Hailey Branson-Potts

latimes.comThe LAPD once stopped American migration at the California border — to keep out the poorIn an extraordinary episode in U.S. migration history, Los Angeles police stopped fellow Americans from crossing state lines into California.

5 May

My latest for @latimes.com is about the 1936 Bum Blockade. The LAPD sent officers to California border counties to keep poor Americans — including Dust Bowl refugees — from crossing state lines. www.latimes.com/california/s...

latimes.comCalifornia mayor accused of stalking a hairdresser she thought was an ICE agentThe mayor of the Central Valley town of Kerman has been accused of harassing a man she mistook for an ICE agent.

California mayor accused of stalking a Fresno man she thought was an ICE agent. He is a hairdresser and said she followed him in her Nissan Altima for >20 minutes, taking pics and saying: “I’m looking for ICE, and you look like ICE.” www.latimes.com/california/s... by me for @latimes.com

Hailey Branson-Potts reposted

Aaron Rupar

@atrupar.com

Trump: "I'm studying his body. I've never studied the body of a man before. It's not my thing. Nothing wrong with it, of course. But it's never been my thing. But I looked at his ass. I said, 'His ass, shit, it's like a pile of muscle.' Then I looked at his legs and I said, 'Man, his feet are big.'"

latimes.comThousands of California voters got duplicate vote-by-mail ballots. Here's what happenedThousands of voters in a Central Valley town received two ballots in the mail. The county registrar said it was a printing error.

Thousands of voters in California’s Central Valley — a U.S. House district battleground — got duplicate vote-by-mail ballots. Here's what happened. My latest for @latimes.com www.latimes.com/california/s...

latimes.comRepublican Steve Hilton leans on cheeky ads, voter discontent in long-shot campaign for governorHilton has tried to walk a fine line, appealing to the 6 million Californians who voted for Donald Trump in 2024 while avoiding the president's brand.

He has ridden a horse in rural Modoc County, climbed aboard a dune buggy in Oceano, waved a green flag at a stock car race in the Central Valley. Steve Hilton is campaigning all over CA, leaning on voter discontent with Dems. My latest @latimes.com www.latimes.com/california/s...

latimes.comAn eroding California beach and the fight over driving on the sandIf the California Coastal Commission has its way, vehicular access soon will be nixed at Centerville Beach County Park — one of just a handful of beaches where driving is allowed.

New by me @latimes.com: An eroding California beach and the fight over driving on the sand. The Coastal Commission says driving threatens a rare bird and trying to nix the activity. Residents call it overregulation and a lack of understanding of rural places www.latimes.com/california/s...

Hailey Branson-Potts reposted

Alex Wigglesworth

@alex-wigglesworth.bsky.social

When Wrightwood residents learned of plans for a massive quarry, they followed a familiar playbook. They organized a nonprofit, drafted a petition and raised funds for a legal challenge. But they may be seven years too late. The project was granted vested mining rights in 2019.

latimes.comWrightwood residents fight a quarry they never saw comingBy the time residents learned about the quarry, it had long ago received a key approval.

Hailey Branson-Potts reposted

Alex Wigglesworth

@alex-wigglesworth.bsky.social

22 Sept

Great @haileybranson.bsky.social read about a Newberry Springs institution whose future is in limbo -- and whose past proprietor keeps watch from an urn by the front door

latimes.comA cult film made this lonely desert cafe famous. Now, it’s fighting to surviveCalifornia desert icon, the Bagdad Cafe on Route 66, is in limbo

latimes.comA lonely cafe in the California desert was a cult icon. Now, it's struggling to surviveCalifornia desert icon, the Bagdad Cafe on Route 66, is in limbo

22 Sept

New from me for @latimes.com: A lonely cafe in the California desert was a cult icon. Now, the Bagdad Cafe on Route 66 is struggling to survive www.latimes.com/california/s...

latimes.comAnother battery fire erupts at Moss Landing, where some units are still chargedAlmost two years after a massive battery fire south of Santa Cruz displaced 1,200 people and smoldered for days, the same facility is burning again.

19 Sept

Another battery fire erupts at Moss Landing, where some lithium ion batteries are still charged after giant, toxic 2025 fire that is still being slowly cleaned up because it is so dangerous to remove the units www.latimes.com/california/s... @blancabegert.bsky.social

apple.newsIn this red state, a backlash erupts over Trump’s threat to ban a major employer — The Washington PostSeveral Wichita-based Bombardier employees said the post felt to them as though the president was turning his back on American workers.

18 Sept

“We have thousands of Americans working here, and I don’t want to be thinking about losing my job.” In Kansas, Trump threat to ban sales from Canadian jet manufacturer Bombardier in the U.S. sparks a backlash apple.news/AmMndbtuARqq...

