Contra Costa County DA Mark Peterson resigned Wednesday in accordance with a plea deal stemming from 13 felony charges related to $66,000 in campaign contribution fraud.
The Chronicle's MELODY GUTIERREZ/KIMBERLY VEKLEROV: "Contra Costa County District Attorney Mark Peterson resigned Wednesday in a plea deal cut on the same day state Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s office filed 13 felony charges against him in connection with his admitted use of $66,000 in campaign funds for personal expenditures."
"Hours after filing the criminal case, state prosecutors appeared in a Martinez courtroom and agreed to drop 12 of the charges in exchange for Peterson’s resignation and his agreement to plead no contest to one count of perjury for making false statements on state campaign disclosure forms."
Some see the Volkswagon emissions scandal as a landmark moment underscoring California's role in the fight aganst global climate change.
Capitol Weekly's LISA RENNER: "The California Air Resources Board’s aggressive questioning of Volkswagen about emission test results led to the company admitting in 2015 that it used a “defeat device” designed to cover up diesel emissions that greatly exceeded legal limits."
"The massive fraud case ultimately included a $14.7 billion settlement in 2016, $4.7 billion in civil and criminal fines and an executive-level shakeup. It dramatically underscored California’s role as a national and international air-quality watch dog."
"Alberto Ayala, deputy executive officer of the California Air Resources Board, recalls that when news of the fraud came out, authorities from around the world contacted the agency thanking it for its work and asking advice on how to prevent the fraud from happening again."
READ MORE related to Environment: Some anti-drought programs face cuts -- Capitol Weekly's JESSICA DUNCAN; Snowbound California roads still getting a major plow job -- AP's RICH PEDRONCELLI/BRIAN MELLEY
Yesterday's assassination attempt in Alexandria against congressional members and staffers at a baseball practice session has prompted a unified bipartisan response.
The Press-Enterprise's JEFF HORSEMAN/OC Register's MARTIN WISCKOL: "Members of Southern California’s congressional delegation called for unity and described threats against themselves and their staffs following Wednesday’s shooting in Alexandria, Va., that wounded five, including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., during a practice for the GOP baseball team."
"Authorities said the gunman, 66-year-old James T. Hodgkinson III of Illinois, died during a gun battle with police officers, two of whom were wounded. According to published reports, Hodgkinson volunteered for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign and had a Facebook page with hostile posts against President Donald Trump."
"Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-La Quinta, was practicing with the Democratic baseball team when the shooting happened. The coach, he said, walked toward the mound, staring at his phone before calling the team into a huddle and explaining what happened."
READ MORE related to Beltway/Kremlingate: Reports say Mueller probe now examining possible obstruction -- AP's JAKE PEARSON/MARY CLARE JALONICK; Australian leader disappointed Trump parody became public -- AP's ROD MCGUIRK; Shooting aftermath at Capitol: House mourns, Senate votes -- McClatchy DC's MATTHEW SCHOFIELD/KATIE GLUECK; Trump is being investigated for possible obstruciton of justice by special counsel -- WaPo's DEVLIN BARRETT/ADAM ENTOUS/ELLEN NAKASHIMA/SARI HORWITZ; Gunman who shot congressman had history of anti-GOP activity -- AP's DON BABWIN/JIM SALTER
A group of kindergartners from Berkeley Hall School in LA gave what they call a 'Quilt of Valor' to the UCLA's Health Operation Mend, a program designed specifically for wounded post-9/11 service members.
Daily News: "Kindergarten students know the value of mending hearts."
"They proved it Wednesday as they presented a homemade Quilt of Valor to UCLA Health Operation Mend, which provides medical, surgical and psychological services at UCLA for wounded post 9/11 service members."
"Students from Berkeley Hall School in Los Angeles gave the quilt to Patti Taylor, a retired U.S. Army nurse who also sews quilts for patients."
The state Legislature inserted two labor-friendly provisions into the budget last week, mostly under the radar.
Sacramento Bee's ADAM ASHTON: "New California government workers will hear from union representatives almost as soon as they start their jobs under a state budget provision bolstering labor groups as they prepare for court decisions that may cut into their membership and revenue."
"Unions would gain mandatory access to new employee orientation sessions in schools, cities and in state government through one of two labor-friendly provisions that lawmakers inserted into the state budget last week without much debate."
"The second provision bans public agencies from releasing the personal email addresses of government workers, creating a new exemption in the California Public Records Act. Those email addresses are basic information that could be used in anti-union campaigns."
READ MORE related to Economy: When can you drive with weed in your car? A consumer guide to California marijuana laws -- Sacramento Bee's TARYN LUNA
Accused rampage shooter Luis Bracamontes erupted in court on Wednesday, expressing content over murdering deputies in 2014.
Sacramento Bee's SAM STANTON: "After two and a half days of behaving himself in court, accused cop killer Luis Bracamontes erupted in a profane tirade Wednesday, saying he was glad he killed two Sacramento-area deputies in October 2014 and wanted to kill more."
"I'm going to kill all you motherf------ if I get the chance," Bracamontes said as deputies began shackling him to a chair in a Sacramento Superior courtroom after a lunch break during a hearing in his case."
"You f------ want me to ask you for mercy, you're f------ wasting your f------ time," Bracamontes said as his lawyers and prosecutors sat nearby and half a dozen deputies watched over him."
READ MORE related to Public Safety: Gunman kills 3, shoots self at UPS building in SF -- The Chronicle's EVAN SERNOFFSKYU/FILIPA IOANNOU/HAMED ALEAZIZ/STEVE RUBENSTEIN; UPS gunman had filed overtime grievance -- AP's PAUL ELIAS/JOCELYN GECKER; Travis AFB lockdown lifted: No shooter found -- The Chronicle's PETER FIMRITE