California’s Primary Closes Tonight

California’s polls close at 8 p.m. tonight, when a crowded primary for governor will be cut to the two finishers who advance to November.

Gov. Gavin Newsom is term-limited, and under the state’s top-two system the two leading vote-getters advance regardless of party.

Polling has shown Democrat Xavier Becerra leading, with Democrat Tom Steyer and Republican Steve Hilton competing for the second spot and Republican Chad Bianco trailing. Hilton has urged Bianco to step aside, warning that a split Republican vote could allow two Democrats to advance to the November ballot.

Also on the ballot are races for lieutenant governor, Congress, the Legislature and mayoral contests, including Los Angeles. Live returns will post after polls close.

LA County Probes Burned Ballots

Los Angeles County election workers discovered mail-in ballots with fire damage inside an official downtown drop box over the weekend.

Separately, a vote center at Cesar E. Chavez Park in Long Beach was vandalized early Sunday, though officials said workers responded quickly and voting was not disrupted.

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office said the burned-ballot incident appeared isolated, involving a small number of ballots dropped between a scheduled collection and the next morning’s pickup. Police were notified, and affected voters will be contacted and offered replacement ballots.

Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan said the office is reviewing both incidents and working to identify affected voters. “Our responsibility is to protect voters and ensure every eligible voter has the opportunity to cast a ballot,” he said.

Cross-Border Tunnel Found Near Otay Mesa

Mexican authorities found an 869-foot cross-border tunnel near Otay Mesa that, according to Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office, likely connects to a well-known San Diego street.

The tunnel was discovered Saturday as agents served a search warrant at a home in Tijuana’s Nueva Tijuana neighborhood. The passage ran about 21 feet underground and featured lighting, ventilation, and an electronic sliding access system, authorities said.

Investigators said the home may have served as a storage and logistics hub for weapons, explosives, and drugs. Authorities seized ammunition, suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, cell phones and documents during the operation.

Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego said it is conducting a criminal enforcement operation tied to the tunnel but declined to provide further details because the investigation is ongoing.

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➤ San Francisco: A car crashed into a Castro District restaurant and its parklets around 2 a.m. Sunday, and the driver fled on foot after the airbags deployed. No one was hurt, but the longtime business faces up to $25,000 in repairs, and police are still searching. (See Video)

➤ 1st District: Democrats hold about a 3,700-ballot edge in early returns in the race for the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s seat, according to Political Data Inc. The figures show which voters have returned ballots, not how they voted. The redrawn district is rated “Solid Democratic” by the Cook Political Report. (More)

➤ Avenue of the Giants: A giant redwood fell across the scenic roadway in Humboldt County on Friday, closing Highway 254 near Pepperwood for several hours. Caltrans crews cleared the tree by 9:45 a.m., while Highway 101 remained open during the closure. (See Photos)

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➤ Visalia: Antonio Monroe, 18, was killed and three other students were wounded in a graduation party shooting Saturday night. The surviving victims are expected to recover, and police are continuing to investigate. (See Details)

➤ Tollhouse: A paraglider died Saturday morning after an in-air emergency caused a crash about 500 yards from a popular launch site in the Burrough Mountain area of Fresno County, CAL FIRE said. Crews cleared heavy brush so a helicopter could access the scene. (More)

➤ Bakersfield: Cal State Bakersfield signed a partnership with OpenAI to launch SPARKS, which the university calls a first-of-its-kind program, beginning this fall. Students will learn directly from OpenAI engineers in three classes, then apply their AI skills to projects for local nonprofits. (See Details)

➤ Winton: Twenty-nine years to the day after 17-year-old Vanessa Dawn Smith vanished during an evening walk near her Merced County home, the sheriff’s office is again asking for tips. The teen was last seen May 31, 1997, and her walking stick later turned up along Mercedes Avenue. (More)

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➤ Compton: Street takeovers fell 56% in sheriff-patrolled areas and 58% over the past six months, officials said, crediting added patrols and raised intersection bumpers. Some events still draw 500 vehicles and remain a major safety concern. (More)

➤ Temecula: A new “smart freeway” system is now operating along an eight-mile stretch of northbound I-15 through the Temecula-Murrieta corridor. Sensors and digital speed signs will monitor traffic in real time and recommend speeds to reduce congestion and smooth afternoon commutes. (See Details)

➤ Anaheim: A man wanted for smashing car windows led police on an hourslong standoff Sunday after fleeing into an Anaheim apartment complex, prompting a SWAT response. He surrendered unclothed and was taken into custody. Police said he is a documented gang member with a narcotics-related warrant. (See Details)

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➤ The Los Angeles Rams acquired two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns yesterday in a blockbuster trade. Los Angeles is sending edge rusher Jared Verse and three draft picks to Cleveland for the All-Pro pass rusher. (More)  

➤ San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has reportedly not responded to the organization’s attempts to contact him, and teams around the league are said to have little interest in trading for him. (More)

➤ Stanford beach volleyball assistant coach Jo Kremer has been hired as head coach at the University of South Florida. She helped lead the Cardinal to a 39-5 record and their first NCAA championship match appearance this season. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | NCAASB | NCAAB | WNBA | Tennis

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➤ Anthropic, the San Francisco-based maker of the Claude chatbot, raised $65 billion at a $965 billion valuation, surpassing rival OpenAI and becoming the most valuable AI startup. The round nearly tripled its February valuation and comes as the company prepares for a potential IPO. (More)

➤ A Southern California real estate dispute ended in a roughly $1.34 billion arbitration award after an arbitrator found real estate owner Mohammad Honarkar was fraudulently induced into business dealings with financier Mahender Makhijani. The case rattled lenders including Western Alliance Bancorp and Zions Bancorp. (See Report)

➤ California regulators approved up to $4 billion in free emissions allowances for oil refiners and other industrial polluters, citing affordability concerns. Critics warn the move could raise emissions and lower carbon prices. (See Details)

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➤ Three bat-eared fox kits have begun poking out of their den at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where visitors can now catch a glimpse of them. The pups belong to a small African species known for its oversized ears and are the offspring of first-time parents Winter and Teddy. (See Photos)

➤ Nayeli Gil-Silva graduated as one of three co-valedictorians at Alisal High in Salinas, becoming the fourth member of her family to earn the honor, following her mother and two older brothers. (See Details)

➤ More than 30,000 runners took to San Diego’s streets over the weekend for the 28th Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series, with a 5K through Balboa Park on Saturday and Sunday’s half-marathon and marathon finishing at Waterfront Park. Live bands lined the course, and road closures affected traffic citywide. (More)

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A new “smart freeway” on the 15 aims to ease congestion. What would actually improve your drive?

1. Smarter signals and sensors
2. More lanes
3. Fewer people on the road
4. Nothing ever helps
5. Other (reply to let us know)

Yesterday’s Results:

How often do you buy a lottery ticket?

1. Never: 33%
2. Once in a while: 30%
3. Only for a big jackpot: 22%
4. Every drawing: 15%

Hidden in a Northern California park, the tallest known tree of all soars to about 380 feet, taller than the Statue of Liberty. What is this record-holding redwood’s name?

Show me the answer