Crooked Bough News Round-up

— Feds pursuing 'multiple' election fraud investigations, top prosecutor says

 

at 6/5/26 11:36am

Federal prosecutor Bill Essayli says multiple California election fraud investigations are underway as state officials reject Trump's cheating claims.

— From botched ticket sales to steep water prices, World Cup fans feel the squeeze

 

at 6/5/26 10:48am

FIFA is asking 60 fans who were sold World Cup tickets for free to pay corrected face value for them. FIFA also is shutting down water refill options.

— Why does California have strong economic growth but high unemployment?

 

at 6/5/26 4:00am

California unemployment and tech layoffs climb even as the state records strong GDP growth

— Trump attorney general pick Todd Blanche could face confirmation challenges

 

at 6/4/26 3:09pm

Blanche has faced criticism for the $1.8-billion "anti-weaponization fund" created to settle a lawsuit by Trump, two of his sons and their business against the IRS.

— Senate rejects an initial attempt to ban Trump's $1.8-billion 'anti-weaponization' fund

 

at 6/4/26 1:31pm

It was the second effort in Congress to rebuke President Trump in two days, following the House vote Wednesday to rein in Trump's war powers in Iran.

— Former President López Obrador accuses Trump of plotting against Mexico's left

 

at 6/4/26 10:50am

Former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador issued a blistering statement accusing the Trump administration of using a narco-terrorism 'pretext' to weaken Mexico's left.

— Sheinbaum accuses the U.S. of meddling in Mexican affairs

 

at 6/3/26 6:19pm

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum accused the U.S. of meddling in Mexico's internal affairs after a report about two Mexican governors who had their U.S. visas revoked amid probes into possible links to organized crime.

— Value of Huntington Beach defense tech startup balloons to $1.8 billion

 

at 6/3/26 4:00am

The Huntington Beach company said it raised $300 million in its latest funding round, bringing up its valuation.

— The U.S. is investigating two more Mexican governors for connections to cartels

 

at 6/3/26 4:00am

The U.S. investigation into two Mexican governors suspected of working with organized crime threatens to deepen a growing rift between the U.S. and the Sheinbaum government.

— Supreme Court rules Alabama may redraw congressional maps to oust a Black Democrat

 

at 6/2/26 7:49pm

The decision clears the way for the governor and state lawmakers to redraw their congressional voting map with six districts that favor Republicans and one that favors a Democrat.

— Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin refuses to commit to following court orders

 

at 6/2/26 4:47pm

Mullin faced the Senate Appropriations Committee amid scrutiny over the agency's budget and immigration enforcement ahead of the World Cup.

— Aspiration co-founder sentenced to 14 years for fraud

 

at 6/2/26 3:55pm

Co-founder of eco-friendly financial firm Aspiration has been sentenced after defrauding investors.

— L.A. Rep. Jimmy Gomez reportedly faces House investigation over sexual misconduct allegations

 

at 6/2/26 3:33pm

The investigation came after the New York Post reported that the five-term congressman had been spotted kissing a much younger congressional staffer from a different office in 2023.

— Missing worker at high-security lab in New Mexico found dead in remote forest

 

at 6/2/26 3:04pm

Melissa Casias' death is part of an FBI investigation looking into dead or missing federal scientists or staff members involved in sensitive research.

— In deep-blue California, frustration with Democratic status quo roils governor, L.A. mayor race

 

at 6/2/26 12:35pm

For Democrats, little clear consensus has emerged so far on who should lead Los Angeles and California into the future.

— Trump signs an executive order to vet top AI models for national security risks

 

at 6/2/26 11:46am

The order directs the federal government to establish a voluntary early review process for the country's most advanced artificial intelligence models.

— Competition to run JPL comes at fraught moment of federal budget cuts, project overruns, management missteps

 

at 6/2/26 10:47am

A competitive contract isn't necessarily a bad thing, experts say. But the administration's anti-science record raises suspicion.

— World Cup cash grab: Simon Kuper argues politics, greed are strengthening FIFA monopoly

 

at 6/2/26 5:00am

Once a festival of affordable global fandom, the World Cup now is giving FIFA a prime opportunity to reap record profits from soccer fans.

— Monterey Park takes landmark vote on banning data centers

 

at 6/2/26 4:00am

Local governments in a few U.S. towns and cities have banned data centers, but Monterey Park could be the first city to ban them by popular vote.

— 'People are getting hurt': OpenAI sued by Florida over alleged safety risks

 

at 6/2/26 4:00am

The lawsuit alleges the San Francisco company prioritized speed and commercial gain over safety concerns, including the use of AI for self-harm and violence.

— Meta reveals details about layoffs in Playa Vista and Menlo Park

 

at 6/2/26 4:00am

Meta announces the locations and scale of layoffs affected by the social media company's most recent round of cuts.

As of 6/5/26 6:52pm. Last new 6/5/26 5:40pm.