Villaraigosa had a strong night. Becerra projected steadiness. Bianco was the biggest loser. Where did all of this land with California voters?

Candidates pile on the Democratic front-runner, Xavier Becerra, including a white-paper wielding Katie Porter. But nothing happened that's likely to shake up the race as it careens toward the finish.

Picture this: A congressional hearing on “AI policy” makes the evening news. A senator gravely asks whether artificial intelligence might one day “wake up” and take over the world. Cameras flash.

I was a journalist for 45 years, rising from reporter to editor-in-chief of a national newspaper, managing a newspaper and several magazine publications for Knight-Ridder, and ultimately owning a ...