Father, Son Held Forest Workers Hostage

A father and son held two U.S. Forest Service employees at gunpoint for nearly 15 hours inside a trailer near Gumboot Lake in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest before surrendering early Friday.

Joseph Charles Henrichsen, 49, and his adult son Phoenix Henrichsen face federal kidnapping charges. Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue said a Forest Service officer reported around 10:55 a.m. Thursday that the two workers had been zip-tied inside the trailer.

The elder Henrichsen demanded to speak with the FBI, which deployed its Hostage Rescue Team from Quantico, Virginia, alongside Siskiyou and Shasta county deputies. Negotiators freed the first worker around 1:50 a.m. Friday and the second minutes later.

Both suspects surrendered around 2:30 a.m., and both employees were unharmed. Investigators said they are still working to determine a motive and had no record of prior contact with the men.

Judge Weighs Freeze on Paramount Merger

California Economy Grew 3.7% Last Quarter

California’s economy grew at a 3.7% annual rate in the first quarter of 2026, the second-fastest of any state behind Washington’s 4.5%, according to federal data.

The figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, which reported that real GDP rose in 46 states and the District of Columbia in the quarter. The national rate was 2.1%.

State-level growth ranged from Washington’s gain to a 1.6% decline in South Dakota. Analysts caution that one-time expenditures, such as large data center projects, can sway a single quarter’s numbers.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office puts California’s nominal output at a record of roughly $4.3 trillion, keeping it the largest state economy and, by his account, the fourth-largest in the world.

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➤ San Francisco: Police used sonar to locate the wreckage of the Volare, the 49-foot cabin cruiser that capsized near Alcatraz Island on July 14. Two of the 20 aboard have been confirmed dead, and two remain missing. (See Details)

➤ Contra Costa County: The Morgan Fire broke out Friday afternoon near Morgan Territory and Marsh Creek roads on the east side of Mount Diablo, burning about 51 acres with no containment. Fire officials issued evacuation warnings for two zones; no injuries or damaged structures were reported. (More)

➤ Paradise: New emergency sirens failed to sound Thursday during the Dudley Fire, a 6-acre blaze that prompted evacuation orders for two zones. Mayor Steve Crowder apologized, citing confusion over which of the town’s 21 siren towers to activate. (See Details)

➤ Vandenberg Space Force Base: Airman 1st Class Cedric Eneluna, 23, was killed Thursday when heavy equipment he was operating rolled down an embankment on base. No one else was hurt. Eneluna, a Philippines native, served with the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron. (See Details)

➤ Fresno: One man died and 15 residents were displaced after a fire tore through a central Fresno apartment building Wednesday evening near First Street and Weldon Avenue. Flames spread from one unit into the shared attic, damaging all four units. (More)

➤ Soledad: A possible fentanyl exposure at Salinas Valley State Prison triggered a Level 2 mass-casualty response Friday evening, according to Cal Fire. At least seven people were affected, and two correctional officers were given Narcan. (See Details)

➤ Altadena: Southern California Edison said it has paid more than $314 million to Eaton Fire victims, out of more than $750 million offered. The utility, which faces lawsuits from the Justice Department and local governments, has not admitted fault, and those who accept payment waive the right to sue. (See Details)

➤ Imperial Beach: At a recent San Diego panel, experts pressed for “zero days of beach closure” from Tijuana River sewage, which sends up to 50 million gallons across the border daily. Gov. Gavin Newsom pledged $46 million toward the crisis last month. (See Details)

➤ Los Angeles: Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton courted Latino elected officials at a national conference in downtown Los Angeles, both invoking their immigrant roots while splitting sharply on immigration. The two meet in November’s runoff for governor. (More)

➤ Palm Springs: Police Chief Andy Mills announced he will retire Sept. 5, ending a 48-year law enforcement career. (More)

➤ Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani received a lubricant injection in his left knee and likely will make his next start Wednesday at Philadelphia. (More)

➤ USC extended its all-sport partnership with Nike through 2036, adding another decade to one of college sports’ original schoolwide Nike agreements, which dates to the 1990s. (More)

➤ Former San Francisco Giants second baseman Jeff Kent, who will enter the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 26, said during a media event Friday that discussing his upcoming induction still brings him to tears. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | The Open | MLB | WNBA

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➤ The state reopened recreational Chinook salmon fishing on the Sacramento River this week after a three-year closure tied to a drought-driven population collapse. Anglers may keep two fish a day through Dec. 31. (More)

➤ The California State Fair is running at Cal Expo in Sacramento with discounted admission, cheaper rides, and free food samples aimed at helping families stretch their budgets. (See Details)

➤ Concert promoter Goldenvoice will debut the two-day Ocean Way Festival on Santa Monica Beach, bringing large-scale live music to the oceanfront. (See Lineup)

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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 legal battle over mail-in ballots took a major turn. (Hear More)

➤ A 94-year-old Chick-fil-A employee celebrated 20 remarkable years on the job. (Listen Now)

➤  Actor Gary Sinise found healing by helping others. (Podcast Available)

Are you planning on Chinook salmon fishing this season?

1. Already out there
2. Hoping to
3. Not for me

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ridden in a Waymo?

1. No, don’t plan to: 37%
2. No, but I plan to: 17%
3. What’s a Waymo?: 16%
4. Yes, liked it: 15%
5. Yes, didn’t like it: 14%

California’s Central Pacific Railroad built the western half of the first transcontinental railroad, laying track eastward from Sacramento. In which territory were the two railroads finally joined by a golden spike in 1869?

Show me the answer