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California suspends Cruise driverless vehicles in San Francisco

The DMV said Cruise cars pose an "unreasonable risk to public safety."

Economy & Business

El Niño may bring extreme weather to West Coast, models suggest

Here's what that could look like, based on what region you're in.

News

California rolls out pilot for digital driver's license program

The pilot program, currently authorized in limited capacities, aims to speed up ID checks in a quick and secure manner.

California schools now offer girls' flag football

It's the latest state to officially add the sport to its athletics programs.

Ballots hit mailboxes for San Diego's special elections

Voters residing in the fourth district can complete their ballot at home and return them by mail.

Politics

Ballots will land in mailboxes this week for the upcoming November special elections in San Diego County.What&#x27;s happening: Republican Amy Reichert, a ReOpen San Diego leader, faces Democratic San Diego Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="runoff for District 4 county supervisor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/08/17/montgomery-steppe-reichert-san-diego-election-runoff" data-vars-content-id="719ec847-b2e0-49e2-91e1-01257e93ee33" data-vars-headline="Ballots hit mailboxes for San Diego&#x27;s special elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/08/17/montgomery-steppe-reichert-san-diego-election-runoff" target="_self">runoff for District 4 county supervisor</a>.

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Special election primer: County supervisor

The general is now a simple Republican-versus-Democrat race, but one where Democrats start with a structural advantage.

Two Democrats vying to fill the vacant District 4 county supervisor seat, San Diego Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe and nonprofit executive Janessa Goldbeck, dominated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="this summer&#x27;s primary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/07/24/voter-guide-san-diego-district-4-county-supervisor-special-election" data-vars-content-id="db819b83-bf71-4895-bc87-bd1a4c7b219e" data-vars-headline="Special election primer: County supervisor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/07/24/voter-guide-san-diego-district-4-county-supervisor-special-election" target="_self">this summer&#x27;s primary</a>.Driving the news: The general election is now a simple Republican-versus-Democrat race, but one where Democrats begin with a large structural advantage.

Unpacking the Chula Vista city attorney's race

Simon Silva, a deputy city attorney, was the top vote-getter in the June 2022 primary, before he died of cancer last September.

Election

Simon Silva, a deputy city attorney, was the top vote-getter in the June 2022 primary before he died of cancer last September.Catch up quick: Election rules stipulated he remain on the November ballot, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="he won again" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcsandiego.com/decision-2022/a-dead-man-was-elected-city-attorney-in-chula-vista-now-what/3117310/#:~:text=City%20Attorney%2Delect%20Simon%20Silva,his%20wife%20and%20two%20daughters." data-vars-content-id="2dfd3ff2-2a19-485f-87a5-b4a8c72cc459" data-vars-headline="Unpacking the Chula Vista city attorney&#x27;s race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcsandiego.com/decision-2022/a-dead-man-was-elected-city-attorney-in-chula-vista-now-what/3117310/#:~:text=City%20Attorney%2Delect%20Simon%20Silva,his%20wife%20and%20two%20daughters." target="_blank">he won again</a> with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="support from the county&#x27;s Democratic Party" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kpbs.org/news/politics/2022/11/04/deceased-candidate-creates-controversy-chula-vista" data-vars-content-id="2dfd3ff2-2a19-485f-87a5-b4a8c72cc459" data-vars-headline="Unpacking the Chula Vista city attorney&#x27;s race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kpbs.org/news/politics/2022/11/04/deceased-candidate-creates-controversy-chula-vista" target="_blank">support from the county&#x27;s Democratic Party</a>.

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San Diego's guide to water district separation

Voters in two rural water districts will now weigh in on separating from the Water Authority.

The farming communities covered by the Rainbow Municipal Water District and Fallbrook Public Utilities District got permission in July to separate from the San Diego County Water Authority, the agency that buys water on behalf of the region and sells it to individual agencies.Driving the news: Now, voters in those two districts must approve the divorce.

Montgomery Steppe and Reichert head to San Diego special election runoff

Janessa Goldbeck conceded after the latest vote count from the County Registrar.

