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California Policy and Politics Friday
Canvas cyberattack disrupts universities and schools worldwide, including UC and CSU -- A massive cyberattack has shut down the Canvas learning management system used by millions of students and educators at colleges, universities and K-12 schools worldwide, causing widespread disruption Thursday including at University of California, California State University campuses and the state’s 116 community colleges. Nanette Asimov in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Jaweed Kaleem in the Los Angeles Times$ Max Fillion
Are the debates swaying undecided voters in the unsettled California governor’s race? -- With a good chunk of the California electorate still undecided on who they want to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, this week’s debates presented the seven leading candidates with a chance to make their case as ballots arrived in mailboxes. But like other recent debates, political experts are dubious as to whether anyone was swayed. Grace Hase in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/8/26
Water
Newsom pledges to move forward with Delta water tunnel in California -- The project faces intense opposition from Delta residents and environmental groups who warn it would devastate ecosystems, while supporters argue it would bolster the state’s water system against severe droughts and worsening weather extremes. Taryn Luna and Ian James in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/8/26
Workplace
California tech company Cloudflare to lay off more than 1,000 workers, cites AI -- It is the latest tech company this week to announce massive layoffs as tech workers embrace the use of AI agents to perform tasks such as generating code more quickly. Queenie Wong in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/8/26
Pressure grows on California attorney general to try to block Paramount’s deal for Warner Bros. -- California Democrats in Congress are raising concerns about Paramount Skydance’s proposed takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery — a $111-billion deal that would dramatically reshape Hollywood by consolidating two historic film studios. Meg James in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/8/26
Tijuana River
Physicians, politicians, activists call for emergency declaration on the Tijuana River -- The heinously polluted Tijuana River, which has sickened residents and even researchers with its hydrogen sulfide fumes, is gaining attention, and now a coalition of politicians, activists, physicians and economists are pushing California Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare the fetid and toxic river valley a public health emergency. Susanne Rust in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/8/26
Breathe
Bay Area air regulators could push back controversial gas water heater ban -- Bay Area Air District staff urged regulators to push back a planned natural gas-powered water heater sales ban by nine months to allow more time for public outreach on the landmark rule, which will require many property owners to replace broken water heaters with cleaner but more expensive electric versions. Brooke Park in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/8/26
Housing
'Buckshot’ or moonshot? Dem candidates to replace Newsom offer grand plans for more housing -- When it comes to fixing California’s housing problems, Democratic gubernatorial candidates can’t resist a big, round number. And that could be a problem. Liam Dillon Politico -- 5/8/26
Education
What’s holding back California students? A new report urges stronger state oversight -- The state’s shift to a funding system that gave school districts control has left big gaps in student performance and questions over who’s accountable for what, according to a new report. Carolyn Jones Calmatters -- 5/8/26
Sacramento City Unified may lay off 800 employees amid impending insolvency -- In September, former Chief Business Officer Janea Marking described Sacramento City Unified School District’s financial crisis as an impending tsunami. The wave is now crashing down. Jennah Pendleton in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/8/26
Street
‘Ghost stops’ with no body cam footage land LAPD gang unit members under investigation -- At least eight members of an LAPD anti-gang unit are under internal investigation for failing to activate their body-worn cameras and pulling people over without documenting the traffic stops, according to four sources with knowledge of the case. Libor Jany in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/8/26
Jury sides with LAPD in lawsuit over shooting that killed girl at Burlington coat store -- A Los Angeles police officer was not liable for the 2021 death of 14-year-old Valentina Orellana-Peralta when a bullet he fired while rushing to confront a suspect went through the wall of a North Hollywood store changing room where she was hiding, a jury decided Thursday. Libor Jany in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/8/26
