Kitten Rescued | Controversial Toilets | Employees Win Back Stolen Wages | Teen 3D Ghost Gunmaker: Patch PM

ALSO: Car plows through building; Man sentenced for child sex crimes; Couple recoups stolen wages; Pesticide company settles.

California Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Stealing Missile Tracking Secrets

59-year-old Chenguang Gong, who has both U.S. and Chinese citizenship, pled guilty on July 21 to one count of stealing trade secrets.

California Projected To Face $18B Deficit As Newsom Heads Into His Last Year As Governor

Newsom will release his own budget estimates in January as he lays out a spending proposal for the next fiscal year.

California Pest Control Firms To Pay $3.15M To Settle Claims Of Pesticide, Hazardous Waste Dumping In Landfills

The lawsuit alleged that from March 2021 through February 2022, undercover attorneys found toxic and ignitable pesticides in dumpsters.

This Fast Food Chain Closing More Stores —​ Including In CA

The chain closed 48 stores in 2024 and has continued to shutter locations throughout this year as well, according to reports.

'Trump Got Burned': Newsom Crows As GOP Stumbles In Gerrymandering War

Trump's plan to bolster his party's narrow House margin to protect Republicans from losing control of the chamber could backfire.

Billionaire Tom Steyer Running For California Governor As A Populist

The 68-year-old's wealth immediately makes him a notable contender in a free-for-all that includes more than a half-dozen Democrats.

CA Republican Pulls Ahead In Crowded Governor's Race, New Poll Says

A Berkeley survey shows GOP Sheriff Chad Bianco edging past top Democrats as 44% of Californians say they haven’t chosen a candidate.

Bill Targeting White House Ballroom Donations Introduced By Democrats

Several firms that donated to the 90,000-square-foot ballroom project have pending business before the government.

18 CA Restaurants Make Top 100 List: OpenTable

According to a new ranking by OpenTable, here are 18 California restaurants ideal for special occasions, fine dining and meals to remember.

Political Scandal Threatens Xavier Becerra's Bid For CA Governor

Biden's former health secretary is being criticized for being oblivious to a years-long fraud scheme.

La Niña Usually Equals A Dry Winter. So Why Is CA Getting So Much Rain?

An old rule of thumb for predicting a wet or dry winter can sometimes be misleading, a meteorologist tells Patch.

Earthquake Rattles Central California: Did You Feel It?

The quake hit at 9:54 a.m., about five miles west of Templeton, according to USGS.

California Lawmakers Found Money For These Pet Projects Even As They Slashed The Budget

California lawmakers faced a difficult budget year, but they still managed to put hundreds of millions of dollars on these projects.

Trump Sues CA Over 2 Laws Requiring ICE Officers To Identify Themselves

The laws ban federal agents from covering their faces or wearing plain clothes without identification during operations.

Why McDonald's Is Losing Its Low-Income Customers: Report

Low-income customers of McDonald's are being replaced by higher earners, industry experts say.

Patch Readers Split On ‘6–7’. Have You Heard The Phrase?

The phrase is being called out on school campuses seemingly nationwide. Have you heard it? Take our survey.

One California City's Idea To Tackle The Housing Crisis: Take The Stairs

For YIMBYs and other champions of more housing development, ditching the extra staircase has become a surprisingly buzzy cause.

Body Of 7-Year-Old Found After Father And Daughter Swept Into Ocean

The child's father died after attempting to save the girl.

​California Students Making Progress, According To State Dashboard: EdSource

"Today's dashboard results show California continuing to make important strides in post-pandemic recovery."

6 Dead As Lingering Atmospheric River Drenches Much Of California

Flood advisories remained in place through Sunday in many areas where mudslides and flash floods remain a danger.

Holiday Shopping Prices Spike | Starbucks Rebellion | Best Thanksgiving Deals: CA Business News

Catch up with the latest CA consumer and business news, plus under-the-radar stories and the week's best sales and freebies.

Search On For 5-Year-Old Girl Swept Into Ocean, Father Dies Trying To Save Her

The girl's father died when he and two others were pulled into the Pacific Ocean near the Big Sur coast, authorities said.

Domino's Pizza South Lake Tahoe Pizza Delivery Debacle

I ordered a pizza from Domino's Pizza in South Lake Tahoe and never received my pie and the chain has not handled any refunds weeks later.

Baby Sea Otter Is Reunited With Mother In Central California After Dramatic Rescue

After the baby and mom became separated, she determinedly followed the rescuers' boat as when they blasted audio of the pup crying.

Judge Bars Trump From Immediately Cutting Funding To The University Of California

A judge cited a playbook of initiating civil rights investigations to justify cutting funding to bring universities "to their knees."

Mega Millions Jackpot Grows To Almost $1B For Friday’s Drawing: What To Know In CA

The massive jackpot grew after no one matched all six numbers in Tuesday's drawing.

Leonid Meteor Shower Peaks: When To See Fireballs Over CA Skies

These meteors are extremely fast, racing into Earth's atmosphere at about 44 miles per second, according to NASA. Here's how to watch:

Justice Department Sues To Block CA US House Map In Clash That Could Tip Control Of Congress

The suit sets the stage for a high-stakes legal and political fight between the Republican administration and the Democratic governor.

Student Shot At School | 'Heinous Killer' Convicted | Soccer Star Dies | Storm Flooding: Patch PM

ALSO: Waymo robotaxis on freeways; Earthquake rattles Bay Area; Storm not over; Air travel delays and cancellations; Shooting at college.

Waymo Robotaxis Begin Using Freeways In San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Phoenix

Freeway access in other cities is currently in the testing phase, the company said.

House Votes To End Shutdown: See How CA Delegation Voted

One Democrat and nine Republicans representing California in Washington voted yes on a funding measure to reopen the government.

These Are CA's Safest, And Least Safe, Hospitals: New Leapfrog Ranking

California ranked 6th among states for the number of hospitals earning the "A" grade.

Newsom's Ex-Aide Indicted In Scheme To Steal Campaign Money From Former CA Attorney General: DOJ

The former chiefs of staff of Newsom and Xavier Becerra are accused in the scheme.

Northern Lights Seen Across CA: Powerful Solar Storm Peaks Wednesday For Another Chance To See

Check out amazing pictures of aurora displays caused by a powerful geomagnetic storm. They were seen overnight as far south as SoCal.

Stores Will Be Stocked This Holiday Season, But Expect Higher Prices

That perfect gift may cost more this year due to recent tariff changes, according to reports.

Baby Formula Recall Expanded As Infant Botulism Cases Rise

All formula made by the company has now been recalled.

​Veterans Day 2025: Where To Get Free Meals, Discounts And Deals In CA

These national chains offer an array of free meals and other deals in a Veterans Day salute to veterans and members of the military.

2025 CA Thanksgiving Grocery Deals: Extra Gravy Or Slim Pickings?

Not all feasts are created equal.

Trump Proposes $2K Tariff Dividend: Who Would Qualify In CA?

Trump claims most Americans could get at least $2,000 from tariff revenue collected by his administration. Are you one of them?