Here are some dates that could be very destructive with high tides and El Niño in California

• September 25, 2026

Wicked weather

The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center is saying the chance of a wetter El Niño winter is 90%. Here’s when winter storms might do the most coastal damage.

Very strong events

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association is warning that this fall and winter are likely to be very strong (up to 90% prediction), East Pacific Events: Historic “super” El Niños — such as 1982-1983 — centered in the eastern Pacific and resulted in statewide precipitation totals that were 47% to 74% above normal, often triggering severe storms, flooding, and widespread landslides.

They said, “Our understanding of El Niño and its impacts on California precipitation is limited to a small number of events — less than 30 since 1950 — with only four very strong events. Precipitation outcomes in California are driven by many factors beyond El Niño conditions.

A race against tide

On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for California in order to begin preparations for severe storms.“We do not know today where every storm will hit the hardest. But we do know that we do know enough to prepare,” Cal OES Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs said.

One of the biggest factors in the recent homes along south Orange County being destroyed from large waves in September was the high tides along with the storm surge. A king tide is a non-scientific, informal term for the highest predicted high tides of the year at a coastal location. Scientifically, they are known as perigean spring tides.

Wet weather

The state has had three “very strong” El Niño events since measurements were kept in 1950. These events were in 1982-83, 1997-98 and 2015-16.

The map below shows the percentage above normal precipitation for regions of the state during those very strong events up to 2010.

Note: The 1982–1983 El Niño winter brought devastating storms, 15-foot waves, and severe coastal erosion that damaged 11 of the 40 public piers along the California coast and caused roughly $100 million in direct coastal damages at the time

According to the California Coastal Commission, 33 oceanfront homes were destroyed, while roughly 3,000 homes and 900 coastal businesses were damaged by storm surge, waves and erosion.

A different kind of wave

Ocean scientists are warning about Kelvin Waves (not like a wave on the shore). Kelvin Waves are fluctuations in wind speed at the ocean surface at the equator that cause variations in the depth of the oceanic thermocline (As one descends from the surface of the ocean, the temperature remains nearly the same as it was at the surface, but at a certain depth temperature starts decreasing rapidly with depth. This boundary is called the thermocline). An El Niño-driven coastally trapped Kelvin Wave is moving up the coast toward California and is expected to arrive in Southern California by early October.

Kelvin Waves can be harmful for the following reasons:

• Higher flood baseline: The 6-inch to 1-foot boost raises the starting point for high tides, large surf and storm surges.

• Severe erosion: Combined with winter storms or astronomical king tides, the risk of significant coastal flooding, beach erosion and infrastructure damage increases greatly.

• Local vulnerability: Low-lying areas, seawalls, coastal roads and beach access points face the highest exposure.

How El Niño and La Niña are measured

The Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) is NOAA’s primary indicator for monitoring the ocean part of the seasonal climate pattern called the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, or “ENSO” for short. (The atmospheric part is monitored with the Southern Oscillation Index.) The ONI tracks the running 3-month average sea surface temperatures in the east-central tropical Pacific between longitude 120°-170°W, near the International Dateline, and whether they are warmer or cooler than average.

NOAA considers El Niño conditions to be present in the ocean when the ONI in that area, known as the Niño-3.4 region, is +0.5 or higher, meaning surface waters in the east-central tropical Pacific are 0.5 degrees Celsius (0.9 degrees Fahrenheit) or more warmer than average. Oceanic La Niña conditions exist when the ONI is -0.5 or lower, indicating the region is 0.5 degrees Celsius or more cooler than average.

Sources: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography

​ Orange County Register 

Tasia Fortune’s hanging was ‘staged’ after her death in a drug dispute, Mississippi police say

• September 25, 2026

By ED WHITE and SOPHIE BATES

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Investigators believe Tasia Fortune was already dead before the Black woman’s body was hanged from a tree behind an abandoned home in the Mississippi capital this summer, a detective testified Friday.

