Updating . .   

South Bay assemblyman says he won't vote for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton -- Late last week, after the dust had settled on the Republican and Democratic national conventions, Assemblyman David Hadley (R-Manhattan Beach) made an announcement: He won't vote for either party's presidential nominee. Christine Mai-Duc in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/2/16

Congressional challenger calls on Republican Rep. Steve Knight to disavow Donald Trump -- Now that Donald Trump is officially the Republican nominee for president, some down-ballot GOP candidates are being called on by their Democratic opponents to denounce his remarks after he spent the weekend trading barbs with the parents of a Muslim American soldier who died in Iraq. Javier Panzar in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/2/16

Trump refuses to support Paul Ryan, John McCain in upcoming Republican primaries -- Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is refusing to back House Speaker Paul D. Ryan in his upcoming primary election, saying in an interview Tuesday that he is “not quite there yet” in endorsing his party’s top-ranking elected official. Philip Rucker in the Washington Post$ -- 8/2/16

Transportation Authority Kept Secret Cyber Attack That Cost $600,000 -- The Orange County Transportation Authority was struck with a major cyber attack in February that cost over $600,000 and disabled dozens of computer servers for days, including a total shutdown of email, voicemail and numerous other services. Nick Gerda VoiceofOC.org -- 8/2/16

State’s vaccination law under fire -- At least three lawsuits have been filed seeking to overturn California’s new law that prevents children from attending public or private school or day care without getting mandatory vaccinations. Lisa Renner Capitol Weekly -- 8/2/16

'Above average' wildfire activity is forecast through October -- Southern California can expect above average wildfire activity through the end of October due to the shortage of rain and extremely dry vegetation in many areas, the National Interagency Fire Center said. Gary Robbins in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/2/16

California drought: Residents cut water use 21.5 percent in June despite relaxed drought rules -- The state's urban residents are continuing strong water conservation, cutting water use 21.5 percent in June compared with June 2013, the baseline year, despite state officials easing mandatory drought targets earlier this year. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 8/2/16

Will replacing thirsty lawns with drought-tolerant plants make L.A. hotter? -- Last summer, a revolution occurred in Los Angeles landscaping: Across the city, tens of thousands of homeowners tore up their water-thirsty lawns and replaced them with gravel, turf, decomposed granite and a wide range of drought-tolerant plants at a rate never seen before. Deborah Netburn in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/2/16

Will an expanded power grid help California fight climate change? -- In three years, California’s largest utilities could be slashing their use of fossil fuels by swapping homegrown solar energy for Rocky Mountain wind power in a sprawling Western electricity grid. Or a newly expanded grid could provide a profitable market to revive out-of-state coal plants that would otherwise face a harder time complying with California’s aggressive greenhouse-gas-reduction efforts. Adam Ashton in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 8/2/16

New poll shows strong support for landmark drug pricing ballot measure -- The poll on Prop. 61, also called the "California Drug Price Relief Act," was taken by veteran Democratic pollster Ben Tulchin, for the campaign to pass Prop. 61. Tulchin, who also served as chief pollster for the Bernie Sanders campaign, surveyed 800 likely California voters from July 21-24. Carla Marinucci Politico -- 8/2/16

John Chiang off to fast start in money race for California -- One reason not to discount state Treasurer John Chiang in California’s still-distant race for governor: He raised more money in the first six weeks of his campaign than Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, an aggressive fundraiser with a higher profile, produced in the same period after declaring his candidacy last year. David Siders in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 8/2/16

CORE districts want state waiver to continue their work -- The six California school districts that designed their own school accountability and improvement model are asking the State Board of Education for permission to continue to develop their hybrid system in 2017-18 and beyond. The board will discuss and possibly vote on the proposal at its next meeting in September. John Fensterwald EdSource -- 8/2/16

When pot is legal, how do you convince teens to abstain? -- For Oregon kids growing up in the age of legal marijuana, the presence of pot can be a matter of perspective. Pausing during a visit to a mall in Portland, Neema Doti and her friends described the plant as ubiquitous. Jeremy B. White in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 8/2/16

5 dead, more injured in Highway 99 bus crash -- Five people are dead and at least five more suffered major injuries when a charter bus crashed on Highway 99 early Tuesday between Atwater and Livingston. The bus was carrying about 30 people from Mexico to Washington state when it crashed just after 3:30 a.m., the California Highway Patrol reported. Rob Parsons in the Fresno Bee -- 8/2/16

