Newsletter: Essential California: Police here feel the aftershocks of Dallas attack
Good morning. It is Saturday, July 9. Here’s what you don’t want to miss this weekend:
TOP STORIES
Dallas massacre aftershocks: The killing of five Dallas police officers has some Southern California law enforcement officials worried about their officers -- and the community outreach they’ve achieved. Gardena police chief Ed Medrano was blunt: “Officers get resentful. They get afraid. They will do their jobs and get out in the community, but they will be less motivated…. This tragedy makes police officers more apprehensive than ever at a time when we are encouraging more engagement with the community.” Los Angeles Times
Show of unity: Amid the grief over the Dallas massacre, there was a show of unity Friday with L.A. Police Chief Charlie Beck and Mayor Eric Garcetti standing side by side with The Game and Snoop Dogg. It was a remarkable moment. Los Angeles Times
Bodies found in fire: The man who says he found the burned remains of his brother and cousin in an area of the Angeles National Forest that was scorched by wildfire has criticized authorities for failing to help in the search after the men went missing more than two weeks ago. Los Angeles Times
Gas woes: Another gas leak at Porter Ranch has Southern California Gas facing a new round of criticism from residents and elected officials. Daily News
Death and the beach: Lifeguards share their experiences -- and warnings -- about when a day at the beach turns deadly. The biggest problem: Beachgoers don’t understand the power of the surf. Orange County Register
THIS WEEK’S MOST POPULAR STORIES IN ESSENTIAL CALIFORNIA
1. Walt Disney’s head. Earthquake weather. Lizard people. Here are six of L.A.’s greatest urban legends. LA Weekly
2. A curb in the Bay Area town of Hayward that had pulled apart over decades because of movement along a potentially deadly fault had become a kind of Holy Grail for earthquake scientists. That is, until a city crew unknowingly fixed it. Los Angeles Times
3. Researchers found two new litters of mountain lion kittens in the Santa Susana Mountains. They suspect all five of the kittens have the same dad, but a paternity test is on the way. Meanwhile, we have this cute video. Los Angeles Times
4. Fashion designer Betsey Johnson is moving into a Malibu trailer – but this is no ordinary doublewide. Curbed LA
5. Skunks are on the loose in Echo Park, and a New York transplant is amazed. The Eastsider
ICYMI, HERE ARE THIS WEEK’S GREAT READS
Border town: During these times of trouble on the U.S.-Mexico border, the town of Tecate seems to some like an oasis. San Diego Union-Tribune
Mix master: Inside a bland Sunset Boulevard office building, meet the hip-hop hit maker for Miley Cyrus, Jay Z, Kanye West, Rihanna, and Beyoncé. The New Yorker
Authority undermined?: Will a police sex scandal harm the fight against sex traffic in Oakland? Los Angeles Times
Wild tale: The remarkable story, and history lesson, one writer gleaned from a chance encounter at a gas station off the Santa Monica Freeway. Krikorian Writes
Road dreams: Can L.A.’s freeways be turned from pollution nightmares into ecological assets? One designer has a plan. Los Angeles Times
LOOKING AHEAD
Tuesday: A hearing will take place on plans to build a streetcar in downtown Los Angeles.
Wednesday: The 2016 ESPY Awards will be held at Microsoft Theater.
Thursday: Nominations for the Primetime Emmy Awards will be announced.
Friday: The Times holds a forum on California renewable energy resources.
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.
