SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The race to succeed California Governor Gavin Newsom is gaining momentum as candidates compete in a crowded and unpredictable primary contest shaped by the state’s unique election system. California uses a top-two primary format, in which all candidates appear on a single ballot regardless of party affiliation. The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes advance to the general election, even if they belong to the same party. This structure has int

A historic mansion in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood has sold in a private, off-market transaction for $56 million, according to public property records. The sale marks the city’s most expensive residential deal since a nearby property set a record in 2024, underscoring continued strength in the luxury housing segment. The property, located at 2898 Vallejo Street, was sold by a revocable trust linked to Daniel Alegre, a technology and media executive. The buyer was

The race to succeed California Gov. Gavin Newsom has shifted significantly following the abrupt exit of Democratic U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, who suspended his gubernatorial campaign and announced plans to resign from Congress after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced. Swalwell, once viewed as a leading contender in the heavily Democratic state, made his decision public on Sunday, April 12, 2026. He later stated on Monday, April 13, 2026, that he would step down from Congress, though he did not specify a timeline. In a public statement, Swalwell denied the allegations and said he would continue to contest them, while acknowledging that his focus on the matter would hinder his ability to serve constituents effectively. The developments have reshaped an already crowded and unpredictable race ahead of the June 2, 2026, primary election. A scheduled candidate gathering in Sacramento on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, marks the first major public appearance of the remaining contenders since Swalwell’s withdrawal. Separately, attorneys representing a woman accusing Swalwell indicated that additional allegations would be detailed the same day in Beverly Hills. With more than 50 candidates on the ballot and no clear frontrunner, political analysts suggest Swalwell’s departure may fragment his support base rather than consolidate it behind a single candidate. Democratic concerns persist that a divided vote could allow two Republican candidates to advance to the general election under California’s top-two primary system. Among Democrats, figures such as Tom Steyer, Katie Porter, and Antonio Villaraigosa are seeking to gain momentum. Meanwhile, Republicans remain divided, with former President Donald Trump backing Steve Hilton, while Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco continues to draw support within the party. Swalwell’s exit adds uncertainty to an already volatile contest, leaving both parties navigating a rapidly evolving political landscape in one of the nation’s most consequential state elections.

A birthday celebration at a waterfall in California turned tragic for an Indian software engineer who drowned after being caught in a strong water current. The victim, identified as Singireddy Sai Srihari Krishna from Andhra Pradesh’s Piridi village, was working in the United States at the time of the incident. The incident was reported on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Authorities have not publicly confirm

A California lawmaker is seeking federal action to reverse recent labor policy changes that could significantly reduce wages for seasonal agricultural workers across the United States. On Wednesday, March 26, 2026, Representative Zoe Lofgren introduced a resolution aimed at blocking new wage rules implemented by the

A federal judge has ordered the California cities of Mountain View and Sunnyvale to pay nearly $1.2 million each in civil penalties after finding long-standing violations of federal water pollution laws. The ruling, issued on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, determined that both cities allowed untreated sewage to enter local waterways through their stormwater systems, posing potential risks to public health. U.S. District Judge Edward Davila concluded that the cities failed to meet permit req

A 4.6 magnitude earthquake struck the Santa Cruz Mountains region at approximately 1:40 AM PT on Thursday, April 2, 2026, with its epicenter near Boulder Creek, California, prompting residents to report shaking and minor property damage across nearby communities. The tremor was felt strongly in surrounding areas, including Felton, located about five miles from the epicenter. Surveillance footage captured inside a residence in Felton shows the sudden jolt as objects shifted and fell du

A once-thriving retail hub in Santa Clara, California, is rapidly emptying as redevelopment plans move forward, prompting legal action from displaced business owners who allege unfair treatment by the property’s former landlord. Two tenants from the Homestead Shopping Center — Tous les Jours bakery and Fuheng Herbs — have filed separate lawsuits against former property owner David Bider and Cypress Investments, claiming they were misled and pressured into leaving prior to the si

Pop sensation Britney Spears was arrested on March 4, 2026, on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and drugs in Ventura County, California. The singer was detained at 9:30 pm local time and released in the early hours of March 5, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. Following her release, Spears' representative addressed the incident, issuing a statement that emphasized the seriousness of the situation. The representative described the arrest as an "un

