California Bakes under Triple-Digit Heat

A statewide heat wave is pushing temperatures into the triple digits, with Northern California facing nearly a week of heat. Many Southern California warnings last through Sunday, while desert warnings extend through Monday.

Kern County entered its third heat wave of the summer Friday, with Bakersfield reaching 105 degrees. Inland valleys and deserts will stay dangerously hot through the weekend, with elevated temperatures lingering Monday before a gradual cooldown begins Tuesday.

Heat safety tips include limiting strenuous activity, seeking air-conditioned spaces, checking on vulnerable neighbors, and recognizing signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

Heat Ready CA explains heat-related illnesses, identifies higher-risk groups, and connects Californians with alerts, cooling centers, and utility assistance.

State GOP Builds 2026 Pitch

California Republicans are making election security, affordability, and education central to their November strategy as the party seeks gains statewide.

Proposition 39 would require identification for in-person voting, the last four digits of a designated government-issued identification number on mail-ballot envelopes, and annual county reports on voter citizenship verification. Voters will decide the measure Nov. 3.

Republicans criticized Bonta after the ballot title was changed to emphasize that citizens could not vote without government-issued identification. Bonta’s office said all nine voter-proposed initiatives received revised language.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton carried that message to Redding Friday, telling the Shasta County GOP’s Lincoln-Reagan Dinner that affordability and grassroots turnout could produce a statewide victory.

Badwater Rookies Shatter Records

Costa Mesa runner Max Jolliffe won the Badwater 135 ultramarathon race Tuesday in 20:53:41, becoming the first competitor to finish the 135-mile race in under 21 hours.

Spain’s Carmen Maria Perez finished second overall in 21:05:32, breaking the women’s record. Both first-time entrants lowered the previous marks by about 39 minutes.

The course begins 280 feet below sea level at Badwater Basin and climbs 14,600 feet across three mountain ranges before ending at Whitney Portal. This year, 98 runners from 21 countries entered, including 65 Badwater rookies, while the time limit was shortened from 48 to 45 hours.

Runners cross exposed pavement in Death Valley, where summer temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees and can remain above 100 overnight. See the full results.

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➤ Sacramento County: A fiscal adviser moved to rescind Sacramento City Unified’s $158 million solvency plan, saying it delays the district’s $221.8 million deficit; teachers plan an appeal. (More)

➤ Redding: The Lake Redding Regatta returned Saturday for its third year since revival, bringing kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards to a river tradition dating back to 1933. The free event continues today at Lake Redding Park. (More)

➤ San Francisco: Major closures began Saturday in Chinatown, where Kearny Street closed for Portsmouth Square bridge demolition and will close again Aug. 8-10. The Broadway tunnel closes Aug. 16, followed by partial closures lasting about 14 months. (More)

➤Bakersfield: A garbage truck caught fire Thursday near Highway 178, forcing the driver to dump its load before firefighters extinguished it. The cause remains under investigation, but officials warned batteries and hot coals can ignite during compaction. (More)

➤ Salinas: Taylor Fresh Foods sued its former Tennessee subsidiary president and three others, alleging they stole more than $32 million through payroll fraud and personal purchases. (More)

➤ Lompoc: A $6 million donation from Santa Barbara philanthropist Cheryl Goldberg will advance the long-delayed restoration of the historic Lompoc Theatre. Plans include a 450-seat hall, classrooms, an outdoor plaza, and a courtyard; Phase II could open in spring 2027, with full restoration planned for 2028. (More)

➤ Thousand Oaks: Video captured two male rattlesnakes fighting in a “combat dance” near a storm drain as California poison control reported about 250 encounter and bite calls during the year’s first six months. (See Video)

➤ Palm Springs: The airport added simulator and voice-recording systems to improve controller training, communications review, and safety, cutting training times by nearly 30%. (More)

➤ Riverside County: California Highway Patrol officers recovered about 50 stolen vehicles and parts worth more than $1.8 million from an alleged chop shop, arresting two residents after a monthslong investigation. (More)

➤ Universal City: Toluca Lake residents say screams from Universal Studios Hollywood’s new Fast & Furious coaster are disrupting the neighborhood. Universal installed sound barriers and gravel-filled tracks and is collecting noise reports before considering further changes. (More)

➤ The San Francisco Giants suspended outfielder Harrison Bader’s pay after a scooter crash aggravated his injured left foot. Bader is owed $1.42 million for the remainder of the season. (More)

➤ San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will undergo season-ending surgery on a lingering PCL injury in his right knee, ending his third NFL season. (More)

➤ The Los Angeles Queens opened the Women’s Pro Baseball League’s inaugural season Saturday in Springfield, Illinois, returning professional women’s baseball to the U.S. after 72 years. (More)

➤ Jaden Soong of St. Francis High School in La Cañada Flintridge won the Junior PGA Championship by one stroke Friday at PGA Frisco in Texas, the same course that will host the 2027 PGA Championship. (More)

➤ Former Cal standout Isabelle Stadden won the women’s 100-meter backstroke at the U.S. Swimming Nationals in Irvine, completing a sweep of all three backstroke events at the meet. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | Golf | Soccer

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➤ Barstow’s Route 66 Museum is drawing up to 3,000 visitors monthly during the Mother Road’s centennial, showcasing railroad history, Harvey House artifacts, and NASA’s nearby Goldstone antennas. (More)

➤ Top dogs rode waves Saturday at Pacifica’s World Dog Surfing Championships, judged on ride length, wave size, and confidence. The event also supported pet adoption and local animal charities. (See Photos)

➤ Tickets are on sale for Knott’s Scary Farm, Southern California’s longest-running Halloween theme park event, known for full-park scares, elaborate mazes, and more than 1,000 roaming monsters. (More)

➤ Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration ends Aug. 9, but “Paint the Night” and “Wondrous Journeys” continue through Aug. 20 before Halloween Time begins Aug. 21. (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, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ The U.S. and Israel are reportedly preparing to bombard Iran’s energy infrastructure this weekend, though no final order has been given. (Hear More)

➤ Police arrested a man who stole a running car in Atlanta with a 2-year-old in the back seat while her mother made a delivery. (Listen Now)

➤  Savannah Guthrie on Saturday pleaded again for answers after Arizona officials released the ransom notes sent following her mother’s disappearance six months ago. (Podcast Available)

Watch California’s most fearless four-legged surfers catch waves, balance on boards, and soak up cheers at the 2026 World Dog Surfing Championships in Pacifica.

Have you ever taken a road trip on Route 66??

1. Yes, many times
2. Yes, once
3. Not yet, but I’d like to
4. No interest

Yesterday’s Results:

Would you adopt a puppy rescued from a wildfire?

1. Absolutely: 28%
2. Maybe, after meeting them: 26%
3. My house is already full: 25%
4. I’m a cat person: 21%

In the 1950s and ’60s, the dance halls of one California city gave rise to a rougher, electric-guitar-driven brand of country music, a gritty answer to the polished “Nashville sound.” What is that style called?

Show me the answer