Good morning. It’s Thursday, and I’m reading about how a San Francisco-based cannabis company is collaborating with some of the best chefs in the world to create premium edibles. Onto the five USC, Los Angeles and California stories you need to know for today.

1.

Thousands of scientists working for the state of California went on a three-day strike, seeking to earn comparable pay to their counterparts in local, federal and other parts of state government. The scientists — who regulate pesticides, manage oil spills, study wildlife and protect water supplies — noted that they earn 27% less than engineers employed by the state, even though they both require specialized expertise and education.

2.

USC professors who donate to political campaigns overwhelmingly favor Democratic candidates and policies, according to Federal Election Commission data. From the beginning of this year through the end of August, 99% of all money that USC professors donated — $80,142 — went to Democratic candidates or PACs. Just $841 went to Republican counterparts.

3.

LA officials said they plan to build more electric vehicle charging stations and offer higher rebates to low-income residents looking to purchase battery-powered cars — an effort to expand access to the technology. Qualified residents can receive up to $4,000 to buy used electric vehicles, up from $2,500 under previous policies. “In order to reach a 100% clean energy transition you really need to bring everyone along,” one expert said.

4.

Crews working to repair the Highway 1 after extensive damage wrought by last winter’s storms had hoped to finish by the rainy season: no such luck. A mile-long stretch in remote Big Sur is still buried under 500,000 cubic yards of debris, causing a headache for residents and visitors traveling along the region’s only arterial road. The coming wet winter weather and continued landslides have only further slowed the already crawling pace of repairs.

5.

Chinese President Xi Jinping indicated that China might send new pandas to the United States after recalling its bears from the National Zoo earlier this month. He appeared to suggest the next pair could come to California, likely at the San Diego Zoo. Xi called the bears “envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.”

You’re all caught up. Thanks for reading Morning, Trojan, and have a good day. Anna Hsu copy edited this newsletter.

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