DHS Opens California Voter-Fraud Probe

The Department of Homeland Security launched a voter-fraud investigation in California and eight other states Tuesday.

Homeland Security Investigations will audit voter rolls for noncitizens who may have registered or voted illegally, an effort running through mid-October and ending shortly before November’s midterm elections.

The administration has claimed about 278,000 noncitizens may be improperly registered nationwide, though the reports did not establish whether those identified had voted or explain how the figures were calculated. California’s Secretary of State’s Office declined to comment on what it called the federal “prosecution surges” but said the state already has safeguards to verify voter identity. Registrants must attest under penalty of perjury that they are U.S. citizens and eligible to vote, the office said.

The office called the probe part of a broader effort to intimidate California voters and said recent reporting in Nevada and Pennsylvania showed even DHS has acknowledged its noncitizen counts do not withstand scrutiny.

Crash Sparks Fire, Evacuations Near Yosemite

A cement truck that overturned and slammed into a tour bus on Highway 140 sparked the Colorado Fire in Mariposa County on Tuesday, forcing evacuations near Yosemite National Park.

The blaze had burned 233 acres and was 10% contained as of Wednesday afternoon, with crews fighting to corral it across steep, rugged terrain.

Mandatory evacuation orders covered three zones near Midpines, with warnings in two more, and Cal Fire reported 45 structures threatened. Two firefighters were injured and taken to a hospital but were expected to be OK, while the cement truck driver was hospitalized with unknown injuries. No buildings were reported destroyed.

The tour bus driver, returning the empty vehicle to San Francisco, escaped injury, and the California Highway Patrol said the truck had crossed lanes on a curve before the collision. Yosemite remained open and was not threatened.

California Senate Honors Jackie the Eagle

The California State Senate passed a bipartisan resolution honoring Jackie, the Big Bear bald eagle who drew millions of live-cam viewers before her death last month.

Senate Resolution 140, introduced by state Sen. Tony Strickland, R-Huntington Beach, proclaims Sept. 4 as California Wildlife Day in her memory. It ties her legacy to the nation’s 250th anniversary and the bald eagle’s status as a national symbol.

Jackie died Aug. 10 after being found weak and unable to fly near Big Bear Lake in mid-July and suffering from a prolonged illness that left her severely anemic. She was estimated to be 14 years old.

Jackie and her mate, Shadow, drew a global following on Friends of Big Bear Valley’s nest camera as they raised eaglets over the years. The resolution also highlighted species such as the California condor and Mojave desert tortoise.

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➤ San Francisco: The city’s Unified School District will make Lowell High’s varsity baseball team forfeit three games and replace its head coach after a racial-taunting incident last spring. The state’s prep sports federation also found Lowell violated sportsmanship rules. (More)

➤ Also San Francisco: Firefighters spent two hours freeing a man trapped inside a Recology garbage truck in the Tenderloin early Wednesday after he was dumpster diving and got scooped up with the trash. Yelling was heard as the load was being compacted, prompting the driver to stop. The man was hospitalized. (More)

➤ Calaveras County: Bruce Giudici, a candidate for the District 5 Board of Supervisors seat, died Monday after falling while campaigning door to door Sunday. He was running against former Supervisor Clyde Clapp in November, and his campaign says it will continue its effort to elect him. (More)

➤ Suisun City: California Forever, the group planning a separate new city in Solano County, has bought three downtown properties as part of a redevelopment deal with Suisun City. The properties include 701 Main Street and two parking lots, with mixed-use development planned and two more property sales expected in the coming months. (More)

➤ Bay Area: More than 100 sea lions have been rescued this year with domoic acid poisoning, including 30 in one week from Monterey to Sonoma. The toxin builds up in fish and shellfish and can also harm people, prompting a state warning against eating sport-harvested mussels along California’s coast. (More)

➤ Siskiyou County: Three novice climbers were rescued from Mount Shasta on Sunday after getting lost overnight on a trip they planned partly with AI. They packed for an eight-hour climb that stretched to roughly 16 hours, later telling rangers, “We relied too much on AI rather than our own critical thinking.” (More)

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➤ Central Valley: The USDA plans to buy $57.5 million in surplus U.S. citrus, with California growers expected to benefit. The purchase includes $25 million in mandarins, $20 million in oranges, and $12.5 million in grapefruit for food banks, assistance programs, and schools. (More)

➤ Fresno: Cassandra Michael was sentenced to seven years for aiding and abetting her boyfriend in the April 2025 killing of Caleb Quick. The 18-year-old was accused of driving the getaway car after Quick was fatally shot in a Clovis McDonald’s parking lot. (More)

➤ Also Fresno: Mayor Jerry Dyer helped unveil a new $625,000 jumbotron at Selland Arena on Tuesday, leading a countdown before the screen lit up with a hype video. The upgrade comes ahead of the Fresno Falcons hockey team’s return this fall. (More)

➤ Carpinteria: A smoke investigation near Carpinteria Creek led firefighters to a hidden underground bunker engulfed in flames. Crews used foam to extinguish the blaze in dense brush along the creek bike path and confirmed the structure was a homeless encampment. No one was hurt. (More)

➤ Santa Cruz: Another section of cliff broke off at Steamer Lane, marking the second collapse there this summer. Surfers say the erosion may be changing wave patterns, while coastal experts warn repeated wave action is accelerating the damage. (More)

