- The suspect arrested in connection with sparking the Park Fire in Butte County has been identified as 42-year-old Ronnie Stout, a registered sex offender who was released from jail to his mother's home 18 months ago. Stout was allegedly seen pushing a burning Toyota Yaris into a ravine Wednesday afternoon, setting off the blaze that has now grown to over 164,000 acres. [Chronicle]
- Three Southern California men have been arrested in connection with the armed robbery of a US Secret Service agent during President Biden's California visit last month. The three men are accused of trying to rob the off-duty Secret Service agent, and the agent fired his weapon during the incident, apparently hitting one of the suspects as they fled. [KTVU]
- Barack and Michelle Obama have officially given their endorsement to Kamala Harris for president. The endorsement news was delivered through a video showing Kamala receiving a phone call from the former First Couple. [Asssociated Press]
- Vintage Wine Estates, the conglomerate that owns BR Cohn, Viansa, and Kunde Family Winery in Sonoma, and Clos Pegase and Girard wineries in Napa, is reportedly laying off all of its 377 employees. The company, which is in bankruptcy, says that a new buyer may hire back some of the employees. [Chronicle]
- A woman was fatally shot in East Oakland Thursday morning, in the area of International Boulevard between 20th and 21st avenues. [KTVU]
- Another brush fire out by Livermore and the Altamont Pass, the Flynn Fire, sparked by a car on fire, has closed several lanes of westbound I-580, and it's not clear when they will reopen. [Chronicle]
- Now that he's facing Kamala Harris in the election, Donald Trump is backing off his commitment to a second debate, and has apparently suggested it be moved from ABC to Fox. [New York Times]
Top images via Butte County Sheriff and CA Dept. of Justice.
