AGP Executive Report

K-Pop Business: Lunar Records Korea is set to launch after HWAL-linked funds and South Korea’s AGINT ink a definitive joint venture, with a $5M matching program and plans spanning licensing, 360-degree artist deals, merchandising, TV programming, and global distribution. World Cup Pop Culture: Katy Perry will debut a never-before-performed live song at the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Los Angeles, joined by Future, Anitta, LISA, and Rema—while FIFA’s early matches have also sparked backlash over empty seats despite huge demand claims. Dodgers Update: Shohei Ohtani exited the Dodgers’ win over the Pirates with left knee inflammation, with LA optimistic he’ll be ready for the White Sox series opener. VTuber Goes Big Screen: hololive English’s concert will broadcast live from LA’s Shrine Auditorium to cinemas across Asia and Mexico, turning digital fandom into a shared, in-theater event. Hollywood Legacy: Oscar-winning costume designer Albert Wolsky, known for work on “All That Jazz,” “Bugsy,” and “Grease,” has died at 95. California Public Life: California AG Rob Bonta joined a multistate push urging the EPA to expand monitoring of microplastics in drinking water.

World Cup Kickoff (LA/SF): FIFA’s 2026 tournament begins today with Mexico vs. South Africa, with matches across the U.S. and major Bay Area and Los Angeles watch-party buzz as fans weigh ticket costs and political tension. Streaming & Kids TV: “Gracie’s Corner,” a creator-led preschool series with Black characters, is moving from YouTube to Disney+ with new content. Film & Hollywood: Spielberg’s alien thriller “Disclosure Day” opens in California this week, while “Doctor Who” faces uncertainty after the BBC cancels a Christmas special and its showrunner exits. Fashion & Retail: Nordstrom and Adidas roll out World Cup installations and match-city shop drops, and Puma opens its first U.S. “Nitro? Lab” in Los Angeles for football-focused tech and launches. Horror Audio: Be Afraid Media buys the long-running creepypasta hit “CREEPY,” naming Jon Grilz head of its podcast network. Health/Science: FDA grants priority review for Genentech’s Tecentriq combo in stage III dMMR/MSI-H colon cancer. Local Business: Propstore and Planet Hollywood team up for a major online film-memorabilia auction.

World Cup Kickoff in LA: Shakira shared “non-stop” rehearsal pics ahead of the Mexico City opening ceremony, where she’ll perform “Dai Dai” with Burna Boy—while LA readies for the U.S. opener vs. Paraguay at SoFi and a downtown FIFA Countdown Concert at Crypto.com Arena featuring Davido, Major Lazer, Ava Max and BIA. Security & Logistics: FIFA and host cities are bracing for drone and crowd risks as security plans ramp up across North America, and IOC leaders say LA28 is learning from World Cup entry/visa headaches. Fashion & Culture: ACCA Journal dropped its Rodeo Drive edition, pitching Beverly Hills’ luxury corridor as an outdoor art museum tied to the 2028 Olympics and World Cup. Entertainment Buzz: Early social reactions to Pixar’s “Toy Story 5” praise an emotional return to form, with Jessie and modern tech front and center. Sports Spotlight: The Giants’ Bryce Eldridge capped a wild comeback with a walk-off grand slam, while LeBron’s retirement odds shifted after a TIME interview hint.

World Cup Security: Drone risks are driving new planning across stadiums, fan zones, hotels, and transit routes, with officials warning that cheap aircraft can cross restricted areas fast. World Cup Politics: Iran says it could halt matches if unauthorized flags or anti-team chants appear, adding fresh tension to its LA and Seattle fixtures. LA28 Olympics Buzz: Los Angeles 2028 opens a second public ticket sale Aug. 10–20 after selling 4M in the first release, with a random ticket-draw system for registered fans. Cinema & Film Culture: A legendary Bay Area movie theater is being renamed the Christopher Nolan Cinema, timed with a major 70mm/PLF release. Music in SoCal: Alanis Morissette announces “Butterfly with a Machete” as a four-night Inglewood residency this November. Jazz Spotlight: Aaron Akins lands Catalina Jazz Club (June 18) and “Jazz After Dark” at the LA Jazz Festival (Aug. 8). Pop Culture Premiere: Taylor Swift brings “Toy Story” VHS cast-signing and performs at the “Toy Story 5” LA premiere, with Tom Hanks sharing the VHS moment. Local Arts & Community: Exceptional Children’s Foundation marks 80 years with a June 17 Skirball gala honoring Jenni Kayne and Richard Ehrlich, featuring Jay Leno.

