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Camp Fire: Death toll rises to 63; list of missing grows to 631 -- The number of missing jumped to 631 people Thursday and officials said the death toll has risen to 63. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea delivered the grim news at a Thursday evening press conference, explaining that the list of missing fluctuates as new reports come in. Sarah Ravani in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/15/18

Trump to Survey Wildfire Damage After Criticizing California Officials -- President Donald Trump will survey damage this weekend from the deadliest wildfire in California’s history, after he incited a backlash by repeatedly threatening to cut off federal firefighting money even as the inferno and its death toll grew. Jennifer Jacobs Bloomberg -- 11/15/18

Thousands gather to remember Sgt. Ron Helus, killed in the Thousand Oaks Borderline shooting -- Officers from across California made their way to Ventura County Thursday morning to honor fallen sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Helus, who died during the Borderline shooting last week. Soumya Karlamangla , Marisa Gerber and Javier Panzar in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/15/18

Camp Fire missing persons list now tops 300, with 56 dead -- The latest list of people missing from the Camp Fire in Butte County has more than doubled to 301, with nearly 500 searchers sifting through the rubble of Paradise and other communities devasted by the blaze that erupted one week ago. Sam Stanton in the Sacramento Bee Ashley McBride in the San Francisco Chronicle Robert Salonga, David Little and Jason Green in the San Jose Mercury Kathleen Ronayne Associated Press -- 11/15/18

Camp Fire: Blaze coming under control as death toll climbs -- Containment of the Camp Fire increased to 40 percent Thursday morning and the blaze in Butte County has now burned 140,000, just 2,000 more than the previous night’s tally as fire personnel continued suppression efforts while establishing a firm perimeter. Gwendolyn Wu in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/15/18

Fire claims popular recreation spots in Southern California -- The Woolsey Fire has charred more than 83 percent of National Park Service land within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, where officials announced Wednesday that all trails were closed. Christopher Weber Associated Press -- 11/15/18

Ferocious fires spark concern over major health consequences -- Smoke masks. Eye drops. No outdoor exercise. This is how Californians are trying to cope with wildfires choking the state, but experts say an increase in serious health problems may be almost inevitable for vulnerable residents as the disasters become more commonplace. Lindsey Tanner Associated Press -- 11/15/18

Lull in winds could give firefighters the upper hand in Woolsey blaze -- As the battle against the Woolsey fire enters its seventh day, fire officials are optimistic that improved weather might help them get the upper hand in the devastating blaze. Hannah Fry, Javier Panzar, Sarah Parvini and Melissa Etehad in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/15/18

As city burns around it, a newspaper staff rises to cover unspeakable tragedy -- It’s an iconic if horrifying shot of the Camp fire pulverizing Paradise — a large ball of grayish-black smoke with fire radiating on the right, taken less than two hours after the Northern California inferno started a week ago. Benjamin Oreskes in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/15/18

 

Rushed construction cost high-speed rail $600 million and delays mount, audit finds -- California’s High Speed Rail Authority is still paying for a costly decision five years ago to begin construction in the Central Valley without securing land and before it had completed key plans, according to a report published on Thursday by State Auditor Elaine Howle. Adam Ashton in the Sacramento Bee Don Thompson Associated Press -- 11/15/18

California recommends restrictions for popular pesticide -- The Department of Pesticide Regulation issued temporary guidelines for chlorpyrifos that include banning it from crop dusting, discontinuing its use on most crops and increasing perimeters around where it’s applied. Brian Melley Associated Press -- 11/15/18

Nancy Pelosi to Dem rivals: Bring it on. ‘Come on in, the water’s warm’ -- An Ohio congresswoman says she is considering a challenge to Rep. Nancy Pelosi for House speaker, potentially complicating the San Francisco Democrat’s attempt to reclaim the gavel. Pelosi continues to rack up endorsements and is projecting an air of inevitability as she runs to regain the speakership, even as her opponents insist they have the votes to block her. Tal Kopan in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/15/18

Assemblyman Travis Allen announces bid for chairman of the California GOP -- Allen is a strong supporter of President Trump and a favorite of tea party Republicans. He blamed the wave of GOP losses in last week’s midterm election on a party establishment that failed to embrace core conservative ideals. Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/15/18

