Trump administration freezes over $1 billion in Medicaid funds to 2 states
Why it matters: California and Minnesota must provide documentation for the payments before federal health officials release more money.
Bloomberg, The New York Times +3
Subject
#California
Judge halts $110 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. deal for 14 days
What's next: A lawsuit by 12 states will test whether the merger would illegally cut competition in film, cable and streaming.
The New York Times, NPR
Judge freezes Paramount-Warner $81 billion merger for 2 weeks
What’s next: A court hearing on Aug. 3 could extend the pause and move the states’ bid to block the Hollywood deal.
PBS NewsHour, The Hill +1
California voters face 5% tax on billionaires in November
Why it matters: The first-of-its-kind measure could raise tens of billions, but state analysts warn some wealthy residents may leave.
Trump sets Thursday 9 p.m. speech on elections before midterms
Why it matters: He has pushed tighter federal voting rules and repeated false fraud claims tied to recent California voting.
The New York Times, Bloomberg +7
Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ shot across 6 countries with 2.1M feet of IMAX film
What's new: The production also used a seaworthy Viking longship from Norway and built California sets for locations it could not film on site.
Republika, Fox News
Apple sues OpenAI over alleged theft of unreleased device secrets
What's new: Apple asked a California court for a jury trial and wants OpenAI to destroy materials and redesign products tied to the disputed information.
Paramount targets Sept. close for WBD deal as states seek halt
What's next: A court fight over a temporary restraining order could delay the merger and trigger a $650 million quarterly ticking fee after Sept. 30.
12 states sue to block Paramount’s $31-a-share bid for WBD
Why it matters: The case targets a deal that would unite CBS, HBO Max, CNN, MTV and BET under one company.
The New York Times, Bloomberg +3
Musk, Altman trade insults after Apple sues OpenAI
What's new: The clash followed Apple's trade-secrets case against OpenAI and fresh AI model launches from xAI and OpenAI.
Apple sues OpenAI over alleged theft tied to ChatGPT hardware
What's new: Apple named former iPhone designer Tang Tan and engineer Chang Liu, alleging confidential hardware files and product parts were taken.
Supreme Court blocks Hawaii curb on guns at private businesses
Why it matters: The 6-3 ruling could weaken similar laws in California, New York, New Jersey and Maryland.
Bloomberg, BBC News (US & Canada)
DOJ threatens lawsuit over California handgun sales ban set for July 1
What's next: California has until 5 p.m. Tuesday to enter talks or face a federal court challenge over AB 1127.
Fox News, The Hill
California deputies used magnet drone to disarm parole suspect
What's new: Sacramento County deputies said the man was later jailed without bail after being hospitalized for suspected drug use.
The Hill, Fox News
Alibaba sued Pentagon over blacklist tied to China military claims
What's next: A June 30 contracting ban could cut off Alibaba's US advisers and lobbyists if it stays on the 1260H list.
The New York Times, Bloomberg +2
YouTube settles teen addiction suit ahead of July California trial
What's next: Meta, TikTok and Snap still face a July 27 trial in Los Angeles over claims their platforms harmed minors.
California drivers sued fuel chains over AI pump pricing scheme
What's new: The suit claims the software added up to 22 cents a gallon for gasoline and 33 cents for diesel.
Bloomberg, The Straits Times
Ro Khanna challenges Elon Musk to TV debate after lawsuit threat
What's new: The clash centers on Khanna's claim that DOGE's USAID cuts could contribute to 4.5 million child deaths.
CNBC, Fox News
Oliver Tree’s body returns to California after Brazil crash
What’s new: The singer’s family said a foundation named in his will will back “joy, love and art” after his death at 32.
Waymo recalls 3,900 robotaxis after 13 construction-zone incidents
What's new: The software fix follows freeway incidents in Phoenix and San Francisco, and Waymo has limited freeway service meantime.
Newsom alleges DOJ probes him, wife and former aides in California
What's new: Newsom's office believes grand jury subpoenas sought bank records, while a source said one inquiry involves Jennifer Siebel Newsom's taxes.
BBC News (World), The Straits Times +2
B-52 crashes after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California
What's new: The airfield closed, inbound flights were diverted and officials had not released any casualty information.
The New York Times, BBC News (World) +7
US firms filed 2 suits over alleged shipping-container price cartel
What's new: The cases seek treble damages after prosecutors alleged the companies controlled about 95% of dry-container output.
8 killed in B-52 crash after takeoff at California air base
What's next: The airfield at Edwards Air Force Base is closed, flights are being diverted and investigators said the probe could take months.
