AGP Executive Report

Plastics Fight: A 17-state coalition led by AG Chris Carr and the NAW is suing to block California’s sweeping Plastics Act, arguing it’s unconstitutional and will raise costs for consumers nationwide. More Legal Pressure: Utah joined the challenge, saying the law reaches businesses with no California ties and hands power to a private group. Clean Air in Court: AG Rob Bonta filed suit against the EPA over moves that would let Congress review and potentially weaken California’s emissions waivers. Housing Vote: California leaders struck a deal to place the $11.25B affordable housing bond on the November ballot. Food Help: Pasadena-area families can apply for Summer EBT (“SUN Bucks”), providing $120 per eligible child for groceries during school break. Public Safety: Police say an 18-year-old suspect sought a “Columbine-type” attack in a deadly Chico library shooting that killed two adults and injured a child. Local Watch: Southern California braces for a heat advisory, while crews work to patch an East Hollywood water main break.

Housing Ballot Push: California voters will decide in November on an $11 billion housing bond aimed at lowering housing costs, with supporters saying thousands of affordable homes are “entitled” but stalled for lack of construction funding. AI and Jobs: Oracle is cutting about 21,000 jobs as it restructures around AI, while Baseten, a California-based AI startup, says it hit a $13 billion valuation after raising $1.5 billion. Gas Prices Lawsuit: Consumers sued major gas station operators, alleging AI tools helped inflate California pump prices, with claims tied to a new state ban on shared pricing algorithms. Public Safety: A shooting at the Chico branch of the Butte County Library left two dead and a child injured; a suspect is in custody. Transportation Tragedy: Three men died after a car plunged about 300 feet off a cliff near Highway 9 in Saratoga. Wildfire/Water/Climate: California is advancing major water projects, including $268.9 million more for Sites Reservoir, as drought and wildfire pressure continues.

Housing & affordability: Zillow says more than half of U.S. states now have “million-dollar starter homes,” with California still feeling the squeeze as the pandemic-era boom pushed entry-level prices higher. Public safety & health: California is investigating a Madera County officer-involved shooting, while local officials and lawmakers push back on nitrous oxide sales after reports of rising use and arrests tied to “whippets.” Education policy: Bills aim to end the turf war over community college bachelor’s degrees by limiting when CSU campuses can object. Energy & environment: California sued the U.S. EPA over Clean Air Act waiver moves, keeping the fight over air rules front and center. Politics & transparency: A new push would make California public-records requests harder and pricier, with added fees and potential “malicious intent” claims. Local government: San Jose adopted its budget with $1 billion in cuts, sparking debate over public safety impacts. Culture & community: Olivia Rodrigo announced an all-female Daisy Chain Fields Festival in Irvine benefiting women and girls.

WNBA Spotlight: Nneka Ogwumike hit a buzzer-beater 3-pointer as the Los Angeles Sparks rallied to beat the New York Liberty 98-97 in a dramatic Sunday night finish. Public Safety: A California man was charged after allegedly killing another man over a belief he was dating the victim’s girlfriend, according to court records. Crime & Justice: Police in Long Beach are investigating a law-firm shooting that left two colleagues dead and a partner hospitalized, with the gunman identified as John Mendoza. Consumer Protection: California AG Rob Bonta announced a $7M settlement with LivCor over an “algorithmic rent alignment” scheme tied to RealPage pricing software. Wildfire Readiness: Cal Fire renewed its contract with Amentum to keep aircraft maintenance and pilot training running as fire season stretches. Sports & Culture: Iran held Belgium to a 0-0 draw at the World Cup in Inglewood, with goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand making seven saves, and the team later thanked Los Angeles and Mexico fans. Local Life: A Citrus Heights apartment fire on Father’s Day was sparked on a balcony and left at least 20 residents displaced. Housing & Growth: A new Inland Empire community, Silverwood in Hesperia, is marketing lower prices to Californians moving out—aiming to add hundreds of households.

