Newsletter: Essential California: 12 Hours in the Life of the LAPD in Watts

Good morning. It is Wednesday, July 27. Here are the 25 most expensive homes in America (and California). Here’s what else is happening in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES

Complicated relationship

On Monday night, police shot an 18-year-old man in Nickerson Gardens, the largest housing project west of the Mississippi River, after they say he opened fire and struck an officer in the arm. Twelves hours later, the police on patrol were giving life-saving treatment to another resident. “The fast-moving drama in Nickerson Gardens underscored the complicated duality of modern-day policing.” Los Angeles Times

Doctors call for vaccinations

Health officials in L.A. and Orange counties are recommending all gay and bisexual men receive meningitis vaccinations after an outbreak of the potentially fatal disease. “We acknowledge this broadens our prior recommendations, but after careful consultation with the CDC and health officers in other affected jurisdictions, we consider that this expansion of the vaccination recommendations is a necessary step to suppress this outbreak,” said Dr. Jeffrey Gunzenhauser of the L.A. County Department of Public Health. Los Angeles Times

State of emergency

Acting Gov. Tom Torlakson declared a state of emergency for Los Angeles and Monterey counties because of wildfires. In the Santa Clarita Valley, firefighters have made some progress in battling the Sand fire. Meanwhile, near Big Sur, the Soberanes fire has also forced evacuations and closed some state parks. Los Angeles Times

Readers, we always love hearing from you. You can keep up with Alice and Shelby during the day on Twitter. Follow @TheCityMaven and @ShelbyGrad.

L.A. AT LARGE

Counting trees: The city of Los Angeles has been in negotiations with Google for two months to leverage tools to count how many trees are in the city. In the meantime, Pietro Perona, an academic, is working on the technology. “If it’s successful, it benefits all the cities in the U.S. and the world,” he said. Los Angeles Times

Lunch with Jonathan: What a lucky kid. Mason, a 12-year-old reporter, taped an interview with Pulitzer Prize-winning L.A. Times restaurant critic Jonathan Gold. The two talked about the fun of food writing over a lunch of grasshoppers. Kidspiration

Faces of the faithful: Religion has a lot of looks in Los Angeles, as this photo gallery shows. Los Angeles Magazine

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

If you have nothing nice to say ...: Sen. Bernie Sanders to California delegates: Knock it off. The former presidential candidate scolded delegates who booed the mention of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. “It is easy to boo. But it is harder to look your kids in the face who would be living under Donald Trump,” he said at a breakfast meeting. “He is the worst candidate for president in the modern history of this country.” Los Angeles Times

No fun: You know who isn’t having a good time at the Democratic National Convention? Actress Susan Sarandon, who was a major supporter of Bernie Sanders. One GIF in particular really captures her mood. Vanity Fair

Plan B: L.A. County supervisors withdrew their support for a proposed measure that would have taxed marijuana businesses to pay for homeless services. Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, who had supported the initiative, asked for a reconsideration after service providers said the county should not promote marijuana legalization. “I was very worried that we were sending a very wrong message to our clients, who we encourage to take steps to reduce or eliminate their dependence on drugs,” said Marsha Temple with the nonprofit Integrated Recovery Network. Los Angeles Times

CRIME AND COURTS

Break-in and a shooting: An off-duty LAPD officer in Riverside discovered his car had been burglarized and then, minutes later, someone in a car began shooting at him, police said. The officer fired back. Investigators are looking at whether the officer was specifically targeted. Los Angeles Times

DROUGHT AND CLIMATE

Water, please: This bobcat had the right idea. As the temperature soared into the 90s in La Cañada Flintridge, this cat helped himself to a drink of water in a backyard birdbath. “It’s pretty rare to see a bobcat being so conspicuous, but I imagine the heat from the last few days has not been easy to handle,” said homeowner Mark Hunter. LAist

Gimme shelter: A Lancaster prison took in nearly 50 deaf dogs when they were evacuated from Acton because of the Sand fire. The prison already runs a program that pairs professional trainers and inmates with shelter dogs so the animals can learn obedience and socialization. Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Skilled workers: Orange County is seeking growth in “middle-skill jobs,” which are professions that don’t require a college degree but do need training beyond high school. They’re concentrated in advanced manufacturing, healthcare and information technology. “Nothing’s wrong with a four-year university, but kids need multiple paths to success. That can mean some advanced training after high school,” said Assemblyman Patrick O’Donnell. Orange County Register

Make a wish: A 6-year-old boy in Sacramento had his dream come true. Ethan Dean, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when he was 2 weeks old, got to be a garbage man for a day. Sacramento Bee

Home sweet home: It appears that architect Frank Gehry is finally building a new dream home in Santa Monica. Work is also underway on a new compound in Venice. “The new, inoffensive house seems in step with Gehry’s wish to leave his flashy, iconic home behind.” Curbed LA

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

San Diego will start with fog before temperatures reach a high of 81 degrees. Riverside will be sunny and hot at 101 degrees. Los Angeles will have patchy fog and a high of 88. Sacramento will be hot, hot, hot with a high of 107. San Francisco will be cloudy and 72.

AND FINALLY

Today’s California Memory comes from Jerry Lynne Treinen:

“I once heard if you live in California long enough you’ll be an extra in the movies. In the small theater in downtown Downey my face flashed across the big screen. It was 1973 and we were watching the sci-fi thriller ‘Soylent Green.’ By the time my daughter asked, ‘Mama isn’t that you?’ the scene flickered past. As an extra in the crowd of starving people I was dressed in rags with no jewelry or makeup — the only glamour was passing Charlton Heston on the MGM backlot. Later, when the film went to videotape, my close-up had been cut. But it was grand.”

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.