Fox: Cox Winning as Governor in State of Southern California; Newsom Takes Other Two States -- Remember Proposition 9 missing from your ballot—the proposal by venture capitalist Tim Draper to split California into three states? The California Supreme Court expressed doubt that the state could be divided by initiative and pulled the measure from the ballot. But I wondered who might have prevailed as governor in these three states between the two candidates who did run for governor of California. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 11/15/18

 

California Policy & Politics This Morning  

Jerry Brown signed $1 billion in wildfire prevention—and none of it applies to the fires this year -- Protecting California from devastating wildfires was the Legislature’s biggest focus in this year’s session. Recognizing the urgency, lawmakers formed a special wildfire committee, heard from numerous experts, and, after several emotional debates, passed a $1 billion new law they said would “prevent catastrophic wildfires and protect Californians.” Laurel Rosenhall and Judy Lin Calmatters -- 11/15/18

A landslide, supermajorities and now a fat budget surplus: It’s good to be Gavin right now -- Not only did he win a resounding 60 percent-plus landslide, but he will be greeted by a two-thirds supermajority of fellow Democrats in both houses—more than sufficient to approve a tax increase. Not that he’ll need it any time soon. Dan Morain Calmatters -- 11/15/18

Walters: Election boosts advocates of higher taxes -- This month’s election was good news for those who believe Californians’ taxes, while already among the nation’s highest, should be increased. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 11/15/18

With Supreme Court pick, Brown and Dems eye another kind of majority -- Gov. Jerry Brown nominated long-time aide Joshua Groban to the California Supreme Court Wednesday, likely giving appointees of Democratic governors a majority for the first time since 1986 when voters ousted three of Brown’s earlier appointees. Dan Morain Calmatters Alexei Koseff in the Sacramento Bee -- 11/15/18

Democrat Katie Porter now nearly 3,800 votes ahead of GOP Rep. Mimi Walters -- Democrat Katie Porter opened a 3,797-vote lead Wednesday over Republican Rep. Mimi Walters in Orange County’s 45th Congressional District. In the neighboring 39th, Democrat Gil Cisneros has nearly tied the race against Republican Young Kim. Cisneros now trails Kim by a razor-thin margin of 122 votes. Maya Sweedler in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/15/18

Denham concedes in congressional race against Harder; Howze eyes 2020 run -- Outgoing Rep. Jeff Denham and the man replacing him in Congress, Democrat Josh Harder, met in person Wednesday morning, Denham’s office said in a release amounting to a concession after Harder was widely declared the victor Tuesday evening. Garth Stapley in the Modesto Bee -- 11/15/18

Skelton: On election night, all anyone saw was a ripple. But the blue wave came and the Republicans wiped out -- It didn’t even look like a blue wave on election night. Now it’s looking like a potential tsunami, at least in California. George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/15/18

Zinke says Trump behind him ’100 percent’ after ‘vicious attacks’ -- Zinke, after touring the damage from the deadly Camp Fire in Paradise with Gov. Jerry Brown, also told The Sacramento Bee he has no recollection of meeting in 2017 with wealthy Sacramento land baron Angelo Tsakopoulos, as first reported by the Washington Post. Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee Kurtis Alexander in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/15/18

Wildfire  

Officials in Paradise limited evacuation alerts as fire moved in -- When the Camp fire barreled toward this Sierra foothill town last Thursday morning, officials had a crucial choice to make right way: How much of Paradise should be evacuated? The decision was complicated by history and topography. Paradise sits on a hilltop and is hemmed in by canyons, with only four narrow winding routes to flee to safety. Joseph Serna, Paige St. John and Rong-Gong Lin in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/15/18

Camp Fire: Remains of 8 more people found — death toll rises to 56 -- Search and recovery crews found the remains of eight more people, bringing the total number of victims killed in the Camp Fire to 56, fire officials said at a Wednesday night news conference. All eight were found in Paradise — six inside structures and two outside. Nanette Asimov and Erin Allday in the San Francisco Chronicle Nicole Santa Cruz, Dakota Smith and Joseph Serna in the Los Angeles Times Emily DeRuy, Robert Salonga in the San Jose Mercury Kathleen Ronayne Associated Press -- 11/15/18