Republican <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Amy Reichert" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/07/25/san-diego-board-of-supervisors-amy-reichert-district-4" data-vars-content-id="4c033bd1-833e-4ddb-b37e-a8432d114733" data-vars-headline="Montgomery Steppe and Reichert head to San Diego special election runoff" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/07/25/san-diego-board-of-supervisors-amy-reichert-district-4" target="_self">Amy Reichert</a>, a ReOpen San Diego leader, will meet Democratic San Diego Councilmember <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Monica Montgomery Steppe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/07/25/san-diego-board-of-supervisors-monica-montgomery-steppe-district-4" data-vars-content-id="4c033bd1-833e-4ddb-b37e-a8432d114733" data-vars-headline="Montgomery Steppe and Reichert head to San Diego special election runoff" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/07/25/san-diego-board-of-supervisors-monica-montgomery-steppe-district-4" target="_self">Monica Montgomery Steppe</a> in November&#x27;s runoff District 4 county supervisor special election.Driving the news: Democrat Janessa Goldbeck conceded the race Thursday after Reichert extended her lead to nearly 4 points in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the latest count" data-vars-click-url="https://www.livevoterturnout.com/ENR/sandiegocaenr/17/en/Index_17.html" data-vars-content-id="4c033bd1-833e-4ddb-b37e-a8432d114733" data-vars-headline="Montgomery Steppe and Reichert head to San Diego special election runoff" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.livevoterturnout.com/ENR/sandiegocaenr/17/en/Index_17.html" target="_blank">the latest count</a> from the County Registrar.

Inside law enforcement attacks in the San Diego supe race

Leaked polling reveals what went into those mailers.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="special election " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/07/24/voter-guide-san-diego-district-4-county-supervisor-special-election" data-vars-content-id="64051c43-cbab-4af9-985d-3dbcc9a2e813" data-vars-headline="Inside law enforcement attacks in the San Diego supe race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/07/24/voter-guide-san-diego-district-4-county-supervisor-special-election" target="_self">special election </a>for San Diego County Supervisor has been dominated by law enforcement attack ads against Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe.Yes, but: The union for the Sheriff&#x27;s Department, the law enforcement group with the largest stake in the race, has been absent from those attacks.

Q&A: San Diego District 4 candidate Janessa Goldbeck

Goldbeck is CEO of a veteran-focused nonprofit, LGBTQ advocate and Marine Corps veteran.

A special election to determine control of the county Board of Supervisors is underway, so we&#x27;ve put together Q&amp;As to help you meet the four candidates vying for the seat. Say hello to Janessa Goldbeck.The candidate: Goldbeck is CEO of a veteran-focused nonprofit, LGBTQ advocate and Marine Corps veteran who unsuccessfully <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ran for Congress in 2020" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/story/2020-02-13/endorsement-janessa-goldbeck-for-the-53rd-congressional-district" data-vars-content-id="14aad451-6612-4417-9769-b88ecbe6d6d4" data-vars-headline="Q&amp;A: San Diego District 4 candidate Janessa Goldbeck" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/story/2020-02-13/endorsement-janessa-goldbeck-for-the-53rd-congressional-district" target="_blank">ran for Congress in 2020</a>. She&#x27;s been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="endorsed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.janessagoldbeck.com/endorsements" data-vars-content-id="14aad451-6612-4417-9769-b88ecbe6d6d4" data-vars-headline="Q&amp;A: San Diego District 4 candidate Janessa Goldbeck" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.janessagoldbeck.com/endorsements" target="_blank">endorsed</a> by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Deputy District Attorneys Association" data-vars-click-url="https://sdddaa.net/endorsements/" data-vars-content-id="14aad451-6612-4417-9769-b88ecbe6d6d4" data-vars-headline="Q&amp;A: San Diego District 4 candidate Janessa Goldbeck" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sdddaa.net/endorsements/" target="_blank">Deputy District Attorneys Association</a>, developer advocacy group the Building Industry Association, Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins and U.S. Rep. Scott Peters and Rep. Juan Vargas.

Q&A: San Diego District 4 candidate Monica Montgomery Steppe

Montgomery Steppe represents southeastern San Diego. In 2018, she became the first person to defeat a Council incumbent since 1992.

