Newsletter: Essential California: The future of self-driving cars
Good morning. It is Monday, July 4. Celebrate Independence Day with a fireworks display. Here’s a list of shows in Southern California. Here’s what else is happening in the Golden State:
TOP STORIES
Moving forward
For the men and women who lived through the Dec. 2 terrorist attack in San Bernardino, there is no closure. Fighting off the horror of that event is a daily struggle, they say. “They were living through their own trauma of a terrorist attack when another one, in Orlando, brought back fresh memories of the bloodshed they endured. And the world’s attention shifted again.” Los Angeles Times
Breaking the mold
What does a Muslim look like? Hollywood often stereotypes Muslims as Arab or dark-skinned, but take the Bosnian Muslims, or Bosniaks, of Southern California. Their blond hair and European features often leave them hiding in plain sight. “I don’t advertise, but I’m not ashamed,” said a 42-year-old business analyst whose co-workers accuse Muslims of being terrorists. Los Angeles Times
Self-driving future
Google and Tesla both agree that autonomous vehicles are the way of the future, but the the two companies are taking different routes in perfecting the technology. “Tesla’s rapid-fire approach is in line with its image as a small but significant auto industry disruptor, while Google — a tech company from whom no one expects auto products — has the luxury of time.” Los Angeles Times
DROUGHT AND CLIMATE
Ojai fire: Nearly 400 firefighters worked Sunday to contain a fire 11 miles north of Ojai. The Pine Fire started Thursday morning and burned through more than 1,500 acres as of Sunday. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Los Angeles Times
L.A. AT LARGE
On the big screen: Was 1991 the zenith of films about South Los Angeles? “Boyz N the Hood” and “Killer of Sheep” were released that year, ushering in a golden age of urban African American cinema. Washington Post
Back on track: The community of Panorama City is ready to make a comeback. The Valley neighborhood has struggled since a General Motors plant closed in the 1980s and the 1994 Northridge earthquake left a 13-story office tower empty. Now there are plans to make over old retail areas and build new housing. Los Angeles Times
Bold creatures: Who shot a coyote in Silver Lake? Many believe the shooting is an example of residents’ frustrations with a wild animal no longer afraid of people. “The coyote is going to try to expend the least amount of energy to get the maximum amount of food. Why would you stay in a more rural area where you have to go catch a rabbit when you can stick your head in a garbage can and get the same nourishment?” said Niamh Quinn, an advisor at the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Los Angeles Times
New home: Fashion designer Betsey Johnson is moving into a trailer. The three-bedroom unit was listed for $1.95 million in Malibu. Johnson plans to paint the trailer a bright yellow. Curbed LA
POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT
Real time: Here’s Bill Maher’s take on why California gets it right. YouTube
Tax dollars: When Proposition 30 was approved in 2012, Gov. Jerry Brown promised the tax increases would be temporary, but now a measure on the November ballot seeks to extend some of those taxes. Without the revenue, California could face a $4.3-billion deficit in the coming years. Los Angeles Times
Retirement funds: The head of Sacramento Regional Transit makes $230,000 a year and when he retires next month, he’ll be eligible for a pension of $278,000. How is that possible? Pension supplements. Sacramento Bee
Bike safety: Bicyclists are protesting unsafe riding conditions on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. They say peninsula cities are less responsive to safety concerns than other cities. Daily Breeze
CRIME AND COURTS
On the run: Police arrested a San Diego man two months after he led them on a pursuit across multiple freeways. Officials say Ahran Haugley, 41, was able to elude police in April by driving into an underground parking garage and making a run for it. Los Angeles Times
ECONOMY
Top dogs: Oracle’s Mark Hurd is the highest-paid chief executive in California with a compensation exceeding $53 million. In Southern California, Disney’s Robert Iger leads the pack at more than $44 million. “The Silicon Valley-heavy list is a testament to the continued growth of the tech business, with more technology firms climbing into the ranks of the state’s largest companies and more of them able to afford the lavish pay packages that put their CEOs atop the list.” Los Angeles Times
Changing jobs: Orange County is losing high-paying jobs, and they’re being replaced by low-wage employment, according to Chapman University. “As a result, Orange County’s per capita personal income, which in 2007 was 16.4 percent greater than that of California, is now only 8.7 percent higher.” Orange County Register
CALIFORNIA CULTURE
Cook out: Is a BBQ still a BBQ if the guests won’t eat beef, pork, seafood, corn, greens, grains, bread or dessert? We don’t believe so. Los Angeles Times
Palm Springs hotelier: Ken Irwin Sr. of La Mancha Villas in Palm Springs died Friday at age 86. He ran the Palm Springs hotel for 30 years with his wife, Suzanne. And he owned the popular “Robolights” house. Desert Sun
Communal living: The rent at this 10-bedroom mansion in San Francisco is only $650, but it comes with a number of strings attached. You’ll be sharing a room, paying $350 a month for social events and hugging a lot of strangers. SF Gate
I do: Mike Trout of the Angels took to the skies when it came time to propose to his girlfriend. The 2014 American League MVP hired a skywriter to communicate this important message: “Will you marry me Jess?” She said yes. Fox Sports
CALIFORNIA ALMANAC
Sacramento will be mostly sunny with a high of 89. Clouds will make way for sunshine in San Francisco as temperatures reach a high of 66. Los Angeles will have low clouds and a high of 76. Riverside will have a mix of clouds and sun with a high of 89 degrees. San Diego will have clouds and a high of 74.
AND FINALLY
This week’s birthdays for notable Californians:
Rep. Sam Farr (July 4, 1941), Rep. Judy Chu (July 7, 1953) and Rep. Tom McClintock (July 10, 1956).
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.
