Friday, May 8, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1976, the world’s first modern looping roller coaster opened at Magic Mountain in Valencia. The Great American Revolution helped launch the modern steel coaster era and later appeared in the 1977 thriller Rollercoaster.

A coyote may have pulled off one of the Bay Area’s wildest commutes by swimming nearly two miles to Alcatraz, and scientists say DNA evidence backs it up. We’ve got the details on the mystery island visitor that vanished as suddenly as it appeared, below in Northern California.

Say goodbye to backbreaking scrubbing and tangled cords. Today's sponsor, the HydroX5 Cordless Pressure Washer, delivers powerful, hassle-free cleaning that makes spring refreshes faster, easier, and oddly satisfying.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

DOJ Accuses UCLA of Admissions Discrimination

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday accused UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine of illegally using race in admissions, capping a year-long Civil Rights Division investigation.

Investigators alleged the school favored black and Hispanic applicants over white and Asian American candidates with stronger academic credentials. Among students admitted in 2024, black students had an average GPA of 3.72, compared with 3.84 for Asian Americans and 3.83 for white students.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli called the school's alleged conduct "abhorrent to our Constitution." The DOJ said it plans to pursue legal action if a voluntary resolution cannot be reached.

A UCLA spokesperson countered that the school's process is "based on merit and grounded in a rigorous, comprehensive review" of each applicant. UCLA said it is reviewing the findings.

Last August, the DOJ separately demanded a $1.2 billion settlement and froze $584 million in UCLA research grants before a judge restored the funding. The department is also investigating Stanford, UC San Diego, and Ohio State medical schools.

California Monitors Hantavirus Cruise Passengers

California is monitoring residents who traveled on the MV Hondius, the Dutch cruise ship at the center of a deadly hantavirus outbreak.

None of the Californians being tracked have shown signs of illness, and the state Department of Public Health said the risk locally is low. Arizona and Georgia are monitoring their own returning passengers.

At least three passengers have died aboard the ship, with eight total cases—three confirmed and five suspected—the World Health Organization said. Officials identified the Andes strain, one of the only forms of hantavirus known to spread person-to-person.

The ship departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 carrying 149 people from 23 nations, Oceanwide Expeditions said. Three passengers were medically evacuated Wednesday; more than 100 remain aboard.

Spain plans to dock the ship in the Canary Islands within several days, though Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo is fighting the decision over public-safety concerns.

SoCal Braces for Triple-Digit Mother's Day

Southern California's inland areas could see triple-digit heat this weekend, with the peak forecast for Mother's Day on Sunday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting highs of 100 to 105 in parts of California’s Central Valley and up to 110 in the desert Southwest. The Inland Empire and Antelope Valley could also crack 100.

A high-pressure ridge is building over the region, lifting temperatures 10 to 25 degrees above normal. Palm Springs was expected to reach 99 Thursday and triple digits today.

Triple-digit heat this early in May is running four to six weeks ahead of schedule. The wave follows California's hottest March on record.

The National Weather Service is urging inland and desert residents to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity, and check on elderly neighbors and pets.

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➤ San Francisco: Part of the Vaillancourt Fountain caught fire Wednesday during demolition after blowtorches ignited debris inside. The blaze was quickly extinguished as crews resumed dismantling the controversial 1971 landmark. (See Details)

➤ Davis: The Yolo County college town will vote on two major housing projects this year, including the 1,800-unit Village Farms proposal and the 1,250-unit WillowGrove development, as debates over growth and affordability intensify. (See Details)

➤ McKinleyville: More than 100 residents packed a Humboldt County planning meeting to oppose Amazon’s proposed 40,000-square-foot delivery facility. Critics warned of increased traffic, pollution, and changes to the town’s rural character, while Amazon said the project would create jobs and speed deliveries. (More)

➤ Alcatraz: UC Davis biologists matched DNA from coyote scat found on the island to the Angel Island population, meaning the lone coyote spotted in January likely swam roughly 2 miles to reach the former prison, twice the distance experts initially assumed. The animal hasn’t been seen since. (More)

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➤ Fresno: A judge ruled the city illegally held private budget meetings without public notice, siding partly with civil rights groups that said taxpayers were shut out of discussions involving $70 million in spending. (More)

