Hilton, Becerra Advance to Governor Runoff

Republican Steve Hilton has advanced to the November runoff in California’s governor race, setting up a matchup against Democrat Xavier Becerra to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom.

NBC News projected the result Tuesday. With 88% of ballots counted, Becerra led 28% to Hilton’s 25%, and billionaire Tom Steyer was third at 23%.

Steyer, who spent more than $200 million on the race, conceded and urged Californians to unite behind Becerra. Republican Sheriff Chad Bianco, who stayed in despite Trump’s endorsement of Hilton, finished fourth.

Hilton, a Trump-endorsed former Fox News host, has vowed to cut income taxes and boost oil drilling. Becerra, a former state attorney general and U.S. health secretary, has pledged to defend the state’s sanctuary policies.

Winds Stoke Fire, Threaten Power Shutoffs

A wildfire sparked by an escaped prescribed burn has burned 362 acres near Lake Berryessa as fire weather returns to Northern California.

The Putah Fire, west of Winters near the Napa, Solano, and Yolo County lines, was 20% contained Tuesday morning, with Highway 128 closed and evacuation warnings in effect. About 265 personnel and six helicopters were assigned.

Meanwhile, PG&E flagged possible power shutoffs June 10 through 12 across eight counties: Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Napa, Sonoma, Sutter, Tehama and Yolo.

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday for the northern Sacramento Valley, citing gusts of 30 to 45 mph and low humidity. North Bay peaks such as Mount St. Helena could see 50 to 60 mph.

PG&E said just under 5,000 customers could lose power and noted the affected areas could shift, urging customers to check their addresses online.

SoCal Pair Picked for Artemis III Mission

Two of the four astronauts NASA named Tuesday to its Artemis III mission have Southern California roots.

Mission commander Randy Bresnik calls Santa Monica his hometown, and mission specialist Frank Rubio was born in Los Angeles. They will fly with NASA’s Andre Douglas and the European Space Agency’s Luca Parmitano.

The crew is set to launch into Earth orbit next year to test commercial lunar landers built by SpaceX and Blue Origin. The flight is a key test ahead of a planned 2028 moon landing.

Rubio holds the U.S. record for the longest single-duration spaceflight by an American astronaut, 371 days, while Bresnik is a retired Marine colonel making his third trip to space.

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➤ San Jose: A man died and a woman was critically injured in a shooting Monday outside Kaiser Permanente medical offices on Cottle Road. Police believe the deceased man was the shooter, and officials said the incident appears to have been a personal matter. (More)

➤ Pacifica: The city council voted Monday to demolish the Chit Chat Café after severe damage to the 1,100-foot Pacifica Municipal Pier caused it to separate from the shoreline. A local emergency is in effect for the 1973 fishing landmark as officials weigh its future. (Read Story)

➤ Chico: Chico State researchers are testing drones and artificial intelligence to help Northern California walnut growers estimate their crop yields. The university’s California Mechatronics Center flies drones over orchards, then uses a student-built model to spot and count the nuts. (More)

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➤ Avila Beach: For the fourth year running, the spot where San Luis Obispo Creek meets the ocean ranked among the nation’s top beach bacteria hot spots in Surfrider’s clean-water report. The source of the contamination remains unknown, and the county tests the water weekly during summer. (More)

➤ Fresno County: The Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District detected the season’s first West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes in Fresno County, weeks earlier than last year. No human cases have been reported, and officials urged residents to use insect repellent and eliminate standing water to reduce mosquito breeding. (More)

➤ Bakersfield: The downtown Chase Bank branch at Chester Avenue and 17th Street reopened Monday, six days after a man claiming to have a bomb held 10 people hostage in a 15-hour standoff that ended with the suspect dead. The rest of the building remains closed. (More)

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➤ Inglewood: Roughly 2,000 hospitality workers at SoFi Stadium reached a tentative agreement, averting a strike before the venue’s first World Cup match, Friday’s U.S.-Paraguay group-stage game. Union members will vote today on whether to ratify the deal. (Read Story)

