Hundreds of cops to be present at SF, Berkeley right-wing rallies.
The Chronicle's LIZZIE JOHNSON/KURTIS ALEXANDER: "Authorities in San Francisco and Berkeley are planning a large show of force this weekend at two right-wing rallies, enlisting hundreds of officers each day in a bid to prevent violence from erupting in the wake of the killing of an antiracism protester in Charlottesville, Va."
"While urging people to stay home, officials on both sides of the bay said Tuesday that they were boosting staffing and bringing in outside help to ensure order among what could be dueling crowds at Saturday’s Patriot Prayer rally at Crissy Field and Sunday’s No Marxism in America event at Berkeley’s Civic Center Park."
LA Times' CATHLEEN DECKER: "As protesters massed on the streets of Phoenix, President Trump on Tuesday unleashed a vitriolic, 76-minute speech mocking those who considered his response to the Charlottesville white supremacist march racist, adopting racially charged language and hinting that he would pardon former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, long accused of brutality against Latinos."
"He re-read for more than 16 minutes the remarks he had uttered after violence in Virginia claimed the life of a woman protesting the white supremacists, omitting the remarks in which he said that both sides were to blame and occupied the same plane in his view."
Meanwhile, two Valley Democrats have endorsed John Chiang for governor
Daily News' BRENDA GAZZAR: "State Treasurer John Chiang picked up two key endorsements Tuesday, with Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks, and Los Angeles City Councilman Bob Blumenfield throwing their support behind the gubernatorial candidate."
"The backing came as Democratic candidate Chiang stumped in the San Fernando Valley, where he once lived for 18 years. In the morning, he boarded a Metro Orange Line bus on Balboa Boulevard in the Encino area for a trip to the Red Line in Universal City. With the media in tow, the Torrance resident greeted fellow passengers before taking a seat on the bus."
Johnson & Johnson hit with record damages in California cancer case
Capitol Weekly's MYRON LEVIN: "A Los Angeles jury has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay damages of $417 million to a 62-year-old woman who blamed her ovarian cancer on years of using the company’s baby powder for feminine hygiene."
"It was the first California trial in the mushrooming legal battle over links between genital use of talc and ovarian cancer, and the award against J&J on Monday was by far the largest so far. Of five previous cases – all tried in Missouri state court in St. Louis – J&J lost four, with combined damage awards of about $305 million."
Southern California Assembly members divided on immigration bill
Daily News' BRENDA GAZZAR/JEFF HORSEMAN/MARTIN WISCKOL: "A bill that would further limit interactions between California law enforcement agencies and federal immigration agents is getting a mixed reception from Southern California Assembly members, with at least several still undecided."
"The bill, SB 54, passed the state Senate in April. It awaits action in the Assembly, which reconvened this week and will stay in session until mid-September."
"Known as the California Values Act or “the sanctuary state bill,” the legislation seeks to largely prohibit the use of state and local public resources to aid federal immigration agents in deportation actions. Although the draft bill is expected to be revised, it would severely curb cooperation between federal authorities and local and state police on immigration matters."
Council committee backs new construction fee to aid affordable housing
LA Times' DAKOTA SMITH: "A key Los Angeles City Council committee Tuesday backed a plan for a new fee on the construction of single-family homes, offices, apartments and other developments, with the funds going to pay for affordable housing."
"The linkage fee backed by the Planning and Land Use Management Committee would range from $1 to $15 a square foot, depending on the type of project and neighborhood."
Hate robocalls? Here's who gets the most in Southern California.
Daily News' JONATHAN LANSNER: "I hope you know you’re not the only person deluged by automated telephone marketing campaigns known as “robocalls” that often skirt legality."
"Let me show you what I learned from YouMail, an Irvine-based provider of voicemail and phone-security services, and its estimates of local robocall activity. The details are derived from its database of telephone calls it manages for its 8 million clients."
"For example, my trusty spreadsheet tells me that 15 Southern California area codes were hit with 162.4 million robocalls in July. Not only is that up 2 percent in a year, it’s equal to one every six days or 5.2 calls per line for the month."
CalPERS steps up on climate change
Capitol Weekly's ED MENDEL: "CalPERS is a leader in forming a first-ever global alliance of large investors that would use its combined shareholder clout to engage companies with the most carbon emissions, believed by scientists to contribute to climate change."
"The CalPERS board was told last week that its staff is working with others to complete the plan in time for an introduction at a United Nations investor meeting next month in Berlin, followed by a public launch in November at a UN climate change meeting in Bonn."
California's top public salaries go to coaches, doctors.
Daily News' TERI SFORZA: "The best-compensated public employee in California last year was UCLA football coach Jim Mora, who made $3.57 million according to new pay data for 2016 the state controller released Tuesday."
"Mora, who has a 41-24 record in his first five seasons as the Bruins’ coach, signed a contract extension in June 2016 that could pay him $3.75 million in the 2020 and 2021 seasons."
"Gov. Jerry Brown, by comparison, got a raise to $190,100 in December."
Obama administration alumni hope to build upon his legacy as they run for office.
LA Times' SEEMA MEHTA: "When bidding farewell to the nation in January, President Obama urged perseverance in the face of political change."
“If you’re disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures and run for office yourself,” he said."
"Dozens of people who worked in his administration or on his presidential bidshave taken that call to action to heart, with several top political aides, policy staff and ambitious millennials from the Obama era mounting campaigns of their own right here in California. All are Democrats, and some of their races could be tipping points in the 2018 midterms as the party attempts to win back control in Washington."