Hailey Branson-Potts reposted

Ben Collins

@bencollins.bsky.social

17 Sept

Maybe the most important political story of our time. People just want the bullshit to stop.

gizmodo.com71% of Americans Say They're Completely ExhaustedA CDC report shows that people are not feeling relaxed and restful in the United States.

latimes.comA gun store opens next door to a Santa Barbara County day care, infuriating families. Will it change laws?A day care in a Santa Barbara County beach town has a new neighbor: A gun store

4 Sept

A gun store opens next door to a Santa Barbara County day care, infuriating families. Will it change laws? www.latimes.com/california/s... new from me for @latimes.com

Hailey Branson-Potts reposted

Michael Scherer

@michaelscherer.bsky.social

theatlantic.comThe Growing Lawlessness in California’s ForestsTwo frog biologists were kidnapped in the woods. More bizarre situations may come.

The only story you will read today about taking federal frog scientists hostage and Zephyr’s papaya on Gumboot Lake. www.theatlantic.com/science/2026...

Hailey Branson-Potts reposted

The Atlantic

@theatlantic.com

bit.lyThe Growing Lawlessness in California’s ForestsTwo frog biologists were kidnapped in the woods. More bizarre situations may come.

Two biologists were studying frogs in a remote national forest when a man allegedly took them hostage. Josh Partlow reports on what happened next:

Hailey Branson-Potts reposted

Kevin Rector

@kevrector.bsky.social

latimes.comWhistleblower says USPS defied court to push 'untested' portal for Trump mail voting orderThe effort is part of the implementation of President Trump's executive order limiting mail voting and has been temporarily halted by a federal judge. The ruling is being appealed by the administratio...

Whistleblower says USPS defied court to push ‘untested’ portal for Trump mail voting order www.latimes.com/world-nation...

latimes.comConvicted MAGA election denier declines job in California amid pressure from NewsomTina Peters, who served prison time for tampering with election equipment in Colorado, has declined a job offer in Shasta County, her attorney said.

Convicted MAGA election denier Tina Peters declines job helping to oversee elections in Shasta County, California, amid pressure from @gavinnewsom.bsky.social Her attorney told me she is “an American icon” too busy to focus on just one county www.latimes.com/california/s... by me for @latimes.com

latimes.comCalifornia county's election drama worsens as official locks up contested ballotsShasta County has condemned its registrar of voters, who has sought to hire a convicted election denier who served prison time to be his assistant.

California county's election drama worsens as official locks up contested ballots and say bolt cutters and warrant will be required to get them out www.latimes.com/california/s... my latest for @latimes.com

Hailey Branson-Potts reposted

Sammy Roth

@sammyroth.bsky.social

latimes.comReno became an affordable, booming destination. Fires show the limits of all that growthThe urban-wildland interface — where human development intermingles with wild places — is the fastest-growing land-use type in the U.S. A fire burning in Reno is an example of what can happen in that ...

Everyone moved to Reno for reasonably priced housing and the great outdoors. Then wildfire showed up. www.latimes.com/california/s... via @haileybranson.bsky.social

Reno became an affordable, booming destination. Fires show the limits of all that growth www.latimes.com/california/s... by me for @latimes.com

nytimes.comDolly Parton Died After Brief Battle With CancerParton had recently canceled a Las Vegas residency because of health issues. A spokesman did not provide additional details about her illness.

Dolly Parton Died After Brief Battle With Cancer www.nytimes.com/2026/08/25/a...

latimes.com‘The Emperor is a fan’: Darth Vader backs San Diego Flock surveillance camsDarth Vader defends controversial Flock surveillance cameras at San Diego city meeting.

21 Aug

‘The Emperor is a fan’: Darth Vader backs San Diego Flock surveillance cams www.latimes.com/california/s... by me for @latimes.com

latimes.comThe Dodgers are Mark Walter's crown jewel. Can he hold on to it amid federal probe?When the news broke last week that Mark Walter was selling the Lakers just one year after buying the storied basketball franchise, executives working for another crown jewel in his sports empire — the...

20 Aug

The Dodgers are Mark Walter’s crown jewel. Can he hold on to it amid federal probe? www.latimes.com/sports/story... @latimes.com

latimes.comA convicted election denier went to prison. Now, she might help run elections in a California countyShasta County registrar of voters Clint Curtis said he wants to hire Tina Peters, the former Colorado county clerk convicted of charges related to election tampering.

