AGP Executive Report

Theme Parks & Animation: Six Flags Magic Mountain opened Looney Tunes™ Land in Los Angeles, a Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences-backed, family-focused expansion with new rides and character-driven areas. Anime & Film: “Sound! Euphonium, The Final Movie Part 2” dropped its main trailer and final key visual, with an Anime Expo 2026 talk panel set for July 3 in LA. World Cup in California: As FIFA World Cup preparations ramp up, SoFi Stadium workers voted to authorize a strike unless ICE is kept out of the venue, while Iran accused the U.S. of discriminatory visa denials for parts of its team. Sports Spotlight (LA): Nelly Korda surged into a share of the U.S. Women’s Open lead at Riviera, while two amateurs—Asterisk Talley and Aphrodite Deng—turned heads in the tournament’s third round. Local Culture: San Francisco’s iconic Pink Triangle returned to Twin Peaks for Pride Month, with volunteers building the expanded symbol over two days. Elections & Public Trust: Los Angeles mayoral vote counting stayed in the spotlight as Spencer Pratt questioned how ballots are tallied after late drops tightened his gap with Nithya Raman.

California Politics: CBS News projects Xavier Becerra advances to November in the governor race, while Steve Hilton fights for the second spot as vote counting drags on—plus the same suspense hangs over the LA mayor contest. World Cup Labor & Security: SoFi Stadium workers at UNITE HERE Local 11 voted to authorize a strike ahead of the tournament, raising fresh pressure for FIFA operations in Los Angeles. Medi-Cal Dental Cuts: Starting July 1, some Medi-Cal adults in Pasadena face loss of full-scope dental coverage, limited to emergency care unless they meet federal immigration requirements. Celebrity & Pop Culture: Chris Brown fires back in a custody fight seeking joint legal and physical custody; Kim Kardashian turns heads supporting Lewis Hamilton at Monaco. Sports & Entertainment Crossover: The Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki posts a 1-0, hitless-through-4 1/3 start in his latest breakthrough. Streaming/Business: Netflix names Jay Hoag board chair after Reed Hastings’ departure. Tech & Games: IO Interactive says 007 First Light has sold 3 million copies in under two weeks. Film/TV Buzz: Matt Damon calls Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey his hardest movie, praising the “no green screen” approach.

Hollywood Crime: Veteran actor James Handy, known for Top Gun: Maverick and Jumanji, was fatally stabbed in Tarzana; prosecutors have charged his girlfriend’s son, Michael Gledhill, with murder, and the case is headed to mental health court evaluations. Sports (LA): Freddie Freeman’s walkoff homer in the ninth gave the Dodgers a 1-0 win over the Angels in the Freeway Series opener. Women’s Golf (Riviera): Alison Lee and Ruoning Yin share the U.S. Women’s Open lead after two rounds at Riviera in Pacific Palisades, with Nelly Korda surging after a 67. LA Politics: Los Angeles mayoral primary counting continues as Nithya Raman closes in on Spencer Pratt, while Xavier Becerra advances toward November in the governor race. Tech/Business: Google signed a $920M-a-month compute deal with SpaceX for AI infrastructure through mid-2029. Entertainment (Film): LA’s American Cinematheque is leaning into “Bleak Week,” a festival built for audiences who want darker, despair-leaning cinema.

Election Drama: California’s primary vote count is still dragging, with 39% of ballots uncounted as governor and Los Angeles mayor races remain too close to call—prompting fresh criticism and Trump’s renewed “cheating” claims. Local Arts & Culture: A vacant Los Angeles hospital is being transformed into “Hospital of Emotions,” with 70 artists turning rooms into immersive works on joy, love, fear, anger, hope, sadness, compassion, and resilience. Film & TV Buzz: “Scary Movie 6” heads to theaters with creators defending the spoof’s surprises, while Apple TV+’s “Cape Fear” premieres in LA with Amy Adams drawing major attention. Human Stories in Film: Palestinian Mexican documentary “Traces of Home” moves audiences at TCL Chinese Theatre, with Melissa Barrera getting involved after seeing its emotional impact. Sports Spotlight: USMNT defender Chris Richards sits out the Germany send-off with a decision looming, and the NHL’s Lady Byng goes to Montreal’s Cole Caufield. Crime & Court: Los Angeles police arrest the son of James Handy’s girlfriend after the actor is found stabbed; separately, a San Francisco jury deadlocks in a pro-life advocate’s Planned Parenthood video case, forcing a mistrial.

