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California Policy and Politics Wednesday
Most California voters still disapprove of Trump’s immigration crackdown, poll shows -- The findings of the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll, released Wednesday, show that most Californians haven’t budged on their thoughts about the president’s approach to immigration since he returned to office. Andrea Castillo in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/1/26
Donations to gubernatorial candidate could violate California campaign rules -- Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco received maximum donations from two closely linked Corona companies that have been run by the same siblings, which could violate California campaign finance law. Sophia Bollag in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/1/26
Trump administration adopted rules that fail to protect endangered species, Bay Area judge rules -- In a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity and other environmental groups, U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar said Monday that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies in President Donald Trump’s administration had adopted rules that fail to adequately protect endangered or threatened species. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/1/26
Environmental group signs deal to buy Golden Gate Fields horse track with plans to create huge new East Bay waterfront park -- In a historic land conservation deal, a San Francisco environmental group has signed an agreement to purchase Golden Gate Fields, the site of a famous horse racing track from 1941 to 2024 along the eastern shores of San Francisco Bay, and preserve it as open space and a panoramic new waterfront park. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ Sam Whiting in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/1/26
The Artemis II moon mission starts in Mountain View — before it ever leaves Earth -- As NASA counts down to its first crewed moon mission in more than 50 years, work in Silicon Valley will help ensure the rocket lifts off smoothly and its astronauts return safely home. Ethan Varian in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 4/1/26
SFO
What you need to know about SFO delays expected under new FAA order -- San Francisco International Airport is expected to face major indefinite delays for arriving flights after a new Federal Aviation Administration order prohibited parallel landings. Roland Li in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/1/26
Tijuana River
Feds visit Imperial Beach to assess economic toll of Tijuana River pollution crisis -- William Briggs, deputy administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, traveled to Imperial Beach on Tuesday to hear directly from small business owners about the economic impact of the ongoing Tijuana River pollution crisis, framing the visit as a fact-finding mission ahead of potential federal action. Walker Armstrong in the San Diego Union Tribune -- 4/1/26
Street
Silicon Valley city to give residents free doorbell cameras to deter crime -- Milpitas, the Bay Area city that calls itself the “Crossroads of Silicon Valley,” plans to give residents free wireless doorbell cameras under a new program aimed at deterring crime and helping police gather video evidence. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/1/26
POTUS 47
Judge Halts Construction of Trump’s White House Ballroom -- Decision says construction on the estimated $400 million project can’t proceed until Congress authorizes it. Lydia Wheeler in the Wall Street Journal$ Michael Kunzelman, Will Weissert Associated Press Zach Montague in the New York Times$ Dan Diamond and Jonathan Edwards in the Washington Post$ -- 4/1/26
President Trump will address the nation on the Iran war -- Trump told reporters Tuesday that the responsibility for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open should belong with countries that rely on it, rather than the U.S. He said there’s “no reason for us to do this.” Bridget Brown, David Cohen, Brian P. D. Hannon, Vanessa Gera, Bernard Mcghee, Drew Callister, Luena Rodriguez-Feo Vileira, Nell Clark, Sam Burdette Associated Press Tyler Pager and Edward Wong in the New York Times$ -- 4/1/26
Trump says he halted nuclear threat from Iran, despite evidence to the contrary -- President Trump declared on Tuesday that he had already achieved one of the primary objectives of his attack on Iran, the elimination of its ability to build a nuclear weapon. But there is no evidence that the United States or Israel has removed or destroyed the country’s stockpile of near-bomb-grade fuel. David E. Sanger in the New York Times$ -- 4/1/26
With gas prices on the rise, Trump officials discuss feared $150 oil -- White House senior staff and administration officials are discussing the possibility that oil prices climb to a record $150 or more per barrel as the Iran war drags into its second month, according to a person familiar with the conversations and two people close to the White House. Scott Waldman, Eli Stokols and Dasha Burns Politico -- 4/1/26