19 Aug

Convicted election denier Tina Peters went to prison. Now, she might help run elections in a California county where the registrar's under censure for, among other things, saying he wanted to "throat punch" staffers, an investigation states www.latimes.com/california/s... by me @latimes.com

Hailey Branson-Potts reposted

StuFalk

@stufalk.bsky.social

15 Aug

(GIFT ARTICLE) DANGER: Last year the Food and Drug Administration cut a program that tracked cyclospora outbreaks and delayed a rule that would have required companies to swiftly provide supply chain records in investigations of foodborne disease outbreaks www.nytimes.com/2026/08/15/h...

nytimes.comHow Cyclospora Evaded the U.S. Food Safety System to Sicken Thousands (Gift Article)The Trump administration delayed a rule last year that could have sped up the effort to pinpoint the source of the contamination. Critics charge that food safety oversight has eroded overall.

latimes.comA crippling cyberattack hit a small California city, shuttering City Hall. Residents wonder: Why us?A severe cyberattack paralyzed Suisun City Hall and emergency dispatch, sparking local suspicion and law enforcement interest in the small California town.

15 Aug

A crippling cyberattack hit a small California city, shuttering City Hall. Residents wonder: Why us? www.latimes.com/california/s... new by me for @latimes.com

latimes.comCourt halts Shasta County measure that eliminates most mail-in voting — for nowA Shasta County Superior Court judge has halted a voter-approved measure that would eliminated most mail-in voting

11 Aug

A Shasta County judge has temporarily blocked Measure B, a voter-approved plan to scrap most mail-in voting and to require hand-count ballots, keeping November’s election under California’s existing rules www.latimes.com/california/s... new by me for @latimes.com

latimes.comSearching for an affordable house in SoCal, she fell for a scam sweeping social mediaPam Yeager lost more than $2,500 trying to secure a new rental home, but it turned out to be a total scam. Experts say it's an example of a growing trend of fake real estate postings, often on social ...

31 July

Searching for an affordable house in SoCal, she fell for a scam sweeping social media. The actual owner had been living there the whole time, with no plans to move out. www.latimes.com/california/s... @grace2e.bsky.social @latimes.com

latimes.comDowntown L.A.'s infamous graffiti towers are finally getting cleaned upYour morning catch up: L.A.'s graffiti towers, where to find the cheapest gas in L.A. and more big stories.

31 July

Downtown L.A.'s infamous graffiti towers are finally getting cleaned up www.latimes.com/california/n... by me with for @latimes.com Essential CA newsletter

latimes.comWhile most of California suffers through extreme heat, this place is always chillYour morning catch-up: Why Eureka is so chill this summer; UC accepts a record number of Californians and more big stories

30 July

While most of California suffers through extreme heat, this place is always a chilly oasis. New from me for today's Essential California newsletter for @latimes.com: www.latimes.com/california/n...

latimes.com'Unsung heroes.' New documentary honors San Bernardino's terrorism victimsYour morning catch-up: A new documentary looks at the 2015 San Bernardino terrorist attack, California lifeguards are rescuing thousands and more big stories

29 July

New from me for @latimes.com Essential California newsletter: ‘Unsung heroes.’ New documentary honors San Bernardino’s terrorism victims www.latimes.com/california/n...

Hailey Branson-Potts reposted

latimes.comWas Mark Twain wrong about Yreka? Read about more strange California town namesYour morning catch-up: Readers submit strangest town names, Universal’s "Fast & Furious" coaster is unofficially open and more big stories

28 July

My latest for @latimes.com Essential California newsletter: Was Mark Twain wrong about Yreka? What happened when the town of Rough & Ready, CA, seceded from the Union? And more about California places with weird names www.latimes.com/california/n...

latimes.com'Where Mermaids Will Sport.' A Bay Area city celebrates its 100-year-old poolYour morning catch-up: A celebration of a 100-year-old Bay Area pool, the iconic Cinerama Dome will reopen and more big stories

28 July

Hailey Branson-Potts reposted

Nolan Hicks

@ndhapple.bsky.social

23 July

The Plunge is where I did my swim lessons as a kid. An icon, a king, Hayward’s biggest celebrity.

Hailey Branson-Potts@haileybranson.bsky.social

New from me for @latimes.com Essential California newsletter: 'Where Mermaids Will Sport.' A Bay Area city celebrates its 100-year-old pool www.latimes.com/california/n...

23 July

New from me for @latimes.com Essential California newsletter: 'Where Mermaids Will Sport.' A Bay Area city celebrates its 100-year-old pool www.latimes.com/california/n...

latimes.comIs Universal Studios Hollywood welcoming to disabled guests? Here's my experienceYour morning catch-up: Accessibility at Universal Studios, the dark side of making daylight saving time permanent in California and more big stories

22 July

New by me in @latimes.com Essential California newsletter: My dad is battling a neurological disorder and now uses a wheelchair. After mounting frustrations - busted sidewalks, broken elevators - he found joy and surprising accessibility at a SoCal theme park www.latimes.com/california/n...

latimes.comIt was a California roadside icon. Then, vandals wrecked it. The sad end for Pea Soup Andersen'sAfter abruptly closing in 2024, Buellton's iconic Pea Soup Andersen’s faces a sad, sudden end following severe vandalism and copper theft.