Hollywood Tragedy: “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Jumanji” actor James Handy, 81, was fatally stabbed in Tarzana; LAPD says the suspect was his girlfriend’s son, Michael Gledhill, arrested on a murder charge after a 911 call. Film & Culture: “Scary Movie 6” creators, including the Wayans, pitch the new spoof as a response to “cancel culture,” aiming to keep comedy “healthy” and “healing.” World Cup Spotlight (LA): SoFi Stadium workers vote on a strike authorization ahead of the 2026 World Cup, citing stalled contract talks and demanding a bigger share of event profits. Sports (Women’s Golf): Jennifer Kupcho grabbed an early lead at the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera after a 5-under 66. Tech/Business: Kpler secured a $1B investment from Sixth Street, valuing the shipping-data firm near $4B. Public Health (SF Bay Area): A study finds gaps in menopause care for women living with HIV, with many clinicians lacking formal training.

California Governor Race: Vote counting keeps the state’s governor primary in flux, with Republican Steve Hilton leading at 27.6% and Democrat Xavier Becerra close behind at 27.5%, while billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer sits at 19.6% and Chad Bianco at 11.3%—and Steyer’s path forward looks extremely narrow. Local Arts & Community: Mariposa County Arts Council kicks off its free “Music on the Green” summer concert series June 5–6 with Yosemite Jazz Band and Clan Dyken. Youth Tech Policy: A new review says the studies often used to justify social media bans for teens didn’t actually test kids under 16, raising questions about how those rules are being decided. Music & Culture in LA: The Grammy Museum hosts its Hip-Hop Block Party June 16 with performances, panels, open mics, and fashion programming. Entertainment Spotlight: Jennie Garth talks “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” and how it helped shape her self-choosing journey ahead of “Scary Movie 6” buzz. World Cup Watch: LA County Sheriff’s warns of FIFA World Cup scams as the tournament approaches, urging fans to buy only through official channels.

School Safety & Violence: A shooting after a graduation ceremony at Fairfield High School in Suisun City left 1 dead and 3 injured, with police calling it an active scene after shots erupted in the parking lot following the event. Baseball Spotlight: Logan Webb carried a no-hitter into the seventh as the San Francisco Giants edged the Milwaukee Brewers 1-0, while the Angels powered a 16-hit finale win over the Rockies 11-4. TV/Streaming Buzz: Javier Bardem and Amy Adams star in Apple TV’s “Cape Fear” adaptation, with Bardem describing the role’s animal-like menace. LA Politics: Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass is projected to advance to the Nov. 3 runoff, where she’ll face either Spencer Pratt or Nithya Raman. Sports Headlines: NBA Finals Game 1 went to the Knicks over the Spurs 105-95, and an arrest warrant was issued for 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk in a speeding case. Music & Culture: “Scary Movie” returned to theaters with a Los Angeles premiere red carpet featuring Anna Faris and the Wayans brothers.

California Politics: Votes were still being counted in the state’s gubernatorial “jungle primary,” with Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton leading for two runoff spots while Tom Steyer lagged, and LA’s mayoral race heading toward a November showdown after Karen Bass advanced. LA Mayoral Race: Reality TV outsider Spencer Pratt surged into the conversation as voters weighed crime, homelessness, and whether they want “change” from the incumbent. Sports & Entertainment: EA announced Madden NFL 27 cover star Caleb Williams; the NBA Finals matchup is set as Spurs vs. Knicks with UK broadcast details; and the Lakers’ offseason buzz includes LeBron James retirement chatter plus Aaron Donald comeback talk. Music & Film: A new Netflix reality series, Calabasas Confidential, spotlights nepo-baby Preston Pippen; and Apple TV’s Cape Fear gets a harsh review as a “tile” that’s hard to love. World Cup in LA: FIFA named Davido for the World Cup Countdown Concert at Crypto.com Arena. Tech/Media: Plex is rolling out more social discovery features across streaming.

