Good morning. It’s Monday, July 1.
- Cities plan homeless sweeps after court ruling.
- Forecasts call for unusually long heat wave.
- And restaurants get exemption from junk-fee law.
Statewide
1.
The Supreme Court on Friday gave cities the green light to clear homeless camps, and some California officials indicated that they hoped to get started right away. Escondido Mayor Dane White said the ruling would “provide much needed relief.” Lancaster’s mayor, R. Rex Parris, said his city would “be much more aggressive.” And Mayor London Breed said San Francisco would start taking more decisive action. Asked how many tents might be removed, she answered, “My hope is that we can clear them all.” S.F. Chronicle | L.A. Times | S.D. Union-Tribune
- A pair of UC Berkeley professors called the ruling disastrous: “The Supreme Court just ripped away the biggest incentive that cities had to build more shelters and supportive housing for the homeless.” SF Standard
2.
In the days since President Biden’s shaky debate performance, Vice President Kamala Harris has been caught between loyalty and ambition, publicly defending her running mate while telling her staff not to sugarcoat how badly he performed, sources told Politico. But Harris’ name has been largely absent from Beltway chatter about potential replacements for Biden, a snub that has enraged her aides. “They still don’t get that the message you’re saying to people, to this Democratic Party, is, we prefer a white person,” one Harris ally said. Politico
3.
“The heat’s going to be pretty intense.”
Forecasts called for this week’s heat wave to have some of the hottest temperatures and the longest duration so far this year, heightening health and fire dangers as revelers prepare to fill the sky with July Fourth fireworks. Starting Tuesday, temperatures were expected to intensify through the weekend, reaching highs above 110 degrees in inland valleys and in the 90s near the coast. Excessive heat warnings, the most severe category, were issued along the entire length of the Central Valley. Accuweather | Weather West
- A sampling of July Fourth forecast highs:
- Redding: 113 degrees
- Santa Rosa: 96 degrees
- Sacramento: 110 degrees
- San Francisco: 81 degrees
- Paso Robles: 109 degrees
- Los Angeles: 89 degrees
- San Diego: 79 degrees
4.
Wildfire developments:
- Roughly a dozen wildfires were burning across the state over the weekend, including several large blazes in the foothills east of Fresno that had grown to more than a combined 35 square miles on Sunday. The U.S. Forest Service ordered a partial closure of the Sierra National Forest as the Basin fire raged out of control. Fresno Bee | KFSN
- PG&E on Sunday warned several Northern California counties that it might shut off customers’ power on Tuesday to reduce the risk of electrical equipment sparking fires. The shut-offs could hit eight counties: Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Napa, Shasta, Solano, Tehama, and Yolo counties. S.F. Chronicle
- See live wildfire map. 👉 Cal Fire
5.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Saturday that exempts restaurants from a new statewide ban on so-called “junk fees” after an outcry from the industry. Whereas other businesses will be required to list full prices that fold in all fees, restaurants will be allowed to continue excluding surcharges from their prices as long as their menus include notices that such fees exist. Restaurants had portrayed the carveout as crucial to their survival. Critics say it amounts to a legislative blessing for bait-and-switch tactics. S.F. Chronicle | L.A. Times
- “Are you kidding me?” More than 81% of survey respondents said restaurant surcharges should be illegal. S.F. Chronicle
6.
Newsom also signed a California budget on Saturday that includes $12 million to provide recompense to Black residents in the largest investment yet in the campaign for reparations. The figure is a fraction of the hundreds of billions of dollars sought by reparations activists. Yet some saw it as a win in a budget designed to close a $47 billion shortfall. “Obviously, it’s not enough,” said Chris Lodgson, who lobbied lawmakers on the issue. “But this is the first time ever that reparations for Black people will be a line item in a state budget.” Washington Post | N.Y. Times
- State lawmakers on Sunday announced plans to put two giant bond measures on the November ballot: $10 billion for schools and $10 billion for climate programs. A.P.
7.
Democratic leaders unveiled a proposed anti-crime initiative on Sunday designed to compete with a tougher business-backed initiative already on the ballot that would unravel parts of Proposition 47, the 2014 measure that reduced penalties for drug and theft offenses. Both measures would stiffen penalties for retail theft and fentanyl dealers, but the newer proposal is more limited. If both pass, the one with the most votes would take effect. Republican leaders reacted angrily, calling the rival measure a “sham” and “Deep Fake Reform.” A.P. | CalMatters
8.
State Farm is seeking regulatory approval for its largest rate increase just months after its last increase. Under the request, insurance rates for millions of California homes would jump by an average of 30%; in March, they increased 20%. The Illinois-based insurer, California’s largest, previously stopped writing new policies in California and announced plans to discontinue tens of thousands of policies, citing costs and the rising threat of wildfires. “Financially speaking, State Farm is very, very much apparently in trouble,” said Karl Susman, an insurance broker. KQED | SF Standard
Northern California
9.
San Francisco lit up Market street in the colors of the rainbow over the weekend in what has become an annual Pride celebration ritual. The “Pride laser” stretched more than 4 miles from its origin at the Ferry building. The San Francisco Chronicle got some great drone views. 👉 @sfchronicle
Southern California
10.
Ruth Monrroy, 44, a Guatemalan immigrant, worked at Carl’s Jr. for 15 years before turning to street vending. On her right arm is the tattooed name of her daughter, Katherine, who died of lymphoma at the age of 6. On the other is the name of her 11-year-old daughter, Abigail, who is in remission from bone marrow cancer. Monrroy works six days a week, selling fruit salad, hot dogs, and energy drinks. Her total after a recent shift: $85. The N.Y. Times published a powerful photo essay on one woman’s struggle to make a living on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
11.
Two pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, arrived safely at the San Diego Zoo from China on Friday, becoming the first giant pandas to enter the United States in 21 years, zoo officials announced. When can you see them? Zoo officials said they would be viewable after a few weeks as they take some time to acclimate to their new home. A.P.
12.
A summer evening at the Hollywood Bowl is among California’s quintessential experiences, a blend of high culture and natural beauty in the Santa Monica Mountains. During a performance last week, a rocket launch from Vandenberg Space Force base provided an added thrill overhead. An audience member shared a fun shot from the audience, above. @mus3man42
- See video of the rocket spectacle as the orchestra played the Pink Panther Theme. 👉 @jimsepe
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The California Sun is written by Mike McPhate, a former California correspondent for the New York Times.
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