Thursday, April 23, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 2005, YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim uploaded the site's first video, a 19-second clip of himself at the San Diego Zoo titled Me at the zoo, now viewed more than 385 million times. Watch the video.

Sinatra’s old Tahoe hideaway may be coming back after years in the dark. A big cash infusion has the long-shuttered Cal Neva eyeing a return, but will its storied past follow? We have details below in Et Cetera.

The cost of living varies wildly across the United States, and for retirees, choosing the wrong state can cost up to six figures a year. On today's episode of The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown shares new data that ranks the cost of living in every U.S. state, what groceries, housing, and healthcare actually cost depending on where you live. Plus, which states give retirees the most financial breathing room? Where does your state land, and what does it mean for your retirement? Tune in here!

Later today, watch for a note from our partner, Incogni, on how to get your personal data off the internet, plus a special discount code for our readers.

Today’s sponsor, Lemonade Pet Insurance, helps pet owners manage rising vet costs with affordable plans starting around $10 a month and flexible coverage designed to protect both your pet’s health and your budget.

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.

California Governor Race Takes Stage

Six leading candidates for California governor met in a major debate Wednesday, trading sharp exchanges in a race with no clear frontrunner.

The televised showdown exposed divides between Republicans and Democrats on issues from homelessness to high taxes. Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco faulted Democratic policies for driving up costs and failing to address the state's problems.

Democrats largely defended outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom's record, though differences emerged over his handling of homelessness. The debate featured pointed exchanges as candidates sought breakout moments in the crowded field.

Democrats say the split field could allow two Republicans to advance to November, a rare outcome in the heavily Democratic state. The race has been marked by recent instability, with Rep. Eric Swalwell exiting following sexual assault allegations he denies and Betty Yee dropping out Monday.

Under California's primary rules, only the top two vote-getters advance regardless of party.

Federal Court Blocks California Agent ID Law

A federal appeals court blocked California from requiring federal immigration agents to wear visible identification, halting enforcement of a state law aimed at increasing transparency in federal enforcement operations.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted an injunction Wednesday against the No Vigilantes Act, ruling the law violates the Constitution's Supremacy Clause by attempting to directly regulate federal agents.

The Trump administration sued in November, arguing the requirement would expose officers to harassment and violence. The ruling was unanimous from judges appointed by both Trump and Obama.

California had argued the law was needed for public safety, saying people might attack unidentified agents in self-defense, mistaking them for criminals.

A separate California law banning most federal agents from wearing masks was blocked by a federal judge in February.

California NFL Teams Set for Draft Night

The NFL Draft kicks off tonight, and all three California teams have first-round picks: the LA Rams at No. 13, LA Chargers at No. 22, and San Francisco 49ers at No. 27. See full draft order.

The Rams are picking first of the three thanks to a pick they acquired in a draft-day trade last year with the Atlanta Falcons. While coach Sean McVay could go many directions here, mock-draft projections point toward a wide receiver—possibly USC standout Makai Lemon.

At pick No. 22, the Chargers have needs on both offense and defense, which is why General Manager Joe Hortiz isn’t ruling out any options with the pick, including a potential trade. Most were expecting the 49ers to take an offensive playmaker with No. 27, but their recent addition of veteran wide receiver Mike Evans has some rethinking that prediction.

Three teams, three very different situations. Coverage begins at 5 p.m.

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One Vet Emergency Could Cost You $5,000—Lemonade Starts at $10

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➤ San Francisco: The city filed a $3.4 billion valuation with state regulators to buy PG&E’s local grid, up from prior $2.5 billion offers. PG&E said its assets are not for sale. The estimate includes 67 miles of underground transmission lines and about 38,000 power poles. (More)

➤ Shasta Cascade: Gray wolf attacks on Northstate livestock have prompted 47 confirmed investigations so far this year, with at least 26 animals dead or severely injured, according to state Fish and Wildlife data. Rancher Mary Rickert said she has lost about 40 calves, each valued at about $1,500. (See Details)

