Monday, October 5, 2026: Coastal hazards, extreme heat, mail voting, new Metrolink fares and a Ducks victory lead your Orange County edition.
Coastal Hazards Begin Tuesday
Orange County’s Beach Hazards Statement runs from Tuesday afternoon, October 6, through Friday evening, October 9. The National Weather Service expects 3–5-foot surf on south- and southwest-facing beaches, dangerous rip currents and evening high tides of 6.5–7 feet.
Minor flooding and erosion are possible around high tide. Long Beach is covered by a separate statement through Thursday evening, with vulnerable areas particularly susceptible Tuesday and Wednesday. Stay off rocks and jetties and follow lifeguard instructions.
Santa Ana Forecast Hits 101°F
Monday’s Santa Ana forecast calls for sunshine, a high near 101°F and an overnight low around 75°F. Highs remain near 98°F Tuesday, 97°F Wednesday and 95°F Thursday.
An Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect through 8 p.m. Thursday, October 8. Limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest hours and check on people without reliable cooling.
Metrolink Fare Increases Take Effect Today
Metrolink’s new fares take effect Monday, October 5, marking its first systemwide increase in 13 years.
The weekday SoCal Day Pass rises from $15 to $19; the weekend and holiday pass increases from $10 to $12. One-way fares increase by approximately 14%, depending on the trip. Monthly and five-day passes may cost more, remain unchanged or decrease depending on distance.
The agency cites rising operating and maintenance costs, lower post-pandemic ridership and reduced government funding. Existing discount percentages remain, including the 50% student and youth discount.
Print-at-home ticket sales also end Monday. Riders can use the Metrolink app or station ticket machines.
OCTA Kicks Off Rideshare Week
Orange County Transportation Authority’s Rideshare Week begins Monday and runs through Friday, encouraging commuters to carpool, take transit, bike or use other alternatives to driving alone. Participants who pledge to rideshare can also become eligible for prizes.
Orange County Mail Voting Begins
Ballots for active registered voters are scheduled to be delivered to the Postal Service for mailing by October 5. That is the mailing deadline, not a guarantee that every household receives its ballot Monday.
In-person voting at the Registrar of Voters office begins at 8 a.m. Monday at 1300 S. Grand Ave., Building C, Santa Ana.
The county opens 39 Vote Centers October 24 and another 152 October 31. All 191 will operate on Election Day, November 3.
California’s Billionaire-Tax Fight Splits Democrats
California voters face a divided Democratic leadership over Proposition 40. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Ro Khanna support the billionaire-tax measure; Gov. Gavin Newsom opposes it, arguing it could drive wealth and tax revenue out of California.
The proposal would impose a one-time 5% wealth tax on billionaires who were California residents January 1, 2026. Real estate, pensions and retirement accounts generally would be excluded.
Ninety percent of proceeds would fund health care. The remainder would support education, food assistance and administration.
The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates temporary collections totaling tens of billions of dollars over several years, alongside a possible ongoing income-tax revenue decrease of less than $1 billion annually.
Supporters present the measure as a way to protect health services. Opponents question whether the temporary revenue would justify the longer-term fiscal risks.
Long Beach City College Honors Beverly O’Neill
Long Beach City College has renamed Lew Davis Street as Beverly O’Neill Way in honor of the former Long Beach mayor and former LBCC superintendent-president. O’Neill served three terms as mayor and remains one of the city’s best-known civic leaders.
Newport Beach Changes Street-Sweeping Parking Enforcement
Newport Beach has shifted street-sweeping parking enforcement duties from police personnel to LAZ Parking. Street-sweeping schedules and posted parking restrictions remain the same; the change affects enforcement operations, not the rules themselves.
Irvine Year-Round Schools Remain on Fall Recess
Students attending Irvine Unified schools on the year-round calendar remain on fall recess through Oct. 9. Classes are scheduled to resume after the break, and the Irvine Unified School District Board of Education is scheduled to meet Tuesday evening.
Newport Coast Charity Golf Tournament Benefits CHOC
Pelican Hill Golf Club hosts a charity golf tournament Monday supporting children’s health programs through the Play Yellow initiative. The effort is connected with Jack and Barbara Nicklaus and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, with proceeds benefiting Rady Children’s Health and CHOC.
CSULB Artwork Goes on View at The Met
Two works from Cal State Long Beach’s Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum collection are being featured in a new exhibition at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. The works are included in Krasner and Pollock: Past Continuous.
Costa Mesa City Council Meets Tuesday
Costa Mesa’s City Council and Housing Authority are scheduled to meet Tuesday. Closed session begins at 4 p.m., with the regular meeting starting at 6 p.m. Residents can review the final agenda and public-comment information through the city.
Quick Hits
Newport Beach’s Civil Service Board meeting scheduled for Monday has been canceled, while the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission meets Tuesday. Irvine is looking ahead to the Irvine Global Village Festival next weekend. OCTA will also offer free OC Bus rides Wednesday in recognition of California Clean Air Day.
Ducks Win Home Opener in Overtime
Mikael Granlund scored with 46 seconds remaining in overtime Sunday to give Anaheim a 3–2 home-opening win over Florida.
Cutter Gauthier contributed two goals and an assist, Leo Carlsson recorded three assists and Lukas Dostal made 29 saves. All three Anaheim goals came on the power play. Brad Marchand had tied the game for Florida with 1:50 remaining in regulation.
Good News
Long Beach City College’s tribute to Beverly O’Neill stands out as Monday’s positive community story, honoring decades of local civic and educational leadership.
Sources for Updated Reports
- National Weather Service coastal statement, October 5
- Santa Ana forecast, October 5
- Metrolink fare changes effective October 5
- Orange County Registrar of Voters election schedule
- Reuters/Field Level Media Ducks report, October 5
- Legislative Analyst’s Office: Proposition 40
- ABC News: California billionaire-tax debate, October 3
