CALMatters, JULIE CART: "Reflecting intensifying wildfires and updated science, new state maps designate more than 2.3 million acres of local land in California as facing “high” or “very high” danger of wildfires.
In the wake of devastating fires in Los Angeles County, the Fire Marshal’s office is gradually releasing updated maps for local jurisdictions after Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order last week. The previous statewide maps were released from 2007 through 2011."
Strongest storm in a year bearing down on Southern California: What you need to know
LAT, RONG-GONG LIN II/HANNAH FRY: "The strongest storm in a year is set to pound Southern California this week, with forecasters warning of potential widespread roadway flooding and the chance of landslides throughout the region — especially in areas recently charred in the devastating Los Angeles County firestorms.
The rain will be nothing like the relatively modest storms that have brought largely beneficial rain to Southern California the last two weeks. Forecasters suggest avoiding travel if possible on Thursday."
Bay Area to get hit by fast-moving storm — but the next intense system won't arrive for days
The Chronicle, GREG PORTER: "A quick-moving storm system will bring light rain to the Bay Area on Tuesday evening and into Wednesday morning. Rainfall amounts will be highest south of San Francisco, but totals will be light. This event will serve as a precursor to a much stronger and more impactful storm system set to hit California on Thursday.
Defrosters will be needed for some car windshields once again Tuesday morning as temperatures dip into the 20s and 30s in many locations outside San Francisco and away from the water, prompting freeze advisories and frost warnings. Temperatures are unlikely to drop as low as they did Monday morning, thanks to some mid- to high-level cloud cover moving in from the ocean."
How does that atmospheric river flow? Scientists in Yuba-Sutter modernize research to understand
Sac Bee, JAKE GOODRICK: "While most look for ways to avoid the steady rain falling from atmospheric rivers, some take advantage of the unwieldy weather patterns to improve forecasts and to help control, and ultimately modernize, the complex labyrinth of waterways hydrating California.
Weather researchers with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego and Yuba Water Agency workers during the recent storm launched a series of weather balloons carrying radiosondes, devices measuring atmospheric conditions and transmitting real-time data, as part of an ongoing effort to enhance forecasts."
Judge blocks Trump administration’s cuts to key federal research funds
CALMatters, MIKHAIL ZINSHTEYN: "A federal judge ruled today that California and 21 other states will be spared for now from crippling cuts to key funding that universities rely on to conduct scientific research and discovery. The swift action follows a lawsuit that California’s attorney general and others filed earlier today to halt the Trump administration from slashing those funds.
Last Friday the National Institutes of Health issued a memo indicating that it would reduce the “indirect cost rates” that universities receive from the agency to 15%, nearly half the average rate that research campuses currently get. It’s money that doesn’t fund any specific research but instead helps research facilities maintain expensive labs and equipment while also paying for administrative upkeep, support staff and utility costs."
California lawmakers propose banning sales from dog brokers in crackdown on puppy pipeline
LAT, MELODY GUTIERREZ/ALENE TCHEKMEDYIAN: "California lawmakers are set to announce three bills Tuesday to crack down on the sale of puppies from out-of-state mass breeders, proposing to ban popular pet-selling websites and other middlemen from operating in the state, increase oversight of dog sellers and strengthen consumer protections.
The move comes after a Times investigation last year found that truckloads of doodles, French bulldogs and other expensive dogs from profit-driven mass breeders pour into the state from the Midwest, feeding an underground market where they are resold by people claiming to be small, local home breeders."
What the Hell is happening in Washington DC?
Capitol Weekly, STAFF: "It may not feel like it, but Donald J. Trump began his second presidential term less than three weeks ago. The reality TV star turned GOP president wasted no time implementing his agenda, issuing dozens of Executive Orders, clearcutting opposition officials and entrusting billionaire donor Elon Musk with a broad mandate to revise the functions of the US government, often in seeming conflict with federal law and the constitution. These unilateral actions are testing the bounds of executive power beyond anything seen in American politics before.
Congress – led by Trump’s Republican Party – has been largely silent, with minority Democrats raising objections to little effect. The courts have begun to weigh in, with mixed results. What to make of these unprecedented times in American history?"
Danes launch petition to buy California, in apparent jab at Trump
The Chronicle, JORDAN PARKER: "Nearly 200,000 Danes are supporting a comedic petition to buy California from the U.S., in what appeared to be a jab at President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to seize Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.