Guns
Mail-a-handgun: Trump administration pushes to allow firearms to be delivered by USPS -- California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta is calling the proposed mail-a-handgun policy a “dangerous loophole” that threatens to undermine state gun control laws and enable weapons trafficking. Clara Harter in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/8/26
Also
After years of disaster-level landslides, Rancho Palos Verdes will finally get some federal aid. Is it enough? -- Congress has allocated $2.3 million for Rancho Palos Verdes’ ongoing landslide emergency. But that amount won’t come close to addressing the area’s needs. Grace Toohey in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/8/26
‘That’s not Chonkers’: Where did S.F.’s viral sea lion go — and who is this impostor? -- Missing: one 2,000-pound sea lion. Last seen at Pier 39. A jumbo-size San Francisco pinniped who rose to stardom with the nickname Chonkers hasn’t been spotted in days, officials said, disappointing tourists, locals and Chronicle staff photographers who have been on the lookout for him. Last week he even stood up the mayor. Caleb Pershan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/8/26
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Trade Court Rules Against Trump’s New Global Tariffs -- A federal trade court invalidated President Trump’s new 10% global tariffs, ruling he lacked authority under Section 122 of the Trade Act. Lydia Wheeler, Gavin Bade and Louise Radnofsky in the Wall Street Journal$ Tony Romm and Ana Swanson in the New York Times$ -- 5/8/26
Shell Reports Nearly $7 Billion Profit Amid ‘Unprecedented Disruption’ -- The British energy giant Shell reported robust profits following the surge in oil prices prompted by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Gregory Schmidt and Rebecca F. Elliott in the New York Times$ -- 5/8/26
As U.S. Debt Hits a Worrying Milestone, Washington Barely Notices -- The U.S. government learned last week that it may have reached an unfortunate milestone: The size of its debt surpassed the nation’s total economic output. Tony Romm in the New York Times$ -- 5/8/26
California Policy and Politics Thursday
Bass, Raman and Pratt square off on Palisades fire, police hiring in bruising mayoral debate -- In one of the evening’s most striking moments, Raman accused Bass and Pratt of working together to attack her. She said Pratt and Bass want to finish first and second in the June 2 primary, and then face each other in the Nov. 3 runoff election. David Zahniser and Noah Goldberg in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/7/26
Arellano: Two winners, one loser in L.A. mayor’s debate -- What’s shocking about Nithya Raman’s flop is that she should know how important it is to project well to a television audience, given that her husband is a screenwriter. Gustavo Arellano in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/7/26
Leading candidates for California governor face off in another high-stakes debate -- Several leading candidates for governor took to the debate stage again Wednesday night for part two of a two-night, back-to-back matchup this week as they sought to establish themselves as the person voters should elect as California’s next chief executive. Linh Tat in the LA Daily News Nicole Nixon and Seema Mehta in the Los Angeles Times$ Grace Hase in the San Jose Mercury$ Soumya Karlamangla and Laurel Rosenhall in the New York Times$ -- 5/7/26
For the lone woman left in the California governor’s race, it’s all about ‘temperament’ -- Onetime progressive darling Katie Porter’s campaign for governor stalled over viral videos that critics say showed temperament issues. Seven months later, they’re still her biggest liability. Jeanne Kuang Calmatters -- 5/7/26
Democratic candidates revive single-payer promise as California’s healthcare system faces strain -- Gov. Gavin Newsom promised to implement single-payer healthcare in 2018. That never happened. Grant Stringer, Grace Hase in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/7/26
'Buckshot’ or moonshot? Dem candidates to replace Newsom offer grand plans for more housing -- California's leading Democratic candidates for governor say they know how to fix the state's housing problems. Like Gov. Gavin Newsom, they run the risk of overpromising. Liam Dillon Politico -- 5/7/26
Becerra’s rise baffles his former Biden colleagues -- Democrats wanted a frontrunner in California’s gubernatorial race. What they did not envision was Xavier Becerra, whose abrupt rise from afterthought to favorite has left former Biden administration officials — his one-time colleagues — reacting with a mix of incredulity, mockery and resignation. Eli Stokols Politico -- 5/7/26
