California Faces Major Colorado River Cuts

Federal officials Friday ordered Colorado River water cuts for 2027 and 2028, requiring California, Arizona, and Nevada to reduce deliveries by a combined 1.25 million acre-feet annually.

Under a sharing agreement negotiated by the three states, California would take a 440,000-acre-foot reduction each year. Arizona would lose 760,000 acre-feet and Nevada 50,000, with another 700,000 acre-feet targeted for voluntary conservation over two years.

The cuts follow the Colorado River Basin’s worst snowpack on record and record-low combined storage at Lake Powell and Lake Mead. Federal officials plan to manage releases to keep Lake Powell at or above 3,510 feet, protecting critical Glen Canyon Dam infrastructure.

California negotiator JB Hamby called the plan “a bridge, not a permanent solution.” The seven basin states still have not reached a long-term water-sharing agreement, and federal officials say deeper cuts remain possible if drought conditions worsen.

Newsom Praises Trump Accounts

Gov. Gavin Newsom praised Trump Accounts Friday, urging California families to use the federal children’s investment program and calling it one of President Trump’s best initiatives.

The accounts include a $1,000 federal investment for eligible children born from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2028. Newsom said families should participate regardless of their politics because the money benefits their children.

Newsom also praised Melania Trump for expanding access to foster youth and said California is joining the effort. He has requested state funding to support that participation.

The comments came as California celebrated one million CalKIDS accounts claimed. The state program provides eligible children with publicly funded savings for college or career training.

California, Paramount Set for Merger Talks

California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office and Paramount Skydance representatives are expected to meet Monday for settlement talks over the company’s proposed $111 billion Warner Bros. Discovery purchase.

California and 11 other states sued to block the merger in July, alleging it would reduce competition in theatrical distribution and cable-channel licensing. A trial is scheduled for March.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra have signaled support for exploring a settlement. Newsom said Friday that discussions were already underway.

Bonta said he remains prepared for trial but would consider a deal involving “robust structural remedies.” Newsom also said he takes Paramount’s departure threat from California seriously.

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➤ Nevada County: Cal/OSHA fined Blackbird Mountain Guides $151,300 over alleged safety violations tied to February’s Castle Peak avalanche that killed nine people. The company is appealing. (More)

➤ Redding: A woman connected to a local toy drive was arrested on 15 counts, including embezzlement and forgery, for allegedly stealing $150,000 from a Burney business owner. The toy drive was not implicated. (More)

➤ Sacramento: The city is considering red-light cameras at 20 intersections under a new state law, with $100 starting fines and revenue directed to street-safety improvements. (See Locations)

➤ San Mateo County: A loose bull ran several miles along Highway 35 before deputies, California Highway Patrol officers, and a Half Moon Bay ranch foreman worked together to corral it and load it into a trailer. (See Photos)

➤ Delano: Police will conduct a bicycle and pedestrian safety operation Sept. 4 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., targeting speeding, illegal turns, and failure to yield. (More)

➤ Bakersfield: A 17-year-old boy died after a fight escalated into a shooting Friday night during a football game between Independence and Centennial high schools. Police called it an isolated incident. (More)

➤ Wasco: The city is reconsidering its cooling center after just one person used it on three of seven operating days this summer, costing about $3,800 in overtime. Officials voted to keep it open for now. (More)

➤ San Luis Obispo: Mee Heng Low Noodle House will close Aug. 29 after nearly 100 years, ending three generations of family operation in the city’s historic Chinatown. (More)

➤ Southern California: Bear sightings are increasing in foothill neighborhoods including Sierra Madre, Arcadia, Montrose, La Verne, and Claremont as animals search for food, water, and shade. Wildlife officials warn residents not to feed them. (More)

➤ Hacienda Heights: One passenger died after a tour bus caught fire on the eastbound 60 Freeway following mechanical problems. The driver and other passengers evacuated safely. (More)

➤ San Diego: Former acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden, 48, was found dead Wednesday inside the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building. Police said no foul play is suspected. (More)

➤ Los Angeles Dodgers president Stan Kasten pushed back on speculation that followed Mark Walter’s agreement to sell his controlling stake in the Los Angeles Lakers, saying, “The Dodgers are not being sold.” (More)

➤ Meanwhile, Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages fractured his left hand after being hit by a pitch in Friday’s win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Manager Dave Roberts expects the All-Star to miss four to five weeks. (More)

➤ Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said punter JK Scott needs to have a tackling plan after Scott made no attempt to stop an 83-yard punt return in Thursday’s preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers. (More)

➤ St. John Bosco, ranked No. 1 in the MaxPreps Top 25, lost its season opener 38-28 to No. 2 Bishop Gorman on Friday in Las Vegas. The Bellflower school managed just 33 yards of offense in the first half before rallying to tie the game in the fourth quarter. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | NFL | Golf | Tennis | WNBA | Little League World Series | Soccer

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➤ A man dressed as Darth Vader used Star Wars jokes to mock San Diego’s use of Flock surveillance cameras during a City Council committee meeting. (See Photos)

➤ A Modesto theater celebrated Texas Chainsaw Day with a screening of the 1974 horror film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and gave one attendee a real Craftsman chainsaw. (More)

➤ Alhambra police ended a slow-speed pursuit of a runaway tortoise after it wandered into Almansor Park. Officers safely corralled it and reunited it with its owners. (See Photos)

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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:

➤ A brief tariff pause ended with the U.S. and Canada locked in a new trade fight. (Hear More)

➤ A father’s decision left his young son stranded thousands of feet up Mount Fuji. (Listen Now)

➤  The night sky is set to deliver a lunar show that will not be matched until 2028. (Podcast Available)

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Would you make a special trip for one last meal at a favorite restaurant before it closes for good?

1. Absolutely
2. If it’s nearby
3. Depends on the restaurant
4. Probably not

Yesterday’s Results:

Would you change your landscaping to reduce wildfire risk?

1. Absolutely: 32%
2. Yes, within reason: 30%
3. Only if required: 21% 
4. I already have: 17%

In 1905, engineers trying to irrigate a Southern California desert valley lost control of the Colorado River, which poured into a dry basin for a year and a half. What large body of water did the accident create?

Show me the answer