Election Fallout: California voters rejected a proposed billionaire tax, while Democrat Randy Villegas scored a decisive win over Republican David Valadao in the San Joaquin Valley, amid voter frustration over costs and immigration raids. El Niño Watch: San Francisco residents are collecting free sandbags as forecasters warn of winter flooding; a UC Davis report flags coastal communities from Newport Beach to San Francisco Bay as especially vulnerable. Death Penalty Debate: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s commutation of all 548 death sentences to life without parole drew sharp criticism from prosecutors and victims’ advocates. Youth Online Safety: Google, Meta and TikTok are suing California to block a new law restricting social media feeds for teens. Consumer Protection: California ordered bitcoin ATM operator Coinflip to repay more than $4.8 million to scam victims and pay over $350,000 in fees. Los Angeles Politics: Nithya Raman defeated Karen Bass to become the city’s next mayor, promising to expand housing and tackle homelessness.