We have lots for you in this edition: A word on whistleblowers, the city’s new style guide, a possible challenger in the 4th District and a liberal wave that may wash away an incumbent or two.

The mayor of Long Beach is an excellent cheerleader for the city, which made his curt update this week of Queen Mary Island very noticeable. We also have endorsement updates, and an ongoing spat that is giving us a headache.

Text messages among councilmembers were flying like fists in the hallway at North Shore High School over the weekend.

We got our eager hands on a survey of 2nd District voters—and it doesn’t look good for the incumbent, Jeannine Pearce.

The spat underway at LBCC has everything: religion, politics, accusations of conflict of interest, bullying, name-calling and even a reference to “public flogging.”

Sources tell us Long Beach’s ambitious mayor, Robert Garcia has made clear that the California Democratic Convention in November is go off without any problems—especially with local unions.

The Backroom has a few additional rules to suggest that might actually help shorten the length of council meetings.

In this issue we also chat with the city’s most boring politician, and reveal another name that has cropped up in the crowded pool of District 2 candidates.