Rough & Tumble ®
A Snapshot of California Public Policy and Politics
 
     
 
 
 

California Policy and Politics Sunday

Project 2025, GOP platform blast California, teeing up critiques of Biden stand-ins -- It doesn’t matter which conservative playbook you consult. A second Trump term would mean federal war on California ideas. Kevin Rector in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/14/24

This Bay Area county’s office vacancy rates are more than double pre-pandemic levels -- It’s not just San Francisco struggling to refill its offices. Vacancies in San Mateo County continue to rise, increasing to more than twice its pre-pandemic rate. Christian Leonard in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 7/14/24

Wildfire

Heavy gear, unforgiving terrain, backbreaking work. Now firefighters contend with extreme heat too -- A prolonged heat wave across much of the western U.S. is challenging wildland firefighters, with an uptick in heat-related illnesses reported in California. Alex Wigglesworth in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/14/24

Top of the Ticket

California Democrats are at the center of the storm that is Biden’s candidacy -- Gavin Newsom has become President Joe Biden’s biggest cheerleader. Nancy Pelosi has opened the door for lawmakers to question his electability. And Kamala Harris is caught in the middle. Shira Stein, Sophia Bollag in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 7/14/24

After Trump Shooting, America Reverts to Blaming the Other Side -- Even before the most basic details had emerged, the political conversation had turned to media criticism, partisan vitriol and wild conspiracy theories. Michael Schaffer Politico -- 7/14/24

Law enforcement: Bomb making materials found in vehicle, at home of man suspected in Trump rally shooting -- Law enforcement officials tell The Associated Press bomb-making materials were found inside the vehicle of the man suspected in the Trump rally shooting. There were also bomb-making materials found at his home. Colleen Long, Mike Balsamo Associated Press -- 7/14/24

Here’s What Is Known About the Suspected Gunman -- A voter-registration record showed that Mr. Crooks was registered as a Republican, though federal campaign-finance records show he donated $15 to the Progressive Turnout Project, a liberal voter turnout group, through the Democratic donation platform ActBlue in January 2021. Jack Healy, Mike Baker, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs and Katie Benner in the New York Times$ -- 7/14/24

‘America’s Under Attack’: A Gleeful Trump Rally Shattered by Gunfire -- Some began to cry and to pray. Others screamed, as law enforcement officers shouted for everyone to get down. Campbell Robertson in the New York Times$ -- 7/14/24

San Diego man describes being 10 yards from Trump when shots rang out -- Blake Marnell, 59, was in the center of the first row of the audience facing Trump when he heard a noise that came from his left. Erika Ritchie in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 7/14/24

Photo Appears to Capture Path of Bullet Used in Assassination Attempt -- Michael Harrigan, a retired F.B.I. special agent, said the image captured by Doug Mills, a New York Times photographer, seems to show a bullet streaking past former President Donald J. Trump. John Ismay in the New York Times$ -- 7/14/24

Blood turns to martyrdom as Republicans rally around Trump -- The incident served to reinforce one of the pillars of Trump’s image: Strength. Adam Wren and Natalie Allison Politico -- 7/14/24

Trump’s Raised Fist Will Make History — And Define His Candidacy -- In wake of shooting, GOP officials are quick to blame Democrats for demonizing the former president. Jonathan Martin Politico -- 7/14/24

Shooting at Trump rally upends presidential campaign -- “The political consequences of this assassination attempt will be immense, and they will benefit Donald Trump,” one prominent Trump critic wrote. Ashley Parker in the Washington Post$ -- 7/14/24

‘He just won the election’: Hill Republicans predict Trump rally shooting will ease path to White House -- Congressional Republicans already believed Donald Trump was headed back to the White House. Some of them think the Saturday night rally shooting has made his path even easier. Olivia Beavers and Jordain Carney Politico -- 7/14/24

Dems mute Trump criticism -- Nancy Pelosi spent the week warning of the dangers of her archrival former President Donald Trump. The shooting at his rally on Saturday completely changed the discussion. Sarah Ferris, Daniella Diaz and Mia Mccarthy Politico -- 7/14/24

Biden: ‘There’s no place for this kind of violence in America’ -- President Joe Biden spoke with Donald Trump late Saturday after a shooter opened fire at the former president’s campaign rally in Western Pennsylvania, according to a White House official. Elena Schneider and Myah Ward Politico -- 7/14/24

Misinformation spreads swiftly in hours after Trump rally shooting -- Conspiracy theories swell around false flags, Deep State, Biden and the Secret Service, filling the information vacuum as consumers choose their own reality. Sarah Ellison, Cat Zakrzewski and Clara Ence Morse in the Washington Post$ -- 7/14/24

How could a gunman get close enough to nearly assassinate a former president? -- The attempt to assassinate former President Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday raised questions about security protocols and how a gunman could open fire so close to the presumptive GOP nominee. Seema Mehta in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/14/24

SailGP

Teams from around the world race high speed sailboats around the S.F. Bay for $2 million prize -- Marina Green was transformed into a sophisticated, 3,000-plus person stadium for the first day of the SailGP Grand Final, where teams from around the world raced hydrofoil sailboats around the San Francisco Bay with $2 million on the line. Danielle Echeverria in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 7/14/24

Environment

Unprecedented numbers of gray whales are visiting San Francisco Bay, and nobody quite knows why -- Experts only have educated guesses about the prevalence of porpoises, dolphins and humpback whales too. Susanne Rust in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/14/24

 

Updating . . .

