West
Bianco says ‘Democrat policy is indefensible’ as GOP candidates top California governor polling
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
California Democrats are reportedly panicking over the possibility that the state’s jungle primary system could send two Republicans to the November ballot, a scenario Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco told Fox News Digital is the result of “decades of complete Democrat failure.”
The New York Post reported that Democratic lawmakers are privately warning a crowded and “uninspiring” field of candidates could split the vote in California’s top-two primary system, allowing Republicans to advance to the two-person runoff in a state long dominated by Democrats.
One Democratic state legislator described the situation as a “sh**show,” while another criticized party leadership for doing little to consolidate the field, according to the Post. Under California’s system, only the top two vote-getters, regardless of party, advance to the general election.
Polling cited by the Post shows former Fox News host Steve Hilton leading with 17% support, followed by Bianco at 14%. Rep Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., also polled at 14%, with former Rep. Katie Porter at 12% and billionaire Tom Steyer at 9%.
EXTREME SPORTS STAR LASHES OUT AT NEWSOM FOR KILLING THE CALIFORNIA DREAM: ‘WHAT HAPPENED?’
Former Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco did not mince words while commenting on the weekend’s California Democratic Party convention, calling the platform “indefensible” in an interview with Fox News Digital. (Getty Images)
The concern comes as Democrats gather this weekend in San Francisco for their state party convention, where candidates are expected to make their case to party activists ahead of the June primary.
Nancy Pelosi took to the stage as well as gubernatorial hopefuls Swalwell and Porter at Moscone Center.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa dismissed the possibility of two Republicans advancing.
“At the end of the day, everybody has a right to run,” Villaraigosa told the Post. “The notion that two Republicans can win [the primary] is poppycock.”
UFC CHAMPION TITO ORTIZ REVEALS HE FLED HOME STATE CALIFORNIA BECAUSE OF NEWSOM’S LEADERSHIP
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., speaks at the 2026 California Democratic Party State Convention in San Francisco, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Bianco disputed that assessment.
“Yeah, so yes, I think it’s a little bit odd that they’re panicking about that, and they don’t recognize that it’s because of decades of complete Democrat failure,” Bianco told Fox News Digital.
“It’s not because of a lack of a Democrat candidate, it’s the lack of a Democrat policy that they can show has helped California. The Democrat policy is indefensible in California.”
Responding to Villaraigosa’s dismissal, Bianco pointed to polling trends.
NO CLEAR CHAMPION OF CASH PAYMENT REPARATIONS AMONG DEMOCRATS IN CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL RACE
California gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell waves before speaking at the California Democratic Party State Convention in San Francisco, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
“Obviously, polling contradicts that statement,” he said. “Two Republicans have been ahead in the polls for the last six months.”
Bianco said he believes voter sentiment is shifting more broadly.
“California is looking for change. They are looking for honesty, integrity, transparency, and leadership,” he said. “And that is why they’re looking at me to be their next governor.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The California Democratic Party did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
It is still unclear which of the eight Democrat gubernatorial candidates will receive the party’s official nomination leaving the convention this weekend.
The New York Post reported that Democrats fear vote-splitting among multiple candidates could allow Republicans to capture both top spots, a scenario that could put a Republican in the governor’s office for the first time since Arnold Schwarzenegger left in 2011.
Read the full article from Here
Alaska
Fatal crash closes Glenn Highway southbound lanes near Eagle River
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The southbound lanes of the Glenn Highway were closed Thursday morning near the S-curves due to a fatal crash, according to the Anchorage Police Department.
Police confirmed shortly after 11 a.m. that at least one person was dead. As of 12:45 p.m., one southbound lane is now open to traffic.
An Alaska’s News Source reporter on the scene said the crash took place near the Eagle River Loop Road. Video from the scene shows multiple vehicles took damage in the incident.
This is a developing story. It has been updated with new information.
See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com
Copyright 2026 KTUU. All rights reserved.
Arizona
Arizona Cardinals’ Jordan Burch takes lessons from rookie year
Cardinals’ Burch shares what he learned as a rookie in 2025
Arizona Cardinals second-year player Jordan Burch says his defensive line teammates have formed a bond heading into the 2026 NFL season.
