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California Policy and Politics Sunday
Newsom heads to New York to raise money for Harris — then to Pennsylvania, where she’ll debate Trump -- Gov. Gavin Newsom is heading east to headline a splashy big-dollar fundraiser for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in New York before the vice president’s first debate with former President Trump on Tuesday in Philadelphia, which he’ll likely attend. Seema Mehta in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 9/8/24
What happens if Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao is recalled? Here’s what you need to know -- The Nov. 5 recall attempt against Thao, most of which is funded by a Piedmont hedge fund executive, is unprecedented and marks the first time in more than 100 years that such action has been taken against a sitting mayor. Sarah Ravani in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 9/8/24
Fast-moving Line fire forces evacuations in San Bernardino mountain towns -- An uncontrolled wildfire in San Bernardino County forced mandatory evacuations Saturday in the mountain communities of Running Springs and Arrowbear Lake, along with other areas. Five hundred firefighters were using hand lines, hoses and fixed-wing aircraft to fight the Line fire, which started Thursday evening and exploded overnight as temperatures climbed to 110 degrees. Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 9/8/24
Record-breaking heat wave will broil Southern California for a few more days -- The National Weather Service in Oxnard said Saturday morning that “dangerously hot conditions” will continue in the region through Monday. Laura J. Nelson and Rebecca Ellis in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 9/8/24
More homes in Rancho Palos Verdes will be without power as land continues to shift -- As the land continues to shift under neighborhoods near the oceanside cliffs of Rancho Palos Verdes, an additional 54 homes will have their power cut off. Karen Garcia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 9/8/24
L.A. real estate developer accused of 444 violations of campaign fundraising laws -- The filing comes nearly eight years after The Times published an investigation into political donations linked to real estate developer Samuel Leung. David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 9/8/24
With new film, former Rep. Adam Kinzinger slams Kevin McCarthy as Trump’s ‘chief enabler’ after Jan. 6 -- In a new documentary about his final term in Congress, former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, the Illinois Republican who voted for then-President Trump’s impeachment after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and later served on the bipartisan committee investigating the attack, says one man is responsible for Trump’s return to power in the GOP. And it’s not Trump. Matt Brennan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 9/8/24
Workplace
LAPD union leader faces complaints that his security company hires and underpays problem cops -- Jamie McBride, director of the union for most rank-and-file Los Angeles Police Department officers, faces multiple internal investigations related to his company, Watermark Security. Libor Jany and Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 9/8/24
A.I. Isn’t Magic, but Can It Be ‘Agentic’? -- So-called agentic artificial intelligence doesn’t require a human to tell it what to do. At least, that’s the idea. Erin Griffith in the New York Times$ -- 9/8/24
Migrant Family SF
They Slept on a Gym Floor Until They Won the Housing Lottery -- Margarita Solito and her family fled violence and poverty in El Salvador, hoping to build a better life in San Francisco. The city often wasn’t what they thought it would be. Heather Knight, Loren Elliott in the New York Times$ -- 9/8/24
Top of the Ticket
Trump and Harris Neck and Neck After Summer Upheaval, Times/Siena Poll Finds -- The survey finds that Donald J. Trump is retaining his support and that, on the eve of the debate, voters are unsure they know enough about where Kamala Harris stands. Jonathan Weisman and Ruth Igielnik in the New York Times$ -- 9/8/24
Trump cashes in during final weeks of his presidential campaign -- No presidential candidate has ever so closely linked his election with personal for-profit enterprises, selling items from shoes to books to pieces of his suit. Josh Dawsey and Ashley Parker in the Washington Post$ -- 9/8/24
Trump threatens to jail adversaries in escalating rhetoric ahead of pivotal debate -- With just days to go before his first — and likely only — debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald Trump posted a warning on his social media site threatening to jail those “involved in unscrupulous behavior” this election, which he said would be under intense scrutiny. Michael Goldberg, Scott Bauer and Jill Colvin Associated Press -- 9/8/24