Live updates: Shooter dead, rally attendee killed and Trump whisked off stage after gunshots ring out at rally -- Donald Trump was whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd. Trump was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers when bangs started ringing through the crowd. Trump could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his neck. There appeared to be blood on his face. Ebecca Santana, Lindsay Whitehurst and Peter Orsi Associated Press -- 7/13/24

Election 2024 live updates: Trump says he is ‘fine’ in statement after being escorted off stage during rally -- Donald Trump was whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd. Trump was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers when bangs started ringing through the crowd. Trump could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his neck. There appeared to be blood on his face. Rebecca Santana, Lindsay Whitehurst and Peter Orsi Associated Press -- 7/13/24

First wildfire death of 2024 season reported as California heat wave continues -- Human remains were found in a structure that burned Monday in the Mina fire near Covelo, Mendocino County officials confirmed. The body is still being identified by the coroner’s office but is believed to be a 66-year-old woman who was reported missing by her family. Summer Lin in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/13/24

Skelton: Column: Instead of just criticizing Biden, maybe George Clooney should take his place -- OK, my choice to replace President Biden as the Democratic nominee is George Clooney. Yes, I am semi-serious. No, I don’t expect anyone else to take me seriously — let alone the Oscar-winning actor. George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/13/24

Workplace

Strike during Comic-Con averted as union reaches ‘unprecedented’ deal for convention workers -- 'I've never seen money like this before,' union leader says of tentative contract that will deliver pay raises of 55 percent or more over four years. Lori Weisberg in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 7/13/24

DWP union sues city of L.A. over pension double-dipping -- The union representing Los Angeles Department of Water and Power workers is suing the city for allowing employees who retired from other city departments to work at the utility while collecting a pension. Dakota Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/13/24

Top of the Ticket

Biden and the Democrats who fear he can’t win are at a standoff. What’s next? -- The president is dug in, confident that he can withstand calls to quit his reelection race, but doubts remain, leaving the Democratic Party immobilized as the days tick by. Dan Balz in the Washington Post$ -- 7/13/24

Unbowed by Jan. 6 Charges, Republicans Pursue Plans to Contest a Trump Defeat -- Their wide-ranging and methodical effort is laying the groundwork to contest an election that they argue, falsely, is already being rigged against former President Donald J. Trump. Jim Rutenberg and Nick Corasaniti in the New York Times$ -- 7/13/24

A Fiery Biden, Ignoring Critics, Attacks Trump to Chants of ‘Lock Him Up’ -- Facing rising frustration in his party, the president brushed it off in an energetic speech in Michigan. Inside the room, at least, the Democratic mood was defiant, with cheers of “Don’t go, Joe.” Nicholas Nehamas and Reid J. Epstein in the New York Times$ Myah Ward Politico Ken Thomas and Aaron Zitner in the Wall Street Journal$ Yasmeen Abutaleb and Cleve R. Wootson Jr. in the Washington Post$ -- 7/13/24

‘It’s over’: Democrats remain in panic over Biden’s reelection -- As President Joe Biden’s support continues to crumble, his party is reckoning with the possibility of a punishing defeat in November — a potential GOP wave that would not only elect former President Donald Trump but also sweep away Democrats from power in Congress. Liz Crampton, Sarah Ferris, Ally Mutnick, Jeff Coltin and Jeremy B. White Politico -- 7/13/24

Republicans put Milwaukee on lockdown. Protesters fumed -- Demonstrators will be kept blocks from the main convention site, relegated to an area outside of the fenced-off perimeter around the complex. Shia Kapos Politico -- 7/13/24

Democrat Confronts Biden Over His Determination to Stay in Race -- Rep. Mike Levin (D., Calif.) told Biden in a video call for Hispanic lawmakers Friday that he should step aside, issuing a formal statement afterward in which he said he believed the “time has come for President Biden to pass the torch.” Natalie Andrews and Tarini Parti in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 7/13/24

McManus: The members of Congress pushing Biden to step aside are nearly all white. Reasons for a racial divide -- A small but growing number of Democratic members of Congress — about 20 as of Friday afternoon — have publicly called on President Biden to withdraw from the presidential race. Doyle McManus in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/13/24

Street

Former top LAPD official found guilty of tracking a fellow officer with AirTag -- Former Los Angeles assistant police chief Alfred “Al” Labrada has retired from the department after a disciplinary board found that he secretly tracked a fellow officer he was romantically involved with and then tried to cover his tracks, according to three sources familiar with the case. Libor Jany in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/13/24

As inmates swelter, California prisons remain unprepared for extreme heat -- The potential heat-related death of a prison inmate in California’s Central Valley this week is focusing renewed attention on conditions within correctional institutions as extreme heat, wildfire smoke and flooding pose increasing threats to incarcerated people. Hayley Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/13/24

COVID

California’s COVID positivity rate is now just shy of record high from the past 12 months -- Statewide, the COVID positivity rate continues to skyrocket, with Friday’s update showing the percent of all COVID tests that come back positive is just one tenth of a percent shy of the high from the last 12 months. There have been only a handful of weeks in the past three years that have had a positivity rate over 13%. Harriet Blair Rowan in the East Bay Times$ -- 7/13/24

'Rust'

Judge Dismisses Involuntary Manslaughter Charge Against Alec Baldwin -- A New Mexico judge threw out an involuntary manslaughter charge against the actor Alec Baldwin in the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the movie “Rust,” ending the star’s yearslong legal saga. Itzel Luna in the Wall Street Journal$ Meg James in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/13/24