Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1931, Willie Mays was born. The “Say Hey Kid” starred for the Giants across New York and San Francisco, including 15 seasons in the Bay Area, and remains one of the faces of the franchise. His statue still greets fans outside Oracle Park.

A mountain lion spent hours hiding under a parked truck in Escondido, captivating a crowd of onlookers—including one 11-year-old who came for the “chisme.” We have the full story and video of the standoff below.

Speaking of animals—what’s one you’d never want to run into on a California trail? Cast your vote in our Poll or reply to tell us.

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Mother's Day is right around the corner. If you haven't started shopping, start here: our 2026 Gift Guide has thoughtful, practical, and indulgent picks for every kind of mom.

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State Farm Faces Major Wildfire Penalties

California's insurance regulator filed an enforcement action Monday seeking the largest post-disaster wildfire penalties of the century against State Farm.

The California Department of Insurance reviewed 220 sample claims and found 398 violations of state law in 114 of them. Penalties could reach $5,000 per violation, or $10,000 per willful violation, plus a possible one-year suspension of the company's California license.

"State Farm delayed, underpaid, and buried policyholders in red tape at the worst moment of their lives," Commissioner Ricardo Lara said. State Farm handled roughly one-third of all residential wildfire claims filed across insurers.

State Farm pushed back, calling the action "a political weapon, creating headlines instead of delivering facts." The company said most flagged issues were administrative, not failures to pay claims.

The case will proceed to a public hearing before an administrative law judge, after which the commissioner will determine any final penalties. State Farm insures roughly one in five California property owners.

Three States Float Colorado River Deal

California, Arizona, and Nevada advanced a short-term plan last week to stabilize the shrinking Colorado River through 2028.

The proposal targets up to 3.2 million acre-feet in contributions, building on 1.25 million acre-feet in annual reductions and adding 700,000–1 million acre-feet through expanded conservation. Lake Powell sits at roughly 24% full and Lake Mead at about 31% after a historically dry winter.

"We're putting forward additional measurable water contributions," said JB Hamby, California's chief Colorado River negotiator. The deal was sent to the Trump administration for approval.

The proposal lands more than a year into stalled seven-state talks, with Upper Basin states—Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming—calling for mediation. Current operating rules expire in October.

The plan also needs sign-off from California water agencies, including the Imperial Irrigation District, which has signaled support.

Voter Guide Arrives with Missing Statements

Many California voters opening the state's June primary guide will find missing statements from major candidates, including gubernatorial contenders Tom Steyer, D, Steve Hilton, R, and Attorney General Rob Bonta.

Under Proposition 34, passed by voters in 2000, candidates can buy space for a 250-word statement only if they accept voluntary spending limits. For governor, those caps are $11.77 million for the primary and $19.61 million for the general.

Hilton, a former Fox News host, posted on X that he refused the limits, saying, “unlike some other candidates in the race, I am actually serious about winning in November.”

County and state officials began mailing ballots and guides on Monday. The June 2 primary will be California's first chance to narrow the field for governor, as Gov. Gavin Newsom is term-limited.

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➤ Bay Bridge: More than 100 officers tracked dirt bike and ATV riders Sunday before stopping a sideshow takeover, arresting nine and seizing 77 vehicles. This marks the second crackdown in about 40 days, with more arrests possible. (See Video)

➤ Sacramento: Families gathered at the State Capitol for a candlelight vigil honoring 13 fallen officers during the 48th Annual California Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremonies. (See Details)

➤ Santa Cruz: Joshua Camps, 29, was sentenced Monday to life without parole for the 2019 kidnapping and murder of tech executive Tushar Atre. He was the fourth and final defendant sentenced, with three co-conspirators already serving life terms. (More)

➤ Santa Rosa: Officials delayed a decision Monday on whether to remove a 70-foot redwood after neighbors gathered more than 100 signatures opposing it. Supporters argue sidewalk damage can be fixed without cutting the tree down. (More)

