Dear CalMatters reader,

To celebrate the Marine Corp’s 250th birthday, military leaders planned a big celebration last Saturday that included firing artillery across Interstate 5 near Camp Pendleton, in San Diego County. Among the guests were Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. One of the rounds detonated too early, sending shrapnel flying. Some of it hit California Highway Patrol vehicles. Now congressmembers, state senators and local police are speaking out not just about the needless danger but the lack of coordination and communication before the event. 

"Military leaders say it's not normal to shoot artillery across roads or highways,” said reporter Deborah Brennan. “It's not clear what safety precautions were in place for the unusual exercise, or even who ordered it."

Until next week,

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