The hanging of Tasia Fortune’s body, which was found on Aug. 3, was “staged,” Jackson police Det. Samuel Dukes testified, citing the medical examiner’s opinion.

Authorities haven’t disclosed the exact cause of Fortune’s death, but they did rule it a homicide and have arrested two men, both of them Black, on murder charges and issued a warrant for the arrest of a third person.

Dukes also testified that the motive for the killing appears to have been a drug dispute. He said interviews with others revealed that Fortune fought hard before she was killed.

The case has attracted widespread attention because the scene recalled lynchings in the Southern state, which has a long and troubled history of racial violence.

Authorities haven’t said why they believe the defendants hanged Fortune’s body after she was already dead.

Dukes testified at a hearing for Jarques Ratliff, 51, who was the first person arrested in the case earlier this month. Ratliff, who has pleaded not guilty, remains in custody in the Hinds County jail without bond.

The purpose of the hearing, which will resume Sept. 30, is to determine if there’s enough evidence to send the case to a grand jury for a possible indictment.

Police arrested the second defendant, 25-year-old Earnest Lloyd Jr., this week.

During Friday’s hearing, Ratliff said that Fortune had been a friend of his.

Fortune’s mother, Christy Spivey, has said her daughter, who had four children, struggled with homelessness in recent years, and that she wasn’t sure where Fortune was living at the time of her death. She said Fortune had talked about starting a cleaning business and was trying to get her life in order.

White reported from Detroit.

​ Orange County Register 

California wages up 2.7%, eighth-smallest raises in US

• September 25, 2026

While California bosses started 2026 at the top of the charts for boosting staff, they were fairly skimpy with their pay raises.

My trusty spreadsheet analyzed a federal employment report that tracks jobs and average weekly wages across the 50 states and the District of Columbia. This quarterly data is drawn from employers’ unemployment insurance filings and is considered a more accurate tally than monthly survey-based reports.

Since good stats take time, we’re looking at the first quarter of 2026. California’s average weekly wage was $1,986. That’s the sixth-highest in the country and 20% above the national average of $1,654.

Where were wages above the Golden State? The District of Columbia at $2,725, New York at $2,363, Massachusetts at $2,201, Connecticut at $2,080 and Washington state at $1,998.

And lowest pay? Mississippi at $1,051, West Virginia at $1,188 and South Dakota at $1,211.

As for California’s economic arch-rivals, Texas was No. 13 at $1,646, and Florida was No. 19 at $1,518.

Slim raises

But when it came to pay bumps, California workers lagged most of the country.

Wages in California grew just 2.7% over the year, ranking eighth from the bottom and falling short of the nation’s 3.9% average. National inflation ran at 2.7% in the quarter, so the typical Golden State worker saw their pay raise eaten up by the high cost of living.

Biggest wage gains? New York, up 6.5%; Idaho, up 6.2%; and Wyoming, up 5.8%. Smallest raises? Hawaii, up 1.7%, Nevada, up 2.1% and North Dakota, up 2.4%.

And the rivals? Texas was No. 24 at 3.8%, while Florida ranked No. 13 at 4.3%.

Job bump

California’s small raises are a sharp contrast to one of the year’s economic surprises: statewide job growth outperforming the nation.

Remember, the Golden State is the nation’s largest job market with 18.2 million workers, 12% of the 155 million Americans who have a job.

With a workforce that big, you might figure California would be at the top of the list anyway. But the nation’s economy started 2026 in a shaky condition.

But get this: California added 163,900 new jobs in the year ended in the first quarter. That’s not only more than any other state, but it was also more than the entire country as a whole. The U.S. added just 154,800 jobs over those 12 months.

Texas had the second-largest gain, up 84,700, while 32 states lost jobs over the 12 months. Worst was Maryland, down 45,900; the District of Columbia, down 32,200; and Massachusetts, down 32,000.

And ponder the U.S. job market’s lethargy this way: Florida ranked 13th best for having a flat job market over 12 months.