After a Year of Legal Peril, Trump Seeks Election as a Felon, but Free -- Donald J. Trump’s sentencing in Manhattan was delayed, thanks in part to his legal resources and political status. It raised a question: Is he above the law? Ben Protess, Kate Christobek and William K. Rashbaum in the New York Times$ -- 9/8/24
Trump Lays Out Vision for Bending the Federal Government to His Will -- In Wisconsin, former President Donald J. Trump called for eliminating the Department of Education and said he would work with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic, on health issues. Michael Gold in the New York Times$ -- 9/8/24
Trump wants 25th Amendment changed to impeach vice presidents -- He has repeatedly accused Kamala Harris and Democrats of hiding the state of Biden’s health. Lisa Kashinsky Politico -- 9/8/24
Foreign influence efforts are circling the presidential election. Again. -- As attempted foreign interference in elections continues to evolve, so does the response to it. Officials are grappling with questions of how to hold bad actors accountable while preserving trust in the system. Hailey Fuchs and Josh Gerstein Politico -- 9/8/24
Trump dismisses new warnings of Russian interference in election -- U.S. intelligence officials warned Friday of new covert efforts by Russia to sway the presidential election. At a rally in Wisconsin, Trump made clear he doesn’t buy it. Abbie Cheeseman and Marianne LeVine in the Washington Post$ -- 9/8/24
Trump Claims Harris’s Rallies Are Smaller. We Counted. -- The sizable support Vice President Kamala Harris has generated at her rallies has rattled former President Donald J. Trump, who has emphasized, and frequently exaggerated, his crowd sizes for years. Malika Khurana, Kalina Borkiewicz, Elena Shao, Bora Erden, Ashley Wu and Bedel Saget in the New York Times$ -- 9/8/24
Debate
Trump’s allies fear he’ll blow the debate — his best chance to regain ground against Harris -- The challenge is getting the former president to stick to the script. Natalie Allison, Lisa Kashinsky, Kimberly Leonard and Alex Isenstadt Politico -- 9/8/24
Tuesday’s debate should show whether Trump has learned how to campaign against Harris -- The former president often goes on meandering rambles and retreats to low blows. His debate answers will be telling on how he would perform if back in the White House. Dan Balz in the Washington Post$ -- 9/8/24
Inside the Trump-Harris Debate Prep: Method Acting, Insults, Tough Questions -- Kamala Harris is camped out at a Pittsburgh hotel. Donald Trump is being peppered informally by aides. Both sides share the same belief about why the debate is so crucial. Jonathan Swan, Maggie Haberman, Katie Rogers and Reid J. Epstein in the New York Times$ -- 9/8/24
Harris’s Debate Tutor: A Lawyer Unafraid of Telling Politicians Hard Truths -- Karen Dunn, who is preparing the vice president for next week’s clash, has trained Democrats for debates in every election since 2008. Her approach, as Hillary Clinton put it, is “tough love.” Reid J. Epstein in the New York Times$ -- 9/8/24
Harris’s Combative Debate Style Will Get Its Biggest Test Against Trump -- Kamala Harris’s razor-sharp debate skills have powered her political ascent. Her success next week will turn on how well she adapts to an unpredictable rival. Lisa Lerer in the New York Times$ -- 9/8/24
Kamala
How Harris May Take the Fight to Trump on Abortion at the Debate -- The candidates are all but certain to clash over the issue, which Kamala Harris sees as a major strength. Donald Trump may try to avoid political blowback for his approach. Michael Gold and Nicholas Nehamas in the New York Times$ -- 9/8/24
Harris Releases Ad Targeting Trump for Helping Overturn Roe v. Wade -- The ad, which will run in several battleground states, comes as a growing share of voters say that abortion is their top issue. Tim Balk in the New York Times$ -- 9/8/24
What Harris, Trump, Walz and Vance Said After Georgia School Shooting -- The presidential candidates and their running mates all expressed regret, but have very different approaches to how they would regulate guns in America. Tim Balk in the New York Times$ -- 9/8/24
Musk
Donald Trump could turn Elon Musk into an American oligarch -- Former President Donald Trump’s plan to have Elon Musk lead a government efficiency commission would vault the world’s richest man to an unprecedented role: American oligarch. Liz Crampton, Lara Korte, Derek Robertson and Brendan Bordelon Politico -- 9/8/24
