Newsletter: Essential California: A win for Gov. Brown’s water project

Good morning. It is Friday, July 22. San Pedro has some pretty great street art going on. We’re partial to the Misty Copeland mural. Here’s what else is happening in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES

Clearing the way

State water officials may begin environmental and geological tests on 150 pieces of property for a project that would bring Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta water to Southern California. The state Supreme Court’s ruling ends six years of litigation by delta property owners. “The farmers in the delta will suffer immensely if these tunnels are ever built,” said Thomas H. Keeling, an attorney for the landowners. Los Angeles Times

Justice delayed

Former L.A. County Assessor John Noguez was arrested four years ago, accused of taking $185,000 in bribes. But ever since then, the case has stalled. The former politician hasn’t had a trial or even a preliminary hearing yet. Prosecutors blame the delay on a massive amount of evidence and Noguez’s decision to switch attorneys. “It’s a miscarriage of justice,” said Supervisor Mike Antonovich. Los Angeles Times

L.A. AT LARGE

Read a book: A new 12-minute documentary tells the story of downtown L.A.’s The Last Bookstore. “I chose the name ‘The Last Bookstore’ because, at the time, Borders was going out of business, and a lot of other little bookstores were going out of business,” says owner Josh Spencer. Vimeo

Living in a box: The CEO of a company that makes meal replacement drinks and powders could face criminal charges for having an unpermitted shipping container on the hill above Lincoln Heights. Neighbors complain that Robert Rhinehart’s structure has attracted crime and graffiti. Photos show that after a Fourth of July party, the area was covered in garbage the remnants of a roasted pig. Rhinehart says there’s been no evidence of illegal activity on the property. Curbed LA

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

See ya: An Orange County-based political consultant who has worked on Republican campaigns for 30 years is leaving the party over Donald Trump. “Donald Trump is a narcissistic, self-centered, unprincipled, miserable example of a human being,” said Jimmy Camp. Orange County Register

Abolishing the death penalty: Former President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter endorsed Proposition 62, a ballot measure that would abolish the death penalty in California. If it’s approved, the punishment for first-degree murder would be life in prison without the possibility of parole. “It is our hope that California will also lead the nation in adopting a more effective and fiscally responsible law enforcement approach,” the Carters said in a statement. Los Angeles Times

Light ’em up: Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson supports the legalization of recreational marijuana. “I think when California does it in November, you will have 20 state legislatures, overnight, legislate it,” he said. Sacramento Bee

CRIME AND COURTS

Tragic case: The community of Rocklin is mourning the death of a 13-year-old gymnast. Police say Ashley Wood was killed by her 14-year-old brother, whose name has not been released because he is a minor. “Words cannot adequately express our deep sorrow for all involved,” said Police Chief Ron Lawrence. Meanwhile, the Placer County district attorney’s office announced it would turn over prosecution of the case to the state attorney general because the victim’s father is a deputy district attorney in the office. Los Angeles Times

Guilty verdict: A Cerritos man who shot his longtime friend in the back of the head was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter Thursday. Beong Kwun Cho told police he killed Yeon Woo Lee because Lee did not want to stick his family with the stigma of suicide. “This case is about shame, shame in Korean culture. In this case, there’s shame for every single person involved,” said deputy public defender Robert Kohler. Los Angeles Times

Act of protest: Protesters chained themselves to the doors of the Oakland Police Department on Thursday in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. A sign held by the white protesters read, “No one is free until we are all free.” SFGate

Destroying a memorial: A statue that honors the families of soldiers killed in World War II was taken apart by thieves in Redlands. Authorities say the bronze statue was taken to be sold for scrap metal. “This is very emotional for the local residents, especially veterans and their families,” said city spokesman Carl Baker. Los Angeles Times

DROUGHT AND CLIMATE

Nom nom: Is it ethical to eat berries from California during the drought? Well, they’re not as greedy for water as nuts, grains and meat. “Swearing off California berries won’t make nearly as much difference as reducing your consumption of meat and pretty much everything else.” Grist

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Old is new again: Cooper Hefner, son of Hugh Hefner, is the new chief creative officer at Playboy. “Playboy went too ‘bro-y.’ It was appealing to the frat guy, instead of doing a better job of catering to my friends, the creatives and current tastemakers of this generation,” he says. LA Weekly

Musician dies: Claude Williamson was part of Los Angeles’ jazz scene in the 1950s. In fact, he was believed to be the last surviving member of the Lighthouse All-Stars. He died Saturday at the age of 89. Los Angeles Times

Lack of diversity: African Americans are disappearing from San Francisco. In 1970, 1 in 7 residents there were black. Today, it’s 1 in 20. What happened to a city that was once known as the Harlem of the West? New York Times

Chance meeting: This video shows a paddle boarder’s encounter with a juvenile humpback whale. “It could have totally toppled me, but he just gently went away, went under the water,” Viviana Guzman said. ABC 7

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

San Francisco will have low clouds and a high of 71 degrees. Sacramento will be sunny and 97. In Los Angeles, there will be sunshine and a high of 93. Riverside will be blazing hot at 106 degrees. It will be sunny and 84 in San Diego.

AND FINALLY

Today’s California Memory comes from Steve Taylor:

“When I lived in Westminster during the 1970 baseball season, my friend Chuck and his dad took me to a Dodger game. First and last time ever I got to sit in a box seat near home plate. Chuck’s dad walked up to get a beer and some food, which he was cradling in a paperboard tray coming down the steps toward our seats. A foul ball lobbed into the crowd and was caught by a man sitting on the aisle just as Chuck’s dad stepped forward. Chuck’s dad never moved, not wanting to lose his beer just to reach up and grab the ball. Just watched the ball get caught next to him. Chuck was so embarrassed.”

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.