Pointing it out

Despite its heft, California’s job market also shined on a percentage-point basis.

Jobs in the Golden State grew at a 0.9% annual rate in the first quarter, third-best among states and far faster than the nation’s weak 0.1% growth.

Who topped California? Nevada, up 2%, and Idaho, up 1.9%. Biggest drops? The District of Columbia, off 4.5%, Maryland, off 1.7%, and Oregon and Alaska, off 1.3%.

Jonathan Lansner is the business columnist for the Southern California News Group. He can be reached at jlansner@scng.com

• Try Jonathan Lansner’s Substack collection of economic trends. CLICK HERE!

August’s most popular Southern California real estate stories …

No. 1: Where is OC’s hottest homebuying neighborhood?

No. 2: 338-unit affordable housing complex breaks ground in Tustin

No. 3: Peek inside this Newport Coast estate that sold for $39M

No. 4: Enderle Center sold, Campo on 17th moves ahead in Tustin

No. 5: Rents rise in just 22% of SoCal. See which cities got hikes

No. 6: Home prices dip in 38% of OC. How did your ZIP do?

No. 7: LA-OC’s worst-paying jobs: Can those wages pay the rent?

No. 8: LA-OC homes still ‘unaffordable’ even with a 0% mortgage

No. 9: Corona del Mar retail center trades hands, a first in 80 years

No. 10: California housing is frozen, but not underwater

​ Orange County Register 

CIF-SS denies Huntington Beach, Crean Lutheran football players full eligibility

• September 25, 2026

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Cornerbacks Jacob Whitehead of Crean Lutheran and Gianni Porfilio of Huntington Beach have been ruled ineligible for varsity competition this season by the CIF Southern Section following their offseason transfers, the section transfer database shows.

Whitehead, a senior who transferred from St. John Bosco, has been ruled “ineligible in all sports until 9/10/28” by the section.

The 6-foot-3, 170-pound Whitehead is among five Crean Lutheran seniors committed to the University of Arizona.

Whitehead observed the transfer sit-out period at St. John Bosco last season, the section database shows. He played his freshman and sophomore seasons at Inglewood before transferring to St. John Bosco.

“CLHS respects and adheres to this decision by the CIF Southern Section,” Crean Lutheran coach Rick Curtis said this week.

Porfilio (6-2, 175) received “limited eligibility” from the section, which limits him to playing at the “junior varsity or lower” level this school year at Huntington Beach, the transfer database states.

Porfilio is a senior committed to Purdue. He arrived at Huntington Beach from Mount Miguel.

In 2024 at Orange, Porfilio had 59 receptions for 865 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Huntington Beach coach Matthew Hatchette said this week that there could be a “final ruling” in the transfer case.

Porfilio received the same eligibility status as Orange Lutheran offensive tackle Austin Attalah, who transferred to the Trinity League school late in the summer from Cajon.

Attalah unsuccessfully filled for a temporary restraining order against the section’s eligibility ruling. He has appealed the Southern Section’s ruling to the CIF State, according to his attorney Michael Caspino.

SHORT ROUTES

Tustin quarterback Ayden Edwards (AC joint) returned from a three-game absence in the Tillers’ 28-21 win against Westlake last week, Tustin coach Anthony Lopez confirmed. The junior was injured in the team’s season-opening loss to San Clemente. …

St. Margaret’s coach Dan O’Shea recently earned his 100th career win spanning his seasons with the Tartans and Corona del Mar. He reached the milestone in a 14-7 victory against Fountain Valley on Sept. 10. O’Shea enters a game against Laguna Hills on Friday with a career record of 101-34-2, according to county football historian and author Dennis Bateman. …

A big reason why Santa Margarita (5-0) has allowed only 27 points and posted three shutouts this season is its run defense. The Eagles have allowed only 62 yards rushing in five games. …

Sage Hill (3-0) enters a game against visiting Chadwick (2-1) on Friday ranked No. 6 in the state 8-man rankings by hsratings.com. Chadwick is ranked seventh.

