Newsletter: Essential California: Will LAPD release cops’ body camera footage?

Good morning. It is Monday, July 18. Here’s what is happening in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES

Releasing police footage

Until recently, the LAPD was firm that it would not be releasing officer body camera footage to the public, citing privacy issues. But that might be changing. The president of the L.A. Police Commission said it was time to reconsider the LAPD’s stance. And LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said he would be open to releasing certain footage “at the proper time in the proper framework.” Fresno police released body camera footage of a controversial shooting last week, bolstering the department’s narrative. Los Angeles Times

Political capital

Both Kamala Harris and Loretta Sanchez have salted away retirement savings, bought homes and acquired other assets that wouldn’t be considered outlandish for a successful career politician or professional in his or her 50s. But the U.S. Senate candidates are far from the 1%. Our scrub of their wealth. Los Angeles Times

A man’s legacy

Over the years, Lee Baca earned a reputation as a different kind of sheriff -- one who believed in rehabilitation, second chances and building bridges with groups that others stigmatized. But his legacy is shaping up to be much darker, as he is expected to be sentenced Monday for his role in a sweeping corruption scandal that roiled the L.A. Sheriff’s Department. Los Angeles Times

STORIES TO WATCH TODAY…

-- The first day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Some California Republicans will be there but others are staying away.

-- The whole event is being coordinated by an Orange County woman.

-- Bakersfield police investigate the drive-by shooting that left 14 teenagers wounded during a party.

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

Calls for peace: With crime on the rise in L.A., hip-hop artist the Game urged gang members from across Southern California to curb violence. The Game has been working with the LAPD to ease racial tensions between blacks and police. Los Angeles Times

Remembering a great: About 100 friends, former students and fans of legendary East Los Angeles educator Jaime Escalante gathered at Garfield High School on Saturday to honor the Bolivian immigrant whose success with his calculus students inspired newspaper articles, books and the film “Stand and Deliver.” Los Angeles Times

Transit plans: Many questions remain about the new plan for a streetcar line in downtown L.A. -- including whether it will reach Bunker Hill and Grand Avenue. L.A. Downtown News

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Political woes: More trouble for embattled Carson Mayor Albert Robles, who meets with prosecutors this week. Daily News

Yuuuge donor: Geoff Palmer, who has developed such projects as the Orsini, the Medici and the Da Vinci in downtown L.A., has given $2 million to a Donald Trump Super PAC. LA Weekly

Second jobs: After the UC Davis controversy, the system is considering tougher rules for when top administrators can receive outside pay. Sacramento Bee

Gun measures: A San Diego-area businessman has taken the first step toward launching a petition drive to qualify referenda on a batch of six gun control laws signed this month by Gov. Jerry Brown. Los Angeles Times

CRIME AND COURTS

Attack victim: A UC Berkeley student missing since Thursday’s terror attack in Nice has been confirmed dead, university officials said. Nicolas Leslie was on a study-abroad program. Three other UC Berkeley students were injured. Los Angeles Times

Privacy: Los Angeles police are investigating after Playboy model Dani Mathers apologized for taking a photo of a woman in a locker room shower at an LA Fitness exercise center and posting it on Snapchat with disparaging comments about the woman’s body. Los Angeles Times

Fire fight: Authorities in Northern California arrested a hobbyist they said was flying a drone while firefighters were battling a brush fire. Los Angeles Times

Wrongfully imprisoned: Exonerees face big challenges in getting compensated for the years they wrongly spent behind bars. Sacramento Bee

DROUGHT AND CLIMATE

Water rules: State water officials are concerned as some areas ease drought restrictions. Press-Enterprise

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Food evolution: A look back at how Carl Karcher reinvented fast food by making a better burger. Orange County Register

Sweat it out: A marathon is so last week. The new trend is in giant obstacle course races. A gimmick or here to stay? Mercury-News

Go outside: Can the “Pokemon Go” craze actually improve cities? Curbed LA

What’s your tune: Picking your California song. Buzzfeed

Dream to nightmare: Another sign of a fading California dream for some: You need to earn more than $160,000 a year to buy the average house in San Francisco. SF Gate

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

San Francisco will start the day with clouds as highs approach 66 degrees. Sacramento will be sunny and 85. Los Angeles will have low clouds and a high of 80 degrees. In Riverside, there will be low clouds and a high of 93. San Diego will have clouds and a high of 76.

AND FINALLY

This week’s birthdays for notable Californians:

State Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson (July 19, 1949) and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy (July 23, 1936).

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.