Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1983, Michael Jackson debuted the moonwalk at Pasadena’s Civic Auditorium during a taping of the Motown 25 anniversary special. Watch here.

A Montecito home packed with thousands of pig figurines is about to hit the market, but the collection won’t be coming with it. We’ve got the story behind the delightfully odd “Pig House” in Et Cetera.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is urging retirees to take a hard look at the warning signs in today’s economy and explore how physical gold could help protect their savings in uncertain times.

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.

Governor’s Debate Canceled

University of Southern California (USC) pulled the plug on Tuesday’s gubernatorial debate late Monday after backlash over a selection formula that excluded four candidates of color.

The university said it couldn’t reach an agreement with co-sponsors KABC-TV and Univision on expanding beyond six candidates: Republicans Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton, and Democrats Katie Porter, Eric Swalwell, Tom Steyer, and Matt Mahan. The excluded candidates—Xavier Becerra, Antonio Villaraigosa, Betty Yee, and Tony Thurmond—called the criteria “rigged” and urged a boycott.

Nine state lawmakers, including Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón, sent a letter to USC’s president Monday demanding the debate be opened to additional candidates or face a voter boycott.

The June 2 primary sends two candidates, regardless of party, to the November general election. Another debate is planned for April.

Foster City Declares Emergency

Foster City declared a state of emergency Monday night after a ransomware attack crippled the city’s computer network and shut down most non-emergency public services.

Information technology staff detected the attack March 19 and took systems offline as a precaution. As of Tuesday morning, City Hall remains open with limited services, while many online systems and public-facing operations are still unavailable.

City leaders have released few details, and no council members spoke before approving the emergency declaration. Mayor Art Kiesel declined to comment on camera, and officials say they won’t discuss the breach until it is resolved, drawing concern from residents who want to know if personal data was compromised.

The emergency declaration allows access to outside financial and technical support. Officials are urging anyone who has done business with the city to change passwords and monitor their personal information.

LA28 Unveils Olympic Look

On Monday, LA28, the Los Angeles organizing committee, unveiled the official look for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games: a superbloom-inspired visual identity drawn from the rare wildflower blooms that blanket California hillsides in color.

The design, “LA in Full Bloom,” features 13 distinct “blooms” representing the region’s people, cultures, and landscapes, with a palette influenced by the Bird of Paradise and typography drawn from local storefront signage.

Organizers revealed the branding at Intuit Dome more than two years ahead of the Games, giving partners time to roll it out across venues, signage, and digital platforms.

Los Angeles will host its third Summer Olympics in 2028, following 1932 and 1984, and its first Paralympics.

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A Final, Stern Warning For Retirees

Economists point to the “Expectations Index” as a key signal of America’s financial health. When the Index is below 80, it’s a major warning sign that a recession is near. In January, it fell to 65.

This isn’t just a dip, it’s a declaration. Our economy relies on a strong job market and confident consumers buying goods. In 2026, America’s working class is cutting non-essential spending.

An HR executive reports: “A worried and distracted workforce, whose concerns have them in ‘survival mode.‘” This “crisis of confidence” may impact those near retirement the most. It indicates deep, structural stress in the framework that supports your 401(k) s and IRAs.

Most 401(k)s and IRAs are designed for “fair weather.” They thrive when the economy is booming. They are not built to withstand the pressure of “a 12-year low in consumer confidence.” Gold is the “foul weather” fund. When expectations drop and paper markets begin to crumble, the rich often turn to physical gold and silver to preserve their wealth.

Download the FREE 2026 Gold Investing Guide, and we’ll give you the step-by-step process that can protect your retirement savings from this crumbling economy.