​ Orange County Register 

No. 12 USC football seeks the right balance against No. 20 Oregon

• September 25, 2026

LOS ANGELES — Throughout Dan Lanning’s tenure as Oregon’s football coach, the Ducks have migrated south and plucked recruits out of USC’s backyard.

Now with No. 20 Oregon (2-1) in desperate need of another Southern California heist, No. 12 USC (4-0) must protect its turf.

For all their battles in recruiting, Saturday’s matchup at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum might be the most consequential contest between Lanning and USC head coach Lincoln Riley. In his fifth season at USC, Riley and the Trojans are seeking their first College Football Playoff appearance, and must go through Oregon to reach it.

In doing so, the Trojans can all but knock the Ducks out of contention and defend their territory against their Pacific Northwest rivals in recruiting and on the field.

“With games like this, there’s always a balance: You have to understand the type of intensity, the atmosphere, the quality of teams, you have to sense that and be ready to rise up to that,” Riley said Thursday.

In the past, he might have scoffed at the stakes, but in a make-or-break season, the growingly brash Riley is continuing his trend of confidence. He’s trying to discover a middle ground between motivating his players and not letting the moment overcome them.

“You don’t want to make more of these things than they are, right? And sometimes I’ve been a part of games like this where you can overdo that, and you know, and there’s a fine line, right?” Riley said. “And we’re trying to hit that perfect spot of mentality, but also settled in and trusted, you know, in what we’ve been doing, and all the preparation that’s led to this point.”

On the other hand, quarterback Jayden Maiava insisted Tuesday that the matchup with Oregon is like “any other week.”

As much as Maiava is playing it cool, USC better hope that’s just coach speak – or in this case, quarterback speak. Because if the Trojans weren’t looking ahead to the importance of Saturday’s matchup as they narrowly defeated Rutgers (0-3) last weekend, it certainly seemed like it.

Rutgers, who lost in Week 1 to a University of Massachusetts team that went winless in 2025, gained 460 total yards and scored 35 points against the Trojans.

That won’t fly against Oregon, and that won’t be acceptable for a fanbase that expected so much out of USC’s defense this season.

Another point of disappointment has been USC’s utilization of running back Waymond Jordan. He rushed for 576 yards and five touchdowns through six games before injuring his ankle last season. After multiple surgeries, he was available to start the 2026 season, but has taken a backseat to sophomore King Miller. Jordan averaged 14.7 carries per game before his ankle injury, but that’s down to 9.3 through the first four games as he ramps back up to a full workload.

Emerging out of that light four-game opening slate, Saturday against Oregon could be the perfect time to increase Jordan’s workload.

“I feel amazing,” he said Tuesday.

It hasn’t been a full dose for Jordan, but unlike other USC weapons he’s at least been out there. The Trojans will likely go into their biggest game so far this season without top wide receiver Trent Mosley, who sustained a knee injury during USC’s Week 2 win against Louisiana.

The true freshman was upgraded to doubtful in Wednesday’s injury report, which is a good sign moving forward but not for Saturday’s availability.

In his place, fellow freshman Kayden Dixon-Wyatt stepped up with five catches for 77 yards against Rutgers. Sophomore wide receiver Tanook Hines, who had 561 yards last season, has had only five catches in three games as he works back from an injury. But his continued ramp-up can also help fill Mosley’s void.

Regardless of who’s available for USC, the Trojans’ collective understanding of the moment and the stakes present with Saturday’s matchup, and how they manage them, will determine the outcome.

“I’m very excited and confident about our team and how we’ve prepared and how we’ve worked and how we’ve improved and some of the depth that we’ve established,” Riley said. “But I also know we can play a lot better, and our ceiling is still out there.”

No. 20 Oregon (2-1) at No. 12 USC (3-0)

When: 4:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

TV/Radio: NBC (Ch. 4)/ESPN LA 710 AM

​ Orange County Register 

UCLA football looks for defense to rise versus Maryland

• September 25, 2026

UCLA has faced some good talent at the quarterback position through three games.

