California Policy and Politics Friday

Trump removes official overseeing jobs data after dismal employment report -- President Donald Trump on Friday removed the head of the agency that produces the monthly jobs figures after a report showed hiring slowed in July and was much weaker in May and June than previously reported. Christopher Rugaber and Josh Boak Associated Press Justin Lahart, Alex Leary and Matt Grossman in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 08/01/25

A raging Trump digs in on his trade war after brutal jobs report -- The Trump administration is doubling down on its trade war against much of the world despite increasingly harrowing economic numbers emerging at home, with stock markets and Treasury yields tumbling Friday on news of the most significant slowdown in job growth since the pandemic. Michael Wilner in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/01/25

Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia gets a street named after him in San Francisco -- On what would have been Jerry Garcia’s 83rd birthday, San Francisco officials, musicians and fans gathered Friday morning to rename a street in honor of one of the city’s most iconic native sons. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/01/25

 

Harris tells Colbert, in first interview out of office, that the U.S. system is ‘broken’ -- In her first interview since losing the election to President Trump and leaving office, former Vice President Kamala Harris told Stephen Colbert on “The Late Show” that her decision not to run for California governor was more “basic” than saving herself for a “different office” — which is to say, another run for president in 2028. Kevin Rector in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/01/25

Trump freezes $200 million in UCLA science and medical research funding, citing antisemitism -- The Trump administration froze the research funds to UCLA after Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi and the Justice Department said the school would pay a “heavy price” for its treatment of Jewish and Israeli students. UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk called the government’s action a loss for Americans who depend on the university’s life-saving research. Jaweed Kaleem in the Los Angeles Times$ Mikhail Zinshteyn Calmatters -- 08/01/25

Gavin Newsom floats November special election for his anti-Trump redistricting push -- The governor has vigorously embraced the party’s push to counter a GOP-friendly Texas gerrymander by buoying Democrats in blue states. Jeremy B. White Politico Taryn Luna in the Los Angeles Times$ Alexei Koseff Calmatters Nicole Nixon and Lia Russell in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 08/01/25

How the Supreme Court enabled the Texas-California redistricting fight -- A ruling immunizing political gerrymanders from review by federal courts may have given Republicans an opportunity to hold onto their slim House majority. Bob Egelko Politico -- 08/01/25

After fires and a tsunami, a push to force L.A. to finally analyze evacuation routes -- After an investigation by The Times found Los Angeles had failed to publicly comply with a 2019 law requiring it to analyze the capacity, safety and viability of its evacuation routes, Councilmember Traci Park filed a motion that would force the city to comply. Noah Haggerty in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/01/25

Meet the Fraudster Who Wants to Make California Its Own Country -- The man behind the Calexit movement claims to be a baller. But he's broke. Will McCarthy Politico -- 08/01/25

 

Thousands of DACA recipients in California to lose health insurance -- More than 2,300 Californians enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program will lose their health insurance next month due to a change in federal policy, state officials announced Thursday. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/01/25

S.F. judge blocks Trump plan to revoke legal status for immigrants from three countries -- President Donald Trump’s cancellation of legal protections for more than 61,000 immigrants from Honduras, Nicaragua and Nepal, most of whom have lived in the United States for more than 20 years, was blocked Thursday by a federal judge, who said it appears to be unjustified and racially motivated. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/01/25

Smolens: Bipartisan support builds for migrant legal status. Don’t hold your breath -- California Democratic senator, Republicans and Democrats in the House push legislation to let longtime undocumented residents with no criminal record stay. Michael Smolens in the San Diego Union Tribune$ -- 08/01/25

Workplace

San Joaquin Valley farmers face wine industry downturn. Vineyards being abandoned -- An estimated 30,000 acres in the central San Joaquin Valley, the state’s leading producer of lower value wine grapes, are not being farmed, or minimally being cared for to keep the vines alive. It’s one of the few options available, save ripping them out and planting another crop. Robert Rodriguez in the Fresno Bee -- 08/01/25

