DOJ Charges 28 in California Vote Sweep

Federal agents arrested at least 11 people across California on Monday and announced charges against 28, accusing them of illegally registering to vote and, in some cases, casting ballots as noncitizens in a Justice Department effort called Operation Protect the Vote.

The Justice Department said all 28 are green-card holders ineligible to vote, with charges including fraudulent voter registration. Days earlier, it sued California to block the counting of vote-by-mail ballots from suspected noncitizens until their citizenship is verified.

California officials dispute the broader allegations. Secretary of State Shirley Weber previously said the administration had made unsubstantiated claims about noncitizens on voter rolls and had not provided her office with the list needed to verify them.

The charges mark the latest escalation in an ongoing fight over California’s voter rolls, weeks before the Nov. 3 election. Those arrested Monday were expected to make initial court appearances later that day, with no pleas scheduled.

Anthropic Pledges 5% of Its Shares

Anthropic, the San Francisco maker of the Claude AI assistant, said Sunday it plans to steer 5% of its shares into a new “public benefit” fund, ahead of a potential November stock-market debut.

The company says the fund will give it more flexibility to pursue its mission, citing options like large donations to nonprofits or direct payments to specific groups. It has already committed $200 million to study and address AI’s effects on workers.

Including earlier commitments, Anthropic says roughly 20% of its shares are dedicated to the “public good.” Its founders pledged to donate 80% of their equity holdings, and about half of employees participate in an equity donation program that the company matches.

The fund is a wholly owned entity whose stake could rise as the company grows: Anthropic can add another 2% of its shares for every 50% jump in its value above a set baseline, at the board’s discretion. The initial 5% commitment is subject to stockholder approval.

Highest King Tides in 18 Years

The Bay Area is forecast to see its highest king tides in 18 years this fall and winter, raising the risk of coastal flooding along the shoreline.

King tides are predictable, extra-high tides that arrive each winter when the sun, moon, and Earth align and the moon is closest to Earth, strengthening their gravitational pull on the ocean. They can flood low-lying roads and shorelines, especially during storms.

Several factors are stacking up this year: a slow, 18.6-year wobble in the moon’s orbit is stretching the tidal range, while a strong El Niño and unusually warm coastal waters are contributing to higher sea levels.

Forecasters expect December’s tides to be the winter’s highest, peaking near 7.33 feet in San Francisco, approaching the record of 8 feet set on Jan. 27, 1983. A storm surge during the peak could break that record.

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➤ Sacramento: More than 3,500 athletes competed Sunday in IRONMAN California, completing a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and marathon. The event was estimated to generate over $50 million for the local economy and is set to return through 2028. (See Details)

➤ Dixon: A 28-year-old Sacramento man was arrested after two people were stabbed Friday night at Cool Patch Pumpkins, a popular corn maze. The victims, a 19-year-old Dixon woman and a 20-year-old Vallejo man, were hospitalized. The farm called it an isolated incident. (See Details)

➤ Montague: The Jade Fire broke out Sunday in Siskiyou County, burning 15 acres and prompting evacuations. By Monday, it was 60% contained, with evacuation orders downgraded to warnings. The cause remains under investigation. (See Details)

➤ San Francisco: Some parents say the city’s plan to replace its school-choice lottery with neighborhood assignments could deepen racial segregation due to unequal school resources. The proposal faces a final vote in 2027 and could take effect in 2028. (See Details)

➤ San Jose: A 27-year-old community garden faces closure after its land was sold to a developer. Plant and Soul California has until today to vacate, while volunteers hope to save the garden or find a new location. (See Details)

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➤ Yosemite: Firefighters fully contained the Dome Fire on Saturday after it burned 6,788 acres in Yosemite National Park. Two pilots died battling the blaze, which began Sept. 15. The cause remains under investigation. (More)

➤ Salinas: Mayoral candidate Daniel Munoz apologized after a video showed him confronting a business owner over a campaign sign and telling him to “move back to where you’re from.” Munoz denied intending the remark as an ethnic attack. (More)

➤ Fresno County: Supervisors will vote today on Friant Ranch, a proposed development for about 7,000 people. Its water plan for drought conditions relies on storage federal officials say isn’t permitted, raising concerns about future water shortages. (See Details)

➤ Santa Maria: The city received a $55,000 grant for bike and pedestrian safety programs, including free helmets and community rides. The funding follows 75 related crashes this year, that left 56 injured and one dead. (More)

➤ Santa Barbara County: Katy Perry’s Firework Foundation welcomed more than 85 local children to its 12th youth camp, featuring arts and outdoor activities. The foundation also announced plans for a permanent camp and mentorship center in Goleta Valley. (More)

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➤ West Hollywood: Crews began permanent repairs Monday on Sunset Boulevard after a July water main break caused a massive sinkhole. Lane closures and turn restrictions are expected through Nov. 27, though traffic will remain open in both directions. (See Details)

