Newsletter: Essential California: Viacom’s boardroom fight

Good morning. It is Friday, Feb. 5. Just in time for Super Bowl Sunday, here are San Francisco’s best nachos. Happy snacking! Here’s what else is happening in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES

Corporate fight

The boardroom drama over Viacom reached a head, though the family squabbles continue. Chief Executive Philippe Dauman was elected chairman of the media giant’s board on Thursday, succeeding his 92-year-old mentor, the ailing Sumner Redstone. Redstone voted for Dauman. But his daughter, Shari Redstone, voted no. Los Angeles Times

Fresh imports

The Iran nuclear deal is already bringing dividends in Southern California’s Iranian community. A rug store in Westwood got its first shipment of Persian rugs from Iran in six years. And other goods including caviar are likely on their way. But the detente has divided the community. Los Angeles Times

Diverse student body

UC President Janet Napolitano is personally making the pitch to African American and Latino students about why they should enroll in one of her 10 campuses. Her visit to a South L.A. school comes as officials are ramping up a program that last year helped 12,000 students navigate the college application process. This spring, Achieve UC will expand to 60,000 students. “We want students and their families to know that a UC education is attainable and it’s affordable,” Napolitano said. Los Angeles Times

DROUGHT AND CLIMATE

Yep, still a drought: The rain and snow are great, but the drought remains “very serious” in California. That’s why state water officials are extending drought-related emergency regulations. “While El Niño helped bring abundant rain and snow to Northern California in January, the National Weather Service is forecasting near-record high temperatures with mainly dry conditions through at least Feb. 12.” Capital Public Radio

Snow measurements: Columnist Robin Abcarian ventured out to the Sierra Nevada to join Frank Gehrke as he surveyed the snowpack. “At Phillips Station, barren less than a year ago, Gehrke measured more than 76 inches of snow, with 24.5 inches of water content — 130% of the February average since 1966.” Los Angeles Times

L.A. AT LARGE

Pushed out: Some landlords are making their buildings virtually uninhabitable apparently in the hopes that lower-income tenants will move out and make room for those who can pay more for rent. “We definitely [have seen] an increase in harassment and intimidation throughout the city of Los Angeles,” said Larry Gross, executive director of the Coalition for Economic Survival. Vice

Hiking accident: A 23-year-old man fell to his death Tuesday when he tried to help a friend who had slipped on Devil’s Backbone Trail on Mt. Baldy. Daniel Nguyen was a recent graduate of Cal State Long Beach. Los Angeles Times

Morning drive: Traveling from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica during morning rush hour sounds just awful. What could make it a little better? Ride your bike — you’ll get there a little faster than if you drive or ride a bus. 89.3 KPCC

Can you hear me now?: Cellphone service in Metro subway tunnels is just weeks away. And WiFi will soon be offered in LADOT’s Commuter Express buses. Curbed LA

Road closed ahead: The 101 Freeway will shut down for 40 hours, beginning Friday night, so crews can demolish the 6th Street Bridge. The traffic nightmare is being called #101SlowJam. The freeway is expected to reopen about 2 p.m. on Sunday. Los Angeles Times

Water history: The 100th anniversary of the Los Angeles Aqueduct sparked interest in the St. Francis Dam in San Francisquito Canyon. “Visitors can see the narrow valley opening, portions of the wing wall and railings, and massive chunks of concrete that still have ridges remaining from the dam’s stair-stepped face.” Archaeology

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Emissions control: Federal and local politicians are calling on the Port of Los Angeles to take action after The Times reported that two major shipping companies were allowed to skirt environmental rules. “It’s clear the port cannot police itself,” said Rep. Janice Hahn (D-Los Angeles). Los Angeles Times

CRIME AND COURTS

Two arrested: A 17-year-old and an 18-year-old were charged with killing two young women whose bodies were found in a Montecito Heights park last year. Prosecutors say the two killed the teenagers to “further the activities of a criminal street gang.” Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Super Bowl overflow: San Francisco is grinding to a halt thanks to the Super Bowl — and it’s not even hosting the big game. That’s in Santa Clara. Still, the city estimates it will spend $4.8 million on public transit and police associated with the game. Employees are being encouraged to work from home to avoid nightmarish commutes. Grist

Moving on up: The race is on to build the tallest building west of the Mississippi River, a title that currently belongs to the U.S. Bank Tower in downtown Los Angeles. At least three skyscrapers are either under construction or on the drawing board. “It’s a western boomlet of skyscrapers, reflecting a strong economy, a demand for more lofty digs, and something of a size-matters competition among developers and cities.” Los Angeles Times

Art in motion: It will rain flower petals in downtown Los Angeles this Saturday. The artists who installed a teahouse in Griffith Park last summer are planning to take over an alleyway so they can shower visitors with petals. Petal Drop LA (01) will take place just off Broadway. Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

San Francisco will be partly sunny with a high of 59. Sacramento will have sunshine and some clouds as temperatures reach 62 degrees. In Los Angeles, it will be sunny and 74. Riverside will be sunny and breezy at 73. In San Diego, it will be sunny with a high of 72.

AND FINALLY

Today’s California Memory comes from Artie Breyfogle:

“I vividly recall pushing the elevator button and heading up to the 11th floor of the Panorama Towers in the San Fernando Valley and spinning records at the then KVFM. I loved to spy the distant glistening lights in the cold winter air as I dimmed the studio lighting and poof! I was instantly transported into another world ... a world that remains in my memory banks forever.”

If you have a memory or story about the Golden State, share it with us. Send us an email to let us know what you love or fondly remember about our state. (Please keep your story to 100 words.)

Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Alice Walton or Shelby Grad.