‘We’re traumatized but we’re alive’: Survivors come forward as Camp Fire death toll rises to 56 -- Some of the residents listed as missing got out safely when the fire swept through the Paradise area Thursday, others appear to have died long before the fire erupted, and dozens remain unaccounted for, according to a Sacramento Bee survey of Paradise neighborhoods and calls to relatives of those reported missing. Ryan Lillis, Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks, Molly Sullivan and Sam Stanton in the Sacramento Bee -- 11/15/18

Her father ran back into the house during the Camp fire. Then she watched it burn to the ground -- Nobody drove by with evacuation orders, she said. She and her father didn’t have a landline, and they didn’t get cell service in the canyon. Anna and her father prepared to flee with their two dogs as quickly as possible, their house soon overtaken by flames. As they were ready to pull out, she said, he ran back in the house. Sonali Kohli in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/15/18

Escaping the Camp Fire, they heard the call: ‘We have a woman in labor’ -- On this Thursday morning, in this emergency among colossal emergencies, a biker, a paramedic, a deputy and a group of strangers fleeing from California’s deadliest fire stopped to help a woman in labor. They ended up saving her life. Kaitlyn Bartley in the San Jose Mercury -- 11/15/18

Norovirus hits shelter for fire evacuees in Chico, second shelter may be affected -- Norovirus has broken out at a Butte County shelter housing Camp Fire evacuees, and an outbreak is suspected at a second shelter. Fifteen to 20 people staying at Neighborhood Church of Chico have become ill, and lab tests have confirmed they have norovirus, said Lisa Almaguer, spokeswoman for the Butte County Public Health Department. Dale Kasler and Theresa Clift in the Sacramento Bee -- 11/15/18

Feds to Butte County: ‘You’re not going to be able to rebuild Paradise the way it was’ -- Backing away from President Donald Trump’s blistering criticisms of California’s forest and fire management, top federal officials pledged a unified effort to help Paradise heal from the devastating Camp Fire, but also warned that the Butte County town is years away from full recovery. Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee -- 11/15/18

Gov. Jerry Brown at a loss for words after touring the charred ruins of Paradise -- After touring the site of the Camp fire in Paradise, Calif., on Wednesday, Gov. Jerry Brown said he was at a loss for words. “This is so devastating that I don’t really have the words to describe it,” Brown said at a news conference afterward in Chico. “It looks like a war zone. It is.” Dakota Smith and Melissa Etehad in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/15/18

Evacuees encounter fear and kindness at Chico's unofficial tent city -- While Laura Whitaker’s daughter took her 8-year-old son for a donated haircut, Whitaker hung out with her dog Sadie outside her tent. Whitaker couldn’t go to a shelter with her large dog, a rescued Rottweiler, so here she was, camping instead. Nicole Santa Cruz in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/15/18

'We have nothing': Camp fire evacuees turn Chico vacant lot into a tent city -- DeAnn “Dee” Miller, 57, was homeless on the streets of Chico for a year and a half until this May, when her uncle got her a 16-foot travel trailer and parked it in Magalia. Miller took care of her uncle, who has health problems, and she lived in the trailer, parked in the Paradise Pines RV park, until the fire. Now, Miller fears, she’s homeless again with only the clothing she was wearing when she evacuated from the area. Nicole Santa Cruz in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/15/18

'We've become a bit of experts on how to recover from fires': Ventura County town hall starts residents on road back to normal -- About 50 people gathered for a town hall meeting in Thousand Oaks on Wednesday night for people who lost homes or belongings in the Woolsey and Hill fires. Soumya Karlamangla in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/15/18

Economy, Employers, Jobs, Unions, Pensions  

LoanMe stops offering personal loans in Wisconsin following Times report -- LoanMe, a high-interest lending company in Anaheim, has stopped making personal loans in Wisconsin after a Times report that drew connections between the company and a legally troubled firm that was not permitted to make loans there. James Rufus Koren in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/15/18

Disneyland Hotel is sued by a woman who said she was bitten by bedbugs. Her attorney has a history of winning big awards -- The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court accuses Disneyland Hotel of failing to eradicate bedbugs that left welts and bite marks on Ivy Eldridge, who stayed at the hotel while visiting the theme park with family members. Hugo Martin in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/15/18