California workers paid to attend anti-union protest by major agribusiness, UFW says -- California’s flagship farmworker union has accused a major agribusiness of paying workers to participate in an anti-union protest last year — the latest twist in a bitter and high-profile unionization campaign at North America’s largest grapevine nursery. Melissa Montalvo in the Fresno Bee -- 08/01/25

What unionization could mean for California Uber and Lyft drivers — and riders -- AB 1340 would let California ride-hailing drivers collectively bargain for improved pay and benefits. Uber and Lyft say it could drive ride prices up and availability down. Levi Sumagaysay Calmatters -- 08/01/25

In Trump’s Washington, Palantir is winning big -- The Silicon Valley company has garnered at least $300 million in new and expanded business since Trump took office. And the Army this week issued the company’s biggest contract, at a cost of up to $10 billion. Elizabeth Dwoskin, Hannah Natanson and Jacob Bogage in the Washington Post$ -- 08/01/25

Health Care

She had to fight for help with medical bills. A new California bill could make it easier -- A proposal advancing in the legislature would require California hospitals to pre-screen patients for charity care before sending out medical bills. Ana B. Ibarra Calmatters -- 08/01/25

Medicare, Medicaid plans to experiment with covering weight loss drugs -- The Trump administration is planning an experiment to cover weight loss drugs under Medicare and Medicaid, potentially benefiting millions of Americans struggling with obesity. Paige Winfield Cunningham in the Washington Post$ -- 08/01/25

Wildfire

‘This fire could have been prevented’: How utilities fought removal of old power lines -- Regulators wanted Southern California Edison and other utilities to remove abandoned power lines — such as the one suspected of igniting the Eaton fire — but backed down amid utility opposition. Melody Petersen in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/01/25

Gov. Newsom seeks to raise $18 billion to shore up state wildfire fund -- Gov. Newsom proposes that electric customers and utility shareholders pay another $18 billion to shore up a $21 billion state fund for wildfire victims. Melody Petersen in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/01/25

Bear trouble in Sierra Madre: After the Eaton fire, home invasions rise sharply -- A bear linked to a spate of home break-ins in Sierra Madre in June was euthanized amid what city officials say is an uptick in conflict with the hulking animals. Lila Seidman in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/01/25

Climate

The energy source that could survive Trump’s attack on California’s green ambitions -- The Avina project in Vernon will be one of the largest hydrogen production and dispensing facilities in the country when it opens this fall. Hayley Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/01/25

Street

After ‘American Idol’ exec killing and other recent break-ins, Encino residents demand LAPD action -- Encino community leaders want increased security, including police drones, following the killing of a couple and several home invasions in their neighborhood. The LAPD has already responded by adding patrols. Dakota Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/01/25

Entire bank heist crew was nabbed — except for him; then he went and blew up an ATM, prosecutors say -- He was the last man standing from a prolific bank heist crew that prosecutors say made off with millions during a string of robberies up and down the West Coast. Then he allegedly bombed an ATM in Contra Costa County. Nathan Solis in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/01/25

It would begin with a first date and end with him pinning, raping his victims -- A serial rapist who used dating apps to meet his victims was sentenced to 111 years to life in state prison on Thursday, according to a statement from the Ventura County district attorney’s office. Annie Goodykoontz in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/01/25

Also

Return of wolves sparks fear, strains law enforcement in rural California -- Five California counties — Sierra, Plumas, Shasta, Lassen and Modoc — have declared public safety emergencies due to wolves, begging the state to allow sheriffs more leeway to harass or, if necessary, euthanize the protected wolves if they pose a danger to people. Sharon Bernstein in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 08/01/25

Inside Wallis Annenberg’s final days: Opioid stupor, abuse claims and a bitter family feud -- In the final weeks of philanthropist Wallis Annenberg’s life, her family and closest friends were consumed by a fierce power struggle over her medical care, court records show. Matt Hamilton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/01/25

California dams came down last year. Now the river is opening to recreation -- With the removal of four dams on the Klamath River, Californians now have a new place to kayak, raft, fish and explore. Gregory Thomas in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/01/25

