Race Reset After Swalwell

Six candidates for governor squared off at a Sacramento forum Tuesday, the first forum since Rep. Eric Swalwell dropped out of the race following sexual misconduct allegations from multiple women.

The California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce hosted the event at a packed Sacramento Sheraton as the June 2 primary approaches, with county elections offices mailing ballots May 4. Swalwell suspended his campaign Sunday and resigned from Congress on Tuesday.

Gov. Gavin Newsom set an Aug. 18 special election to fill Swalwell’s 14th Congressional District seat in Alameda County.

Candidates moved quickly to fill the vacuum. Republican Steve Hilton questioned how the situation had unfolded, while Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa told the crowd, “We went with the shiny object, and we made a mistake.”

Vallejo Approves Casino Deal

The Vallejo City Council voted late Tuesday to approve a temporary agreement with the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, clearing the way for a preview casino on tribal trust land off Interstate 80.

The memorandum of understanding includes payments to the city and funding for local nonprofits. It requires the tribe to maintain 24/7 security, fire mitigation, and infrastructure costs at its own expense.

The vote came over heated objections from neighboring tribes. Lytton Rancheria Chairman Andy Mejia threatened litigation, while the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation called the site ancestral Patwin homeland with no legitimate Pomo connection.

Scotts Valley Chairman Shawn Davis called Vallejo the tribe’s homeland and said the project would bring jobs and revenue. The larger $700 million casino project remains in legal limbo while the Department of the Interior reconsiders the tribe’s gaming eligibility, with a ruling expected this summer.

El Niño Watch in Effect

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued an El Niño Watch last week, forecasting a 61% chance the Pacific warming pattern will emerge by early summer and persist through the end of 2026.

The Climate Prediction Center also estimated about a one-in-four chance the event could reach “very strong” status by winter, a level hit only a handful of times since 1950. The last strong El Niño was in 2023-2024.

What it means for California depends on the event’s strength and setup in the Pacific Ocean. Strong El Niños have historically brought heavy winter rainfall to Southern California, but the 2015-2016 event, one of the strongest on record, fell short of forecasts and brought below-average rainfall to Los Angeles.

Fire season adds uncertainty. Any early-season warming in Pacific waters could influence summer weather patterns, but its impact on thunderstorms and wildfire risk remains unclear.

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➤ Oakland: A disabled train and equipment problem in Oakland triggered systemwide BART delays during Tuesday’s evening rush, crowding stations, including Embarcadero in San Francisco. Riders faced waits of more than 90 minutes. A separate delay slowed service again Wednesday morning. (More)

➤ Berkeley: Police staffing has dropped to about 137 sworn officers, well below the authorized 181, with at least seven officers leaving for the San Francisco Police Department and 25 more eligible to retire this year. A projected $29 million deficit could eliminate 32 vacant positions. (See Details)

➤ Sacramento: Prosecutors declined to file homicide charges against the 16-year-old who fatally shot an armed teen from another school during an attempted robbery at Natomas High School, ruling he acted in self-defense. (More)

➤ Napa: A federal appeals court revived a lawsuit by three wineries challenging Napa County’s rules on tastings, tours, and marketing, finding a lower court wrongly dismissed claims of First Amendment retaliation. The case returns to district court. (More)

➤ Patterson: A man shot by ICE during an April 7 enforcement stop was taken into federal custody after leaving the hospital, though authorities have not confirmed charges. His attorney disputes the government’s claim he drove at agents, saying officers fired first. (More)

➤ Monterey County: Deputies are investigating the suspicious death of 37-year-old Joanna Ruth Shields of Carlsbad, whose body was found near Sykes Hot Springs in the Big Sur wilderness last week. Cause of death is pending toxicology results. (More)

➤ San Luis Obispo County: Two people were cited for poaching 351 crabs, 281 over the legal limit, from the intertidal zone at Estero Bluffs State Park without licenses. All the crabs were returned alive to the ocean. (More)

➤ Venice Beach: LA County supervisors approved a pilot program allowing drone filming at Venice Beach, as filming continues on the Baywatch reboot along the coast through July 31. The 12-episode series received a $21 million state tax credit last fall. (More)

➤ San Fernando Valley: Police are investigating multiple home burglaries after two break-ins minutes apart Tuesday night in the Valley Village area. Officials are working to determine whether the incidents are connected to a recent string of burglaries over the weekend. (More)

➤ Whittier: A large block of ice crashed through the ceiling of a home last week, landing on the living room couch. Flight data showed a plane was directly overhead, and LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn is calling for a Federal Aviation Administration investigation. (See Details)

➤ Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick said Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves remain “out indefinitely,” with Reaves unlikely for the playoff opener and Dončić’s status still uncertain. (More)

➤ Former Chargers safety Nasir Adderley signed with the Colts on Tuesday, three years after retiring from the NFL at 25. The 28-year-old started 44 games with Los Angeles before stepping away in 2023 to focus on health, family, and business. (More)

➤ Padres starter Nick Pivetta is likely headed to the injured list after leaving a game against the Rockies with elbow stiffness, with signs of a potential move emerging Tuesday. The team has not confirmed a decision. (More)

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

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➤ Southwest Airlines is launching nonstop service to Santa Rosa’s Sonoma County Airport and will allow passengers to check one case of wine for free starting April 24 under a new Sip & Ship program for select West Coast wine-region departures. (More)

➤ California filming activity declined in the first quarter while New Jersey saw a 45% jump in production, fueled by tax incentives and new studio construction from Netflix, Paramount, and Lionsgate. (See Details)

➤ The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is partnering with Erewhon to open a café at the museum, with member previews starting Sunday and public access on May 4, tied to the debut of the David Geffen Galleries. Two more dining venues will follow later this year. (More)

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➤ 480 ducks are available for adoption in Riverside County after a property owner surrendered them due to overcrowding. Adoption fees are waived at the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus. (More)

➤ King Taco’s original Cypress Park location is a step closer to historic landmark status after an LA City Council committee voted unanimously to advance the proposal. The restaurant first opened in 1974. (See Details)

➤ The San Diego Padres unveiled new City Connect uniforms honoring Día de los Muertos, featuring a La Catrina sleeve patch and marigold accents celebrating the region’s binational culture. The team will wear them during Friday home games. (More)

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Could you be talked into adopting a duck?

1. Already on my way
2. Maybe just one
3. My HOA would lose it
4. I’ll stick with cats and dogs
5. No animals for me

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you like Taco Bell?

1. It’s fine: 29%
2. Not for me: 27%
3. Love it: 24%
4. Never had it: 20%

What have San Franciscans named the city’s famous marine fog layer?

Show me the answer