Toy Story 5 Premiere Buzz: Taylor Swift popped up at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for the “Toy Story 5” world premiere, skipping the full red carpet and joining the cast for photos after debuting her new country single “I Knew It, I Knew You.” Labor Watch: Hollywood directors reached a tentative four-year deal with studios and streamers, a potential boost for long-term labor stability as the DGA awaits board and member approval. BET Awards Spotlight: Teyana Taylor is set to be honored as Icon of the Year at the BET Awards in Los Angeles. World Cup in LA: The city kicked off World Cup week with a FIFA Fan Festival and a slate of public events, while some fans complained about FIFA ticketing and seat assignments. Copyright Courtroom: A federal appeals court is set to revisit a jury verdict in the Kat Von D tattoo copyright case, signaling possible shifts in how infringement is judged. Local Journalism Funding: California’s Civic Media Program opens grant applications this summer, with $20M aimed at strengthening local reporting. LA City Hall Clash: A proposed rodeo ban sparked a fight at City Hall as animal welfare advocates and rodeo supporters squared off. Sports Drama: Brandon Aiyuk kept up his feud with the 49ers in another Instagram rant, while the Dodgers rolled past the Pirates behind Freddie Freeman’s 2,500th hit.

LA Mayoral Runoff: Progressive City Councilmember Nithya Raman surged past Spencer Pratt to secure a November runoff against Mayor Karen Bass, setting up a high-profile Democratic clash in a city still counting ballots. Election Integrity Clash: Reuters reports President Trump renewed claims that California elections are “rigged,” while officials point to safeguards like ballot handling and signature checks. Music & Pop Culture: Jay-Z added two more “Reasonable Doubt” 30th anniversary shows—one in Los Angeles (Oct. 23) and one in Paris (Sept. 10). Horror Fandom: Ontario’s Creep I.E. Aftermath returns July 10–12 with celebrity reunions and more than 200,000 square feet of attractions. Film Buzz: “Disclosure Day” hits theaters as a Spielberg-style summer event, and new DVD releases spotlight “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.” Sports Safety: Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic battery, adding to the NFL’s offseason domestic violence scrutiny.

LA Mayoral Race: Spencer Pratt’s celebrity-fueled bid collapses as Nithya Raman overtakes him for the November runoff against Mayor Karen Bass, while Trump escalates claims of “rigged” voting and attacks California’s slow count. World Cup in California: The U.S. team settles into its Southern California training base ahead of West Coast group matches, and LA gears up with fan zones, watch parties, and a World Cup countdown concert lineup. Entertainment & Streaming: Madonna’s “Confessions II” short film debuts at Tribeca with fans dancing in the theater; plus a lighter streaming roundup highlights new releases for June 9-15. Sports Pop Culture: Caitlin Clark answers critics with a last-second 3-pointer win, and NBA Finals coverage turns into a media moment after Charles Barkley’s Cardi B halftime quip. Design & Lifestyle: A Japanese “fukinsei” asymmetry home-styling trend makes rooms feel more alive than perfectly matched decor. Local Arts/Community: CeraVe hosts its first-ever Global CerAwards in DTLA, celebrating skincare creators on a Hollywood stage.

World Cup Buzz in LA: Official FIFA World Cup 2026 retail pop-up stores are opening across the Los Angeles region (downtown LA, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, and Torrance) with merch available through July 31. Broadway Spotlight: As “The Book of Mormon” hits 15 years, original stars Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad returned at the 2026 Tony Awards to reprise the “Hello!” moment. Music & Culture: Rush kicked off its “Fifty Something” tour in Los Angeles with a Neil Peart tribute and special guest Aimee Mann. Entertainment & Streaming: Crunchyroll will stream the remastered “X² - Double X OVA” tied to X JAPAN and CLAMP starting June 10, with YOSHIKI discussing the project’s lasting impact. Local Food Scene: Neighbors & Friends Kitchen opened in South Pasadena, bringing a comfort-food, community-first concept to Union Street. Fashion Watch: Charli XCX announced her “Music, Fashion, Film” North American tour, including two nights at the Kia Forum in Inglewood. LA Election Noise (Entertainment-adjacent): Trump again claimed California’s election was “rigged” amid ongoing LA mayor vote-count scrutiny.

