Massive Medline Warehouse Fire Still Burning

A massive fire that destroyed Medline Industries’ 1 million-square-foot medical supply distribution center in Tracy is still burning Friday, sending toxic smoke across the San Joaquin Valley.

The blaze consumed the warehouse within 40 minutes Thursday after its sprinkler system failed and fire hydrants on site lacked water pressure. City officials declared a local emergency, and roughly 200 firefighters from multiple agencies remain on scene.

San Joaquin County health officials warned that the smoke contains carcinogens and at least one neurotoxin. Anyone near the plume experiencing breathing problems, dizziness, or nausea is urged to seek medical care.

Medline said it has activated a contingency plan to reroute supplies to other distribution centers. The facility served major Northern California hospitals including Sutter Health, Stanford Medicine, and UC Davis.

Historic El Niño Could Hit California

NOAA officially declared El Niño has arrived as of June 11, and forecasters warn it could rank among the strongest on record.

For California, the stakes are real: heavier winter rains, deeper Sierra snowpack, and reduced wildfire risk are all possible outcomes. Central Valley farmers who rely on snowmelt could see meaningful irrigation relief.

Climate scientist Daniel Swain at Weather West says the latest model forecasts are “nothing short of remarkable,” with most major ensembles pointing to a historic-strength event by autumn. NOAA cautions that no two El Niños are identical, but the odds of a significant wet winter are rising fast.

Palm Springs Breaks Marilyn Monroe Record

Palm Springs became a Marilyn Monroe convention on June 1 when 1,037 people in white halter dresses and platinum blonde wigs gathered downtown to celebrate the Hollywood legend’s 100th birthday. 

The crowd shattered the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of Monroe lookalikes. The previous record was just 254 people, set in Australia in 2020. California more than quadrupled it.

Palm Springs has a storied connection to Monroe, who regularly vacationed in the Coachella Valley during her Hollywood years. June 1, 2026 marked exactly 100 years since her birth, and the desert city rose to the occasion. 

➤ Willows: The Glenn County Sheriff’s Office is ending its police contract June 30 over a budget dispute; the city filed legal action June 9 to preserve law enforcement services. (More)

➤ Redding: Shasta County officials are urging residents who bought Costco grape plants this spring to report to the county after an invasive pest was discovered in the area. (More)

➤ Sacramento: California Senate Democrats are threatening to block Newsom priorities after his team proposed steering free pollution permits to oil refineries, imperiling a budget and climate deal. (More)

➤ Bakersfield: The 36th annual Beautiful Bakersfield Awards take place Saturday at the Dignity Health Theater and Convention Center, celebrating the people, businesses, and organizations that help shape the community. This year’s theme is “The Sound of Our City,” and the ceremony will stream live on KGET+. (More)

➤ Shafter: China Cuisine, a family-owned restaurant serving the community since 1989, is entering its next chapter as second-generation owner Jeffrey Dang takes on a larger role. (More) 

➤ Fresno: A grass fire near Church and Clara avenues grew to about 20 acres Friday afternoon, briefly threatening homes and an apartment complex before firefighters contained it without injuries or damage to structures. (More)

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➤ San Diego: California is releasing $46 million in Proposition 4 funding to tackle the Tijuana River sewage crisis, boosting border-area public health and infrastructure. (More)

➤ Los Angeles: Federal fraud allegations from the Trump administration could cost the LA area hundreds of millions in homelessness funding, threatening services for one of the nation’s largest homeless populations. (More)

➤ San Diego: After months of negotiations, San Diego finalized its city budget — some services made the cut while others faced reductions; Voice of San Diego has the full breakdown. (More)

➤ Golfer Phil Mickelson is no longer a member at The Farms Golf Club near San Diego after a female employee accused the six-time major champion of making unwanted physical contact with her this spring. (More)

➤ USC linebacker Talanoa Ili and Stanford quarterback Charlie Mirer filed a class-action lawsuit this week challenging the NCAA’s House settlement enforcement, arguing the College Sports Commission’s NIL clearinghouse and $20.5 million revenue-sharing cap violate California’s state NIL law. (More)

➤ Shohei Ohtani exited the Dodgers’ win over the Pirates on Thursday with knee inflammation after a stolen base attempt. Manager Dave Roberts said pulling him was precautionary and his concern level is “not high.” (More)

➤ Rams first-round pick Ty Simpson, the No. 13 overall selection out of Alabama, remains unsigned as OTAs continue. He and Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza are the only first-round picks from the 2026 draft without contracts. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | NCAA World Series | WNBA | Golf

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Exxon Has an Unlikely New Competitor

Energy giants like Exxon have been buying land in America’s lithium hotspot. Now they’ve got a new neighbor. 

EnergyX acquired the rights to 35k gross acres of lithium-rich land right next door. It’s not just the acres turning heads, either. Their tech can recover up to 3X more lithium than usual methods.

Now they’re preparing to drill and unlock America’s next major lithium supply. General Motors and 50k+ everyday people already invested. Invest in EnergyX before their July 16 investment deadline.

Et Cetera

➤ The Bay Area Carnivorous Plant Festival returns June 13, bringing thousands of Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, sundews, and other insect-eating species together for what organizers call the nation’s largest carnivorous plant festival. (More)

➤ WorldAtlas named California’s top six friendliest Southern California towns. (See List)

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Did you watch the USMNT’s World Cup opener last night?

1. Yes, I was there!
2. Yes, watched on TV
3. Caught highlights this morning
4. Not a soccer fan / didn’t watch

Yesterday’s Results:

Are you confident you’ll be able to retire comfortably?

1. Yes, I’m on track: 20%
2. Somewhat, but it’s a stretch: 16%
3. No, I doubt it: 16%
4. I’m not sure: 15%
5. I’m already retired: 33%

The first working all-electronic TV image was transmitted in 1927 by a 21-year-old who’d first dreamed up the idea as a teenage farm boy. In which California city was his lab?

Show me the answer