➤ Newport Beach: A powerful south swell could bring the biggest waves of the year to The Wedge and other Southern California beaches this week, with Orange County surf potentially reaching 8 to 12 feet. Forecasters expect the swell to build Wednesday into Thursday and are warning beachgoers about dangerous rip currents and rough conditions. (More)

➤ Los Angeles: Downtown residents and business owners say a surge in graffiti is hurting the city’s image ahead of the World Cup, Super Bowl, and Olympics. The Historic Core Business Improvement District says crews covered 31,590 tags last year, up from 9,483 in 2023. (More)

➤ Pomona: The city apologized after some copies of its recently mailed Recreation Guide may have contained inappropriate images that were never approved for the publication. Officials halted distribution, opened an investigation and pledged new safeguards. (More)

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➤ Tickets to Friday’s U.S.-Paraguay World Cup opener at SoFi Stadium are starting at more than $900, reflecting strong demand for the U.S. team’s first match of the 2026 World Cup. (More)

➤ The Los Angeles Kings hired Peter Laviolette as their new head coach, turning to the veteran bench boss after five straight first-round playoff exits. Laviolette has won 846 career games and led Carolina to a Stanley Cup title in 2006. (More)

➤ San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk posted a cryptic Instagram video appearing to call the team “scared” amid an ongoing dispute over his future. He also faces a misdemeanor charge in Santa Clara County tied to an alleged speeding incident. (More)

➤ Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic battery Monday night after police responded to his San Fernando Valley home. His bail was set at $50,000. (More)

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

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➤ Gallo will shut down crush operations at its Turner Road West facility in Lodi, affecting about 20 employees. The Modesto-based wine giant cited available capacity at its other regional wineries, while industry leaders say the move reflects a prolonged downturn in California wine sales and winegrape crushing. (See Details)

➤ Kroger agreed to pay $1.25 million to settle claims it understated calories on five Carbmaster breads and buns sold in California. Prosecutors said the grocer continued advertising incorrect calorie counts for months after correcting its nutrition labels. (More)

➤ Happy Ice, the LA-based Philadelphia-style water ice brand, will open a new location at Downtown Disney later this month. The all-natural menu features Italian water ice made with real fruit and cane sugar, plus a layered dessert called the Joy-Lati. (Read Story)

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The Lithium Boom is Heating Up

Lithium stock prices have more than doubled in the past year in response to ballooning costs and shortages. $ALB climbed 185%. $SQM, 133%.

But the real winner may be a private stock, EnergyX. Their tech can recover up to 3X more lithium than traditional methods, leading General Motors to invest. Now, they hold rights to up to 13M tons of lithium across the Americas. 

Now, you can buy private EnergyX shares alongside 40k+ people. Join them as an early-stage investor before the 7/16 deadline.

➤ Tomato season has arrived, and a Fresno master gardener has some simple advice: skip the tomato pruning, focus on sturdy support and proper watering, and try a strong spray of water before reaching for pesticides to fight aphids. As for mint, keep it in a pot unless you want it taking over the garden. (Read Story)

➤ A wave-powered sound sculpture in San Francisco’s Marina District turned 40 this week. The Wave Organ, built from 20 pipes and salvaged cemetery stones jutting into the bay, lets visitors press an ear to a tube and hear the sea gurgle, loudest at high tide. (Read Story)

➤ Some 338 pets found new homes over the weekend when the San Diego Humane Society waived adoption fees for California Adopt-a-Pet Day at its four campuses in San Diego, El Cajon, Escondido and Oceanside. More than 500 animals are still waiting. (Read Story)

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Do you have a garden this year?

1. Yes, in full swing
2. Just a few pots
3. Planning to get started
4. Not this year

Yesterday’s Results:

How do you prefer your ice cream scoops?

1. Bowl or cup: 31%
2. Waffle cone: 23%
3. Classic cone: 18%
4. Straight from the carton: 15%
5. Other: 13%

What now-iconic American snack food was invented at a Disneyland restaurant in the early 1960s?

Show me the answer