obamacare insurers -- A pending court decision could force the Trump administration to pump billions of dollars into Obamacare insurers, even as the president threatens to let the health care law “implode.” Paul Demko Politico -- 7/30/17
Trump's travel ban keeps orphan kids from US foster families -- By blocking the program, the U.S. travel bans have stranded more than 100 refugee children who were already matched to waiting American foster families. Without parents or other adult relatives, those kids are living on their own in countries of temporary refuge, in limbo while their U.S. foster parents hope for a court ruling that will allow the children to finish their journeys. Ellen Knickmeyer Associated Press -- 7/30/17