Newsletter: Essential California: Billions More for Broadcom

Good morning. It is Friday, May 29. Here's what’s happening in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES

Tech firm’s sale

Silicon Valley and Silicon Beach get a lot of attention, but it was a firm out of Orange County that was acquired Thursday for $37 billion. Broadcom Corp. produces semiconductor chips for cellphones, computers and other electronic devices. It was founded in 1991 by Henry Samueli and Henry T. Nicholas III. Los Angeles Times

More on Broadcom

You may remember Henry Nicholas from a 2000 profile in which a rival described him as “the antichrist.” He was back in the news seven years later when a lawsuit accused him of having an appetite for prostitutes and cocaine, which he enjoyed in a secret lair built in his family’s Laguna Hills home. Los Angeles Times

Expanding insurance coverage

Should immigrants who are in the country illegally have access to health insurance? That's what a state bill from state Sen. Ricardo Lara would do. A limited-enrollment healthcare program would be set up for adults, regardless of their immigration status. Medi-Cal access would also extend to everyone under the age of 19. Los Angeles Times

DROUGHT

Unsustainable growth: How do your conservation efforts match up with those of singer Moby? The vegan has ripped out his lawn, installed drip irrigation and switched to low-flow toilets and shower heads. “As humans, the way we're living is stupid, unsustainable and doesn't make anyone happy,” he says. Rolling Stone

Climate change: Greenhouse gases may be to blame for California’s drought. A region of high atmospheric pressure has pushed winter storms north of the state, and scientists say greenhouse gases increase the likelihood that a “blocking ridge” will form. The Economist

L.A. AT LARGE

Missing freeway: Better streets, more buses and some bike lanes could eliminate the need to complete the 710 Freeway that was intended to extend from Long Beach to Alhambra. That’s the latest plan from opponents who don’t want crews to tunnel under homes at a cost of $5.6 billion to close a 4.5-mile gap. Los Angeles Times

Winning strategy: Voters’ deep dissatisfaction with City Hall helped David Ryu win his recent election to the L.A. City Council. His campaign was able to connect with neighborhood leaders who were furious at the incumbent and his staff for ignoring their concerns over skyscrapers, obnoxious tourists and a new freeway ramp. LA Weekly

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

NorCal vs. SoCal: Writer Joe Mathews suggests the biggest difference between U.S. Senate candidates Rep. Loretta Sanchez and state Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris is class. Sanchez represents the working-class, immigrant experience of Southern California, while Harris reflects the Bay Area’s educated, upper middle-class. Zocalo

CRIMES AND COURTS

Using snitches: In Orange County, one defense attorney is responsible for exposing the collusion between the District Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Department in using jailhouse informants. The discovery got the entire D.A.’s Office kicked off the case of Scott Dekraai, who killed his ex-wife and seven others in 2011. Slate

No motive, yet: A man charged with setting a fire that may have caused as much as $80 million in damage pleaded not guilty. Police haven’t said what may have motivated Dawud Abdulwali to torch the Da Vinci apartment complex nestled alongside the 101 and 110 freeways. Los Angeles Times

HOUSING

Selling Neverland: One of the state’s most famous -- and some would say infamous -- properties is on the market for $100 million. Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara County was home to the late pop star Michael Jackson for more than 15 years. It was also of interest to police after Jackson was accused of child molestation. Los Angeles Times

This interactive map shows the age of every building in the Southland. Built: LA

IMMIGRATION

Church advocate: Almost half of Orange County’s Catholics are Latino, and Bishop Kevin Vann is now one of the country's leading advocates for immigration reform. But mixing politics and religion doesn’t sit well with many of the region's parishioners. “The bishop’s advocacy for mass amnesty and citizenship for illegal immigrants teaches that rewarding lawlessness is legitimate,” said one churchgoer. Orange County Register

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Going offline: Out in Joshua Tree, a former political blogger has left the Internet behind and created a new magazine. The “Desert Oracle” chronicles the strange happenings that seem to appear in the desert. And it’s only available in print. Los Angeles Times 

One night only: There have been some pretty odd Airbnb listings, but this takes the cake: You can stay in the rafters above Conan O’Brien’s studio. The only house rule appears to be that you may not throw D batteries during the shows. Those must be saved for commercial breaks. LAist

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

San Francisco will be cloudy with a high of 63 degrees. Los Angeles will have some sun before clouds roll in in the afternoon. Highs will be near 79. San Diego will start with clouds and then finish with sunshine. Temperatures will be around 71.

AND FINALLY

On this date in 1973, Tom Bradley, the grandson of slaves, became the first African-American mayor of Los Angeles. His 1998 obituary in the Los Angeles Times shows what he was able to accomplish in the 20 years he spent in that office.

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.