Newsletter: Essential California: What D.C.’s shake-up means for California

Good morning. It is Saturday, Sept. 26. Here's what you don't want to miss this weekend:

TOP STORIES

New leadership: California Rep. Kevin McCarthy could soon have even more power in Washington, D.C. The Bakersfield Republican is widely expected to become the next speaker of the House now that John A. Boehner is leaving. That could create trouble for Gov. Jerry Brown's administration, which finds itself at odds with McCarthy's policy positions. "He has not been shy about using his power in Washington to try to roll back some of the state's landmark liberal policies." Los Angeles Times

Apples to oranges: Los Angeles public school officials have a new weapon in the fight over charter schools -- the success of magnets. Students at those schools often score better on standardized tests than their charter school counterparts. "One plausible interpretation -- but certainly not the only one -- is that schools where the parents are motivated to enroll students do better," said Li Cai, co-director of the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards and Student Testing at UCLA. Los Angeles Times

Regulating rentals: Can Los Angeles regulate Airbnb and other short-term rentals? That's the question for a big city that often passes new laws faster than it can enforce the existing ones. "The lack of action has convinced some critics that the online platforms need to lend a helping hand." Los Angeles Times

City of the future: Los Angeles' LED streetlamps could be the lights of the future. The lights have wireless capabilities that one day could, for example, allow them to brighten as pedestrians leave a baseball game or blink as a squad car approaches. Wired

Water cleanup: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has taken over cleanup of the North Orange County Groundwater Basin, the largest groundwater basin to supply drinking water to the region. The area is contaminated by manufacturing chemicals from plants in Anaheim and Fullerton. It could be designated a Superfund site, which would provide additional federal funds for cleanup. Orange County Register

Unnatural habitats: The California Coastal Commission appears to be in support of SeaWorld's plan to enlarge its tanks for killer whales. The move is strongly opposed by animal rights groups, which want the commission to prevent the park from breeding or adding future orcas. San Diego Union-Tribune

Bunking with strangers: Forget about getting your own room. In San Francisco, the new trend is to rent a bunk bed in a group home. "In the financial district, you will find a bunk-bed share with several available options, each one more dystopian than the last." City Lab

New design: The new facade of the Petersen Automotive Museum continues to draw jeers. Some have compared the look to an unspooled can of Diet Coke or a pile of string cheese. "Anyone who has been by the intersection of Fairfax and Wilshire in recent months will tell you that it's the sort of thing you just can't unsee." Los Angeles Times

End of an era: The 2016 Rose Parade will be the last one for Bob Eubanks and Stephanie Edwards. Together, they have broadcast nearly every Rose Parade since 1982. "This is a decision we have made -- nobody else made that decision for us," Eubanks said. Los Angeles Times

THIS WEEK'S MOST POPULAR STORIES IN ESSENTIAL CALIFORNIA

1. What would California look like today if the North American Water and Power Alliance had been built? BuzzFeed

2. The reclusive heiress behind In-N-Out Burger talks about the company's success as it expands into Oregon. CBS News

3. The new home of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg includes 24-hour security and a high fence. San Francisco Chronicle

4. USC's student body president took to Facebook after someone in a fraternity house shouted a racial epithet and threw a drink at her. Los Angeles Times

5. It’s a one-minute escape to Yellowstone National Park. Los Angeles Times

ICYMI, HERE ARE THIS WEEK'S GREAT READS

Man and his horse: At a rodeo in Prescott, Ariz., one rider gave a horse his chance at redemption. "Good teammates share some indefinable connection, when magic occurs and the partnership is greater than the sum of its parts." Los Angeles Times

LOOKING AHEAD

Monday: U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx will speak at the "Beyond Traffic" forum in Long Beach; former New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly will speak at the Richard Nixon Museum and Library in Yorba Linda.

Tuesday: The Los Angeles Philharmonic will open its season at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Wednesday: Rand Corp. will host a policy forum on the state's drought.

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.