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By Tomoki Chien & Claire Qiu

Good morning. Here are the five USC, Los Angeles and California stories you need to know for today.

1.

Mark Ridley-Thomas, a prominent former LA City Council member, was found guilty of bribery and conspiracy for allegedly pushing initiatives favorable to USC during his time in office in exchange for his son’s admission, scholarship and later faculty job at the university. Marilyn Flynn, a former USC dean who allegedly conspired with Ridley-Thomas, previously pleaded guilty as well.

Frank Stoltze / LAist

2.

Gov. Gavin Newsom will mount a renewed attack against Republican stronghold states by putting $10 million toward a new political action committee. The governor — increasingly involved in national politics — has sought to juxtapose California’s progressive agenda with that of states who are limiting abortion rights and expanding gun laws.

Jeremy B. White / Politico

3.

A proposed California bill would establish an “Ebony Alert” system to inform locals of missing Black children and young women ages 12 to 25 — similar to the “Amber Alert.” The senator who proposed the bill cited the underreporting and overrepresentation of missing Black children and young women in California.

Noah Goldberg / Los Angeles Times

4.

California’s reparations task force said it won’t suggest how much money the state ought to compensate Black residents, instead leaving that number up to the Legislature. Economists earlier this week estimated that it would cost $800 billion to properly compensate for decades of over-policing, disproportionate incarceration and housing discrimination.

Janie Har / Associated Press

5.

Got hay fever? You’re probably going to be miserable this spring. The winter’s heavy rain is likely to give way to a high pollen count as trees, weeds and grasses blossom across California’s green landscape. Try keeping windows shut or conducting any outdoor exercise routines before dawn or in the evening to avoid the midday pollen peak.

Louis Sahagún / Los Angeles Times

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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