Talk of Harris successor sets off California guessing game
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is already being lobbied by hopefuls and numerous names are emerging in the early speculation. (Kevin Dietsch/Pool Photo via AP, File)LOS ANGELES The possible election of U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris as vice president has kicked off widespread speculation in California about who might replace her. Gavin Newsom, who would choose a replacement if Joe Biden and Harris defeat President Donald Trumps ticket. For Newsom, the list choices is long and the political risks many, especially with a national reckoning on racial injustice underway.
LA mayor takes on new roles amid unrest, cuts police funds
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti joins pastors and marchers outside LAPD Headquarters during a demonstration demanding justice for George Floyd, Tuesday, June 2, 2020 in Los Angeles, Floyd, a black man, died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (Sarah Reingewirtz/The Orange County Register via AP)LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES (AP) The outrage over George Floyd's death arrived at Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcettis front door in the form of hundreds of shouting protesters gathered outside his home, loudly chanting to gut funding for the police department. City officials will identify as much as $150 million to slash from the Los Angeles Police Department budget of nearly $2 billion. There are a lot easier jobs than being mayor of Los Angeles, Garcetti said during a briefing Tuesday in which sirens could be heard wailing outside City Hall. Then, beginning in mid-March, the virus took hold, prompting the mayor to issue a stay-at-home order that remains in place.