Newsletter: Essential California: El Niño’s global impact

Good morning. It is Monday, Nov. 23. Here’s your day-by-day guide to preparing for the ultimate Thanksgiving. Gobble, gobble. Here's what is happening in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES

Warning signs

Could L.A. County social workers have done more in the case of a man who was charged with killing his three sons? Nearly 700 pages of documents released to The Times show the grief and anxiety that consumed father Luiz Fuentes. “The records also show the challenges faced by caseworkers who struggled to pull out the truth during repeated visits to the home.” Los Angeles Times

Making it big

On the fringes of Hollywood are talent agents that represent actors, writers and producers who have yet to hit it big. In the case of Lynn Venturella, dozens of former clients accuse the agent of taking them for a ride. Venturella wouldn't discuss specific complaints but said her agency had had debt issues. “Inexperienced actors and models are easy prey for unscrupulous agents, since prosecutors rarely take an interest in these cases and there usually isn't enough money at stake to entice civil lawyers.” Los Angeles Times

RSVP on the Statue of Liberty

California’s politicians are trying to navigate a moderate course when it comes to accepting Syrian refugees. Republicans and Democrats alike are trying to balance potential security risks with a tradition of welcoming immigrants into the country. “Refugees are not the enemy. Remember the words on the Statue of Liberty: Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” said Rep. Loretta Sanchez. Los Angeles Times 

New Dodgers manager

The Dodgers are expected to name Dave Roberts as their new manager today. Roberts, a former Dodgers outfielder, replaces Don Mattingly and will be the team’s first minority manager. Roberts hasn’t managed at the major league level; the last five years he was a coach with the San Diego Padres. Los Angeles Times

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FOR THE RECORD

9:33 a.m.: An earlier version of this newsletter reported that Dave Roberts would replace Dave Mattingly as Dodgers manager. Mattingly’s first name is Don.

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DROUGHT AND CLIMATE

Global impact: Californians may be welcoming El Niño because of what it could mean for the drought, despite the dangers associated with it. But in other parts of the world, there's nothing but dread. “It’s a spawner of hazards everywhere,” said El Niño researcher Michael “Mickey” Glantz, director of the Consortium for Capacity Building at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Los Angeles Times 

Rip-out rip-off? The L.A. Department of Water and Power’s program that encouraged property owners to rip out lawns was “largely a gimmick — a device intended to attract attention and publicity,” according to an audit from the city controller. The program was determined to be the least cost-effective way to save water. Los Angeles Times

Too hot: California’s farmworkers are picking fruits and vegetables in such extreme heat that they risk death by simply doing their job. Even when these victims show signs of heat exhaustion, their deaths are not always recorded as heat-related by California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health. “The team's investigation yielded little or no evidence that rates of illness have changed significantly, despite a decade of intervention. Farmworkers topped the list for heat illnesses among outdoor workers since 2007, state records show.” Desert Sun

L.A. AT LARGE

Real economy: The job search of a former Boeing employee may paint a better picture of California’s economy than any jobs report could, writes columnist Steve Lopez. “There are more and more sectors in which people are being paid less than they were before … or they're having to work several jobs,” said Chris Hoene of the California Budget & Policy Center. Los Angeles Times

Rape laws: Should there be a statute of limitations on rape? Protesters gathered at comedian Bill Cosby’s star on the Walk of Fame on Saturday to talk about the challenges of prosecuting sexual assault cases. “It’s unfair that once you’re ready to talk, you can’t,” said Lili Bernard, a filmmaker who says she was drugged and raped by Cosby in the 1990s. Los Angeles Times

Pension payments: The former administrator for the city of Vernon may have to repay $3.4 million in pension payments. The California Public Employees' Retirement System wants to recoup money that was paid to Bruce Malkenhorst Sr., who was convicted in 2011 of misappropriating public funds. Los Angeles Times

No parking: While Los Angeles’ politicians say they want to help the city’s 26,000 homeless men and women, they’re also approving new ordinances that restrict the overnight parking of large vehicles that provide shelter to those without a home. “We shouldn’t legitimize or normalize a second-class standard of living,” said Councilwoman Nury Martinez. Complicating the issue is the L.A. City Council’s approval, at least in concept, of a proposal to allow RV owners to park in designated parking lots overnight. Daily News

Final tab: What’s it going to cost the city of Los Angeles to host the 2024 Olympic Games? Members of the L.A. City Council want more details as they move forward with a bid. “We definitely need to dial down on any sort of cost overrun responsibility,” said Councilman Mitch O’Farrell. 89.3 KPCC 

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Gun control: When it comes to gun control, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom is taking a page from Michael Bloomberg’s book of fighting at the local level. “If Newsom's measure qualifies for next year's ballot, the battle with the NRA is likely to be high profile and expensive.” Los Angeles Times

New strategy: California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, is calling for a more aggressive strategy in the fight to defeat ISIS. “This has gone on too long now and it has not gotten better, it’s gotten worse,” she said Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” Los Angeles Times

Shaky foundation: When crews poured the foundation of the new Bay Bridge in 2007, cracks started to appear almost immediately. With the two most serious cracks, Caltrans officials decided to fill the gaps with glue rather than start over. The repair failed, with water flowing into the foundation, and that’s led to a debate on how best to proceed. SF Gate

R/X: A new state law will allow California women to obtain birth control prescriptions without having to first see a doctor. A similar bill is taking effect in Oregon. “The new laws are extensions of arrangements now found in almost every state: collaborative practice laws that allow pharmacists to administer vaccines or prescribe certain medications if they have agreements with physicians or other health providers.” New York Times 

CRIME AND COURTS

Night of terror: Members of the California band Eagles of Death Metal are talking about the night terrorists attacked their show at the Bataclan in Paris. This clip offers a short preview of that interview. Vice

Snitch tank: A deep dive on how Orange County’s justice system came to rely so heavily on jailhouse informants. “Contrary to a common notion, snitches are rarely prisoners who just happen to overhear a confession. Jailhouse informants apply for the role, as if seeking employment.” Orange County Register

EDUCATION

Addressing diversity: Administrators at UC Irvine say they’re working on improving the campus environment for African American students. A task force was created to look at the issue after the Black Student Union sent letters outlining where the university was failing its students. Los Angeles Times

End of protest: A week-long sit-in at Occidental College is over, with students declaring victory by bringing new attention to issues of diversity. “I believe students were able to shift the campus culture by starting conversations about racial justice and sexual assault and forcing people to recognize their privilege,” according to one senior. Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

A look back: The Tower of the Four Winds was an iconic creation of Walt Disney. Los Angeles Times

Tangled up: Whale watchers are on the lookout for a whale that became tangled in netting and a buoy in the waters near Dana Point. The whale may be the same one spotted near Redondo Beach in October. Associated Press

Gender roles: In Northern California, five girls are trying to join the Boy Scouts. “Maybe their approach should have been to go to the Girl Scouts and say: Instead of painting our nails and clipping our — whatever they do — to do archery and do climbing. Going through that process,” said one scout leader. New York Times

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

Riverside will be mostly sunny and 81 degrees. San Diego will have sunshine and a high of 76 degrees. Los Angeles will be sunny and 80. In San Francisco, expect a high of 59 degrees.

AND FINALLY

This week’s birthdays for notable Californians:

UCLA basketball coach Steve Alford (Nov. 23, 1964), actress Christina Applegate (Nov. 25, 1971), Dodgers announcer Vin Scully (Nov. 29, 1927), University of California president Janet Napolitano (Nov. 29, 1957).

Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Alice Walton or Shelby Grad.