AGP Executive Report

Entertainment & Culture: Vogue World is headed to San Francisco in 2027, with the fashion-meets-music event set for early fall and details still under wraps. Music & Legacy: Motown early songwriter Janie Bradford Hobbs, co-writer of “Money (That’s What I Want),” died in Los Angeles at 87. Hollywood Business: Paramount and California officials are set for preliminary talks next week on a settlement path in the state’s lawsuit trying to block Paramount’s Warner Bros. Discovery deal. LA Attractions: The Lucas Museum’s Skywalker Grill will open Sept. 22, bringing a full menu and public dining to the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Celebrity Watch: Taylor Swift reportedly spent a night out with Dakota Johnson in Los Angeles after Johnson’s breakup. Sports (Local): Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages was placed on the 10-day IL with a fractured left hand; Alek Thomas was recalled. Global Sports: Morocco won the African men’s beach volleyball title and booked a 2028 Los Angeles Olympics spot. Tech/Media: BiliBili is expanding globally, hiring in Los Angeles and other cities as it tries to rival YouTube for Western creators. Public Safety & Media Literacy: A fake AI “polling firm” used a Los Angeles mayoral race to spread invented results before being exposed.

Dodgers Ownership Buzz: Dodgers president Stan Kasten shut down online rumors that Mark Walter’s troubles could put the team up for sale, insisting “The Dodgers are not being sold” as the franchise prepares to host the Pirates. Injury Update: All-Star center fielder Andy Pages fractured his left hand after a hit-by-pitch, with a return timeline of roughly four to five weeks. Local Arts Spotlight: MICAS in Malta is getting major international attention for Reggie Burrows Hodges’ first European solo exhibition—named among Europe’s top exhibitions this season by Frieze and Artsy. Entertainment & Music: MTV VMAs nominations landed for Burna Boy and Tems, while Liza Daniela was accepted as a voting member of the Recording Academy, amplifying Latina immigrant voices in the industry. Food Tech: California Pizza Kitchen plans to roll out up to 1,000 hot-pizza vending machines nationwide with 90-second service times. Culture & Heritage: The FBI returned 48 looted artifacts to Egypt in a Los Angeles ceremony, spanning Pharaonic, Roman, and Coptic periods. Sports Business: The NFL fined the Cowboys and Saints $500,000 each after a brawl-filled joint practice in Oxnard.

Entertainment & Media: Hulu is leaning into celebrity-friend dynamics with Khloé Kardashian’s new series, The Girls: A Khloé Kardashian Project, spotlighting her closest circle and their “more layers than social media.” Music Charts: Phoebe Bridgers lands her first solo No. 1 album with Lost Weekend, even as cancellations hit after her appendicitis hospitalization. Arts & Culture: A new push argues coral reef conservation needs art and science together, using music, film, and installations to make the underwater world impossible to ignore. Local Entertainment Business: Actorlooks launches Actorlooks Concierge, a more hands-on AI image service for actors with specific casting needs. Sports & Pop Culture: A WNBA game at Los Angeles-area coverage saw a sex toy thrown onto the court, triggering a stoppage and an arrest. LA Film/Streaming: LAPD is investigating a Nicolas Cage movie tied to a missing Netflix drive, escalating a dispute over a $45M production.

Sports Spotlight (MLB): The Dodgers open a three-game set vs. the Pirates at Dodger Stadium with Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the mound, while the Giants host the Red Sox as Rafael Devers returns to Boston. Sports Spotlight (MLB TV/Streaming): Angels-Rangers goes to Apple TV’s “Friday Night Baseball,” and Pirates-Dodgers is on SportsNet LA/SportsNet PT. Combat Sports: Amanda Serrano fights Lucrecia Manzur at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, aiming for win No. 50, live on TikTok. TV & Film: Apple TV’s golf comedy “Stick” returns Nov. 4 with Rhea Seehorn joining the cast. Fashion & Pop Culture: Madelyn Cline reacts to Sabrina Carpenter’s “House Tour” VMAs Best Direction nomination; the ceremony is Sept. 27 in Los Angeles. Arts & Community: San Francisco’s de Young Museum sells out its Late Night Editions with “Treasures of the Pharaohs” after-hours festivities. Local Entertainment Events: Greater Palm Springs lines up autumn highlights including Head Trip at Empire Polo Club and a 40th anniversary Palm Springs Pride.