Candidate interview: Newly minted frontrunner Xavier Becerra defends his record -- The exit of former East Bay Rep. Eric Swalwell from the governor’s race amid allegations of sexual assault, has benefited no candidate more than former Health and Humans Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, who has won the support of many of Swalwell’s former backers. Sophia Bollag in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/7/26
California under pressure — again — as partisan redistricting wars escalate -- When the U.S. Supreme Court sharply curtailed a key provision of the Voting Rights Act last week, Democrats in Washington had a message: The rules of redistricting have changed, and California — the nation’s biggest blue bastion — may have a further role to play. Ana Ceballos in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/7/26
California county discovers trove of unopened ballots from last election in a locked box -- The Humboldt County Office of Elections made an unnerving discovery Monday: a stack of 596 sealed ballots from the most recent election left at the bottom of a locked voting drop box. The uncounted ballots would not have affected the outcome of the November statewide special election for Proposition 50, the county office said in a news release Wednesday. Clara Harter in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/7/26
As 2028 looms, Jennifer Siebel Newsom faces increased conservative attacks -- Conservatives are unloading a barrage of attacks on Jennifer Siebel Newsom, California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s wife — signaling an early start to a contentious and deeply personal race for president in the post-Trump era. Finya Swai Politico -- 5/7/26
Immigration crackdown souring Orange County’s view of Trump, poll finds -- A new poll released by UC Irvine’s School of Social Ecology shows support for Trump among Orange County voters is down to 35%, with 65% of participants saying they do not approve of the president’s performance. Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/7/26
Latinos in California are mad at Trump. Their votes for Democrats’ gerrymandering show it -- Proposition 50, which Democrats framed as a referendum on the Trump administration, attracted far more support from California Latinos than Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign did just the previous year, a CalMatters data analysis has found. Maya C. Miller, Jeremia Kimelman and Mohamed Al Elew Calmatters -- 5/7/26
Insurance
Two California home insurers to raise rates, expand coverage by late 2026 -- Two California home insurance providers, Travelers Insurance and the Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club, are seeking to hike rates 7% and 11%, respectively, under a new catastrophic modeling plan adopted by the state in 2025. Amancai Biraben in the Orange County Register$ -- 5/7/26
Trump administration supports L.A. wildfire victims suing State Farm -- The Justice Department filed a brief supporting 60 fire victims suing State Farm and other insurers for allegedly colluding to push customers onto California’s costlier FAIR Plan. Laurence Darmiento in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/7/26
Homeless
Did Newsom’s $3.8 billion hotels-to-housing program pay off? We filed 100 records requests to find out -- The records provide a first-of-its-kind look into how a historical investment in homeless housing played out. Lauren Hepler and Marisa Kendall Calmatters -- 5/7/26
Marketplace
S.F. tourism expected to grow in 2026 as AI boom boosts conferences -- A key factor for the city’s improved tourism outlook is an increase in convention bookings, fueled in part by the artificial intelligence boom. There are 38 Moscone Center events booked in 2026, generating 674,000 hotel room nights, up 6% from last year. Half are tech conferences. Roland Li in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/7/26
Merger costs add up as Warner Bros. Discovery posts $2.9-billion quarterly loss -- Warner Bros. Discovery’s impending sale has rattled Hollywood — and the company’s balance sheet as the auction’s high costs increasingly come into focus. Meg James in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/7/26
Disney’s theme parks revenue holds steady, despite national economic concerns -- Walt Disney Co.’s theme parks and cruise line business is holding steady despite national concerns about discretionary consumer spending and higher gas prices. Samantha Masunaga in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/7/26
Education
UCLA medical school illegally uses race in admissions, Justice Department investigation says -- UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine intentionally used race for the last three years to discriminate against applicants during admissions — in particular white and Asian American candidates — according to U.S. Department of Justice allegations released Wednesday. Jaweed Kaleem in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/7/26
