In California: 'A day to celebrate' as state reopens. But it's so hot outside.
Julie MakinenKnow someone who cares about the Golden State? Let them know they can sign up for the In California newsletter via this link. I'm Julie Makinen, California editor for the USA Today Network, bringing you today's key headlines.
'A day to celebrate': California, once epicenter of COVID-19 pandemic, marks its reopening
It was only about six months ago that California leaders issued desperate pleas for residents to shelter in place as emergency rooms overfilled with COVID-19 patients. The state ushered in some of the strictest measures to counter the virus, closing beaches and outdoor dining, as it became the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S.
But now the nation's most populous state has reopened, shedding most restrictions and promising an economic upswing as the country moves past months marked with death and economic devastation.
"Today is a day to celebrate, a day to reconnect with strangers, loved ones, family members; give people hugs," Newsom said Tuesday, touting the reopening at Universal Studios Hollywood with a backdrop of families entering the theme park and animated characters at his side like Shrek and the Minions. "We're going to come back, roaring back. California is open again. California has turned the page. Let us all celebrate this remarkable milestone."
The state boasts some of the highest vaccination levels in the country, with about 55% of residents fully vaccinated and 66% with at least one shot. It's also maintained some of the lowest infection rates in the U.S. over the last few weeks.
As part of the reopening, state leaders touted a California vacation giveaway for vaccinated residents. The aim is not only to incentivize vaccinations, but also to lure travelers back to exploring the state. Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California, said it would take years to rebound from the coronavirus. She compared Californians spending money in the state on vacations to "a modern-day act of patriotism."
Meanwhile, are you sure that phone call was spam? Four Los Angeles County residents and one Ventura County resident were among the 10 winners chosen on Tuesday to receive $1.5 million each as the grand prizes in the state’s “Vax for the Win” COVID-19 vaccination incentive program. None of the winners was publicly identified due to privacy concerns. The state announced only the counties in which the winners reside. The additional winners are from Marin, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Sacramento and Stanislaus counties.
Thinking of going to a California theme park? Here's what to expect on masks and other details
Even the Cowboys are coming back. The Dallas Cowboys are headed back to California for training camp after the pandemic kept them home last year. The club said Tuesday its first practice will be in Oxnard on July 22.
Ding-ding. S.F.'s beloved cable cars will be coming back, but not until September, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks ranked among nation's deadliest
National parks inspire awe and pride in millions of visitors from around the globe each year, but they can also be a potentially deadly place for tourists and hikers caught unprepared.
A recent analysis of National Park Service data by psblaw.com found that California is home to five of the 20-deadliest national parks, including Sequoia and Kings Canyon in Tulare County.
The analysis looked at national park deaths per 10 million visitors between 2007 and 2018. Parks with fewer than 10 fatalities were excluded from the study. While Yosemite had the second-highest number of national park deaths overall, when adjusted for rates per visitor, Sequoia and Kings Canyon are deadlier, with 33.2 deaths per 10 million visitors.
By comparison, Yosemite had 28 deaths per 10 million visitors, making it the nation’s 14th deadliest park, the analysis found.
Other deadly California national parks include:
- Redwood National and State parks with 36.6 deaths per 10 million visitors
- Channel Islands National Park with 31.53 deaths per 10 million visits
- Death Valley National Park with 26.57 deaths per 10 million visits
Harvey Weinstein to be extradited to Los Angeles
Disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein will be extradited to California to stand trial on charges that he sexually assaulted five women in L.A. and Beverly Hills, a judge in New York ruled Tuesday.
Weinstein, 69, and his lawyers been fighting L.A. County prosecutors’ attempts to bring him to Southern California. But on Tuesday, the L.A. Times reported, Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case ruled L.A. County authorities could take custody of Weinstein. The move sets the stage for a second trial focused on the mogul’s alleged pattern of sexually abusing actresses and models he held sway over in Hollywood.
Weinstein dropped his head into his hands as the judge issued his ruling.
Heat records shattered in Southern California
"Dangerously hot" and record-breaking conditions are expected across Southern California this week and on Tuesday, records were dropping like flies. Palm Springs hit a high of 120 degrees on Tuesday, breaking the previous high temperature record of 116 for June 15 that was set in 1961, the San Diego National Weather Service reported on Facebook.
Other areas in Riverside County also broke long-held records. The mountain town of Idyllwild hit 99 degrees Tuesday, breaking the previous record of 98 degrees, similarly set in 1961. San Jacinto reached a temperature of 107, beating the record of 103 degrees from 2007. In Orange County, Anaheim had a record of 96, and Big Bear, in San Bernardino County, was at a record 89.
In California is a roundup of news from across USA Today network newsrooms. Also contributing: Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle. Julie Makinen is California editor for the USA Today Network. Follow her on Twitter at @Julie_Makinen.