Local Music & Community: Echo Park Rising returns Aug. 29-30 with two days of free music, art, food, and neighborhood stages, plus a morning tennis club and lake-stage programming. Neighborhood Events: Admiral Block Party expands this weekend with a bigger footprint and two full days of live music, vendors, and family areas along California Ave. Live Performance Spotlight: Rozz Williams: Romeo’s Distress lands at the Fox Theater in Pomona Aug. 29, pairing a documentary screening with a meet-and-greet and a rare performance by original Christian Death members. Entertainment Business & Media: Meta’s child-safety trial continues in California federal court as states argue Instagram/Facebook are designed to hook kids; Meta says it’s adding protections. Music Industry Legal: Ariana Grande wins permission to move ahead with discovery in her hacking case, allowing subpoenas to identify alleged leakers. Sports Tech & Fandom: USA Fencing bets on LA 2028 growth, reporting record membership and pushing broader marketing beyond its traditional base. Pop Culture & Streaming: “Wonder Man” star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II weighs Marvel’s cancellation, citing vague reasons tied to viewership.

LA Mayoral Showdown: Karen Bass and Nithya Raman went at it in their first debate, trading barbs on homelessness, housing, and policing—plus sharp disputes over Bass’ Inside Safe spending and Raman’s legislative record. Homelessness Policy Shift: LA City Council voted to end 12 anti-camping zones around Hollywood, a move that could reshape how residents and visitors experience the area. LAPD Recording Case: LA County prosecutors plan to reduce charges against an LAPD officer accused of secretly recording colleagues’ racist, sexist, and homophobic comments, likely steering the case toward diversion. Berkeley Encampment Fight: A judge ordered Berkeley to consider relocation options for residents at a controversial UC Berkeley-area encampment, after delays tied to legal requests. Music & Culture: Hardcore band God’s Hate marked “818 Day” with a California show honoring Bo Lueders, while Tappytoon expanded its Anime NYC presence with Club JEM merch and a panel. Sports Spotlight: The Dodgers completed a sweep of the Rockies with a 10th-inning win as Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts delivered key hits. NBA Moves: ESPN reports a multi-team trade sending Peyton Watson to Cleveland and Max Strus to the Clippers. Community & Youth Sports: Dublin opened a Knight Riders Cricket Academy, aiming to build a U.S. feeder pipeline for youth cricket.

Meta Trial: 29 U.S. states go after Meta in a landmark child-safety case, alleging Facebook/Instagram were designed to hook kids and that internal research was hidden; Meta denies the claims as the fight could reshape how platforms handle youth. Politics & Media Trust: A “mysterious” polling firm admitted it faked election poll numbers in California and Wisconsin, a reminder that unverified surveys can spread fast and mislead voters. WNBA Spotlight: Nneka Ogwumike says she’ll retire after the 2026 season, ending a decorated Sparks career that includes MVP and the franchise’s all-time scoring mark. LA Housing/Entertainment Real Estate: Los Angeles is pushing to convert underused office space into apartments, with Koreatown and Westlake highlighted as major conversion targets. Music in LA: Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw returns to Dodger Stadium Nov. 14–15 with Future, Steve Lacy, Don Toliver, Turnstile and more. Film/Streaming: Paramount+ sets a Sept. 3 streaming date for “Scary Movie,” bringing the Wayans franchise back ahead of Halloween. Local Culture: Rhythm and Runways brings fashion to Vallejo’s Vino Godfather with local designers and live music. Sports Business: California’s replacement tire rules face industry pushback as DTNA warns efficiency standards could harm consumer choice and overall performance tradeoffs.

Pop Music Spotlight: Madonna leads the 2026 MTV VMAs nominations with 11 nods, followed by Taylor Swift (9) and Ariana Grande plus Sabrina Carpenter (7 each), with the show set for Sept. 27 at LA’s Peacock Theater. Sports & Entertainment Crossover: Journey’s “farewell” tour kicks off in Los Angeles in September and lands in San Francisco in November, with the band promising an emotional homecoming. Tech, Law, and Kids Online: A landmark federal trial in Oakland opens as 29 states accuse Meta of exploiting children through addictive design on Instagram and Facebook, with California prosecutors arguing Meta “hooked” users and hid the truth. California Live Events: Sumo Championship League is bringing pro sumo to Ontario, CA on Dec. 19 at Toyota Arena. Local Arts & Nature: Mendocino Dance Project announces “Dance the Redwoods,” a site-specific immersive performance running multiple September dates at The Brambles in Philo. Sports News (LA): The Chargers suffered three injuries in one joint practice with the 49ers, adding to the preseason buzz.

