The California Flyover

Sunday, May 31, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1930, Clint Eastwood was born in San Francisco—the future “Dirty Harry” would go on to win two Academy Awards and become one of the most recognizable figures in California cultural history.

If you missed it Saturday night, the rare blue micromoon will still be visible across California through Sunday. Learn more about it in Top Stories.

Tomorrow, Flyover Updates officially launches, bringing the day’s biggest developing stories straight to your phone each afternoon. Each update is designed to be quick, easy to read, and brief—giving you the most important news happening after your morning edition lands without cluttering your inbox or taking up your day. If you’d like to stay informed between editions of The Flyover, sign up today.

In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, Ayla Brown highlighted a groundbreaking new treatment that researchers say could dramatically lower “bad” cholesterol with just a single dose, potentially eliminating the need for daily medications. Cardiologists are calling the approach “revolutionary,” saying it could one day transform how heart disease is treated. Listen here.

California politics are becoming harder to ignore. Between the governor’s race, the chaos surrounding Los Angeles leadership, and celebrities like Spencer Pratt publicly weighing in on Mayor Karen Bass. Todays Sponsor, Kalshi, allows you can trade on the outcomes of major political events in real time.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

California Skywatchers to Witness Rare Blue Micromoon

California skywatchers are being treated to a rare blue micromoon this weekend as the second full moon of May reaches peak illumination and lights up the night sky through Sunday.

A blue moon occurs when two full moons appear within the same calendar month, a phenomenon that happens only about once every two to three years. This year’s event is also considered a micromoon, meaning the full moon will occur near the point in its orbit farthest from Earth, causing it to appear slightly smaller and dimmer than a typical full moon.

The moon is expected to reach peak illumination at 1:45 a.m. Sunday, and stargazers will have the best viewing experience away from city lights with clear views of the horizon.

Adding to the fun, Blue Moon beer is marking the occasion by temporarily turning its signature brew blue at select California bars throughout the weekend, giving residents another way to celebrate the celestial event. See locations here.

AI Gold Rush Sends SF Rents Soaring

The AI boom is reigniting San Francisco’s housing market with a ferocity that’s pushing rents to levels that rival New York City—and shutting out even well-paid workers.

The average one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco now runs nearly $4,000 a month, with the Bay Area posting both the highest median home prices in the country and the sharpest year-over-year price increases anywhere in the nation, according to the LA Times. The surge is driven by a wave of well-compensated AI workers from companies including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind, whose salaries and equity packages have reset the city’s affordability ceiling.

“Renters are paying cash up front, multimillion-dollar houses are selling auction-style and AI company stock can buy a sprawling hilltop estate,” Bloomberg reported this week. The contrast with the 2023-2024 tech downturn—when SF vacancy rates spiked and rents briefly softened—is stark.

The housing surge is concentrated in San Francisco, South Bay, and parts of the East Bay near tech corridors, but its downstream effects—displacement, commute pressure, regional price spillover—are felt across Northern California.

Top California Retirement Destinations

Ranking of retirement-friendly communities in California highlights a mix of coastal, foothill, and Central Valley-adjacent towns that offer a balance of affordability, healthcare access, recreation, and small-town charm. The list includes destinations such as Tehachapi, Paso Robles, Fort Bragg, Auburn, Grass Valley, and Sonora, among others.

The featured towns were selected for factors including access to local hospitals, walkable downtown districts, outdoor recreation opportunities, and home prices that remain more attainable than many of California’s larger metropolitan areas. From Gold Rush-era communities in the Sierra foothills to coastal enclaves along the Pacific, the list showcases a variety of options for retirees seeking a slower pace of life without sacrificing amenities.

While California is often associated with high housing costs, the ranking notes that many smaller communities continue to offer relatively affordable home prices, along with access to healthcare, cultural attractions, and outdoor activities that can support a comfortable retirement lifestyle. Read the full list here.

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Trade the Headlines Instead of Just Reading Them

The California governor race is already shaping up to be one of the biggest political stories in the country, and the Los Angeles mayor conversation has become national news of its own. From debates around crime and homelessness to viral moments involving Karen Bass and Spencer Pratt, people have strong opinions on where things are headed.

Kalshi gives you a way to act on those opinions.

Kalshi is a federally regulated prediction market where users can trade on the outcomes of political races, economic events, sports, and more. Instead of endlessly arguing online or refreshing polls, you can put real stakes behind what you think will happen.