Sports Spotlight: Nelly Korda closed out the 81st U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera in Pacific Palisades with a nerve-wracking 2-and-a-half-foot par putt that curled around the cup before dropping, beating Charley Hull and Gaby Lopez by one shot and locking in her second straight major and a record $2.5 million winner’s check. Broadway & Theater: The 2026 Tony Awards crowned “Liberation” as best play and “Ragtime” as best musical revival, while John Lithgow won best leading actor for “Giant,” with the season’s winners leaning hard into themes of race, class, gender equality, and antisemitism. Local Arts & Culture: South Lake Tahoe Library is hosting acclaimed photographer Ian Ruhter on June 23, sharing his wet-plate collodion process and his book “The Lake.” Community & Pride: West Hollywood kicked off Pride Month with the Outloud Music Festival, drawing thousands for visibility, community, and celebration. Politics & Entertainment Crossover: Los Angeles mayoral primary vote updates show Nithya Raman surging past Spencer Pratt into second place behind Karen Bass, keeping the runoff in play.

Hollywood Premiere Buzz: Los Angeles rolled out the red carpet for Scary Movie’s world premiere at the Paramount Theatre, with Marlon and Shawn Wayans joined by Anthony Anderson, Anna Faris, and surprise celeb guests including Lizzo and AJ McLean. Pride & Live Music: West Hollywood kicked off WeHo Pride weekend with the Outloud Music Festival, drawing huge crowds and setting up Sunday’s parade. Sports Spotlight (LA): The Dodgers and Angels meet again at Dodger Stadium for the series finale, with LA riding momentum after a big first-inning surge Saturday. Global Pop Culture Tie-In: Zendaya made a low-key stop at a Northern California bookstore, posing with Dune: Messiah and The Odyssey—a wink to her upcoming Dune sequel and Tom Holland’s Nolan project. Film Industry Update: Actor James Handy’s final project, Kickback, V, is on hold after his death, with pre-production stalled amid funding issues. Health & Safety: Simone Biles shared that she “almost” died after a scary health scare, posting medical wristbands and resting at home. Earthquake Watch: A preliminary magnitude 3.6 quake hit near Alamo in the East Bay; no major damage reported.

Theme Parks & Animation: Six Flags Magic Mountain opened Looney Tunes™ Land in Los Angeles, a Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences-backed, family-focused expansion with new rides and character-driven areas. Anime & Film: “Sound! Euphonium, The Final Movie Part 2” dropped its main trailer and final key visual, with an Anime Expo 2026 talk panel set for July 3 in LA. World Cup in California: As FIFA World Cup preparations ramp up, SoFi Stadium workers voted to authorize a strike unless ICE is kept out of the venue, while Iran accused the U.S. of discriminatory visa denials for parts of its team. Sports Spotlight (LA): Nelly Korda surged into a share of the U.S. Women’s Open lead at Riviera, while two amateurs—Asterisk Talley and Aphrodite Deng—turned heads in the tournament’s third round. Local Culture: San Francisco’s iconic Pink Triangle returned to Twin Peaks for Pride Month, with volunteers building the expanded symbol over two days. Elections & Public Trust: Los Angeles mayoral vote counting stayed in the spotlight as Spencer Pratt questioned how ballots are tallied after late drops tightened his gap with Nithya Raman.

California Politics: CBS News projects Xavier Becerra advances to November in the governor race, while Steve Hilton fights for the second spot as vote counting drags on—plus the same suspense hangs over the LA mayor contest. World Cup Labor & Security: SoFi Stadium workers at UNITE HERE Local 11 voted to authorize a strike ahead of the tournament, raising fresh pressure for FIFA operations in Los Angeles. Medi-Cal Dental Cuts: Starting July 1, some Medi-Cal adults in Pasadena face loss of full-scope dental coverage, limited to emergency care unless they meet federal immigration requirements. Celebrity & Pop Culture: Chris Brown fires back in a custody fight seeking joint legal and physical custody; Kim Kardashian turns heads supporting Lewis Hamilton at Monaco. Sports & Entertainment Crossover: The Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki posts a 1-0, hitless-through-4 1/3 start in his latest breakthrough. Streaming/Business: Netflix names Jay Hoag board chair after Reed Hastings’ departure. Tech & Games: IO Interactive says 007 First Light has sold 3 million copies in under two weeks. Film/TV Buzz: Matt Damon calls Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey his hardest movie, praising the “no green screen” approach.