➤ Santa Barbara: The zoo is celebrating the birth of an endangered white-handed gibbon to mother Chanee and first-time father Mel. It is the third baby for 20-year-old Chanee, who arrived with Mel last year following a species-survival breeding recommendation. (More)

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➤ San Diego: The parents of Caleb Vazquez, 18, one of the gunmen in May’s deadly Islamic Center shooting, sued Park Mental Health, alleging it failed to properly supervise him. The organization’s attorney said the facility was voluntary and Vazquez was not under court-ordered confinement. (More)

➤ Also San Diego-based carrier USS Abraham Lincoln pulled into Thailand on Wednesday, letting about 5,000 sailors and Marines step ashore for the first time in more than 280 days. The lengthy deployment, mostly spent supporting military operations in the war with Iran, drew scrutiny over food shortages and crew mental health. (More)

➤ Los Angeles: The school district has blocked students from using generative AI on district-issued devices while officials review safeguards and classroom uses. Students 13 and older previously could access approved AI tools after completing required instruction, but the district cannot restrict their use on personal devices. (More)

➤ Burbank: James DeBarge, 63, and his brother Jonathan “Chico” DeBarge, 60, of the musical DeBarge family, were arrested on suspicion of drug possession. Officers stopped a Chevy Tahoe towing a plateless Nissan SUV, found narcotics and booked both men. Chico also had an outstanding warrant. (More)

➤ Hollywood: Crews are repairing Dolly Parton’s Walk of Fame star after someone scratched over the late singer’s name, a week after her death at 80. The star had drawn a memorial of flowers and cards and was slated for crack repairs when a woman reportedly scratched it with a candle shard. (More)

➤ Los Angeles: Sony Pictures Television suspended longtime Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton, 66, while it investigates allegations against him. TMZ reported the case stems from a May American Airlines flight, where Thornton was met by law enforcement at LAX but not arrested. (More)

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➤ The NBA fined the Los Angeles Clippers $30 million, forced them to forfeit five first-round picks, and suspended owner Steve Ballmer for one year for salary cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard. (More)

➤ Mike Trout called the Los Angeles Angels’ sale to Stan Kroenke a “fresh start” and said the ownership change doesn’t alter his desire to remain with the franchise through 2030. (More)

➤ George Kittle and Nick Bosa are traveling with the San Francisco 49ers to Australia as both continue recovering from major injuries ahead of the Sept. 10 season opener against the Los Angeles Rams. (More)

➤ Ryan Getzlaf’s No. 15 will be retired by the Anaheim Ducks on Jan. 30, making him the fourth player in franchise history to receive the honor. Getzlaf holds team records for games, points, assists, and playoff scoring. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: US Open | MLB | Soccer

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➤ Waymo opened its driverless robotaxi service to the public in San Diego on Tuesday. Rides cover a 50-square-mile zone from Logan Heights to Pacific Beach, with invites rolling out to thousands who signed up ahead of a wider September launch. (More)

➤ Hangry Planet, billed as North America’s first fully plant-based gas-station convenience store, was sold with its San Bruno property for more than $12 million. Founder Bobak Bakhtiari’s vegan experiment overcame an early 20% sales drop before climbing about 30%. (More)

➤ Tau Robotics, a San Francisco startup, is renting out humanoid robots that vacuum floors, wipe counters, and take out the trash for $30 an hour. Human operators monitor the machines remotely for now, with the company aiming for full autonomy and, someday, home repairs and elderly care. (More)

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➤ Dolly Parton Day could be coming to California after lawmakers approved a bill recognizing Sept. 25 in honor of the country music legend, who died Aug. 25. The date is a nod to her hit 9 to 5, and the measure also recognizes her Imagination Library literacy program. The bill now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom. (More)

➤ Los Angeles birder Alexander deBarros photographed a coyote carrying a roadrunner in its mouth at the Chatsworth Nature Preserve, a real-life version of the classic cartoon rivalry where the coyote finally won. (More)

➤ A Russian colony once stood on California’s Sonoma Coast, where Fort Ross served as a fur-trading and farming outpost for about 30 years beginning in 1812. Today, visitors can explore the reconstructed fort and chapel at Fort Ross State Historic Park. (More)

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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. 

➤ Five after-dinner rituals every American once knew have gotten lost over a single generation. (See Rituals)

➤ The Lindsay Clancy murder trial has hit another wall, leaving jurors deadlocked and a mistrial looming. (Hear Details)

➤ Meanwhile, in the Charlie Kirk assassination trial, Tyler Robinson has pleaded not guilty and now faces a possible death penalty. (Listen Now)

Which classic cartoon rivalry is your all-time favorite?

1. Coyote vs. Road Runner
2. Tom vs. Jerry
3. Sylvester vs. Tweety
4. Bugs vs. Elmer
5. Other (reply to tell us)

Yesterday’s Results:

What matters most in making a place a great place to live?

1. Affordable cost of living: 30%
2. Good weather: 24%
3. Friendly neighbors: 16%
4. Access to the outdoors: 14%
5. Other: 9%
6. A short commute: 7%

Santa Cruz is often called the birthplace of surfing on the U.S. mainland. Who first rode the waves there in the summer of 1885?

Show me the answer