Seven Candidates, Final Debate

California’s seven gubernatorial candidates clashed Thursday in San Francisco in their sixth and final debate before the June 2 primary.

Xavier Becerra, who entered with a polling lead, again absorbed the most attacks from rivals—sharpened by the same-day guilty plea of his former political strategist Dana Williamson, who admitted to a scheme involving Becerra’s old campaign account. The 90-minute forum—hosted by CBS Bay Area and the San Francisco Examiner—covered housing, homelessness, public safety, climate, and education.

Becerra said he would declare a state of emergency to cut housing red tape; Antonio Villaraigosa cited his housing record as LA mayor; Katie Porter pushed a bolder homelessness overhaul; San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan positioned himself as a moderate Democrat; and Tom Steyer leaned into climate. Republicans Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton sharpened their contrast with the Democratic field on crime and fiscal discipline.

Seventeen days remain before voters narrow the field to two. The top finishers advance to November regardless of party affiliation under California’s top-two primary system.

Super El Niño Threat Grows

A powerful El Niño is forming faster than expected in the Pacific, with climate scientists warning it could reach “super” strength by late 2026.

NOAA data shows El Niño emerging weeks ahead of projections—raising the prospect of a California winter comparable to 1997–98, which caused $550 million in damage and 17 deaths in the state. The Central Coast faces the most acute risk, with some forecasters projecting 150–200% of normal rainfall around San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara.

Southern California would see increased flooding and coastal erosion. Strong El Niños can also suppress the Atlantic hurricane season while driving Pacific storm systems deeper inland.

The silver lining: a wet winter could replenish reservoirs depleted by drought and ease some pressure on fire-scarred hillsides. Wildfire risk could drop in many areas—though mudslide risk in burn zones would spike significantly.

Three Smokers Ground San Diego’s Airport

A brief security breach at San Diego International Airport on Thursday morning—triggered by three passengers stepping out for a cigarette—forced an FAA ground stop that rippled across the western United States.

San Diego Harbor Police said the three travelers exited Terminal 1 around 6:30 a.m. for what they described as a “smoke break,” then re-entered through a non-permitted door. The move set off security alarms and prompted the FAA to halt departures bound for San Diego from Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Denver, Oakland, and Albuquerque starting at 7:51 a.m.

The advisory had been scheduled to run until 9:15 a.m. but was lifted by 8:15 a.m. FAA data still projected average delays around 32 minutes—with some stretching past an hour—as airlines worked to recover their morning schedules.

The three travelers were screened, denied boarding, and issued citations. An airport spokesperson confirmed operations had returned to normal shortly after the stop was lifted.

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Homeowners Are Quietly Tapping Record Equity

Here’s a number most homeowners haven’t checked lately: their equity.

The average homeowner now has about $315,000 in equity, and many are using a HELOC to consolidate debt, renovate, or cover major expenses.

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➤ Sacramento: With the A’s now in Sacramento and the Giants rebuilding, the SF Chronicle examines two franchises heading in opposite directions—one finding its footing, the other searching for relevance in a Dodger-dominated league. (More)

➤ Berkeley: University of California service workers reached a tentative agreement at the final hour Thursday, averting a strike that had threatened campuses statewide. Berkeleyside reports tense last-minute negotiations produced the deal. (More)

➤ Oakland: Mayor Barbara Lee is backing a new tax measure to restore city service cuts and stabilize Oakland’s chronically strained budget—a centerpiece of her early tenure and a test of voter confidence after years of fiscal turmoil. (More)

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➤ Fresno County: Families in Tombstone Territory, an unincorporated community without reliable safe drinking water for years, have finally secured a sustainable supply. KVPR documents the long rural fight for a basic resource. (More)

➤ Kern County: The Soda Crackers are carrying the Bakersfield Sound into a new generation, blending honky-tonk roots with fresh originals while frontman Zane Adamo balances life as both filmmaker and fiddle player. (More)

➤ Fresno: The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire tour is rolling into Fresno this fall, bringing oversized trucks, freestyle motocross, lasers, and fan favorites like Mega Wrex and Bone Shaker to the Save Mart Center. (More)

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➤ Chino Hills: A Tesla rollover on Grand Avenue ignited the 30-acre Grand Fire Wednesday, forcing evacuations of hundreds of homes. Firefighters contained it by Thursday; Cal Fire confirmed the EV battery was the ignition source. (More)

➤ Los Angeles: Original Tommy’s World Famous Hamburgers celebrated its 80th anniversary with 80-cent chili burgers Friday at its iconic Beverly and Rampart corner—a SoCal institution serving the same recipe since 1946. (More)

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➤ The Los Angeles Dodgers shut out the San Francisco Giants 4–0 Wednesday in the latest chapter of baseball’s most storied California rivalry. Blake Snell, returning from shoulder trouble, made his 2026 season debut this week. (More)

➤ The Oakland Athletics split their series with the Cardinals in Sacramento, winning Game 1 Wednesday (6–2) before dropping a separate game Thursday (5–4). The A’s are in their second season at Sutter Health Park while awaiting their Las Vegas stadium. (More)

➤ The San Francisco 49ers released their 2026 schedule, opening against the Rams in Melbourne, Australia—the first NFL regular-season game played Down Under. (More)

➤ UCLA softball opens its NCAA regional this weekend at Easton Stadium as the No. 8 national seed. The Bruins (47–8) host California Baptist, Cal State Fullerton, and South Carolina beginning Friday. (More)

➤ Kyle Larson was in the Bay Area and Sacramento this week promoting the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway (June 26–28). The two-time Cup champion and Elk Grove native is a hometown favorite at the road course. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NBA | MLB |  WNBA | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf 

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If you’re sitting on untapped home equity, Money.com says you may be able to turn it into cash for renovations, debt consolidation, or major expenses without touching your savings.

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➤ Bay to Breakers returns to San Francisco this Sunday with the 114th running of the beloved 12K footrace from the Embarcadero to Ocean Beach. Streets close and MUNI/BART run altered schedules—come in costume, naturally. (More)

➤ The Korean Wave is resonating in Fresno and across the Central Valley, where K-pop, K-drama, and Korean beauty products have become embedded in local culture—driven by a growing Korean-American community and younger California fans. (More)

➤ The Calaveras Frog Jubilee hops into Angels Camp through Sunday with frog-jumping contests, rodeo, carnival rides, and fair food at the Gold Country tradition Mark Twain famously immortalized in 1865. (More)

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How worried are you about California’s wildfire season this year?

1. Very worried
2. Somewhat worried
3. Not too worried
4. Not worried at all

Yesterday’s Results:

A Facebook scam impersonating actor Billy Bob Thorton is making the rounds on California’s Central Coast. Have you ever been targeted by an online scam?

1. Yes I fell for it: 52%
2. Yes, but I recognized the scam: 21%
3. I get attempts regularly: 19%
4. Never, that I know of: 8%

What Mark Twain short story was inspired by a frog-jumping contest in Calaveras County, California?

Show me the answer