Salesforce to house 1,500 more workers in second Transbay tower -- Months after Salesforce opened its headquarters in San Francisco’s tallest tower, it is committing to long-term expansion in the city with another office deal steps away. Roland Li in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/15/18

Expert believes San Francisco transit center cracks a limited problem, not design flaw -- The investigation into the pair of cracked girders that forced the closure of San Francisco’s newly inaugurated, $2.2 billion Transbay Transit Center in late September is now focused on the composition of the steel and cuts or other rough spots that may have put stress on the beams. Matier & Ross in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/15/18

Zacky Farms files for bankruptcy, owes creditors more than $50M -- The family-run turkey processor’s in the process of closing down factories in Fresno and Stockton, plus Los Angeles corporate offices. In a Oct. 26 letter to state and local officials, the company stated it was trying to secure financing to keep doors open, but wasn’t successful, resulting in about 500 worker layoffs. Robert Rodriguez in the Fresno Bee -- 11/15/18

Taxes, Fees, Rates, Tolls, Bonds 

California pot tax revenue improves but is still short of projections -- The amount of money collected by the state from taxes on cannabis grown and sold legally in California continues to increase but is still falling short of budget estimates, according to figures released Wednesday. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/15/18

Homeless  

Anaheim moves ahead with one homeless shelter, delays vote on a second one -- A 200-bed homeless shelter in Anaheim to be run by the Salvation Army will go forward with city approval, but a second shelter for 125 more people on La Palma Avenue is on hold until at least Nov. 20 so city officials can address concerns and potentially consider other sites. Alicia Robinson in the Orange County Register -- 11/15/18

Transit  

A second transbay tube for BART? It could happen -- The idea has been in the works for a while, and if it all goes according to plan, BART would begin construction on a second transbay connector in 10 years. Lauren Hernández in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/15/18

Immigration, Border, Deportation 

Migrant caravan begins arriving in Tijuana -- Hundreds of Central Americans from the migrant caravan that drew indignation from President Trump are now waiting near the U.S. border in Tijuana, with thousands more expected to arrive within days. Patrick J. MCDonnell in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/15/18

Education 

Californians want more funding for public higher education, survey shows -- Most Californians believe higher education should be a top priority for the new governor and support increased funding for public colleges and universities, according to a new survey by the Public Policy Institute of California. Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times Andrew Sheeler in the Sacramento Bee -- 11/15/18

Cal State approves plans to boost enrollment by 21,000 students without raising tuition -- Trustees, wrapping up a two-day meeting in Long Beach, approved a $7.3-billion operating budget for 2019-20, voting to request $456 million in additional state funding. They are hoping that the robust economy and widespread public support for higher education will persuade Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom and the Legislature to provide more money. Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/15/18

In Paradise, the Class of 2019 faces an uncertain future. Will a school die even after surviving a wildfire? -- Administrators say about 80% to 90% of students lost their homes to the fire. Classmates have scattered across county and state lines for refuge and don’t know whether they’ll see each other again. It’s unclear how the Class of 2019 is going to graduate. Hailey Branson-Potts in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/15/18

Trump's proposed regulations limiting benefits for immigrants could hurt many US-born children -- Hundreds of thousands of immigrant parents in California may disenroll their children from health insurance, food stamps and other federally subsidized programs because they fear that receiving these benefits will make it impossible for them to become permanent residents in the United States. Zaidee Stavely EdSource -- 11/15/18

New California coalition agrees on next steps to improve schools, student achievement -- In a document released Wednesday, a spectrum of prominent education organizations, leaders and supporters is calling on Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom and the next Legislature to advance an extensive California agenda that includes increased, sustainable K-12 funding, expanded access to data systems and a fuller commitment to early childhood education. John Fensterwald EdSource -- 11/15/18

Guns 

Heroic California cop who died in bar shooting is mourned -- Sheriff’s deputies knew him as a cop’s cop, one who would “go to the ends of the earth” to solve a crime. To family and friends, Ron Helus was a devoted husband and father who loved to go fly fishing with his son. Christopher Weber and John Rogers Associated Press -- 11/15/18

10 of 12 Borderline shooting victims died of multiple gunshot wounds, officials say -- Among the 10 victims who died of more than one gunshot wound was Ventura County sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Helus, 54, who was one of two responding officers to rush in and fire their weapons inside the bar, according to the agency. Brenda Gazzar in the Orange County Register -- 11/15/18

Mourners gather to remember Borderline shooting victim Cody Coffman -- One wore a black cowboy hat; another wore his No. 70 jersey, “Coffman” printed on the back. The mourners packed the Perez Family Funeral Home in Camarillo on Wednesday evening to remember Cody Coffman, who was one of a dozen killed last week when a gunman sprayed bullets into the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks during college night at the country-themed bar. Alene Tchekmedyian in the Los Angeles Times Jonah Valdez, Eric Licas in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 11/15/18

Also . . . 

