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Newsom’s Former Chief of Staff Pleads Guilty in Corruption Case

Dana Williamson, a longtime Democratic strategist and former chief of staff to Governor Gavin Newsom, pleaded guilty Thursday to multiple federal charges tied to what prosecutors describe as a yearslong corruption scheme involving stolen campaign funds, false tax filings and fraud. Federal investigators say Williamson and her co-conspirators siphoned money from a dormant campaign account tied to Xavier Becerra while she held a powerful role inside the governor’s office, funding luxury travel and personal expenses along the way. The case is already sending shockwaves through California politics as the 2026 governor’s race heats up.

UCLA Keeps Cori Close in Westwood After Historic Title Run

Fresh off the first national championship in UCLA women’s basketball history, Cori Close is staying in Westwood through the 2029-30 season after signing a four-year contract extension. The move caps off a remarkable 37-1 campaign that saw the Bruins dominate the Big Ten, dismantle South Carolina in the title game and firmly establish themselves as one of the premier programs in college basketball. The extension also signals UCLA’s commitment to continuity after a season that transformed the program’s national profile.

LA’s $30 Wage Battle Returns as Olympic Pressure Builds

Los Angeles officials are once again locked in a heated fight over a proposed $30 minimum wage for hotel and airport workers, a policy supporters say is necessary to help workers survive the city’s soaring cost of living ahead of the 2028 Olympics. Business leaders warn the measure could deepen financial strain on hotels and tourism operators still recovering from the pandemic, while labor advocates argue the city cannot prepare for a global spotlight while many essential workers struggle to afford rent. As LA gears up for the World Cup, Super Bowl and Olympics, the debate has evolved into something much larger than wages alone: a referendum on what kind of city Los Angeles wants to become.

California Roadtrip: Why Carmel-by-the-Sea Is Worth the Drive

With Highway 1 finally reopened through Big Sur, there may be no better time for a California coastal road trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea. From storybook hotels and Michelin-starred dining to hidden courtyards, art galleries and scenic ocean walks, the Central Coast escape remains one of the state’s most charming destinations. Our latest travel guide explores where to stay, eat, sip and wander in the seaside village that continues to define laid-back California luxury.

Federal Prosecutors Challenge Luigi Mangione Jury Questions Ahead of Trial

Federal prosecutors are pushing back against several proposed jury selection questions submitted by Luigi Mangione’s defense team ahead of his upcoming Manhattan federal trial. In new court filings, prosecutors argued the questions about religion, healthcare views, media exposure and prior law enforcement investigations were overly intrusive and risked influencing jurors before testimony even begins. The latest dispute comes as Mangione also prepares to return to state court Monday in his parallel murder case tied to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

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