The California Flyover

Saturday, May 2, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1983, a magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the Central Valley city of Coalinga, injuring 94 people and destroying much of its historic downtown in just 45 seconds.

Welcome to the first Saturday edition of The California Flyover! Beginning today, we’ll be delivering state news to your inbox seven days a week. Let us know what you think by replying to this email.

It’s been a wild week of news, and some of the biggest stories may have flown right under your radar. President Trump hinted that a major UFO file release is coming “in the near future,” engineers are using sound waves to extinguish wildfires, and Saudi investors are pulling the plug on LIV Golf. Tune into The Flyover Podcast as Amy Hess takes an in-depth look at some of the most interesting stories of the week. Tune in here!

Mother’s Day is right around the corner. If you haven’t started shopping, start here: our 2026 Gift Guide has thoughtful, practical, and indulgent picks for every kind of mom.

Today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz, is sharing 19 smart expenses to cut when money gets tight—practical tips that could help you save more, reduce stress, and take control of your finances faster.

Nevada Quake Rattles Into Sacramento Valley

A 5.2-magnitude earthquake rattled the region near Lahontan Reservoir in the early hours of Friday morning, with shaking felt from Reno and South Lake Tahoe all the way into the Sacramento Valley.

The quake struck at 1:17 a.m. PDT and was centered about 40 miles east of Carson City, according to CBS Sacramento. A 4.3-magnitude foreshock hit just a minute before the main event, and several aftershocks followed — none larger than magnitude 2.7. No injuries or significant damage have been reported.

More than 1,600 people responded to the USGS “Did You Feel It” survey, with reports coming from Reno, Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, and as far west as Roseville and Sacramento, the East Bay Times reports. Shaking was also felt across the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Friday’s quake is the latest in a string of seismic events near Lahontan Reservoir. A 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck the same area on April 13, and dozens of smaller quakes have been recorded there since, the Mercury News notes.

Billionaire Tax Heads to Ballot

California’s biggest tax fight in years is heading toward voters—backers of a proposed one-time 5% levy on billionaires submitted roughly 1.6 million signatures last week, nearly double the number needed to qualify for the November 2026 ballot.

The California Billionaire Tax Act would impose a one-time 5% tax on residents with a net worth exceeding $1 billion, projected to raise roughly $100 billion for healthcare, food assistance, and public education. SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West launched the campaign to offset federal Medicaid cuts signed by President Trump last year.

The measure has sharp opponents. Gov. Gavin Newsom and tech industry leaders have publicly opposed the initiative, and some wealthy Californians are already moving assets out of state.

Election officials still need to verify the signatures before the measure is formally certified. With nearly twice the required threshold submitted, supporters are confident it will reach the November ballot—and opposition groups say they’re ready for a costly fight.

Craig Venter, Genomics Pioneer, Dies

J. Craig Venter, the San Diego scientist who raced against the federal government to decode the human genome and helped launch synthetic biology, died April 29 at 79 following complications from cancer treatment.

Venter founded Celera Genomics in 1998 and used a faster private-sector method that turned the Human Genome Project into a historic race. The two teams declared a tie in 2001, jointly publishing the first draft of the human genome — a milestone that opened the door to personalized medicine and a new era of biological science.

He later led synthetic biology’s foundational breakthrough: constructing the first bacterial cell controlled by a chemically synthesized genome. The J. Craig Venter Institute, which he founded in La Jolla, remains a global center for genomic research and continues his work today.

San Diego’s scientific community mourned the loss of one of its most consequential figures. JCVI president Anders Dale pledged to honor Venter’s legacy by advancing genomic science and turning discovery into real-world impact.

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➤ Oakland: Elon Musk took the stand Thursday in his civil lawsuit against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman at a federal court in Oakland, testifying about losing control of the AI company he co-founded after investing about $38 million. (More)

➤ Sacramento: The city manager unveiled a proposed $1.7 billion budget with a $66.2 million deficit, warning of potential layoffs if the council doesn’t act. Rising pension costs and slower-than-expected tax revenue growth are driving the gap. (More)

➤ Napa: Winemakers and agricultural businesses renewed their push to cut red tape as Napa County supervisors met Thursday, citing rising costs and tighter margins in a soft post-pandemic market. (More)

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➤ Fresno/Merced: The House passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, with Reps. Jim Costa (Fresno) and Adam Gray (Merced) voting yes—funding farm subsidies, crop insurance, and nutrition programs for San Joaquin Valley agriculture. (More)

➤ Merced/Bakersfield: California’s High-Speed Rail Authority delayed a board vote on its business plan after lawmakers said it violated state law. The plan would relocate stations in Merced and Bakersfield, bypassing required community input. (More)

➤ San Joaquin Valley: The 2026 California table grape season is starting ahead of schedule, with growers reporting high fruit quality and strong overseas demand despite tariff-related trade uncertainty. (More)

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➤ Inland Empire: Riverside and San Bernardino counties ranked worst in the nation for ozone pollution, per a new American Lung Association report. Vehicle emissions, geography, and climate change are the primary drivers. (More)

➤ San Bernardino County: The county’s January 2026 Point in Time Count recorded 3,718 homeless individuals—a 3.1% drop and the second consecutive annual decline. High Desert communities bucked the trend with increases. (More)

➤ San Diego: A United Airlines pilot reported a possible drone strike on approach to San Diego International Airport. No injuries were reported and contact has not been confirmed. The FAA is investigating. (More)

That’s the south. More California news tomorrow — stay in the flyover.

➤ 7-foot-9 basketball player Olivier Rioux announced his transfer to UC Irvine after appearing in just 11 games last season with the Florida Gators. He’s tallest player in college basketball history. (More)

➤ A new study found that Texas and California account for 43% of all sports-related prediction market contracts in the U.S. Neither state allows formal sports gambling. (More)

➤ Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández hosted an autism-friendly baseball clinic in Los Angeles this week as part of Autism Acceptance Month. (More)

➤ The LA Lakers played the Houston Rockets last night in Game 6 of their NBA playoff series. (See Score)

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➤ The Port of Los Angeles is offering free public harbor boat tours May 9th to mark World Trade Week’s centennial—a rare look at the nation’s busiest container port from the water. Tours are expected to fill quickly. (More)

➤ BottleRock Napa Valley unveiled its culinary lineup for the May 22–24 festival at Napa Valley Expo—organizers say the food rivals the music bill, from caviar corn dogs to barbecue. Tickets still available. (More)

➤ Kern County pilot and current Mrs. United States titleholder, Dea Payette, or ‘Cooper the Pilot’, went from a South Korean orphanage to the cockpit, now mentoring young women through her aviation scholarship program and serving local veterans. (More)

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