“Have you ever looked at a map and thought, You know what Denmark needs? More sunshine, palm trees, and roller skates,” said the petition’s page. “Well, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make that dream a reality. Let’s buy California from Donald Trump! Yes, you heard that right. California could be ours, and we need your help to make it happen.”"
Panamanians say the canal is theirs and always will be
LAT, TRACY WILKINSON: "A black, massive Hong Kong-registered ship inched its way through the churning waters of the Panama Canal — guided by tugboats stern and aft, and sweating Panamanians hoisting yellow ropes to latch onto the ship’s higher levels.
The ship, named Zim Mount Blanc, carried some 17,000 rust-trimmed containers, blue, red and white, stacked seven- and eight-high. It barely skirted the sides of the channel, close enough, it seemed, to scrape its edges."
Prop. 36 promised ‘mass treatment’ for drug offenses. Some counties aren’t ready
CALMatters, CAYLA MIHALOVICH: "It’s been three months since California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 36, a new law that pledged to provide “mass treatment” for those facing certain drug charges. But since the law took effect on Dec. 18, some counties are scrambling to fulfill that promise.
Now, prosecutors have the ability to charge people convicted of various third-time drug offenses with a so-called treatment-mandated felony, which would direct them to substance use disorder or mental health treatment in lieu of up to three years in jail or prison."
‘Cheap political attacks’: S.F. DA’s criticisms of judges rile legal community
The Chronicle, BOB EGELKO: "It’s not unusual for lawyers to criticize judges who rule against them. But San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins has raised concerns in the legal community with her wide-ranging criticisms of the city’s judiciary.
In one recent statement, Jenkins said, “The majority of (San Francisco) judges do not treat drug dealing as a serious crime despite repeat offenses, and the grave consequences visited upon our communities, and the drug dealers therefore do not fear incarceration, or any significant consequence.”"
‘It was just a regular morning’: Californians picked up in recent ICE raids include kids, volunteers
CALMatters, WENDY FRY: "A church-going agricultural worker. An Echo Park man taking his son to school. A 16-year-old kid searching for work to support his family in Mexico.
Three weeks into President Donald Trump’s second term, a clearer picture is beginning to emerge of some of the first Californians targeted in his high-profile immigration crackdown. It’s very different from the descriptions of hardened criminals President Donald Trump has touted. People CalMatters interviewed about the raids across California suggested those swept up in them are dedicated family members and employees, their lives deeply woven into their communities. None appeared to pose the risks to national security or public safety Trump promised he’d target during his campaign."
READ MORE -- Do California citizens have to answer questions from ICE about immigrants? We asked experts -- Sac Bee, CAMILA PEDROSA
California lawmaker’s bill would restrict local police from aiding ICE in these situations
Sac Bee, STEPHEN HOBBS/KATE WOLFFE: "A California legislator said he’s trying to ease concerns over deportations with a recently introduced bill that would generally restrict local police and sheriff’s deputies from helping immigration authorities near medical offices, places of worship and day care centers.
Assemblymember José Solache Jr., D-Lynwood, said he is hearing from people in his district who are worried about the Trump administration carrying out aggressive enforcement actions. He’s seeking to send a message to residents that local officials won’t be helping them in those cases."
Known for its resort, the Pechanga tribe boasts a fire department that serves the state
Capitol Weekly, BRIAN JOSEPH: "When fires devastated Los Angeles last month, among those who dove into help were firefighters from the Pechanga Band of Indians.
The southern California tribe, perhaps best known for its gaming resort in Temecula, has for 30 years invested in its own fire department, building a reputation for coming to the aid of major fires and other incidents throughout not only California, but also across the country."
Gutted courses, fewer majors, faculty layoffs: Who will feel Cal State’s 8% budget cut?
CALMatters, MIKHAIL ZINSHTEYN: "For all the math taught at college, the California State University system is stumped over an arithmetics problem it has less than five months to solve: How to keep operating when the governor has proposed cutting $375 million from its budget.
Without the money, the nation’s largest public four-year university system — enrolling more than 460,000 students — is likely due for a lot of subtraction: fewer professors teaching students due to layoffs and employment contracts that aren’t renewed, gutted academic programs and cancellation of majors that students are already enrolled in."
New Stanford database tracks learning loss, gain in California and districts nationwide
EdSource, JOHN FENSTERWALD: "A unique database that enables people to compare standardized test scores among nearly all districts and states found that California experienced slightly less learning loss than the national average in the four years following the 2020 pandemic.
