Monday, June 1, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1926, Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson in Los Angeles. The Hollywood icon would have turned 100 today.

A Southern California man’s attempt to sneak exotic reptiles into the U.S. turned out to be far more than a one-time border bust. As we report below, federal investigators say the case exposed a multi-year trafficking operation that ended with a federal prison sentence.

Flyover Updates officially launches today, bringing the day’s biggest developing stories straight to your phone. Each update is designed to be quick, easy to read, and brief, giving you the most important news happening after your morning edition lands without cluttering your inbox or taking up your day. If you’d like to stay informed between editions of The Flyover, sign up today.

Today’s sponsor, the knēNest Pillow, is designed to relieve nighttime pain and improve sleep by keeping your body properly aligned for deeper, more restorative rest.

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.

Becerra Leads as California Votes

A final Emerson College poll shows Democrat Xavier Becerra leading California’s governor’s race ahead of Tuesday’s primary.

Becerra drew 28% support, followed by Democrat Tom Steyer at 22% and Republican Steve Hilton at 21%. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican, trailed at 12%, with about 5% undecided.

The top two finishers advance to November, regardless of party. The race opened up after frontrunner Eric Swalwell abruptly quit in April amid allegations of sexual misconduct and resigned from Congress.

Every active registered voter has been mailed a ballot. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, but voters can also drop a ballot off at a vote center, drop box, or polling place by 8 p.m.

Former Arcadia Mayor Pleads Guilty

Former Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang pleaded guilty Friday to acting as an illegal agent of the Chinese government.

Prosecutors say Wang and her then-fiancé, Yaoning “Mike” Sun, ran a website, U.S. News Center, that posted pro-Beijing articles supplied by Chinese officials through encrypted WeChat messages.

In one 2021 exchange cited by prosecutors, an official approved an article Wang had edited, and she replied, “Thank you, leader.”

Wang resigned as mayor in May after the charges. Her attorneys and city officials say her conduct ended before she took office, and the city manager said no city funds or staff were involved.

She faces up to 10 years in prison at her Oct. 6 sentencing.

Reptile Smuggler Sentenced to 65 Months

An Oxnard man who smuggled more than 1,700 reptiles into the United States was sentenced to 65 months in federal prison.

Jose Manuel Perez was caught in 2022 crossing the border at San Ysidro with lizards and snakes tied into small bags and stuffed into his jacket, pants pockets, and waistband.

Over six years, Perez and accomplices, including his sister, imported animals from Mexico and Hong Kong without permits, among them Mexican beaded lizards and baby crocodiles.

Prosecutors valued the haul at more than $739,000. Perez is already serving a nine-year sentence on federal gun charges.

Flying together with our sponsor

Tired of waking up with aching hips, sore knees, or lower back pain? The knēNest knee pillow is designed specifically for side sleepers, using a unique cradle shape to keep your knees properly aligned all night. By preventing bone-on-bone pressure and keeping your spine in a natural position, it helps your body finally relax into deeper, more restorative sleep.

Made with premium memory foam and built-in airflow for cool, all-night comfort, knēNest stays in place while you move—so you’re not constantly readjusting. The result: less stiffness, better sleep quality, and mornings where you actually feel rested and pain-free.

LEARN MORE

➤ San Francisco: A fisherman remained in critical condition after a sneaker wave swept them into the ocean at Baker Beach on Friday. The National Weather Service issued a beach-hazard alert through early Tuesday, warning of sneaker waves and strong rip currents along Northern California’s coast. (More)

➤ Lake Tahoe: More than 120 search-and-rescue volunteers from 20 counties are searching for Jason Coughran, 60, who went missing on Memorial Day while hiking in the Desolation Wilderness southwest of Lake Tahoe. A large-scale search operation continued Saturday. (More)

➤ Gilroy: Residents are pushing back on a 56-acre Amazon Web Services data center, permitted through the city’s industrial-zoning process rather than a city council vote. Some learned of it only when construction began and cite water and energy concerns. Amazon will host a community meeting June 3. (See Details)

Enjoy reading The California Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family.