Man beaten by deputies in San Francisco sues over injuries -- A man who was beaten by Alameda County sheriff’s deputies in an alley in San Francisco’s Mission District filed a federal lawsuit Monday, alleging that the deputies violated his civil rights in the arrest that garnered nationwide attention after it was caught on video. Vivian Ho in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 8/2/16

Five molestation victims reach $5.4 million settlement with Fresno-area school district -- Five students who accused a former superintendent/principal of the Orange Center Elementary School District of molesting them inside his office during the 2013-2014 school year have settled their civil lawsuits against the district for $5.4 million. Pablo Lopez in the Fresno Bee -- 8/2/16

Fox: Controversy Involving Presidential Debate Commission Previously, and I was There -- Donald Trump hinted over the weekend that he may skip a couple of the scheduled presidential debates because they conflict with National Football League games, an effort to diminish the debate’s audience, he claimed. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 8/2/16

Obama challenges GOP to drop support for Trump -- President Barack Obama slammed Donald Trump as "woefully unprepared" to serve in the White House on Tuesday and challenged Republican lawmakers to drop their support for their party's nominee. "There has to come a point at which you say enough," Obama declared. Julie Pace Associated Press Nolan D. McCaskill Politico Carol E. Lee and Byron Tau in the Wall Street Journal$ Michael D. Sear in the New York Times$ Michael A. Memoli in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/2/16

Reports: Trump asked GOP for Backup on Khans, No One Responded -- As criticism mounted against Donald Trump Monday for his treatment of an American Muslim couple whose son died in the Iraq war, his campaign sent an appeal to Republicans in Congress to back him up, according to media reports. No one responded. Stephanie Akin Roll Call -- 8/2/16

Trump: 'I always wanted to get the Purple Heart. This was much easier' -- Following Trump's statement, NBC reporter Katy Tur tweeted that she had spoken with Dorfman and that he said the medal he gave to Trump was a copy of the one awarded to him. Dorfman was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded in action in Iraq in 2007. Nick Gass Politico -- 8/2/16

New York Times uncovers Donald Trump's draft deferments -- Trump's non-existent military career is under the microscope after the parents of a Muslim American solider killed in Iraq openly questioned if Trump ever sacrified for his country. Andrea Waguespack in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 8/2/16

Jennewein: An Immigrant Dies in Combat, a Presidential Candidate Avoids Service -- The two men’s dramatically different experiences explain volumes about the political divide in America and the issues at hand during this Presidential election. Chris Jennewein Times of San Diego -- 8/2/16

California Policy & Politics This Morning   

California lawmakers propose competing approaches to combat human trafficking -- Before she became district attorney in Alameda County, Nancy O’Malley prosecuted rape cases. She soon came to recognize a number of young women and girls who cycled through the courtroom. Jazmine Ulloa in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/2/16

Bill to ban private communications by California's coastal commissioners gets sidetracked -- A bill to ban behind-the-scenes communications by members of the California Coastal Commission stalled in the Assembly on Monday after a committee report concluded that the measure might cost the powerful land use agency hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Dan Weikel in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/2/16

Lopez: Something stinks in Sacramento -- You know how some people hold their nose before jumping into water? You might want to hold your nose before jumping into this story. Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/2/16

State teachers union has given more than $13 million to extend income taxes on wealthy Californians -- California's largest teachers union has given more than $13 million to the effort to extend income tax hikes on California's highest earners, according to newly released state campaign finance reports. Liam Dillon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/2/16

Competing death penalty ballot measures reel in $6 million -- The highest total amount of contributions -- $3.6 million so far in 2016 -- has flowed to Proposition 62, which seeks to abolish capital punishment and replace it with life in prison without parole. Jazmine Ulloa in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/2/16

Nearly $66 million in campaign cash to kill a prescription drug ballot measure in November -- Opponents of a ballot measure that would limit how much pharmaceutical companies can charge state agencies for prescription drugs had nearly $66 million on hand in June. Sophia Bollag in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/2/16

Supporters of California gun control initiative have big fundraising lead over opponents -- Tapping some high-profile donors, supporters of a California gun control initiative on the November ballot have a huge head start over opponents in campaign fundraising, according to financial reports filed Monday with the state. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/2/16

