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California Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Sheriff's Authority to Seize Ballots Amid Voter Fraud Allegations

California Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Sheriff's Authority to Seize Ballots Amid Voter Fraud Allegations

The California Supreme Court heard oral arguments regarding Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco's seizure of 650,000 ballots in an investigation into alleged voter fraud. Justice Goodwin H. Liu questioned Bianco's attorney, Bradley W. Hertz, on the sheriff's interpretation of state election law, particularly concerning the custody of ballots during criminal investigations versus prosecutions. Sheriff Bianco maintains that his investigation was lawfully conducted under a judicially-approved search warrant and that state law does not prohibit such actions during an investigation. California Attorney General Rob Bonta and a coalition of voters are challenging Bianco's actions, arguing that the sheriff violated state election laws and that only a grand jury or local board of supervisors can initiate such a review of ballots. The arguments are taking place against the backdrop of the 2026 midterm elections and a broader national trend of election skepticism.
AP News AP News
Newsom returns to a defining California fight: Who pays for wildfire damage?

Newsom returns to a defining California fight: Who pays for wildfire damage?

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking state lawmakers to shield utilities from financial trouble if their equipment sparks a wildfire by limiting the amount they have to pay victims and attorneys
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California Supreme Court Questions Sheriff's Seizure of Ballots in Riverside County

California Supreme Court Questions Sheriff's Seizure of Ballots in Riverside County

The California Supreme Court justices have expressed skepticism regarding Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco's seizure of hundreds of thousands of Proposition 50 ballots. During back-to-back hearings, the justices appeared inclined to order the return of the ballots and to significantly restrict the sheriff's authority to confiscate similar election materials in the future. Sheriff Bianco, a Republican, had removed truckloads of ballots from the Riverside County Registrar of Voters in February, acting on a warrant based on allegations of fraudulent votes in a special election to redraw California’s congressional districts. Armed deputies from various units, including SWAT, were deployed to collect the sealed votes and transport them to the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station on February 26, despite orders from California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber to cease the operation. Following the seizure, deputies initiated an unauthorized recount, an action that state officials and ...
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Congressman Joaquin Castro Calls for Re-examination of Paramount-Warner Merger Amid Antitrust Concerns

Congressman Joaquin Castro Calls for Re-examination of Paramount-Warner Merger Amid Antitrust Concerns

Congressman Joaquin Castro Calls for Re-examination of Paramount-Warner Merger Amid Antitrust Concerns
Reuters Reuters
California AG says no settlement talks scheduled with Paramount

California AG says no settlement talks scheduled with Paramount

LOS ANGELES Aug 25 (Reuters) - California Attorney General Rob Bonta said on Tuesday there are no settlement talks scheduled with Paramount Skydance to resolve the antitrust suit seeking to block the studio's proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery.
1Weather 1Weather
Lake Forest Faces Flood Risks During Atmospheric River Events

Lake Forest Faces Flood Risks During Atmospheric River Events

Lake Forest, California, experiences localized flooding during heavy rain events, particularly in low-lying areas near drainage channels, road underpasses, and stream corridors. Atmospheric river events, which typically occur between November and March, can lead to rapid runoff accumulation. The Lake Forest rain radar provides real-time precipitation data with up to 250-meter resolution, updated every 4–6 minutes from NEXRAD stations KVTX (Los Angeles), KMUX (Mt Umunhum/San Jose), and KBBX (Sacramento). This hyperlocal radar system helps residents, commuters, and outdoor workers monitor changing conditions and avoid flood-prone areas.
Variety Variety
Iowa Attorney General Says She’s Taking California to the Supreme Court Over Paramount-Warner Bros. Lawsuit

Iowa Attorney General Says She’s Taking California to the Supreme Court Over Paramount-Warner Bros. Lawsuit

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird wrote in an op-ed for The Daily Wire that she is suing California for leading the charge in the lawsuit against the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger. “California is once again trying to be the country’s regulator. And once again California is defying common sense to raise costs around the country,” Bird […]
Palm Springs Desert Sun Palm Springs Desert Sun
California Supreme Court to hear Bianco ballot seizure case

California Supreme Court to hear Bianco ballot seizure case

California's high court will hear arguments Aug. 24 in two cases over Sheriff Chad Bianco's seizure of 650,000 ballots.
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California DUI Reform Bill Gutted, Removing Mandatory Breathalyzers for First-Time Offenders

California DUI Reform Bill Gutted, Removing Mandatory Breathalyzers for First-Time Offenders

A significant DUI reform bill in California, which aimed to mandate in-car breathalyzers for all DUI convictions, has been substantially altered by a State Senate committee. The original bill sought to align California with most other states by requiring ignition interlock devices even for first-time offenders. However, an updated version of the legislation, emerging after amendments approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, has effectively removed this key provision. This change means that mandatory breathalyzers will no longer be required for thousands of first-time DUI offenders, a departure from the bill's initial intent. The amendments were made despite widespread support from other lawmakers and families of drunk driving victims, leading to questions and concerns among advocates.
USA Today USA Today
Olivia Rodrigo's Unraveled tour is just one month away, get tickets now

Olivia Rodrigo's Unraveled tour is just one month away, get tickets now

Olivia Rodrigo will hit the road for her Unraveled Tour this fall. Here's everything you need to know including how to buy tickets.
Variety Variety
California Attorney General Cancels Paramount Settlement Talks Over $111 Billion Warner Bros. Discovery Deal, Says He’ll Meet When They ‘Stop Playi...

California Attorney General Cancels Paramount Settlement Talks Over $111 Billion Warner Bros. Discovery Deal, Says He’ll Meet When They ‘Stop Playi...

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has canceled planned settlement talks with Paramount over the state’s lawsuit seeking to block David Ellison’s proposed $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, accusing Paramount of acting in bad faith, according to The New York Times. Bonta is leading a coalition of 12 states in challenging the proposed merger and asking […]
Reuters Reuters
California cancels talks with Paramount over Warner Bros merger

California cancels talks with Paramount over Warner Bros merger

Aug 24 (Reuters) - California's Attorney General Rob Bonta canceled a meeting with Paramount Skydance representatives scheduled for Monday to begin settlement talks over the state's lawsuit seeking to block Paramount's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, his office said.