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I spotted the new Tesla Cybercab robotaxi. Here's what surprised me

I spotted the new Tesla Cybercab robotaxi. Here's what surprised me

The Tesla Cybercab launched last week in Austin, Texas. I spotted one outside of New York City. Here's why it shocked me.

Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Proposes Abolishing California DMV and Capping Vehicle Registration Fees

Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Proposes Abolishing California DMV and Capping Vehicle Registration Fees

Steve Hilton, a Republican candidate for California's gubernatorial race, has announced a proposal to abolish the state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) if elected. Hilton, who has been campaigning in San Diego and West Hollywood, characterized the DMV as a 'bureaucratic, bloated, and nanny-state agency.' His plan involves decentralizing routine services such as vehicle titles, registrations, plates, and renewals, moving them to local offices, certified service centers, or making them available online. Additionally, Hilton proposes limiting the annual vehicle registration fee to a fixed rate of $73 per vehicle. This would be achieved by eliminating additional charges for transportation, value-based vehicle taxes, and other fees currently paid by drivers. According to his campaign, this change would significantly reduce state revenue from vehicle registrations, from approximately $11 billion to $2.7 billion. Hilton argues that Californians are overcharged for vehicle registration, receiving poor road co...

New York Lawmakers Propose Legislation to Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled by 20% by 2050

New York Lawmakers Propose Legislation to Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled by 20% by 2050

New York lawmakers are considering Senate Bill S4044 and Assembly Bill A4230, which aim to establish a statewide goal of reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by 20% by 2050. This legislation would require certain highway-capacity projects to be evaluated against this VMT reduction goal, potentially necessitating additional analysis or mitigation for projects expected to increase vehicle miles. The bills, currently in committee, reflect a growing national trend where states like California, Minnesota, Colorado, Washington, and Oregon are shifting transportation policy focus from traditional traffic congestion to VMT reduction and greenhouse gas emissions. The proposed New York legislation does not impose a mileage tax but seeks to create a policy framework where reducing private driving is an official government objective. Mitigation strategies outlined in the bills include promoting public transportation, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, remote work, broadband expansion, and changes to parking manag...

Game 147: San Diego Padres at San Francisco Giants

Game 147: San Diego Padres at San Francisco Giants

Your game thread for September 11, 2026.

El Niño Expected to Bring Wetter Conditions to Southern California, Scientists Monitor Potential 'Super' Event

El Niño Expected to Bring Wetter Conditions to Southern California, Scientists Monitor Potential 'Super' Event

Southern California is bracing for a potentially significant El Niño event, a natural climate pattern originating in the tropical Pacific Ocean. El Niño is characterized by unusually warm water near the equator, which can alter global weather patterns. This phenomenon is part of the larger El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, with its counterpart, La Niña, involving cooler water in the same region. While La Niña typically leads to drier conditions in Southern California, El Niño often brings increased rainfall, larger surf, coastal flooding, and warmer ocean temperatures. Scientists from UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography are closely monitoring the current El Niño, with forecast models indicating a moderate-to-large event, and some suggesting it could be the strongest in 150 years. Sea-surface temperatures in the relevant Pacific region are currently 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit above average, leading to a greater than 90% probability of a very strong El Niño during the fall and winter.

Lawmakers Challenge Trump Administration's Use of DPA for Sable Offshore Pipeline Restart

Lawmakers Challenge Trump Administration's Use of DPA for Sable Offshore Pipeline Restart

California lawmakers, including Rep. Salud Carbajal, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Adam Schiff, and Rep. Jared Huffman, have filed an amicus brief in the case of California v. Wright. This brief challenges the Trump administration's use of the Defense Production Act (DPA) to facilitate the restart of Sable Offshore's pipeline system located on California's Central Coast. The lawmakers contend that the administration failed to demonstrate a national defense necessity for Sable's crude oil and that the order did not meet the legal criteria for invoking the DPA. The pipeline in question has been inactive since the 2015 Refugio oil spill, with Sable acquiring the unit in 2024. The brief argues that the DPA was improperly utilized, questioning whether the act can legitimately support the pipeline restart or if the order itself is invalid due to a lack of proper justification.

