Less than 1: PM Edition, May 20

Less than 1: PM Edition, June 4

This evening on Less than 1: an Orange County judge takes under submission whether the Supreme Court's recent decision narrowing the federal Voting Rights Act could doom a challenge to Huntington Beach's at-large elections under California's own voting rights law — with a UCLA expert warning the state statute could face a very serious constitutional challenge. And: a defense attorney urges a federal magistrate to force Quinn Emanuel to disclose who's bankrolling a fraud suit, suggesting the Chinese government may be pulling the strings. Plus, from the New York Times: a Newport Coast businessman is charged with routing American networking equipment through the UAE to Iran's nuclear agency and Ministry of Defense for more than a decade. Supreme Court's voting rights decision tests reach of California's election law https://dailyjournal.com/articles/391898-supreme-court-s-voting-rights-decision-tests-reach-of-california-s-election-law Defense lawyer wants Quinn Emanuel to disclose who's paying the bills https://dailyjournal.com/articles/391905-defense-lawyer-wants-quinn-emanuel-to-disclose-who-s-paying-the-bills (NYT) California Man Was Selling Restricted U.S. Tech to Iran, U.S. Says https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/us/sanctions-iran-nuclear-military-violations.html

Less than 1 - PM Edition, June 3

This evening on Less than 1: Los Angeles city attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto appears to concede defeat as Marissa Roy and John McKinney head toward a November runoff — plus two Bay Area incumbent DAs cruise to early leads in races watched statewide. Also: House Republicans advance a constitutional amendment to cap the Supreme Court at nine justices, and the L.A. City Council moves to delay a state transit-housing law with a local alternative. Stories mentioned in this episode: LA city attorney appears to concede defeat in 4-way race https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/391868-la-city-attorney-appears-to-concede-defeat-in-4-way-race Incumbent Bay Area DAs cruise to victory https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/391869-incumbent-bay-area-das-cruise-to-victory Gordon Rees adds 6 partners in Northern California expansion https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/391862-gordon-rees-adds-6-partners-in-northern-california-expansion (Reuters) House Republicans advance constitutional amendment to prevent US Supreme Court expansion https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/house-republicans-advance-constitutional-amendment-prevent-us-supreme-court-2026-06-03/ (LAist) LA passes plan for new ‘low-rise’ housing, delaying state law that aims higher https://laist.com/news/los-angeles-sb-79-delay-low-rise-ordinance-housing-city-council-vote

Less than 1 - AM Edition, June 3

This morning on Less than 1: early returns show incumbent Los Angeles city attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto trailing in Tuesday's primary — but thousands of ballots remain uncounted. Also: a federal magistrate judge rules Meta's lawyer communications privileged in the state AGs' case, law professors are found to prefer AI answers to those written by peers, and a California Democrat introduces a bill to create a federal AI rulemaking framework. Stories mentioned on this morning's episode: (SLS) AI Outperforms Law Professors in Stanford Law Study https://law.stanford.edu/press/ai-outperforms-law-professors-in-stanford-law-study/ (Politico) House Dem proposes bill to help agencies create AI rules https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/06/03/congress/house-dem-proposes-bill-to-help-agencies-create-ai-rules-00947487

Less than 1: PM Edition, June 2

This evening on Less than 1: Irico Group seeks to escape a potential $7 billion default judgment in decades-old cathode ray tube price-fixing litigation — plus a California appeals court reverses a $43 million judgment in a 19-year wage-and-hour class action, and Monday's landmark RJA rulings set off a turf war between the courts and the Legislature. Also: the Trump administration abandons its $1.8 billion "weaponization" fund after a rare Republican revolt. Stories mentioned in this episode: CRT price-fixing defendant seeks to undo default judgment https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/391843-crt-price-fixing-defendant-seeks-to-undo-default-judgment Appeals court reverses $43M wage case after 19-year legal odyssey https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/391834-appeals-court-reverses-43m-wage-case-after-19-year-legal-odyssey Racial Justice Act sets off turf war between courts, lawmakers https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/391840-racial-justice-act-sets-off-turf-war-between-courts-lawmakers (Reuters) Trump administration drops $1.8 billion 'weaponization' fund after Republican backlash https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/with-weaponization-fund-doubt-trump-will-keep-tax-audit-immunity-sources-say-2026-06-02/

Less than 1: AM Edition, June 2

This morning on Less than 1: defendants in the Palisades Fire litigation challenge plaintiffs' expanded liability theories — plus a DOJ audit faults the Orange County DA's office over federal victim-services grant oversight. Also: Trump signs an executive order asking AI companies to voluntarily submit models to the government ahead of release, and the White House proposes sweeping new political controls over federal grants. Stories in this edition: (CNBC) Trump signs AI executive order asking companies to give government early access to models https://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/02/trump-executive-order-ai.html (NYT) White House Seeks to Impose Political Test on Billions in Federal Grants https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/02/us/politics/trump-budget-grants-omb-vought.html