Ex-Oakland Mayor’s Bribery Trial to Open

Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s federal corruption trial is scheduled to begin Tuesday, more than two years after FBI agents raided her home.

Prosecutors say Thao, her partner Andre Jones, and recycling executives David and Andy Duong participated in a pay-to-play scheme in which the Duongs allegedly provided campaign support and financial benefits in exchange for favors at City Hall. Some payments to Jones, filings allege, helped cover the couple’s rent.

All four defendants have pleaded not guilty. Thao’s attorney says the case rests on a single cooperating witness with credibility problems and that no note, text, or email shows the former mayor ever agreed to a bribery scheme.

Thao, recalled by voters in 2024, will stand trial before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who has ruled that jurors may hear several secretly recorded conversations.

Newsom Vetoes Delta Levee Fund

Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill to create a dedicated Delta levee repair fund that had cleared the Legislature without a single no vote.

Senate Bill 872, by Sen. Jerry McNerney, would have created a state fund to help pay for repairs to the aging levees and sinking canals of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, a critical hub for moving Northern California water south. State estimates put levee repairs alone at about $3.3 billion.

In his veto message, Newsom called the measure redundant, pointing to more than $170 million for levee and canal work already in the state budget. The Central Valley Flood Control Association had also urged a veto, arguing the fund would add bureaucracy without guaranteeing additional funding.

McNerney called the veto disappointing, noting the bill drew bipartisan support, and said the effort is not over. Advocates at Restore the Delta say the budgeted money is a fraction of what the Delta needs.

California Rescue Team Deploys to Panama

A Los Angeles County search and rescue team has left for Panama to help after a magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck the country Friday.

The 10-member team, activated by the U.S. State Department, includes six county firefighters, three structural specialists, and a physician. The county fire department also alerted its 79-member heavy rescue team for possible deployment.

The quake collapsed buildings and forced evacuations, with the heaviest damage in the central provinces of Veraguas, Herrera, and Los Santos. Strong aftershocks followed, including one measuring 6.6.

No deaths were reported in the immediate aftermath. The California crew, designated USA-02, departed the same night it was activated.

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➤ San Anselmo: Two juveniles have been identified identified as suspects in antisemitic graffiti found at Brookside Elementary School. Central Marin police classified the vandalism as a hate crime and referred the case to prosecutors for possible charges. (More)

➤ Redding: Shasta County Clerk Clint Curtis acknowledged that the Redding City Clerk race was accidentally left off November ballots now reaching voters. Appointed incumbent Sharlene Tipton was running unopposed, and officials say voters may have no way to weigh in on the contest. (More)

➤ Half Moon Bay: Surfers kicked off the Mavericks big-wave season Saturday amid forecasts of a potentially historic El Niño that could bring powerful swells and more storms. Local harbor patrol officials urged spectators to follow safety guidelines, warning of dangerous conditions near the waves. (See Details)

➤ Bay Area: A new website built by engineer Bo Lau lets visitors “sit” at a simulation of Elizabeth Holmes’ 2016 Theranos desk, clicking through emails, texts, and files drawn from real exhibits in her fraud trial. It is timed to a new documentary opening Oct. 15. (Read Story)

➤ Petaluma: Honeybutter Farm is raising rare Meishan pigs, a Chinese breed known for its friendly nature, high fertility, and quality pork. The pigs help reduce feed costs and improve soil health through grazing. (Read Story)

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➤ Modesto: Police arrested suspected serial bank robber Vincent Robert Mendez while he gambled at a Tuolumne County casino, hours after a Modesto bank robbery. He’s also linked to robberies in Turlock, Oregon, and Washington. (More)

➤ Woodlake: A dispute over noisy goats escalated into gunfire, deputies say. Ciara Burns, 36, walked out of her house with a gun while deputies were on scene, surrendered, and was arrested on charges of discharging a firearm and making criminal threats. (More)

➤ Fresno County: Deputies are revisiting the 1999 disappearance of Paul Matthew Head, 32, who vanished during a Sierra Nevada backpacking trip after a medical episode. Despite repeated searches, no trace has been found. (More)

➤ Santa Barbara: An elementary school principal returned from leave after admitting she overrode student council election results, making her daughter president. Arielle Curry apologized and pledged reforms amid parent criticism. (More)

➤ Pismo Beach: Three Bay Area residents were arrested after police seized 494 illegally harvested Pismo clams, most of them undersized. Authorities said the group lacked fishing licenses and required equipment. All clams were reburied. (More)

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➤ Long Beach: Powerful surf and coastal flooding forced mandatory evacuations along parts of the Long Beach Peninsula. Eight buildings covering 13 addresses were deemed unsafe as crews reinforced seawalls and officials warned of more dangerous waves. (See Details)

