Billionaire Wealth Tax Officially Defeated

California’s proposed first-in-the-nation tax on billionaires has been defeated, with the Associated Press calling the race against Proposition 40 on Monday after the measure trailed for days in the count.

Voters rejected the measure 52.8% to 47.2%, blocking a one-time 5% tax on residents worth more than $1 billion. Backers said it would help replace about $100 billion in federal health care funding the state stands to lose over five years.

Opponents raised roughly 10 times as much as supporters, with Google co-founder Sergey Brin alone putting over $100 million into the fight. Gov. Gavin Newsom and a No on 40 coalition argued the tax would push wealthy residents out of state.

The union behind it, SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, appeared to concede and vowed to try again in 2028 if lawmakers fail to address health care funding. Its path could narrow if Proposition 42, a billionaire-backed ban on future wealth taxes, holds its lead.

California Schools Face Google AI Choice

California’s school districts have until January 2027 to accept Google’s AI-integrated search or lose student access to Google Search, part of a nationwide shift the company announced last week.

Google says the change gives districts more control over students’ AI use and makes “Guided Learning” the default in its updated search offering for schools, walking students through problems instead of handing over quick answers. It said it was responding to educators who asked for tighter limits on AI shortcuts.

But schools cannot keep a fully AI-free version of Search, since Google’s AI features stay built into its results. Parent advocates have called it a “hostile ultimatum,” and it lands as California districts already debate how much classroom AI to allow.

Major California districts are taking a cautious approach: Los Angeles Unified and San Diego Unified both restrict generative AI, and San Diego is still weighing its next move. Oceanside Unified, by contrast, plans to keep Google Search.

Communities Honor Veterans

Parades, ceremonies, and Fleet Week events take place from San Diego to Fresno today as the state marks Veterans Day.

In San Diego, the USS Midway Museum’s Veterans Day Parade starts at 10 a.m. along Harbor Drive, honoring Operation Desert Storm veterans on the conflict’s 35th anniversary. The parade is part of Fleet Week San Diego, which runs through Nov. 15 with ship tours and military displays downtown.

The Central Valley’s 107th Veterans Day Parade marches through downtown Fresno, a three-hour procession from City Hall to Chukchansi Park. More than 20,000 people are expected to line the route, with the parade starting at 11 a.m.

With the federal holiday, banks and many government offices are closed, and regular mail delivery is suspended. First proclaimed as Armistice Day after World War I, Nov. 11 became Veterans Day by an act of Congress in 1954.

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Santa Clara: Nvidia and CEO Jensen Huang face a lawsuit alleging investors were misled about his affair with a suspected Chinese spy. Shares fell 4.3% Monday, wiping out $190 billion. President Trump says the FBI is investigating, while Nvidia’s board is conducting its own review. (More)

➤ San Francisco: City planners approved replacing the Marina Safeway with two towers housing 848 apartments and a new grocery store. The controversial project faces a federal lawsuit, with no construction date set. (See Details)

➤ Walnut Creek: A boiler explosion at a senior living facility Monday burned two contractors and forced about 60 residents to evacuate. One resident was hospitalized with breathing problems, and residents were later allowed back inside. (More)

➤ Also Santa Clara: Police arrested 11 people and ejected 45 after fights erupted at Sunday’s 49ers-Raiders game. Video showed two people apparently knocked unconscious outside Levi’s Stadium. Police are seeking witnesses. (See Details)

➤ Sierra County: Prescribed burns are ramping up across Northern California, with crews burning 130 acres near Calpine and targeting 197 by week’s end, weather permitting. Officials say the burns reduce fuel and future wildfire risk. (More)

➤ Santa Barbara: County health officials say heat likely contributed to illnesses among runners at Sunday’s half-marathon, calling it an isolated event as police continue to investigate. Inspectors found no violations at the drink-prep site. (More)

➤ Stockton: City leaders outlined ethics reforms Monday following a critical grand jury report on city council conduct. Plans include a new ethics commission, updated rules, and additional training to restore public trust. (See Details)

➤ Moss Landing: Prosecutors will not charge an 18-year-old suspect in the shooting that killed two teenage boys at Moss Landing State Beach unless new evidence emerges. Officials cited conflicting witness accounts and possible self-defense. (More)

➤ Fresno County: CEMEX’s proposed quarry expansion near Friant faces opposition over blasting risks to the San Joaquin River and nearby homes. Supporters cite jobs and construction needs. County supervisors will review the project Thursday. (More)

➤ Reedley: A new live eagle cam gives a close-up view of bald eagles Margaret and Jack in a pine tree overlooking the lower Kings River, one of several such cameras now streaming across California. (Watch)

Enjoy reading The California Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family.

➤ Pasadena: A 32-year-old man has agreed to plead guilty in the 2022 theft of nearly $100 million in jewelry from a Brinks truck stopped in Lebec. Prosecutors call it the largest jewelry heist in U.S. history. He faces up to 20 years in prison. (More)

➤ Los Angeles: Downtown’s notorious graffiti-covered Oceanwide Plaza towers have been largely cleaned up after years of neglect. New owners plan to spend $850 million finishing the stalled development, with occupancy expected by late 2028. (See Details)

➤ Orange County: Prosecutors have charged 12 parents over e-bike crashes involving children, with up to 50 more under investigation. The crackdown follows a reported 430% surge in e-bike-related emergency room visits. (More)

➤ San Clemente: The California Coastal Commission approved a $305 million plan to protect coastal railroad tracks from erosion. The project includes sand replenishment, a seawall, and boulders, despite concerns about reduced beach access. (More)

➤ San Diego City Council approved the $4.2 billion Midway Rising project Monday, advancing plans to replace the aging Pechanga Arena and build more than 4,000 homes, including 2,000 affordable units. (More)