Hollywood Crime: Veteran actor James Handy, known for Top Gun: Maverick and Jumanji, was fatally stabbed in Tarzana; prosecutors have charged his girlfriend’s son, Michael Gledhill, with murder, and the case is headed to mental health court evaluations. Sports (LA): Freddie Freeman’s walkoff homer in the ninth gave the Dodgers a 1-0 win over the Angels in the Freeway Series opener. Women’s Golf (Riviera): Alison Lee and Ruoning Yin share the U.S. Women’s Open lead after two rounds at Riviera in Pacific Palisades, with Nelly Korda surging after a 67. LA Politics: Los Angeles mayoral primary counting continues as Nithya Raman closes in on Spencer Pratt, while Xavier Becerra advances toward November in the governor race. Tech/Business: Google signed a $920M-a-month compute deal with SpaceX for AI infrastructure through mid-2029. Entertainment (Film): LA’s American Cinematheque is leaning into “Bleak Week,” a festival built for audiences who want darker, despair-leaning cinema.

Election Drama: California’s primary vote count is still dragging, with 39% of ballots uncounted as governor and Los Angeles mayor races remain too close to call—prompting fresh criticism and Trump’s renewed “cheating” claims. Local Arts & Culture: A vacant Los Angeles hospital is being transformed into “Hospital of Emotions,” with 70 artists turning rooms into immersive works on joy, love, fear, anger, hope, sadness, compassion, and resilience. Film & TV Buzz: “Scary Movie 6” heads to theaters with creators defending the spoof’s surprises, while Apple TV+’s “Cape Fear” premieres in LA with Amy Adams drawing major attention. Human Stories in Film: Palestinian Mexican documentary “Traces of Home” moves audiences at TCL Chinese Theatre, with Melissa Barrera getting involved after seeing its emotional impact. Sports Spotlight: USMNT defender Chris Richards sits out the Germany send-off with a decision looming, and the NHL’s Lady Byng goes to Montreal’s Cole Caufield. Crime & Court: Los Angeles police arrest the son of James Handy’s girlfriend after the actor is found stabbed; separately, a San Francisco jury deadlocks in a pro-life advocate’s Planned Parenthood video case, forcing a mistrial.

Hollywood Tragedy: “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Jumanji” actor James Handy, 81, was fatally stabbed in Tarzana; LAPD says the suspect was his girlfriend’s son, Michael Gledhill, arrested on a murder charge after a 911 call. Film & Culture: “Scary Movie 6” creators, including the Wayans, pitch the new spoof as a response to “cancel culture,” aiming to keep comedy “healthy” and “healing.” World Cup Spotlight (LA): SoFi Stadium workers vote on a strike authorization ahead of the 2026 World Cup, citing stalled contract talks and demanding a bigger share of event profits. Sports (Women’s Golf): Jennifer Kupcho grabbed an early lead at the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera after a 5-under 66. Tech/Business: Kpler secured a $1B investment from Sixth Street, valuing the shipping-data firm near $4B. Public Health (SF Bay Area): A study finds gaps in menopause care for women living with HIV, with many clinicians lacking formal training.

California Governor Race: Vote counting keeps the state’s governor primary in flux, with Republican Steve Hilton leading at 27.6% and Democrat Xavier Becerra close behind at 27.5%, while billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer sits at 19.6% and Chad Bianco at 11.3%—and Steyer’s path forward looks extremely narrow. Local Arts & Community: Mariposa County Arts Council kicks off its free “Music on the Green” summer concert series June 5–6 with Yosemite Jazz Band and Clan Dyken. Youth Tech Policy: A new review says the studies often used to justify social media bans for teens didn’t actually test kids under 16, raising questions about how those rules are being decided. Music & Culture in LA: The Grammy Museum hosts its Hip-Hop Block Party June 16 with performances, panels, open mics, and fashion programming. Entertainment Spotlight: Jennie Garth talks “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” and how it helped shape her self-choosing journey ahead of “Scary Movie 6” buzz. World Cup Watch: LA County Sheriff’s warns of FIFA World Cup scams as the tournament approaches, urging fans to buy only through official channels.