Good morning, and welcome to the Important California e-newsletter. It’s Friday, Feb. 18. I’m investigative reporter Paige St. John, filling in from Northern California — that OTHER California.
It's straightforward from right here to know the usually inconceivable scenario Californians face to find state unity.
Gov. Gavin Newsom gave a peek Thursday at what lies forward ought to coronavirus instances surge once more, whereas additionally making an attempt out a little bit of branding. Endemic, anybody? No matter you name it, the state plan consists of masks stockpiles, vaccine supply programs and testing packages. And, sure, common masks orders may return in probably the most pressing situation.
Not within the blueprint was easy methods to heal California from the social rifts attributable to COVID-19 even because the virus itself turns into much less of a risk.
In Fresno, college board conferences stay roiled over masks and vaccine insurance policies, requiring metallic detectors and police monitoring. Demonstrations over masks necessities shut down a highschool in Humboldt County, partially organized by a “grass-roots political authorized prayer” group engaged in “biblical citizenship” and what it calls “patriot meetups.”
However over within the Bay Space, residents are nonetheless masking up, even when they don't seem to be required to.
In Redding, a gaggle of physicians is asking the Metropolis Council and the Shasta County board to oppose vaccination mandates. It’s not the vaccines that hassle them; it’s divisions attributable to COVID-19 coverage they search to treatment.
“Our honest hope is that this may function a future roadmap for this neighborhood to return collectively, unite and discover a higher path ahead,” gastroenterologist Dr. Paul Dhanuka informed the Metropolis Council earlier than a standing-room-only viewers.
And now, right here’s what’s occurring throughout California:
Be aware: Among the websites we hyperlink to might restrict the variety of tales you possibly can entry with out subscribing.
A Texas jury discovered former Angels worker Eric Kay responsible of supplying the medicine that killed pitcher Tyler Skaggs in 2019. Los Angeles Instances
For extra on the lengthy seek for solutions in Skaggs’ dying, Sports activities enterprise author Nathan Fenno produced a riveting investigation into the case final 12 months.Los Angeles Instances
A hiker lacking since Tuesday within the Los Padres Nationwide Forest was present in “good situation.” He spent two days within the wilderness as a winter storm blasted the world. Los Angeles Instances
L.A. STORIES
The election for Los Angeles mayor is 9 months away, the first in 4, however polls are already making an attempt to measure the sector. U.S. Rep. Karen Bass has the early lead on this UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Research ballot co-sponsored by the L.A. Instances. Learn extra about Bass’ marketing campaign right here, and one in every of her challengers, Rick Caruso, right here. Los Angeles Instances
L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva accuses the county Board of Supervisors of “political cowardice and opportunistic pandering.” He despatched the board a cease-and-desist letter demanding it cease utilizing the phrase “deputy gangs” to discuss with secretive teams inside Sheriff’s Division stations whose members usually sport matching tattoos. Los Angeles Instances
Our day by day information podcast
In the event you’re a fan of this text, you’ll love our day by day podcast “The Instances,” hosted each weekday by columnist Gustavo Arellano, together with reporters from throughout our newsroom. Transcend the headlines. Obtain and pay attention on our App, subscribe on Apple Podcasts and comply with on Spotify.
POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT
Two years of COVID college closures have created a strong political power in California: indignant dad and mom. Columnist Mark Z. Barabak notes that Democrats have solely to take a look at the current recall of three San Francisco college board members to see the difficulty that lies forward. Los Angeles Instances
It wasn’t simply frustration over closed faculties that doomed the board. Editorial author Laurel Rosenhall in a commentary says the recall was pushed by unhealthy choice upon unhealthy choice — from a ridiculed try and rename faculties, to racist tweets and failing to hearken to college students struggling to get a high quality schooling by way of Zoom. Los Angeles Instances
And after the recall, some pundits are seeing San Francisco not as a lefty outlier however as a possible bellwether for Democrats and Republicans alike heading into this 12 months’s midterm elections. Los Angeles Instances
CRIME, COURTS AND POLICING
New legal guidelines to provide youthful offenders a second likelihood — irrespective of how unhealthy their crime — are shaping prison justice in California. A Humboldt County choose this week sentenced Mauricio Johnson to 150 years to life, the end result of a plea deal after Johnson admitted to murdering a 16-year-old and her dad and mom after he was found with the lady in her bed room. California in 2017 handed legal guidelines eliminating life with out parole sentences for kids. A youthful offender, Johnson will likely be eligible for parole in 25 years. Prosecutors stated that was the utmost punishment out there. Mercury Information
Assist our journalism
HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Untimely births are an issue in the US. Is that this medication serving to? For a decade, Covis Pharma has promoted its drug, Makena, as an answer — even after the FDA stated research confirmed the costly drug did no good. Instances reporter Melody Petersen exhibits federal regulators two years in the past informed the drugmaker to take Makena off the market — and the corporate refused. Los Angeles Instances
Right here’s what Covis Pharma needed to say in response.Los Angeles Instances
CALIFORNIA CULTURE
“It was a matter of time.” So says cafe proprietor Harrison Dwelley on Oceanside’s conversion from blue-collar metropolis to hip seaside hangout. Take a tour with Christopher Reynolds via the artisanal espresso spots, seaside walks and brew pubs. How gentrified can the locale for TNT crime drama “Animal Kingdom” be? Oceanside’s final remaining strip membership was razed in 2021. Los Angeles Instances
Want one other, completely California, instance of reinvention? How a couple of bodybuilder who turns into an actor, governor, local weather change activist, after which ... Zeus? Los Angeles Instances
Free on-line video games
Get our free day by day crossword puzzle, sudoku, phrase search and arcade video games in our new sport middle at latimes.com/video games.
CALIFORNIA ALMANAC
Los Angeles: Sunny, 74 San Diego: Sunny, 68 San Francisco: Partly cloudy, 62 San Jose: Partly cloudy, 70 Fresno: Sunny, 72 Sacramento: Partly cloudy, 68
AND FINALLY
Right this moment’s California reminiscence is from Dan Rothermel:
As a Jersey boy within the Sixties, nothing was cooler than the Mamas and the Papas and the dream that my life could be so a lot better in California. Motivated, I headed west with stops in Ohio for 3 years, then another 12 months in Arizona.
Lastly, given the prospect to show fifth-graders at Patrick Henry Elementary in Anaheim in 1970, I knew I had discovered a house in Southern California. Residing in a studio residence on the South Bay Membership, I used to be doing my greatest model of “California Dreamin.’” Thanks Michelle, John, Denny, and Mama Cass.
If in case you have a reminiscence or story concerning the Golden State, share it with us. (Please hold your story to 100 phrases.)
Please tell us what we are able to do to make this text extra helpful to you. Ship feedback to essentialcalifornia@latimes.com.
Post a Comment