Friday, June 26, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1925, Charlie Chaplin’s The Gold Rush premiered at Hollywood’s Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre, the silent classic he later called the picture by which he most wanted to be remembered.

You never know what might surface off the California coast. As we report below, one of the ocean’s most elusive giants made a surprise appearance off Dana Point.

In moments like these, it’s easy to feel helpless watching tragedy unfold from afar. But together, we can make a real difference. Today, we’re partnering with Convoy of Hope to support families devastated by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. If you’re able, please consider joining us in providing urgently needed relief to those who have lost so much.

California to Sue over Offshore Wind

California’s attorney general said this week the state intends to sue the Trump administration over a federal deal paying Golden State Wind $120 million to abandon its planned offshore wind project off Morro Bay.

Attorney General Rob Bonta and the California Energy Commission sent a notice of intent to sue, saying the buyout breaks federal law and risks more than $100 million the state has spent on ports, transmission, workforce training, and other offshore wind infrastructure. The notice gives the Interior Department and Golden State Wind 60 days to respond before California may file a lawsuit.

The Interior Department says Golden State Wind agreed to voluntarily end its lease in exchange for a $120 million federal payment and an agreement to invest an equal sum in energy projects outside California, citing unspecified national-security concerns. President Trump has long opposed offshore wind.

The canceled project sits off the Central Coast, but the fight reaches the North Coast, where Humboldt County is planning port work to build and stage future turbines.

Jury Deadlocks in Palisades Arson Trial

A federal jury reported Thursday that it was deadlocked in the trial of the man accused of sparking the Palisades Fire after first signaling it had reached a verdict and will return Friday to keep deliberating.

The panel initially sent the judge a note indicating it had reached a decision, then another saying it was at a standstill and unable to reach unanimous verdicts. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the jury was deadlocked and the trial will continue.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, a former Uber driver, is accused of igniting the New Year’s Day Lachman Fire, which prosecutors say smoldered underground for days before reigniting Jan. 7 as the Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes.

LAUSD Names Chait as Superintendent

The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to make Andrés Chait the permanent superintendent of the nation’s second-largest school district.

Chait had been acting superintendent since February, when the board placed Alberto Carvalho on leave after the FBI searched his home and district offices. Carvalho resigned Sunday.

The federal investigation is apparently linked to a failed $6 million contract for an AI chatbot built by a now-defunct company whose founder faces federal fraud charges. Carvalho has not been charged with a crime and denies any wrongdoing.

Chait has spent three decades with the district, rising from kindergarten teacher to principal to senior administrator. He steered LAUSD through labor talks, budget planning, and the end of the school year during his months as acting chief.

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Rush critical aid to survivors in Venezuela

You’ve seen the reports. The devastating death toll and massive destruction after earthquakes in Venezuela. More than 180 people are dead, 1,500 are injured, and numbers are sure to rise. You can be part of the urgent response.

Convoy of Hope is on the ground in the disaster zone, providing emergency food, clean water, and critical supplies to those who need them most. More support is needed.

We’ll be matching the first $4,000 donated. Please help now!

Two powerful earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 collapsed buildings and trapped people in the rubble. Families with missing loved ones cling to hope as rescue teams work around the clock. Urgent needs include food, water, and other essentials.

Since 1994, Convoy of Hope has served more than 350 million people affected by disasters, hunger, and crises. They are ranked by Forbes among America’s Top Charities. You can give with confidence.

The Flyover will match every dollar of the first $4,000 donated. Your compassionate gift will bring hope and help to families who have lost everything.

➤ Shasta County: A 35-year-old hiker, Gerrad Esnault, reported missing June 21 after not returning from the Swasey Park trails, was found safe by community members near Stoney Gulch Trail after a multiday search and treated for minor injuries. (More)

➤ Vallejo: A five-year-delayed city investigation into officers bending their badge tips after fatal on-duty shootings found six of 14 officers violated department policy and cleared eight. Investigators found the practice constituted misconduct but was unconnected to the shootings. (See Details)

➤ Sonoma County: Watch Duty, the free wildfire-tracking app used by more than 2.5 million people during last year’s Los Angeles fires, expanded this month to monitor flooding in all 50 states as flash-flood season begins. (More)

➤ Butte County: PG&E and Butte County Fire returned a UH-60 Blackhawk helitanker to the Chico Air Attack Base for a third straight fire season, bolstering aerial firefighting as the 2026 fire season begins. (More)

➤ Dixon: City officials reassured residents that loud, jet engine-like noises heard across town are coming from annual maintenance at the Campbell’s Soup facility and pose no danger to the public. (More)

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➤ Fresno: A 13-year-old was arrested on a manslaughter charge after a shooting at a northwest Fresno apartment complex killed 19-year-old Edgar Hernandez, police said. (See Details)

➤ Yosemite: The park is gathering public input on proposed safety and visitor service upgrades to the heavily traveled Mist Trail corridor, the route past Vernal Fall to Half Dome. (More)

➤ Orange Cove: The city council unanimously opposed SoCalGas’ proposed hydrogen-blending demonstration project, siding with residents who gathered more than 650 signatures against plans to inject hydrogen into the farm town’s natural gas system. (See Details)

