California Policy and Politics Sunday

Forest Service kidnapping dredges up legacy of violence toward federal land employees -- To those familiar with the often isolated work of federal land management employees, the scene was nightmarish – two U.S. Forest Service biologists went out to survey frogs only to find themselves bound and held captive in a small backwoods trailer by a bearded man who, according to charging documents, emerged from the trees with an assault rifle. Andrew Graham in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 8/9/26

As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits -- In a matter of a few clicks and keystrokes, anyone can find themselves deep in conversation with “Psychologist,” a chatbot character that describes itself as an expert in “empathy” and “active listening.” Ana B. Ibarra Calmatters in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/9/26

Bass’ Inside Safe teams went to these places again and again. But so did the homeless -- Over a three-year period, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass’ homelessness team went to nearly two dozen locations five or more times. Bass defended her program, saying the vast majority of Inside Safe locations have been clear of tents in recent weeks. Some neighbors voiced frustration that their streets keep repopulating with homeless encampments. David Zahniser, Genaro Molina in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/9/26

Insurance commissioner candidates split key endorsements -- State Sen. Ben Allen and former San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim have split major party and labor endorsements, setting up a razor-thin contest for California’s next insurance commissioner. Laurence Darmiento in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/9/26

Spencer Pratt spent big on luxury hotels and security, campaign reports show -- During the Los Angeles mayoral primary, Spencer Pratt put out a video saying he was living in a trailer on the burned-out lot where his Pacific Palisades home once stood — a claim that was soon debunked by TMZ, which reported that he was actually staying at the Hotel Bel-Air. Noah Goldberg in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/9/26

Stanford ditches Flock cameras, hires new license plate reader firm -- Stanford University has ditched its Flock camera system and hired a new license plate reader firm following controversy over who can access the images captured. George Avalos in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 8/9/26

After deadly Fire, Rick Caruso said hope needed an address: Palisades Village -- One-third of the Village’s original tenants are returning. Rick Caruso’s team also focused on recruiting a new generation of retailers, restaurateurs and local entrepreneurs who could help define the next chapter. Michelle Edgar in the Orange County Register$ -- 8/9/26

Sen. Adam Schiff proposes bill to help communities rebuild faster after wildfires and other disasters -- The Reducing Red Tape for Rebuilding Act is co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, a Republican from Iowa. Linh Tat in the Orange County Register$ -- 8/9/26

Education

Broken trust: San Jose Unified parents say district fell short after closing campuses -- When San Jose Unified School District decided to shutter five elementary schools earlier this year, officials made several promises to ensure a smooth transition for families with students set to attend new campuses. Molly Gibbs in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 8/9/26

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Trump Thought Opening the Strait of Hormuz Was Imminent. Iran Had Other Plans -- For weeks, President Trump had been laying the groundwork to declare victory in the Iran war should Tehran fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, even floating the idea privately to senior aides that he’s willing to walk away without a nuclear deal, U.S. officials said. Alexander Ward in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 8/9/26

Israel Rejects Trump Plan for Hamas Disarmament -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected President Trump’s plan for disarming Hamas, a key plank of the Gaza peace process that also requires Israel to withdraw from the enclave. Anat Peled in the Wall Street Journal$ Aaron Boxerman in the New York Times$ Lior Soroka and Sammy Westfall in the Washington Post$ -- 8/9/26

In Confirming Blanche, Senators Endorse a Justice Dept. Under Trump’s Sway -- Time and again, Todd Blanche has made it clear that he believes President Trump possesses a nearly limitless right to directly control the actions of the Justice Department. Glenn Thrush in the New York Times$ -- 8/9/26

After Supreme Court loss, Trump again targets birthright citizenship with new orders -- President Trump signed new executive orders to crack down on so-called birth tourism and restrict which children of immigrants qualify for U.S. citizenship. Constitutional scholars, civil rights groups and California officials argue the orders defy the 14th Amendment and the court’s ruling. Kevin Rector in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/9/26

Senate Bows to Reality, Leaving Trump’s Voting Bill Undone -- The summer exit confirmed what had been apparent for weeks: that Republicans lacked the votes to pass the voting restrictions the president has made a top priority. Michael Gold in the New York Times$ -- 8/9/26

 

California Policy and Politics Saturday

California is battling the Trump administration over coastal protection. The stakes are huge -- California’s longtime coastal planning and approval process could be upended by changes in Washington. Kurtis Alexander in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 8/8/26

Judge rejects challenge to California attorney general’s description of voter ID measure -- A state judge Thursday rejected a challenge to how California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta’s office summarized a strict new voter ID measure on November ballots — ruling that the summary language accurately describes the measure’s effects were it to pass. Kevin Rector in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/8/26

