IN THE NEWS

Associated Press - Risk of a catastrophic explosion has been eliminated at chemical tank in California, authorities say

The risk of a catastrophic explosion at a damaged chemical tank in Southern California has been eliminated following a close overnight inspection that confirmed a crack in the tank relieved pressure and cooled the chemical, authorities said Monday.




The Independent - Garden Grove chemical leak crisis takes new turn as tank crack found amid explosion fears

A dangerous chemical leak that forced nearly 50,000 people from their homes in Orange County, California, may have taken a hopeful turn after crews discovered what officials described as a pressure-relieving crack in the leaking industrial tank.




New York Times - Firefighters Still Working to Cool Chemical Tank in Southern California

Senator Thomas J. Umberg, a state legislator who represents the area, said that “several courageous firefighters” discovered a small crack last night at about 8:30 p.m., after approaching the tank to adjust the water being sprayed on it.




Los Angeles Times - ‘This is not a drill.’ State senator pleads for people to evacuate

State Sen. Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) told The Times on Friday night that he was deeply concerned about residents who have chosen not to evacuate neighborhoods near a damaged chemical tank at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove.




ABC 10 - Democratic candidate Steyer faces FPPC scrutiny — now his campaign is accusing opponent Becerra, too

The two California gubernatorial campaigns are clashing over paid social media content disclosures, as the FPPC has opened an investigation into Steyer's campaign




CalMatters - Can you trust that post about Tom Steyer? How paid influencers are flooding into the governor’s race

Billionaire Tom Steyer is paying influencers to boost his California governor campaign. Some didn’t disclose it. A state law offers little accountability.




LA Times - The Steyer campaign pays influencers. Their posts don’t always make that clear

California passed a law in 2023 requiring influencers to disclose if they have been paid to create promotional content for or against a candidate or ballot measure.




LA Times Daily Pilot - State will audit controversial actions of O.C. Ed Board, whose members say, bring it

A state legislative committee has authorized an audit of the Orange County Board of Education pertaining to the panel’s charter school approvals, recommendations to reopen schools during the pandemic and lawsuits against the state and the board’s own department.




OC Register - State senator gets audit launched of Orange County Board of Education’s governance and litigation decisions

A senator’s request for the California State Auditor’s office to review the administration practices of the Orange County Board of Education has been approved by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee.




Calmatters - We went to court to unseal the warrants behind Sheriff Chad Bianco’s ballot seizures. What they reveal

Riverside County Sheriff and California governor candidate Chad Bianco launched an investigation into alleged voter fraud after hearing allegations from an activist group.
Newly unsealed warrants justifying the investigation do not show direct evidence of voter fraud.