Union leader behind California billionaires' tax proposal accused of threatening, harassing women

Union leader behind California billionaires' tax proposal accused of threatening, harassing women

A California labor leader behind a proposal to tax billionaires has been accused of harassing and intimidating several women who work for an affiliated union

Rep. Lateefah Simon Advocates for Muslim Reparations Post-9/11

Rep. Lateefah Simon Advocates for Muslim Reparations Post-9/11

Rep. Lateefah Simon, a U.S. Representative from California, is advocating for reparations for Muslims in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks. This call for reparations is noted in the context of her political activities and her role as a congresswoman. The specific details or legislative proposals regarding these reparations were not provided in the source. Simon is identified as one of California's Muslim congresswomen, with Aisha Wahab being another. The discussion of Simon's stance on reparations emerged in an article primarily focused on Aisha Wahab's political actions and views, including Wahab's push for renewed diplomatic relations with Afghanistan and co-authored legislation for Muslim holidays in schools. The article also mentions the political landscape in California, noting the influence of various organizations in elections.

Randy Vásquez is a reliever now

Randy Vásquez is a reliever now

Padres send Vásquez to the bullpen

Katie Zacharia Rises in Conservative Media and California Politics, Joins Richard Grenell's Fix California

Katie Zacharia Rises in Conservative Media and California Politics, Joins Richard Grenell's Fix California

Katie Zacharia, a lawyer and political strategist, has become a prominent figure in conservative media and California politics. She is known for her regular appearances as a contributor on Fox News and a political analyst on Newsmax, covering topics such as election law, voter integrity, immigration policy, and California state politics. Zacharia earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2007 and a Juris Doctor in 2011 from Pepperdine University. Her early career included internships with the Republican National Committee and the White House Office of Political Affairs during President George W. Bush’s second term, and she practiced corporate law internationally at Zhong Lun Law Firm in Beijing, China. In January 2024, Zacharia joined Fix California, a conservative nonprofit associated with Ambassador Richard Grenell, as Chief Advancement Officer and General Counsel. She also became a Senior Advisor to Richard Grenell, focusing on election integrity, voter registration, and legal challenges to Cali...

California Legislature Passes Bill Requiring Corporations to Disclose Slavery-Era Ties, Awaiting Governor Newsom's Veto Decision

California Legislature Passes Bill Requiring Corporations to Disclose Slavery-Era Ties, Awaiting Governor Newsom's Veto Decision

The California Legislature has passed AB 2599, a bill that mandates all corporations operating in California with annual worldwide gross receipts of $100 million or more to disclose any past involvement or profit from slavery-era transactions. These disclosures, which must be submitted as sworn affidavits subject to perjury penalties, would be made public in a searchable state database. The bill passed along party lines and is now awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom's decision on whether to sign it into law. Critics argue that the bill is a 'virtue-signaling money grab' and question its practicality, given that California entered the Union as a free state in 1850 and slavery officially ended in the U.S. in 1865. The legislation would require companies to research their own and any acquired entities' activities from up to 170 years ago, a task many believe is impossible due to record availability and the sheer volume of historical data.

Intense Heat in Los Angeles to Drive Power Demand Surge

Intense Heat in Los Angeles to Drive Power Demand Surge

California is experiencing a significant heatwave, with temperatures in Los Angeles forecasted to range between 29°C (85°F) and 40.5°C (105°F), which is 10 to 15 degrees above normal. Heat advisories are in effect for much of the state, including the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and the Central Valley, through Wednesday and Thursday. The National Weather Service has also issued extreme heat warnings for parts of Southern California, including San Diego. The heatwave is accompanied by elevated humidity and unusually warm overnight temperatures, which are expected to increase electricity demand significantly. The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) predicts peak electricity demand to reach 47,379 megawatts on Wednesday, with available capacity at 67,586 megawatts.