Becerra, Hilton Clash in Only Debate

Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra clashed over California’s high cost of living Wednesday night in their likely only debate of the governor’s race.

Hilton pushed to eliminate state income taxes on the first $150,000 of earnings and blamed state leaders for the state’s high costs. Becerra argued that the plan would disproportionately benefit the wealthy, with cost of living and inflation topping voters’ concerns.

The two also split over immigration, where Hilton vowed to “lower the temperature,” and artificial intelligence, where Hilton urged an “immediate pause” on its use in classrooms while Becerra raised concerns about industry self-regulation.

The debate comes with just over a month until the Nov. 3 election. A Public Policy Institute of California survey earlier this month put Becerra ahead 60% to 38% among likely voters.

Judge Ends Oakland’s 23-Year Police Oversight

A federal judge on Tuesday ended 23 years of federal court oversight of the Oakland Police Department, the longest-running police monitorship in U.S. history.

The monitoring grew out of the 2000 “Riders” scandal, in which four officers were accused of beating suspects, planting evidence, and falsifying reports in West Oakland. A 2003 settlement required the department to complete 51 reforms.

U.S. District Judge William Orrick had been prepared to end oversight sooner but reconsidered after the department fell short of a benchmark for timely internal affairs investigations this year. “Today is not a ceiling. It’s a floor,” federal monitor Robert Warshaw told the court.

Authority now shifts to the Oakland Police Commission, a panel of citizen volunteers, though some community members warn it is underfunded. Civil rights attorneys who brought the case expressed reservations but supported ending the oversight, with civil rights attorney John Burris adding that if problems return, “I’ll sue.”

High Rents Fueling CA’s Poverty Rate

California’s official poverty rate matches the national average of 10.7%. But when the state’s high housing costs are taken into account, the rate rises to 17.8%, second only to Louisiana.

High rents are a big reason why. Cutting California’s rents to the national average would lower the state’s poverty rate by 30% and its child poverty rate by 36%, according to a new analysis from the Pew Charitable Trusts.

The squeeze is especially sharp in San Francisco, where the median one-bedroom now rents for $4,400 a month, up more than 25% in a year. A Zumper report tied the surge to AI hiring and limited housing supply.

Pew points to Austin and Minneapolis as examples of rents falling after housing reforms. Inflation-adjusted rents dropped about 20% in both cities after they changed local policies to allow more housing construction. California has passed similar laws but has yet to see a comparable building boom.

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➤ San Francisco: Runway 1 Right at San Francisco International Airport reopened Tuesday, six months after closing for a $215 million overhaul that repaved the surface and replaced 64 miles of electrical cable. Officials say hourly arrivals will rise from 45 to 48. (See Details)

➤ Dublin: New court records show Jonathan McKinsey, the Dublin man allegedly killed by his in-laws, accused his wife and her parents of physical and anti-trans abuse. The filings also reveal competing abuse allegations between McKinsey and his wife. (More)

➤ Alameda County: The FBI renewed its search for Charles Johnathen Harris, a former county firefighter charged in 2023 with possessing child pornography, saying his reported drowning in Suisun Bay a month later may have been staged. He could still be alive. (More)

➤ Davis: Nineteen former UC Davis women’s equestrian athletes sued the university Tuesday, alleging female athletes received less financial aid than required under Title IX. The lawsuit seeks $1.4 million and a court order requiring equal athletic aid. UC Davis says it complies with the law. (See Details)

➤ Siskiyou County: Campfires returned to roughly 1.7 million acres of Klamath National Forest after officials lifted forestwide fire restrictions Sept. 24, citing cooler, wetter weather. A free California Campfire Permit is still required outside developed campgrounds. (More)

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➤ Yosemite: An abandoned campfire sparked the Dome Fire, which has burned 5,410 acres in the park since Sept. 15 and was 34% contained Tuesday. Two helicopter pilots, Greg King and Ryan Cutter, were killed fighting the blaze. (More)

➤ Santa Cruz: Berries led Santa Cruz County crops with more than $490 million in value in 2025, up nearly 10% from the previous year. Overall crop values rose 2.8%, helped by a long strawberry season that boosted strawberry value by about 25%. (See Report)

➤ San Luis Obispo: County officials are asking residents how an estimated $3 million in federal funding should be spent on housing and community projects. The survey closes Oct. 13 and will help set 2027 funding priorities. (More)

