The most important stories for you to know today
From left, California gubernatorial candidates Matt Mahan, Xavier Becerra, Chad Bianco, Steve Hilton, Tom Steyer and Katie Porter participate in a debate at KRON Studios in San Francisco on April 22, 2026.for California governor broke largely along party lines on questions related to taxes, homelessness and the Trump administration at a fast-moving televised debate in San Francisco Wednesday evening.
The debate, broadcast statewide on Nexstar stations, marked a major test for former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and billionaire investor Tom Steyer, who have emerged as the top polling Democrats after former Rep. Eric SwalwellIn general, though, the Democrats focused more on defining their own platforms than criticizing one another — perhaps because, with ballots set to reach voters in less than two weeks, Californiansfor California governor broke largely along party lines on questions related to taxes, homelessness and the Trump administration at a fast-moving televised debate in San Francisco Wednesday evening.
The debate, broadcast statewide on Nexstar stations, marked a major test for former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and billionaire investor Tom Steyer, who have emerged as the top polling Democrats after former Rep. Eric Swalwell Throughout a largely tame event, Steyer and Becerra at times came under fire from fellow Democrats on stage, former Rep. Katie Porter and San José Mayor Matt Mahan.
By contrast, the two Republicans onstage, businessman and conservative commentator Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, avoided criticizing each other, instead focusing on what they called Democratic failures. Steyer faced the most attacks of the night — largely centered on his wealth and the investments he made in private prisons and the oil industry as a hedge fund manager decades ago.
Porter poked at Steyer’s personal fortune while also jabbing Becerra for his backing by corporate interests and a lack of policy details. Tom Steyer, a Democratic candidate for California governor, defended his record and pitched himself as a “change agent” during a televised debate at KRON Studios in San Francisco on April 22, 2026. And she stressed her own experience as a consumer advocate and single mom who understands the struggles of everyday Californians.
“One candidate is a billionaire who got rich off polluters and ICE prisons and is now using that money to fund this election,” Porter said, even as she and every other Democrat pledged to support whichever Democrat makes it to a November runoff. “Another candidate for nearly 40 years cashed corporate checks and then lacked the courage to take them on. I’m not like them — I have never taken corporate money.
” Katie Porter, right, sharpened her attacks on rival Tom Steyer over his wealth and past investments during a televised debate at KRON Studios in San Francisco on April 22, 2026. Mahan echoed the former Orange County congresswoman, calling Steyer “a billionaire who made his money in private prisons” and Becerra “a D.C. insider who the Sacramento establishment is now rallying around.
” San José Mayor Matt Mahan, left, and Xavier Becerra, both Democratic candidates for California governor, shook hands before a televised debate at KRON Studios in San Francisco on April 22, 2026. In general, though, the Democrats focused more on defining their own platforms than criticizing one another — perhaps because, with ballots set to reach voters in less than two weeks, CaliforniansBecerra, who has seen the largest uptick in polling and endorsements since Swalwell’s exit, pitched his candidacy as a steady hand in the wake of the shocking scandal.
On Tuesday, Becerra was endorsed by Democratic Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. Xavier Becerra, a Democratic candidate for California governor, called for experienced leadership as he spoke during a televised debate at KRON Studios in San Francisco on April 22, 2026. Steyer parried criticisms of his career in finance by pointing to the wealthy interests opposing his campaign. In recent days, PG&E has poured millions into an anti-Steyer super-PAC that has also received funding from groups representing realtors and prison guards.
“The people raising the costs for California don’t want me to be governor,” he said. “I’m the change agent here and they don’t want change. ” Steyer has put more than $120 million of his own money into his campaign and has blanketed the state in digital and television ads. The gubernatorial candidates will appear on the ballot together in the June 2 primary.
Under California’s top-two primary system, the top two finishers advance to November, regardless of party. That left Democrats concerned that two Republicans could make it into a runoff, in a state where no GOP candidate has won statewide in two decades. For months, the Democratic field has remained crowded, without a clear frontrunner, and Swalwell’s dramatic exit less than two weeks ago scrambled the race again.