How Elon Musk Is Influencing Donald Trump -- Their fast-evolving political friendship has become a potential minefield, as Mr. Musk’s sprawling businesses may present conflicts of interest if Mr. Trump is elected in November. Ryan Mac, Theodore Schleifer and Maggie Haberman in the New York Times$ -- 9/8/24
Congress
Johnson ‘100 percent’ convinced GOP will win both chambers of Congress, White House -- The speaker spoke on a private House GOP conference call, during which former President Donald Trump’s campaign aides also briefed members on the state of the race. Olivia Beavers Politico -- 9/8/24
Even in victory, Harris or Trump could earn a dubious prize: Hostile Congress -- With Democrats close to a House majority and Republicans on the verge of claiming the Senate, the next president might not have a political honeymoon. Paul Kane in the Washington Post$ -- 9/8/24
California Policy and Politics Saturday
Two earthquakes, centered in Ontario, rattle Southern California -- The earthquakes, of magnitudes 3.5 and 3.9, occurred within about a half hour of each other. Shaking was felt as far away as the city of Los Angeles, Orange County and northern San Diego County, according to crowdsourcing reports sent to the U.S. Geological Survey. Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 9/7/24
Swarm of quakes rattles Northern California -- A 4.4 magnitude quake was detected in Lake County, followed by 4.2 and 3.9 quakes in Sonoma County. The item is in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 9/7/24
Why a bill to regulate California warehouse development is generating sweeping opposition -- A bill on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk would set standards for industrial warehouse development near homes and schools. Opponents say those standards are weak and won’t lessen health risks for residents living in the shadow of e-commerce. Rebecca Plevin in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 9/7/24
The future of California’s iconic fog is in limbo. Here’s what scientists say -- Scientists are still disentangling how climate change will transform fog patterns, but experts say a future with reduced fog would have dire consequences for people, ecosystems and even agriculture. Jack Lee in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 9/7/24
Harris could be the next president. What does that mean for Garcetti? -- Just a year and half after Garcetti was confirmed as the U.S. ambassador to India, he could soon lose his job with the upcoming change in administration — even if Harris wins. The man who once aspired to the presidency could soon find himself back in L.A., working a regular job. Dakota Smith and David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 9/7/24
California sides with EPA over San Francisco in Supreme Court fight -- Environmental groups and California water regulators have told the U.S. Supreme Court that San Francisco’s challenge to rules on offshore pollution, which the court will hear next month, contradicts decades of clean-water rules and could harm the waters and those who use them. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 9/7/24
Lopez: They say Democrats are to blame for all California’s problems. But GOP is MIA -- You know what the problem is with California? Democrats—or so I’m told. Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 9/7/24
Your quick guide to L.A.’s first-ever ‘Climate Week’ and its city-wide festivities -- From hikes to sustainable cocktails to comedy shows, events addressing climate change are set to pop up around L.A. from Sept. 8 to Sept. 15 as part of the city’s inaugural Climate Week. Noah Haggerty in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 9/7/24
California state senator’s former staffer sues lawmaker for alleged sexual harassment -- State Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil’s former chief of staff has sued her for alleged sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment, claiming in a lengthy complaint that the Central Valley Republican pressured him into performing sex acts and then fired him when he resisted. Lara Korte Politico William Melhado in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 9/7/24
‘California’s Dr. Fauci’ to step down -- Gov. Gavin Newsom for his leading role in handling Covid-19, is stepping down as the state’s health and human services secretary, telling POLITICO he wants to spend more time with his family in Los Angeles. Rachel Bluth Politico Andrew Sheeler in the Sacramento Bee$ Ana B. Ibarra and Kristen Hwang CalMatters -- 9/7/24
Reparations
Reparations supporters plot comeback after bitter defeat in California Legislature -- The controversial idea of cash reparations divided even Black advocates in the legislature this year. Here’s what’s next. Wendy Fry CalMatters -- 9/7/24
