Lawsuit Snarls California’s 911 Overhaul

California’s overhaul of its aging 911 system is now tangled in a lawsuit that the state warns could further delay the troubled upgrade.

The contractor, NGA 911, is suing the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services after the state fired it and switched from a regional, four-contractor approach to a single statewide network. Cal OES says NGA’s equipment proved “so problematic that it was unworkable.”

NGA calls the state’s allegations “plainly untrue,” wants a judge to return to the original plan that included NGA as a contractor, and is seeking $670,000 it says it’s owed. California has spent or committed more than $545 million on the upgrade since 2019.

The upgrade is meant to modernize California’s aging 911 infrastructure, but some of the first centers to use the new technology experienced major problems. Cal OES says it will not comment on pending litigation.

California Weighs Return of Bobcat Hunting

California wildlife officials have released the state’s first-ever bobcat management plan, a step that could reopen a hunting season banned since 2020.

A 2019 law, Assembly Bill 1254, ended bobcat hunting and required the Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop a conservation plan before bobcat hunting could again be considered. The plan itself makes no recommendation, leaving that call to the Fish and Game Commission.

A five-year monitoring study estimated roughly 62,000 bobcats statewide, a population the department calls stable, with vehicle strikes and mange the leading known causes of death.

The public has until Nov. 1 to comment on the draft. The Fish and Game Commission has authority to decide whether a hunting season should be established.

Halley’s Comet Sends Meteors over California

Debris from Halley’s Comet is streaking into the skies over California this month, with the Orionid meteor shower set to peak before dawn on Oct. 21.

Under dark skies, the Orionids typically produce 10 to 20 fast meteors an hour, about half leaving glowing trails, with the occasional bright fireball. The best window comes between moonset and first light on the mornings of Oct. 21 and 22.

Lassen Volcanic National Park, which describes itself as one of the last sanctuaries of natural darkness, points stargazers to lakeshores like Manzanita Lake and Summit Lake. Eyes need 15 to 30 minutes to adjust, and a red flashlight helps protect night vision.

A smaller shower, the Draconids, peaks in the early evening on Oct. 8 and 9 under nearly moonless skies. Halley’s Comet itself won’t return until 2061, so for now its dust will have to do.

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➤ Chico: A groundwater plan could let water levels fall another 20 feet, potentially drying up 32% of domestic wells. Advocates are pushing for stronger protections and earlier action. (More)

➤ Concord: Officials moved thousands of immigration cases to the city after closing San Francisco’s immigration court. Attorneys and court observers are raising concerns about crowded hearing schedules, shortened notice and newly appointed judges. (More)

➤ Sacramento: Highlands Community Charter filed for bankruptcy after a state audit found it improperly received more than $180 million and documented wasteful spending. The school disputes the finding and says its six locations remain open. (See Details)

➤ Redding: City leaders are considering closing Fire Station 3 and cutting police positions as expenses outpace revenue. The station closure could save about $3 million, while officials say the proposed cuts would not result in layoffs. (More)

➤ Mount Shasta: Mary Beth Granbery, 73, was found alive at the bottom of a steep embankment along Cabin Creek after apparently being stranded for days. A California Highway Patrol helicopter airlifted her to a Redding hospital. (See Details)

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➤ Fresno: Community college board candidate Marcos Osorio is calling on opponent Terance Frazier to drop out of the race for an Area 5 board seat after a man believed to be Frazier was recorded at Osorio’s home, allegedly giving a false name and appearing near his mailbox. (See Details)

➤ Monterey County: The mother of a 14-year-old girl was arrested in the “Baby Angelita” case involving the teen and her newborn, who was found dead. Authorities say the mother kept her daughter out of school and put her to work using false documents. (See Details)

➤ Shaver Springs: Residents are being cautioned about drinking and cooking with tap water after tests found uranium and gross alpha above state limits. Fresno County is weighing bottled water, new wells and treatment options. (More)

➤ Los Osos: Rescuers freed three dolphins stranded in mud at Cuesta Inlet and released them into the ocean, while a fourth died overnight. Wildlife officials said an earlier rescue was too risky for both the dolphins and volunteers. (More)

➤ Santa Barbara County: Derelict boats that break loose and wash ashore near East Beach are running up big cleanup bills, averaging about $7,000, with one metal vessel potentially costing $100,000 to remove. County officials are weighing their own removal policy. (See Details)

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➤ Los Angeles: A Delta jet bound for Tokyo collided with an Air Canada plane while taxiing at Los Angeles International Airport Tuesday, ripping the Delta plane’s winglet off and leaving it lodged in the other jet’s stabilizer. No injuries were reported. (See Details)

➤ Santa Ana: A Delta passenger was arrested after allegedly breaching security at John Wayne Airport, stealing an airline tug and crashing it into another vehicle before trying to take a lavatory truck. Flights were briefly halted, but officials said overall airport operations were not affected. (See Details)