State Emergency Watch: Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Los Angeles County as a Boyle Heights cold-storage warehouse fire keeps burning and spewing smoke, with officials preparing N95 masks, air purifiers, and other supplies while firefighters work to knock down remaining hot spots. Public Safety & Environment: The blaze at a 500,000-square-foot facility has raised health concerns tied to lingering fumes and possible ammonia issues, and authorities say the smoke situation has been evolving for days. Ballot Politics: California’s controversial union-backed “billionaire tax” cleared the signature hurdle and is officially headed to the Nov. 3 ballot, proposing a one-time 5% wealth tax to fund K-12, Medi-Cal, and CalFresh backfills. Housing & Cost of Living: Mortgage rates slipped to the lowest level in more than a month, with the 30-year fixed average falling to 6.47% as markets react to shifting geopolitical pressure. Tech & Industry: LG Group executives are set to visit Nvidia’s California headquarters to deepen cooperation on AI and robotics, building on a recent Seoul meeting between the companies’ top leaders. Space & California Launches: SpaceX launched 24 more Starlink satellites from Vandenberg, pushing the network past 10,600 active satellites.

Impaired-Driving Safety: A MADD victim advocate in California is urging drivers to take extra care as the state heads into the “100 Deadliest Days,” warning that teen deaths and DUIs typically spike between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Public Safety & Crime: A security guard helped prevent another tragedy at the Islamic Center of San Diego after spotting a suspicious vehicle; police later found a Nazi flag and a canister during a stop. Local Grants: The Escondido YMCA won a $1.2 million state grant for upgrades to its soccer field, gym and playground, with a resource fair connecting families to food, housing and emergency services. Elections & Trust: California election officials pushed back on federal fraud claims, stressing signature checks, curing, audits and what counts as proof—while defending the state’s slower, deliberate ballot process. Courts & Environment: A California appeals court upheld a Coastal Commission injunction against Sable Offshore Corp. over Gaviota Coast pipeline work. Housing/Community: Sacramento approved an ethical investment policy amendment and divested from Lockheed Martin, citing war and human-rights concerns. Sports & Culture: Juneteenth celebrations drew crowds in San Francisco, while NASCAR’s inaugural street-race weekend at Naval Base Coronado saw a major crash and a fan breach during a red flag.

Ballot Fight: California’s one-time “billionaire tax” initiative cleared the signature hurdle and is now eligible for the Nov. 3 ballot, with backers saying it would fund health care and food help while Gov. Newsom and others push for a compromise. Health Costs: A major federal rule move targets how states structure Medicaid payments, and California’s ambulance reimbursement gap is a key example of how financing can drive big differences in what providers get paid. Wildfire Season Ahead: NOAA’s summer outlook points to hotter-than-usual conditions across much of California, with drought stress and a monsoon-influenced mix that could bring both relief and flash-flood risk. Consumer & Environment: California AG Rob Bonta joined a coalition urging the EPA to keep monitoring microplastics in drinking water. Legal Clash: Ford sued an LA lemon-law firm, alleging fee “fabrications” involving work done by low-paid non-lawyers. Local Life & Safety: Police are cracking down on dangerous e-bike riding as injuries and deaths linked to fast modified bikes draw attention. Economy Update: California added 3,100 jobs in May while unemployment held at 5.3%.

World Cup in California: Ten-man Paraguay stunned Türkiye 1-0 in Group D at Santa Clara, with Matias Galarza scoring the tournament’s fastest goal (about a minute in) and Miguel Almirón becoming the first player sent off under FIFA’s new anti-discrimination rule for covering his mouth during a confrontation. Statehouse Watch: Assemblymember Juan Alanis’ bills are moving—AB 2085 heads to the governor’s desk to tighten consumer and transaction transparency, while AB 1572 advances to set statewide standards for high school sports officials. Local Clean Effort: East Stanislaus County earned Caltrans’ “Clean California Community” designation after meeting criteria tied to litter prevention, habitat restoration, and community engagement. Public Safety & Access: Sierra Pacific Industries will close public access to its forestlands starting June 22 due to wildfire risk, while some shared roads remain open. Legal/Privacy: A federal appeals court blocked California’s parent-notification law on student gender transitions, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling. Community Relief: A missing Northern California pug, Shadow, was found after three days trapped in a 20-foot hole and rescued by firefighters.