The Santa Cruz Wharf is set to fully reopen this spring, more than a year after a powerful winter storm caused significant damage to the historic structure. The repairs mark an important milestone for the coastal city, which relies heavily on tourism and visitor activity along its waterfront. The wharf, originally built more than a century ago, remains one of the most recognized landmarks on the California coast and a major attraction for both residents and travelers. City officials confirme

City officials in Fremont, California, announced that DoorDash will begin rolling out its autonomous delivery robots in the city as part of a phased program expected to expand over the coming months. The initiative will introduce small robotic delivery units designed to operate safely on sidewalks, bike lanes, and neighborhood streets while completing short-distance food and package deliveries. The project marks another step in the growth of robot delivery and urban mobility technology in Cal

Residents of the San Ramon Valley are set to hear from a seismologist about a recent surge in earthquake activity that has drawn attention across the region. A researcher from the Berkeley Seismological Laboratory will speak Friday at the San Ramon Community Center, addressing why nearly 100 earthquakes have been recorded in the valley over the past 30 days. The most significant event occurred on the morning of February 2, when a magnitude 4.2 tremor shook the area. The quake was wi

The oldest Quaker meeting house west of Iowa is marking its 140th anniversary with a renewed focus on accessibility, launching a fundraising campaign to modernize the historic property while preserving its architectural heritage. The San Jose meeting house, a longstanding landmark in local and California history, is working to bring its facilities into full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as part of a broader commitment to inclusivity and community outreach. The

San Jose officials are calling on state regulators to withdraw newly approved gambling regulations that they say could significantly disrupt the city’s finances and threaten more than 1,000 local jobs. In a letter dated Feb. 19 and addressed to Attorney General Rob Bonta, city leaders warned that the new rules governing California’s card rooms would dramatically reduce tax revenue generated by the city’s two licensed casinos, Casino M8trix and Bay 101. According to city offici

San Jose officials say the city’s efforts to regulate immigration enforcement activities remain firmly in place, even as a recent federal court decision temporarily paused a related California law. Local leaders emphasized that the ruling does not weaken San Jose’s existing requirements for law enforcement officers to clearly identify themselves while on duty. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision Thursday that put California’s No Vigilantes Act on hold pending

A Bay Area radio station is preparing a special tribute to Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu by temporarily rebranding itself in her honor. Station officials announced that 96.5 KOIT will adopt the name “Alysa 96.5” for one day on Monday, celebrating the figure skating star’s historic achievement and her connection to the local community. The move follows Liu’s recent Olympic triumph, which marked a significant milestone for American figure skating. The 20-year-old athlete del

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and Google-owned YouTube are facing serious allegations in a closely watched trial that began Monday in California, with plaintiffs accusing the companies of deliberately designing social media platforms to be addictive for children. The case marks one of the first times a jury has been asked to directly assess whether major technology companies can be held legally responsible for the mental health consequences their products may have on you

The Supreme Court has cleared the way for California to use a newly approved congressional map that is expected to benefit Democrats in upcoming elections, rejecting an emergency appeal filed by state Republicans and backed by the Trump administration. The unsigned order, issued without explanation and with no noted dissents, leaves intact district boundaries that could alter the balance of power in several closely contested House races as the country moves toward high-stakes midterm contests

A satirical online petition calling on Danish citizens to crowdfund the purchase of California has re-emerged in public discourse, drawing renewed attention amid heightened diplomatic rhetoric surrounding Greenland. The petition, titled “Let’s Buy California from Trump – Denmark’s Next Big Adventure,” has gathered more than 280,000 signatures, underscoring how humor has become a vehicle for public commentary during periods of international tension. Though created nearly a year ago b

Hundreds of homeowners in the Berkeley Hills are being directed to remove vegetation surrounding their homes as part of a newly enforced wildfire prevention measure that took effect at the beginning of the year. The regulation, which became active on January 1, requires properties to maintain a clear buffer zone to reduce the risk of fire spreading in residential areas prone to wildfires. Under the new fire safety rules, all combustible vegetation and growth must be cleared within f