Legislature Sends Foster Child, Immigrant Protections To Governor -- The California Legislature has approved bills that would protect foster kids from parents who sexually trafficked them and block courts from considering the immigration status of plaintiffs in personal injury or wrongful death claims. Ben Adler Capital Public Radio -- 8/2/16

Walters: Building California schools now big business, big money and big politics -- Building and refurbishing the schools that house 6 million California kids has become very big business. Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 8/2/16

Billion-dollar Beverly Hills development challenged because of ex-mayor's lobbying -- Final approval of a $1.2-billion condominium and hotel project in Beverly Hills should be denied because a former mayor lobbied on behalf of its Chinese developer, according to a Sacramento attorney threatening legal action in a letter to city offici als. Kim Christensen in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/2/16

Garcetti confirms DWP chief Marcie Edwards to step down this month -- Marcie Edwards, who is quitting her job as general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power slightly more than two years after she was appointed to reform the agency, will step down in two weeks, Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office announced Monday. Peter Jamison in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/2/16

Gov. Jerry Brown sells his Oakland home for a loss -- Gov. Jerry Brown is no longer an Oakland homeowner. The governor and First Lady Anne Gust Brown closed on the sale of their Oakland Hills home last week, completing the journey that began late last year when the first couple moved into the historic governor's mansion in Sacramento. John Myers in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/2/16

Santa Clara County prosecutors try new approach to ease racial tensions with cops -- The first time Lamar Noble encountered a couple of Santa Clara County sheriff's deputies, it didn't end well. Tracey Kaplan in the East Bay Times -- 8/2/16

San Jose police take outreach to black congregation -- In the ongoing effort to forge bonds with a community that's often wary of the intentions of those sworn to protect and serve, San Jose police on Sunday held their third "Coffee with a Cop" event at the predominantly black Emmanuel Baptist Church. Eric Kurhi in the East Bay Times -- 8/2/16

Big Sur Fire: Strike teams provide ground muscle in stubborn blaze -- In the war on the Soberanes Fire, they're the boots on the ground, and the wheels. Tom Leyde in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 8/2/16

California Senate Votes To End Ban On Ballot Selfies -- The California Legislature wants voters to be allowed to post photos of their marked ballots on social media. Associated Press -- 8/2/16

Taxes, Fees, Rates, Tolls     

PG&E customers face triple whammy in gas and electric bills -- PG&E's customers face a triple whammy in the coming months with higher monthly gas and electricity costs, even so the utility argued Monday that ratepayers still pay below the national average. George Avalos in the East Bay Times -- 8/2/16

Could California Legislature Take Lame-Duck Vote On Gas Taxes? -- California lawmakers are back at the state Capitol for their final scheduled month of work this year. They’re scheduled to adjourn by midnight on Aug. 31st. But at least one major issue could stretch into a rare lame-duck session. Ben Adler Capital Public Radio -- 8/2/16

Proposed San Francisco tech tax dies without making it to November ballot -- A proposal by three members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to ask voters to make technology companies pay for measures intended to close the city’s wealth gap died in committee Monday. Emily Green in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 8/2/16

Economy, Employers, Jobs, Unions, Pensions      

Bay Area affordability crisis causing small businesses to lose valued employees -- About a year ago, the exodus from Gryphon Stringed Instruments grew pronounced. Unable to rent affordable apartments, longtime employees quit or announced plans to leave the Bay Area. The cost of making music here had become just too high. Richard Scheinin in the East Bay Times -- 8/2/16

After Yahoo, these tech firms look ripe for a sale -- Several other technology firms would seem to be candidates because their businesses are faltering and their stock prices have tumbled in recent years. That’s how Yahoo ended up agreeing last week to sell its Internet assets to Verizon Communications Inc. for $4.83 billion. James F. Peltz in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/2/16

These are the L.A. area cities where rent is rising fastest -- Figures released Monday from ApartmentList.com show Pasadena had the biggest year-over-year rent increase in the Los Angeles metro area — a bump of 8 percent between July 2015 and July of this year. The median monthly rent for a two bedroom apartment in Pasadena now goes for $2,640. Kevin Smith in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 8/2/16

MLS says expansion fee could hit $200 million -- When Sacramento started its pitch for a Major League Soccer franchise, the expansion fee was expected to be a little more than $100 million. Now, with soccer’s popularity continuing to rise, it looks like the price of admission could be nearly twice as high. Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 8/2/16