➤ Also Long Beach: The Long Beach Marathon kicked off Sunday with a 1.5-mile course adjustment to avoid coastal flooding and dangerous surf. Despite stormy weather, the race drew a record 7,500 marathon entrants, with another 16,500 signed up for the half-marathon. (More)

➤ Santa Clarita: Rodney Ameile Saba, 70, faces federal arson charges after allegedly starting the 1,048-acre Bouquet Fire, which forced evacuations. Prosecutors say he admitted tossing a cigarette onto fireworks, triggering the blaze. (More)

➤ Corona: Police used new Grappler technology to stop a suspected drunk driver fleeing officers. The bumper-mounted device snagged the vehicle’s tire with a net, ending the chase in under a minute. The suspect surrendered and was arrested. (More)

➤ Apple Valley: Powerful winds sent debris flying and attendees scrambling for cover at the airshow on Saturday. The sudden gusts knocked over trash cans and threatened tents as dust and rain swept across the airport. No injuries were reported. (More)

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➤ The San Francisco 49ers remained unbeaten Sunday with a 32-29 win over Seattle. Brock Purdy threw a fourth-quarter touchdown to Brandin Cooks, and Eddy Pineiro kicked the deciding 43-yard field goal with 1:56 remaining. (More)

➤ The Los Angeles Chargers fell to 0-5 with a 23-17 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday after surrendering 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Justin Herbert threw for 121 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, while taking five sacks. (More)

➤ The Los Angeles Dodgers were set to open the National League Championship Series against Milwaukee last night with ace Tarik Skubal on the mound against Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski. (See Details)

➤ UCLA football jumped nine spots to No. 12 in the latest AP Top 25 after improving to 5-0, while USC remained No. 19. (See Full Rankings)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | NHL | Soccer | NBA | NASCAR | F1 | Golf

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➤ Companies are quietly overcharging you every month, and most Americans have no idea how much it adds up to. (Tune in here)

In the latest episode of Flyover Focus, we count down 10 things you should stop paying for, from the fuel upgrade drivers waste billions on every year to the bill that follows some families for generations. Our No. 1 spot is a charge most households still pay out of pure habit.

In case you missed it, last week’s Flyover Focus counted down 10 American traditions that are quietly disappearing. How many did you grow up with and completely forget about? (Watch Now)

➤ UNIQLO has returned to downtown San Francisco, opening its largest West Coast store five years after closing its original Powell Street location during the pandemic. The 20,000-square-foot flagship at 801 Market St. brings more than 80 jobs to the area. (More)

➤ Amazon’s planned distribution warehouse in South Salinas has been delayed until early 2027, missing its original target of the 2026 holiday shopping season. The five-story, 3 million-square-foot facility is expected to bring about 1,200 jobs to the area. (More)

➤ Hashi Market, a New York City-based Japanese grocery chain, opened its first West Coast store Friday in Cupertino, drawing 1,700 shoppers. The 20,000-square-foot market offers imported Japanese foods, fresh sushi, and prepared meals, with more locations planned nationwide. (See Details)

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➤ A meteor streaked across the night sky over California’s Big Bear Valley last week, and the famous Friends of Big Bear Valley eagle cam captured the fireball on video. Resident bald eagles Shadow and Kaydee were perched in a nearby tree. (See Photos)

➤ Crimson, a mountain lion cub abandoned by his mother and missing toes on one hind foot, has found a new home at a wildlife sanctuary in Arkansas after the Oakland Zoo amputated his injured leg. The rescued cub is recovering well and showing off his playful side. (Read Story)

➤ A diesel locomotive that had sat silent for nine years rumbled back to life in McCloud last month, and 60 to 70 townspeople turned out to watch. More than 70 volunteers are working to revive the dormant railway on Mount Shasta’s south slope, hoping to run short excursions. (Read Story)

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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. 

➤ Amazon keeps a secret list of assumptions about every shopper, and the people finding theirs are not amused. Here’s where it’s hiding. (Hear Details)

➤ Book publishers have spent all year fighting AI in public. Behind closed doors, three of the biggest are doing something else entirely. (Listen Now)

➤ Two years together and still no idea what your partner earns? There’s a right moment to ask, and most couples miss it. (Hear More)

What’s the farthest you’ve ever run?

1. A full marathon
2. A half marathon
3. A 10K
4. A 5K or fun run
5. Only if something’s chasing me

Yesterday’s Results:

Would you pet a capybara if you got the chance?

1. No, it’s a giant rodent: 36%
2. Absolutely, they look chill: 30%
3. I’ll admire from a distance: 18%
4. I’d just take pictures: 16%

Half Moon Bay bills itself as the “World Pumpkin Capital” and hosts a championship weigh-off every October. About how much did the heaviest pumpkin ever weighed there tip the scales?

Show me the answer