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➤ Stockton: The City Council voted 4-3 to raise members' pay 30%, from $30,833 to $40,000 starting in 2027. Vice Mayor Jason Lee tried to delay the vote, citing the city’s unresolved police contract, but the motion failed. (More)

➤ Madera: Former Mayor Santos Garcia died Saturday at 69 from natural causes at Madera Community Hospital. A retired letter carrier of 32 years, Garcia served as mayor from 2020 to 2024. He is survived by his wife and children. (More)

➤ Fresno: A new report says a former U.S. House staffer filed a complaint against Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, with the House Ethics Committee in 2023, alleging inappropriate behavior at 2020 and 2021 events. The Office of Congressional Conduct and the Ethics Committee dismissed the case for insufficient evidence. Costa's office said he cooperated with the investigation. (More)

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➤ San Pedro: A fire broke out Monday night in a pedestrian tunnel under the 110 Freeway, where debris from a homeless encampment burned. Crews worked through Tuesday. Southbound lanes have reopened but northbound lanes remain closed indefinitely due to structural concerns. (More)

➤ Ventura County: A woman hiking the Long Canyon Trail in Simi Valley was airlifted to Los Robles Regional Medical Center after a rattlesnake bit her ankle. It was the seventh rattlesnake bite reported in the county since mid-March during an unusually deadly season. (See Details)

➤ San Diego: A coalition of healthcare workers, first responders, and union leaders delivered more than 151,000 signatures Monday to qualify the San Diego County Health and Safety Act for the November ballot. The half-cent sales tax would raise $360 million annually for healthcare, child care, public safety, and Tijuana River sewage cleanup. (See Details)

➤ Los Angeles: City leaders have installed more than 450 signs at parks, libraries, and transit hubs declaring public property off-limits for federal immigration enforcement under Mayor Karen Bass' Executive Directive 17. (More)

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➤ ESPN is "aggressively" trying to recruit Warriors coach Steve Kerr to come on as a broadcaster as he weighs his coaching future with Golden State. (More)

➤ LA Sparks guard Kelsey Plum signed a $999,999 deal to stay under California’s “millionaire tax,” but experts say the tax would only apply to income above $1 million—meaning she wouldn’t have saved money. (More)

➤ The Anaheim Ducks fell 3-1 to the Golden Knights in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series, putting Vegas up 1-0. Game 2 is tonight in Vegas. (How to Watch)

➤ LAFC takes a 2-1 aggregate lead into tonight's Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal second leg against Toluca in Mexico. (More)

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➤ Toyota will build its first hydrogen fueling station at its North American Parts Center in Ontario, operational by early 2027, supporting 40 Hyroad Energy hydrogen fuel cell trucks for Southern California logistics. (See Details)

➤ The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation has entered an agreement to buy the historic 238-room Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in downtown Riverside from the Roberts family, who rescued the landmark from demolition more than 35 years ago and reopened it in 1992. The sale could close by late May. (More)

➤ Chick-fil-A will open its first Tulare location Thursday at 2977 Market Drive, part of the chain's Central Valley expansion. The first Chick-fil-A in Clovis is planned to open in summer 2026. (See Details)

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➤ A mountain lion holed up beneath a parked truck on North Grape Street in Escondido for over three hours Monday before wildlife officers sedated it with two tranquilizer darts. The standoff drew a popcorn-snacking crowd, including one 11-year-old who told NBC she came for "the chisme." (See Video)

➤ Fremont High senior Dominic Antoine Jr., who carries a 4.3 GPA, was accepted to all 31 colleges he applied to, including UCLA, UC Berkeley, Howard, and Syracuse. The Oakland teen and varsity basketball player chose LSU on May 1, where he plans to study pre-med. (Read Story)

➤ Netflix Is a Joke Fest runs May 4-10 across multiple Los Angeles venues, featuring over 350 shows. Headliners include Ali Wong, John Mulaney, Jerry Seinfeld, and a Flight of the Conchords reunion. (See Lineup)

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