Beachcomber Newspaper Long Beach, California

06/07/2026

NEW BASEBALL TEAM COASTS TO VICTORY
The Long Beach Coast celebrated their first home game in franchise history with a 13-4 victory over the traveling RedPocket Mobiles before a sold-out crowd of more than 3,000 fans at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field. Highlighted by Thomas McCaffrey’s historic first home run, strong pitching and a balanced offense, the Coast extended their winning streak to seven games and improved to 10-3. The story also explains that the RedPocket Mobiles are a sponsor-backed traveling team with no hometown or home stadium.
https://beachcomber.news/content/baseball-team-coasts-victory

06/05/2026

PIER WIND PROJECT MOVING FORWARD
The Port of Long Beach is advancing its $4.7 billion Pier Wind project, a 400-acre offshore wind turbine assembly terminal. Expected to create thousands of jobs and support California’s clean-energy goals, the facility would stage massive floating wind turbines while boosting economic development, workforce training, and long-term energy independence.

https://beachcomber.news/content/pier-wind-project-moving-forward

06/03/2026

ROUTE 66'S PATH THROUGH LONG BEACH
Route 66’s history is more complex than many realize. Researcher Claudine Burnett traces the highway’s origins, development and political bat-tles, revealing Long Beach’s successful campaign to become an official western terminus in 1932. The article also explores competing routes, De-pression-era road building and Route 66’s lasting impact on Southern California.
https://beachcomber.news/content/route-66s-path-through-long-beach

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

WATER AVAILABILITY AND COST AMID COLORADO RIVER CRISIS

Long Beach residents could face higher utility bills as water costs rise due to shrinking Colorado River supplies and aging infrastructure. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California approved 6.2% rate hikes for 2027 and 2028, while Long Beach Utilities Department expands groundwater production and conservation efforts.

https://beachcomber.news/content/water-availability-and-cost-amid-colorado-river-crisis

05/27/2026

A STARTER HOME LOOKS DIFFERENT NOW

Long Beach’s idea of a “starter home” is changing as rising prices and limited inventory reshape first-time homeownership. Younger buyers are increasingly choosing condos, townhomes and fixer-uppers, prioritizing location, flexibility and affordability over size. Despite higher costs and later purchasing ages, many still view homeownership as a strategic first step toward long-term stability and equity.

https://beachcomber.news/content/long-beach-starter-home-looks-different-now

05/16/2026

CITY CANCELS WEEKEND PRIDE FESTIVAL
The City of Long Beach canceled the independently operated Long Beach Pride Festival after organizers failed to provide required safety and operational documentation in time for permits and inspections. The city said the Pride Parade and other Pride-related events will continue as planned, while reaffirming its longstanding support for the LGBTQ+ community
https://beachcomber.news/content/city-cancels-weekend-pride-festival

05/15/2026

POLICE TO ISSUE CITATIONS TO DRIVERLESS CARS
California’s new Assembly Bill 1777 creates a system allowing police to cite autonomous, driverless vehicles for traffic violations by issuing notices directly to manufacturers instead of human drivers. The law also mandates crash-data retention, emergency communication systems, and rapid geofencing responses, while aiming to balance public safety concerns with continued autonomous vehicle innovation.

https://beachcomber.news/content/police-issue-citations-driverless-cars-calif

05/10/2026

CNN FOUNDER TED TURNER DIES AT 87
Ted Turner, the groundbreaking founder of CNN, died May 6 at age 87, leaving a global media legacy and deep ties to Long Beach through sailing, theater and philanthropy. Known as “Captain Outrageous,” Turner supported Rotary’s PolioPlus campaign, participated in local fundraising and remained a celebrated figure in the city’s maritime community.
https://beachcomber.news/content/cnn-founder-ted-turner-dies-87