Newsletter: Essential California: Academy announces most diverse class ever

Good morning. It is Thursday, June 30. The driver of a go-kart led police on a freeway chase in Oakland. Here’s what else is happening in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES

#OscarsSoDiverse?

Officials with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced what they call the largest and most diverse new class ever. The move is a response to criticism the academy received in January when its nominations failed to include any actors of color for the second year in a row. The new members include Idris Elba, Emma Watson, Tina Fey, Oscar Isaac and Ice Cube. Los Angeles Times

Fire season

A series of deadly brush fires that hit Southern California this month claimed two more victims, as authorities Wednesday confirmed the discovery of two bodies in a rural area scorched by the Border fire in San Diego County. Nearly 4,000 firefighters are battling 12 large wildfires throughout California. Los Angeles Times

Loan forgiveness

Students who attended the for-profit school Corinthian Colleges Inc. will have $171 million of debt forgiven, the Obama administration announced. Most of the 11,173 students receiving relief live in California. Corinthian Colleges filed for bankruptcy in May 2015. Los Angeles Times

DROUGHT AND CLIMATE

Guac is extra: Southern California’s recent heat wave left avocado trees with burnt branches and unsellable fruit. “After the heat, it takes a while for the effects to manifest themselves, so at this point, we’re uncertain if there is a loss or not to next year’s crop,” said Tom Bellamore, president of the California Avocado Commission. Los Angeles Times

L.A. AT LARGE

Rent-controlled no more: The L.A. City Council signed off on plans for a new boutique hotel in Hollywood despite concerns that the building conversion would worsen the city’s housing crisis. Tenants in the rent-controlled building were evicted three years ago under the Ellis Act. “Loss of homes, separation of families, people living in cars and on sofas — good God, what does it take for you to wake up?” Hollywood resident Annie Gagen asked officials. Los Angeles Times

Big move: A 121-year-old home in Boyle Heights will be moved today to make room for affordable housing. The Peabody Werden House will move to a vacant lot so a $23-million development for low-income renters can go up in its place. Urbanize LA

From beautiful downtown: If you’re a regular listener to NPR, then you’ve certainly heard hosts reference “NPR West in Culver City.” It turns out the hosts are required to name-check Culver City under the 2004 planning agreement that allowed the station to open. Washington Post

End of an era: The “Finger Fountain” is no more. The concrete fountain on the northern end of the USC campus looked like a hand flipping the bird, and students enjoyed saying it was pointed toward UCLA (though the fountain actually faced north, not west). It was torn down for renovations to the nearby plaza. Inside SoCal

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Taking a stand: The top budget official for the city of Los Angeles is used to saying “no” when it comes to spending money. The overwhelming problem of homelessness, however, is different. Miguel Santana is using his voice to support new taxes for a $1.8-billion plan to help Angelenos living on the streets. “I think it’s time when we say an end to all the excuses,” he said in a recent speech. Los Angeles Times

Party pooper: The city of Newport Beach is not impressed with the red, white and blue decorations put up by residents on Balboa Island. After a complaint, city officials sent a letter demanding that a garland of flags be taken down soon, as they’re strung across property lines. However, “soon” may be interpreted as after the Fourth of July. Daily Pilot

Predicting the future: Hillary Clinton will win the November election by 7.2% unless a strong third-party candidate enters the race, according to economists at Chapman University. They’ve correctly predicted 11 of the last 13 presidential races by analyzing three economic variables. Orange County Register

Fraud alert: South El Monte’s way of doing business has left it open to fraud, according to a new audit that found a consulting company had billed the city for more than 24 hours of work a day. “It’s unbelievable. You expect city management to validate these hours that are being reported for projects,” said City Councilman Joseph Gonzales. San Gabriel Valley Tribune

BUSINESS

Economic indicators: Los Angeles has lost 20% of its manufacturing jobs since 2007. Economists at Chapman University believe it’s a sign that California’s economy is shaky. “California looks better than it is because one area [Silicon Valley] is doing so well it seems to be propping up the statewide numbers. Los Angeles is not doing well at all,” said Chapman University economist and president James Doti. Los Angeles Times

Equitable pricing: A bill that would have prevented companies from charging higher prices for products targeted to women, items like razors or toys, died in a legislative committee. Business groups opposed SB 899, arguing it would open companies to frivolous lawsuits. California already has a law against pricing differentials on things like haircuts. San Jose Mercury News

CRIME AND COURTS

What crime? In an Instagram post that showed him in a hospital bed, YouTube celebrity Calum McSwiggan claimed to have been attacked by three men in West Hollywood early Monday morning. But sheriff’s deputies have a very different tale to tell. They say McSwiggan was arrested for allegedly vandalizing a car and later injured himself with a payphone inside his jail cell. McSwiggan was charged Wednesday with filing a false police report. Los Angeles Times

Police shooting: The Los Angeles Police Commission found an officer violated policy when he shot a suspect who was using a Taser against his partner. Commissioners agreed with Chief Charlie Beck that there was not an immediate threat of death or serious injury to justify Officer Stephan Shuff’s decision to use his gun. Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Tragic story: Malalai Rafi was overjoyed when her husband announced the family would move from their home in Afghanistan to Sacramento because of his service to the U.S. Army. But shortly after their arrival, Rafi’s husband was killed and her young son seriously injured when they were struck by a distracted driver. Now, she’s struggling to overcome a language barrier and cultural differences to take care of her family. Sacramento Bee

Up in the Bay: The city of Oakland has received a lot of attention lately thanks to the explosion of tech firms, rising rents and a major sexual misconduct scandal in the police department. This series of stories goes beyond headlines to look at what life is like in this diverse city. Curbed LA

On the streets: These photo essays capture what it means to be young and homeless in San Francisco. And keep in mind — 1 in 23 children in the city’s public school district is homeless. California Sunday Magazine

Tasty treats: Two of the country’s best ice cream shops may be in Palm Springs and San Francisco. Blackberry-Cabernet sorbet? Mango mezcal sorbet? Yes and yes, please. Bloomberg

Don’t be a litterbug: A San Francisco city gardener was disgusted when he saw Dolores Park a day after a weekend Pride celebration. Mark Lujan expressed that frustration in a NSFW Facebook post and video. It took a dozen employees 86 hours to clean up the park, which was renovated back in January. Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

It will be blazing hot in Sacramento today as temperatures reach 102 degrees. Over in San Francisco, it will be sunny with a high of 69. San Diego will have low clouds and a high of 75. Riverside will be sunny and 98. Los Angeles will have some fog and a high of 86.

AND FINALLY

Today’s California Memory comes from Cathy Sandeen:

“I lived in Half Moon Bay from 1980 to 2006, raising two daughters there. My fondest memory was our Sunday morning routine: walking out around Pillar Point to Mavericks Beach. At low tide, between looking at the tide pools, we’d clean the beach by collecting sand-polished beach glass. We amassed quite a collection over the years. (Later, when my husband and I divorced, we divided up the beach glass — community property!) I have moved those precious bits of glass with me to Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and now Madison, Wisconsin — a link to my Northern California roots wherever I am.”

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.