Newsletter: Essential California: Are death row inmates too ill to die?

Good morning. It is Monday, June 6. Neon signs are the new trend in Los Angeles’ bars and coffee shops. Here’s what else is happening in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES

Mentally ill inmates

Are some of California’s most notorious killers too insane to execute? Officials are beginning to grapple with that question. State Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris’ office is asking the California Supreme Court to remove Ronnie McPeters from death row because, they argue, his mental illness makes him too gravely disabled to be executed. He’s not the only death row inmate diagnosed with serious mental illness, which means this move could open the door to scores of other legal challenges. Los Angeles Times

Fire season

Thousands of residents in Calabasas evacuated their homes Saturday after a brush fire broke out. The fire damaged two homes and injured three firefighters. Officials said aggressive brush clearance prevented the fire from doing even greater damage. “Humidity is around 15% and we have about 5 miles an hour of wind, so the weather’s cooperating a bit,” said Inspector Randall Wright with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Los Angeles Times

New on the block

A proposed mega development in South L.A. is shaping up to be an important test case. Can the development boom that has spread across more affluent parts of the city also extend to the south side? Or will this be another disappointing plan that never materializes? Los Angeles Times

DROUGHT AND CLIMATE

Water upside: The improving drought conditions have another beneficiary: Hydroelectric production. Dam levels are rising, and more energy is being made. Climate Central

Working on water: Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was in Fresno on Saturday but shied away from talking specifics on water and the drought. “We’re going [to] get to work on water,” she said. Sacramento Bee

L.A. AT LARGE

Clear thinking: The quick actions of professors at UCLA may have prevented last week’s murder-suicide from becoming an even bigger tragedy. After hearing gunshots, Ajit Mal and Christopher Lynch went to investigate. Lynch held shut the door to William Klug’s office and then he heard a third gunshot -- likely the gunman killing himself. “If he had come out with a loaded gun, I don’t think I’d be alive. Chris Lynch’s presence of mind and quick action saved us,” Mal said. Los Angeles Times

Regulating DWP: A Los Angeles City Council committee backed a ballot measure that would make it more difficult for the mayor to fire members of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners. The measure would also expand the size of the five-member panel. “With seven, you get a more diverse board. And I do think that it’s important, moving forward, that we incorporate diversity in everything we do,” said council President Herb Wesson. Los Angeles Times

Snakes by the lake: Thousands of invasive snakes are now roaming around Lake Machado -- and they are not going anywhere. Los Angeles Times

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

SoCal vs. NorCal: Southern California’s Rep. Loretta Sanchez says the state doesn’t need another Bay Area politician in statewide office. The remark was a swipe at state Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris, who was previously the district attorney of San Francisco. “They control everything. They control everything, so we’re trying to beat them,” Sanchez told voters. Sacramento Bee

Social media: The Bernie Sanders presidential campaign is using a new Twitter tool to target voters and create original tweets for them to send to their followers. It’s just another way to reach newer and younger voters. Buzzfeed

CRIME AND COURTS

Day in court: A Navy reservist who was fired from his Orange County-based job just as he was deployed to Afghanistan is fighting to have his case heard in court. The legal battle challenges the concept of mandatory arbitration. “We can’t have soldiers and sailors afraid to represent their country because they might lose their jobs through an arbitration process which is pro-employer,” said Kevin Ziober. Orange County Register

Searching for clues: Authorities continue to look for clues into the disappearance of 15-year-old Pearl Pinson in Northern California. Police released a photograph of her backpack and asked anyone who sees such a knapsack to call their tip line. “Investigators continue to follow up on leads and any future search will depend on where those leads take us,” according to a statement from the Solano County Sheriff’s Department. Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Dangerous conditions: San Francisco’s municipal pier is falling apart. A new pier should be built in its place, but there’s no money for the project. Eventually, the pier could be in such poor condition that it’s closed to the public. San Francisco Chronicle

Watch your step: The new SFMOMA has been open for only two weeks and already a visitor has tripped and fallen into an Andy Warhol silkscreen. Folks at the museum don’t want to talk about it. SFist

What’s your Loving story? In honor of the 49th anniversary of Loving vs. Virginia, the Los Angeles Times is asking readers to share their stories of interracial or intercultural love. Los Angeles Times

Fast-food stops: Former President Bill Clinton stopped by In-N-Out and Baby Blue’s BBQ in Los Angeles to greet voters. What a time to be a vegan! LAist

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

San Diego will have clouds and a high of 71. There will be some fog in Riverside as temperatures reach a high of 86. Los Angeles will have clouds and a high of 73. San Francisco will be 68 degrees. Sacramento will be sunny and hot with a high of 95.

AND FINALLY

This week’s birthdays for notable Californians:

Philanthropist Eli Broad (June 6, 1933), Rep. Ken Calvert (June 8, 1953), USC basketball coach Andy Enfield (June 8, 1969), former San Francisco 49er Joe Montana (June 11, 1956) and Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (June 12, 1941).

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.