California Launches ‘Made in California’ Label

Gov. Gavin Newsom launched a statewide labeling and marketing program Friday to help shoppers identify products substantially made in California.

Eligible products must undergo final assembly or production at a California facility, with at least 51% of their wholesale value added through manufacturing in the state. Approved businesses receive a two-year license to display the “Made in California” label.

Fees normally range from $75 to $500 based on company size, but the state is temporarily waiving all fees for eligible applicants. Applications are now open.

California manufacturers generated $385 billion in economic output in 2025, representing 9% of the state’s gross domestic product. Small manufacturers account for approximately 89% of the state’s manufacturing firms.

Judge Voids Anthropic Blacklisting

A San Francisco federal judge vacated the Pentagon’s designation of Anthropic as a supply-chain risk, finding it violated the company’s First and Fifth Amendment rights.

Judge Rita Lin ordered the Pentagon to rescind directives against the San Francisco-based company, ruling that officials improperly punished Anthropic for publicly criticizing the government.

The dispute began after Anthropic refused to allow its Claude models to be used for domestic mass surveillance or fully autonomous weapons. The Pentagon questioned the company’s reliability.

Anthropic welcomed the ruling, but a related case involving a separate Pentagon designation remains pending in Washington, D.C.

Last Unknown ‘Happy Face Killer’ Victim Identified

Riverside County investigators announced Thursday that DNA testing identified Keith Jesperson’s final unknown victim as Lydia Jane Wade McWhorter, nearly 34 years after her body was discovered.

McWhorter, 26, disappeared from Texas before her body was found along Highway 95 near Blythe in August 1992. Investigators had known her only as “Claudia.”

Genetic genealogy identified paternal relatives in 2024, but investigators needed a maternal connection. A DNA sample obtained through a new lead confirmed her identity earlier this week.

Jesperson pleaded guilty to McWhorter’s murder in 2010 and is serving multiple life sentences. The breakthrough closes the final unidentified-victim case tied to his convictions.

➤ Sacramento: Neurotologist Dr. Varun Varadarajan performed what he said was the region’s first cochlear implant surgery with an awake patient. Patty Peasley received local anesthesia and listened to Chopin during the procedure, allowing her to avoid the lingering effects of general anesthesia. (More)

➤ Redding: Traffic controls will affect nine streets and an alley in the North Willis area through July 2027 as crews replace water mains, services, and fire hydrants and install storm drains. (More)

➤ Floriston: A single-vehicle crash left a tractor-trailer hanging over the side of an Interstate 80 bridge near the California-Nevada border Friday morning. The crash blocked all east-bound lanes and forced traffic to turn around at Hirschdale Road. (More)

➤ Fresno County: Samba, a 14-year-old jaguar, died following a rattlesnake bite at Project Survival’s Cat Haven, marking the sanctuary’s first fatal snakebite in 28 years. (More)

➤ Gorda: The Plaskett Fire grew to 2,774 acres and remained 0% contained Friday. Evacuation orders remained in effect, and approximately 40 miles of Highway 1 was closed with no estimated reopening time. (More)

➤ Central Coast: Fans honored Dolly Parton by leaving flowers and taking photos at her former Solvang home, while the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo created a separate memorial celebrating her music and legacy. (More)

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➤ Laguna Beach: A 41-year-old bodysurfer died after lifeguards pulled him unconscious from the water at South Crescent Bay, the city’s third fatal water-related incident this summer. (More)

➤ San Bernardino County: Two drivers were arrested on suspicion of murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated in an Aug. 14 crash that killed high school seniors Maddalyn Dailey and Isabell Hill. Three others were arrested as suspected accessories and later released. (More)

➤ Los Angeles: Eighteen-year-old Brayden Serrano was partially paralyzed after striking his head while diving into a Maui hotel pool. The recent high school graduate, who had enlisted in the Army, underwent two neck surgeries and was expected to return to Los Angeles by air ambulance for long-term rehabilitation. (More)

➤ No. 14 USC hosts San Jose State at noon on NBC today, part of an eight-game Week 0 slate opening the college football season. (See Full Schedule)

➤ The Los Angeles Rams reacquired wide receiver Tutu Atwell from Miami amid speculation about a possible suspension for star receiver Puka Nacua, however coach Sean McVay said the trade had “nothing to do” with Nacua’s situation. (More)

➤ The San Diego Padres’ new ownership group, now led by José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones, pledged to keep the team in San Diego amid speculation the franchise could relocate. (More) 

➤ Pepperdine cross-country runner Renee Skiera qualified for two Triathlon World Championships after picking up the sport just two years ago while cross-training through injuries. She heads to Spain in September and Germany in 2027. (More)

➤ Federal prosecutors charged two men with defrauding more than 26 women out of $1.3 million, partly by posing as a San Francisco 49ers player on dating apps. Both were arrested Monday in Boise, Idaho. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | U.S. Open | Golf | WNBA | Soccer

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Devastating floods in Nepal! You can respond

Your impact can be doubled to rush aid to flood survivors in Nepal!

The Flyover is matching the first $4,000 donated to Convoy of Hope to provide emergency food and essential aid for flood victims in the devastating natural disaster. Your compassionate gift now offers relief and hope in a desperate moment!

Landslides, flooding, fast-moving mud, and debris destroyed entire communities — more than 500 people have died, and 1,900 are missing. Survivors need your help now.

Give now — The Flyover will match the first $4,000 donated — and you’ll deliver help and hope for flood survivors!

➤ Yellow-bellied marmots at Sequoia National Park have stolen shoes, chewed car wiring, and even licked sleeping hikers. Officials recommend wrapping vehicles in tarps during peak season. (More)

➤ Three young California condors took their first free flights over Yurok ancestral territory this week. Once all seven newcomers are released, Northern California will have 31 free-flying condors. (See Live Cam)

➤ Kern Magazine’s inaugural Art Meets Storytelling event brought the history of Bakersfield’s Fairfax Grange to life through a conversation with hall president John Harrer, live art, music of the Bakersfield Sound, and Western swing. (See Photos)

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➤ A Duke University doctor is drawing attention to one often-overlooked nutrient that may play an important role in heart health—and it’s not Omega-3s. Dr. Rick Cohen explains why standard blood work may miss this deficiency and shares a simple pre-shower technique designed to support a strong heart. Discover the #1 “Heart Strong” nutrient >>

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:

➤ Student behavior is getting worse, and teachers are pointing the finger at parents, a new survey says. (Hear Details)

➤ Cuba’s power grid collapsed for the third time this month, leaving millions in the dark again. (Hear Episode)

➤  Gen Z is ditching the bar for the gym, and the numbers are striking. (Listen Now)

When two products are sitting side by side, would a “Made in California” label win your vote?

1. Yes
2. No
3. It depends—I may already prefer another brand.

Yesterday’s Results:

With power bills climbing for many Californians, how are electricity costs affecting your household?

1. Cutting back where we can: 28%
2. Paying the higher bills: 22%
3. It hasn’t affected us much: 21%
4. Exploring alternatives: 15%
5. Other (reply to tell us): 14%

The very first Academy Awards ceremony, held at a Hollywood hotel in 1929, looked nothing like today’s hours-long telecast. About how long did that first Oscars ceremony last?

Show me the answer