➤ Arcadia: A couple pleaded not guilty to child abuse charges in a surrogacy case involving 21 children, with prosecutors alleging they misled surrogates and directed nannies to physically discipline the children. The couple is being held on $20 million bail each. (More)

➤ Chula Vista: A mother says her 15-year-old son with autism was hospitalized for severe dehydration after repeatedly being left on a school bus with no air conditioning during a heat wave. The Sweetwater High School Union district did not respond to requests for comment. (More)

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➤ The Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to the National League Championship Series with a 4-1 win in Atlanta, taking the division series 3-1. Andy Pages broke a 1-1 tie with a two-run single in the seventh inning. (Watch Video)

➤ The San Diego Padres put their season on the line again last night in NLDS Game 4 against the Milwaukee Brewers after entering the game trailing the series 2-1. (See Score)

➤ Cal football coach Tosh Lupoi pulled play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Jordan Somerville midway through last Saturday’s 39-31 loss at UNLV, turning the offense over to pass game coordinator Pat McCann as the Golden Bears fell to 2-3. (More)

➤ Los Angeles FC star Son Heung-min became South Korea’s all-time leading scorer Tuesday, sneaking a free kick under Uzbekistan’s goalkeeper for his 59th international goal. (More)

➤ San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle “Juice” Juszczyk beat a $14,926 NFL fine on appeal by convincing an appeals officer that his celebration mimicked a juice box, not a beer. Ocean Spray has signed him to a promotion giving away 14,926 bottles of juice. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | NCAAF | WNBA | NHL | Soccer | NBA

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➤ Topgolf broke ground on a 72-bay venue at Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera County, featuring dining, an arcade, and mini golf. Topgolf’s first partnership with a children’s hospital is expected to open by summer 2027. (See Details)

➤ Mimi’s Cafe has shrunk from 145 locations to 38, leaving just one in the Bay Area, but says sales have grown for four straight years. The chain is now planning smaller “Mimi’s 2.0” locations. (More)

➤ Dolly Parton’s former Los Angeles home hit the market for $7.95 million, 36 years after she sold it for $1.2 million. The four-bedroom Hollywood Hills home hasn’t been on the market in 25 years. (See Details)

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Deep Sea? Deep Space? Don’t Sweat

What do underwater drones and lunar equipment have in common? Both must operate without air or electrical outlets.

It’s why Infinity’s already secured $60M+ in past and current contracts from NASA, the US Navy, and more to supply that power.

Their fuel cells can keep these machines running in the toughest environments. And this isn’t theoretical. In March, an Infinity-powered underwater drone traveled 1,257 miles without surfacing, roughly the distance from Los Angeles to Dallas. That same design’s even logged 2,600+ hours for a NASA Moon Base power program.

Now, Infinity’s scaling from prototype to production. And through October 15, you can join them and unlock 5% in guaranteed bonus shares.

Maximize your stake as an early-stage Infinity investor before this offer’s gone.

➤ The Big Fresno Fair runs through Oct. 18 with rides, food, concerts, rodeos and more. Admission starts at $15 for adults, with near-triple-digit heat expected early in the fair. (See Schedule)

➤ Yosemite National Park ranked No. 4 among America’s best national parks for hiking, with 298 trails averaging a 4.6 user rating on AllTrails. Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, and Rocky Mountain ranked ahead of Yosemite. (More)

➤ A new wildlife crossing over Highway 97 in Siskiyou County recorded its first black bear ahead of its official opening. The bridge, underpass, and fencing are designed to reduce wildlife collisions and reconnect migration routes. (See Photos)

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➤ Coffee vs Hot Cacao vs Green Tea:  Which of these hot drinks was proven in a study boost stem cells by 220% in 30 days?  Billionaires drop 6 figures on stem cell therapy, but this hot drink costs 50 cents a day and boosts anti-aging stem cells improving heart health, blood pressure, and longevity.

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. 

➤ One of the most popular glucose monitors failed an accuracy test against the gold standard. (Hear Which One)

➤ A new report breaks down which states Gen Z adults are leaving and where they’re landing instead. (Hear Details)

➤ Spain is mourning the 87-year-old woman whose eviction ignited nationwide protests and pushed the country toward early elections. (Listen Now)

Have you ever spotted a black bear in the wild?

1. Yes, up close
2. Yes, from a safe distance
3. Never, but I’d like to
4. Never, and I’m fine with that

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you have a pool?

1. No, and I’m good without: 51%
2. Yes, worth every penny: 21%
3. Yes, but it’s a money pit: 14%
4. No, but I want one: 14%

The Oroville Dam, on Northern California’s Feather River, is a linchpin of the state’s water system. At 770 feet, what national record does it hold?

Show me the answer