The New York Times, Bloomberg +4
California voters narrow field in special primary for Swalwell seat
What's next: If no candidate wins a majority Tuesday, the top two advance to an Aug. 18 special election for the final 15 weeks of the term.
The New York Times, PBS NewsHour
Robinhood cuts 10% of staff, eliminating about 290 jobs
What's new: The company expects about $28 million in second-quarter charges and said June trading volumes hit records.
Bloomberg, MarketWatch
Newsom accused Trump of directing DOJ to investigate him
What's new: The California governor tied the alleged probe to a possible 2028 White House bid and gave no details on its scope.
Bloomberg, The Hill +1
Newsom alleges DOJ probes him, wife and former aides
What's new: Newsom's office said the inquiry appears to involve grand jury subpoenas for bank records and specific transactions.
Newsom alleges Trump used DOJ to target him and his wife
What's new: The accusation points to a fresh clash between California's governor and the Trump administration over federal power.
PBS NewsHour, The Hill
Newsom says federal probes reached him and wife amid Trump feud
What's new: People around the California governor were questioned, and one probe appears to examine his wife's taxes and nonprofit finances.
The Straits Times, PBS NewsHour
Baby formula recall follows 3 infant botulism cases in 3 states
What’s new: The FDA said the product sold at Target and on Nara.com accounts for less than 1% of US formula sales, easing shortage fears.
The Straits Times, PBS NewsHour +1
Judge rejects Yosemite ranger’s bid to regain job after flag protest
What’s new: The ruling said federal law leaves this employment dispute outside the trial court’s power, and also denied a bid to block any criminal probe.
The Hill, Fox News
DOJ clears Paramount’s $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery
What’s next: Paramount said it plans to close the deal soon, while California and EU antitrust scrutiny remains in play.
Qatar faces Swiss in Santa Clara carrying burden of proof
New: The Group B match is an early test of whether Qatar belong at the 2026 World Cup after advancing through a tiebreaker at home.
Antara News, Tribunnews
US clears Paramount Skydance’s $111 billion Warner Bros takeover
What’s next: California is still reviewing the deal and could sue, even after federal antitrust officials let the merger proceed.
David Hockney dies at 88 after reshaping British art for decades
What's new: The Bradford-born painter worked across oils, prints, photography and iPads, and one pool painting sold for nearly £70 million in 2018.
The New York Times, PBS NewsHour
Pasadena officer shot in shoulder during gun horseplay in garage
What's new: Police released video of the Sept. 7, 2025 shooting and said disciplinary action has already been taken.
Fox News, Mothership
Steve Hilton advances to November in California governor race
What's next: Hilton will face Xavier Becerra after edging out Tom Steyer in the state's top-two primary.
Tom Steyer exits California governor race after missing runoff
What's next: Steve Hilton and Xavier Becerra will face off in November after the June 2 primary narrowed the field to two.
Bloomberg, Fox News +1
Becerra, Hilton advance to November runoff in California governor race
What's next: California can keep counting mail ballots until July 10 certification, but Tom Steyer no longer has a viable path to the top two.
Bloomberg, The New York Times +4
Pratt's lead for LA mayor runoff spot shrinks to 7,494 votes
What's next: Los Angeles County can count ballots received by June 9, and California must certify the primary by July 10.
The New York Times, Bloomberg +5
Trump defended Iran war, denied it broke his ‘no new wars’ vow
What's new: He argued the conflict is not an “endless war” because it began Feb. 28 and has lasted three months.
The New York Times, PBS NewsHour +2
Spencer Pratt emerged as a contender in Los Angeles mayoral race
What's next: Karen Bass had secured a runoff spot, while Pratt and Nithya Raman were competing for the second berth as votes were still being counted.
The New York Times, BBC News (US & Canada) +2
Hilton led Becerra 28%-25% as California governor count stretched on
What's next: Mail ballots could take days to sort out which two candidates reach November under California's top-two primary.
BBC News (US & Canada), ABC News +1
US uncovers 610-meter drug tunnel from Tijuana to San Diego
The passage had electricity, ventilation, reinforced walls and rails; four people were charged after a US$45 million cocaine seizure.
California, Iowa and 4 other states hold high-stakes primaries
Why it matters: The results will test Democratic strength in California and Iowa and could shape Republicans' narrow House edge in New Jersey.
The New York Times, NPR +1
Man barricades inside Bakersfield bank with hostages after bomb threat
What's new: Two people were released, no injuries were reported, and the FBI took over SWAT operations overnight.
The New York Times, The Straits Times +3
California voters pick from 60 candidates in governor primary
Why it matters: The state's top-two system could let two Republicans reach November if Democrats split their vote.
Bloomberg, PBS NewsHour +3