The California Flyover

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1989, Bo Jackson led off the MLB All-Star Game in Anaheim with a towering home run. Former President Ronald Reagan was in the broadcast booth, and Jackson earned the game’s MVP award.

California’s wine harvest is off to a record-early start, a judge has paused a major wild horse roundup, and we’ve got a video that’ll make you want to saddle up for the Sierra. All this and more in Top Storiesand Et Cetera.

Slowing how fast you age sounds like it should take a punishing diet or a shelf of supplements. New research out of Japan says otherwise. Scientists found that one small daily habit, paired with another, slowed the body’s biological aging about as much as cutting your calorie intake by a quarter. In today’s Flyover Podcast, Amy shares exactly what the study found, why it surprised the researchers, and what those two simple habits are. Tune in here to learn more.

Car insurance has quietly become one of those monthly bills that keeps creeping higher. Today’s sponsor, Insurify, makes it easy to see if you’re paying more than you need to. In just a few minutes, you can compare quotes from multiple insurers in one place and potentially save money without changing your coverage.

Roblox Child Abduction Case Moves Forward

An Elk Grove man accused of abducting a 10-year-old Taft girl he met through the online gaming platform Roblox was ordered Thursday to stand trial on three felony charges following a preliminary hearing.

A Kern County judge found sufficient evidence for the case against Matthew Naval to proceed on charges of kidnapping a child to commit lewd acts and two counts of committing lewd acts with a minor. A separate kidnapping charge was dismissed after the judge found insufficient evidence that force or fear was used.

The girl was reported missing in April 2025 and was found with Naval the following day in Sacramento County. Naval, who remains jailed on more than $1 million bail, is scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 4.

Judge Halts Wild Horse Roundup

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Bureau of Land Management’s planned roundup of hundreds of wild horses along the California-Nevada border, ruling the agency likely relied on unsupported population estimates when approving the removals.

The September roundup was challenged by conservation groups, who argued the BLM failed to adequately justify its findings that the herd exceeded sustainable levels. The judge said the groups are likely to succeed in their claim that the agency violated federal wild horse protections.

A separate judge this week allowed a different wild horse roundup near Mono Lake to proceed, rejecting a Native American tribe’s request to halt the operation after finding federal officials made sufficient efforts to consult with the tribe.

California Wine Harvest Starts Early

California’s 2026 wine grape harvest is off to its earliest start on record in parts of the state, with sparkling wine grapes picked in Santa Barbara County on June 30, weeks ahead of the traditional schedule.

The accelerated harvest is forcing growers and wineries to make key business decisions earlier than expected. Some growers with uncontracted grapes must decide whether to harvest, sell for bulk juice, or leave fruit on the vines, while wineries are scrambling to free up tank space for incoming grapes.

The unusually early season comes as California’s wine industry continues to face market uncertainty and long-term challenges, including shifting consumer demand and growing concerns about the effects of climate change on wine-producing regions.

Why Are So Many Drivers Suddenly Paying More for Car Insurance?

If your insurance bill has gone up recently, you’re not alone.

Across the country, drivers are opening renewal notices only to find their premiums have climbed again, even though nothing about their driving has changed. No accidents. No tickets. Same vehicle. Higher bill.

That’s because insurance rates have risen sharply over the last few years, and many drivers haven’t taken just 5 minutes to check their options.

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➤ Fairfield: A 17-year-old suspect was arrested in Texas in connection with the fatal shooting outside a Fairfield high school graduation ceremony last month that left one graduate dead and three others injured. (More)

➤ Turlock: Thirteen men were arrested during a multi-agency undercover operation targeting suspected online child predators, including one registered sex offender, after authorities intercepted attempts to exploit minors. (More)

➤ Oroville: An Idaho man visiting family narrowly survived two rattlesnake bites—one of which struck a vein in his leg—after receiving 54 doses of antivenom. (More)

➤ Fresno: Two Central Valley siblings are making their Disney debut in the live-action Moana, appearing as a villager and young Moana when the film opens in theaters Friday. (More)

➤ Central Valley: Clouds and higher humidity are expected this weekend as monsoonal moisture moves into the region before triple-digit temperatures settle in across much of inland California next week. (More)

➤ Atascadero: Marin’s Vineyard earned a gold medal at the 2026 OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition, with its 2024 sparkling Viognier also voted Best Sparkling Wine in the 2026 Best of the Central Coast Awards. (More)

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➤ Palm Springs: The city will begin trimming the signature “skirts” from many of its iconic palm trees in high-traffic areas over the next four years, citing public safety concerns over falling fronds. (More)

➤ Orange County: Health officials are warning of a sharp increase in West Nile virus after infected mosquitoes were found in 13 cities, prompting overnight mosquito control treatments in parts of Fullerton. (More)

➤ Los Angeles: Luxury grocery chain Erewhon is drawing attention with its new $12 “Sacred Water,” an herbal tonic made with coconut water, jasmine tea, honey, and botanical extracts. (More)

➤ The MLB Draft begins today in Philadelphia, with the Giants picking No. 4 overall, the A’s at No. 8, the Angels at No. 12, and the Padres at No. 21. Without a first rounder, the Dodgers won’t pick until No. 40. (More)

➤ UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky could be selected No. 1 overall by the White Sox in today’s MLB Draft, and his floor seems to be no lower than the No. 3 pick. (More)

➤ The LA Clippers’ trade sending Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors is on hold until the NBA completes its investigation into whether the team circumvented the salary cap. The Clippers denied wrongdoing, but Toronto won’t assume the risk of potential penalties. (More)

➤ The Anaheim Ducks matched a five-year, $90 million offer sheet from the Flyers to keep center Leo Carlsson, making the 21-year-old the highest-paid player in NHL history at $18 million per season. (More)

➤ UCLA basketball signed Serbian forward Nikola Kusturica, a 17-year-old considered the potential No. 1 pick in the 2028 NBA Draft. He averaged nearly 25 points per game at the recent FIBA U17 World Cup, including 37 points in the gold medal game against the United States. (More)

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➤ SeaWorld San Diego is celebrating two new arrivals after welcoming a bottlenose dolphin calf and a California sea lion pup, giving visitors a chance to see the newest additions to the marine park. (See Pictures)

➤ Ride through granite peaks, alpine meadows, and remote Sierra wilderness with a visit to a historic pack station that’s been welcoming adventurers since 1929. (Watch Video)

➤ The California Wine Festival returns to Santa Barbara July 17-18 with oceanfront tastings, gourmet bites, live music, and wines from dozens of acclaimed wineries across the state. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Coffee vs Hot Cacao vs Green Tea: Which of these hot drinks was proven in a study boost stem cells by 220% in 30 days? Billionaires drop 6 figures on stem cell therapy, but this hot drink costs 50 cents a day and boosts anti-aging stem cells improving heart health, blood pressure, and longevity.

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Researchers found that these daily habits can slow the body’s aging rate about as much as cutting your calorie intake by a quarter. (Hear More)

➤ Tyler Robinson declined to take the stand at the preliminary hearing in the Charlie Kirk murder case, and the next move rests with the judge. (Listen Now)

➤ China has announced plans for a space-and-ground network to spot dangerous asteroids before they reach Earth. (Podcast Available)