Good morning. It’s Monday, and we’re reading about Los Angeles’ cookie craze — and where you can score the sweet benefits. Onto the five USC, LA and California stories you need to know for today.

1.

Sorry to get your hopes up. The possession of natural psychedelics like “magic mushrooms” will remain illegal in California after Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have legalized the substances. The governor cited the need for more regulation before legalizing. State Sen. Scott Wiener — who sponsored the bill — said he intends to launch a new effort next year focused on the therapeutic aspects of the drug.

2.

Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers returned to work Saturday after a mammoth three-day strike in five states and Washington, D.C. — which hit California facilities particularly hard. Both sides agreed to resume stalled contract negotiations this week, but union leaders warned that they’re prepared to go on strike again. The dispute has centered on workers’ demands for higher pay and what they characterized as a chronic staffing shortage in the nation’s largest private healthcare system.

3.

Police are increasing patrols around Jewish institutions in LA, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica in response to the war in Israel that exploded over the weekend. A handful of local leaders, including Beverly Hills Mayor Julian Gold, outright called for the U.S. to support Israel in the conflict. LA Police Chief Michel Moore stopped short, noting that his department serves both Jewish and Muslim communities.

4.

Gov. Newsom vetoed a controversial bill that would have made California the first state to ban caste-based discrimination. Newsom called the bill “unnecessary,” noting that the state already has legislation that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion and ancestry. Opponents of the bill had argued that it would unfairly target Hindus and people of Indian descent.  

5.

Young Californians committed far fewer violent crimes than they had in previous decades in the lead-up to the pandemic, a new report found. The findings could have significant implications in the state, which closed its juvenile detention facilities over the summer and has made it a priority to reduce the number of people it incarcerates. The report excluded the pandemic years because researchers are still working to understand why crime spiked across the board during that period.

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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