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Staff Writer

AP Political Writer
This photo provided by Melody Baran shows a rare waved albatross spotted off the coast of Point Piedras Blancas, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. (Melody Baran/University of California, San Diego-Scripps Institution of Oceanography via AP)
A Galapagos albatross’ 3,000-mile detour to California puzzles scientists
Scientists on a research vessel off the California coast are marveling at a rare find — a waved albatross was spotted soaring over the Pacific.
 
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during his State of the State address Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Proposed billionaires’ tax in California rattles Silicon Valley, entangles Gov. Newsom
A proposal to tax the accumulated wealth of California billionaires has ignited a political uproar in Silicon Valley and across the state.
 
Spencer Pratt arrives at the premiere of "The Accountant 2" on April 16, 2025, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
After losing home in wildfire, reality TV personality Spencer Pratt says he will run for LA mayor
Spencer Pratt, a reality television personality who lost his home in the deadly Palisades wildfire last year, said Wednesday that he intends to run for mayor of Los Angeles.
 
FILE -California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a session at the We Mean Business Pavilion during the COP30 U.N. Climate Summit, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, in Belem, Brazil. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File)
Court battle begins over California’s new congressional map designed to favor Democrats
The Justice Department and California are facing off in federal court over the state’s new congressional map that favors Democrats.
 
California brown pelicans and cormorants cling to a rocky outcropping along the Central California coast north of Morro Bay, Calif., Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael R. Blood)
A brown pelican ‘feeding frenzy’ is an encouraging sign for the often-struggling large seabirds
On a jagged coastline in Central California, brown pelicans take flight to feed on a vast school of fish just offshore.
 
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., speaks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Sept. 20, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
Republican Rep. Darrell Issa to stay in California after flirting with US House run in Texas
Republican Rep. Darrell Issa is staying in California. He’d been flirting with a move to Texas to run for Congress after a redrawn congressional map in California all but erased his district.
 
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., speaks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Sept. 20, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
A California Republican faces long odds after redistricting. Will he seek a safer seat in Texas?
In heavily Democratic California, one prominent Republican U.S. House member is considering an audacious maneuver — moving to Texas to run for Congress. Rep.
 
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., speaks to reporters after a campaign event on Proposition 50 in San Francisco, on Nov. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
A sheriff, a billionaire, a tinge of scandal. California governor’s race packs drama, uncertainty
The race for California governor features former presidential wannabes, a county sheriff, two women who could become the first female to hold the office, current and former House members and at least one billionaire.
 
Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a campaign event on Proposition 50, Nov. 1, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope, File)
Justice Department sues to block California US House map in clash that could tip control of Congress
The Justice Department has sued to block new congressional district boundaries approved by California voters, joining a legal battle that could determine which party wins control of the U.S.
 
Former Hose Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks during the Concordia Annual Summit in New York, Sept. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)
Nancy Pelosi’s exit opens way for tough fight to replace her in San Francisco district
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s decision to step aside after nearly four decades in Congress kicks off a wide-open contest to replace her at a time when her home city of San Francisco is roiled in debate about what its future should look like.
 
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during an election night press conference at a California Democratic Party office Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
After confirming possible White House run, California’s Newsom scores a win in fight for US House
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s victory in California’s election fight over U.S. House control will help raise his national profile as a Democrat willing to confront President Donald Trump.
 
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during an election night press conference at a California Democratic Party office Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
California voters approve new US House map to boost Democrats in 2026
California voters have approved a plan to overhaul the state’s congressional district boundaries, giving Democrats a boost in their bid to win the U.S.
 
A sample ballot is pictured before early voting starts in California's statewide special election, Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Paula Ulichney-Munoz)
DOJ prepares to send election monitors to California, New Jersey following requests from state GOPs
The Department of Justice is preparing to send federal election observers to California and New Jersey next month, targeting two Democratic states holding off-year elections following requests from their state Republican parties.
 
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Fight over new US House districts in California could turn on advertising edge in closing days
Less than two weeks from Election Day, a potentially decisive edge in California’s fight over new U.S. House districts has emerged: advertising.
 
Former President Barack Obama speaks at the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum in Chicago, Dec. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, File)
Barack Obama joins fight for US House control, urges vote for California districts to counter Trump
Barack Obama is entering the fight for U.S. House control. The former Democratic president is appearing in a 30-second ad urging California voters to approve a ballot proposal that could add as many as five Democrat-held House seats in California.
 
U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., smiles as she prepares to address supporters at an election night party, March 5, 2024, in Long Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
Katie Porter pushes back. After disastrous week ex-US Rep rallies support in California governor run
Katie Porter is fighting back. After a disastrous week that saw calls for the former Democratic congresswoman to end her campaign for California governor, supporters are rallying around her and seeking to deflect criticism about her temperament and readiness for the job.
 
