The California Flyover

Sunday, May 10, 2026

Happy Mother’s Day! On this day in 1869, the Transcontinental Railroad was completed, a feat powered by thousands of Chinese workers from California. Today SoCal heats up (Riverside: 90°), hug your mom, and mark your calendar—the California primary is 3.5 weeks away.

In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown explored concerns about what heavy AI use may be doing to our brains—a phenomenon researchers call “cognitive surrender.” How can we avoid the trap? Listen here.

Today’s sponsor is American Veterans Center. As America approaches its 250th birthday, they’re honoring those who served with the National Memorial Day Parade—funded entirely by private citizens. Learn more.

Newsom, White House Clash Over Trans Athlete

For the second straight year, a “Save Girls Sports” rally organized by former NCAA soccer player Sophia Lorey was held outside the CIF Southern Section Division 3 preliminaries in Yorba Linda Saturday, where a transgender Jurupa Valley High School athlete who won two events at last year’s state finals was competing.

The protest triggered a sharp public exchange, with Newsom’s office accusing critics of trying to “vilify individual kids” and White House spokeswoman Allison Schuster firing back that the governor has “no regard for fairness, dignity, and respect.”

The dispute carries legal weight: the Trump DOJ sued California last July over alleged Title IX violations, and records show Newsom’s Legal Affairs Secretary shared the state’s motion to dismiss that lawsuit directly with Jurupa Valley school administrators last September.

Free Diapers for Every California Newborn

Governor Newsom launched Golden State Start this week, making California the first state in the nation to provide free diapers to every newborn before leaving the hospital.

The program delivers 400 diapers per baby through existing hospital distribution channels—covered by an existing state health program, with no new legislation required.

Critics are questioning whether California should be launching new programs while the state wrestles with a challenging budget situation.

Supporters point out that drawing on existing health program funds keeps new costs modest—making the practical benefit for new parents hard to argue with.

600 Ballots Found After Redistricting Vote

Humboldt County election officials discovered 596 sealed, uncounted ballots inside a locked drop box months after California’s November special election on Proposition 50—Gov. Newsom’s redistricting measure—was certified. Officials attributed the error to a miscommunication over whether the drop box had been fully emptied before results were finalized.

County Clerk-Recorder Juan Pablo Cervantes accepted responsibility and said new protocols requiring physical verification of every drop box have since been put in place, adding that the uncounted ballots would not have changed the election outcome.

Proposition 50 temporarily allowed the California legislature to draw congressional maps instead of the state’s independent redistricting commission through the 2030 election cycle, passing amid a broader national mid-decade redistricting fight.

This year’s National Memorial Day Parade, hosted by Honorary Grand Marshal Gary Sinise, is set to be the largest in its history. It stands as a powerful tribute to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedoms.

What makes this event even more meaningful is how it is funded. The American Veterans Center receives no federal funding for the parade. It is made possible entirely by private citizens who believe in honoring those who served.

Your support helps bring this national moment of remembrance to life while also funding year-round efforts to preserve veterans’ stories, educate future generations, and produce documentaries that highlight the true cost of freedom.

If honoring our veterans matters to you, this is a meaningful way to take part.

➤ Sacramento: Sacramento City Unified School District laid off 503 employees as its budget crisis deepens, with state fiscal analysts telling the board that receivership is now the most likely outcome without immediate action. (More)

➤ Crescent City: A 4.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the Northern California coast near the Oregon border late Friday night, shaking areas near Crescent City but causing no reported injuries, damage, or tsunami threat. (More)

➤ Red Bluff: A pilot made a gear-up landing at Red Bluff Municipal Airport, left the damaged plane on the runway, then flew off in another aircraft as authorities and the FAA worked to contact him. (More)

➤ Fresno: Fresno State graduated its first-ever Asian American Studies majors, becoming the first San Joaquin Valley university to offer degrees in the field. The milestone came after years of student advocacy and faculty organizing. (More)

➤ Bakersfield: Making more university history, a Native student advocate —and first ever Tribal Liaison for California State University, Bakersfield— is expanding visibility, support, and educational opportunities for Native and Indigenous students through leadership, mentorship, and cultural outreach efforts. (More)

