Gov. Newsom signs bill to speed pet adoptions for owners in court
Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill on September 25 that eases pet adoptions for owners in criminal cases, aiming to reduce shelter time for neglected dogs and cats.
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89 storiesnewest firstlatest September 26, 2026page 2 of 5
Long Beach Prepares for Hurricane Polo After Marie’s Wave Damage
Long Beach officials warn that Hurricane Polo may affect the peninsula after extensive wave damage from Hurricane Marie earlier in September. The city remains on alert and urges residents to stay prepared as the new storm approaches.
Newsom Signs Four New DUI Laws to Tackle Fatalities
Governor Gavin Newsom signed four new laws targeting impaired‑driving offenses on September 25, 2026, aiming to curb a recent increase in DUI‑related deaths in California. The legislation seeks to strengthen penalties and enforcement to reduce fatal crashes.
California AG Clears $111B Paramount-Warner Merger Amid Pressure
Attorney General Rob Bonta approved the $111 billion Paramount‑Warner Bros. merger on September 23, 2026, after pressure from Governor Gavin Newsom and despite dissent from other Democratic state attorneys general.
Gov. Newsom Warns Californians of Historic El Niño Threat
Governor Gavin Newsom warned Californians to prepare for a potentially historic El Niño, citing risks of flooding and severe storms.
Bronze Jesus Statue Stolen from Orange County Church
Police are investigating the theft of a bronze Jesus statue from an Orange County church, where two men cut a fence and used an electric saw to take the artwork, adding to a recent surge of bronze statue thefts in Southern California.
Vehicle-Started Brush Fire Near Perris Half Contained, Two Injured
A vehicle fire sparked a 28‑acre brush blaze in Mead Valley near Perris on September 18, injuring two people, one critically, and the fire was half contained by the next day.
LA Beachfront Homes Collapse as FEMA Denies Relocation Aid
Waterfront homes in Los Angeles collapsed into the ocean on September 19, 2026 due to erosion and rising sea levels, and FEMA declined to provide relocation assistance, leaving homeowners to seek alternatives.
Newsom Vetoes Bill Aiming to Reverse CEQA Exemptions for Advanced Manufacturing
Governor Gavin Newsom rejected Senate Bill 954, preserving the 2025 CEQA exemptions that allow advanced‑manufacturing facilities to be sited without full environmental review.
Former California Public Servant LeRoy Chatfield Dies at 92
LeRoy Chatfield, a former California public servant who helped organize the United Farm Workers, served under Governor Jerry Brown, and worked on homeless safe spaces in Sacramento, died at 92 in Los Angeles on September 18, 2026.
Heavy Snow Years Raise California Groundwater Levels
Satellite analysis reveals that California's groundwater levels increase during years with heavy snowfall, contrasting with the typical decline seen in most years. The study highlights the critical role of snowpack in natural aquifer recharge.
Norton Simon Museum Faces Lawsuit Over Nazi‑Looted Artworks
A lawsuit filed on September 17, 2026, claims that Pasadena’s Norton Simon Museum holds two artworks looted by the Nazis and seeks their return under a 2024 California law allowing recovery of culturally significant items lost to political persecution.
Newsom signs bill expanding smog exemptions for collector cars
Governor Gavin Newsom signed State Bill 1392 in Burbank, expanding smog‑check exemptions for a wider range of collector cars, easing the testing requirements for owners while preserving California’s emissions goals.
Inspector General flags $500K wasteful travel by rail authority
The state inspector general reported that the California High-Speed Rail Authority spent over $500,000 on unexplained first‑class flights and nightclub trips, deeming the travel wasteful and prompting increased scrutiny of the agency's spending practices.
Consultants for CA High‑Speed Rail Used Taxpayer Money for First‑Class Flights
The California High‑Speed Rail Authority revealed that consultants used taxpayer funds for first‑class airline tickets and bar visits, adding to ongoing scrutiny of the project's multi‑billion‑dollar budget and spending oversight.
Newsom Signs Leno's Law Expanding Classic Car Exemptions
Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 1392, known as Leno's Law, expanding smog‑check exemptions for classic cars after advocacy by Jay Leno, altering California's vehicle emissions program.
Broadcom Acquires Irvine Research Campus for $325 Million
Broadcom bought its Irvine research campus from PRP Real Assets for $325 million, a deal that ranks among the largest recent office property sales in Southern California.
Former California Lawmaker Byron Sher Dies at 98
Former California legislator and Stanford law professor Byron Sher died at 98 in Los Angeles on September 12, 2026, remembered for authoring major environmental statutes during his legislative career.
California Prison Closures Threaten Jobs in Susanville, Blythe
California's plan to reduce prison capacity is leading to the closure of facilities in Susanville and Blythe, causing job losses and population decline in those rural towns.
Giant Whale Shark Spotted Off Malibu Coast
A whale shark was sighted between Malibu and Santa Barbara Island on September 13, 2026, a rare occurrence noted by observer Carl Sbarounis and of interest to marine biologists and local fishermen.