From Cal’s Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele to Purdue’s Ryan Browne, the Bruins have seen some quality quarterback play en route to its 3-0 record.

However, UCLA coach Bob Chesney thinks the Bruins could be facing their toughest quarterback test yet in Maryland sophomore Malik Washington.

“This quarterback is young and last year was what it was. He’s an entirely different quarterback right now. I’d put him on par with the kid from Cal [Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele] and the kid we just played [Ryan Browne],” Chesney said. “I think there might be a little more to his game. He’s an exciting to watch player … he has a giant arm and he’s as accurate as can be.”

UCLA will be heading out of state for the first time this season for its first Big Ten road game to take on the Terrapins on Saturday.

The Bruins are aiming to go 4-0 for the first time since 2022.

Maryland coach Mike Locksley says the Bruins are similar to the teams they’ve faced in the sense that they have an established offensive identity.

“Bob’s done a good job of putting his system in quickly by bringing in 12 or 13 players that knew his system,” Locksley said.

Locksley particularly pointed to UCLA’s backfield, featuring Wayne Knight and Anthony Woods, as something the Terrapins have to be on the lookout for.

“They brought the guy from JMU [Wayne Knight], who understands their system. He came in and played really well at the end of the game last week,” he said. “They’ve got two heavy-handed guys that are very talented.”

When Maryland has the ball

Maryland has a budding star at quarterback in Washington. He’s thrown for 892 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions through three games. He has the arm talent to take over games himself.

Chesney said Washington’s supporting cast is something for the Bruins to take seriously.

“He’s got some guys, like some legit dudes, at receiver,” Chesney said. “The offensive line is stout. They’ve been playing together for a little while … they protect him and he delivers the football.”

Leading four players with at least 100 receiving yards for Maryland is Chris Durr Jr., who has 28 receptions for 256 yards and three touchdowns. Right behind him is Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding with 17 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns.

UCLA’s secondary will face a significant test considering how strong the Terrapins’ passing game is. Defensive backs Rodrick Pleasant and Scooter Jackson have to shine for the Bruins if they want to limit Maryland’s offense, which is averaging 32 points per game.

When UCLA has the ball

Through three games, the Bruins have worn teams down with a bruising run game and sprinkled in timely play-action passes with Nico Iamaleava’s huge arm.

Locksley believes the key to stopping UCLA is by forcing Iamaleava to throw more and limiting the Bruins’ rush attack.

“The thing we have to all understand is Nico is most dangerous when the pass play breaks down,” Locksley said. “We have to do a great job of containing Nico and making him throw the football to beat us.”

It will be interesting to see how Maryland plans on containing the Bruins’ signal-caller. Iamaleava has been getting better as the season progresses. In last week’s 52-38 win over Purdue, he arguably had his best game in a UCLA uniform, throwing for a career-high 276 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions to go with 55 rushing yards.

While wide receiver Mikey Matthews has been ruled out for the season, Semaj Morgan and Brian Rowe Jr. continue to prove themselves as reliable weapons for Iamaleava. They will be heavily relied upon against a middling Maryland secondary that allowed 314 passing yards to Virginia Tech.

Maryland (2-1) at UCLA (3-0)

When: 10:30 a.m. PT Saturday

Where: SECU Stadium, College Park, Md.

TV/Radio: Big Ten Network/790 AM

​ Orange County Register 

Sparks fire coach Lynne Roberts after 2 seasons

• September 25, 2026

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Sparks fired head coach Lynne Roberts on Friday morning, according to team officials.

Roberts, who joined the Sparks after coaching the University of Utah for 10 seasons, went 37-51 in two seasons without making the playoffs.

She was let go less than 24 hours after the season ended with a 76-75 loss to the Golden State Valkyries. The Sparks finished the season 16-28 and missed the postseason for the sixth consecutive season, which is a franchise record.

