Jumat, 31 Juli 2026

World Cup Drones, Vehicle Security Flaw, and Cattle Run History

Friday, July 31, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1964, NASA's Ranger 7 sent home the first close-up photographs of the Moon before crashing into the surface. Managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, the mission helped pave the way for the Apollo landings.

A video caught a white shark breaching right behind an unsuspecting Newport Beach surfer mid-ride. Does a clip like that keep you out of the water, or would you paddle out anyway? Hit reply and tell us.

Today's sponsor, PuriProduce, offers a simple, chemical-free way to help clean your fruits and vegetables, giving you added peace of mind with every meal.

FBI Seizes 59 Drones at LA World Cup

The FBI seized 59 drones flown illegally near Los Angeles World Cup venues, including SoFi Stadium and the Coliseum fan zone. About 700 were confiscated nationwide.

Agents located operators, who were cited and required to surrender their equipment. None of the devices seized in Los Angeles carried weapons.

Officials said weaponized drones remain a concern as the region prepares for the 2027 Super Bowl and 2028 Olympics. Penalties can reach $100,000.

UC Sets California Admissions Record

The University of California admitted a record 102,031 California residents as first-year students for fall 2026, 1,458 more than last year.

The systemwide admit rate for California first-years rose to 78% from 77%, and UC offered seats to a record 29,372 community college transfers. The increases stem from UC's multiyear compact with the state, which raises funding in exchange for boosting California enrollment 1% a year.

Access still varies widely by campus, with UC Berkeley and UCLA each admitting about 1 in 10 first-year applicants.

Flaw Exposes 2.2M Vehicles

UC San Diego researchers found a Bluetooth flaw in KARR anti-theft devices installed in at least 2.2 million vehicles, most sold through Southern California dealerships since 2017.

Researchers said a universal digital key could allow outsiders to unlock doors, honk horns, or prevent vehicles from starting. Even buyers who declined activation may have the device.

KARR released a firmware patch July 20. Drivers should check for KARR or SWDS stickers, though some affected vehicles may have none, and update through the company’s app.

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➤ Sacramento: A box truck plunged from an Interstate 5 overpass seconds after a mother and two toddlers passed below, damaging their car and breaking her finger. (More)

➤ Richmond: Voters will decide whether to approve a $120 million bond to renovate seven aging fire stations, including two more than 80 years old. (More)

➤ Marin County: River otters at Abbotts Lagoon have developed an unusual taste for brown pelicans, with researchers finding more than 70 carcasses. (More)

➤ Novato: A solo crash into a power pole on Highway 101 downed lines across both directions and sparked small brush fires Thursday, cutting power to thousands before all lanes reopened. (More)

➤ Kern County: Rescuers pulled a woman from the fast-moving Kern River after a helicopter crew spotted her clinging beneath a rock. (More)

➤ Also Kern County: Supervisors tentatively approved updated sidewalk vending rules requiring permits and limiting where vendors may operate in unincorporated areas. Final approval is still required. (More)

➤ Arvin: The city council approved additional budget cuts while preserving two police positions and the K-9 unit as the city faces a $1.4 million deficit. (More)

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➤ Santa Clarita: A fire tore through an AutoNation Ford repair facility, burning up to 20 vehicles before crews stopped it from spreading. (More)

➤ Also Santa Clarita: A former deputy city clerk sued the city, alleging workplace harassment, discrimination, and retaliation after she reported a co-worker’s conduct. (More)

➤ Los Angeles County: More than 500 Calabasas customers face overnight power outages Friday and Saturday as Southern California Edison upgrades equipment during a heat wave. (More)

➤ Anaheim: Technical problems at four groundwater wells caused low water pressure Tuesday, temporarily affecting Disneyland Resort, Angel Stadium, City Hall, hotels, and nearby residents. (More)

➤ Irvine: California lawmakers are weighing data center regulations as residents raise concerns that the AI boom could increase electricity costs and strain local resources. (More)

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➤ The NBA's probe into whether the LA Clippers funneled money to Kawhi Leonard through a $28 million endorsement deal with now-bankrupt company Aspiration could drag into 2027 if the league and the players' union can't agree on findings. Leonard's trade to Toronto remains frozen until the probe is resolved. (More)

➤ Former Chargers linebacker Billy Ray Smith Jr., a College Football Hall of Famer and the No. 5 overall pick in the 1983 draft, has died at 64. His family said he had dementia caused by CTE. (More)

➤ Dodgers and Lakers owner Mark Walter is facing a federal loan fraud investigation after a whistleblower alleged $16 billion in undisclosed loans were funneled through his insurance companies to finance his sports empire. (More)

➤ 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall is out with swelling in his right knee related to a ligament injury that cost him 10 games last season. The team expressed "concern" and is exploring all options, including surgery. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | Golf

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➤ A $1.9 million state grant will help fund downtown Redding sidewalk, drainage, landscaping and accessibility upgrades along Oregon Street, with construction beginning in August. (More)

➤ Hollywood Burbank Airport’s new $1.3 billion terminal will open Oct. 13 with 14 food options, shorter walks to gates, and improved runway separation. (More)

➤ The stalled Residence Inn by Marriott in Paso Robles is under construction again, with the long-delayed Highway 46 West hotel now expected to open in 2027. (More)

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➤ Napa’s “Steampunk Jimmy” Moses travels more than 20 miles daily with his dog Gus, carrying his home aboard a copper-colored art bike. (See Photos)

➤ A new Texas exhibit traces the 1849-1860 cattle drives that pushed herds west from San Antonio to San Diego, told through 16 paintings drawn from two trail bosses' diaries. (More)

➤ A Newport Beach surfer rode a wave unaware that a white shark had leaped from the water just behind him. (See Video)

➤ A mountain lion strolled through a Monrovia backyard shortly before children usually played outside, but the family had slept in that morning. (Watch Video)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ The father who gave his son the rifle used in Georgia's deadliest school shooting has been sentenced in a first-of-its-kind case. (Hear Details)

➤ Coordinated cyberattacks on dozens of Minnesota water plants are reportedly under investigation for possible ties to Iran. (Hear Episode)

➤ Belgian authorities say an intern inside NATO's top military command is suspected of spying for an unnamed foreign power. (Listen Now)