Newsom says California recall likely to qualify, tries to soften Feinstein stance

California Gov. Gavin Newsom acknowledged Tuesday that an effort to recall him will likely qualify for the ballot, setting the stage for an expensive, bruising battle that will draw national interest in the coming months.

While the recall effort was initially viewed as a long shot, organizers have capitalized on pandemic discontent to collect what they say are more than enough signatures to trigger an election. They must turn in around 1.5 million valid signatures by Wednesday, after which elections officials will spend weeks gauging whether proponents have hit the...