Daily Business Report: October 15, 2026
Becerra Cancels LA Times Debate as Family Story Collapses
By Megan Barth | California Globe
Democrat Xavier Becerra has pulled out of a scheduled Los Angeles Times debate with Republican rival Steve Hilton, Hilton announced Monday, a retreat that comes on the heels of independent reporter Anthony Cabassa’s exposure and challenge of Becerra’s claim that his parents arrived as immigrants with twelve dollars in their pockets.
Hilton posted the announcement on X Monday afternoon, calling the withdrawal a break from a pledge Becerra made in August to participate in multiple debates.
“Becerra PULLS OUT of tomorrow’s LA Times debate,” Hilton wrote. “The move comes after a new poll found CNN debate viewers favored Hilton 74% to 20%. In August, Becerra promised MULTIPLE debates. Now after losing the first, he’s back in hiding—taking voters for granted. Pathetic!”
San Diego takes ‘big, monumental step’ for future of Balboa Park
by Drew Sitton| Voice of San Diego
The last time the city updated the Balboa Park Master Plan, President Bush was in charge — the first one — Apple still called its computers Macintoshes and Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul ruled the pop charts.
It was 1989 when the city adopted the most recent Balboa Park Master Plan. While some specific parts of the park have had focused amendments, a new plan in the works will be the first comprehensive look at the entire park in almost four decades — and city residents will play a big part.
For the overdue update, the city launched a community survey and new website Wednesday, seeking public input on the future of Balboa Park.
by Madeline Shannon | The Center Square
A prominent labor union announced this week that its taxpayer-paid members voted to go on a one-day strike after negotiations with California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office stalled.
The differences are mostly over increased salaries for government workers, which would cost the state’s taxpayers more money. It is unclear what the total monetary figure would be if the Newsom administration agreed to the union’s demand to increase workers’ pay by 7% this year, another 7% in 2027 and an additional 6% in 2028 – 20% during the next three years.
Economist Wayne Winegarden told The Center Square that the current demands for raise hikes would make things worse in a state with high taxes.