Eleven inmates sent to hospitals after riots break out at two California state prisons -- Eleven California prison inmates were sent to hospitals after two separate riots broke out in less than 30 minutes of each other at Pleasant Valley and Avenal state prisons on Wednesday afternoon. Lauren Hernández in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/15/18

Oakland cop saves baby’s life with CPR after newborn found not breathing -- Officer Gregory Palomo performed CPR on the baby for about a minute before the infant began breathing again, he told reporters Wednesday. He credited his quick response to department training and watching his own children being born. Megan Cassidy in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/15/18

POTUS 45  

Trump claims an ID is needed to buy cereal and that fraudulent voters simply switch hats -- There’s no good argument underlying President Trump’s insistence that U.S. elections are undermined by rampant voter fraud. There’s no evidence at all that they are, despite years of looking and years of rhetoric like Trump’s. There’s no evidence of rampant voter fraud in Florida in the wake of last week’s midterm elections, either, despite Trump’s tweets and commentary. Philip Bump in the Washington Post -- 11/15/18

Poll: Trump has little support for reelection bid -- A Monmouth University poll out Wednesday found that though the president’s approval rating stands fairly steady at 43 percent, only 37 percent of registered voters want to see him reelected, compared to 58 percent of voters who want someone new in the Oval Office come January 2021. Caitlin Oprysko Politico -- 11/15/18

Beltway 

Mattis tells troops who were rushed to the U.S.-Mexico border: Their mission is TBD -- When a young soldier in Texas asked Defense Secretary James N. Mattis on Wednesday whether his unit would soon be ordered to remove the razor wire and vehicle barriers they had installed at Mexico border crossings, Mattis couldn’t answer. David S. Cloud and Eli Stokols in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/15/18

 

-- Wednesday Updates 

McCarthy hits hard at Dems after winning minority leader post -- In his first press conference after Republicans chose him to be House minority leader next year, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) largely attributed the GOP wipeout to historical trends while also repeatedly blaming spending by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg as the cause of several Republican defeats in close contests. Kyle Cheney, John Bresnahan and Sarah Ferris Politico -- 11/14/18

California’s New Governor Has a Problem: His Own Party -- Gavin Newsom was elected easily and he’s got a $9 billion surplus to play with. But will he now become the big “alpha dog” in Sacramento? Carla Marinucci Politico -- 11/14/18

Refugee camps for fire survivors? Butte County on “edge” of humanitarian crisis after Camp Fire -- In a region already plagued by a severe shortage of homes and apartments, the Camp Fire may usher in a secondary crisis: A massive housing shortage, potentially leaving thousands of fire victims homeless. “We’re on the edge,” Mayer said when asked if the county was facing a humanitarian crisis. Ryan Sabalow, Ryan Lillis, Dale Kasler, Sam Stanton and Phillip Reese in the Sacramento Bee -- 11/14/18

PG&E outlook ominous if utility found responsible for California’s worst wildfire -- In a grim sign for the Northern California utility giant, Pacific Gas & Electric said Wednesday that if it is deemed responsible for the fire that destroyed much of Paradise, the liability would exceed its insurance coverage. Alejandra Reyes-Velarde in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/14/18

PG&E says 23,000 customers are without power because of the Camp fire -- Since Monday, the utility has sent hundreds of crew members into the field and they have restored electricity to 2,200 homes. Still, 23,000 customers are without power and 12,000 others don’t have gas, the utility said. Alejandra Reyes-Velarde in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/14/18

