AGP Executive Report

California Elections Under Federal Scrutiny: The LA U.S. attorney’s office says it opened “multiple election fraud investigations” and is also auditing voter rolls, as California’s primary vote count drags on and Trump keeps attacking the process. Ballot-Counting Frustration in Real Time: With millions of mail ballots still outstanding, campaigns and voters are stuck in limbo; CNN also debunked a viral claim that Spencer Pratt received zero votes in an election-night update. Governor Race Update: Democrat Xavier Becerra has advanced to the general election, but his opponent is still unclear as ballots continue to be counted. L.A. Mayoral Race Fallout: Spencer Pratt’s lead has narrowed after late-counted batches, while Nithya Raman gains ground toward a runoff spot. Hollywood Merger Backlash: Writers and workers rallied against the Paramount-Skydance-Warner Bros. deal as states including California prepare legal action. Public Safety Tech: Stockton rolled out AI-powered body cameras that translate over 50 languages in real time. Health Watch: California health officials detected evidence of measles in wastewater amid a growing outbreak. Water & Environment: A desalination debate resurfaces, while Bay Area scientists warn toxic tire pollution is harming fish in San Francisco Bay.

California Governor Race Update: Xavier Becerra advanced to the November general election, overtaking Steve Hilton as ballot counting continued after the June 2 primary, with Tom Steyer still in the mix for the second spot. LA Mayoral Tightening: In Los Angeles, late-arriving mail ballots narrowed the gap between Spencer Pratt and Nithya Raman for the runoff position behind Mayor Karen Bass. Election Integrity & Federal Scrutiny: The U.S. attorney in Los Angeles confirmed “multiple election fraud investigations” and sent a prosecutor to observe counting, as Trump and others pushed fraud claims amid a slower-than-usual California vote tally. Policy Watch: A California bill would exempt future reparations payments to Black residents from state income taxes if federal/state programs are approved. Water & Environment: Federal clearance moved the Delta Conveyance Project forward, aimed at protecting California’s water supply amid climate-driven losses. Statewide Ballot Measure: A new initiative restricting political spending by certain health care unions cleared signature thresholds for the November ballot. Business & Economy: Texas edged past California for the most Fortune 500 headquarters, underscoring the state-to-state corporate shift.

California Governor Race: Former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra has advanced to November, with AP and NBC/CBS/CNN projections putting him in the top two after a late surge; Steve Hilton remains the closest challenger, while billionaire Tom Steyer trails and could still catch up as millions of ballots are still being processed. Election Integrity & Federal Scrutiny: A top federal prosecutor says “multiple” election-fraud investigations are underway in California and a U.S. attorney observer visited an L.A. ballot processing center—moves that come after Trump renewed fraud claims without evidence amid California’s slower, legally required mail-ballot verification. Local Impact—Coastal Climate: Pacifica’s historic municipal pier was shut down after cracks and concrete chunks fell into the ocean, adding to a string of coastal infrastructure failures tied to rising seas. Business & Industry: Solar Atmospheres expanded its Fontana operations with a new 10-bar vacuum furnace, boosting capacity for aerospace and other high-performance manufacturing. Entertainment/Politics: A Reuters report says California and other states are preparing a lawsuit to block Paramount’s Warner Bros. acquisition, teeing up another major antitrust fight.

Election Count Watch: California’s June primary is still in limbo, with about 39% of ballots uncounted and millions more mail ballots still arriving, as governor and LA mayor races remain too close to call and Trump and GOP candidates keep attacking the delays. Top-Two Primary Politics: Analysts say the top-two system often still produces familiar Democrat-vs-Republican matchups, even as the current insurance commissioner race shows rare exceptions. LA Mayor Race: Nithya Raman is closing on Spencer Pratt for the second spot behind Karen Bass, but the final runoff matchup depends on the remaining ballots. Governor Race: Steve Hilton and Xavier Becerra are leading, with Tom Steyer trailing, and experts warn the order of finish may not predict the November pairing. Defense & Training: The U.S. military ran additional overnight training exercises in Long Beach and City of Industry, with local police assisting for safety. Cross-Border Business: Attorney Bo Shi launched a California law firm to coordinate U.S.-China-Vietnam cross-border work, reflecting demand for multijurisdictional legal support. Environment & Health: Environmental groups sued to block California’s plastic packaging rules, while a new analysis finds PFAS-contaminated pesticides in about half of tested waterways. Infrastructure: California high-speed rail keeps moving, with major track work advancing in the Central Valley. Energy Policy: A federal plan would exempt some low-producing oil wells from methane leak rules, a change that could affect California’s heavy-oil operations.