➤ The 49ers acquired six-time Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen from the Colts on Tuesday for a 2027 sixth-round draft pick. The former Cal star gives quarterback Brock Purdy another veteran target. (More)

➤ Rams receiver Puka Nacua is likely headed to injured reserve with knee sprains and turf toe suffered in Sunday’s win over Washington. The Pro Bowler would miss at least four games, with a possible Week 15 return. (More)

➤ Former Angels catcher Bob Boone has died at 78. The four-time All-Star and seven-time Gold Glove winner helped the Angels win two division titles and the Phillies win the 1980 World Series. His son Aaron manages the Yankees. (More)

➤ The Professional Women’s Hockey League unveiled the name and logo of its first California team, the San Jose Sea Lions, one of four expansion clubs debuting next month. The branding nods to Bay Area marine life and a historic black baseball team that featured pioneering female player Toni Stone. (More)

➤ The 2026 Silver Pigskin Gala announced nominees for San Diego’s top prep football awards. Finalists include Cathedral’s Honor Fa’alave Johnson, seeking a historic second win, and St. Augustine’s Pai Polamalu. Winners will be named Dec. 1. (See List)

➤ 49ers legend Steve Young got emotional as his daughter Laila capped her senior season with a championship, with Menlo School beating Los Gatos 19-13 for its second straight CCS Open Division girls flag football title. Young has helped coach the program. (Read Story)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | NBA | NCAAM | NCAAW | NHL

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Have you checked which military discounts you could be missing? Veterans Savings rounds up offers for veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible family members, including shopping, travel, and household expenses. Explore the list, check each provider’s current terms, and see what fits your needs. Discover potential savings today.

➤ AI company Anthropic plans to price its IPO shares at $70 to $78, valuing the San Francisco firm at up to $1.4 trillion. The Claude maker could go public next week after reporting $16.3 billion in revenue and an $80.7 billion loss in the first half of 2026. (More)

➤ Bay Area doughnut chain Johnny Doughnuts closed three of its six shops Monday, in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights, Santa Rosa, and San Jose’s Santana Row, laying off 34 workers amid financial struggles. Its San Rafael, Larkspur, and Napa locations remain open. (More)

➤ Willow Springs Raceway near Rosamond is getting a makeover under new ownership after fears it might close. The historic 1953 track near Rosamond will see safety upgrades, new buildings, and improved spectator areas over five to seven years. (See Details)

➤ A new study ranks California’s emerging millionaire renter hotspots, with Oxnard, Napa, and Santa Barbara all making the national top 10. Nationwide, households earning at least $1 million annually that rent their homes surged 229% from 2020 to 2024. (See Report)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ The Brisket You Can Store for 30 Years (Most Preppers Don’t Know It Exists) Most people assume real smoked brisket needs a grill, a smoker, or a fridge. It doesn’t. Fully cooked, sliced smoked brisket can keep 97% of its nutrients and 99% of its taste for 30+ years. So why is it still stocked mostly by the ultra-wealthy, in their bunkers? Few people know it exists, and fewer still know you can eat it right out of the bag. See what it is (and how it’s prepared)

Flying together with our sponsor

Why pay thousands for hearing aids?

Oricle Hearing Aids deliver crystal-clear sound, all-day comfort, and rechargeable convenience for under $100. No prescriptions, no appointments—just powerful, affordable hearing support you can trust. Join over 150,000 satisfied customers who’ve made the switch.

Hear better, live better—order Oricle today and save!

LEARN MORE

➤ A green Sinclair gas-station dinosaur stolen in San Joaquin County was found in Stockton with a bag over its head. Deputies freed the statue and arrested a suspect after it ended up with a buyer who thought he’d found “a genuine piece of history.” (Read Story)

➤ A Bakersfield senior living community honored World War II veterans in a Veterans Day tribute, including 105-year-old Ron Holdsworth, a former British Royal Air Force tail gunner who flew 32 combat missions over Europe. (Read Story)

➤ Eight Northern California towns offer a taste of faraway places. Mendocino resembles coastal Maine, Ferndale evokes England, and Nevada City channels Vermont, while Dunsmuir and Murphys offer European charm. (See List)

➤ The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is honoring West Hollywood’s Troubadour nightclub as a music landmark today. The venue helped launch Elton John’s career, and the dedication comes ahead of Saturday’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Los Angeles. (See Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ 7 Warning Signs Your Muscles Are Aging Too Fast. Weak legs, flabby arms, and fatigue might seem like normal aging. After 50, changes in muscle strength and energy can make everyday activities harder. A Texas physical therapist shares seven overlooked signs, including one you may notice getting out of a chair, and a potential contributing factor. Learn more.

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

➤ There are five car-care habits that are important, and five that just bleed your time and bank account. (Hear List)

➤ A free and easy way to cut dementia risk by 17% only takes 42 minutes a day.  (Listen Now)

➤ The U.S. is set to become the first country ever to refuse a U.N. human rights review, a process all 193 member states face. (Hear Why)

Which faraway-feeling California town would you most want to visit?

1. Mendocino (coastal Maine)
2. Ferndale (Victorian England)
3. Nevada City (New England charm)
4. Dunsmuir or Murphys (European)
5. None of them

Yesterday’s Results:

If you had to pick one, which court would you choose?

1. Neither’s my game: 47%
2. Pickleball: 21%
3. Tennis: 18%
4. I’d play either: 9%
5. Other: 5%

During World War II, which U.S. general built a vast desert training center across Southern California to prepare troops for combat in North Africa?

Show me the answer

If you’re a fan of our Trivia section, you’ll love our new book, The Flyover Book of Trivia 2027, an illustrated collection of 100 of our favorite questions and answers. (Buy It Now)