Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 2001, Pacific Palisades businessman Dennis Tito launched aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket, becoming the world’s first paying space tourist after spending $20 million for a trip to the International Space Station.

An iconic 10-gallon cowboy hat sign from a shuttered Hollywood Arby’s has resurfaced in the desert, drawing crowds and raising a big question: where does it go next? Details below in Et Cetera.

So we’ve got to ask: What’s the strangest thing you’ve come across in the California desert? Reply to this email and let us know.

Life insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all, and picking the wrong policy can mean overpaying for coverage you don’t need or leaving your family short when it matters most. Who’s the most affordable? Who has the best customer service? Who’s the best if you want to skip the medical exam? On today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown breaks down the top life insurance companies for seniors in 2026, shedding light on which one might be best for you. Tune in here!

Still figuring out what to get Mom? We did the hard part for you. Our 2026 Mother’s Day Gift Guide has picks she’ll actually use, love, and maybe even brag about.

Today’s sponsor, Incogni, helps protect your personal information by removing it from data broker sites and keeping your private details out of the hands of advertisers and scammers.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Torrance Man Charged In Assassination Attempt

A Torrance man faces up to life in prison after federal prosecutors charged him Monday with attempting to assassinate President Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner Saturday night.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, allegedly rushed a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton armed with a shotgun, handgun, and multiple knives. Officials said a round struck a Secret Service agent, whose protective vest stopped it.

Allen made his first court appearance Monday afternoon in D.C. federal court but did not enter a plea. He faces three felony counts, including transporting a firearm across state lines and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

The Caltech graduate and C2 Education tutor allegedly sent family members a note outlining his intentions before the attack. Authorities said he traveled by train from Los Angeles to Washington, and investigators say his writings indicate he intended to target Trump administration officials.

Musk-Altman AI Trial Opens in Oakland

Elon Musk’s civil lawsuit against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman opened Monday in Oakland federal court, with opening arguments set for today.

The case centers on OpenAI’s 2015 founding as a nonprofit Musk helped seed with tens of millions of dollars, and its later shift to a for-profit venture worth $852 billion. Musk accuses Altman and OpenAI President Greg Brockman of betraying that founding mission.

OpenAI calls the suit an unfounded attack aimed at boosting Musk’s competing AI company, xAI. Musk is no longer seeking personal damages and is instead pushing to have funds returned to OpenAI’s charitable arm and for Altman’s removal from the board.

Witnesses are expected to include Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and former OpenAI board members. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers is overseeing the case with a nine-member jury, and the trial is expected to run about four weeks.

Eight Hopefuls Debate at Pomona Tonight

Eight candidates for California governor will share the stage at Pomona College’s Bridges Auditorium tonight for a debate billed as the most inclusive of the race so far.

The confirmed lineup includes Xavier Becerra (D), Chad Bianco (R), Steve Hilton (R), Matt Mahan (D), Katie Porter (D), Tom Steyer (D), Tony Thurmond (D), and Antonio Villaraigosa (D). Former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D) suspended his campaign April 12 and resigned from Congress April 13 amid sexual misconduct allegations. Former state Controller Betty Yee (D) suspended her campaign April 20.

The 90-minute debate airs live at 5:30 p.m. on CBS stations from Los Angeles to Sacramento, with questions on public safety, housing, immigration, and the economy informed by a CBS News voter poll.

The primary election is June 2, with the top two finishers, regardless of party, advancing to a November runoff to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom. President Trump has endorsed Hilton, while the Democratic field remains divided.

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➤ Mountain View: A contractor’s slurry contamination of a water main Friday has left about 67 households in the Cuesta Park neighborhood under a “Do Not Use” order, with the city offering free hotel stays and bottled water as crews work to restore potable service by mid-to-late week. (More)

➤ Fairfield: Two juveniles and an 18-year-old were arrested early Sunday after a motorist reported one of them pointed a green-laser-equipped handgun at a passing vehicle near Tabor Park. Police later found three loaded firearms during a search. (See Details)

➤ San Francisco: Caltrans reopened northbound lanes of 19th Avenue between Sloat Boulevard and Lincoln Way at 1:35 a.m. Monday, three-and-a-half hours ahead of schedule, with two more weekend closures planned May 8-11 and May 22-25. (See Details)

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➤ Reedley: Some 900 students from middle school through college packed Reedley College’s 17th annual STEM conference Saturday to hear from Foos in Medicine creators Alexis Alemán and Irvin Garcia, two UCLA medical students with a 400,000-strong Instagram following. (More)

➤ Los Osos: The California Supreme Court unanimously sided with developer Shear Development Co. last week, ruling the Coastal Commission lacked jurisdiction to block a small San Luis Obispo County housing project and overturning two lower court rulings. (More)

➤ Big Sur: Nearly 10,000 athletes were expected to take part in the Big Sur International Marathon on Sunday, prompting a 27-mile closure of Highway 1 from Big Sur to Carmel from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m. as the world-renowned race drew runners and spectators from around the globe. (More)

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➤ Altadena: The town council and about 120 residents have asked Los Angeles County and Southern California Edison to pause plans to bury power lines after the Eaton Fire, citing $10,000 to $30,000 connection fees and concerns about damage to oak and cedar tree roots. (More)

➤ Studio City: A new mobile artificial intelligence surveillance unit was installed at Ventura Boulevard and Ethel Avenue at the Los Angeles Police Department’s request after a string of recent home invasions, part of Mayor Karen Bass’s directive last week to surge patrols along the Ventura corridor. (More)

➤ Hermosa Beach: Cal State Long Beach Shark Lab researchers and lifeguards are working to free juvenile great white sharks from fishing lines near coastal piers, as El Niño-driven warm water draws more young sharks near shore and raises concerns over illegal or accidental hookings. (See Details)

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➤ LA Kings center Anze Kopitar retired this weekend following the team’s exit from the NHL playoffs. He finishes his career as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. (More)

➤ LeBron James shouldered the blame for the Lakers’ Game 4 loss to the Rockets, calling his eight turnovers “unacceptable.” (More)

➤ The Anaheim Ducks can close out the Oilers tonight to advance to Round 2 of the NHL Playoffs. Gametime is scheduled for 7 p.m. (How to Watch)

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➤ CalFresh recipients face new federal work requirements starting June 1, with adults ages 18 to 64 without a disability or a child under 14 required to complete 20 hours of work, training, or volunteering per week to keep benefits beyond three months in a three-year period. (See Details)

➤ IKEA debuts its first Los Angeles city-center store Wednesday in Culver City’s Helms Design District, with a 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting and public access, followed by a Grand Opening Block Party on May 2. (See Details)

➤ Container Store locations in California will add Bed Bath & Beyond shop-in-shops starting in May, with five Southern California sites and seven Northern California sites converting to the combined format. (See Details)

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➤ The 69th San Francisco International Film Festival opened Friday at the Castro Theatre with premieres of Olivia Wilde’s The Invite and Late Fame starring Greta Lee, kicking off 11 days and more than 100 films at the longest-running film festival in the Americas. The festival runs through May 4. (See Details)

➤ Baby skunks are popping up across Los Angeles County as spring birthing season begins, with mother striped skunks producing litters of four to six kits and turning more protective of their young. Wildlife officials recommend securing trash cans and pet food to keep encounters down. (More)

➤ Arby’s iconic Hollywood neon 10-gallon cowboy hat sign, removed from Sunset Boulevard in August 2025 after the restaurant closed, resurfaced at the Stagecoach Festival in Indio after being restored. Its future home remains undecided. (See Details)

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