Water   

Californians water conservation returns to local leadership -- Most communities in drought-stricken California stayed on target for saving water in June, the first month that abandons a state-mandated approach to conserving that puts local leaders back in charge, officials said. Scott Smith Associated Press -- 8/2/16

Education 

Report calls out some charters for biased policies -- More than one in five California charter schools deter disadvantaged and low-performing students from attending their campuses through restrictive admissions policies and burdensome parent requirements, according to a report released today by the ACLU of Southern California and the nonprofit Public Advocates. Maureen Magee in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 8/2/16

Midnight food deliveries, confused parents and no sleep: real talk from inside the Los Angeles Unified shutdown -- It was Dec. 14, and the recent terrorist attack at a holiday party in San Bernardino that killed 14 people and wounded 22 was still fresh on their minds. By the next morning, the nation's second-largest school district was on lockdown. Joy Resmovits in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/2/16

Oceanside school officials alert parents -- A former student who made threats against Oceanside Unified School District last year is back in the community and officials say they want to let parents know they are taking steps to boost security at district schools. Edward Sifuentes in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 8/2/16

Environment 

Big Sur fire delivers smoke and haze to the Bay Area -- The dense layer of hazy soot that has blanketed much of the Bay Area and particularly the Monterey Bay region is expected to clear Tuesday with shifting winds that should send smoke from a relentless wildfire near Big Sur south into the Salinas Valley. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 8/2/16

Health 

Making care more affordable, but not less expensive -- The big rate increases announced last week for health insurance policies sold by California’s version of the federal health reform are the latest evidence that the Affordable Care Act, despite its name, cannot do much to tame the rise of health care costs. Daniel Weintraub California Health Report -- 8/2/16

Also . . . 

Going through the healing process for the Inland Regional Center employees -- Inland Regional Center executive director Lavinia Johnson’s eyes beamed as she talks about the outpouring of support from the public, but there were times during a recent hourlong discussion when she became a bit reserved. Associate director Kevin Urtz was much more guarded, especially when it came to discussing the events of eight months ago, Dec. 2. Liset Márquez in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 8/2/16

Oakland extends warm welcome to youngsters becoming citizens -- They wore turbans, straw hats and tulle dresses, and grinned broadly, waving tiny American flags. The 19 children who took the Oath of Allegiance at Children’s Fairyland on Monday hailed from China, El Salvador, India, Mexico, Vietnam, the Philippines, Yemen and Indonesia. Rachel Swan in the San Francisco Chronicle Gary Peterson in the East Bay Times -- 8/2/16

Jaycee Dugard, in 'Freedom,' recounts a journey navigating an unbounded world -- Slowly but surely, and very carefully, Jaycee Dugard has cultivated a public persona that belies how for nearly two decades, she was kept from acknowledging her real identity. Robert Salonga in the East Bay Times -- 8/2/16

BART: Four officers accused of excessive force arrest remain on active duty -- Four BART officers involved in the arrest of an unarmed robbery suspect Friday are still on active duty, despite investigations opened into allegations of excessive force, BART officials said Monday. Erin Baldassari in the East Bay Times -- 8/2/16

Man charged with attempted murder of Oakland police sergeant -- Moss allegedly shot at Oakland police Sgt. Nadia Clark as she sat dazed in her patrol SUV after an unrelated crash July 23 on 73rd Avenue near Weld Street. She was responding to a dispatch call before the crash. Katrina Cameron in the East Bay Times -- 8/2/16

Family of man killed by Oakland police files suit against city -- The family of a man shot dead by four Oakland police officers as he carried a toy gun filed a federal lawsuit against the city Monday, saying the killing violated his constitutional rights and was the result of poor police training. Kimberly Veklerov in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 8/2/16

National Night Out: A time for barbecue, K-9s and tough conversations -- Law enforcement officials from across Southern California and the nation will come together with their communities Tuesday night to share crime tips, eat barbecue, watch K-9 units practice their maneuvers and generally celebrate police. And, perhaps, have some tough conversations. Chris Haire in the Orange County Register -- 8/2/16

'I tried to do CPR and nothing was working': 3 die after attending Hard Summer rave near Fontana -- Three people died after attending a rave this weekend in the Inland Empire, the latest in a series of deaths that have fueled debate about safety and the need for stricter regulations of such concerts. Rong-Gong Lin II and Matt Hamilton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/2/16