➤ Central Coast: Historically warm waters have returned to the Pacific off California’s coast—researchers call it a return of ‘The Blob’—and scientists warn the heat wave could reshape weather and wildlife patterns through summer. (More)

➤ Los Angeles County: Health officials issued ocean water warnings for parts of Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and Santa Monica after testing found elevated bacteria levels near Surfrider Beach, Will Rogers State Beach, and the Santa Monica Pier. (More)

➤ San Diego County: An east county mother delivered triplets in what doctors are calling an ultra-rare pregnancy—a feel-good story just in time for Mother’s Day. (More)

➤ Pomona: The 2026 LA County Fair runs through May 31 at Fairplex under the “Play Your Way” theme, with classic attractions, new entertainment, and exhibitors—open this Mother’s Day Sunday. (More)

➤ The Anaheim Ducks fell behind 2-1 in the series after Friday night’s 6-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, as Mitch Marner scored his first career playoff hat trick. Game 4 is set for tonight in Anaheim. (More)

➤ Janelle Salaun scored 20 points and made a career-best five 3-pointers to lead the WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries to a 91-80 win over the Seattle Storm in Friday’s season opener. (More)

➤ San Diego Padres pitching prospect Humberto Cruz self-deported to Mexico after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor tied to human smuggling for accepting money to transport noncitizens within the U.S. (More)

➤ UCLA’s Megan Grant broke the NCAA Division I single-season home run record with her 38th homer of the year, but the Bruins lost 7-2 to top-seeded Nebraska in the Big Ten softball tournament championship. (Watch Video)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Support your wellness goals with Akemi Slim Patch, the easy-to-use transdermal patch designed to fit seamlessly into your daily routine. Using a slow-release formula, it’s made to help support appetite control, metabolism, and energy without pills or complicated regimens. Simply apply, wear comfortably, and stay focused on your health journey. (LEARN MORE)

Flying together with our sponsor

Beyond the parade, your contribution supports programs that record oral histories from veterans across generations, host conferences connecting young cadets with firsthand accounts of service, and produce television specials that keep these stories alive.

As we approach America’s 250th birthday, there is a unique opportunity to ensure these sacrifices are never forgotten.

Consider making a gift today to support the National Memorial Day Parade and its mission.

➤ A Bakersfield Little League umpire went viral after a parent posted video of his energetic game-calling style, with Sawyer Sparks saying the animated moves help him make accurate calls while umpiring games solo. (More)

➤ A Clovis native diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes went from the ICU to completing an Ironman triathlon—his inspiring journey is featured in a new documentary making rounds in the Central Valley. (More)

➤ More than 1,000 young adults from the California Conservation Corps have entered the wildland firefighting workforce ahead of fire season—the largest single-year CCC firefighting intake on record. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Elon Musk’s latest venture is making headlines nationwide after reportedly receiving White House clearance and expanding across all 50 states. Some analysts believe this new currency initiative could surpass the impact of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI combined. Discover why investors are calling it one of the biggest opportunities of the decade—before the rollout gains even more momentum.

Spring arrives in Northern California as fresh oak leaves emerge across the rolling woodlands near Petaluma in this peaceful CBS Sunday Morning nature segment.

Is California’s new free diaper program a smart use of state funds?

Yesterday’s Results:

With the June 2 primary weeks away, who would you vote for as California’s next governor?

Steve Hilton: 13%
Xavier Becerra: 13%
Tom Steyer: 42%
Katie Porter: 19%
Chad Bianco: 13 %

California became the first state in the nation to provide free diapers to every newborn this weekend — a milestone in new-parent support. But California was also the first state in the U.S. to do something else for new parents back in 2004. What was it?

See the answer

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Sunday, May 10, 2026

Sunday, May 10, 2026

Newsom, White House Clash Over Trans Athlete

Free Diapers for Every California Newborn

600 Ballots Found After Redistricting Vote

One Email. All The California News.

Get Informed About The Golden State In 5 Minutes.

One Email. All The California News.

Get Informed About The Golden State In 5 Minutes.