A roundup of the top stories in California this week, plus links to some good reads for your weekend.
LAUSD Superintendent on leave after FBI raids home & office
This Wednesday, the FBI raided the Los Angeles Unified School District’s headquarters as well as the San Pedro home of its superintendent, Alberto M. Carvalho. The raid was part of an investigation into a $6 million contract between the LAUSD and a tech start-up, possibly related to an AI chatbot. An affidavit in support of warrants for the operation is under seal by the court. LAUSD issued a statement saying it was cooperating with the investigation.
Today, the LAUSD school board voted unanimously to put Superintendent Carvalho on paid leave.
(Sources: NBC Los Angeles, New York Times & Los Angeles Times)
Deadly bird flu strikes California elephant seals
An outbreak of bird flu has killed around 30 elephant seals in a colony at Año Nuevo State Park on California’s central coast. Wildlife experts stated that the outbreak is localized to the park and has killed mostly weaned pups plus one adult male. This marks the first time that H5N1, a deadly variant of avian influenza, has been detected in marine mammals in California. The park’s seal viewing areas are currently closed and its docent-led tours have been canceled.Â
(Source: SFGate.com)
Ex-LA Fire Chief sues city over termination
Former Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley has sued the city over her termination by Mayor Karen Bass after the Palisades fire. Crowley’s lawsuit accuses the city of a campaign of retaliation in violation of the Labor Code and the state Constitution, and seeks unspecified damages. Mayor Bass has accused Crowley of leadership failures including failure to deploy 1,000 firefighters on the morning the deadly Palisades fire started. Crowley’s lawsuit blames the city for underfunding the LAFD.
(Source: Los Angeles Daily News)
Kaiser Permanente health care workers end four-week strike
On Tuesday, a four-week strike by thousands of Kaiser Permanente health care workers ended as return-to-work agreements were finalized between union leadership and the Oakland-based health care organization. The union recently accepted an offer of a 21.5% across-the-board wage increase over four years. Up to 31,000 nurses and other health care workers in California and Hawaii participated in the walkout.
(Source: KQED)
Californians won five medals at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games
The 2026 Olympic Winter Games ended last Sunday. In the final medal tallies, Team USA won 33 medals (12 gold, 12 silver and nine bronze), five of which are being brought home to California. The Golden State’s winning athletes are as follows:
- Alysa Liu of Oakland won two gold medals in figure skating
- Chloe Kim of Torrance won silver in the Women’s Snowboard Halfpipe Final
- Madison Chock of Redondo Beach won silver in the Olympic ice dance alongside her partner and husband, Even Bates
- Cayla Barnes from Eastvale and the rest of the USA Women’s Hockey team defeated Canada in overtime, ultimately securing gold for Team USA
Further, two Californians will participate in the Paralympic Games taking place from March 6 to March 15:
- Jen Lee of Daly City who is a three-time Paralympic gold medalist is aiming to bring home gold once again alongside the rest of Team USA’s sled hockey team.
- Kate Delson from San Diego is set to compete at the Paralympic Games as the youngest member of Team USA’s para snowboard team.
Congratulations to these incredible Californians!
(Source: gov.ca.gov)
A few good reads for your weekend:
- Silicon Valley Actually Has a Great Foodie Scene—Here’s Where to Go (Sunset): Silicon Valley-ites shouldn’t take offense at the implied surprise in this headline. Instead, take inspiration from the expert recommendations by Top Chef champ Stephanie Izard, Chef-Owner of Girl & The Goat in Sunnyvale.Â
- Why farmers in California are backing a giant solar farm (NPR): It’s looking likely that a 200-square-mile solar farm in the San Joaquin Valley will get the go-ahead — with the backing of farmers who don’t have enough water to grow crops on their land. If built, the farm will generate enough electricity to power entire cities.Â
- A photographer’s quest to document native bees includes an annual search along the California-Oregon border (OPB): Photographer Krystle Hickman has taken annual trips in search of the endangered Franklin’s bumblebee. It’s part of her larger quest to document North America’s native bees and, through photography, raise awareness about their importance.Â
Happy birthday to John Steinbeck!
Salinas-born author John Steinbeck was born on this day in 1902. Read the celebrated Californian’s bio by the National Steinbeck Center, or better yet, grab a copy of one of his masterpieces like Cannery Row, The Grapes of Wrath or East of Eden.Â