Newsletter: California on the verge of legalizing pot

Good morning. It is Thursday, Nov. 3. This is not a news flash: L.A.’s roads are pretty bad. Here’s what else is happening in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES

Legalize it?

It’s looking more likely that California will legalize marijuana next week. A new statewide poll shows 58% of likely voters support Proposition 64 and 37% oppose it. The number who said they don’t know how they will vote dropped from 8% last month to 4% in the USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll. There is an age gap: The initiative enjoys its strongest support among likely voters ages 18 to 29, while only 46% of voters over age 64 back the idea. Los Angeles Times

I want my Dodgers TV

Many Dodgers fans were mad at not being able to watch their beloved team on TV. Now, the U.S. Department of Justice says they were shut out because of DirecTV, which allegedly colluded with rival pay-TV companies in an effort to make sure that Dodgers games were not widely available in L.A. The Justice Department filed a 57-page lawsuit accusing DirecTV, which is now owned by AT&T, of conspiring with Cox Communications, Charter Communications and AT&T to refuse to carry the SportsNet LA channel. Los Angeles Times

Handcrafted strategy

The postcard reads: “Dear Sylvia, I’ve lived on skid row for 17 years,” it says in block letters. “Please join me in voting yes on prop HHH. Measure at end of ballot. Thanks, Dave.” And it is one of 100,000 that have been handwritten in an effort to rally voter support for the Los Angeles city homeless bond proposal on Tuesday’s ballot. Los Angeles Times

L.A. AT LARGE

Keep it down: Los Angeles is cracking down on house parties, which appear to be inspired at least in part by some high-profile celebrity ragers in the Hollywood Hills. L.A.’s would-be law is based on one crafted by Newport Beach. Curbed LA

Nice work if you can get it: One Department of Water and Power worker earned $216,741 in overtime pay, according to Transparent California. His total salary? $394,549. Daily News

Origin story: Día de los Muertos has become a trendy, mainstream Halloween celebration across Southern California. But it had its roots in 1970s Boyle Heights. LA Weekly

Who runs the world: L.A.’s latest $1-billion tech company has a female CEO, Therese Tucker. “It’s exciting,” she said. “You think about it as a bit of a milestone day, not just for me, but the team that’s been working hard for so long.” Los Angeles Times

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Political spending: Disney has spent nearly $1 million on Anaheim City Council races, and that appears to be helping candidates whom the company likes and hurting candidates who have taken on the entertainment giant. Voice of OC

Diverse voters: The supervisor’s race between Vietnamese American Andrew Do and Mexican American Michele Martinez reflects the changing demographics of central Orange County, where candidates must look well beyond white voters to win. Los Angeles Times

County campaign: A lot is at stake in the race to replace longtime L.A. County Supervisor Mike Antonovich. Los Angeles Times

Road rage: Taxis and Uber drivers are battling in San Francisco. BuzzFeed

CRIME AND COURTS

Anchor arrested: Authorities say KTLA news anchor Lu Parker was arrested Wednesday after a passenger accused her of taking headphones during a security screening at Los Angeles International Airport. The station says Parker found the earbuds and but couldn’t locate the owner. “We believe this is a misunderstanding, Lu is cooperating fully with the authorities and we are confident she will be able to clear this all up.” Los Angeles Times

Courtroom confession: A man accused of killing a U.S. Marine’s wife and dumping her body in a 140-foot mine shaft confessed to the slaying on the witness stand just days before the case was given to the jury. Los Angeles Times

Calling for answers: A coalition of clergy gathered outside Inglewood City Hall Wednesday demanding answers from city leaders in the fatal police shooting of a couple found unconscious in their car. Los Angeles Times

DROUGHT AND CLIMATE

Playing politics: In parts of California hardest hit by the drought, water still trumps all other politics and the crisis is being used by both the left and the right. CNBC

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Watch your step: San Francisco might be gentrifying at a rapid clip, but it’s not all lattes and yoga. There has been a boom in citizen complaints about needles and feces on the streets and sidewalks. SFGate

All clear: California Dungeness crab should be ready for Thanksgiving, a year after a toxic algae bloom caused a health scare that kept the delicacy off menus. Sacramento Bee

Hidden gems: You don’t have to go to Beverly Hills, Palm Springs or the Hollywood Hills to see some of the most enduring and innovative modern architecture. In a modest tract in east Long Beach, design buffs go to check out the work of Cliff May. Wall Street Journal

Beep beep: Silicon Valley continues to create new jobs and boost incomes. But there is a big downside: Increasing traffic. Mercury News

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

Sacramento will be 73 and sunny. San Francisco will be 71 and sunny. In Los Angeles, it will be 81 and mostly sunny. Riverside will be sunny with a high of 83. San Diego will be 75 and mostly sunny.

AND FINALLY

Today’s California Memory comes from Andrew Franks:

“The first time I ever saw Sausalito from the approach just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, I thought I was back in Massachusetts on the coast again. It looked just like the place I spent summers in the old days.”

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.