Newsletter: Essential California: What did the San Bernardino shooters post online?

Good morning. It is Thursday, Dec. 17. Home sweet home: Gov. Jerry Brown has moved into the governor’s mansion. Keep an eye out for the corgis. Here's what else is happening in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES

Working together

The decision to close Los Angeles’ public schools after a school board member received a vaguely worded threat showed that city leaders might need better coordination the next time there is an emergency. Unlike other big cities, the school district operates independently of City Hall and that may have led to a delay in reaching out to the mayor and even the district’s superintendent. “I think it is better to be brought in as collaboratively and as quickly as possible,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. Los Angeles Times

Social media posts

One of the attackers in the San Bernardino mass shooting expressed support for jihad in private messages but neither Syed Rizwan Farook nor his wife Tashfeen Malik openly wrote about those feelings on social media, according to the FBI. “The investigation continues, but we have not found that kind of thing. These communications are private, direct messages, not social media messages,” said FBI Director James B. Comey. Los Angeles Times

Jailhouse abuses

At the High Desert State Prison in Northern California, inmates are subjected to “overt racism” while misconduct on the part of staff is tolerated thanks to a culture of self-protection, according to a new report. The Office of Inspector General found inmates with sensitive needs were often placed in violent settings, while gang members inflicted abuse to settle drug and gaming debts. A new acting warden was appointed Dec. 1. Los Angeles Times

DROUGHT AND CLIMATE

Crop shortage: Warm temperatures and dry conditions have wiped out the crops of many small farmers. That means fewer fruits and vegetables at farmers markets and in high-end restaurants. “It’s frustrating for us, but it’s devastating for the farmers,” said a buyer for restaurants like Providence in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Times

Brrr, it’s cold in here: The Southern California region was four to eight degrees cooler than usual on Wednesday. But it won’t last. A low-pressure system is moving in and this weekend is expected to have warmer temperatures and some light rain. Los Angeles Times

L.A. AT LARGE

School closures: The L.A. Unified School District is looking to close two elementary schools near the gas leak outside Porter Ranch. Since the gas leak started Oct. 23, residents have complained of headaches, nausea and nosebleeds. “Many parents said they endorsed the relocation plan, even though it may mean disrupting their children’s education and potentially separating them from classmates and teachers.” Los Angeles Times

Losing affordable housing: Two tenants are suing their former landlord and Airbnb for what they see as a violation of the city’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance. The tenants were evicted from their rent-controlled units under the Ellis Act, which allows landlords to get out of the rental business. However, weeks later, the units were listed on Airbnb for nightly rates that could generate $15,000 a month. Los Angeles Times

Fellowship controversy: The American Assn. for the Advancement of Science is reconsidering its decision to award UCLA chemistry professor Patrick Harran a fellowship. Chemists and workplace safety experts were surprised to see Harran selected given that he was charged with four felonies stemming from a December 2008 lab fire that killed a 23-year-old research assistant. Harran was accused of willfully violating state labor codes by failing to provide proper safety training and failing to require protective gear for lab workers. Los Angeles Times

Pointless theft: The Chandelier Tree in Silver Lake is a beloved neighborhood attraction. The tree even has its own parking meter, which accepts donations to help cover the electricity bill for the 30 swinging chandeliers. Sometime between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, however, someone vandalized the meter. “What was stolen is an entirely useless mechanical piece that is intrinsically linked to our specific account and totally worthless to anyone else,” creator Adam Tenenbaum wrote on Facebook. Curbed LA

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

POTUS to San Bernardino: President Obama will meet with the families of victims killed in the Dec. 2 shooting in San Bernardino on Friday. It’s a stop on his previously scheduled vacation to Hawaii. Los Angeles Times

District lines: A meeting of the Anaheim City Council was shut down Tuesday after protesters’ starting chanting “people's map” and “justice delayed is justice denied.” The fight was over what voting districts should look like on next year’s ballot. Supporters want the lines to be redrawn so that Latino residents are better represented on the council. Orange County Register

Boy, oh, boy: California’s former state attorney general and state treasurer is a father for the second and third time at the age of 74. Bill Lockyer and his wife Nadia welcomed twin boys earlier this month. It’s quite a change from just a few years ago when the couple appeared headed for divorce after Nadia Lockyer’s drug and sex scandal. SF Gate

Political reporting: A longtime political reporter who covered Ronald Reagan’s last term as governor and Jerry Brown’s first has died at age 77. In a statement, Brown described Doug Willis as “dogged, honest and a real pleasure to work with. We could use a few more like him.” Associated Press

CRIME AND COURTS

Couple next door: What was it like living nine doors down from terrorists Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik? Fairly unremarkable, writes one neighbor. “Growing up in San Bernardino, you live in a radius of violence, so you come to expect horror being within walking distance.” Zocalo Public Square

Flight attack: A 54-year-old man was indicted after allegedly choking and punching a woman when she reclined her seat on a Southwest flight bound for San Francisco, prosecutors said. The alleged attack occurred about 10 minutes into the Oct. 18 flight. Los Angeles Times

HOUSING

Famous address: For the first time in more than 50 years, a home on the iconic Lombard Street is up for sale. The pink duplex with a gold leafed spiral staircase is listed for $3.995 million. SF Gate

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Never forget: There are 11 people left in the entertainment world who survived the Holocaust. Here, they talk about their experiences to mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of those concentration camps. Hollywood Reporter

New neighborhoods: The only constant in Los Angeles is change. “One after another, communal ecosystems were pushed off-balance and then destroyed. Of course those ecosystems had grown in the ruins of past disruptions, taking root as best they could in the disturbed soil kicked up by money as it raced ever forward, disguised, always, as progress.” Los Angeles Magazine

Mouthful of soap: At Birds of a Feather Rescue in Santa Rosa, there is a Congo African grey parrot with a filthy mouth. Staff was surprised to hear Kayla shout profanity from her perch. One rescuer believes with some proper training, Kayla might be able to clean up her act. SFist

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

San Diego will be mostly sunny and 65. In Los Angeles, it will be sunny with a high of 68. Riverside will have sunshine and 67 degrees. San Francisco will have a mix of clouds and sun as temperatures reach 56.

AND FINALLY 

Today's California Memory comes from Mike Salmen:

“In early 1981, my best friend Dennis and I arrived in San Diego. We were wading at Torrey Pines State Beach when I saw fins cutting through the water. Not knowing the difference between a shark and a dolphin, I told my friend to quickly back out of the water. In seconds a few more fins, then suddenly the dolphins were leaping out of the water, even jumping over surfers paddling out. We knew then we are arrived in a magic land and should never leave.”

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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