Thursday, March 26, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1874, poet Robert Frost was born in San Francisco. He spent his first 11 years in the city before moving to Massachusetts, where his New England roots would later shape some of America’s most beloved poetry.

California’s oil fight is heating up, with lawsuits, refinery warnings, and gas prices all colliding. We break it all down below.

Planning a summer getaway just got more complicated. In today’s Flyover Podcast, host Amy Hess shares details from a new report on how changing conditions are rewriting the rules for booking flights. Should you book now or hold off? Tune in to hear what industry insiders are saying. Watch Now!

If you’re ready to finally take control of your weight and your health, today’s sponsor, DirectMeds, makes it simple to start—with trusted GLP-1 treatments prescribed online and delivered straight to your door.

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’s Oil Squeeze

California sued the Trump administration Monday to block the restart of a Santa Barbara offshore oil pipeline shut down since a 2015 spill that released 142,000 gallons of crude onto Gaviota Coast beaches.

The lawsuit targets a March 13 order from Energy Secretary Chris Wright invoking the Defense Production Act. Attorney General Rob Bonta called the energy emergency “a completely fabricated claim” when announcing the lawsuit. Meanwhile, Sable Offshore Corp. has said it has restarted production and expects to ramp up output, though the project remains tied up in ongoing court fights.

A day later, Chevron’s head of oil refining warned at a Houston energy conference that the company could quit refining in California within a decade unless the state rolls back taxes and climate regulations.

Chevron’s Andy Walz said California imports about 20% of its refined fuel from Asia, and the Iran war’s disruption of the Strait of Hormuz puts those shipments at risk. The state already pays nearly $6 a gallon compared to a national average near $4.

Social Media Giants Found Negligent

A Los Angeles jury on Wednesday found Meta and YouTube negligent in a bellwether trial over whether social media platforms can be held liable for harm to young users.

The case centers on a 20-year-old woman who said her childhood use of Instagram and YouTube worsened depression and other mental health struggles. Jurors awarded $3 million in damages, assigning 70% to Meta and 30% to YouTube.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified that minors are barred from Instagram but acknowledged some still bypass age restrictions. The jury also found both companies acted with malice, clearing the way for a later phase to determine possible punitive damages.

TikTok and Snap settled before trial, and the outcome could influence thousands of similar lawsuits nationwide.

Republic FC Stadium Goes Big

Sacramento Republic FC and Wilton Rancheria dropped their phased expansion plan, announcing Republic Stadium at the Railyards will open in 2028 as a 20,000-seat venue from day one.

The original plan called for a 12,000-seat stadium that could grow over time. Managing Partner Kevin Nagle said the response to August’s groundbreaking removed any doubt the region could support the larger venue, making it the largest outdoor professional sports facility in the Sacramento region.

Wilton Rancheria, the federally recognized tribe that owns Republic FC, is the first tribal nation to own both a professional soccer club and its home stadium. Chairman Jesus Tarango called it “reclaiming our space and matching the ambition of the region.”

The 31-acre project is expected to anchor a broader redevelopment of the long-vacant Railyards site, including housing, retail, and hotel space. Infrastructure work begins next month ahead of vertical construction.

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➤ Colusa County: The state issued a draft conditional approval for a key water right permit for the proposed Sites Reservoir, a 1.5 million acre-foot storage project drawing from the Sacramento River. (See Details)

➤ San Francisco: District trustees voted 6-1 to extend the school year by one week, pushing the last day from June 3 to June 10, to make up for instructional days lost during February’s teacher strike. California requires a minimum of 180 days of instruction. (More)

➤ Willows: A set of dual wheels broke off a northbound big rig, crossed the center divider, and slammed into a van carrying six women returning from a trip to Mt. Shasta. The driver kept control and steered to the shoulder. Injuries were minor. (See Details)

➤ Coalinga: Coalinga College, one of just 13 California community colleges with residence halls, says on-campus living and academic support are helping student-athletes achieve a 3.2 average GPA, well above the 2.0 required to compete. (Read Story)

➤ Placer County: Granite Bay High School was placed on lockdown Tuesday after a reported shooting threat, prompting a law enforcement sweep. A deputy was involved in a crash while responding. No injuries were reported at the school, and the threat remains under investigation. (More)

➤ Delano: A 28-year-old man was sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison for using a drone to drop meth-filled balloons into North Kern State Prison. A second flight the same day crashed in a nearby field. Drone footage led investigators to the operator. (See Details)

➤ Ventura County: The county’s homeless population dropped 11.8% in this year’s point-in-time count. Officials credited investments in permanent supportive housing, which added 594 affordable units, including 274 dedicated to people experiencing homelessness. (See Details)

➤ Los Angeles: Model Adva Lavie, aka Mia Ventura, was ordered to stand trial on six felony charges for using dating apps to pose as a companion and burglarize victims’ homes across LA-area cities. She faces more than 11 years if convicted. (See Details)

➤ San Diego: A 27-year-old San Diego man was sentenced to three months in federal prison for smuggling 17 protected parrots and parakeets through the San Ysidro Port of Entry in bags hidden under his car’s rear seat. (See Details)

➤ Los Angeles: Dodger Stadium is rolling out bone marrow-topped tacos, fried chicken buckets, and burrito bowls among new concession items for the 2026 season, as today’s home opener kicks off the Dodgers’ title defense. (See Menu)

➤ Tickets for the LA Dodgers’ home opener against Arizona today are averaging $392 on the resale market, making it the most expensive regular-season game in MLB history. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, the Angels open against the Houston Astros, and the Padres face the Detroit Tigers to round out a full day of baseball. (See Schedule)

➤ The lawyer for LA Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua denied accusations his client forcefully bit a woman and made antisemitic remarks during a New Year’s Eve party. (More)

➤ Consumer Watchdog says refiners are gouging Californians, citing margins of about $1.50 per gallon, and blames both President Trump and Gov. Gavin Newsom as Bay Area gas nears $6. UC Berkeley economist Severin Borenstein said prices are higher than expected relative to crude oil, with volatile markets tied in part to the Iran conflict. (More)

➤ Presidio Bay Ventures is transforming a San Francisco office tower at 88 Spear Street into what it calls the country’s first “office resort,” with a rooftop restaurant, spa, golf simulator, and event space aimed at luring workers back downtown. (Read Story)

➤ Sony Honda Mobility has scrapped its Afeela electric vehicle program, canceling both models after Honda shifted its strategy. The company will issue full refunds to California reservation holders, just days after opening a delivery hub in Torrance. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

Flying together with our sponsor

Take control of your weight and health with DirectMeds. Their licensed providers prescribe trusted GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide—clinically proven to curb appetite, balance blood sugar, and promote lasting fat loss. Lower your risk of diabetes, boost energy, and feel confident again. Start today with a quick online consultation and 24-hour approval.

➤ Semi-autonomous “Dax” robots are rolling through the city at walking speed, scanning more than 400 miles of sidewalks for cracks, uneven pavement, and accessibility issues. Up to six robots operate at a time, keeping human crews out of traffic while collecting data to help prioritize repairs. (See Video)

➤ The California Mid-State Fair added Megadeth and Treaty Oak Revival to its 2026 summer concert lineup, joining previously announced headliners like Eric Church and Old Dominion. The fair’s 80th anniversary celebration runs July 15-26 at the Paso Robles Event Center. (See Lineup)

➤ The FIFA World Cup Trophy made its first U.S. stop at the Coke Studio at L.A. Live, with about 10,000 fans expected to visit. The tour is building momentum ahead of the 2026 tournament, with Los Angeles set to host matches at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (More)

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