California Elections: Ballots are still being counted in the governor and Los Angeles mayor races, with officials urging patience as President Trump and GOP candidates allege “cheating” without evidence; Secretary of State Shirley Weber says the canvass can take weeks and accuracy comes before speed. Governor Race Update: Steve Hilton and Xavier Becerra remain in the lead as vote totals slowly tighten, with LA mayoral runoff spots still shifting. Commercial Driver Licensing: Federal and state scrutiny is intensifying after deadly semi-truck crashes, as California revokes thousands of CDLs and questions grow over oversight for non-domiciled drivers. Iran Sanctions Case: DOJ charged California tech CEO Jamshid Ghomi in a long-running scheme to route U.S. networking and security equipment to Iran’s nuclear and military programs. Coal Push: Trump announced nearly $700M to support coal plants and an Oakland export terminal, using national defense authorities. Housing & Homelessness: California is creating a new standalone housing agency to streamline affordable housing funding, but critics warn it comes without new money. AI Policy: AB 412 faces renewed pushback as lawmakers consider rules requiring AI developers to disclose copyrighted works used in training. Business/Tech: Dave’s Hot Chicken is rolling out restaurant tech more cautiously after guests rejected drive-thru voice AI.

California Primaries Still Counting: Steve Hilton and Xavier Becerra are leading the governor’s race, but officials warn results could take weeks as mail ballots keep coming in; Trump again claimed “cheating” without evidence, stoking election-integrity worries. L.A. Mayoral Race: Counting continues for the contest that will decide who faces Mayor Karen Bass in November, with Spencer Pratt and Nithya Raman among those in the mix. Climate Policy Shake-Up: California and New York moved to weaken parts of their climate rules as red states push more clean-energy buildout, while advocates warn affordability changes won’t solve the underlying cost pressures. Transit Funding Hit: CARB voted to create a new pool of free pollution permits that could cut cap-and-invest money for public transit, including San Francisco’s Muni. Data Center Backlash: Monterey Park voters approved a permanent data-center ban by ballot, and the trend is spreading as residents cite power, water, and pollution impacts. Public Safety: A man was arrested at Sacramento International after prosecutors said he carried an explosive device through TSA screening; separate reports also describe a graduation shooting in Northern California.

California Governor Primary: The race to replace Gavin Newsom is still too close to call, with Republican Steve Hilton leading early returns over Democrat Xavier Becerra, while billionaire Tom Steyer trails—yet millions of ballots remain uncounted and counties can keep updating results for weeks. Election Process: Officials warn the count can be slow because of mail ballots and provisional ballots, with final certification still weeks away. Insurance Watchdog: In the insurance commissioner race, Jane Kim and Ben Allen are leading early, as California’s wildfire-driven home insurance crisis looms over the winner. Public Safety—Bakersfield Hostage Standoff: A Chase Bank hostage situation in downtown Bakersfield ended after a suspect was shot dead; 10 hostages were reported safe. Federal Charges—Iran Tech Case: A Newport Coast tech executive, Jamshid Ghomi, was charged for allegedly shipping U.S.-origin networking equipment to Iran in violation of sanctions. Earthquakes: Five quakes rattled Northern California, including a preliminary 5.7 near the Humboldt coast, with no reported damage. Wildfire/Fireworks: The state fire marshal’s office and the fireworks industry released a new plan aimed at preventing deadly explosions like last summer’s Esparto incident.

California Governor Primary: Votes were still being counted early Wednesday, leaving the top-two “jungle primary” spots up for grabs between Xavier Becerra, Tom Steyer, and Trump-backed Steve Hilton, with Hilton and Becerra leading as ballots continue to trickle in. Los Angeles Mayoral Runoff: Incumbent Karen Bass advanced to November, while Spencer Pratt and Nithya Raman fought for the second spot. Election Process Watch: Officials warned results can shift for days because California allows mail ballots to arrive after Election Day if postmarked on time. Bakersfield Hostage Crisis: A Chase Bank standoff ended after more than 15 hours; hostages were freed and the suspect was killed in an FBI-involved shooting. Housing Policy: A draft SCAG map lays out where SB 79 will fast-track transit-area housing in Los Angeles County starting next month. Economy/Interest Rates: UCLA economists said an Iran-driven oil shock is complicating the outlook, likely keeping rates steady as inflation pressure returns. DEI Legal Fight: A 14-state AG coalition urged SCOTUS to overturn a Ninth Circuit ruling tied to California’s DEI-focused medical training requirements.