18 July

It was a California roadside icon. Then, vandals wrecked it. The sad end for Pea Soup Andersen’s www.latimes.com/california/s... by @hannahfry.bsky.social

latimes.comA sculpture of a giant naked woman goes on sale in San Francisco. Bring a craneYour morning catch-up: A nude statue sparks controversy, what we know about the boat accident near Alcatraz and other big stories

17 July

New from me for @latimes.com Essential CA newsletter: A sculpture of a giant naked woman goes on sale in San Francisco. Bring a crane www.latimes.com/california/n...

latimes.comThe iconic Point Vicente Lighthouse just turned 100. It needs helpYour morning catch-up: The iconic Point Vicente Lighthouse just turned 100, the U.S. is eliminated from the World Cup and more big stories

7 July

New by me for @latimes.com: The iconic Point Vicente Lighthouse just turned 100. It needs help. (Plus, a ghost story.) www.latimes.com/california/n...

Hailey Branson-Potts reposted

latimes.comThe beer queen of Northern California turns 80 this year. And she's selling her legendary breweryYour morning catch-up: Northern California's beer queen, the battle between a yoga teacher and San Diego and more big stories

3 July

The beer queen of Northern California turns 80 this year. And she’s selling her legendary brewery. Meet Barbara! www.latimes.com/california/n... by me for @latimes.com Essential California newsletter

latimes.comCalifornians, pay attention: The Colorado River is drying up at its headwatersYour morning catch-up: The Colorado River is in big trouble, Lebron James is leaving the Lakers and more big stories

3 July

Hailey Branson-Potts reposted

Ian James

@ianjames.bsky.social

1 July

Californians, pay attention: The Colorado River is drying up at its headwaters I spoke with my colleague @haileybranson.bsky.social about our reporting in the Rocky Mountains, where ranchers have never seen it this dry. Photography by @rgauth999.bsky.social www.latimes.com/california/n...

latimes.com75 years ago, Hollywood saved this town. Now Tinseltown struggles to save even itselfYour morning catch-up: Exporting Hollywood's rise and fall, California leaders cheer Supreme Court ballot ruling and more big stories

30 June

New from me in @latimes.com Essential CA newsletter from Truth or Consequences, New Mexico: 75 years ago, Hollywood saved this town on the banks of the Rio Grande. Now Tinseltown struggles to save even itself www.latimes.com/california/n...

latimes.com'Hard to believe': Access is finally coming to one of California's most glorious and inaccessible waterfallsYour morning catch-up: Access to a forbidden waterfall, get up to $1,000 for reporting illegal fireworks and more big stories

26 June

New from me for @latimes.com Essential California newsletter: ‘Hard to believe’: Public access is finally coming to one of California’s most glorious and inaccessible waterfalls www.latimes.com/california/n...

latimes.comDeadline looms for billionaire tax to make the ballotYour morning catch-up: California's billionaire tax, LAX people mover train delays and more big stories

25 June

It’s deadline day for the contentious proposal to impose a new tax on California billionaires, an idea opposed by Gov. Newsom. If supporters do not withdraw the proposal by 5 p.m. Thursday, it will be on the ballot. www.latimes.com/california/n... by me for @latimes.com

Hailey Branson-Potts reposted

The Associated Press

@apnews.com

25 June

A pair of powerful earthquakes rocked Venezuela, tearing down buildings, closing the country’s main airport and sending panicked residents of the capital pouring into the streets. At least 146 have died, the acting president said Thursday, warning that the toll was expected to rise.

latimes.comA day at Dodger Stadium with my kids cost hundreds just to get through the gateYour morning catch up: Outrageous Dodgers prices, Boyle Heights fire burns on and more big stories.

23 June

New from me for @latimes.com Essential California newsletter: A mid-week, mid-day game at Dodger Stadium with my kids cost hundreds just to get through the gate www.latimes.com/california/n...

latimes.comThe L.A. Zoo's dilapidation crisis was seven decades in the makingYour morning catch up: Drama at the L.A. Zoo, Boyle Heights air quality post fire and more big stories

19 June

The L.A. Zoo’s dilapidation crisis was seven decades in the making. New from me for @latimes.com Essential California newsletter www.latimes.com/california/n...

latimes.comA vital California highway is sliding into the sea. A proposed $2.5B tunnel would go around itYour morning catch up: Last Chance Grade, World Cup fans 'Ride the D' and more big stories.

18 June

New from me for @latimes.com Essential California newsletter: A vital California highway is sliding into the sea. A proposed $2.5B tunnel would go around it www.latimes.com/california/n...