West
LA Times editor implores ex-Californians to stop insulting the state on their way out
Los Angeles Times’ letters editor Paul Thornton implored Californians leaving the state to stop criticizing it on the way out.
“To the people leaving California: May the road rise to meet you as you seek better lives in new places. Now, can you please extend some goodwill to those of us who remain?” Thornton asked in a Saturday piece headlined, “Commentary: If you want to leave, fine. But don’t insult California on the way out.”
He went on to describe how staggering numbers of Californians are fleeing to other states.
“More than 800,000 Californians moved away in 2022, and many thousands more left last year. Often, the departees, cash in hand from the sale of their $1-million bungalows, feel the need to express disdain for their home state, and even some anger too,” he wrote.
Americans have been leaving the state of California in droves. ((Photo via Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
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Thornton went on to describe a relative of his who told him about having relocated to a small town in another state far away, but being warned against bringing “those weird California ways” to his new neighborhood.
“And which ways would those be?” Thornton asked rhetorically. “Perhaps it’s our embrace of LGBTQ+ Californians. Or it’s our liberal politics, with the state Republican Party shrunk to irrelevance after its vicious attempt in 1994 to marginalize immigrants with Proposition 187.”
Proposition 187, which passed by almost 60% but blocked by the courts from ever going into effect, proposed denying state social services to illegal immigrants. Since then, California has expanded access to government benefits and services to illegal immigrants.
The Golden State started the new year by granting illegal immigrants free healthcare, despite the state’s looming $68 billion deficit. This new healthcare policy will cover sex change surgeries for California residents without regard for their citizenship status.
The California State Capitol in Sacramento. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
WEALTHY CALIFORNIANS ARE FLEEING THE STATE, PUTTING TAX REVENUE AT RISK
“Perhaps I’m sensitive because California — and especially Los Angeles — used to be the place people would come,” Thornton wrote. “And plenty still move here, especially immigrants. I come from an immigrant family blessed by the working-class riches our state once offered.”
He touted California again as a place where putting “progressive ideals” in political practice remains a key goal.
“California is big, powerful and therefore tempting to disparage. We have 39 million people, Hollywood and Shohei Ohtani. This state is a haven for reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights, but income disparity and the housing crunch are critical problems we have to fix for progressive ideals to match the reality on the ground,” he said.
“If you must leave California for Texas, Arizona, New England or anywhere else, don’t be a person who trash-talks the home of 39 million people,” he pleaded.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, California lost a net of 75,423 people in 2023.
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Whether four-star 2028 prospect King Pitts has an offer from the Washington Huskies as an offensive lineman or an athlete, he’s firmly on Jedd Fisch and the Washington Huskies coaching staff’s radar.
The 6-foot-5, 255-pound two-way lineman is back in his native Hawaii and set to play his junior season at Kapa’a High School after playing at Cardinal Newman in California, after establishing himself as a national recruit during his sophomore year as an offensive tackle and versatile defensive lineman.
The No. 241 overall recruit—according to the 247Sports Composite—Pitts holds 43 total scholarship offers with two years still left of high school football.
As a defensive lineman, Pitts can play either defensive tackle or defensive end with his ability to be a disruptive force against the run and pass. Whichever position the Islands product ends up playing at the next level, there isn’t a question of if, but how well he’ll hold up against Big Ten and SEC-caliber talent.
UW hasn’t ventured heavily into recruiting Hawaii as much recently as the football program has in previous decades. Aside from signing tight end Kekua Aumua in the 2026 class, who began and finished his prep career at Kahuku after transferring to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, for his junior season, Fisch has only signed one other prospect from Hawaii, Mililani quarterback Treston Kini McMillan in 2025.
Over the years, the Huskies have featured several notable recruits from the Islands, including defensive tackle Faatui Tuitele in 2019 and a pair of edge rushers, Zion Tupuola-Fetui in 2018 and Hau’oli Kikaha in 2010.
If Fisch and Co. can get the coveted two-way lineman on campus for at least one, if not multiple, unofficial visits over the course of the next 12 months, UW should be a major factor in Pitts’ recruitment long-term.
From chart-topping bands and Broadway stars to comedians and inspirational performers, live entertainment has become a valued part of the BYU-Idaho experience. Brigham Young University-Idaho is pleased to announce the rebranding of its long-running Center Stage series as BYUI Live!—a new name that reflects the university’s vision to create memorable live entertainment experiences that bring BYU-Idaho students and the surrounding community together.
For decades, Center Stage has welcomed exceptional performers to campus, building a tradition rooted in the fine arts. As the series has evolved to include nationally recognized artists such as OneRepublic, Andy Grammer, and Brett Young, the need for a brand that better reflects the breadth of today’s programming became clear.
“BYUI Live! better represents what we’re trying to create,” said Tanner Christensen, who oversees the university’s live guest entertainment series. “Our goal is to bring people together through memorable experiences in our amazing venues at BYU-Idaho. We are excited to bring the community the best entertainment in the industry that the entire family can enjoy.”
BYUI Live! is designed to be more than just a series of concerts or performances. Each event is an opportunity for students, families, and friends, to spend an evening together on campus—enjoying food, activities, and community before gathering for an unforgettable live show.
The new brand launches alongside an exciting lineup of upcoming events. BYUI Live!’s first performance will feature two-time Grammy Award-winning artist Lauren Daigle on Friday, September 18 at the BYU-Idaho Center. Guest artists for the university’s annual Christmas production and other upcoming performances will be announced in the coming weeks.
While the name is changing, the mission remains the same: “to provide uplifting, high-quality entertainment that enriches the student experience, strengthens community, and creates lasting memories.”
For upcoming events and ticket information, visit BYUI Live!’s new website www.byui.edu/live
For media inquiries, please email Tanner Christensen at live@byui.edu
Where Khloe Kardashian Stands With Ex French Montana More Than 10 Years After Breakup
French Montana is done keeping up with reality TV.
In fact, he only agreed to appear on Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Kourtney & Khloé Take the Hamptons over a decade ago as a favor to then-girlfriend Khloe Kardashian.
“She said to get on the show,” he exclusively told E! News at the BET Awards on June 28. “And I got on the show. Shout out to Khloe.”
The “Ever Since U Left Me” rapper, who split with Kardashian in December 2014 after eight months of dating, said the experience was “fun” because her family kept it real.
“They filmed their real life,” he continued. “And we were part of something together that one time. So it felt great. It didn’t feel like work because they film what they do everyday.”
As for his future in reality TV, the 41-year-old said those days are over, shutting down any prospective offers with a simple, “Negative.”
Although the “Unforgettable” artist—whose real name is Karim Kharbouch—may not be returning to television anytime soon, he has no problem hanging out with his ex-girlfriend these days.
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