A special election to determine control of the County Board of Supervisors is underway, so we&#x27;ve put together a series of Q&amp;As to help you meet the four candidates vying for the seat. Say hello to San Diego Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe.The candidate: Montgomery Steppe represents southeastern San Diego. In 2018, she became the first person to defeat a Council incumbent since 1992, with a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grassroots campaign" data-vars-click-url="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2018/07/10/one-group-that-wasnt-shocked-by-the-primary-upset-in-d4-d4-residents/" data-vars-content-id="b5168ea2-37f8-4278-997e-dd39cf7fb3aa" data-vars-headline="Q&amp;A: San Diego District 4 candidate Monica Montgomery Steppe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2018/07/10/one-group-that-wasnt-shocked-by-the-primary-upset-in-d4-d4-residents/" target="_blank">grassroots campaign</a> promising criminal justice reform and community investment. She has been endorsed by the local Democratic Party, major labor groups and California Secretary of State Shirley Weber.

Q&A: San Diego District 4 candidate Paul McQuigg

McQuigg is a first-time candidate who works for the U.S. Census Bureau and served on the city of Oceanside's police and fire commission.

A special election to determine control of the County Board of Supervisors is underway, so we’ve put together a series of Q&amp;As to help you meet the four candidates vying for the seat. Say hello to Paul McQuigg.The candidate: McQuigg is a first-time candidate who works for the U.S. Census Bureau and served on the city of Oceanside&#x27;s police and fire commission before moving to the city of San Diego. He is a Republican and Marine Corps veteran who suffered combat injuries in Iraq.

Q&A: San Diego District 4 candidate Amy Reichert

She's a leader of ReOpen San Diego, an organization that opposed restrictions imposed by San Diego County in response to COVID-19.

A special election to determine control of the County Board of Supervisors is underway, so we&#x27;ve put together a series of Q&amp;As to help introduce the four candidates vying for the seat. Say hello to Amy Reichert.

George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress

The House is slated to vote to expel Santos on Friday.

Politics & Policy

Ahead of a vote that could make him the first House lawmaker to be expelled in more than 20 years, Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) is introducing an expulsion resolution on Thursday targeting a House lawmaker from his own state. Why it matters: Santos — who faces an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="uphill battle in a vote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" target="_self">uphill battle in a vote</a> to remove him from office following a scathing House Ethics report — is seeking an expulsion vote on Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jamaal Bowman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" target="_self">Jamaal Bowman</a> (D-N.Y.), who pulled a fire alarm in one of the House office buildings.

George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers

Rep. Robert Garcia encouraged fellow Democrats to support Republicans' expulsion measure.

House Democrats and Republicans finally have something they agree on: booting Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" data-vars-content-id="4eec0a24-5338-46c4-8b6e-5526cda73c0f" data-vars-headline="George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) from Congress.Driving the news: In an email sent to Democratic congressional offices on Thursday, Rep. Robert Garcia&#x27;s (D-Calif.) office advocated for Republicans&#x27; resolution to expel the embattled Long Islander.

GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early

Multiple GOP lawmakers expect former House Speaker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kevin McCarthy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" data-vars-content-id="dbdacc28-b2ed-40c2-a4cb-3bf4792a4d9b" data-vars-headline="GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" target="_self">Kevin McCarthy</a> (R-Calif.) to step down from his seat before the end of the year, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The potential exit of McCarthy — who privately told donors he is looking to &quot;get the hell out,&quot; according to a source familiar with the conversation — could leave the House GOP with an even narrower majority.

Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social

Trump warned that his indictments have opened up a "very big and dangerous Pandora's Box."

Former President Trump has spent the last 24 hours on Truth Social unleashing a torrent of grievances, vengeful promises and links to online conspiracy theories about his political rivals.Why it matters: Trump&#x27;s online rhetoric has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frequently dipped into violent extremism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" data-vars-content-id="4ce9173c-4439-425e-8986-ec54c92037e6" data-vars-headline="Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" target="_self">frequently dipped into violent extremism</a> since he left office, escalating as his legal troubles have mounted. Public fatigue and the pro-Trump echo chamber created by Truth Social have at times softened the shock value of the GOP front-runner&#x27;s daily musings.

Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote

Santos is the first Republican to be expelled from the House.

The House on Friday voted to expel Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) over his many fabrications on the 2022 campaign trail and his two federal indictments.Why it matters: The vote makes Santos just the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sixth lawmaker" data-vars-click-url="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" target="_blank">sixth lawmaker</a> – and first Republican – to be expelled from the House in U.S. history.

Election 🗳️