Newsletter: Essential California: With so many politicians in Philly, who is California’s governor these days?

Good morning. It is Tuesday, July 26. We like our avocado toast plain, but if you’re looking for something a bit more indulgent, here are seven toasts to try in Los Angeles. Here’s what else is happening in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES

Silicon Valley takeover

Verizon Communications purchased Yahoo’s core assets, including email service, news websites and advertising tools, for $4.83 billion. It’s not quite the $45 billion that Microsoft offered for the company in 2008, but that’s reflective of the company’s troubles since then. Before Marissa Mayer took over in 2012, Yahoo blew through five CEOs in six years. Los Angeles Times

Destructive blaze

Most of the 20,000 residents who were evacuated during the Sand fire were allowed to return home last night. The fire has consumed more than 35,000 acres and was at 10% containment Monday, and the number of firefighters on the line had increased from 1,600 to 3,000. “This is a big animal. Containment of the fire is going to be slow,” said Mike Wakoski, a spokesman for the multi-agency wildfire effort. Los Angeles Times

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L.A. AT LARGE

Of service to others: Mollie Lowery spent her life helping those who couldn’t help themselves. In 1989, she co-founded the LAMP Community, where the most important principle was the idea that every person should be treated with dignity. Lowery spent decades getting homeless men and women into housing and treatment. She died Monday at the age of 70. Los Angeles Times

Safety standards: Los Angeles County is suing the Southern California Gas Co. to get sub-surface safety valves installed on all of the utility’s gas wells in the county. Attorneys believe that such a valve could have stopped the Aliso Canyon leak much sooner than the four months it took crews to repair the problem. “The gas company has demonstrated time and time again that they’re unwilling to uphold their responsibilities,” said L.A. County Supervisor Mike Antonovich. Los Angeles Times

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Role of government: An Orange County Superior Court judge ruled Yorba Linda residents cannot avoid a water rate increase through a referendum. “This finding, coupled with the finding that the essential governmental function of providing safe, clean, potable water might be impaired if the referendum is allowed to proceed, compel the court to deny the petition,” Judge Robert J. Moss wrote in his opinion. The lawsuit was filed by the Yorba Linda Taxpayers Assn. Los Angeles Times

Back to convention: Former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown has attended every Democratic National Convention since 1960. In this short documentary, he talks about how African Americans have influenced politics since that time. New York Times

There you are: Rep. Loretta Sanchez, who is running for the U.S. Senate from California, wasn’t given a speaking role at the Democratic National Convention, but she still managed to find a way to crash the stage — she stood behind her sister, Rep. Linda Sanchez, as she addressed the crowd. Los Angeles Times

Divided house: In the Fowler family, mother and daughter are both Democrats and both delegates to the DNC. But one supports Hillary Clinton and the other is for Bernie Sanders. 89.3 KPCC

Our new leader: With Gov. Jerry Brown and so many other top-ranking state Democrats in Philadelphia for the Democratic National Convention, Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson is the acting governor. When it comes to succession, he’s No. 9. “Don’t worry, you’re in safe hands,” Torlakson said. Los Angeles Times

CRIME AND COURTS

Love triangle: Six people in Orange County were charged in the death of a 38-year-old man who was romantically involved with one of the suspects. Police say Alvaro Rios was lured to an abandoned bike path, where he was stabbed multiple times and left for dead. Los Angeles Times

ISIS recruitment: An Orange County man who lied on his passport application as part of a plan to join Islamic State was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Adam Dandach, 22, was arrested on his way to Syria via Istanbul. “I believe it should be understood that I am just a hollow shell of what I used to be,” he said at sentencing. Los Angeles Times

BUSINESS

A trendy fight: Ten years ago, Kitson was the Robertson Boulevard boutique frequented by starlets and the paparazzi who photographed them. Store founder Fraser Ross announced in December he was closing down the business, and now he’s involved in a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the company’s former chief executive and attorneys. In the meantime, Kitross has replaced Kitson on Robertson. Los Angeles Business Journal

DROUGHT AND CLIMATE

Save the animals: Staff and volunteers had just two hours to evacuate camels, tigers and lions from the Wildlife Waystation after the Sand fire broke out. Some chimps and bears had to be left behind but were OK when staff went back a day later. “It was short of a miracle. We were lucky,” said Executive Director Susan Hartland. Los Angeles Times

Well played: The city of West Hollywood won an Emmy for its “Game of Thrones”-themed PSA on the drought. “I thought if we could leverage the popularity of ‘Game of Thrones’ and use that for our PSA, we could reach a lot of people,” said Public Information Officer Joshua Schare. LAist

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

School ties: In California, there’s a perk for children born between Sept. 2 and Dec. 2 — transitional kindergarten. It’s a way to determine whether a child is ready to move on to the first grade, but because it’s for such a small group of children, it’s considered by many to be a luxury. “The program has also become a kind of featherbed for parents who might have, in the past, considered redshirting their children.” Voice of San Diego

Nerd alert: Nerd culture is making a comeback. As evidence, check out the A-list names who have taken to Dungeons & Dragons. “Nerds rule the world, and D&D is making a big comeback — and I’m excited about it,” said actor Martin Starr. Hollywood Reporter

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

Sacramento will be hot with a high of 107 degrees. San Francisco will have patchy fog and a high of 74. Los Angeles will have some fog before temperatures reach a high of 87. Riverside will be sunny with a high of 102. San Diego will be foggy and 81.

AND FINALLY

Today’s California Memory comes from Gayle Hamrick:

“When I was 10 years old, my family took a trip to Los Angeles. I was excited to see my good friend who had recently moved to an exotic place called ‘Anaheim.’ We drove out from Texas and as we got into California, distant fires were glowing in the night. We had to detour around the fire and I was very afraid. We stayed at Malibu amid the long strips of beautiful empty beach. We ate at a strange place with a giant statue of a Big Boy. We went to a thrilling, new place — Disneyland! California was beautiful indeed.”

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.