Newsletter: Essential California: Bernie Sanders gaining ground in California

Good morning. It is Friday, June 3. The Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry has his own emoji app — Stephmoji. Here’s what else is happening in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES

Presidential politics

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is gaining ground in California thanks to younger voters, many of whom registered for the first time in recent weeks, according to a new USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll. Among voters eligible for next Tuesday’s Democratic primary, Sanders leads Hillary Clinton 44% to 43%. However, Clinton leads by 10 points among likely voters. Los Angeles Times

UCLA shooting

The 38-year-old doctoral student who killed a UCLA professor Wednesday left behind a “kill list” that included the names of a second UCLA professor and a woman. FBI agents and Minnesota authorities found the woman’s body just after midnight Thursday. Mainak Sarkar is believed to be responsible for the killing. The second professor, who has not been identified, was not on campus at the time of the shooting. Los Angeles Times

Greater diversity

The president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences promised to double the number of women and minorities in the academy by 2020. Here are 100 people who could bring greater diversity to the group. Los Angeles Times

DROUGHT AND CLIMATE

Full reservoirs: Shasta Lake and Lake Oroville are more than 90% full. “But before you feel too good about that, know that the lakes are falling again already and that we’ve got no idea what our next winter will bring.” KQED

L.A. AT LARGE

Long way home: Taking the Metro Expo Line to work every day isn’t practical for columnist Robin Abcarian (it takes her an hour longer than cruising the freeway), but that doesn’t mean there aren’t small joys in hopping on the train. From discovering a new cafe to learning about a local trade college, “there is something exhilarating about seeing familiar scenery, even mundane stuff, from a different vantage point.” Los Angeles Times

Piece of history: The Mattachine Steps in Silver Lake are more than a good place to do a cardio workout — they’re a part of the city’s LGBT history. In the 1950s, Harry Hay, who lived next to the stairs, founded the Mattachine Society, one of the first gay rights organizations in the country. Curbed LA

Unusual sport: Grab a mallet and a bicycle — it’s time for bike polo. “The game is surprisingly emotional. You’re confronting your own failure at all times,” said player Melody Brocious. Eastsider LA

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Senate race: A new poll finds 28% of voters support Kamala Harris for the U.S. Senate compared with 20% who favor Rep. Loretta Sanchez. “Her support is still somewhat weak and is likely dependent on turnout,” said Ben Winston of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, one of the firms that conducted the USC/LAT poll. Los Angeles Times

Campaign funds: A Sacramento judge found Darrell Steinberg’s mayoral campaign can keep $220,000 he transferred over from his campaign for lieutenant governor. The legal challenge was mounted by opponent Angelique Ashby. “What we seek is to maintain the integrity of the political process,” said an attorney for Ashby. Sacramento Bee

Young victims: A bill approved Thursday by the state Senate would prohibit children and teenagers from being charged in cases of prostitution. Minors in those cases are victims, said state Sen. Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles). “This is not an appropriate or ethical response to this growing epidemic,” she said. Los Angeles Times

Fasting and prayer: The state’s End of Life Option Act will take effect on June 9. In protest, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is leading nine days of fasting and prayer. “This is a very sad time in the history of our state, and in the history of our country,” said Bishop David O’Connell. Daily News

CRIME AND COURTS

Remembering a professor: William “Bill” Klug, the slain UCLA professor, is being remembered as one of the university’s kindest teachers. “In reviews of his classes, even students who bemoaned the large amount of homework he assigned described him as kind, helpful and patient,” according to a university statement. The 39-year-old leaves behind a wife and two young children. Los Angeles Times

Jail sentence: A former Stanford swimmer was sentenced to six months in jail for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman. Brock Turner could be out in as little as three months with good behavior. Prosecutors had sought six years in state prison for the January 2015 attack. Before the sentencing, the victim in the case told the judge, “My damage is internal ... I carry it with me.” The Mercury News

Sentencing phase: Should Lonnie Franklin Jr., a.k.a. the Grim Sleeper, be sentenced to the death penalty? That is the question facing jurors. In closing arguments, Deputy Dist. Atty. Beth Silverman said, “I ask you to show the defendant the exact same mercy, the exact same compassion, that he showed his victims. Because that’s what he deserves.” Los Angeles Times

BUSINESS

New identity: Tribune Publishing, the Chicago-based company that owns the Los Angeles Times, will change its name to Tronc Inc. and transfer its stock from the New York Stock Exchange to the Nasdaq on June 20. The news came the same day one investor filed a lawsuit against the company, saying the board had failed to act in the interest of shareholders. Los Angeles Times

Will and testament: Thanks to a batch of legal challenges, it’s unclear what will happen to Sumner Redstone’s $5-billion fortune when he dies. Attorneys say it’s an extreme example of a common problem — older Americans often wait too long to do estate planning. New York Times

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

White wedding: What does one wear for a City Hall wedding? These stylish San Francisco couples show how it’s done. San Francisco Chronicle

That voice: How can some of Hollywood’s biggest stars hide in plain sight? Easy — their business is voiceover work. “The audience is interacting with the products online and in person, at conventions. The celebrity is famous here and anonymous there.” Los Angeles Magazine

#DontDoIt: California is the No. 1 place for driving selfies by one count. “It appears fun-filled road trips may fuel some drivers’ desires to share duck-face snaps with their Insta followers,” according to the Auto Insurance Center. LA Weekly

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

San Francisco will have fog and a high of 75 degrees. Sacramento will be hot at 103 degrees. Riverside will be 100 degrees and sunny. Los Angeles will start the day with fog before the sun comes out and temperatures reach 85 degrees. San Diego will have fog and a high of 80 degrees.

AND FINALLY

Today’s California Memory comes from Robert Fratkin:

“In 1949, when I was 10 years old, my mother and I took the train from Ventura to Detroit to buy a new car. We took Route 66 home, and crossed Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, seeing mile after mile of brown ground for three days. And then we crossed into California, and when we came over a rise, the earth turned green with vegetation. I will always remember that moment, and knew once again why we chose to live in the Golden — and green — State.”

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.