Good morning. It’s Friday, and these are the five USC, Los Angeles, and California stories you need to know for today.

1.

Billionaires have taken over U.S. politics by pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into state and federal elections. Nobody has given more than Miriam Adelson, a staunchly pro-Israel, diehard MAGA donor who’s a non-voting member of USC’s board.

Clara Ence Morse and Eric Lau / The Washington Post

2.

Last week, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt headlined USC’s inaugural AI Summit, joining USC’s president for a 40-minute on-stage conversation. Yesterday, a former romantic partner accused Schmidt of sexually assaulting her and spying on her Google account.

Laurence Darmiento / Los Angeles Times

3.

In new court filings, USC largely dismissed claims by a law professor who accused her ex-husband — who’s also a USC professor — of having an affair with a student. USC denied that it violated Title IX regulations and in some cases cited the statute of limitations.

Christine Charnosky / Law.com

4.

Annenberg Media asked students what they’re thankful for. Some responses were wholesome — others were funny. EVK. The chance to play Fortnite every night. Rock’s coffee. The 45% of campus that doesn’t own a scooter.

Kajal Reddy Padi / Annenberg Media

5.

The California Science Center, which is just across the street from USC, has long planned to display the space shuttle Endeavour in its towering vertical launch position. Earlier this week, the museum gave reporters a sneak peek of the exhibit. LAist published several photos at the link below.

Makenna Sievertson / LAist

Yesterday, I didn’t realize that the quiz I linked to was paywalled. Nevertheless, congrats to reader Robert E. for winning the competition with this email.

Subject: Paywall, cannot test my 8th-grade skills

An 1899 eighth-grader would not know how to email the editor, so I am clearly smarter thus earning a prize.