PRESENTED BY NETFLIX*  July 8, 2023   View in browser A striking member of Unite Here Local 11 outside the JW Marriott hotel in downtown Los Angeles on Monday. Thousands of hotel workers in L.A. and Orange counties headed back to work Wednesday, though the union indicated that more walkouts are ahead this summer. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) By Elvia Limón Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. It is Saturday, July 8. Here’s a look at the top stories of the last week L.A. hotel workers are back on the job but say more strikes are to come. Thousands of Southern California hotel workers were back on the job Wednesday after three days of strikes. Their union says more walkouts are ahead. To pay off a house outside of L.A., this hotel worker sleeps in her car four days a week. Southern California hotels hit by strike say the union is unlawfully pushing a housing agenda. ‘Are you two the token Black kids of the department?’ The snubs and insults that accompanied affirmative action. An unintended consequence of affirmative action — a policy meant to boost diversity — is that it can be wielded like a weapon to make people of color feel like they don’t belong. The Times spoke with Black and Latino Americans who wonder if this stigma will persist. High-stakes, high-stress college essay stirs more anxiety under the affirmative action ban. Anti-cruelty law that gives pigs more space could raise prices of ham and bacon. California’s law requiring pork farmers to give pigs enough room to turn around in their stalls finally takes effect. The week in photos Roads that once connected thousands of acres of farmland now abruptly stop at a reborn Tulare Lake. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Tulare Lake’s ghostly rebirth brings wonder — and hardship. Inside a community’s resilience. Tulare Lake’s rebirth will reshape life in the San Joaquin Valley for years to come. But longtime residents remain committed to the region and its remarkable seasonal rhythms. Free online games Get our free daily crossword puzzle, sudoku, word search and arcade games in our game center at latimes.com/games. Two years after an LAPD fireworks explosion, residents are still trying to rebuild. Some residents are still living in a hotel downtown. Others have moved more than once. Life has been tough since a botched fireworks detonation blew up their South L.A. neighborhood. What California can learn about earthquake safety from Santa Monica. In a milestone for earthquake safety, more than half the 2,000 buildings that Santa Monica deemed as vulnerable have been retrofitted since a 2017 city law went into effect. ADVERTISEMENT BY NETFLIX The Lincoln Lawyer Season 2 follows Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), an iconoclastic idealist, who runs his law practice out of the back seat of his Lincoln as he takes on cases big and small across the expansive city of Los Angeles. Based on the The Fifth Witness from the series of bestselling novels by renowned author Michael Connelly, this compelling, suspenseful and fun story shows Mickey as he balances his passion for being a lawyer and family life. End of advertisement As toxic algae sickens sea lions and other marine animals, a California wildlife center needs help. The San Pedro-based Marine Mammal Care Center is in need of donations and volunteers as it combats an algae bloom that has killed or sickened more than 1,000 creatures. L.A. County leaders vow to continue supporting migrant Angelenos based on a State of Immigrants report. This year’s report on immigrants in Los Angeles County showed that historic investments in resources have been made but identifies areas that should be addressed to continue the momentum. After years of ups and downs, Los Angeles moves forward on the creation of a public bank. The City Council voted to fund a feasibility study for a public bank. Advocates say a public bank will better serve the community. Veterinarian sues after dog dies in a hot patrol cruiser. Dr. Yolanda Cassidy says Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials fabricated and backdated a memo to cover up the 2020 death of a bomb-sniffing black Labrador named Spike who overheated in an unattended patrol car. ADVERTISEMENT California officials join Texas sheriff in calling for a federal investigation into Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ migrant flights. Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta call for a federal investigation into migrants sent to Sacramento. Employers are not responsible for COVID spread to workers’ families. Employers in California are not legally responsible, the California Supreme Court has ruled. West Hollywood will have the nation’s highest minimum wage. Business owners are not happy. Many low-wage workers will see a pay increase on Saturday as the city’s minimum jumps to $19.08 an hour. A payment overhaul is coming to California child care, along with a 20% raise for workers. Child-care providers reached a tentative agreement with the state to raise wages and change the way California calculates subsidies for low-income families.