Abnormally dry no more — California shakes drought worries, for now

California flips a drought map. Bernie Sanders wants to talk Green New Deal. And what's up with those phallic creatures on the beach?

Here are the headlines for Friday, the 13th.

But before we dig in, a quick announcement for wannabe actors. Extras are needed for the new Val Kilmer film being shot in Coachella. Here's your chance to shine.

I'm Wendy Leung, playing pinch hitter for Arlene Martinez, who will be back Monday.

In California is a daily roundup of stories from newsrooms across the Paste BN Network and beyond. Sign up here and share it with a civically engaged friend.

Drought? What drought?

Thanks to the rainfall in the last three weeks, the California drought map has done an about-face. A few weeks ago, most of California was heading toward a drought. Now 96.4% of the state is clear of any drought conditions.

But it's too early to throw a big party. Californians tend to freak out about wet weather, but experts say a few weeks of rain doesn't necessarily mean we're in for a wet winter.

Forecasters say it's typical to have a drier year with strong La Niña conditions and a wetter year with strong El Niño conditions. This year, we've had neither.   

What we're talking about

A proposed rule for jockeys would make California the most restrictive state in the country for the use of racing whips. The California Horse Racing Board wants to restrict jockeys from striking a horse to make it run faster and using a whip in an overhand motion. Meanwhile, a report on the high rate of horse deaths at Santa Anita is delayed.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders wants to talk about the Green New Deal. He's picked an Inland Empire locale for his next town hall to lay out his plan for ending fossil fuels.

We all know 35 cents a day can add up. The Los Angeles Public Library will become the largest public library in the country to get rid of overdue fines. So hold on to that copy of "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" a few days, or a few weeks, longer.

This Van Nuys High School alum is happy to share the news that a post office in the 818 will be renamed in honor of Marilyn Monroe. President Donald Trump signed resolutions to rename two post offices: one after Ritchie Valens and the other after Monroe, who also went to Van Nuys High.

Some call them worms, others call them 'penis fish'

I swear, we at In California do not have a fixation. It's just that thousands, yes thousands, of so-called "penis fish" have washed up in Point Reyes, not long after we told you about a Tulare Christmas tree that appeared to be wrapped in a condom.

While the controversial tree is meant for all to see, the "penis fish," which are actually fat innkeeper worms, are typically hidden. A strong storm had washed away their homes, which are made of sand and mud, exposing these sea creatures on Drakes Beach.

These 10-inch worms lives on the West Coast from Oregon to Baja California.

California hits solar milestone, what's next?

Say it in your best Dr. Evil voice, "One million solar panels."

In 2005, when former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger set a target of 1 million solar systems on homes, farms, schools and businesses throughout the state, it seemed like a lofty goal. In Clovis, where 90% of schools have solar systems installed, Schwarzenegger celebrated the 1 million milestone with his successor, Jerry Brown.

But solar is so 14 years ago. Clean energy advocates want a new goal: 1 million batteries by 2025.

By ship, by shuttle and a Cali exit 

The West Coast's first new Carnival ship in two decades made its debut in Long Beach. Big enough to accommodate 4,000 passengers, the Carnival Panorama features a brewery, trampoline park and an attraction that lets you ride a bike in the sky. It's on its way to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.

Rather go to the Mexican Riviera by plane? You won't be able to catch the Super Shuttle to the airport much longer. The van service has already stopped serving Burbank and Sacramento. It officially goes out of business Dec. 31.

The Chargers fan who normally writes this newsletter isn't here, so I'll share some Raiders news. Fans are saying a final farewell to the Oakland Coliseum on Sunday, the last home game of the season. And then they're Vegas bound. Some fans have already moved on.

After deadly boat fire, tighter safety measures proposed

Tighter boat safety regulations were proposed in response to the Conception dive boat blaze that killed 34 people off the Ventura County coast on Labor Day. The proposed measure calls for two escape routes below deck and sets fire alarm requirements and safety standards for charging devices on the boat. Sen. Diane Feinstein and Reps. Julia Brownley and Salud Carbajal are behind it.

Requirements in the proposed Small Passenger Vessel Safety Act would extend to older boats.

In California is a roundup of news compiled from across Paste BN Network newsrooms. Also contributing: Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Post, East Bay Times.