>>Get Your Free WEALTH PROTECTION GUIDE<<

➤ Northern California: A United States Geological Survey system glitch triggered false earthquake alerts late Monday, with magnitudes 3.2 to 3.8 reported in scattered locations. No shaking was reported, and officials are reviewing the error. (More)

➤ San Francisco: The Giants previewed new food for the 2026 season at Oracle Park, including Pacific Eats rice bowls, a loaded quesadilla, and a birria grilled cheese. Opening Night against the Yankees is tonight. (See Details)

➤ Contra Costa County: Thirteen schools were named 2026 California Distinguished Schools out of 408 honored statewide. San Ramon Valley Unified had seven recognized campuses, including six middle schools and San Ramon Valley High. (Read Story)

➤ Stockton: The Wesley Brownlee serial killings case remains stalled amid competency concerns. He faces six murder counts tied to 2021-22 shootings, and his defense has moved to dismiss the indictment. (More)

➤ Santa Barbara County: SpaceX is set to launch a Falcon 9 carrying 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base this afternoon, with a four-hour window and possible sonic booms across the region. (More)

➤ Fresno: One in four Gen Z adults in Fresno owns a home, the highest share in California, according to a Rent Cafe study. Researchers credited the gap between robust Valley wages and home prices that haven’t spiked like coastal markets. (Read Story)

➤ Santa Monica: A California jury found Bill Cosby liable for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in 1972, awarding her $59.25 million, including $40 million in punitive damages. The award is likely the largest against Cosby to date. (More)

➤ Inland Empire: A $50,000 reward is being offered as outrage grows over brutal attacks on wild donkeys in Reche Canyon near Moreno Valley, as authorities search for those responsible. Nearly two dozen burros have been found with gruesome injuries. (See Details)

➤ San Diego County: A 40-year-old hiker was found dead on El Cajon Mountain near Lakeside after heading out Saturday morning and never returning. The sheriff’s department has not released his name or cause of death. (More)

➤ The San Francisco Giants open the 2026 MLB season tonight against the Yankees on Netflix, ahead of Thursday’s full Opening Day slate. (More)

➤ UCLA women’s basketball beat Oklahoma State 87-68 to reach its fourth consecutive Sweet 16. (More)

➤ USC women’s basketball lost by 40 to No. 1 South Carolina, ending its season in the second round of the NCAA tournament. (More)

➤ Alphabet’s Wing will bring drone delivery to the San Francisco Bay Area in the coming months. Founded there in 2012, it has partnered with Walmart and DoorDash and promises delivery in under 30 minutes. (More)

➤ Warner Bros. and Paramount’s proposed $111 billion merger drew scrutiny from Sen. Adam Schiff and Rep. Laura Friedman at a Burbank hearing, with lawmakers warning it could threaten Hollywood jobs and competition. (See Details)

➤ House Republicans launched a probe into California hospice fraud, citing a CBS News report that found more than 700 of roughly 1,800 LA County hospices were flagged for potential fraud. The Oversight Committee sent Gov. Gavin Newsom a letter requesting documents on the state’s oversight. (See Details)

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Inflation is rising, recession is looming, and the stock market bubble looks ready to burst. While dollar-denominated assets like stocks and bonds could plummet, holders of physical gold could soon be celebrating.

President Trump’s proposed “gold reset” could mark America’s greatest wealth creation event in nearly a century. This historic move would revalue the nation’s gold reserves overnight, catapulting the value of physical gold to new heights as government gold skyrockets by 9,000%.

To learn how to protect your savings and potentially benefit from this coming revaluation, claim your FREE 2025 Wealth Protection Guide today.

➤ Knott’s Boysenberry Festival is back through April 12 at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, featuring a wide range of boysenberry-inspired dishes and themed activities. (See Details)

➤ Grizzly River Run at Disney California Adventure is reopening Friday after nearly three months of refurbishment. (More)

➤ Montecito’s “Pig House” is set to go up for sale, with its roughly 6,000 pig figurines expected to be auctioned off. Owner Nikki Grosso says the collection began decades ago as a gift for her late husband and has drawn complaints from neighbors. (Read Story)

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