Beltway 

Trump suggests general election could be 'rigged' -- Trump's extraordinary claim — one he did not back up with any immediate evidence — would, if it became more than just an offhand comment, seem to threaten the tradition of peacefully contested elections and challenge the very essence of a fair democratic process. Jonathan Lemire Associated Press -- 8/2/16

Warren Buffett challenges Trump: Let's release our tax returns together -- Clinton campaign officials like to say that one of the many reasons not to entrust Donald Trump with the presidency is his thin skin. And over and over again, they seem eager to get under it. Michael A. Memoli in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/2/16

The Khan family's road to confrontation with Donald Trump -- Khizr and Ghazala Khan were born in Pakistan. In 1976, their second son, Humayun, was born in the United Arab Emirates. The family moved to the U.S. in 1980 and settled in Boston, where Khizr studied law at Harvard University. Alexia Fernandez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/2/16

Trump tests his limits -- In a campaign in which Donald Trump has ignored advice and precedent, turned conventional wisdom on its head and flouted the basic bylaws of politics and societal norms, he may be proving that at least one thing remains sacrosanct: the sacrifices of those who have died for this country. Eli Stokols Politico -- 8/2/16

AP Fact Check: Trump gets much wrong on Ukraine -- Donald Trump is trying to claw back a string of inaccurate comments about Ukraine, but he's yet to get it right. On the weekend, Trump asserted in an ABC interview that Russia would not enter Ukraine, not seeming to know Russian troops were already there. Bradley Klapper Associated Press -- 8/2/16

-- Monday Updates 

Ex-L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca withdraws his guilty plea, clearing the way for a high-profile trial -- Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca withdrew his guilty plea Monday to a charge of lying to federal authorities during an FBI investigation into the county’s jails, clearing the way for a high-profile trial. Joel Rubin, Cindy Chang in the Los Angeles Times$ Susan Abram in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 8/1/16

After domestic abuse claims, Assemblyman Roger Hernández on medical leave -- A California assemblyman who lost his committee assignments amid domestic violence allegations is taking an extended absence from the Legislature for undisclosed medical reasons. Jeremy B. White in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 8/1/16

SEIU Local 1000 OKs strike vote amid talks with Gov. Jerry Brown -- California’s largest state employee union has taken the first step to strike, authorizing a membership vote amid ongoing contract negotiations with the Brown administration. Anshu Siripurapu in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 8/1/16

California fishermen win key ruling over Delta water supply -- A group of commercial fishermen won a potentially significant court ruling in the seemingly endless battle over California’s water supply and the volumes of water pumped south through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 8/1/16

Assemblyman accused of illegally coordinating with independent expenditure committee -- Claims of campaign law violations are already flying in the closely watched rematch between Assemblyman David Hadley (R-Manhattan Beach) and Democrat Al Muratsuchi in coastal Los Angeles County Assembly District 66. Christine Mai-Duc in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/1/16

Officials demand resignation of South El Monte mayor, citing corruption -- Just days after the mayor of South El Monte agreed to plead guilty in a federal bribery case, civic leaders called for his resignation and vowed to clean up City Hall. Ruben Vives in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/1/16

San Francisco’s landmark tower for rich and famous is sinking and tilting -- The Millennium Tower, a leading symbol of San Francisco’s new high-rise and high-end living, is sinking — setting the stage for what could be one of the most contentious and costly real estate legal battles the city has ever seen. Matier & Ross in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 8/1/16

Wildfire near Big Sur covers 63 square miles, but some evacuations lifted -- More than a week after it ignited, firefighters on Monday continued hacking away at an obstinate wildfire near Big Sur that grew to more than 63 square miles overnight as new fires continue to crop up around the dry state. Evan Sernoffsky in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 8/1/16

Soberanes Fire: Full containment not expected until end of August -- The Soberanes Fire near Big Sur started burning on July 22, and firefighters don’t predict it will be fully contained until Aug. 31, a Cal Fire spokeswoman told Take Two on Monday morning. KPCC -- 8/1/16

Walters: California pension funds caught in ever-tighter income-outgo squeeze -- Ron Seeling, the California Public Employees Retirement System’s chief actuary, believed he was speaking to a closed-door seminar in 2009 when he warned that public employee pension costs were becoming “unsustainable.” Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 8/1/16