Election Night in California: Early counts show Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove leading in CA-37 and Rep. Ted Lieu ahead in CA-36, while Rep. Brad Sherman and others fight for top spots in CA-32 as vote totals keep shifting with mail ballots. Governor Race Watch: The crowded GOP-vs-Dem battle to replace Gavin Newsom remains unsettled, with Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton trading early leads and Tom Steyer still in the mix for the two spots that advance to November. Congress Map Stakes: California’s first primary under Proposition 50 is a test of whether Democrats can flip redrawn districts and avoid getting “locked out” of November in key San Diego-area contests. Public Safety: In Bakersfield, police responded to a bomb threat at a Chase Bank where a man barricaded himself with hostages; one hostage was released and negotiators and the FBI stayed on scene. Statewide Offices: Early results also point to tight races for insurance commissioner and state superintendent, with officials warning results could take days. Consumer & Business: California ordered penalties in a seafood sourcing case after a Venice restaurant and operators admitted misleading customers about traceable, lawful seafood.

California Primary Day: Californians are voting in the June 2 top-two open primary, where the top two vote-getters advance to November—no matter their party—across governor, attorney general, Congress, and local races. Governor Race Watch: The contest to replace Gavin Newsom is widely seen as a three-way fight between Xavier Becerra, Tom Steyer, and Steve Hilton, with late momentum and ballot timing still shaping who makes the runoff. LA Mayoral Stakes: In Los Angeles, the race to succeed Karen Bass remains tight, with UC Berkeley/LA Times polling showing Bass, Nithya Raman, and Spencer Pratt in a close battle. Election Process & Turnout: Students and voters report confusion about how the system works and worry that younger voters feel under-informed. Tech & Business: Meta is expanding teen safety restrictions across apps, while UC Riverside’s Loan2Learn device rental program is ending due to depleted funding. Public Health & Environment: A study finds carcinogenic chromium-6 particles near wildfire cleanup zones, and San Francisco filed a major lawsuit targeting major food makers over “ultra-processed” products.

California Primary Watch: Ballot-tracking shows Democrats voting more slowly heading into Election Day, raising hopes for a late “blue surge” that could flip the outcome in the governor’s race. Election Night Streaming: NBC News will run the “Kornacki Cam” after polls close, focusing on the LA mayor and California governor races with nonstop results analysis. Governor’s Race Tightening: A new poll has Xavier Becerra leading, with Tom Steyer and Steve Hilton close behind, while Hilton urges GOP rival Chad Bianco to drop out to consolidate support. Food Security: Federal SNAP/CalFresh work requirements take effect, and California lawmakers are warning of staffing shortages and possible backlogs that could trigger a hunger crisis. Privacy & Courts: California’s CIPA privacy fight continues as courts weigh tracking-tech claims and the state AG pursues action tied to the 23andMe data breach. Environment & Health: A UC study says chromium-6 nanoparticles from the Palisades and Eaton fires may have traveled miles downwind, potentially exposing millions. Business/Tech: Phison and Intel announced a push to enable larger local AI workloads on Intel AI PCs.

California Primary Countdown: Tuesday’s June 2 jungle primary is the big deadline for governor and LA mayor races, with voters urged to return ballots by mail or use official drop boxes/vote centers. Election Integrity: Los Angeles County is investigating fire-damaged vote-by-mail ballots found in a downtown drop box days before the election. State Politics & LGBTQ Protections: California added Florida plus four states to its banned travel list, citing anti-LGBTQ laws. Tech, Health, and Regulation: Google-backed Verily is seeking federal approval to release 32 million mosquitoes in California and Florida to fight disease, drawing ethical and oversight questions. Sports Betting Legal Fight: Courts are weighing whether prediction markets are federally preempted, with outcomes swinging as judges focus on different legal tests. Local Governance & Schools: Cabrillo Unified’s board heard pushback over a costly coding contract while it tries to close a $6.1 million pool project gap. Business & Consumer Tech: Meta is asking the 9th Circuit to toss a class action over fake Facebook ads that allegedly bilked consumers. California Economy Watch: A new report says states are thinking long term about emerging budget risks like demographics, climate, and technology shifts.