3rd body found among wreckage of Woolsey fire as residents blast officials about emergency response -- As a third body was discovered among the ashes of a home in Agoura Hills, residents in nearby Malibu questioned fire officials about the division of resources and rushed evacuation notices during the Woolsey fire’s devastating march through Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Matt Hamilton, Hannah Fry and Nina Agrawal in the Los Angeles Times Amanda Lee Myers and Brian Skoloff Associated Press -- 11/14/18

Camp Fire: 200-plus people still missing as wildfire’s growth slows -- The catastrophic Camp Fire’s growth slowed overnight Wednesday, burning an additional 5,000 acres and holding at 35 percent containment, fire officials said. Cooling temperatures and reduced wind speeds helped fire personnel to keep the 135,000-acre fire from spreading further. Gwendolyn Wu and Ashley McBride in the San Francisco Chronicle Michael McGough in the Sacramento Bee Emily DeRuy and Robert Salonga in the San Jose Mercury -- 11/14/18

Butte County releases names of 103 missing people in partial list -- The Butte County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday released a partial list of the 228 missing people affected by the Camp Fire. The list contains the names, ages and last known residences of 103 missing people in the Camp Fire. Officials said the index will be regularly reviewed and updated. Gwendolyn Wu in the San Francisco Chronicle Sam Stanton in the Sacramento Bee Kathleen Ronayne and Andrew Selsky Associated Press Sonali Kohli in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/14/18

After student backlash, UC Davis reverses decision and closes campus due to smoke; Sac State also closed -- UC Davis reversed Tuesday night’s decision to resume classes Wednesday following outrage expressed by thousands of students and faculty as wildfire smoke continues to create unhealthy air conditions in the region. Michael McGough in the Sacramento Bee -- 11/14/18

After the fires, another threat looms: mud flows -- Authorities told Malibu residents during a town hall meeting Tuesday that the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s watershed emergency response team will try to determine what areas of the city are most at risk for mud flows in the event of a strong storm. Officials pointed to the devastating debris flow that hit Montecito after the Thomas fire burned the Los Padres National Forest last year as a warning. Hannah Fry and Matt Hamilton in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/14/18

Gov. Brown says Trump pledges federal aid in phone call -- State and federal officials visiting the devastating front lines of the Camp Fire promised Wednesday to dedicate “full resources” toward recovery in the small towns like Paradise that have been close to obliterated by flames. Gov. Jerry Brown said at a noon press conference in Chico that President Trump had called him “just a few minutes ago” to pledge federal aid. Gwendolyn Wu and Ashley McBride in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/14/18

West Coast crab fisherman sue fossil fuel companies, citing economic losses due to climate change -- West Coast crab fishermen have experienced significant losses during the past three years, starting in the 2015-16 season when massive algal blooms caused by warm ocean temperatures resulted in a domoic acid outbreak that caused a months-long delay. The season was partially delayed again during the 2016-17 season for the same reason. Tara Duggan in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/14/18

California’s state budget is so flush words can’t describe it -- Gov. Jerry Brown’s parting gift to Gov. elect Gavin Newsom is a state budget so flush with unrestricted tax revenue that top fiscal analysts struggled to find the right words to describe it. “The budget is in remarkably good shape,” reads the annual fiscal outlook by the Legislative Analyst’s Office. “It is difficult to overstate how good the budget’s condition is today.” Adam Ashton in the Sacramento Bee -- 11/14/18

California Rep. Kevin McCarthy tapped to lead House Republicans -- California Rep. Kevin McCarthy will lead Republicans in the minority in the next Congress, defeating a challenge from his right for the job. Securing the minority leader position puts the Bakersfield Republican in a prime position to become House speaker if and when Republicans regain control of the House. Sarah D. Wire in the Los Angeles Times -- 11/14/18

Delay, Deny and Deflect: How Facebook’s Leaders Fought Through Crisis -- Inside Facebook’s Menlo Park, Calif., headquarters, top executives gathered in the glass-walled conference room of its founder, Mark Zuckerberg. It was September 2017, more than a year after Facebook engineers discovered suspicious Russia-linked activity on its site, an early warning of the Kremlin campaign to disrupt the 2016 American election. Congressional and federal investigators were closing in on evidence that would implicate the company. Sheera Frenkel, Nicholas Confessore, Cecilia Kang, Matthew Rosenberg and Jack Nicas in the New York Times -- 11/14/18