U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., smiles as she prepares to address supporters at an election night party, March 5, 2024, in Long Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
Former Democratic Rep. Katie Porter nearly exits tense interview in her run for California governor
A Democratic running for California governor nearly cut off a TV interview after a tense back-and-forth with a reporter.
 
A sample ballot is pictured before early voting starts in California's statewide special election, Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Paula Ulichney-Munoz)
Voting is underway in California on new maps that could swing US House control, check Trump’s power
The fight for control of the U.S. House is underway in California. Voters are considering whether to drastically reshape congressional districts to add as many as five Democratic seats in advance of the 2026 midterm elections.
 
California Gov. Gavin Newsom answers questions after signing legislation calling for a special election on a redrawn congressional map on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Why Newsom’s push for new House maps isn’t a sure thing, even in heavily Democratic California
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal on the Nov. 4 ballot to reshape California’s U.S. House districts to add five Democratic seats in advance of the 2026 midterm elections is not a sure sale, even in a state where Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by nearly 2-to-1.
 
Opponents of California Proposition 50, also known as the Election Rigging Response Act, a California ballot measure that would redraw congressional maps to benefit Democrats, rally in Westminster, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
What to know about the congressional redistricting trend kick-started by Trump
President Donald Trump’s call to redraw U.S. House districts before the 2026 elections has led to a wave of political maneuvering among state-level Republicans and Democrats.
 
Former California Gov. and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, center, arrives for a ceremony to receive a honorary doctorate by the Hertie School, a university of governance, in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)
Arnold Schwarzenegger enters fight on US House control, urges vote against new California districts
Arnold Schwarzenegger is entering the national battle over U.S. House control. The former Republican California governor and action-movie star is urging the state’s voters to reject a November ballot proposal to rejigger districts that he said would erode democratic principles.
 
California Gov. Gavin Newsom at a press conference to discuss the measures to redraw the state's Congressional districts and put new maps before voters in a special election, in Sacramento, Calif., Aug. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, file)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s national profile soars with latest Trump fight, but there are risks
Gavin Newsom is having a moment. In the national struggle over U.S. House control, perhaps no politician has more at stake than the California governor, who has emerged as the leading Democratic adversary to President Donald Trump.
 
CORRECTS LAST NAME House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, gavels Sine Die, ending the special session after failing to reach a quorum, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez)
Democrats release plan to boost party’s California US House seats in fight for Congress
Democrats have unveiled a proposal that could give California’s dominant political party an additional five U.S.
 
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
California pushes partisan plan for new Democratic districts to counter Texas in fight for US House
California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a special election for Nov. 4 to approve redrawn districts. The move aims to gain five more U.S.
 
Accompanied by California and Texas lawmakers, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, center, discusses the push to schedule a special election to redraw California's Congressional voting districts, during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Friday Aug. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
California’s Newsom, Pelosi back Texas Democrats as GOP warns of more escalations over walkout
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have appeared shoulder-to-shoulder with Texas Democratic lawmakers in a show of support for their nearly weeklong walkout.
 
California Gov. Gavin Newsom calls for a new way for California to redraw it's voting districts during a news conference In Sacramento, Calif., Friday July 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
California rushes to plan a still unscheduled election in US House seats standoff with Texas
California Democrats are rushing to schedule an election to remake U.S. House districts to counter plans to boost Republican seats in Texas.
 
Texas House Rep. Daniel Alders, R - Tyler, stands at his desk during with empty chairs belonging to House Democrats remain empty in the State Capitol, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez)
Trump’s redistricting fight could broaden and last a while with Texas and California as epicenters
Texas and California are at the center of a national political power struggle that could reshape Trump’s second presidency. And the battle could last months.
 
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, accompanied by several members of the Texas state Legislature, calls for a new way for California to redraw its voting districts, during a news conference In Sacramento, Calif., Friday July 25, 2025. (AP Photo by Rich Pedroncelli,File)
California could slash 5 GOP US House seats to counter Texas’ move to pad Republican margin
California Democrats are weighing new political maps that could slash five Republican-held House seats in the liberal-leaning state while bolstering Democratic incumbents in other battleground districts.
 
U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra speaks at the Linen Building in Boise, Idaho, June 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, File)
2026 race for California governor goes into new gear and directions with Kamala Harris out
The race to become California’s next governor has kicked into a new gear. Following former Vice President Kamala Harris’ decision Wednesday to bypass the 2026 contest, the campaign entered a fresh phase lacking its biggest potential star and the presumptive early favorite.
 
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks in Washington, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
Former Vice President Kamala Harris says she will not run for California governor in 2026
Former Vice President Kamala Harris says she will not run for California governor next year, leaving open the possibility that she could mount a third run for the White House in 2028.
 
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