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Around SoCal
1. Yamamoto, Ohtani deliver in return to Japan, Dodgers beat the Cubs 4-1 in season opener
Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw five strong innings, Shohei Ohtani had two hits and scored twice, and the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 4-1 on Tuesday in Major League Baseball’s season opener at the Tokyo Dome.
Playing in front of their home country, Yamamoto and Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga both pitched well in the first all-Japanese starting pitching matchup on opening day in MLB history. Imanaga threw four scoreless innings, allowing no hits but walking four.
The Dodgers jumped on Cubs reliever Ben Brown (0-1) in the fifth, scoring three runs, partly because of a throwing error by second baseman Jon Berti. Tommy Edman and Will Smith had RBI singles.
Ohtani was part of the rally, delivering a hard-hit single through the right side. He finished 2 for 5 at the plate, including a double to lead off the ninth, eventually scoring another run.
Yamamoto (1-0) gave up one run on three hits and a walk, striking out four. Tanner Scott earned his first save.
2. SoCal Edison begins inspection of electrical towers in Eaton Canyon
Weeks after a wildfire tore through Altadena, SoCal Edison on Monday began inspecting the electrical equipment in Eaton Canyon — where some believe the fire started.
The examination of the electrical towers is “in line with SCE’s commitment to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation,” an SCE spokesperson said in a news release.
It is the first time the utility will do a close-up physical and video inspection of their electrical towers in the area since the wildfire erupted in January.
Fueled by high winds, the so-called Eaton Fire, which began on Jan. 7, destroyed over 9,000 structures and charred 14,000 acres of Altadena and Pasadena in a 24-day span. At least 17 people died.
Multiple lawsuits have blamed SoCal Edison’s equipment as the source of the fire.
SoCal Edison previously informed the California Public Utilities Commission they had no evidence suggesting their equipment caused the ignition.
3. California signs memorandum of understanding on climate, trade with Sonora, Mexico
As the Trump administration moves to end many of the Biden administration’s climate policies and to impose reciprocal tariffs next month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a memorandum of understanding on climate change and trade with Gov. Alfonso Durazo Montano of the Mexican state of Sonora on Monday.
“We are here to advance a cause,” Newsom said at an event in the state’s capital, where he acknowledged the recent fires in Los Angeles and the effects of climate change but did not specifically outline how California and Sonora plan to collaborate.
The memorandum of understanding comes about two weeks before President Donald Trump plans to impose reciprocal tariffs on U.S. trade partners — charging foreign countries the same taxes they charge the U.S. It also comes following a recent tariff exemption on Mexican goods covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
Mexico is the largest market for California products, buying nearly 19% of the state’s exports, according to the California Chamber of Commerce. In 2024, California sold $33 billion worth of goods to its neighbor to the south. The state’s primary exports are computers, electronic products, machinery and transportation equipment, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
4. Amid 2028 speculation, California governor's podcasts with Trump loyalists anger Democrats
As a wounded Democratic Party struggles to regroup, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is holding mostly chummy conversations with prominent conservatives on a new podcast he's touting as a way for the party to grapple with the MAGA movement's popularity.
In doing so, he appears intent on showing he is more than a progressive warrior. But he has stunned some members of his own party by agreeing with his guests on issues such as restricting transgender women and girls in sports. Newsom called dismantling police departments “lunacy” and remained silent when Steve Bannon, an architect of President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign, falsely said Trump won the 2020 presidential election.
The programs provide a fresh lens on a liberal governor and potential 2028 presidential candidate who not long ago was enlisted as a chief surrogate for President Joe Biden’s campaign. Ahead of the 2022 midterms, he chastised national Democrats for being too passive in defending abortion rights and same-sex marriage, an issue he championed two decades ago as mayor of San Francisco.
Newsom said his choice of podcast guests reflects his interest in knowing more about how Republicans organized in the last election, when Trump swept every battleground state and Republicans locked up majorities in the House and Senate.
Around the Nation
1. Kennedy's handling of measles outbreak has some doctors concerned
2. Putin and Trump will speak on Tuesday about war in Ukraine
3. Trump says he's ending Secret Service protection for Biden's adult children
Don't Miss This
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In Focus SoCal: Wildfires' impact on our oceans; celebrating Women's History Month
As Southern California continues to recover from the devastating wildfires, efforts to rebuild and protect the environment are ramping up. Local officials and environmental groups are working hand-in-hand to protect both people and wildlife during the ongoing wildfire recovery.
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