At a televised gubernatorial debate at KRON Studios in San Francisco on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican candidate for California governor, argued homelessness is driven by substance abuse. On Wednesday evening, the partisan divide between the frontrunners on stage was particularly evident when the conversation turned to homelessness. The four Democrats largely praised Gov.
Gavin Newsom’s efforts on the issue and agreed on the need to spend more money on preventing homelessness, through programs such as rental assistance. Bianco and Hilton said homelessness was instead an issue best addressed through substance use treatment. Steve Hilton, a Republican candidate for California governor, leaned into President Donald Trump’s endorsement — calling it “a deep honor” — during a televised debate at KRON Studios in San Francisco on April 22, 2026.
Mahan, who entered the race late and is polling below the other candidates onstage, sought to draw a contrast with the other Democrats onstage by vowing to suspend the state gas tax — referencing his working class childhood in the farming town of Watsonville.
“I know what it means when gas prices go up a dollar or two unnecessarily,” Mahan said. “I’ll reform the gas tax so it’s no longer the poorest, hardest working people in our state who are paying an unfair share to maintain our infrastructure. ” None of the other Democratic candidates would commit to suspending the gas tax, something both Hilton and Bianco have been campaigning on.
Hilton did not shy away from President Donald Trump, who’s deeply unpopular in this heavily Democratic state. Trump recently endorsed Hilton, a former Fox News host who emigrated from the United Kingdom.
“One of the proudest days of my life is the day I became an American citizen … so it is a deep honor for me to be endorsed by the President of the United States,” Hilton said, adding that Democratic attacks on Trump are only hurting the state. “Here’s what will help every Californian: when I am governor we will have a deep, constructive relationship.
”Gretchen Walsh swims during the Women's 100 butterfly finals on Sunday at the U.S. Swimming Olympic Trials in Indianapolis. The next round of tickets to the L.A. Olympics in 2028 will go on sale in August, and registration has re-opened to get a chance at a ticket slot.
Olympics organizers sold more than 4 million tickets in Drop One, which had Los Angeles buzzing with emotion, as excitement about the coming Games warped into disappointment for some overFans who missed out on the first drop or didn't end up buying tickets will get another opportunity in Drop Two. Those that are already registered will be automatically re-entered into the lottery for a slot to buy up to 12 tickets to events, plus 12 more for Olympic soccer.
Fans who bought some tickets but not the maximum will also be re-entered in the lottery. The next round of tickets to the L.A. Olympics in 2028 will go on sale in August, and registration has re-opened to get a chance at a ticket slot.
Olympics organizers sold more than 4 million tickets in Drop One, which had Los Angeles buzzing with emotion, as excitement about the coming Games warped into disappointment for some over Fans who missed out on the first drop or didn't end up buying tickets will get another opportunity in Drop Two. Those who are already registered will be automatically re-entered into the lottery for a slot to buy up to 12 tickets to events, plus 12 more for Olympic soccer.
Fans who bought some tickets but not the maximum will also be re-entered in the lottery. One big question is exactly how many affordable tickets are left. The first ticket drop started with a locals-only phase for fans in Southern California and Oklahoma City, where a few Olympic events will be held.
According to LA28, a half million $28 tickets and almost all of the available tickets under $100 were sold in that drop for locals, before tickets were made available to the general public. LA28 says the second drop will have more tickets with"refreshed inventory" and more $28 tickets. In the first drop, the cheapest tickets tended to go quickly.helps Angelenos make sense of news, politics, and more as host of Morning Edition, AirTalk Fridays, and The L.A. Report.
Country Music Hall of Fame star Randy Travis is bringing his “More Life Tour” to the Saban Theatre Friday, featuring lead vocalist James Dupré performing Travis’ biggest hits alongside his original touring band. A stroke in 2013 left Travis with aphasia, robbing him of his ability to perform. The “More Life Tour” is his answer to staying connected with fans and the road he loves.
The tour celebrates the legend’s music and is built around Dupré’s, who has been performing Travis’ songs since the early days of YouTube. Travis racked up 23 number-one hits and seven Grammy Awards before his stroke. Dupré, who grew up in Bayou Chica, Louisiana, met Travis just before the stroke and reconnected years later when Travis reassembled his original band and hit the road again. Dupré didn’t hesitate when they called.
