Newsletter: Essential California: Inside Disney’s blockbuster deal

Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. It’s Friday, Dec. 15, and here’s what’s happening across California:

TOP STORIES

Major media moves

Disney CEO Bob Iger’s audacious bid to buy much of the media empire Rupert Murdoch built represents a big bet that the Burbank company can beat Silicon Valley in the war for the future of entertainment. The Walt Disney Co. on Thursday agreed to pay $52.4 billion to buy film and TV assets owned by 21st Century Fox, the largest acquisition in the company’s history. The deal would not only transform Hollywood into a land of fewer studio giants, but fire a clear warning shot to technology juggernauts like Netflix, Amazon and Google. The message: Legacy media — or, at least Disney, the king of them all — isn’t going down without a fight. Los Angeles Times

Plus: One thing is clear. Murdoch is drastically downsizing his empire and charting a far different path forward than what Iger is pursuing. Murdoch has long been a contrarian, never a sentimentalist. Los Angeles Times

And: Here’s what Disney is acquiring in its blockbuster deal with 21st Century Fox. Los Angeles Times

The fires continue

For well over a week, hundreds of inmates have chain-sawed through relentless thickets of chaparral, cutting lines through the backcountry to thwart the Thomas fire’s sudden rushes at homes. On Thursday, they were deep in the Los Padres National Forest, covered in wood grit and soot and sweat, as the Thomas fire continued to grow — claiming a firefighter’s life in Fillmore and becoming the fourth-biggest in modern California history. The colossal effort to contain this late-season blaze is going into its 11th day. More than 8,000 fire personnel have been fighting a sharply uneven battle against a devilish fusion of dry wind, fault-crumpled terrain and desiccated vegetation. Los Angeles Times

Plus: Fire officials confirmed that fire apparatus engineer Cory Iverson of San Diego died while battling the Thomas fire. Los Angeles Times

And: Animal care officials said they are investigating the deaths of 29 horses at a Sylmar ranch during the fast-moving Creek fire last week. Los Angeles Times

In Ventura: A week after the Thomas fire swept through Ventura, devouring hundreds of hillside homes and masking the town in a thick, yellow-brown smoke, residents began the long process of recovering. Los Angeles Times

Wall Street’s cut of your electric bill

Eric Hildebrandt first raised the red flag in an annual report written in 2015 for his bosses overseeing California’s electricity market. He raised the same issue in a 2016 report. And he is raising it again in a recently released 2017 report. The warning to the California Independent System Operator: Trading by speculators and other investors in an obscure financial instrument pegged to electricity transmission is costing the state’s electricity customers an average of $76 million a year, contributing to higher rates. From 2009 to 2017, Hildebrandt reported to the state, California ratepayers lost almost $700 million, and the tab keeps growing. Los Angeles Times

L.A. STORIES

More allegations: Three more women have accused Assemblyman Matt Dababneh of sexual misconduct. One of them, Nancy Miret, has filed a police report with the LAPD alleging Dababneh had sex with her without consent four years ago. Dababneh announced last week he is resigning after two women had publicly accused him of harassment. He said the allegations against him are false. Los Angeles Times

New records: Freshman applicants to California’s public universities have soared to a new record, with UCLA again leading the way. Los Angeles Times

Hate crime: Swastikas and other graffiti were found on Temple Aliyah in Woodland Hills earlier this week, and authorities are investigating the actions as a hate crime, it was reported Thursday. Los Angeles Times

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Time to step aside: State Senate leader Kevin de León said Thursday he has “strongly suggested” that Sen. Tony Mendoza take a leave of absence until the completion of an investigation by outside attorneys into allegations that Mendoza sexually harassed three former aides. Los Angeles Times

The Mayor’s Fund: A nonprofit created by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to fund local civic programs spent $8 million in its third year, according to tax records released Thursday. Los Angeles Times

Secret history: Remember when the Trump administration closed the Russian consulate in San Francisco? “It was ‘very likely’ that the consulate functioned for Russia as a classified communications hub for the entire western United States — and, perhaps, the entire western part of the hemisphere.” Foreign Policy

CRIME AND COURTS

NYPD investigating: After at least 11 accusations of sexual misconduct against Russell Simmons — seven of which allegedly happened in New York City — the New York Police Department’s special victims unit has opened an investigation of the embattled music mogul. Los Angeles Times

Plus: Simmons took to Instagram on Thursday morning to fight back against the multiple sexual misconduct accusations levied against him in recent weeks. Los Angeles Times

Cold case may be cracked: It’s been almost four decades since 14-year-old Suzanne Bombardier was abducted and killed while babysitting, and ever since then the identity of her killer has remained a mystery. This week, Antioch police said new DNA evidence has led to the arrest of a suspect in her killing. Los Angeles Times

Plus: A student at the Vermont College of Fine Arts helped lead to the arrest by blogging about the teen victim. Seven Days

Rare prosecution: An anesthesiologist was charged with murder Wednesday after a 71-year-old patient suffered a fatal overdose under his care in Beverly Hills — a move likely to send a powerful message to other doctors. Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

On the horizon: The Golden Globes’ red carpet might reflect the somber year of career-ending sexual harassment allegations. That is, if most actresses resolve to don black formal wear in protest of gender inequality, as several Thursday reports indicated. Los Angeles Times

What happened? Now that he no longer attends UCLA, LiAngelo Ball has admitted he included Trump among the people he thanked during a Nov. 15 news conference only because he was instructed to by someone at the university. Los Angeles Times

Important: For the shopping procrastinator, here’s a guide to our favorite last-minute holiday gifts — from $9 to $9,500. Los Angeles Times

Sticker shock: What $2,200 rents you right now in Los Angeles. Curbed LA

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

Los Angeles area: partly cloudy, 79, Friday; partly cloudy, 70, Saturday. San Diego: partly cloudy, 77, Friday; showers, 65, Saturday. San Francisco area: partly cloudy, 59, Friday. Sacramento: partly cloudy, 61, Friday; cloudy, 62, Saturday. More weather is here.

AND FINALLY

Today’s California memory comes from Rachell Summers:

“My California memory is my whole life, as I have only lived in California. My fondest memory is when I realized how beautiful California really is. It was on a road trip along the coast from Orange County to San Francisco. We took five days to make the trip and stopped along the way to enjoy the scenic beauty in various cities. I was in my mid-20s, and it was my first time to see the majestic coastline near Big Sur. And the redwoods! I actually fell in love with the trees of the Santa Cruz Mountains. My heart melted! Santa Cruz has been my home for over 30 years.”

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 Benjamin Oreskes and Shelby Grad. Also follow them on Twitter @boreskes and @shelbygrad.