World Cup Tourism: Taiwan Tourism Administration kicked off a Bay Area campaign with a pop-up at San Francisco Premium Outlets, using an Airstream display, 3D photo art, giveaways, and travel help to ride World Cup momentum. Arts & Culture (Music): Paul Simon brings his “Quiet Celebration” tour to Stanford’s Frost Amphitheater June 3–4, with the first half spotlighting “Seven Psalms.” Film/TV: Tom Holland says he had to call Sony to delay “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” so he could film Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” which finished early. Crime & Courts (LA): “How I Met Your Mother” actor Nick Pasqual was sentenced to 32 years to life for the 2024 stabbing of Hollywood makeup artist Allie Shehorn. Public Safety (Bakersfield): Police say a man barricaded himself inside a Chase Bank with hostages after a confirmed bomb threat, with a perimeter and negotiators on scene. Sports Business (NBA): Steph Curry signs a long-term deal with China’s Li-Ning, framed as a multi-category co-creation partnership. Local Politics (LA): Early returns show Mayor Karen Bass leading in the June 2 mayoral primary, with Spencer Pratt and Nithya Raman close behind.

Toy Story 5 Music Buzz: Taylor Swift has officially confirmed she’ll write and release a new original song for Pixar’s Toy Story 5, titled “I Knew It, I Knew You,” with streaming availability set for June 5. K-pop Spotlight: Mamamoo shared a teaser for “4 Flowers,” previewing its upcoming comeback single album 4ward and signaling a return to music and touring. Community Arts Calendar: The Hercules Cultural Festival returns this Sunday, June 7, to Hanna Ranch Park with free admission, live music, dance, and 50+ vendors expected to draw 7,000+ attendees. Film Festival for “Bleak” Tastes: Los Angeles’ American Cinematheque is expanding “Bleak Week,” a festival built around cinema of despair, now going global across dozens of cities. Music in the Bay: SFJAZZ marks Miles Davis and John Coltrane centennials with a multi-night tribute that reimagines classic material in fresh styles. Pop Culture Meets Politics: Spencer Pratt’s Los Angeles mayor bid keeps intensifying as he leans into a Trump-style campaign approach while the primary race tightens. Sports-Entertainment Crossover: IGN Live 2026 is set for downtown Los Angeles with 170+ playable stations and celebrity interviews, blending games, TV, movies, and collectibles. Hollywood Wardrobe Preservation: Margaret’s Couture Cleaner conserved a historic Jean Louis Marilyn Monroe dress for display at the Academy Museum as part of Monroe’s centennial celebration.

Sports-Entertainment Crossover: MLB teamed up with Mookie Betts and his daughter for a “Toy Story 5” TV promo, with Woody, Buzz and Jessie pulling her into the dugout for a baseball showdown ahead of the July 19 release. Music & Fashion: Stephen Curry ended sneaker free agency with a long-term endorsement deal with Chinese sportswear giant Li-Ning, a move that also expands Curry Brand into new products and stores. Local Arts & Lifestyle: Los Angeles aromatherapist Yuli Guo debuted her scent-and-stone “Aroma Jewelry” at a Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce event, blending wellness ritual with wearable design. Pop Culture Legal Drama: M.I.A. filed a $2.8 million lawsuit against Kid Cudi over his “Rebel Ragers” tour, alleging breach after she was dropped. California Politics (Entertainment-Adjacent): Los Angeles mayoral race coverage keeps spotlighting Spencer Pratt’s outsider pitch and viral AI-style attacks as the June 2 primary nears. Sports Social Media Backlash: Giants’ Matt Chapman weighed in on the hate MLB players face online, saying he stepped away from social media to cope.

Tech & Mobility: Waymo is rolling out its newest all-electric robotaxi, the Zeekr-made “Ojai,” with limited free rides in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco as it works toward wider expansion. Sports & Entertainment: Los Angeles is gearing up for 2026 FIFA World Cup security planning, with a public safety news conference set ahead of matches starting June 11 at SoFi Stadium. Media & Streaming: DirecTV is blacking out 54 E.W. Scripps stations nationwide, including several in Florida, after contract talks broke down—another reminder of how fast TV access can change. Local Arts & Culture: San Diego’s summer arts calendar spotlights major exhibitions, including “Giants” at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego featuring works from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys. Politics & City Life: With the LA mayoral primary Tuesday, Karen Bass faces a tight three-way race as Spencer Pratt’s campaign keeps gaining attention. Music & Pop Culture: Ariana Grande’s new video leans into a haunting storyline with Justin Long, while Dua Lipa and Callum Turner’s marriage is confirmed by London officials.