U.A.E. Wants to Force Hormuz Open and Is Willing to Join the Fight -- The United Arab Emirates is preparing to help the U.S. and other allies open the Strait of Hormuz by force, Arab officials said, a move that would make it the first Persian Gulf country to become a combatant, after being hit by Iranian attacks. Summer Said, David S. Cloud and Michael Amon in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 4/1/26
Trump Orders Federal Government to Create Eligible-Voter List -- The order requires the Homeland Security secretary to oversee an effort to draw up lists of voters who are U.S. citizens, over 18 and maintain a residence in a particular state. Louise Radnofsky and Alyssa Lukpat in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 4/1/26
Judge deals Trump setback in civil suits over Capitol riot -- U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that evidence produced so far in the litigation brought by police officers and Democratic lawmakers indicated that Trump’s speech at the Ellipse that day was political in nature and not subject to the immunity the Supreme Court has found for a president’s official acts. Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney Politico -- 4/1/26
Trump Administration Acted Illegally With Homeless Grants Program, Judge Rules -- A federal judge on Tuesday ruled that the Trump administration had illegally demanded that groups seeking homelessness grants comply with its agenda on immigration enforcement, transgender rights and other unrelated issues. Jason DeParle in the New York Times$ -- 4/1/26
Trump’s Executive Order on NPR and PBS Is Unconstitutional, Judge Rules -- The ruling will have minimal effect on the federal money going to public media because Congress voted to claw back funding. But it could have implications for any future funding. Benjamin Mullin in the New York Times$ -- 4/1/26
Fired FBI agents sue Patel, Bondi for ‘retribution campaign’ -- The lawsuit is among a growing list of court challenges facing the FBI and Justice Department for its personnel purge since Donald Trump retook office. Cheyanne M. Daniels Politico -- 4/1/26
California Policy and Politics Tuesday
Rep. Eric Swalwell sends cease-and-desist letter to FBI director -- Attorneys for Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-California) demanded Monday in a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel that the bureau refrain from releasing decade-old investigative files involving the congressman’s purported ties to a suspected Chinese intelligence operative. Perry Stein and Jeremy Roebuck in the Washington Post$ -- 3/31/26
In L.A. mayor’s race, controversial poll shows Nithya Raman ahead of Karen Bass -- City Councilmember Nithya Raman had a commanding lead, with 33% of voters supporting her, while Bass trailed at 17%, according to the poll by the Loyola Marymount University Center for the Study of Los Angeles. Noah Goldberg in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/31/26
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco halts election fraud probe as legal challenges mount -- Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who is a leading Republican candidate for governor, said Monday that he had paused his controversial investigation into unsubstantiated claims of election fraud, which was facing mounting legal challenges and ethical concerns. Grace Toohey in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/31/26
Washington State Adopts New Tax on Incomes Over $1 Million -- Supporters say it is needed to expand assistance to working families; opponents worry it could drive out wealthy residents. Jeanne Whalen in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 3/31/26
Supreme Court rules against Colorado ban on ‘conversion therapy’ for LGBTQ+ kids -- An 8-1 high court majority sided with a Christian counselor who argues the law banning talk therapy violates the First Amendment. Lindsay Whitehurst Associated Press -- 3/31/26
ICE
As fourth man dies at Adelanto ICE detention center, Mexican officials call for investigation -- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reported the death of Jose Guadalupe Ramos-Solano at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in Southern California. His death brings the total at the Adelanto facility to four deaths, all involving Mexican nationals. The Mexican government has called for an investigation into the deaths. Brittny Mejia and Ruben Vives in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/31/26
Trump administration still giving private health data to ICE, California and other states argue -- The Trump administration has defied a federal judge’s order by sharing private information, including street addresses, of millions of low-income Americans with immigration officers who are conducting mass deportations, California and other states say in a court filing. The Trump administration doesn’t appear to be denying it. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/31/26
AI
States Plow Ahead With A.I. Regulation, Defying Trump -- States ranging from California to Utah are taking steps to place guardrails on the technology even after the president ordered them to stop. Cecilia Kang in the New York Times$ -- 3/31/26
What to Know About California’s Executive Order on A.I. -- California has been a leader in tech lawmaking, and was the first state to pass a law mandating safety and transparency from the biggest A.I. companies. Mr. Newsom, a Democrat, signed the order partly as a message to President Trump, who has been trying to bat down state attempts to regulate A.I. Cecilia Kang in the New York Times$ -- 3/31/26
