Newsletter: Ready for the great California deluge?

Good morning. It’s Friday, Jan. 6, and here’s what’s going on around a wet California:

TOP STORIES

The Big One

What’s being billed as the most severe storm California has seen in a decade will bear down on the state this weekend. In parts of Northern California, up to 12 inches of rain below 8,500 feet are expected, and massive amounts of snow — up to 6 feet — above that elevation. A colder storm two days behind that will drop yet more heavy snow. The atmospheric river is expected to bring blizzards, flooding and even avalanches. Los Angeles Times

Hate without the crime

Police agencies are walking a fine line as they investigate hate “incidents” that don’t rise to the level of crimes. Officials say these investigations can help prevent hate crimes, and some experts agree. But they could also raise civil liberties concerns. Los Angeles Times

Plus: What makes a hate crime a “hate crime”? Washington Post

An unlikely ally

From behind bars, Raymond Lee Jennings pleaded with a court to throw out his murder conviction, saying he had nothing to do with the shooting death of an 18-year-old college student in a dimly lit Palmdale parking lot. Now — more than a decade after his arrest — he has a surprise ally in his request to drop the conviction: the same district attorney’s office that prosecuted him. Los Angeles Times

L.A. STORIES

Will he stay? As Eric Garcetti starts his reelection bid, one major issue emerging is whether he will serve out a full second term if elected. An opponent is trying to use his political ambitions against him. Los Angeles Times

Bay Boys: Police planned a sting operation against the surfer gang that, critics say, has caused havoc on the Palos Verdes Peninsula coast. But someone tipped off its members. Daily News

Twilight zone: Is Disney making a mistake getting rid of “The Twilight Zone” Tower of Terror? Here are some other controversial removals at Disneyland. Orange County Register

“Layla”: Mozza owner Nancy Silverton on how Eric Clapton and some really nice wine made for a perfect meal. Wall Street Journal

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Muslims wait: As the days crawl toward the inauguration of Donald Trump, many Muslims, even in liberal California, anxiously wonder how much the president-elect’s tough-talking rhetoric will be matched by legislative actions. Los Angeles Times

Computer woes: State officials have failed to remedy problems that have contributed to a two-year delay for a new computer system and cost increases that are pushing its cost toward $1 billion, State Auditor Elaine Howle warned Thursday. Los Angeles Times

Trolley coming or going? Will Sacramento finally get its downtown streetcar systems? The fate of the transit line is now in the hands of Donald Trump because federal funds are needed. Sacramento Bee

Voting early: California’s presidential primary could find itself squarely in the middle of the Super Tuesday political sweepstakes in 2020 under a proposal being introduced this week at the state Capitol. And while earlier efforts have failed to either influence the outcome of the Democratic or Republican contests or draw high voter turnout, the plan’s author thinks times have changed. Los Angeles Times

Housing or wages? So why are some businesses moving out of California? Is it the minimum wage hike? Or are high housing prices the real cause? Los Angeles Times

CRIME AND COURTS

Fatal shooting: In Pomona, an eviction turned into a deadly shooting. Residents said they were at a loss Thursday to explain the violence, and could only guess what had driven a quiet and withdrawn neighbor to fire on their property manager and her boyfriend. Los Angeles Times

Getting hate: The victim of a bizarre kidnapping last year is now being bombarded with hate on Facebook. She’s now fighting back: “After reading this I went into one of my many PTSD episodes of terror.” East Bay Times

GREAT CALIFORNIA DELUGE

Why is California getting so much rain? Blame the “atmospheric river.” It’s become a trendy meteorological term, but what does it actually mean? Mercury News

Folsom Lake rising fast amid rain and snow. KCRA

The storms could close Yosemite. My Mother Lode

And a reminder, L.A.: Here’s how to drive in the rain. Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Nail art: Inside the world of San Francisco’s “underground” nail salons, which have the feel of an art gallery. San Francisco Chronicle

Imperfect chef: Meet the Inland Empire food blogger who gained a wide following by admitting she — and her dishes — are not perfect. “To be honest, when I started, I looked at all these people blogging who seemed so perfect. I screw up sometimes. I’m still learning new techniques and recipes. Well, it’s an imperfect kitchen.” San Bernardino Sun

Swiss cows: Why the Swiss are buying up California dairies. San Francisco Chronicle

Portland = Frogtown? Fred Armisen shoots “Portlandia” in Portland but writes it in a trendy spot of Los Angeles. He doesn’t see that as a problem. “Yeah, because the culture is so similar. [In Los Angeles,] we’re in an area called Frogtown, which is near Silver Lake. It’s an industrial area that’s already starting to turn. Little shops are opening up everywhere.” New York Times

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

Los Angeles area and San Diego: Partly cloudy with highs in the low to mid-60s. San Francisco area and Sacramento: Partly cloudy with highs around 50 before the deluge hits this weekend.

AND FINALLY

Today’s California memory comes from Lisa Cooper-Keil:

“Prior to my decision to leave Detroit for Southern California in 1973, I had only visited in summer. Anticipating an end to the cold weather I had grown up with, I gave away every jacket, sweater, heavyweight garment and warm piece of clothing I owned. I arrived in Venice Beach, in November, with nothing but shorts and T-shirts in my suitcase. Imagine my shock to find rain and cooler temperatures. I remember standing at a bus stop freezing my buns off in the rain. I didn’t even have an umbrella; I had left that behind in Michigan too!”

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 Shelby Grad.