If you're enjoying this article, you'll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less.merger with Paramount Skydance. If federal and international regulators approve, media mogul David Ellison — son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison — will control the legendary Warner Bros. studio as well as cable channels including CNN and HBO and Warner's streaming assets.
The deal still has to pass muster with federal and international regulators. If approved, Paramount aims to close no later than Sept. 30.merger with Paramount Skydance. If federal and international regulators approve, media mogul David Ellison — son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison — will control the legendary Warner Bros. studio as well as cable channels including CNN and HBO and Warner's streaming assets.
Over the past few months, the pending consolidation sparked many fears, which David Ellison tried to quell. He made a pitch to Madison Avenue executives on Tuesday, asking for advertising support. And last week at CinemaCon, an annual convention for movie theater owners, Ellison repeated his promise — that the combined Warner and Paramount studios would put out 30 movies a year.
That was welcome news to Adam Aron, the CEO of the theater chain AMC, who endorsed the takeover deal.
"I greatly appreciate David Ellison's track record of success and his passion to make movies that will dazzle audiences the world over," Aron said in a"The train has left the station. It's going to get done," Bruckheimer told NPR.
"David, I know, loves movies, and he made a commitment that he'd like to make 30 movies between the two studios. That's a lot of movies. I could be wrong, but I have faith that what they say is what's in their heart, too.
" David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Skydance, speaks onstage during the Paramount Pictures presentation at CinemaCon this month, in Las Vegas. The shareholders did not pass a compensation package for Warner's executives in a non-binding advisory vote. According to proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholders Services, the current Warner CEO David Zaslav could receive a"golden parachute" from the transaction — nearly $887 million.
In an Instagram video posted by the Committee for the First Amendment, Jane Fonda, Mark Ruffalo and other actors made a plea to stop the merger. They were skeptical of David Ellison's promises. Ruffalo said he thought the megadeal would mean"fewer jobs, higher costs, and less choices for our beloved audiences.
" Some said they fear the deal will lead to less creative content; others said it would further consolidate an already concentrated media landscape. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has been investigating the deal for antitrust violations. The consolidation is also opposed by U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Chuck Schumer and Cory Booker.
They sent a l— whose chair supports the merger – urging federal scrutiny of the deal and its foreign financing, partially sourced from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The deal still has to pass muster with federal and international regulators. If approved, Paramount aims to close no later than Sept. 30.
After a marathon vote-a-rama that dragged from Wednesday night into the early hours Thursday, the Senate adopted a GOP budget blueprint to provide roughly $70 billion to fund immigration enforcement agencies through President Trump's term. This comes as the Department of Homeland Security has faced a record-breaking partial shutdown, after Senate Democrats refused to fund the department unless major policy changes to immigration enforcement were made, followingBecause compromise between the two parties is off the table, Senate Republicans are turning to a budget tool called reconciliation, which would enable them to fund immigration enforcement agencies without the need for Democratic support.
After a marathon vote-a-rama that dragged from Wednesday night into the early hours Thursday, the Senate adopted a GOP budget blueprint to provide roughly $70 billion to fund immigration enforcement agencies through President Donald Trump's term. This comes as the Department of Homeland Security has faced a record-breaking partial shutdown, after Senate Democrats refused to fund the department unless major policy changes to immigration enforcement were made, following Because compromise between the two parties is off the table, Senate Republicans are turning to a budget tool called reconciliation, which would enable them to fund immigration enforcement agencies without the need for Democratic support.
It's a. GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky joined Democrats in voting against the measure. Two senators were absent for personal reasonswould authorize the Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees to draft legislation that would increase the deficit by up to $70 billion each.
A spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. ,the final price tag is expected to be $70 billion total. That figure is expected to fund the agencies for 3.5 years. The budget measure now heads to the House of Representatives, which must also adopt the resolution before committees can draft the actual legislation.