➤ Fresno: The long-stalled 174-unit Park at South Stadium apartment project moved closer to construction after securing nearly $70 million in bond financing. The Fresno City Council votes June 18, and work could begin in August if approved. (More)

➤ Clovis: Protesters and supporters gathered Saturday outside the CIF Track and Field Championships as transgender athlete AB Hernandez competed in three high school girls’ events. Hernandez placed first in the triple jump and long jump and tied for fourth in the high jump, while both sides debated fairness and inclusion under CIF rules. (See Details)

➤ Stockton: A fire damaged the entrance of the nearly 100-year-old First Unitarian Universalist Church on Stockton’s Miracle Mile, but firefighters kept the blaze from spreading to the sanctuary. The congregation held Sunday services outdoors and is raising money online for repairs. (More)

Enjoy reading The California Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family.

➤ Los Angeles: Mayor Karen Bass leads a 14-candidate field heading into Tuesday’s nonpartisan mayoral primary, polling at 25%, with Councilmember Nithya Raman at 17% and reality TV personality Spencer Pratt at 14%. The top two candidates will advance to a November runoff if no one wins more than 50% of the vote. (More)

➤ Riverside: A three-alarm fire tore through the 112-unit University Riverside Garden Apartments near UC Riverside on Friday, displacing at least 150 residents. No injuries were reported, and investigators are working to determine the cause of the blaze, which destroyed at least 50 units. (More)

➤ Santa Monica: A mountain lion that wandered into a Santa Monica neighborhood was safely tranquilized on Euclid Street by a state wildlife biologist Friday after being spotted earlier this week by children walking to school. Officials plan to relocate the animal with help from National Park Service experts. (See Photos)

Enjoy reading The California Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family.

➤ A coalition of Sacramento-area leaders has launched “The Sacramento Pitch,” a campaign to bring an MLB expansion team to the region, centered on a proposed $1.8 billion privately funded ballpark development in West Sacramento’s Bridge District. (More)

➤ No. 1 UCLA was eliminated from the NCAA Baseball Tournament with a 6-5 extra-inning loss to St. Mary’s on Sunday. (See Box Score)

➤ UCLA was eliminated from the Women’s College World Series on Sunday, falling 8-7 to Texas Tech after the Red Raiders scored two runs in the ninth inning. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ The guys keeping their hair aren’t lucky—they just started Keeps sooner. Grow thicker, healthier hair with Chew+ by Keeps—formulated with Dutasteride + Minoxidil and other powerful ingredients. That’s why we’re the Forbes Health Top Pick of 2026. Learn More

➤ Flying Goat Cellars is suing Santa Barbara County in federal court over its Wine Business Improvement District, which imposes a 1% fee on direct wine sales to fund industry marketing. The winery’s owners argue the mandate is unconstitutional, while county officials say the program helps promote local wineries. (More)

➤ Carl’s Jr. franchisee Sun Gir is selling 49 California restaurants as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The operator cited California’s $20 fast-food minimum wage and other financial pressures, while Carl’s Jr. said the case is isolated to the franchisee and does not reflect broader problems within the chain. (See Details)

➤ Olive Young, South Korea’s largest beauty retailer, opened its first U.S. store Friday in Pasadena, drawing fans who camped overnight for the grand opening. The company plans additional U.S. expansion, including future stores in Los Angeles and New York. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ A major shift in the global financial system may be underway as countries explore alternatives to the U.S. dollar for energy trade. Some analysts believe declining demand for dollars could boost gold prices significantly in the years ahead. Discover one investment opportunity designed to potentially benefit from rising gold prices and changing global economic trends. (LEARN MORE)

Flying together with our sponsor

Wake up without aches with the knēNest Knee Pillow—designed for side sleepers seeking better alignment and deeper sleep. Its unique cradle design supports your knees, hips, and spine while reducing pressure and discomfort. Stay cool, sleep comfortably, and feel the difference in just one night. Experience smarter, more restful sleep tonight. (LEARN MORE)

➤ A nesting pair of bald eagles has been spotted in Los Angeles County, the county Department of Parks and Recreation announced. Officials withheld the location and urged the public to keep its distance, noting that active nests are protected under federal and state law. (Watch)

➤ Cielito Lindo, a historic taquito stand in downtown Los Angeles’ Olvera Street district, has raised more than $32,000 in four days after launching a GoFundMe to address financial struggles. The family said repairs, overdue rent and rising costs have threatened the future of the business. (See Details)

➤ California is one of nine states that do not tax lottery winnings, allowing jackpot winners to avoid state taxes on their prizes. Federal taxes still apply, however, and can significantly reduce even the largest payouts. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Why are so many people throwing out their fungus creams for this Nail Pen? Target stubborn nail fungus with precision light therapy designed to reach where creams can’t. A simple, mess-free solution you can use anytime, anywhere. Learn More