Newsletter: Essential California: Water hogs could lose water privileges

Good morning. It is Friday, Oct. 16. “Let’s go to Santa Monica on Saturday” is among the 19 things not to say to an Angeleno. Here's what else is happening in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES 

Heavy rains forecast

On Thursday, a new federal forecast said El Niño is continuing to strengthen, with experts saying it’s on track to produce potentially record rainfall. The new forecast is particularly significant because it shows the increased rain reaching far into Northern California, to the mountain ranges and system of reservoirs that provide the state with huge amounts of its water. Earlier forecasts showed El Niño providing rain mainly to Southern California. But there are still a lot of barriers to intense rain storms making a dent in the drought. Los Angeles Times

School investigation

The L.A. Unified School District’s investigation into Rafe Esquith, arguably its most famous teacher, stemmed from a complaint that he had made a joke about nudity to students. A newly formed investigative team was brought in, looking at allegations Esquith had inappropriately touched minors, had images and videos of a “sexual nature” on his work computer, threatened a parent and exchanged inappropriate emails with students. In response, an attorney for Esquith called the unit “an investigative hit squad” and filed a class-action lawsuit alleging district officials target older teachers, so they could strip them of their retirement benefits. Los Angeles Times

Loss at home

The Dodgers postseason came to an end Thursday night when the team lost to the New York Mets, 3-2. The win advances the Mets to the National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs. The Dodgers "beat themselves by failing to score after the first inning. They beat themselves by having a lapse in concentration that resulted in the second of three runs the Mets scored against Zack Greinke." Los Angeles Times

DROUGHT

Severe penalties: Outraged at excessive water use in Bel-Air, Los Angeles city officials are demanding the DWP take action against water hogs. They want to see customers pay fines or possibly even lose their water altogether if they fail to conserve. Los Angeles Times

Private equity water: What happens when the Carlyle Group owns your water system? A 68% rate hike over 13 years with promises of additional increases. In Apple Valley, customers are fed up. Los Angeles Times

Do your part: If these are the United States of America, why isn’t everyone sharing the burden of the drought? “I’m suggesting we harvest all that water other places don’t need. Maybe that’s just a drop in the bucket, but hey, sometimes that’s better than a dry bucket,” writes W Kamau Bell. The Guardian

L.A. AT LARGE

Soap opera diplomacy: The Taiwanese government is promoting culture there by dubbing a popular soap opera in Spanish. “If we can shorten the distance between Taiwan and other nations through culture, that's helpful,” said Steve Hsia, director-general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Times

Graffiti as art: For his exhibition at the Long Beach Museum of Art, the artist Saber decided to use traditional graffiti tags to honor the victims of police shootings. “We inspire them to go out and do these things. And society may determine that some of these kids are disposable since they were committing a crime,” he said. Los Angeles Times

Unpaving paradise: Are parking lots an endangered species in Los Angeles? Satellite images show big empty lots are giving way to development near transit stations. “Sure, some of these structures might still have garage parking, but when it comes to the greater goal of discouraging car use, making attractive places to live and shop right near rail stations is a move in the right direction.” City Lab

Cultural centers: Members of the Japanese American community are up in arms over the potential sale of four retirement and nursing homes. There are concerns that whoever takes over from Keiro Senior HealthCare won’t have the same sensitivity to the elderly Japanese population. “We’re seeing this has caused widespread depression among the residents and outrage in the community,” said Jon Kaji, spokesman for the Ad Hoc Committee to Save Keiro. 89.3 KPCC

Casey Wasserman: The man behind L.A.’s Olympic bid makes the case for hosting the games in 2024. Bill Simmons Podcast

Hit and run: A 35-year-old cyclist was killed after being struck by an SUV near USC, according to the LAPD. The driver of the vehicle fled before police arrived on scene. CBS Los Angeles

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Leader of the pack: Who will succeed Gov. Jerry Brown? A new Field Poll finds former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti have the most support from voters. So far, Newsom is the only one who has officially declared his candidacy, while Villaraigosa has been on a “listening tour” in the Central Valley. Los Angeles Times

Helping the mentally ill: Orange County supervisors want to cut the number of psychiatric patients who visit the emergency room. Officials blame the overcrowding on a shortage of beds for patients with mental illness. “Finding ways to help those with mental illness is an obligation we have as a society,” said Supervisor Andrew Do. Orange County Register

Revolving door: In Sacramento, one minute you’re an advocate. The next -- you’re the decider. Even though state government has rules on moving between politics and lobbying, an analysis shows top aides to members of the state Senate and Assembly have had stints working for firms that now have business before the Legislature. KQED

CRIME AND COURTS

Drug arrests: Federal drug officials arrested a dozen people in and around Los Angeles this week as part of a nationwide sweep targeting synthetic drugs known as “spice.” “These are extremely dangerous drugs, despite being falsely marketed to youth as being a ‘safe’ alternative,” said U.S. Attorney Eileen Decker. Los Angeles Times

Use of force: News footage shows a San Bernardino sheriff’s deputy repeatedly punching a man at the end of a pursuit in Pasadena. The man is on the ground with his hands behind his back as one deputy punches him four times in the torso. The deputy then straddles the man’s back and throws about a dozen punches near his head. In a statement, the Sheriff’s Department said the suspect struggled with deputies. “There is no justification for those blows,” a professor of criminology said. Los Angeles Times

Officer-involved shooting: A San Francisco police sergeant shot and killed a man at 8th and Market streets after a struggle over another sergeant’s gun, police and witnesses said. The man had allegedly been throwing bottles in the street. As officers were interviewing the suspect, he got on top of one of the officers, who told his partner, “He’s got my gun! Shoot him,” according to the police chief. SFGate

Close call: Just hours after the L.A. City Council approved stiffer penalties for flying drones, a Southwest Airlines pilot attempting to land at LAX spotted one to his left, about 1,500 feet up in the air. Air traffic controllers immediately notified the Sheriff’s Department. Los Angeles Times

GOLDEN STATE PERSPECTIVES

Report card: The Times’ editorial board is back to grading politicians. Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins is the first of the Sacramento lawmakers to get a grade. How did she do? Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

End of the world: Where will you be when the apocalypse comes? If you’re rich enough, a San Diego businessman hopes you’re in one of his bunkers. A hidden, luxury site in Indiana will run you $35,000. A spot in an even more upscale version in Europe costs $3 million to $5 million. Vice

Happy birthday: Virginia Davis will celebrate her birthday today in Santa Monica. She is 108 years old. Los Angeles Times

Famous faces: Both Los Angeles and New York have costumed characters who pose for pictures. Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel set out to find which set knew more about Super Mario, Hello Kitty and the Minions. Hollywood Reporter

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

San Francisco will be partly sunny and 69 degrees. In San Diego, it will be partly sunny, humid and 78. Riverside could have some thunderstorms. Highs are expected to reach 84 degrees. Los Angeles will be humid and sunny at 83.

AND FINALLY

Today's California Memory comes from Draco Chu:

“I remember the first time I landed at Los Angeles International Airport on a cloudy summer day nearly a decade ago. From Shanghai originally, I was eager for my freshman orientation at UCLA in Los Angeles, a city I had always dreamed about but never visited. As the plane was landing, I recall looking around and thinking, ‘Why are there so many buildings? Where is the beach? Where is the famous L.A. sunshine? All the movies seem to portray a different picture.’ Thus began my love-hate relationship with the City of Angels, the city I now (proudly) call home.”

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 Alice Walton or Shelby Grad.