➤ Gilroy: San Benito County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Miller surrendered this week on charges he lent an AR-15 rifle and ammunition to a 17-year-old during a private dinner, authorities said. Miller faces felony and misdemeanor charges. (More)

➤ Fresno County: At least two tornadoes tore through the region Tuesday, including an EF1 with 110-mph gusts that destroyed a horse barn in Clovis. The storm lifted the barn into the air and dropped it short of a family's home, with two horses shaken but uninjured. No injuries were reported. (More)

➤ Tulare County: Valley trees are reaping the benefits of this week's wet weather, with one grower saying the rain could save farmers up to $1,000 on irrigation depending on acreage. The Tulare County Farm Bureau said the storm system won't significantly affect long-term groundwater or irrigation. (More)

➤ San Luis Obispo County: San Luis Coastal Unified has five electric school buses in service out of 11 purchased through grants. The rollout has cut total fuel costs by 13%, with electric buses averaging about 25 miles per gallon equivalent versus 7 to 8 for diesel. (More)

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➤ Los Angeles: A statewide measure to cap municipal transfer taxes qualified Tuesday for the November ballot, with Los Angeles’ “mansion tax” at the center of the fight. Backers at the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association say it has slowed apartment construction. Defenders note it has raised more than $1 billion for affordable housing since 2023. (Read Story)

➤ San Ysidro: A 25-year-old U.S. citizen enrolled in a “trusted traveler” program was arrested at the Port of Entry after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers found 20 packages of cocaine hidden in the doors of his 2020 Honda Civic. The seizure totaled about 60 pounds, worth $1.15 million. He faces federal smuggling charges. (See Details)

➤ San Fernando Valley: A string of at least 13 burglaries since April 10 is linked to organized international crews, police say, as officials boost patrols despite burglaries dropping 32% this year. (See Details)

➤ Southern California: The FBI confirmed this week that it is investigating whether the unexplained deaths or disappearances of at least 10 U.S. scientists tied to nuclear or space research since 2022 are connected. Four had ties to the region, including three linked to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and one to Caltech. (More)

➤ Stanford men’s gymnastics won the NCAA title, extending the school’s 50-year streak of winning at least one collegiate national championship. (More)

➤ 41-year-old LeBron James scored 28 points as the Lakers beat the Rockets to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. (More)

➤ The LA Kings fell to the Avalanche 2-1 in overtime and now trail 2-0 in their first-round playoff series. The game was briefly delayed when Avalanche fans pounding on the glass behind LA’s bench caused it to shatter. (More)

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➤ California built more housing than it added residents over a recent six-year period, adding 677,000 units while the population grew by about 39,000. Yet the market remains tight, according to a Public Policy Institute of California analysis. The state still needs roughly 2.5 million more homes, based on a 2022 estimate from California housing officials. (More)

➤ An AI chatbot named Luna helps run Andon Market, an experimental retail store in San Francisco’s Cow Hollow. Built on Anthropic technology by two Swedish founders, Luna selects inventory, designs decor, and hires staff. The store is turning a profit, though Luna recently made a mistake by not scheduling employees for three days. (More)

➤ Party City is returning as an in-store experience at more than 700 Staples locations nationwide, including California, with 10 locations in San Diego County. The comeback follows the closure of hundreds of stores in 2025, with plans to expand further by the end of 2026. (More)

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➤ Frank Sinatra's former Lake Tahoe haunt, the Cal Neva, is slated to reopen in 2027 after developers secured $298 million in financing. The resort, which hosted the Rat Pack, Marilyn Monroe, and JFK in its heyday, has sat closed since 2013. (Read Story)

➤ A family’s boat outing turned into a close encounter in Newport Beach when a fin whale surfaced beside them. Experts say more whales are appearing locally, likely drawn by feeding conditions. (Watch Video)

➤ Topa Topa turns 60 this month at the Los Angeles Zoo. The first California condor to live in a zoo, he was rescued in Ventura County in 1967 and has helped produce about 300 offspring, with 94 now flying free. (Read Story)

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