Local Politics · Los Angeles County
The Trump administration filed a lawsuit Thursday against California and Los Angeles County seeking to prevent the counting of ballots from potentially 20,000 registered voters alleged to be non-citizens, just 19 days before the Nov. 3 general election. Federal prosecutors gave LA County Registrar Dean Logan and Secretary of State Shirley Weber 48 hours to verify citizenship on a USB drive list or sequester those ballots; Logan declined to review the file citing an insecure format. Grand jury subpoenas also targeted election officials in Orange County (Sept. 10, regarding ~18 voters) and San Diego County. Governor Newsom called the suit an attempt to suppress votes, noting the National Voter Registration Act bars purging voter rolls within 90 days of an election.
Crime
Federal prosecutors announced Monday that 28 lawful permanent residents from across California face charges for allegedly illegally registering to vote or voting in state elections, with defendants ranging from Los Angeles County to Sacramento. The announcement follows a federal lawsuit against state and Los Angeles County election officials seeking to prevent counting up to 20,000 registered voters' ballots suspected of belonging to non-citizens. Of the 28 defendants, 22 are accused of voting in at least one election as recently as the June primary, five only registered, and one submitted a provisional ballot in 2020. Governor Gavin Newsom called the charges "a sad, desperate attempt" to suppress California voters ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Independent experts and state election officials say voter fraud is exceedingly rare, while federal prosecutors warned that state election officials could face criminal consequences for processing ballots from non-citizens after being notified.
Public Safety · San Diego County
San Diego-based Bonjour Patisserie recalled 13 pastry products on Oct. 9 due to potential undeclared allergens including tree nuts, eggs, milk, and wheat, according to the California Department of Public Health. The pastries were distributed to locations across San Diego County. As of Oct. 19, neither state health officials nor the company had specified whether consumers should return or dispose of recalled products. Consumers who purchased these items are advised not to eat them and can contact Bonjour Patisserie at 619-494-4912 for more information.
Public Safety · Chino, CA
State Bar investigators seized the Chino-based practice of Wendy Dong after a San Bernardino County Superior Court interim order Oct. 1, finding she falsely advertised deportation defense without a law license and forged an attorney's signature on client documents. California expanded CalFresh eligibility to half-time students at all state colleges, with San Diego County stationing benefits liaisons at local campuses including SDSU, UCSD, and Cal State San Marcos. The Attorney General issued a consumer alert on cryptocurrency fraud accounting for $11.4 billion in 2025 losses, while Gov. Newsom launched an AI-powered job-matching tool on the CalCareers portal.
Public Safety · San Diego County
The National Weather Service in San Diego issued a beach hazards statement on Sunday at 12:59 a.m., valid from 9 a.m. Sunday through Tuesday at 9 a.m., for San Diego County Coastal Areas and Orange County Coastal. Dangerous rip currents and breaking waves are expected as surf builds to 3 to 6 feet, with minor beach erosion and tidal overflows possible across south-facing beaches, especially in the Huntington Beach area. The NWS warns of an increased risk of ocean drowning and advises residents to remain out of the water or stay near occupied lifeguard towers, and to avoid rock jetties.