If you follow politics closely, this is one of the most interesting new platforms on the internet. See the latest California political markets here.

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➤ Rocklin: Rocklin Unified School District is considering a $288 million bond measure that would fund repairs and upgrades across all 17 campuses as leaders work to maintain the district’s reputation and attract families amid slowing population growth. (More)

➤ Redding: Advance Redding will cancel or relocate all events scheduled after July 4 as it prepares to end its management of the Redding Civic Auditorium following unsuccessful negotiations with the city over transition operations. (More)

➤ San Francisco: Held Over Vintage, the beloved Haight Street thrift institution, is closing after decades—with a massive $9-everything final sale. The shop has been an anchor of the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood for generations of Bay Area residents. (More)

➤ Fresno: A new neuroscience institute at Valley Children’s Hospital and UCSF Fresno is bringing advanced brain treatment and clinical research to the San Joaquin Valley, reducing the need for patients to travel to LA or San Francisco for specialized neurological care. (More)

➤ Bakersfield: California State University, Bakersfield has partnered with OpenAI to launch the first university-AI company collaboration of its kind, introducing new courses this fall that will teach students how to apply artificial intelligence in research, business, and community-focused projects. (More)

➤ San Luis Obispo: A yearslong conflict between Cal Poly fraternities, nearby residents, and city officials has intensified, with permit revocations, a grand jury investigation, a lawsuit, and ongoing debates over how to address noise complaints and fraternity activity in neighborhoods surrounding the university. (More)

➤ Castaic: Federal authorities say an 18-year-old Pennsylvania man accused of targeting a Southern California teenager through a violent online extremist network was arrested after law enforcement rescued the 13-year-old girl from a Castaic motel room, where investigators allege she was assaulted and coerced into self-harm. (More)

➤ Lucerne Valley: River’s Edge Ranch in the Mojave Desert trades drugs and alcohol for rakes, shovels, and Bibles—giving struggling addicts a structured path through hard work and faith. It’s one of San Bernardino County’s quiet recovery success stories. (More)

➤ Malibu: Two people were airlifted to a trauma center Friday after a Tesla plunged roughly 300 feet down a cliffside along Mulholland Highway, prompting a complex rescue operation involving search-and-rescue crews, firefighters, and CHP officers. (More)

➤ St Mary’s and Cal Poly baseball faced off late last night with a chance to advance to the championship of the Los Angeles Regional. (See Score)

➤ Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Justin Wrobleski tossed a gem on Friday, carrying a no-hit bid into the sixth inning and striking out nine Philadelphia Phillies en route to a 4-2 Dodgers win. (More)

➤ UC Santa Barbara avoided elimination yesterday with a dominant 15-1 win over Holy Cross at the Austin Regional. UCSB ace Jackson Flora remained undefeated on the season, tossing 7.2 innings of one-run ball with nine strikeouts. (More)

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Prediction markets have exploded because they often reflect real sentiment faster than traditional polling. On Kalshi, markets move in real time based on what people actually believe will happen, not just what they say in surveys.

Whether you think the California governor race is wide open or have strong opinions about the future of Los Angeles leadership, Kalshi gives you a new way to engage with the news. Learn more and explore the markets here.

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➤ Hundreds of Marilyn Monroe fans gathered in downtown Palm Springs yesterday for a citywide celebration honoring the Hollywood icon, complete with a Guinness World Record attempt for the largest gathering of people dressed as Marilyn Monroe. (More)

➤ What started as a hiking group founded by three local moms has grown into Little Hikers of Bakersfield, a thriving community that helps children explore the outdoors, make friends, and connect with nature one trail at a time. (More)

➤ Western swing enthusiasts filled downtown Tehachapi over Memorial Day weekend for the ninth annual Western Swing Out, a four-day festival featuring live music, dance lessons, vintage fashion, and western-themed competitions. (See Photos)

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➤ Why Your Ibuprofen Might Soon Be Obsolete. Unlike ibuprofen, which offers temporary relief while potentially creating health risks, this powerful marine-derived substance works with your body’s own systems to resolve inflammation permanently. Even more remarkable? It simultaneously supports heart, brain, and liver function instead of jeopardizing these vital organs. (Learn More)

A sea lion jumped onto a racing canoe during a California outrigger competition, startling paddlers mid-race. Despite the chaos, the Santa Cruz crew kept rowing and finished third.