The Republican-led House Oversight Committee has launched an investigation into alleged widespread hospice fraud in Southern California, following a CBS News report highlighting excessive Medicare billing and potential exploitation of vulnerable patients. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office defended its response, citing license revocations and a fraud task force, while emphasizing ongoing efforts to address the issue. Meanwhile, a scheduled California gubernatorial debate was canceled after criticism that its qualification criteria excluded all nonwhite candidates, sparking calls for a more inclusive alternative event amid a crowded and diverse race.