Kids-Online Legal Showdown: A landmark federal trial begins in Oakland as California and three other states take Meta to court over claims Facebook and Instagram were engineered to addict children, with plaintiffs seeking up to $1.4 trillion and major platform changes. Music & Sports Crossover: The Jonas Brothers are set to headline the NFL halftime show for the Rams vs. 49ers “Melbourne Game,” bringing big pop energy to the league’s first regular-season matchup in Australia. Bay Area Tech Wealth Gap: San Francisco home prices are surging fastest in a decade, fueled by AI money, while Oakland lags—highlighting a widening Bay Area housing divide. AI Meets Labor: In San Francisco, an AI “manager” at an experimental shop reportedly fired a human worker after repeated lateness, with humans ultimately carrying out the decision. Entertainment in LA: Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” returns to Los Angeles with a limited Hollywood Pantages run through Sept. 6. Sports Spotlight: The Golden State Valkyries clinch a playoff spot after beating the Dallas Wings 78-70.

Tech & Kids Court Fight: Meta heads to trial in Oakland Tuesday as California and three other states accuse Facebook/Instagram of designing addictive features for minors, with claims that could total $1.4 trillion. Sports Business: The Buss family is selling its remaining 17.8% stake in the Los Angeles Lakers to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger, ending Jeanie Buss’s governor role after the record $12.5B sale. Entertainment Industry: David Ellison’s Paramount is pushing challengers in the Warner Bros. Discovery merger fight to post a nearly $1.9B bond if they lose, as the case heads toward an early March trial. Local Music Venue: Live Nation plans to transform San Diego’s historic Wonder Bread building into a 4,000-capacity music venue opening in 2028. Pop Culture Loss: Hayden Panettiere, known for “Heroes” and “Nashville,” dies at 36; tributes pour in. Sports Spotlight: Giants call up lefty Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson for what could be his major-league debut. Media Jobs: ABC7 KGO-TV posts multiple producer roles, including newscast producer and digital producer openings.

Hollywood Loss: Hayden Panettiere, the “Heroes” and “Nashville” star, has died at 36; her father Skip Panettiere called her “an incredible light,” and no cause has been released. Box Office Buzz: “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” keeps swinging to new highs, topping $2 billion worldwide after another strong third-weekend run. Tech + Kids: Meta is set for a major California trial over claims its platforms are harming children, with states seeking massive damages and changes to how Facebook/Instagram operate. Arts Access: The Braille Institute’s student exhibition spotlights tactile, hands-on art by blind and visually impaired creators, turning accessibility into the point. Local Culture: Tehachapi’s ArT 2026 fine-art exhibition and sale returns in November, with VIP access and proceeds supporting public art and artist mentorship. Sports Spotlight: WNBA playoff races tighten after the Fever’s overtime win over Atlanta, while the 49ers’ George Kittle says he has a chance to return near Week 1 after an Achilles tear.

Pop Music Spotlight: Karol G turned SoFi Stadium into a star-studded moment by bringing out Bruno Mars for the live debut of “Still,” filmed for the track’s official video during her sold-out L.A. run. Live Music Buzz (L.A.): Noah Kahan’s Rose Bowl show drew 56,000 fans and got even bigger when Chappell Roan joined him for “California,” a duet that capped his biggest-ever headlining date. Sports Medicine Legacy: Tommy John, the MLB pitcher whose elbow surgery became a game-changing standard, died at 83 after years battling health issues, leaving a legacy that reshaped careers across baseball. MLB Injury Update (L.A.): The Dodgers placed Justin Wrobleski on the injured list with left forearm inflammation and recalled Kyle Hurt as they manage pitching depth. Swimming Results (California): Erika Fairweather won bronze in the women’s 800m freestyle at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in California, adding to her earlier podium finishes. California Health Watch: A study links rising silicosis cases to engineered quartz countertop work, and one San Fernando Valley stone worker’s family says he’s now recovering after a double lung transplant.