Water Storage Boost: California’s Water Commission unanimously approved an additional $268.9 million in conditional funding for the Sites Reservoir Project, bringing its total eligibility to about $1.363 billion under Proposition 1 to help capture wet-year water and support drought emergency supplies. Public Records Fight: A new bill, AB 1821, would tighten California’s Public Records Act by letting agencies delay or reject certain requests, charge steep hourly fees for staff time, and even sue requesters deemed “malicious,” drawing sharp pushback from transparency groups and journalists. Economy Watch: California added 3,100 nonfarm jobs in May while unemployment held at 5.3%, with job gains led by private education and health services. Privacy Tool: The state’s privacy agency rolled out a free one-click option for residents to delete personal data from data brokers. Public Safety: CHP announced a statewide DUI enforcement surge over the weekend. Legal/Justice: DOJ opened an investigation into MLB over alleged violations of players’ religious rights tied to Bible verses on San Francisco Giants Pride Night hats. Wildfire Risk: Red flag fire weather and dry lightning are expected to raise fire danger across Northern California.

AT&T Landline Fight: California regulators asked a U.S. court and the FCC to reject AT&T’s bid to stop offering copper-wire phone service to new customers, arguing the state’s “basic service” rules are technology-neutral and AT&T hasn’t shown replacement access for affected customers. Public Safety: The California Highway Patrol will run a statewide Maximum Enforcement Period for impaired driving from 6 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday. Elections: California hit a key election-counting milestone under a new state law, with most ballots due by June 15 (some types get extensions). Water Security: Iran-linked hackers claimed a breach of California Water Service, leaking 5GB and exposing billing and GPS-related systems. State Politics: A political watchdog finalized a $31,500 fine against Gov. Newsom for late reporting of behested payments tied to wildfire recovery. Tragedy: A B-52 test-flight crash at Edwards Air Force Base killed eight, and investigators say the probe could take months. Health & Community: A Chico LGBTQ center says it won’t close, but funding shifts under a new behavioral health law may force fee changes.

Offshore Wind Reversal: The Trump administration says it will pay Invenergy $765M to terminate four offshore wind leases off New York, California, and Maine—part of a broader push to unwind wind development. Ballot Fight Over Wealth Tax: California’s proposed billionaire wealth tax has cleared the signature hurdle for the November ballot, but backers must decide by June 25 whether to proceed as Gov. Gavin Newsom and tech leaders mount opposition. CSU Policy Clash: A new bill would require CSU course instructors to be human, aiming to keep AI from replacing faculty; CSU leadership also named an interim president for Monterey Bay. Government Transparency Pushback: A controversial records-access proposal would let agencies delay requests, sue over “malicious” filings, and charge about $88 an hour—sparking fresh criticism from transparency advocates. Public Safety & Justice: In East Oakland, a crash victim says outrage after a teen suspect was released on house arrest while the case proceeds. Environment & Risk: Scientists warn Southern California fault stress is at its highest in 1,000 years, raising earthquake concerns. State Funding for Recycling Jobs: CalRecycle awarded $41M to expand recycling infrastructure and circular-economy jobs. Space Watch: SpaceX is set to launch new U.S. spy satellites from Vandenberg on June 19. Higher-Ed & Elections: California’s special election for Eric Swalwell’s seat is moving forward as Aisha Wahab advances toward a runoff.

B-52 Crash Tragedy: The U.S. Air Force has identified all eight people killed in a fiery B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base after takeoff during a radar modernization test, including Iowa native Maj. Brad Hovey. Public Safety & Wildlife: A black bear broke into a Crestline home through a window and attacked a 19-year-old, prompting an investigation and DNA collection to track the bear. State Budget Pressure: San Francisco is moving toward signing off on a $40M Embarcadero waterfront plaza concept even as the city faces a major budget deficit. Housing & Courts: A wrongful death lawsuit in San Francisco alleges a tenant was killed so a landlord could sell the property without a renter, raising “just cause” eviction questions. Wealth Tax Fight: California’s billionaire wealth tax measure qualified for the November ballot, with digital assets included in the net-worth calculation. Transportation Upgrade: Manteca-area leaders celebrated completion of the Highway 99/120 Connector project aimed at easing congestion and improving safety. Rideshare Rules: A new ballot initiative would expand rideshare liability and add passenger safety requirements, including background checks and public reporting. Health Access: A study finds many adults seen in emergency departments aren’t up to date on flu shots, but many would accept vaccination on-site. Local Crime Aftermath: A Bay Area couple says a long-ago burglary led to years-later toll debt and a surprise tax refund seizure tied to alleged commuter-lane violations. Fire in the Supply Chain: Firefighters battled a major blaze at a Boyle Heights cold-storage facility, a key part of Southern California’s food cold chain.