“We are grateful to Lynne for the commitment and determination she brought to the role, which was evident all the way through our last game last night,” Sparks Special Advisor Farhan Zaidi said in a press release. “Lynne has cared deeply about our organization and for our players and their development. We sincerely thank her for everything she has invested in the Sparks and wish her and her family the best moving forward.”

After what ended up being her final game, Roberts openly evaluated her two seasons.

“I’m proud of our culture in terms of these guys play their asses off, they do,” Roberts explained. “I think that’s the first sign of or the first thing you need to look at when you’re evaluating how you did as a coach is how did your team compete.”

“There was so much change and injuries and all the things but am I satisfied. No, but you can only control what you can control and that’s a tough lesson in life but I’ve learned it many times. And so myself and our coaching staff, we did everything we could to control what we can control and poured ourselves into this thing,” Roberts continued. “The players met us halfway, so I’ll have a better answer in time, in terms of perspective. Time kind of gives you a better perspective. There’s already things that I wish I could go back and change or tweak or whatever, but the moment I stop doing that I need to retire and I don’t want to retire.”

During Roberts’ two-year tenure, the Sparks were built around All-Star guard Kelsey Plum. Plum averaged 23.9 points in 12 games this season but suffered a lower leg injury in June, which kept her sidelined for six weeks before she was traded to the Phoenix Mercury for a 2027 first-round pick and guard Monique Akoa Makani. Plum, an unrestricted free agent, was traded away amid concerns that she would not re-sign with the Sparks, though Plum herself did not publicly refute that.

Veteran guard Erica Wheeler said that, looking back, the team’s goals of making the playoffs and competing for a championship were derailed when Plum got hurt. The Sparks were 7-5 with Plum in the lineup and 8-8 overall on June 21, which was the last time Plum played in a Sparks uniform.

“I think the KP injury really affected everything,” Wheeler said in an exit interview Thursday night. “She was the head of the snake. She’s responsible for about five of us being here. She recruited us to be here, so I think once that injury happened, it kind of, you know, that’s when the turn happened, and obviously the trade and stuff happened, and then people had to step up that wasn’t in those positions before. I credit everybody for just being able to stay in the paint, coming to work every day, and work hard and showing up, because it’s easy to just lie down and not show up, but we showed up every day.”

Before Thursday’s season finale, Roberts told reporters that she believed she had done enough to remain the team’s head coach next season.

“I think I have,” Roberts said. “I think again, we’ve had two tough years of injuries and I’m not trying to blame anything on that. It’s just the reality … and I think what this (organization) needs is some stability, a vision and direction, like a plan. Not that we haven’t had one, but I think now that we’ve got people in place, just give us a goal post and we’ll march down the field in that way.”

​ Orange County Register 

Nests of two olive ridley sea turtles have been moved to Aquarium of Pacific

• September 25, 2026

Concerned that heavy surf and higher tides expected starting this weekend could wash the eggs away, wildlife officials have moved two turtle nests recently buried in the sand in north Orange County.

Two olive ridley sea turtles crawled their way up the sand near the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge and near the pier in Huntington Beach to dig holes and lay their eggs. It is the first confirmed recording of natural sea turtle nests on the mainland West Coast of the United States.

Friday morning, Sept. 25, officials announced the nests had been moved to the Aquarium of the Pacific.

Biologists and experts from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Long Beach aquarium participated in making the decision, an announcement said.

The eggs will now be incubated in a temperature-controlled environment, officials said. They typically hatch within 45 to 60 days, so it is expected that by early November the babies would emerge if viable.

Hurricane Odalys, out in the eastern Pacific Ocean, is expected to start elevating surf heading into the weekend, and then Hurricane Polo, called one of the most powerful Pacific cyclones in decades, is on track to start pounding sections of southeastern-facing coast by Monday.

The hurricanes are hitting during a period of higher tides, so water will be pushing up higher on shore.

This is a developing story please check back for updates.

​ Orange County Register