POTUS 47

US employers slash hiring as Trump advances a punishing trade agenda -- U.S. hiring is slowing sharply as President Donald Trump’s erratic and radical trade policies paralyze businesses and raise doubts about the outlook for the world’s largest economy. Paul Wiseman and Christopher Rugaber Associated Press Rachel Wolfe and Justin Lahart in the Wall Street Journal$ Lauren Kaori Gurley in the Washington Post$ -- 08/01/25

The job market isn't as good as we thought. There might be an upside for Trump -- The odds that President Donald Trump will get an interest rate cut soon just went up. But not for the reasons he wants. Victoria Guida Politico -- 08/01/25

Trump to blame for high cost of living, Americans say in new poll -- Six out of 10 Americans place blame on the Trump administration for driving up their cost of living, according to a poll conducted by Morning Consult for the Century Foundation, which asked 2,007 Americans how they are managing the high cost of living in the US economy, who they think is to blame and what are the solutions. Michael Sainato The Guardian -- 08/01/25

U.S. to Raise Tariffs on Scores of Nations -- President Trump signed an executive order Thursday night significantly raising tariffs on virtually every U.S. trading partner. The rate increases are set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 7. Chelsey Dulaney and Sam Goldfarb in the Wall Street Journal$ River Akira Davis and Lydia DePillis in the New York Times$ -- 08/01/25

Trump says sharper tariffs to take effect in a week; 35% for Canada starts Friday -- Canada’s steeper tariff will be effective immediately, but Mexico gets a 90-day reprieve from higher rates. David J. Lynch and Rachel Lerman in the Washington Post$ -- 08/01/25

Trump’s tariffs get frosty reception at federal appeals court -- During a lengthy oral argument, judges were skeptical that Trump had the power to use an emergency law to enact the tariffs. Kyle Cheney and Doug Palmer Politico Jess Bravin and Louise Radnofsky in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 08/01/25

Why Ford’s Made-in-America Strategy Hurts It in Trump’s Trade War -- There is an irony in Detroit right now: The automaker most reliant on U.S. manufacturing is among the hardest hit by tariffs. Sharon Terlep in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 08/01/25

In a Country Trump Says Nobody’s Heard Of, Tariffs Bring Chaos -- resident Trump promised Africa that trade would replace aid when he dismantled America’s foreign-assistance programs soon after taking office this year. But here in one of the world’s poorest countries, his administration is slashing both. Alexandra Wexler, Gulshan Khan in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 08/01/25

Trump’s Vow to Be ‘President of Peace’ Falls Short in Ukraine and Gaza -- President Trump touts himself as a peacemaker, citing averted wars and saying he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize. Trump’s efforts to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza face challenges, despite successes in de-escalating other conflicts. Experts note Trump’s approach is ad hoc, focused on cease-fires rather than addressing the root causes of conflicts. Michael R. Gordon and Robbie Gramer in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 08/01/25

Trump’s political operation has stockpiled a massive amount of cash ahead of the midterms -- The president can’t run again, but he can put his war chest to use next year. Jessica Piper Politico Theodore Schleifer in the New York Times$ -- 08/01/25

Smithsonian Removes Reference to Trump’s Impeachments, but Says It Will Return -- President Trump’s impeachments were mentioned in an exhibit on the American presidency that museum officials said was outdated. A Smithsonian spokeswoman said a future exhibit would include “all impeachments.” Graham Bowley in the New York Times$ -- 08/01/25

We fact-checked the Trump administration’s climate report -- Scientists say the report cherry-picks key data and misrepresents the state of climate research. Shannon Osaka, Anusha Mathur, Evan Halper and Jake Spring in the Washington Post$ Maxine Joselow and Brad Plumer in the New York Times$ -- 08/01/25

How an 18th-century law enabled internment – and may do so again -- Descendants of Japanese internees warn that Trump’s revival of the Alien Enemies Act could open the door to new abuses. Claire Wang The Guardian -- 08/01/25

Biden warns of ‘dark days’ under Trump -- Former President Joe Biden expressed alarm Thursday about attacks on the rule of law and threats to civil rights under President Donald Trump in some of his most pointed criticism about the new administration since leaving office. Shia Kapos Politico Cy Neff The Guardian -- 08/01/25