➤ Fresno: The Fresno Chaffee Zoo will close its Tropical Rainforest Aviary on July 5, citing animal welfare, safety, and infrastructure concerns as it plans to convert the space into a botanical exhibit. (More)

➤ Santa Barbara County: Firefighters used the Jaws of Life, a tool normally reserved for car wrecks, to free a fawn trapped in a fence. The baby deer was released without injury. (Read Story)

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➤ Boyle Heights: Crews knocked down the Lineage cold-storage warehouse fire Wednesday, more than a week after it ignited June 17 and blanketed parts of Los Angeles with smoke. A massive cleanup is now underway as crews remove spoiled food, collect debris, and test contaminated firefighting runoff. (More)

➤ Los Angeles: The city council approved spending at least $120,000 on outside lawyers to defend the Ethics Commission against a lawsuit by Councilman John Lee, who is challenging its finding that he failed to disclose gifts and a $138,124 penalty. (More)

➤ Orange County: Prosecutors charged former State Parks superintendent Kevin Pearsall, 59, with secretly recording at least 23 lifeguards in a men’s locker room at the Bolsa Chica headquarters. He faces felony eavesdropping charges and dozens of related misdemeanor counts. (See Details)

➤ San Diego: The City Council Rules Committee voted unanimously to direct staff to draft a “Follow the Money” ordinance that would tighten lobbying disclosure, bar campaign donations from registered lobbyists, and require those spending $1,000 or more to influence city decisions to file disclosure reports within 24 hours. (See Details)

➤ Dana Point: A rare sperm whale, one of the ocean’s largest and most elusive creatures, surfaced off the coast, giving whale-watching passengers a rare glimpse of a species seldom seen in Southern California waters. (Read Story)

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➤ A California bill that would have limited professional athletes’ access to workers’ compensation benefits has been pulled without a vote, a setback for the 49ers, Chargers, and Rams, which backed it despite objections from the NFL Players Association. (More)

➤ The San Jose Sharks own the No. 2 overall pick in tonight’s NHL Draft, the highest selection among California’s teams. The Los Angeles Kings, meanwhile, pick at No. 17. (How to Watch)

➤ Lakers guard Austin Reaves has agreed to a four-year, $185 million maximum extension to stay in Los Angeles, making him the highest-paid undrafted player in NBA history. (More)

➤ Golden State Warriors center Al Horford plans to sign a new two-year, $14 million deal to return to the team, making him just the 13th player in NBA history to reach a 20th season. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | WNBA | Golf

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➤ California drivers will pay 2.2 cents more in state gas tax per gallon starting July 1, bringing the state’s excise tax to 63.4 cents a gallon and adding to some of the nation’s highest pump prices. (More)

➤ Community Health System and Blue Shield of California reached a long-term agreement, retroactive to Feb. 1, restoring in-network access to Community’s Fresno-area hospitals after nearly five months without an agreement. (More)

➤ Mad River Mass Timber is expanding what it says is California’s first commercial dowel-laminated timber plant in Humboldt County, producing engineered wood panels from sustainably sourced timber and planning to hire up to 30 workers. (Read Story)

➤ Federal regulators warned 24 Southern California hospitals they face fines of up to $2 million a year unless they comply with rules requiring public pricing information, part of a national sweep of more than 500 hospitals flagged since April. (See Details)

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➤ Are you taking one of these 9 “memory erasing” prescriptions? You may think your memory loss is just a sign of getting older, but one of these 9 drugs could actually be damaging your brain… If you’re over the age of 60, your brain could be at risk. (More)

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Double Your Impact. Earthquake Recovery.

Earthquake survivors in Venezuela need your help. Two powerful earthquakes have devastated communities across the country. Buildings have collapsed, families have been displaced, and lives have been upended. More than 180 people are dead, and 1,500 are injured, with numbers sure to rise.

Convoy of Hope is on the ground now, supplying food, clean water, and essential relief. Please support these efforts with your gift today!

The Flyover will match the first $4,000 donated for double impact.

This means your quick response can help twice as many families recover.

Please give now and bring hope where it’s needed most.

➤ California ranks second nationally for the priciest medium cheese pizza at $18.85, a NetCredit study found, with San Diego, San Jose, and Los Angeles among the costliest cities and takeout running about 20% above the national average. (See Report)

➤ The 73rd annual Lompoc Valley Flower Festival runs through June 28 at Ryon Memorial Park with a flower-float parade, carnival rides, crafts, and the theme “America in Bloom: 250 Years.” (See Details)

➤ A hidden Central Coast treasure at the Paso Robles Airport, the Estrella Warbirds Museum preserves and restores military aircraft and history as the nation marks its 250th birthday this year. (Read Story)

➤ Michelin’s 2026 California awards ceremony was held Wednesday in San Diego for the first time, where Addison retained its three Michelin stars while Lucien earned the area’s only new one-star designation. (More)

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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. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ The world’s first trillionaire held the title for less than two weeks. What knocked him back down to mere billionaire? (Press Play)

➤ A federal judge just blocked a major piece of the President’s mail-in voting overhaul, and it comes down to one constitutional question. (Hear the Ruling)

➤ It nearly went extinct, until one Missouri farmer admitted she’d been quietly growing it all along. Meet summer’s most star-studded fruit. (Take a Bite)