There's already been a push from some House Republicans to expand the scope of the effort, something that could complicate leadership's plans. Any changes the House makes would then have to go back to the Senate, where the chamber would have to undertake another vote-a-rama. What exactly is reconciliation? In the House, a bill passes when at least 218 members support it.
In the Senate, most bills need the support of at least 60 senators. Republicans currently have 53 seats.
"It's nice to have the Senate majority, and you get pretty titles and gavels, and you can nominally control the floor, but aswould tell us, unless you have 60 votes for most things, you can't move forward," Liam Donovan, a political strategist, previously told NPR.allows the party in control to pass legislation with a 51-vote simple majority in the Senate. The aim is to make it easier for Congress to make adjustments to laws that either bring in revenue or change spending levels.
"It's become the preferred tool over the past 25 years in this modern, partisan political era," said Donovan. Republicans used reconciliation to pass tax cuts in 2017, and Democrats used it to pass elements of then-President Joe Biden's agenda, like theIt starts with a budget resolution that gives instructions to congressional committees to write legislation that achieves certain budgetary outcomes.
For example, a resolution mightto the Committee on Armed Services to report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that result in increasing or reducing the deficit by a certain amount. Once the budget resolution passes out of committee, the committees that received instructions get to work. The Budget Committee then incorporates all those bills into one big bill that's considered by the House and the Senate. Why do I keep hearing about vote-a-ramas?
Vote-a-ramas can be dramatic and drawn-out affairs where senators take up a marathon of amendments ahead of a final budget vote. They begin in the Senate when debate on the bill ends. Senators essentially keep offering amendments on the bill until they run out of amendments — or steam — and decide to stop.
It is a rare chance for the party in the minority to bring legislation to the floor and is an opportunity for senators to try to undo parts of the budget resolution through objections known as budget points of order. There are two vote-a-ramas in the course of the reconciliation process: one on the budget resolution, which is less consequential, and the second on the final proposed legislation itself.
"The amendments that happen in the final legislative package are really important — you're playing with live ammunition when you're on that final stage of reconciliation," said Donovan. There are limits to budget reconciliation. It's used to make changes to the debt limit, changes to mandatory spending or adjustments in revenues. It cannot be used for discretionary spending.
The rule allows anything determined not to have a direct budgetary consequence to be removed from the bill. The goal behind this is to prevent reconciliation from being used for measures unrelated to the finances of the federal government. In other words, reconciliation is about money going out from the federal government and the money it takes in.
If a senator thinks a provision in the bill doesn't pass muster with the Byrd rule, the senator can raise a"point of order.
" The Senate parliamentarian advises the presiding officer on whether the provision violates the rule. This could include anything that doesn't result in changes to spending or revenues, doesn't cause changes to Social Security or doesn't raise the deficit beyond the point of the budget window, which is usually 10 years.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Alan Ritchson Movie With 84% RT Score Arrives on Peacock TodayPeacock is officially adding another batch of movies today, and one of them includes a 2024 movie starring Alan Ritchson and Hilary Swank.
Read more »
Zara Larsson Concert on TODAY: Fan Pass and More InfoOn Friday, May 8, Zara Larsson is performing LIVE on TODAY as part of the Citi Concert Series! Find out how to register for a Fan Pass and more.
Read more »
How Much Would The Devil Wears Prada’s Fashion Cost Today?Tracking the prices, 20 years later, of the many status symbols that populated Andy Sachs’s and Miranda Priestly’s world.
Read more »
Benihana celebrates San Mateo presence todayBenihana is celebrating its presence in San Mateo today with a grand premiere event.
Read more »
Rounds of locally heavy rain and flooding today; Totals up to four inches possibleSAN ANTONIO - Clouds and lingering showers are sticking around today after a soaking start to the week, but the worst of the flooding is now behind us.Monday brought rounds of heavy rain that led to multiple flash flood
Read more »
‘Hamm’s isn’t going anywhere’: Free beer and merch in Philadelphia todayHamm’s is visiting Philadelphia on April 21, 2026, to distribute free beer and merchandise at various city locations, reaffirming its continued presence in Pennsylvania.
Read more »