The Education Recovery Scorecard, which researchers from Stanford University, Harvard University and Dartmouth College developed, also identified those districts that have escalated learning recovery and those that had fallen farthest behind."
LAUSD misused millions in taxpayer-approved money meant for arts education, suit alleges
LAT, HOWARD BLUME: "Los Angeles Unified officials repeatedly violated Proposition 28 — a state law requiring the hiring of arts teachers — misusing millions in state funds and denying promised arts instruction to students across the school system, according to allegations in a lawsuit filed Monday.
The L.A. Superior Court suit was brought by former L.A. schools Supt. Austin Beutner, who is a plaintiff, along with eight students, represented by their guardians. Three school district labor unions on Monday announced their endorsement of the litigation."
Compton Unified stands out as a national leader in raising student test scores
LAT, HOWARD BLUME: "The Compton Unified School District is winning recognition for its success with students, who are showing significant, long-term academic improvement that is outpacing growth in California and the nation.
An analysis of recent standardized test score shows Compton has proven to be a standout exception to overall poor math and reading test scores — even though its overall student proficiency rates have much room to grow."
Canned tuna sold at Trader Joe’s and Costco recalled for botulism risk
The Chronicle, AIDIN VAZIRI: "A widespread recall of canned tuna products has been issued due to potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum, a bacteria that can cause the life-threatening illness botulism.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the recall Monday, affecting several major brands, including Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B and Trader Joe’s. These products were sold across various states at retailers such as Costco, Walmart and Trader Joe’s."
Here’s how California lawmakers can help hurting LA small businesses (OP-ED)
Capitol Weekly, CAROLINA MARTINEZ/PATRICK NYE: "As Los Angelenos come together to rebuild from the recent fires, the need for support is urgent. For the small businesses that were destroyed, the flames snuffed out livelihoods and buried treasured community spaces. These business owners are left with the difficult decision of whether to attempt to rebuild, to walk away from their life’s work or to start over somewhere else.
Los Angeles County is home to more than 1.3 million small businesses. Even businesses that remain standing are feeling the effects of the fires. Foot traffic and spending is down and, as we saw during the pandemic, most small businesses do not have the cash reserves necessary to survive more than a few days of a shutdown or even a prolonged slowdown. That is especially true for women- and minority-owned businesses, more of which call LA County home than any other county in the nation."
Sam Altman rejects Elon Musk’s $97.4 billion bid for OpenAI, offers to buy X
The Chronicle, AIDIN VAZIRI: "Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, publicly rejected a $97.4 billion unsolicited bid from Elon Musk and a group of investors to take control of the nonprofit overseeing the company behind ChatGPT.
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“No thank you,” Altman quickly responded on X, offering to buy Musk’s social media platform for “$9.74 billion” instead."
Will Trump have a chilling effect on Hollywood? Insiders say it’s already happening
LAT, SAMANTHA MASUNAGA: "Eight years ago, Hollywood proudly donned the mantle of anti-Trump resistance.
This time around, the industry’s reaction can best be summed up by the tale of two Trump films."
S.F. kills plan to issue $40 tickets to drivers who park in unmarked ‘daylighting’ zones
The Chronicle, RACHEL SWAN: "After confronting a stiff outcry from residents and elected leaders, San Francisco’s transportation agency has scrapped plans to ticket motorists who park in unmarked “daylighting” zones near crosswalks, the agency’s director said Monday.
Previously, officials at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency intended to cite any driver who parks within 20 feet of a crosswalk — the safety buffer mandated by California’s new daylighting law — regardless of whether or not the curb is painted red. The law, which took effect Jan. 1, bars people from parking too close to a crosswalk, where they could obstruct other drivers’ views of pedestrians crossing the street."
S.F. changed its police chase policy. Did it lead to parklet crash that injured 7?
The Chronicle, NORA MISHANEC/JENNIFER GOLLAN: "A crash on Super Bowl Sunday that injured seven people, including a child, has become one of the first major tests of San Francisco’s new policies governing high-speed police chases.
Minutes before kickoff, as Super Bowl spectators crowded around televisions at an Irish bar in San Francisco’s Mission District, a police chase began across town at the Stonestown Galleria shopping mall and ended with the fleeing suspects crashing a vehicle into the bar’s outdoor dining area, sending multiple victims to the hospital."