Aviation Tragedy: Military officials identified all eight people killed in a fiery B-52 crash during a test flight at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California, with the investigation expected to take months. Ocean Safety: Two Bay Area college students—UC Berkeley’s Harshita Nair and San José State’s Mahial Sran—died after being swept into the ocean near Santa Cruz County’s “keyhole” beach access points, underscoring dangerous surf and hidden hazards. Privacy Lawsuit: A California resident filed a class-action privacy suit against Kalshi, alleging analytics tools disclosed sensitive betting information to Google and LinkedIn. Workforce Push: California launched a pilot of the Career Passport, a digital tool meant to match workers to jobs based on skills and experience, not just four-year degrees. Energy Shift: New data shows California’s grid is getting more power from solar than natural gas, with battery storage playing a growing role. Local Politics: In California City’s council seat race, Shawn Bradley holds a narrow 5-vote lead over Issac Barcelona. Wildlife Research: UC Santa Cruz research finds mountain lions avoid the busiest trail areas, helping explain how people and predators share the same spaces.

B-52 Crash: A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California, killing all eight aboard; the base said the crash was “not survivable,” and officials are still investigating what happened. Wildfire Prep: Cal Fire and the California Fire Foundation are warning residents to get ready early as dry fuels and warmer conditions point to a tougher peak season. Coastal Safety: Two Indian-origin college students, Harshitha Nair and Mahial Sran, died after being swept out to sea while napping on a Santa Cruz County beach, renewing calls to avoid “keyhole” tide traps. Immigration Detention: A Belizean hunger strike leader at a California ICE facility, Kyron Swaso, was deported back to Belize; advocates allege retaliation after he raised complaints about conditions, while DHS cites a final removal order. Public Health Recall: Nara Organics baby formula sold at Target is being recalled after infant botulism cases in Washington, California, and Pennsylvania. State Politics: California lawmakers advanced a budget package that includes new taxes on software and health insurance premiums, while Gov. Newsom escalated his fight with the DOJ over claims of politically motivated scrutiny. Housing for Seniors: The California Commission on Aging highlighted a growing supportive-housing and homelessness crisis for Californians 50+ and plans policy recommendations.

B-52 Crash Investigation: A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base, killing all eight aboard, as investigators work to determine what went wrong during a radar modernization test mission. State Budget Talks: California lawmakers passed a roughly $356B budget late Monday, largely avoiding Newsom’s proposed social service cuts, setting up fresh negotiations on healthcare, schools, and homelessness. White House UFC Plot: Federal authorities say they foiled a drone-and-sniper terror plot targeting the “UFC Freedom 250” event on the White House lawn; two Southern California men were arrested and charged. Special Election: Bay Area voters are choosing who replaces Eric Swalwell in a special primary, with Democrats Aisha Wahab and Melissa Hernandez leading the field. AI in Government: California disclosed it uses several high-risk AI systems, reigniting transparency concerns about how automated tools affect fraud detection, education oversight, and other decisions. Water Security Hack: An Iran-linked group claimed it breached California Water Service systems, but officials say there’s no evidence water supplies were compromised. Earthquake Worry: New research says stress on the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults is at the highest level in 1,000 years, raising stakes for Southern California seismic risk. Wildfire Updates: Fires across the state continued to grow, including a major Riverside County blaze prompting evacuations and highway closures. Local Life & Safety: I-5 near Stockton briefly reopened after police activity; separate reports include a drone-assisted wildfire arrest and a new dairy water-protection order from the State Water Board.

Defense Tragedy: A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California’s Mojave Desert, killing all eight crew members aboard; officials say it was “not survivable,” the cause is under investigation, and Edwards is grounding operations through at least Tuesday. State Budget: The Senate Budget Committee approved California’s 2026-27 budget, clearing $355.9 billion in spending, with major items including delaying Medi-Cal cuts and reserving $36.5 billion. Wildfire Watch: Cal Fire warns California is heading into an above-average peak wildfire season as the Max Fire near Stevenson Ranch prompts evacuations and shelter-in-place orders. Politics & DOJ: Gov. Gavin Newsom says Trump directed the Justice Department to investigate him and his wife, calling it politically motivated. World Cup in L.A.: Iran’s opener vs. New Zealand drew boos and cheers at Los Angeles Stadium, reflecting deep divisions among fans. Local Elections: A special primary is underway for California’s 14th Congressional District seat after Eric Swalwell’s resignation, with results still unfolding.