Newsletter: Essential California: The drought fight just got very complicated
Good morning. It’s Thursday, May 19, and here’s what’s going on across California:
TOP STORIES
Drought change
The fight against California’s drought is about to change. Rains in Northern California mean that some parts of the state will have water conservation mandates eased significantly. But other areas will see the strict rules remain. Some experts fear this mixed measure could hurt the water-savings campaign. Los Angeles Times
Made in Mexico
Faced with growing questions from consumers about where their food comes from, the nation’s largest produce industry groups say they are joining forces to promote responsible farm labor practices — the latest and possibly most significant attempt by the industry to rid its supply chains of abusive treatment of workers. Los Angeles Times
Driving allowance
In the financially troubled city of Maywood, City Council members have given themselves $250 monthly mileage stipends. The problem? Maywood is one of L.A. County’s smallest towns, measuring just over one square mile. Some wonder why the council needs such a hefty mileage perk. Los Angeles Times
DROUGHT AND CLIMATE
Before and after: How much have rains and snow changed the Sierra Nevadas? These dramatic photos show the transformation. Los Angeles Times
L.A. AT LARGE
The long way: Here’s one way Dodger fans can beat the stadium traffic — walk 22 miles from Sherman Oaks to Chavez Ravine. Los Angeles Times
Freeways’ third act? Many freeways started as “parkways” dotted by trees and other lush plantings. Then the concrete era arrived. Will driverless cars bring yet another change in the look and feel of freeways? Boom
Inglewood rising: A new community — including a fake lake — will rise around the new Los Angeles Rams stadium in Inglewood. Some see it as the beginning of a development boom. Curbed LA
L.A.’s richest: Patrick Soon-Shiong remains Los Angeles’ richest man, according to a Los Angeles Business Journal analysis. The Top 10 list is a mixture of old faces and some newcomers. LA Observed
POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT
Deadline extended: The Obama administration threw the California bullet train project another lifeline, extending the schedule by four years for construction of 118 miles of rail through the Central Valley. Los Angeles Times
Facebook showdown: Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg met with leading conservatives amid reports that workers suppressed articles about some right-leaning content from the tech giant’s “trending” list. Los Angeles Times
Trump’s danger zone: Donald Trump suggested that Oakland is less safe than Iraq. Oakland’s mayor fired back, suggesting a far more dangerous place: Trump’s mouth. SFGate
CRIME AND COURTS
Fantasy island: A state water agency has proposed one of its largest fines ever — $4.6 million — against a Bay Area man for allegedly damaging an island by transforming it into a luxury sporting enclave for Silicon Valley executives. Los Angeles Times
Bear chase: San Bernardino sheriff’s officials dealt with a different kind of police pursuit — this one involving a wayward black bear. Press-Enterprise
Homeless fight: A federal judge said that a group of homeless people can continue to fight Los Angeles County in court over jail release policies that they claim perpetuate the cycle of inmates with untreated mental illness bouncing from incarceration to skid row. Los Angeles Times
CALIFORNIA CULTURE
Amid the riches: A new film puts a spotlight on Palo Alto’s only mobile home park, an island of affordability amid the richest of Silicon Valley. San Jose Mercury News
Zombies coming to Universal: First “Harry Potter.” Now, Universal Studios is about to unveil a new zombie attraction tied to “The Walking Dead.” Los Angeles Times
Not neighborly? Is a popular neighborhood website network becoming a haven for racial profiling? A look at Nextdoor.com and Oakland. New York Times
CALIFORNIA ALMANAC
Southern California can expect more May haze through the weekend: cloudy in the morning giving way to sunny afternoons. L.A. will have a high of 74. Sacramento will be cooler than earlier this week, with a high of 84.
AND FINALLY
Today’s California Memory comes from Helen Dunn:
“In autumn 2014, my husband and I spent six weeks traveling in the U.S. I had visited California many years previously and had always wanted to return. As part of our trip, we visited Yosemite, then stayed overnight in Mammoth Falls, prior to driving to San Francisco. From there we went south along the Coast Highway to Carmel, then Santa Barbara, before returning to Los Angeles. The beauty and inspirational scenery of California still stirs my heart, and we brought back so many wonderful memories. We intend returning to California, hopefully in 2017, to re-visit such a happy time in our lives.”
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.