➤ Big Sur: The Plaskett Fire is now 100% contained after burning 30,124 acres, with no evacuation orders or warnings remaining. Nearby, the Timber Fire has burned 25,352 acres and is 88% contained, with some evacuation orders still in place. (More)

➤ Kern County: The Sheriff’s Office is adding a $530,000 Bearcat and another Rook to its armored SWAT fleet. Officials say the vehicles protect deputies during dangerous standoffs and other high-risk operations. (More)

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➤ Southern California: An extended heat wave is expected to begin Friday, with temperatures running 15 to 20 degrees above normal. An extreme heat watch covers much of the region, with highs potentially reaching 90 at the coast and 105 to 108 in some valleys. (See Details)

➤ Lancaster: Investigators resumed digging Wednesday at a remote property where two bodies were found during a missing-person investigation. Authorities are investigating the deaths as a homicide but have not identified the victims or said how they died. (More)

➤ San Diego: The Police Department’s Southern Division station, serving Otay Mesa and Nestor, closed Tuesday over possible mold. Employees moved to the Southeastern Division while officials assess the building. (More)

➤ Arcadia: Three racehorses died in eight days at Santa Anita Park, the latest a 3-year-old colt injured during training Saturday. The track has recorded 14 deaths this year, twice the number during the same period in 2025. (More)

➤ Los Angeles: Twin brothers Se Youn and Hee Youn Kim, MRI technicians who ran a golf tee-time brokering business, pleaded guilty to federal tax charges after admitting they failed to report income from the business to the IRS. (More)

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➤ The San Diego Padres played for a sweep last night against the Chicago Cubs in Wild Card Game 2 at Petco Park. (See Score)

➤ The Golden State Valkyries also looked to complete a sweep last night on the road against the Dallas Wings in Game 2 of their first-round series. (See Score)

➤ The San Jose Sharks open their season tonight at 7 p.m. against the Florida Panthers at the SAP Center in Macklin Celebrini’s first game as captain. (See Roster)

➤ Collectors could pay millions for Kobe Bryant’s signed, game-worn No. 8 Los Angeles Lakers jersey from the team’s 2004 NBA Finals run. The Lakers went 16-1 in the 17 documented games Bryant wore it. (See Jersey)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | NHL | WNBA | Soccer

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➤ A new California law taking effect today requires car dealers to advertise a vehicle’s total price up front, bars charges for useless add-ons, and gives buyers three days to return most used vehicles purchased from dealers for $50,000 or less. Supporters say it targets deceptive dealership sales practices. (More)

➤ California is cracking down on golf tee-time brokers under a new law barring third-party platforms from reselling reservations at public courses without permission. The measure follows scrutiny of brokers who snapped up sought-after tee times and resold them at a markup. (More)

➤ Cisco president Jeetu Patel predicted that artificial intelligence will ultimately create more jobs than it eliminates, even as the San Jose networking giant and other Bay Area firms cut staff. He said nearly every job will be reshaped and that workers will need to become “AI fluent.” (More)

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➤ The California Wrestling Association marks its 13th anniversary Saturday with CWA 13, a 5 p.m. show at the Iron Office Gym in east-central Fresno. Ringside seats are still available for the independent promotion’s milestone card. (More)

➤ Redwood City-based DYNA Robotics unveiled Taku, a semi-humanoid robot that can load washers, fold towels, chop vegetables, and stock shelves. The company says its robots are already working in hotels, restaurants, and laundromats. (More)

➤ Whale watchers off Newport Beach got a rare treat when a pod of 10 to 13 killer whales surfaced near their boat. The orcas, typically found off Mexico and Central America, were last seen in the area during the 2023-24 El Niño season. (More)

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

➤ Student behavior is getting worse, and teachers are pointing the finger at parents, a new survey says. (Hear Details)

➤ Cuba’s power grid collapsed for the third time this month, leaving millions in the dark again. (Hear Episode)

➤  Gen Z is ditching the bar for the gym, and the numbers are striking. (Listen Now)

If you could hand one household chore to a robot, which would you give up first?

1. Folding the laundry
2. Washing the dishes
3. Yard work
4. Cooking dinner
5. Other (reply to tell us)

Yesterday’s Results:

Which California-grown vegetable is your favorite?

1. Artichokes: 23%
2. Garlic: 19%
3. Broccoli: 18%
4. Lettuce: 17%
5. Other: 12%
6. Celery: 11%

Seabiscuit won his final race at Santa Anita in 1940. In which Northern California county did the beloved champion spend his retirement and die?

Show me the answer