Workplace
Striking attorneys agree to ‘cease-fire’ with Sacramento County, go back to work until Tuesday -- Striking Sacramento County prosecutors and public defenders went back to work on Friday in what their union is calling a “pause” in the work action so that the two sides can continue negotiations on a new contract. Sharon Bernstein in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 9/7/24
Guns
9th Circuit upholds California gun bans in some ‘sensitive’ places, but not others -- California may enforce its recent ban on guns in “sensitive places” when it comes to parks and playgrounds, bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, casinos, stadiums, amusement parks, zoos, libraries, museums, athletic facilities and the parking areas associated with them, a federal appellate court ruled Friday. Kevin Rector in the Los Angeles Times$ Shawn Hubler in the New York Times$ -- 9/7/24
Waymo
Waymo cites possible ‘intentional contact’ by a bicyclist to robotaxi in S.F. -- A cyclist may have made intentional contact with a Waymo robotaxi during an alleged crash in San Francisco in July, according to documents provided to the California Department of Motor Vehicles by the robotaxi company. Jordan Parker in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 9/7/24
Oil
California’s first new national marine sanctuary in 32 years to ban offshore oil drilling along 100 miles of coastline -- A long-running effort by native tribes and environmentalists to establish the first new national marine sanctuary along California’s coastline in 32 years — the aquatic version of a new national park, where offshore oil drilling would be prohibited forever — reached a key milestone Friday. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 9/7/24
Environment
Great Pacific Garbage Patch could be eliminated in 10 years, cleanup organization says -- The Ocean Cleanup, a Dutch nonprofit organization, has projected that the blight on the world’s largest ocean could be removed within a decade and for around $7.5 billion. Terry Castleman in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 9/7/24
As crews chainsaw Joshua trees, Mojave Desert community protests solar energy project -- When Roy Richards spotted workers cutting down and shredding Joshua trees for a sprawling solar energy project near his Mojave Desert home last week, he started taking photos. Melody Petersen in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 9/7/24
California city approves industrial park next to one of Earth’s oldest trees -- After months of deliberation, the city of Jurupa Valley approved a development next to an oak tree that is at least 13,000 years old. Shannon Osaka in the Washington Post$ -- 9/7/24
Top of the Ticket
Dick Cheney Says He Will Vote for Kamala Harris -- The hawkish conservative and vice president under President George W. Bush has broken with Donald J. Trump before. Earlier this week, his daughter Liz Cheney said she would vote for Ms. Harris. Annie Karni in the New York Times$ -- 9/7/24
With voters weary of crime, Harris and Trump both tout law enforcement support -- On a stage festooned with American flags and Fraternal Order of Police banners in North Carolina on Friday, former President Trump accepted the backing of the country’s largest police union. Kevin Rector in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 9/7/24
Trump’s Hush-Money Sentencing Delayed Until After Election -- Postponement helps former president avoid scrutiny of his felony conviction before November voting. James Fanelli in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 9/7/24
Trump rants, resurfaces sexual assault allegations for 49 unfocused minutes -- The Republican nominee spoke in an appearance billed as a ‘press conference’ that sometimes verged into a stream of consciousness that was hard to follow. He took no questions. Marianne LeVine, Maeve Reston, Josh Dawsey and Hannah Knowles in the Washington Post$ Maggie Haberman in the New York Times$ -- 9/7/24
Trump turns to outlandish promises to offset $7 trillion in tax cuts -- Former president Donald Trump has outlined policies that could add trillions of dollars to the rising national debt if he wins in November, and analysts are skeptical of the new claims and proposals he says would mitigate their fiscal impact. Jeff Stein in the Washington Post$ -- 9/7/24
The Presidential Campaign Proposals Americans Like Best -- Tax cuts and price caps are among proposals from Trump or Harris that draw support across the political spectrum, WSJ poll finds. Aaron Zitner and Adrienne Tong in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 9/7/24