➤ Orange County: All evacuations were lifted after the Norte Fire burned 570 acres near San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. The fire was 60% contained Sunday after damaging or destroying seven homes. Its cause remains under investigation. (See Details)

➤ Camp Pendleton: The Henderson Fire has burned more than 3,200 acres and was 85% contained Sunday. Geologists warn the scorched hillsides could trigger dangerous mudslides during heavy El Niño rains this winter. (See Details)

➤ San Diego: Cyprus, a 9-year-old beluga whale rescued from a closed Canadian marine park, died Sunday at SeaWorld San Diego. The whale had stopped eating, and officials suspect intestinal problems. A necropsy is planned. (More)

➤ Commerce: A 115-foot Christmas tree arrived Monday at Citadel Outlets after a three-day trip from Mount Shasta. Crews will decorate it with 18,000 lights and 10,000 ornaments and bows ahead of the mall’s Nov. 7 tree-lighting ceremony. (See Details)

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➤ The San Francisco 49ers remained undefeated Monday night with a 23-17 win over the Washington Commanders, improving to 6-0. Christian McCaffrey rushed for two touchdowns, while Brock Purdy threw for 264 yards and a score as San Francisco held off a second-half comeback. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Dream beat the Golden State Valkyries 79-65 Monday night to even the WNBA Finals at 1-1. Angel Reese led Atlanta with 30 points and 16 rebounds, helping the franchise secure its first-ever Finals victory. Game 3 is Wednesday in Atlanta. (More)

➤ Steph Curry avoided a serious injury Sunday after limping off the court during the Warriors’ open practice at Chase Center. The 38-year-old suffered a sprained right ankle, not a knee injury, just days before Golden State’s season opener against the Lakers. (More)

➤ Carlsbad surfer Reid Van Wagoner earned her first World Surf League Qualifying Series victory Sunday at the La Marginal Surfing Pro, defeating Florida’s Lanea Mons and climbing to No. 1 in North America. (Read Story)

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

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➤ Hundreds of Orange County workers went on strike Monday after wage negotiations stalled. Teamsters Local 952 members are disrupting landfill, public works, and animal shelter operations. Trash collection continues, but a prolonged strike could affect road repairs and other services. (See Details)

➤ California-based Meta apologized after mistakenly suspending the “No Kings” Instagram account during Saturday’s anti-Trump protests. The company blamed automated security systems triggered by AI-related traffic, while organizers demanded answers and lawmakers called for an investigation. (See Details)

➤ California voters will decide in November on an $11.25 billion bond to fund affordable housing, veterans’ home loans, and construction projects. Proposition 1 would direct $7.2 billion toward rental housing, with annual repayment costs reaching $600 million. Supporters say it would ease the housing shortage, while critics warn of growing state debt. (See Details)

➤ Stone Brewing founders plan to reopen their Escondido restaurant under a new name, separate from the beer brand. The location will close Nov. 13, with reopening and staffing details still pending. (See Details)

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➤ A 29-year-old New Yorker is nearing San Francisco after walking 2,577 miles across the country to explore life beyond his hometown. Chantz Rivera walks up to 30 miles daily and has gained a TikTok following, with strangers offering lodging, shoes, and other support along the way. (See Photos)

➤ Shohei Ohtani’s game-worn Dodgers jersey sold for a record $2.05 million at auction. Worn during the 2025 MLB Tokyo Series, the jersey set a new public auction record for a baseball jersey worn in the 21st century, surpassing Aaron Judge’s $1.79 million mark. (See Details)

➤ Fremont ranked 14th safest among 182 U.S. cities in WalletHub’s latest safety study, making it California’s highest-ranked city. Irvine followed at No. 28 and Santa Rosa at No. 29, while Los Angeles landed near the bottom at No. 168. (See List)

➤ A fairy-like figure was discovered along a Fresno County road after a local man reported hearing a loud explosion. Josh Ley shared a photo of the mysterious object found in Yokuts Valley, though its identity and connection to the blast remain unknown. (See Video)

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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. 

➤ The million-dollar retirement dream is shrinking, and the biggest threat isn’t the one most retirees expect. (Listen Now)

➤ Ukrainian drone operators completed a frontline medical evacuation that had never been done before. (Hear Details)

➤ A National Guard member was shot after troops stepped in to break up a late-night street fight in Washington, D.C. (Hear Story)

When did you last ride a bike?

1. This week
2. Sometime this year
3. Years ago
4. Can’t even remember
5. Other (Reply to let us know)

Yesterday’s Results:

How do you take your clam chowder?

1. Creamy New England-style: 71%
2. Clam chowder’s not my thing: 18%
3. Tomato-based-style: 7%
4. Clear-broth-style: 2%
5. Other: 2%

San Francisco Bay is the West Coast’s largest estuary. Which two major rivers supply much of its fresh water, converging in the Delta before flowing into the bay?

Show me the answer