Immigration & Public Safety: A Modesto family was killed by a man accused of murder after being deported three times, with claims that California’s sanctuary rules blocked jail officials from notifying ICE before his release. CalFresh Changes: New CalFresh rules start Monday requiring many 18–64 adults to work, volunteer, or train 20 hours a week to keep benefits, with exemptions for caregiving, disability, unemployment, and school. Housing & Homelessness: Gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra says he’d declare a statewide housing emergency on day one, freeze electric rates and insurance during it, and tighten oversight of local homeless spending. Election Watch: Polling shows California’s governor race tightening for second place behind Becerra, with Tom Steyer and Steve Hilton battling as the June primary nears. Wildlife Safety: California’s Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing nears completion in Agoura Hills, part of a broader push for safer road crossings to reduce animal-vehicle crashes. Business & Tech: Supermicro and AMAX announced new Intel Xeon 6+ server platforms aimed at cutting power use and lowering total cost for data centers. Local Crime: San Francisco police seek a hit-and-run driver who crashed into a Castro District cafe, destroying a parklet and damaging nearby businesses.

California Governor Race: With the June primary looming, Democrats are still split and voters are weighing “strategic” ballots as polls tighten and the field narrows. L.A. Politics: Spencer Pratt’s outsider surge is putting Los Angeles’ wildfire recovery, homelessness, and cost-of-living anxieties front and center in the mayor’s race. Housing & Affordability: New home styles and denser approaches are emerging as builders try to lower prices, while candidates argue over how to scale production. Energy Costs: A new look at California gas prices points to refinery shrinkage and state policy choices reshaping supply and raising vulnerability to spikes. Data Centers & Power: Sen. Adam Schiff is pushing a bill to make large data centers pay for their energy use and grid upgrades, aiming to blunt rising electricity bills. Health Policy: AB 1930 passed the Assembly to strengthen California’s shield laws for reproductive and gender-affirming care privacy. Environment & Industry: A Garden Grove chemical tank scare renews questions about industrial safety, even as major chemical disasters remain rare. Business & Crime: A Culver City restauranteur was sentenced to 41 months for COVID loan fraud.

California Politics & Elections: With the June 2 primary looming, coverage highlights low turnout and a still-messy governor race, where Xavier Becerra leads but the fight for the No. 2 spot remains tight, while Los Angeles voters weigh the mayoral choice amid a crowded field. Foreign Influence & Public Trust: A former Arcadia mayor pleaded guilty in federal court to acting as an illegal agent for China, admitting she promoted Beijing-backed content without required registration. Youth & Social Media: California’s Assembly advanced a bill to block “addictive” social media features from allowing accounts for kids under 16, sending it to the state Senate. Climate & Energy Policy: CARB approved updates to Cap-and-Invest, drawing sharp criticism from oil-industry groups warning the plan could squeeze in-state refining capacity. Public Safety: After a near-explosion at a Garden Grove chemical tank, officials reported a crack that reduced the risk of a catastrophic blast, though evacuations affected tens of thousands. Business & Courts: A federal order froze about $12.6M tied to a Circle-linked USDC contract in a crypto-related dispute, sweeping funds into the legal fight. Immigration Detention Oversight: California AG Bonta’s inspectors found ICE detention conditions “cruel, inhumane and unacceptable,” citing overcrowding, inadequate care, and excessive force.

California Governor Race: With the June 2 primary days away, candidates are crisscrossing the state for closing arguments—AP reports Xavier Becerra is leading in a UC Berkeley IGS poll (25%) over Steve Hilton (21%) and Tom Steyer (19%), while other polling shows the top-two race could be tight. Foreign Influence & Local Politics: Former Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang pleaded guilty to acting as an illegal agent for China, renewing worries about Beijing’s reach in Southern California’s Chinese American community. Climate Policy: California air regulators approved a major overhaul of the cap-and-invest carbon market, a move environmental groups call a giveaway to oil while supporters say it protects affordability and keeps refineries operating. Public Safety & Social Media: Colorado’s Gov. Polis vetoed a bill that would have required social platforms to respond to search warrants in 24 hours, citing alignment with California’s 72-hour approach. Health & Research: A Lancet study suggests a blood test could flag Alzheimer’s risk decades early. Business & Community: In Sebastopol, neighbors are pushing back on a popular BBQ restaurant over “excessive” smoke claims, while Orange County businesses seek help after a GKN hazmat evacuation.