Disney & Marvel Theme Parks: D23 delivered big California park news: Disneyland is finally remaking Tomorrowland, and Disney California Adventure is gearing up for Avengers Infinity Defense (opening in 2028) plus a new Coco attraction with a “casa museo” queue and a boat ride through Miguel’s Land of the Dead memories. Hollywood AI Backlash: A Los Angeles Times survey of entertainment job postings shows studios are already hiring for AI production roles and IP defense, even as performers protest and studios fight over AI use. TV Awards: The Astra TV Awards in Los Angeles crowned HBO’s The Pitt as the big winner, with Hacks and Shrinking also taking major comedy honors. Sports & Entertainment Crossover: LeBron James reunited with former Lakers Austin Reaves and Bronny on a golf course after signing with the 76ers, while Kristen Stewart looked back on Twilight with self-criticism. San Francisco Tech Experiment: An AI store manager in Cow Hollow, “Luna,” recommended firing a late employee for repeated attendance issues—then a human team followed through. Local Crime: LAPD arrested four suspects in a catalytic converter theft ring after a pursuit and recovery of stolen parts.

Social Media Legal Fallout: A Ninth Circuit ruling lets more than 3,000 lawsuits over “social media addiction” against Meta and TikTok move forward, rejecting arguments that Section 230 blocks the cases—another big moment for California’s tech-and-youth debate. Disney Pop-Culture Buzz: At D23 in Anaheim, Marvel unveiled its “X-Men” reboot cast (Adam Driver as Mister Sinister; Inde Navarrete as Rogue) and “Frozen 3” stars teased new music, including Anna and Kristoff’s wedding storyline and Olaf’s love song. Los Angeles Entertainment & Celebrity: Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger have relisted their Pacific Palisades mansion for $19.99M after multiple failed attempts. Sports + Bay Area Spotlight: MLB confirmed the 2028 All-Star Game is coming to San Francisco’s Oracle Park. Local Arts & Community: Ontario’s minor-league Buzzers will honor Big Bear bald eagle Jackie with “Fly High, Jackie Night,” with ticket proceeds benefiting eagle conservation. Music/Live Events: Riverdance returns to the stage with 2027 dates in Montreal, while John Cleese adds a second show at Just For Laughs.

Entertainment Courts & Tech: A Ninth Circuit ruling lets more than 3,000 social media addiction lawsuits against Meta and TikTok move forward, rejecting claims of protection under Section 230. Disney & Pop Culture: At D23 in Anaheim, Marvel confirmed the X-Men reboot cast and a May 5, 2028 release, while Pixar teased Coco 2 (Nov. 2029) and Frozen 3 (wedding-focused story beats). Community Arts: Westwood’s historic Directors Village theater is back with “The Odyssey,” and Los Feliz hosts a free Art & Music Block Party and mural festival Saturday. Sports Spotlight (Bay Area): MLB awarded the 2028 All-Star Game to San Francisco’s Oracle Park. Local Entertainment Business: Paramount Skydance says it cleared global regulatory hurdles for its Warner Bros. Discovery merger, but California’s state AG lawsuit still blocks closing. Music & Lifestyle: Laufey’s “A Very Laufey Day” expands to 75 cities across 25 countries for Aug. 23. Media Legal: CBS News correspondent Matt Gutman faces a sexual harassment lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Bay Area Sports Spotlight: MLB just locked in the 2028 All-Star Game at Oracle Park, bringing another massive week of baseball to San Francisco after 2007’s Midsummer Classic. Hollywood & TV: Jean Smart turned heads at the Television Academy Hall of Fame in a plunging semi-sheer black lace gown, while streaming picks spotlight new releases like Hulu’s “The Shards” and Prime Video’s “Sterling Point.” California Film/TV Policy: A bill to subsidize California post-production (AB 2319) cleared a Senate hurdle with a proposed refundable tax credit for editing and VFX, while a separate commercial production subsidy measure stalled. Music & Culture: Santa Monica-raised conductor Elias Brown won the 2026 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award, and the Dodgers Foundation honored 10 Legacy Scholars at Dodger Stadium. Community & Entertainment Life: Porterville is weighing expanding its Entertainment Zone to more areas for outdoor beer and wine at events. Tech & Youth: A Ninth Circuit ruling lets thousands of social media addiction lawsuits against Meta and TikTok move forward. Local Human Story: A downtown L.A. family is calling for justice after a hit-and-run killed a motorcyclist.