Workplace
See How Hollywood’s Job Market Is Collapsing -- Studios are making fewer movies and shows than they did just a few years ago. The ones they do make are increasingly being shot outside the U.S. Nate Rattner and Ben Fritz in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 3/31/26
Mattel goes through another round of layoffs -- According to a notice sent to state and local officials, the company behind Barbie and Hot Wheels will lay off 65 employees from its El Segundo headquarters, effective on May 22 — about a year after it laid off 120 workers. Itzel Luna in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/31/26
Kaiser made $9.3 billion last year. Critics say it has strayed from its charitable mission -- The nonprofit’s charitable mission is under scrutiny as it earned $9.3 billion in profit last year while raising insurance premiums and facing staffing complaints. More than 30,000 Kaiser workers went on strike recently over staffing shortages and patient care delays, citing what they say is the company’s focus on profits over patient safety. Melody Petersen in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/31/26
Breathe
Anheuser-Busch owes $2.3 million in fines before leaving Bay Area -- As it leaves the Bay Area, Anheuser-Busch has agreed to pay a $2.3 million penalty as part of a settlement with the local air quality district for spewing toxic out gas and failing to install systems to properly monitor emissions at its Fairfield brewery. Aldo Toledo in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/31/26
ExCals
Life after California: People find dramatically lower costs, are more likely to buy homes, new data shows -- A new UC Berkeley study found that people of limited income who moved out of California dramatically improved their financial conditions. A surprising finding from the California Policy Lab: Those leaving the state are increasingly moving out of its wealthiest areas. Terry Castleman in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/31/26
Also
Walters: Santa Monica project points the way to easing California’s housing shortage -- A few days ago, Santa Monica’s city and civic figures ceremonially opened a 13-unit apartment complex called Berkeley Station for low-income families and young adults – exactly the sort of housing that California needs the most. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 3/31/26
Environmental group signs deal to buy Golden Gate Fields horse track with plans to create huge new East Bay waterfront park -- $175 million deal is “once in a lifetime opportunity” to transform track that operated from 1941 to 2024, supporters say. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/31/26
Candlelight vigil seeks safe return of missing Bay Area coffee shop owner -- About 100 friends and family members of a Bay Area coffee shop owner missing from Oakland since Wednesday gathered in solidarity Sunday evening as they held out hope for her safe return. Warren Pederson in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Harry Harris, John Metcalfe in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/31/26
Californian chocolate recalled for being spiked with Viagra ingredients -- The two recalled products are Gold Lion Aphrodisiac Chocolate Male Enhancement Sachet and Ilum Sex Chocolate Male Sexual Enhancement Booster. The FDA initially issued a warning in February advising consumers not to purchase the second item after confirming the product contained tadalafil. Itzel Luna in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/31/26
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Trump Tells Aides He’s Willing to End War Without Reopening Hormuz -- President Trump told aides he’s willing to end the U.S. military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, administration officials said, likely extending Tehran’s firm grip on the waterway and leaving a complex operation to reopen it for a later date. Alexander Ward and Meridith McGraw in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 3/31/26
The man behind Donald Trump’s push to end birthright citizenship -- Long before John Eastman helped devise Donald Trump’s bid to overturn the 2020 election, he had another pet cause: ending birthright citizenship. Josh Gerstein Politico -- 3/31/26
Iran War Chokes Off Helium Supply Critical for AI -- The Iran war isn’t just affecting energy supplies. It is also cutting deeply into supplies of the invisible gas that is essential for cooling artificial-intelligence chip-making tools and keeping MRI scanners humming. Georgi Kantchev in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 3/31/26
Trump slams allies after Italy blocks U.S. use of air base for Iran war -- European allies are continuing their resistance to the war against Iran despite President Donald Trump’s exasperation and threats of backing away from NATO. Anthony Faiola, Ellen Francis and Stefano Pitrelli in the Washington Post$ -- 3/31/26
Trump plans presidential library skyscraper with two gold statues of himself -- The president and his son Eric shared images of a tower that appeared to be about 50 stories tall and would rise over downtown Miami. Dan Diamond in the Washington Post$ -- 3/31/26