➤ Santa Barbara County: Officials warn of scammers posing as banks or law enforcement, urging residents to move money for “safekeeping.” Cash courier requests are almost certainly fraudulent. (More)

➤ Hanford: Family, friends, and community members gathered for a vigil honoring 25-year-old boxer Adrian Valdovinos, who police say was fatally shot Sunday by his girlfriend’s ex-husband. (More)

➤ Fresno State warned students and staff of a cybersecurity breach involving the Canvas learning system that may have exposed personal information. Officials say passwords and financial data were not compromised. (See Details)

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➤ Los Angeles: Federal agents and police arrested 18 people in a major MacArthur Park drug raid, seizing nearly 40 pounds of fentanyl and methamphetamine tied to alleged cartel-linked trafficking. Officials say more arrests are expected in “Operation Free MacArthur Park.” (More)

➤ San Diego: Prosecutors charged five alleged robbery crew members accused of stealing more than $667,000 in Louis Vuitton merchandise by targeting FedEx delivery drivers at gunpoint. Authorities say the suspects carjacked trucks, including during gas stops, and stole 25 boxes bound for Fashion Valley mall. (More)

➤ Beverly Hills: Federal prosecutors charged a former account manager with embezzling more than $2 million from a celebrity client through ATM withdrawals, Amazon purchases, and travel expenses. Authorities say the suspect fled to Uganda and now faces wire fraud and tax evasion charges. (See Details)

➤ Southern California: State officials warn an invasive beetle linked to deadly tree disease is damaging urban forests and threatening property values across the region. The tiny shot-hole borer has already destroyed thousands of trees and continues spreading northward. (See Details)

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➤ The Anaheim Ducks beat the Golden Knights 3-1 to even their Western Conference semifinals series at one game apiece. Game 3 is tonight at Honda Center. (More)

➤ Warriors forward Draymond Green said on his podcast that coach Steve Kerr may have “hindered” his offensive development, though he added he’s grateful for their four NBA championships together. (More)

➤ LAFC was eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals after a 4-0 loss to Liga MX club Toluca. (More)

➤ LA Angels outfielder Mike Trout is drawing trade speculation after hitting 11 home runs through his first 37 games. The Angels, meanwhile, are off to a 15-23 start near the bottom of the American League standings. (More)

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➤ Jesse Boy, a Los Angeles-based Korean fried chicken restaurant, plans to open in Fresno’s River Park by September. The menu includes wings, sandwiches, and vegan fried cauliflower prepared separately from meat. (More)

➤ California will award tax credits to 17 companies through its CalCompetes program, aiming to create nearly 4,500 jobs and spur $1 billion in private investment. Recipients span aerospace, manufacturing, battery storage, film production, and semiconductor industries. (See Details)

➤ San Diego International Airport is continuing construction on Phase 2 of its Terminal 1 expansion after opening the first phase last September. The project will add 11 gates, new restaurants, shops, lounges, and a future Terminal 1-Terminal 2 connector by 2029. (More)

➤ DSRT Surf plans to open a 5.5-acre wave pool in Palm Desert this summer, bringing artificial surfing to the Coachella Valley. The project will later add a luxury hotel, villas, restaurants, and pickleball courts near Desert Willow Golf Resort. (More)

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➤ California Botanic Garden’s “Milkweeds, Monarchs, & Moms” weekend in Claremont, running today through Sunday, features native plant sales, monarch butterfly talks, crafts, artisan vendors, and free Mother’s Day admission for moms. (More)

➤ Several Bay Area parks ranked among California’s best in a statewide poll, with Mount Tamalpais praised for views, Angel Island for family trips, Half Moon Bay for beaches, and Big Basin Redwoods for hiking. Big Sur topped the camping category. (See Details)

➤ Chico ranked No. 1 among California cities for retirees in a new Retirement Living report measuring affordability, safety, and health care quality. Clovis placed third, joining Daly City, Vacaville, and Thousand Oaks on the top-five list. (More)

➤ California’s Pacific Coast Highway was named one of America’s most scenic drives in a new Business Insider roundup highlighting top road-trip routes in every state. Missouri’s Route 66, Colorado’s Trail Ridge Road, and Nevada’s Valley of Fire Highway also made the list. (See Details)

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