Hilton Leads California Governor Race

Steve Hilton—British-born Republican and former Fox News host backed by President Trump—is leading polls in California’s governor’s race four weeks before the June 2 primary.

A CBS News poll released April 28 showed Hilton and billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer atop the field, though a newer EMC Research survey from April 29 had Xavier Becerra tied with Hilton at 19% for the lead. Eric Swalwell has since exited after a scandal, but Democrats Katie Porter and others remain in the race.

California’s top-two open primary advances the top two vote-getters regardless of party—meaning a fractured Democratic field could send two Republicans to the November ballot. Steyer’s alliance with progressive organizations has added to concerns among Democratic leaders that vote-splitting could open the door for California’s first Republican governor in nearly two decades.

Delta Tunnel Clears Key Hurdle

Cold Case Closed After 34 Years

Placer County detectives have arrested James Lawhead Jr., 64, for the 1991 kidnapping and murder of Cindy Wanner, closing a 34-year cold case.

Wanner, 35, was abducted from her Granite Bay home and killed in 1991, with her remains later recovered in a remote area outside Foresthill, in eastern Placer County. Investigators submitted evidence to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Forensic Lab, where advanced DNA analysis finally identified Lawhead after years of inconclusive tests.

Lawhead had spent decades living under an assumed name before facial recognition technology helped investigators track him to Bullhead City, Arizona. He was arrested there and returned to Placer County to face murder and kidnapping charges.

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit announced the arrest and credited the DNA breakthrough with identifying a suspect who had evaded detection for over three decades.

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➤ San Francisco State: Cal State’s $17 million ChatGPT contract is up for renewal in July, with SF State faculty leading a petition to cancel it. A systemwide survey found 52% of faculty say AI has hurt their teaching. (More)

➤ Grass Valley: Open burning now requires a permit in Nevada, Yuba, Placer, and Sierra counties as the annual fire-season window begins. CAL FIRE is urging foothill residents to clear vegetation before the 2026 fire season. (More)

➤ Statewide: The California Highway Patrol issued nearly 11,800 speeding citations in a single 24-hour enforcement period, including 200 drivers caught going over 100 mph. (More)

➤ San Joaquin Valley: Farmers in Tulare and Kings counties scrambled to register wells and file pumping reports before a midnight May 1 deadline—the first time the state Water Board has directly enforced groundwater rules in the region after both subbasins were placed on probation under California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. (More)

➤ Fresno: Fresnoland, the nonprofit newsroom known for policy investigations, is launching a new series covering the city’s food scene—from taquerias to farm-to-table spots—led by contributing food editor Vince Mancini. (More)

➤ Bakersfield: Kern County Museum’s sixth annual “Get Lit” fundraiser illuminated more than 40 restored neon signs Friday night while raising money for preservation projects and honoring late former museum director Carola Enriquez, whose vision helped launch the Neon Plaza collection. (More)

➤ Los Angeles: Tens of thousands of homeowners are receiving brush-clearance notices for the first time after CAL FIRE expanded high-severity fire zones statewide following the 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires—pulling in 15,000 to 20,000 LA properties never before subject to brush-management rules. (More)

➤ Westminster: The Orange County city officially redesignated a stretch of All American Way as “Charlie Kirk Way,” adding new signage beneath existing street signs and drawing crowds, media attention, and safety concerns. (More)

➤ Pomona: The 2026 LA County Fair opens May 7 at Fairplex and runs through May 31, featuring classic attractions alongside new entertainment and exhibits under this year’s “Play Your Way” theme. (More)

➤ The LA Lakers will open their NBA Western Conference semifinal series against the defending champion Thunder in Oklahoma City on Tuesday night after closing out Houston in Round 1 Friday night. (More)

➤ The Anaheim Ducks will face the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the NHL playoffs after beating Edmonton in six games. It’s Anaheim’s first trip past the first round since 2017. (More)

➤ The LA Rams declined cornerback Emmanuel Forbes’ fifth-year option, which would have guaranteed him $12.6 million in 2027. The former first-rounder started 14 games for the Rams last season. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | MLB | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf | Derby

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➤ Cinco de Mayo celebrations kick off early across Southern California this weekend, with free events in San Diego, winery gatherings in Temecula, and festivities at Haven City Market in Rancho Cucamonga ahead of the May 5 holiday. (More)

➤ California will allow police to ticket driverless car companies—not just human drivers—for moving violations starting July 1, after the DMV adopted new rules April 29. Repeat violations could cost companies their state permits. (More)

➤ Folsom Dam is marking its 70th anniversary this week, still standing watch over the Sacramento-area flood control and water storage it has shaped since 1956. (More)

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Would you support a Republican governor in California?

1. Yes, if the right candidate
2. No, never
3. Depends on the policies
4. Already do / would

Yesterday’s Results:

Are you a native Californian?

1. Yes: 58%
2. No: 42%

Only one Major League Baseball pitcher has thrown seven no-hitters, three more than any other pitcher. He threw four of them with the California Angels. Who is he?

Show me the answer