Lucas Fire at 3,466 Acres, 15% Contained

The Lucas Fire held at 3,466 acres Saturday morning, 15% contained, as crews raced to strengthen containment lines ahead of a weekend of dangerous fire weather.

The fire started near Potter Valley along the Mendocino-Lake County line, and the cause is under investigation. Roughly 1,000 personnel are assigned, and a Red Flag Warning covering Lake County and other parts of Northern California runs through 11 a.m. on Monday.

Evacuation orders and warnings span Lake and Mendocino county zones, with a Red Cross shelter and animal evacuation site at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport.

The Forest Service closed part of the Mendocino National Forest’s Upper Lake Ranger District, including roads, trails, and campgrounds.

Newsom: Housing Critics Have a Point

Gov. Gavin Newsom called housing California’s “original sin” in an interview published on Saturday, conceding that criticism of the state’s housing and homelessness crisis is fair and blaming decades of restrictive development policies.

Newsom pledged in 2017 to build 3.5 million homes by 2025. Annual production has hovered near 100,000 units, roughly a fifth of the pace required, and he later conceded the target “was always a stretch goal.”

The admission lands ahead of a November election dominated by affordability. Critics say his record falls short of his promises. Supporters counter that he signed sweeping permitting reforms and boosted production more than any recent governor.

California Diesel Hits Record $8.09

California’s average diesel price hit a record $8.09 a gallon on Saturday, jumping more than 10 cents overnight and climbing nearly $3 above a year ago as the war with Iran squeezes global fuel supplies.

The national average topped $6 for the first time this week, up 60% from a year ago, and forecasters expect prices to stay elevated.

Grocery executives warn perishables like meat and produce will feel the strain first, and some businesses have added fuel fees to online orders.

The timing is brutal for farmers, who need diesel to power combines and trucks just as they harvest corn and soybeans. One Missouri grower says he is paying twice as much for fuel as last year, his combine burning 200 gallons a day.

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➤Northern California: PG&E began targeted safety shutoffs on Saturday as gusty winds increased wildfire risk, potentially affecting 14,000 customers across 12 counties, including nearly 4,800 in Plumas County, through today. (More)

➤ Oakland: Two police helicopter officers pleaded not guilty to federal charges alleging they conspired with a former FAA inspector to falsify flight-test records and obtain pilot certifications they had not earned. (More)

➤ Also Oakland: Nonprofit Kits Cubed will host its sixth annual free STEM Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Oakland Technical High School, featuring hands-on activities, science kits, games, raffles, and guest scientists. (Read Story)

➤ Stanislaus County: Sheriff’s detectives seized roughly 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine, $680,000 in cash, and several firearms while searching a “super lab” in one of the largest drug busts in county history. (More)

➤ Santa Barbara County: Emergency Management Director Kelly Hubbard resigned last week, months after a grand jury found her office critically understaffed and underfunded despite the county’s recurring wildfire and debris-flow threats. (More)

➤ Madera County: A semi-truck hauling carrots burst into flames on Highway 99 shortly after 6 a.m. on Saturday. The driver escaped unharmed, and no other vehicles were affected. (See Truck)

➤ Victorville: Federal prosecutors charged James Brass and two others with paying Skid Row residents to sign California ballot petitions using stolen identities of registered voters. (More)

➤ San Diego: City council members will consider a resolution urging state lawmakers to give local governments authority over robotaxi companies such as Waymo, arguing cities need greater control over safety and traffic concerns. (More)

➤ Palmdale: Academy Award winner Christian Bale attended the opening of Together California, a 12-home foster care village he helped create to keep siblings together. Families are expected to begin moving in next month. (More)

➤ California intercepted Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli three times in the second half, all by cornerback Kingston Lopa, and won their ACC opener 21-18. (More)

➤ UCLA broke out of a scoreless first half to beat San Diego State 28-10 at the Rose Bowl in Bob Chesney’s home debut as coach. (More)

➤ No. 14 USC hosted Louisiana as a 30.5-point favorite, with the Trojans looking to improve to 3-0. (See Result)

➤ The Los Angeles Chargers will unveil offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s fast-paced scheme today against the Arizona Cardinals, with the returns of Pro Bowl tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt bolstering Justin Herbert’s protection. (Preview)

➤ The San Francisco 49ers rewarded coach Kyle Shanahan with a multiyear extension after Thursday’s 27-7 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Australia. Shanahan has led San Francisco to two Super Bowl appearances. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | US Open | MLB | Soccer | FIBA Basketball

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➤ California will introduce its first new license plate sequence since 1980 after exhausting the 1ABC123 format, switching to a mirrored 000AAA0 pattern expected to last 40 years once 110,000 remaining plates are issued. (More)

➤ Forest Service rangers escorted three novice hikers off Mount Shasta after Google Gemini’s route and packing advice left them stranded, one of three AI-related incidents reported on the mountain this season. (More)

➤ A large bear strolled past a Glendora strip mall around 2 p.m. this week, startling salon workers as extreme heat likely drove the animal down the mountain in search of water and cooler ground. (See Bear)

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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. 

➤ America’s colleges receive a brutal free speech report card. (Hear More)

➤ While other retailers chase AI, one legendary retailer chooses models, cameras, and catalogs over tech shortcuts. (Listen Now)

➤  This tiny workout creates a surprisingly mighty molecular response. (Podcast Available)

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Yesterday’s Results:

Do you support California limiting social media features?

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NASA’s first space shuttle orbiter was rolled out of its assembly plant in Palmdale, in the Southern California desert. What aerospace company built it?

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