Last year in early July, Cardinals edge rusher Jordan Burch was a rookie third-round draft pick out of Oregon who was looking forward to his first NFL training camp and eventual first season.
That rookie year is behind him now, and Burch has identified what he needs to improve on heading into his second season. He said he now knows what to expect and look for, and after talking with outside linebackers coach Matt Feeney, Burch built an offseason plan with which he was comfortable.
“I don’t think anything was like a surprise,” Burch said on Thursday, July 9, at the Cardinals’ Tempe headquarters. “I kind of know what to prep for, so this offseason I can look at my old plays, and then I can call my coach and tell him, from last year to this year, what does he want to see on the field.”
Burch seeks to improve his pass rush. He played in all 17 games last season and had five solo tackles with a sack, and also broke up three passes.
Much of his position was dropping into pass coverage, so Burch looks to recognize pass catchers’ routes better in 2026. He gets help from veteran Josh Sweat, who is there to answer questions about the position they share.
“Every week, every game going against somebody good,” Burch said about takeaways from last season. “The talent of the quarterbacks. We’re playing the Rams, how quickly they get the ball out.”
Burch looks forward to building a stronger bond with his teammates, having invited some of them for dinner or to watch TV. He said he was happy with his progress as a player throughout last season.
The Cardinals open training camp Wednesday, July 22, at State Farm Stadium. It’s a week earlier than most teams because Arizona plays the Carolina Panthers in the Aug. 6 Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.
Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald will be among those inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Aug. 8.
California
Southern California police vow to quash planned ‘takeover’ event following recent chaos
Huntington Beach police are vowing to prevent a potential “takeover” event being promoted across social media that they believe could get out of control.
Police said they became aware of the event from a flyer online advertising an “end of summer beach bash” in the city.
“Dear ‘Beach Bash’ organizers…” police said in an Instagram post Thursday. “Thanks for the flyer. We’ve seen it too.”
They continued, “We have no intention of allowing that to happen here.”
No further details were provided about when the event was planned to take place or the exact location.
Police and the city of Huntington Beach said they’re working to prevent the event following similar events in Southern California that resulted in violence, vandalism and other criminal activity.
One chaotic event that was held in Newport Beach on the Fourth of July ended with more than 400 people being arrested, according to police. Some partygoers were seen fist fighting, while others allegedly vandalized property and local businesses, including a Pavilions grocery store.
Newport Beach police said social media posts drew a large influx of people to Newport Pier in a short amount of time, and the event got out of control.
Huntington Beach PD warned that anyone who organizes, promotes or participates in criminal activity associated with a takeover event may be arrested or prosecuted. Charges may include incitement to riot, vandalism, theft, assault, reckless driving, unlawful assembly, conspiracy or other applicable offenses.
They also warned that juveniles would not be exempt from punishment, and parents or guardians may also be liable for damages caused by their child’s actions.
The HBPD Special Investigations Bureau has already identified individuals believed to be involved in organizing and promoting the event, according to police.
If you have information regarding this event, you are urged to contact Huntington PD’s Special Investigations Bureau at 714-536-5991.
-
Austin, TX2 minutes agoThink tank says state education reforms have set up future of the ‘Texas Miracle’
-
Alabama8 minutes agoNew Alabama women’s basketball coach Pauline Love credits late mentor for coaching career
-
Alaska11 minutes agoFatal crash closes Glenn Highway southbound lanes near Eagle River
-
Arizona16 minutes agoArizona Cardinals’ Jordan Burch takes lessons from rookie year
-
Arkansas23 minutes agoDino Fest brings interactive experiences, lifelike dinosaurs and reptiles to Arkansas July
-
California26 minutes agoSouthern California police vow to quash planned ‘takeover’ event following recent chaos
-
Colorado32 minutes agoBody found in western Colorado believed to have been eaten by bear
-
Connecticut38 minutes agoCBIA BizCast: Snapshot of Connecticut’s Economy » CBIA