Housing Affordability, Road Repairs Top Agenda As Legislature Reconvenes -- The governor wants to speed up the approval process for housing projects. There's also the continuing push to raise new revenues for road and highway repairs through higher gas taxes and vehicle fees. And Brown is negotiating with the oil industry in hopes of extending California's greenhouse gas reduction targets. Ben Adler Capital Public Radio -- 8/1/16

Fox: The Legislature’s Back and There’s Gonna be Trouble…Hey La, the Legislature’s Back -- Welcome back, legislators! You have one month to complete work on this session’s bills before adjournment and the beginning of election sweepstakes. Will the state’s swiftly changing political dynamics alter the old rules about passing controversial legislation? Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 8/1/16

Seeking a better bail system, San Francisco turns to computer algorithm -- San Francisco is seeking to modernize its bail system by using a computer algorithm to predict whether a defendant might re-offend or bolt if freed from jail, an effort to reform long-standing practices that many in the city’s justice system believe penalized the poor and opened up potential racial bias. Vivian Ho in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 8/1/16

Dignity, GoHealth teaming up for 12 Bay Area urgent care clinics -- A former RadioShack on Market Street in the Castro neighborhood has been transformed into an urgent care center, opening Monday, that will be staffed by San Francisco’s Dignity Health. A few blocks away, where a gas station once stood, an urgent care clinic opened last week. Victoria Colliver in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 8/1/16

Public school science moves away from memorization -- New science standards aim to improve science knowledge through critical thinking and problem solving to help students become better citizens and consumers. Adolfo Guzman-Lopez KPCC -- 8/1/16

Vallejo police assumed woman's abduction was hoax because she 'did not act like a kidnapping victim' -- Vallejo police say they thought a woman’s kidnapping was a hoax after she reemerged days later wearing sunglasses, carrying an overnight bag and rejected offers to be reunited with her family. Veronica Rocha in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/1/16

Ex-L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca's dilemma: Withdraw his guilty plea or face prison? -- Attorneys for former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca were scrambling Monday to reach a last-minute deal with federal prosecutors that they hoped would satisfy a hard-line judge who threw out an earlier plea agreement limiting Baca’s time in prison to six months. Joel Rubin, Cindy Chang in the Los Angeles Times$ Brian Melley Associated Press -- 8/1/16

Deputies in San Francisco beating stole suspect's gold chain, took 'trophy' photo, lawsuit claims -- A group of Alameda County sheriff’s deputies tackled a surrendering car thief suspect, beat him with batons, stole his gold chain then took a “trophy” photo of him bloodied on the ground, according to a federal lawsuit filed in Northern California on Monday. Joseph Serna in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/1/16

San Francisco resident exacts smelly revenge on recurrent package thief -- After installing cameras around their property, one resident devised a crafty, though smelly, plan to get back at the thief: fill a package with dog feces. Alyssa Pereira in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 8/1/16

If you’re parking in downtown Sacramento this fall, better bring a calculator -- Parking at night in Sacramento is about to be more costly and, for many, pretty confusing. The city will extend street meter hours to 10 p.m. downtown and 8 p.m. in a slice of midtown on Sept. 1, although there will be a one-month grace period before ticketing starts in October. Tony Bizjak in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 8/1/16

Coal Glut, Environmental Pushback Derail West Coast Port Plans -- Out of seven West Coast export terminals proposed in the past five years—which combined could have handled over 125 million tons of coal annually—not one has opened. Timothy Puko and Erica E. Phillips in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 8/1/16

Gallup: Trump support tumbles after conventions -- In the wake of the Republican and Democratic national conventions, voters are more likely to support Hillary Clinton than Donald Trump, according to a Gallup poll released Monday. Nolan D. McCaskill Politico -- 8/1/16

McCain Rebukes Trump for Comments About Soldier's Family -- Arizona Sen. John McCain blasted Donald Trump for his attacks on the family members of an American solider killed in Iraq in 2004 who have feuded with the Republican presidential nominee since the father's speech at the Democratic National Convention last week. Jeremy Silk Smith Roll Call Kristina Peterson and Janet Hook in the Wall Street Journal$ Jennifer Steinhauer in the New York Times$ Sean Sullivan in the Washington Post$ -- 8/1/16

Trump Aide Wielded Influence in Ukraine For Putin Allies -- With Russia becoming a focus of the presidential campaign, Paul Manafort’s work and business dealings in Ukraine have come under scrutiny. Steven Lee Myers and Andrew E. Kramer in the New York Times$ -- 8/1/16