Newsletter: Essential California: Jerry Brown is talking to oil companies about climate change

Good morning. It is Friday, July 8. No plans this weekend? How about a casual drive up the coast in this $339,000 Rolls-Royce Dawn? Here’s what else is happening in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES

Attack at home

Seven Latino gang members were charged with firebombing the homes of African Americans living in Boyle Heights. The May 2014 attack was intended to drive the African American residents out of the neighborhood, according to federal prosecutors. “This crime was particularly heinous because they attacked people’s homes, where children were sleeping,” said Eileen Decker, U.S. attorney for the Central District of California. Los Angeles Times

Closed-door meetings

Gov. Jerry Brown has been meeting with oil company representatives behind closed doors in the hopes of reaching an agreement on the state’s climate programs. One sticking point is California’s low-carbon fuel standard, Any agreement reached by the two sides would still have to win the support of Democratic state lawmakers. “It is far from certain that the conversations, which have been underway for weeks and don’t include lawmakers, will produce any consensus between two sides that have historically been at odds over tackling climate change.” Los Angeles Times

Money problems

Beaumont was one of the Inland Empire’s apparent jewels, but after seven former officials were arrested on suspicion of allegedly stealing $43 million, residents and city leaders find themselves dealing with a city that’s deeply in debt. “We’re doing everything we can to avoid bankruptcy,” said Mayor Mike Lara. Los Angeles Times

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DROUGHT AND CLIMATE

Checkup: Long Beach officials plan to inspect 92,000 trees to see how they’ve been affected by the drought. “As our trees get older, they have a life cycle, just like people do, just like pets do. We need to be aware of our trees and their health,” said Councilwoman Stacy Mungo. Press-Telegram

L.A. AT LARGE

Reimagining the freeway: Architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne talked to two designers about how they would design freeways that are actually good for the environment. Imagine cruising along on a freeway that reduces emissions, cuts down on noise and collects rainwater and energy from the sun. “Carefully tailored to their sites, they’re also prototypes for a new way of thinking in Southern California about the relationship between the freeway and the public good,” he writes. Los Angeles Times

Changing neighborhoods: What can California learn from South L.A.? “Today’s South L.A. is more often described as Los Angeles’ version of Oakland. It’s a poorer place that is being changed, for better and for worse, both by the work of its residents and by proximity to the wealth and spillover housing demand of Los Angeles’ booming downtown and Westside,” writes Joe Mathews. Zócalo Public Square

Be safe: Gay and bisexual men in Los Angeles County are being urged to get meningitis vaccinations. There have been 17 confirmed cases of the disease so far with year, with 12 coming in just the last two months. “I want people to come in and be vaccinated now. Please do this. It’s important,” said Robert Bolan, medical director for the L.A. LGBT Center. Los Angeles Times

Little stinkers: Here are a mother skunk and her eight little ones just making their way through Echo Park. Pepé Le Pew must be so proud. Eastsider LA

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Poll figures: Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has temporarily closed his California offices and a new poll finds he’s running 30 points behind Hillary Clinton in the Golden State. “If Clinton had been indicted, things might be different, but as it stands now, Trump has virtually no chance in this state,” said Jack Pitney, a professor of politics at Claremont McKenna College. Orange County Register

Judge recall: Columnist Robin Abcarian revisits the campaign to recall Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky, who oversaw the sexual assault trial of Brock Turner. Support for the recall has not subsided with time. “We are working with our supporters to mobilize in support, including raising funds, for the campaign,” said Katherine Spillar of the Feminist Majority. “We are just getting started.” Los Angeles Times

CRIME AND COURTS

Unarmed shooting: Cellphone video showing Fresno police officers shooting an unarmed 19-year-old man lying on the ground at a gas station has sparked protests and prompted the FBI to launch an investigation. Los Angeles Times

Deputies’ privacy: The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department will stop announcing whether a shooting was within department policy because of privacy concerns from the union representing deputies. Even though such reports do not name the individual deputy, the union leadership argued it’s too easy to figure out which officer was involved in a shooting. “My goal is to be as transparent as we can be but to protect the rights of the officers as dictated by law,” said Sheriff Jim McDonnell. 89.3 KPCC

Pot raid: San Jose police raided eight homes and seized 1,872 marijuana plants Wednesday. Officials described it as a “clandestine suburban marijuana grow scheme.” The operation was worth about $5 million. Mercury News

Trophy returned: O.J. Simpson’s 1968 Heisman Trophy was returned to USC on Wednesday, more than 20 years after it was taken from Heritage Hall. The return came as Lewis Eugene Starks Jr., 57, pleaded no contest to one count of receiving stolen property. It’s unclear if the trophy will go on display. The university received a replacement Heisman after the original was stolen in 1994. Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Got a ticket? The odds of winning today’s $540-million Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 259 million. Best of luck! Los Angeles Times

Historical property: This pink Rancho Mirage compound once belonged to actress Marion Davies, longtime mistress to William Randolph Hearst, and was later the home of Victor Jules Bergeron Jr. (who claimed to have invented the mai tai). It could be yours for $4 million. Curbed LA

Let’s do lunch: Here are 10 spots to check out for that power lunch in Orange County. Orange County Register

Fancy fast food: This Napa chef is pairing his deep-fried In-N-Out burgers with a Petite Sirah. SFist

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

Sacramento will be sunny with a high of 89. San Francisco will start the day with low clouds as temperatures reach a high of 68 degrees. Riverside will have clouds and a high of 92. In Los Angeles, there will be clouds and a high of 80 degrees. San Diego will be cloudy as temperatures reach 75 degrees.

AND FINALLY

Today’s California Memory comes from John A. Negrych:

“After graduating from University of Washington in 1964, I found a summer job in L.A. that would fill the time until graduate school started in the fall. I drove my old 1953 Chevrolet down Highway 99. It was raining and cold in Seattle and all through Oregon and when I finally hit the Big Valley it started getting sunny and warm. I drove straight through (20 hours) and stopped in Bakersfield at a great motel with a pool and friendly bar and restaurant. They actually brought drinks to the pool! It was heaven. I stayed three days.”

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.