Labor Watch: MLB’s owners and players are still talking past each other on a new collective bargaining deal, with the league pushing a strict cap-and-floor plan and a 50/50 revenue split while star voices like Bryce Harper warn the sport can’t lose momentum heading into 2027. World Cup Buzz: Australia named its final 26-player Socceroos squad for FIFA World Cup 2026, including first-timers Cristian Volpato and Tete Yengi, plus a mix of veterans chasing milestones under coach Tony Popovic. Streaming Picks: Netflix’s June 2026 lineup leans into big-event soccer coverage and a handful of standout originals, including Michael Jackson: The Verdict and Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2. Hollywood Spotlight: Hollywood kicks off Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday celebrations with a major Academy Museum exhibit and monthlong screenings, plus more Monroe memorabilia auctions and events. Pop Culture: Ariana Grande drops “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” framing it as a bold, business-minded pivot as she readies her next album. Local Politics & Culture: Los Angeles mayoral race drama heats up as Spencer Pratt shares a viral video tied to homelessness and ballot drop boxes. Tech & Public Health: Google seeks federal approval to release 32 million AI-bred, Wolbachia-treated mosquitoes in California and Florida as part of its Debug initiative.

California Politics & Voting: With the June primary days away, California Democrats are urging voters to return ballots, while local reporting highlights how election offices are pushing for easier, more visible in-person voting options. Trans Sports & Youth Athletics: AB Hernandez closed her high school career with state titles in the high jump and triple jump, as the debate over trans athletes’ participation in girls’ sports keeps driving national attention. Tech, Science & Public Health: Google is seeking federal approval to release up to 32 million AI-bred mosquitoes in California and Florida to disrupt disease transmission. TV & Streaming Buzz: Apple TV+’s “Cape Fear” remake and the renewed “Heated Rivalry” (Season 2 set to film in August) are among the week’s standout entertainment updates. Sports & LA Spotlight: Mexico edged Australia 1-0 at the Rose Bowl in a World Cup warm-up, with the tournament’s California matches bringing more attention to local venues. Arts & Local Culture: LA’s independent publishers are set to gather at LITLIT, the Little Literary Fair, spotlighting West Coast small presses.

World Cup Build-Up: The CommBank Socceroos’ penultimate FIFA World Cup tune-up is set for Mexico vs. Australia at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, with coach Tony Popovic using the final roster cuts to lock in the 26-player squad. Sports & Entertainment Crossover: The Dodgers host the Phillies in a key LA series moment, while the Sparks keep rolling without Kelsey Plum as Erica Wheeler and Nneka Ogwumike power another win. Art & Local Culture: Laguna Art-A-Fair creator Elliott Sylvester just took a Beverly Hills Art Show first-place win, and Susannah B is set to perform her “Laguna” love song at a free Laguna Beach First Thursday Art Walk event. Hollywood & Celebrity Real Estate: Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. list their Brentwood home for $10.5M. Tech Meets Pop Culture: Blackmagic AI launches a cheaper, OpenRouter-compatible unified API gateway—one key, one balance, many models—aimed at developers building the next wave of AI media. Music History Spotlight: A Miles Davis centennial exhibit opens in LA with rare photos and family-linked materials. Legal/Consumer Tech: California’s social media age-limit bill advances, targeting addictive features for kids under 16.

Hollywood & Politics: David Ellison’s push to merge Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery is drawing fresh backlash, with thousands of artists and workers signing an open letter warning the deal could reshape major media power in ways that worry creatives. Pop Culture: Britney Spears broke her silence on an “interesting” year after her DUI and rehab, describing emotional struggles in a now-deleted Instagram post. Film Legacy: Marcia Lucas, the Oscar-winning editor of the original 1977 Star Wars, has died at 80, leaving a major mark on how blockbuster editing is done. Tech & Entertainment: Stanford-founded freebeat.ai says it’s launching the first real-time music video generator that creates visuals as a song plays—no pre-rendered clip. Music & Streaming: Netflix’s K-Pops! is landing with a big Rotten Tomatoes vs. Metacritic split, fueling debate over whether the Anderson .Paak-led movie is a hit or a miss. California Public Life: Google is seeking approval to release up to 32 million treated mosquitoes in California as a public health experiment, while a Polis veto in Colorado keeps a social media threat-reporting bill from taking effect. Local Spotlight: A Sebastopol BBQ is facing neighbor complaints over “excessive” smoke, and a fisherman was left in critical condition after being swept into the ocean at San Francisco’s Baker Beach.