Newsletter: Essential California: Attack on San Diego police

Good morning. It is Saturday, July 30. Here’s what you don’t want to miss this weekend:

TOP STORIES

Officer killed: A San Diego police officer was killed and his partner seriously injured after they stopped a person in the Southcrest area about 11 p.m. Thursday. Officers Jonathan “J.D.” DeGuzman, 43, and Wade Irwin, 32, called for backup after the stop and when officers arrived, they found the two had been shot multiple times. Police arrested one suspect and believe there may be more out there. San Diego Union-Tribune

Nice to meet you: L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti introduced himself to the Democratic National Convention Thursday as “your average Mexican-American Jewish Italian.” Garcetti briefly spoke about his support for presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and then used the speech to talk about his biography and accomplishments as mayor. “In many ways, the West Coast is leading, and hopefully inspiring the nation to do the same,” he said. Los Angeles Times

DWP leadership: DWP General Manager Marcie Edwards is looking to retire after leading the utility for 2 ½ years. An aide to Mayor Garcetti said the timing of Edwards’ departure is uncertain. The move comes as the utility is in the midst of suing a contractor over the disastrous rollout of its new billing system. And in November, voters will be asked to approve a measure that shakes up the way DWP is governed. Los Angeles Times

Unlikely friendship: When 1-year-old Bexley Norvell swallowed a penny, Officer Patrick Ray responded to the call and saved her life. Now, a year later, the two are enjoying holidays and tea parties together. “She’s a sweetheart. She’s my best friend,” Ray said. Sacramento Bee

Olympic venues: LA 2024 released new renderings of what the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and a temporary swim stadium might look like for the Olympic Games. “Our goal with all of our venue choices has been first and foremost to deliver an excellent field of play and the perfect conditions for the athletic performances of a lifetime,” said LA 2024 chairman Casey Wasserman. Los Angeles Times

Business trip: Nice work if you can get it. Three members of the Los Angeles City Council — David Ryu, Joe Buscaino and Mitch Englander — spent a week in Italy. The delegation signed a “friendship port” agreement between Los Angeles and Palermo and attended a film festival. A spokesman for Ryu said the councilman, “is particularly interested in learning more about the film industry in Italy, as it relates to distribution and placement of films made by independent filmmakers from the United States.” Los Feliz Ledger

Say it ain’t so: There are plans to take down Barney’s Beanery in West Hollywood, build a 113-room hotel and then reassemble the famous watering hole. Since the 1920s, the bar has been a hangout for musicians and actors. Curbed LA

Race is on: The 39th annual San Francisco Marathon will be held on Sunday with an estimated 26,000 runners. Here is a list of street closures. SFist

THIS WEEK’S MOST POPULAR STORIES IN ESSENTIAL CALIFORNIA

1. Bernie or Bust. It looked like actress Susan Sarandon had a terrible time at the Democratic National Convention after it became clear that Hillary Clinton would be at the top of the ticket in November. Vanity Fair

2. It was hot in California this week. One bobcat cooled off by helping himself to a drink from a birdbath. LAist

3. When it comes to Los Angeles’ high-end real estate market, some potential buyers are making themselves feel right at home at open houses. Los Angeles Times

4. The Sand fire near Santa Clarita burned more than 33,000 acres and destroyed at least 18 structures earlier this week. The blaze forced thousands of residents to evacuate. Los Angeles Times

5. Eight of the most expensive American homes on the market are for sale in California. Curbed LA

ICYMI, HERE ARE THIS WEEK’S GREAT READS

Serious allegations: The former booker for Fox News says former Fox News chief Roger Ailes sexually harassed her for 20 years. In a lengthy interview at her Los Angeles home, Laurie Luhn describes what happened when she gave into Ailes’ demands. “It was psychological torture,” she says. Attorneys for Ailes did not respond to requests for comment. New York Magazine

Future is female: It’s the “highest and hardest glass ceiling.” Here is what the nomination of Hillary Clinton means to women in Los Angeles. “It’s awesome anyway because it’s 240 years of U.S. history. It wasn’t that long ago that women couldn’t vote,” said Sharla Baker, a fourth-generation farmer in the Central Valley. Los Angeles Times

LOOKING AHEAD

Tuesday: Police agencies throughout Orange County will participate in National Night Out.

Wednesday: Political experts Geoffrey Cowan and Bob Shrum will lecture on the 2016 presidential race at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library.

Friday: The three-day “G2 Green Earth Film Festival” will begin in Venice.

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.