Good morning. It’s Tuesday, Sept. 13.
- California offshore wind farms face obstacles.
- Nearly 80,000 layoffs hit tech industry in 2022.
- And a developer aims to add 2,300 units in Redondo Beach.
Statewide
1.
More people than ever are moving into fire-prone parts of the West. A new analysis found that the number of homes located near forests, shrub lands, and other places where the risk of wildfires is highest grew from roughly 10 million in 1990 to more 16 million in 2020. The foothills of the Sierra Nevada, repeatedly burned or menaced by wildfires, have seen especially fast growth. N.Y. Times
2.
Compensation for fishermen. Accommodation for shipping routes. Protections for sea turtles and migratory birds.
As the Biden administration moves ahead with plans for two floating wind farms off the California coast, tribes, fishermen, and powerful environmental groups are weighing in with concerns. Officials say they are doing what they can to head off obstacles that could tie up the projects for years. Wall Street Journal
3.
On Monday, U.S. News & World Report released its ranking of the best American universities, and of the top 20 all but two cost $55,000 or more for a year’s tuition and fees. Those two are UC Berkeley and UC Los Angeles, both of which charge California residents only about $14,000 a year. Housing costs are a different story. Bloomberg
4.
“My motivation is my anger.”
On Aug. 3, a group of farmworkers set off on foot from Delano, near Bakersfield, on a 24-day walk to Sacramento. The goal: pressure Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign a bill making labor organizing easier. As temperatures soared into triple digits, the marchers covered as much as 22 miles a day. There were blisters, muscle pain, and tears. Zaydee Sanchez produced a powerful photo essay. 👉 High Country News
Northern California
5.
In February, San Francisco’s district attorney, Chesa Boudin, said police had arrested a woman for a property crime based on her DNA collected years earlier during a rape examination. The revelation sparked a national outcry. The police chief said it shouldn’t have happened and lawmakers drafted legislation to make sure it never would again. And on Monday, the woman filed a federal lawsuit against the city. “This is government overreach of the highest order,” her lawyer said. SF Standard | A.P.
6.
Snap’s stock has lost nearly three-fourths of its value this year. On Aug. 31, the Los Angeles company laid off 20% of its employees. Once a social media darling, Snap has been hurt by the meteoric rise of TikTok, but the economy’s turmoil has been hurting companies across the tech industry. According to Layoffs.fyi, more than 600 startups have laid off about 78,000 workers this year. Washington Post | Vox
7.
“Priced out. Astronomical tasting fees. Rip-off.”
Northern California wine country was largely empty in July, a dramatic departure from last summer when wineries reported off-the-charts demand. With inflation and rising wine-tasting fees, many Bay Area residents say the wineries have gotten too expensive to justify. “Regular people” now go to places like the Sierra Foothills, said Penny Rix, who stopped visiting Napa years ago because of the “snob factor.” S.F. Chronicle
8.
Few Californians make it out to the northeastern part of the state. But it’s gorgeous, with mountains, meadows, volcanoes, and perfect little lakes. On a visit to Fall River Mills, nestled between Mount Shasta and Lassen Peak, the columnist Jon Carroll met a local man who couldn’t imagine a better place. “Why would I want to live anywhere else?” he said. Fall River Mills is arguably never prettier than in autumn, when the oaks, pines, and willows are ablaze with color.
A three-day road trip in Shasta Cascade. 👉 Visit California
Southern California
9.
Redondo is notorious for blocking new housing. So the developer Leo Pustilnikov raised some eyebrows when he bought an aging power plant in town for $150 million in 2020. He is now trying to become the first developer to use California’s “builder’s remedy,” a state law that allows buildings of unlimited size in cities that fail to meet housing targets — regardless of local opposition. City leaders have vowed to fight his proposal, which includes 2,300 units and towers up to 200 feet tall. Reason | Urbanize
10.
Rick Caruso and Karen Bass, bitter rivals in the campaign to become Los Angeles mayor, are both trying both trying to tarnish the other over their relationships with USC. Caruso called Bass “corrupt” for accepting a $95,000 scholarship from USC before pushing legislation favorable to the university. Bass said Caruso, a USC trustee, “failed to protect these young women” from a campus gynecologist charged with sexually abusing students. L.A. Times
11.
In 1989, a renowned horse trainer from Solvang named Monty Roberts was invited to London by Queen Elizabeth II. She had read about his method of teaching the animal to see the rider as a member of its herd, rather than a master. As he demonstrated it for her using the royal horses, she began to cry. In an interview, Roberts recalled how that meeting led to a three-decade-long friendship with the queen. N.Y. Times
12.
“Succession” won big at the 74th Emmy Awards, held in Los Angeles Monday night. The HBO dramedy about a dysfunctional media dynasty went into the night with 25 nominations and took the prize in the categories of best drama, best writing, and best supporting actor in a drama. Other big winners: “The White Lotus” (best limited series winner), “Ted Lasso” (best comedy series), and “Squid Game” (best lead actor for Lee Jung-jae). Deadline | L.A. Times
The most memorable moment of the night: Jennifer Coolidge started dancing when they tried to play her off stage. @JarettSays
Red carpet photos. 👉 Variety
The full list of winners. 👉 Hollywood Reporter
Correction
A photo caption in Monday’s newsletter misidentified a state park in Sacramento. It is Sutter’s Fort, not Sutter’s Mill.
Thanks for reading!
The California Sun is written by Mike McPhate, a former California correspondent for the New York Times.
Give the gift of the California Sun.
Forward this email to a friend.
Click here to stop delivery, and here to update your billing information or cancel your support.
The California Sun, PO Box 6868, Los Osos, CA 93412
Wake up to must-read news from around the Golden State delivered to your inbox each morning.