Dead downtown S.F. mall gets a date for new buyer bids — and a key deal extension -- The dead San Francisco Centre mall, abandoned by a previous buyer, is taking new prospective buyer bids on Sept. 9, a broker for the property said. Roland Li in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 8/8/26

 

Governor Newsom: Local government should allay data center ‘anxieties’ -- The outgoing governor, who is expected to run for president in 2028, vetoed legislation last year that would have required data centers to disclose how much water they use. At the time, he said he was “reluctant to impose rigid reporting requirements” on the centers’ operating companies. Lia Russell in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 8/8/26

Data center is being eyed on part of longtime San Jose tech campus -- A 444,400-square-foot data center was proposed for part of a longtime South San Jose tech campus near residences, shops and restaurants, development plans show. George Avalos in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 8/8/26

Housing

S.F.’s controversial housing rezoning is now in effect. Where are all the projects? -- The potential impact of the recent rezoning that allows for taller and denser buildings in large swaths of the city popped up like a Jack-in-the-box last week when the San Francisco Planning Commission approved an eight-story sliver smack in the middle of a typical Richmond District block of two- and three-story homes. J.K. Dineen in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 8/8/26

Costa Mesa blasts state housing mandates as overreaching and unreasonable -- Costa Mesa city leaders this week weighed in on an Orange County Grand Jury report that characterizes the state’s housing mandates as well-intended legislation that is burdensome and impossible for city governments to realize. Sara Cardine in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/8/26

Marketplace

California cannabis sales have tumbled. Is the market finally turning a corner? -- California's weed sales have tumbled from their peak, dropping by almost 17% between 2021 and 2025. Advocates in the industry say they’re dealing with sky-high taxes, a patchwork of regulation across the state and competition from the illicit market that can sustain business without burdensome costs or regulations. Olivia Borgula in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 8/8/26

Also

California’s instant EV rebates are now available for these three brands -- First time electric vehicle buyers in California can now snag a $3,500 instant rebate on new EVs made by Tesla, Hyundai or Lucid. Caroline Petrow-Cohen in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/8/26

WeHo’s newest resident enjoys A/C, Sunset Strip views ... from inside a billboard. Why he’s there -- Crowds packed Sunset Boulevard and Selma Avenue to gawk at West Hollywood’s latest curiosity: a man “living” in a fully furnished, air-conditioned billboard high above the Strip. The glass-front “living room,” complete with plants, bookshelves and thick red curtains, doubles as an immersive ad for Netflix thriller “The Last House,” about a family mysteriously trapped inside their home. Summer Lin in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/8/26

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Iran Issues List of Demands, Complicating Efforts to Reopen Strait -- He called for the United States to lift its naval blockade and sanctions on Iran, withdraw the U.S. military from around Iran, pay war reparations and release frozen Iranian assets, as well as end attacks on Iran’s allies in the region and threats against the country. Yeganeh Torbati, Leily Nikounazar and Aaron Boxerman in the New York Times$ -- 8/8/26

Iran Sees an Opening to Kick the U.S. Out of the Gulf -- Iran is vowing to bar U.S. Navy warships from passing through the Strait of Hormuz as part of an agreement to reopen the waterway, pressing its goal of curtailing America’s decades-old military presence in the Persian Gulf. David S. Cloud, Summer Said, Alexander Ward and Benoit Faucon in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 8/8/26

The U.S. Is Burning Through Weapons in Iran. Russia and China Are Taking Note -- The rapidly shrinking supply of air-defense missiles and other critical weaponry in Europe and Asia not only leaves the U.S. military less equipped, but could also leave Russia and China feeling emboldened should they contemplate a potential conflict with the United States, experts said. Anton Troianovski, Jonathan Swan, Eric Schmitt and Julian E. Barnes in the New York Times$ -- 8/8/26

Trump Showed Up at a Rally With Lustrous Locks. The Memes Won’t Stop -- This week, Trump’s hair has become, well, the mane event. It started on Wednesday when Trump took the stage in Las Vegas with hair that looked different from his usual style. It appeared brighter than it had a day before and had more volume. Annie Linskey and Natalie Andrews in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 8/8/26

U.S. Squeezes Cuba Even as It Searches for a New Regime Leader -- Some officials warn that a more hard-line leader could emerge if the Trump administration moves forward with its plans. Tyler Pager, Julian E. Barnes and Frances Robles in the New York Times$ -- 8/8/26

Trump says he’ll bring ballroom fight to Supreme Court after lower court halts work -- President Donald Trump on Friday said that he would ask the Supreme Court to allow him to resume building his planned White House ballroom, after an appeals court ruled he had exceeded his authority by demolishing part of the mansion and beginning construction without congressional approval. Dan Diamond and Jonathan Edwards in the Washington Post$ -- 8/8/26