Landmark research dissects California’s public education system -- Stanford University on Thursday released a sweeping research project that takes a 360-degree, immersive look at all aspects and operations of public education in California, from preschool through high school, from special education to teacher certification, enrollment decline to high school redesign. John Fensterwald EdSource -- 5/7/26
A billionaire is quietly funding hundreds of S.F. college dreams. His reason is deeply personal -- It was just a typical scholarship so one student could attend a school his family otherwise couldn’t afford, nothing noteworthy at the time. Jill Tucker in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/7/26
Single-use plastic
Sweeping California law on single-use plastic meets with outrage from all sides as it goes live -- Environmentalists announced plans to sue California within days of the landmark single-use plastic law taking effect, claiming state regulators inserted loopholes favoring the plastic industry. Susanne Rust in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/7/26
Wildfire
Trees that survived L.A.’s wildfires are dying at alarming rate. Can they be saved? -- Roughly 20% of surviving street trees have disappeared from Pacific Palisades and Altadena since the January 2025 wildfires. Local advocates say needless removals and inadequate watering are threatening decades of neighborhood cooling and environmental health benefits. Noah Haggerty, Carlin Stiehl in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/7/26
Transit
Why it took 65 years for L.A. to build its most important rail line -- It’s a tale of the immense challenge of uniting this vast, sprawling metropolis of nearly 10 million people around an overarching vision of what public transit should look like and where it should go. Jenny Jarvie in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/7/26
Also
Walters: Housing-averse Coastal Commission gets wings clipped in two key lawsuit losses -- California has had a Coastal Commission for more than a half-century, beginning with a 1972 ballot measure whose advocates played on Californians’ fears about losing access to popular beaches and who cited the sprawling Sea Ranch development along the Sonoma County coast as an example. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 5/7/26
If you’re an iPhone user, you could get $95 from this Apple settlement -- Some iPhone users could be eligible to collect up to $95 per device as part of a settlement over allegations that Apple misled consumers about the abilities of its artificial intelligence-powered features. Queenie Wong in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/7/26
Willie Mays Highway, from Bay Bridge to Oracle Park, named in honor of Giants legend -- On the late Hall of Famer’s birthday, the San Francisco Giants and the Say Hey Foundation, along with several state senators, announced that a roughly 2-mile stretch of Interstate 80 from Treasure Island to Oracle Park is now named in honor of Mays, with signage already installed. Susan Slusser in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Justice delos Santos in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/7/26
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The biggest obstacle to an Iran deal may be Trump’s ego -- President Donald Trump’s constant belittling of Iranian leaders is alarming some Arab and U.S. officials familiar with the Middle East who worry that such insults could prove a major obstacle to truly ending a war that has strained the world economy. Nahal Toosi and Eli Stokols Politico -- 5/7/26
Jet-Fuel Prices Are Spiking and Trump’s Advisers Are Worried -- The war in Iran has increased oil, gasoline and jet-fuel prices, leading to higher airfares and political concerns for the Trump administration. U.S. airlines spent over $5 billion on fuel in March, a 30% increase from a year earlier, leading carriers to raise ticket prices and cull flights. Brian Schwartz and Alison Sider in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 5/7/26
Trump’s Indiana Victory Shows His Enduring Grip on Core Republican Supporters -- Low approval ratings? MAGA divisions? The president was able to turn out party loyalists in an Indiana primary to help him oust Republican state lawmakers who had crossed him. Nick Corasaniti and Shane Goldmacher in the New York Times$ -- 5/7/26
ICE raids reduce jobs for both U.S.-born and undocumented workers, study finds -- Immigration enforcement is weighing on the labor market, the National Bureau of Economic Research says, especially for men with a high school degree or less. Lauren Kaori Gurley in the Washington Post$ -- 5/7/26
U.S. and China Pursue Guardrails to Stop AI Rivalry From Spiraling Into Crisis -- Washington and Beijing recognize that powerful AI models could trigger crises neither side is prepared to manage. Lingling Wei in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 5/7/26