Newsletter: Essential California: Preparing for the Big One

Good morning. It is Thursday, Sept. 17. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti's prolific Instagram account is getting its own gallery showing in downtown. Here's what else is happening in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES

In the political arena

The Republican presidential debate in Simi Valley was marked by jabs, barbs and stark differences over immigration, national security and a possible government shutdown. Moderator Jake Tapper repeatedly asked candidates to respond directly to statements made by candidate Donald Trump, from his remarks on Jeb Bush’s wife to the appearance of Carly Fiorina. Columnist Cathleen Decker believes the debate signaled “a more even-handed brawling from this point forward, as the candidates move into a critical fall period.” Los Angeles Times

Paying for retrofit

Landlords and renters should share the costs of making their apartment buildings safe enough to withstand a major earthquake, Los Angeles city housing officials say. Under their proposal tenants would pay their share through rent increases phased in over five to 10 years. That's in contrast to San Francisco, which allowed landlords to pass on 100% of the retrofitting costs to their tenants. Los Angeles Times

Night at the museum

Hollywood and the art world will meet tonight at a party to celebrate the opening of the Broad museum. An estimated 800 people have been invited to the black-tie event that will open the $140-million art museum. Another 800 will be there Friday evening for a cocktail affair. The museum will open to the public on Sunday. Los Angeles Times

DROUGHT

Fire fatalities: Northern California's Butte fire has claimed two more lives, authorities said. Law enforcement officials have arrested looters in communities that were previously evacuated. Los Angeles Times

Unusual visitors: El Niño appears to be drawing hammerhead sharks to the waters off Southern California. "You've got a whole tropical food chain that's moved into our neighborhood. That warm water is bringing that food up here, and that food is being followed by its predators," said Chris Lowe, a marine biology professor at Cal State Long Beach. Los Angeles Times

Injured animal: A baby cougar is recovering from injuries suffered in the Butte fire. The 4-month-old cub appeared thin, with burns on his face and the pads of his paws. Fish and Wildlife officials are now overseeing his care. Sacramento Bee

Water rates: Residents in San Diego did a good job -- possibly too good of a job -- of conserving water. The City Council has scheduled a vote to raise water rates. Utility officials say the proposed rate increases for 2016 are needed to make up for a drop in revenue and pay for the more expensive water that will soon come from a desalination plant in Carlsbad. San Diego Union-Tribune

L.A. AT LARGE

Marketing campaign: The city of Pasadena hopes to attract Chinese tourists by marketing its "authentic American lifestyle." Part of that marketing campaign will take place on Weibo, known as the Chinese Twitter, and WeChat. "The fastest-growing population in Pasadena is, in fact, Asian Americans, and so we welcome them. We embrace them," Mayor Terry Tornek said. Pasadena Star-News

Political points: This street artist has a good time whenever a politician comes to town, so he's been pretty busy with the Republican presidential field descending on Los Angeles and Simi Valley. LAist

Drone injury: An 11-month-old suffered head injuries after she was hit with debris from a privately owned drone. The FAA is investigating. Los Angeles Times

Not-so-bike-friendly: One man's attempt to cycle the length of the Los Angeles River ends in disaster. "Around where the 710 and 105 meet, I start to get nervous. What happens if I get a flat tire? What happens if some psycho throws a rock at me?" LA Weekly

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Political ATM: GOP presidential candidates are hitting the fundraising circuits in the Golden State this week, allowing them to make the most of their West Coast debate stop. Los Angeles Times

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CRIME AND COURTS

Abuse defense: Attorneys for the L.A. Unified School District cannot blame a 14-year-old student for her sexual assault by a teacher, according to a new appellate court ruling. Nor can attorneys introduce the girl's prior sexual history. "There is no case or statutory authority or persuasive reasoning supporting the notion that students sexually victimized by their teachers can be contributorily responsible for the harm they suffer," Judge Richard H. Kirschner wrote in his decision. Los Angeles Times

Alleged motive: A 28-year-old woman whose body was found in Newport Bay two years ago was killed because she had witnessed a gang-related shooting, prosecutors said. A 27-year-old gang member is now charged in the death of Nancy Hammour. Los Angeles Times

Pot shop assault: A man and a woman were kidnapped and assaulted for several days inside a Bakersfield medical marijuana shop, authorities said. Four people have been arrested. Los Angeles Times

EDUCATION

Reimagining campuses: The widow of Steve Jobs, Laurene Powell Jobs, will donate $50 million to reshape American public high schools. XQ: The Super School Project aims to "create high schools that foster dynamic learning, critical thinking, intellectual flexibility, collaboration and other skills needed for the modern world." Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Train ownership: The family behind the Napa Valley Wine Train has sold its interest in the privately held company. The train was started in 1989 by Rice-a-Roni mogul Vincent DeDomenico. The train made news earlier this summer after a group of African American women were kicked off for being loud. SFGate

Bus bankruptcy: Remember San Francisco's private transit service called Leap? Its buses were equipped with Wi-Fi, offered coffee and pressed juices, and were decked out with leather and reclaimed wood. And now, the business has filed for bankruptcy. San Francisco Examiner

Food trends: Is poke the new sushi in Los Angeles? Build-your-own poke spots are popping up all over the city. (It is especially delicious with pickled seaweed.) Bloomberg

Special birthday: A nun will celebrate her 95th birthday at Knott's Berry Farm this week. The outing has special meaning as Florence Hund spent her youth working for Walter Knott. Orange County Register

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

It should be a lovely day in San Francisco, sunny and 70 degrees. Los Angeles will be warm at 82 degrees. Riverside will reach 83 degrees. San Diego will be mostly sunny and have a high of 80 degrees.

AND FINALLY

Today's California Memory comes from Harriet Ottaviano:

"I lived in Orange County for 36 years. Our home was about 10 miles from Disneyland, and every summer evening we could hear the fireworks starting at 9:30 p.m. It was a comforting rumble, signaling that another day at the Happiest Place on Earth was coming to a close. We have since moved about a thousand miles away. Some evenings around 9:30 I'll hear a passing truck, distant thunder, or even the neighbors bringing in their trash cans and think, 'Oh, it's the Disneyland fireworks!' But it's not. I still miss that comforting rumble."

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.)

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