Picket line forms at UC Davis Med Center as three-day strike begins across UC system
Sacramento Bee's MOLLY SULLIVAN: "More than 300 hospital workers and members of AFSCME 3299, which represents workers at UC Davis and its medical center, formed a picket line as a three-day strike began at the medical center in Sacramento on Monday, protesting the stagnating contract negotiations with the University of California."
"They joined the more than 53,000 health care, service, technical and research workers who are striking across all 10 UC campuses."
"The strike will continue through Wednesday, with members of the California Nurses Association and University Professional and Technical Employees-CWA joining in a sympathy strike Tuesday and Wednesday. AFSCME 3299 represents 24,000 workers across the UC system, including medical assistants, respiratory therapists, health care unit workers, custodians and groundskeepers in its service unit."
This one stretch of river could decide the future of Shasta Dam
Sacramento Bee's RYAN SABALOW/DALE KASLER: "The final stretch of the McCloud River before it empties into the state's largest reservoir is a place of raw beauty. On a recent morning, the river's icy water, flanked by flowering dogwood trees and jagged rock formations, flowed fast and clean."
"This part of the McCloud is off limits to almost everyone except a few Native Americans and some well-heeled fly fishermen. Its gatekeeper is an unlikely one, an organization that also happens to be a hugely controversial player in California water politics."
"Eleven years ago, Westlands Water District, headquartered in far-away Fresno, bought the land for a single purpose – to flood it."
Surfer Dana Rohrabacher faces the 'blue wave' -- and more
LISA RENNER in Capitol Weekly: "After 30 years in office, Orange County Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher is facing his toughest re-election."
"Rohrabacher, 70, is being challenged by more than a dozen people in the June primary, including his former ally, Republican Scott Baugh."
"His opponents say he’s been in office too long, is too much of a fan of Russia and its president Vladimir Putin and doesn’t adequately tend to the needs of his district. Democrats are targeting his seat as part of a national “blue wave” effort to retake the house."
Voter Guide: Who are all those people on your ballot?
Sacramento Bee's AMY CHANCE: "Voting for California's June 5 primary election began May 7. If you're wondering how to choose between the candidates on your ballot, The 2018 Sacramento Bee Voter Guide can help. See the races you'll be deciding and create a personalized list of candidates."
"The guide includes information on key statewide races and issues in California and local races in Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado and Yolo counties."
"Want to let others know who you're voting for? You can share your choices on Facebook."
California governor's campaign could turn nasty as voters tune in
The Chronicle's JOE GAROFOLI: "For voters just starting to pay attention to the California governor’s race, Tuesday’s debate among the top six candidates offers a chance to catch up fast."
"The 90-minute debate, being televised live from San Jose starting at 6:30 p.m., will probably be the last chance to see the four Democrats and two Republicans share a stage before the June 5 primary. The top two primary finishers, regardless of which party they belong to, will advance to the general election in November."
Sen. Josh Newman in fight for his political life over vote to raise California's gas tax
LA Times's PATRICK MCGREEVY: "A week after voting with fellow Democrats to raise California's gas tax, state Sen. Josh Newman was vacationing with his wife on a Caribbean island when he saw a news alert on his phone that said Republicans were targeting a lawmaker for recall over the action."
"I thought to myself: 'Wow, somebody's in trouble. That's crazy.' And then I clicked on the link, and lo and behold it was a picture of me," the Fullerton lawmaker said. "That was obviously a jolting surprise for me, to find that I was the one person, of 81 people who voted for the same thing, who was ostensibly guilty of treason."
Did the East Area Rapist have an accomplice? 'That is a possibility,' detective says
Sacramento Bee's ANITA CHABRIA: "Did the East Area Rapist have an accomplice?"
"Maybe."
"Detective Paul Holes, credited with coming up with the family-tree tracing method that caught suspect Joseph James DeAngelo last month, said Monday it's possible two people were involved in some of the crimes."
SF mayor candidate Alioto loses public financing appeal, says she'll go to court
The Chronicle's DOMINIC FRACASSA: "San Francisco mayoral candidate Angela Alioto said Monday she’s planning to take the city to court after the Ethics Commission voted to block her from participating in the city’s public financing program, which provides mayoral candidates with up to $975,000 to offset the costs of campaigning."
"Last week, Alioto’s campaign failed to qualify for public financing money for the fourth time. In April, the Ethics Commission grantedAlioto another chance to apply for the program, but with the condition that it would be her campaign’s final opportunity."
Kamala Harris cancels Cal graduation speech in boycott of UC over labor dispute
The Chronicle's NANETTE ASIMOV: "California Sen. Kamala Harris announced Monday she will boycott the UC Berkeley graduation, where she was supposed to deliver the keynote address, because of a labor strike."
"If we are going to live up to our ideals as a nation, it’s critical we focus on economic equality and economic justice,” Harris tweeted. “One key is making sure everyone has access to a good job, with fair wages, and safe working conditions."
LA Times's MOLLY HENNESSY-FISKE: "Border Patrol agents found the man walking a little boy up a dirt road north of the Rio Grande near Mission, Texas, with eight other Central American migrants."
"The pair wore matching blue-striped polo shirts."
"Ely Fernandez explained that he was a taxi driver who had fled San Pedro Sula, a notoriously dangerous city in northern Honduras. Fernandez, 43, said a gang had threatened to kill him for not paying money they wanted to extort from him."
Bucking precedent, Garcetti won't name three finalists for LAPD chief
LA Times's CINDY CHANG/DAVID ZAHNISER: "The names of three finalists for Los Angeles police chief have been forwarded to Mayor Eric Garcetti, who is bucking recent precedent by declining to name them."
"The Police Commission, which oversees the Los Angeles Police Department, announced Monday that it had sent the names to Garcetti. The five-member civilian commission moved quickly after interviewing five candidates — all department veterans — last week. There were 31 applicants for the job."
"Deciding who will lead the country's second-largest police department is now up to the mayor."
Proposed California solar mandate could add $10,500 to cost of a house
The Chronicle's DAVID R. BAKER/KURTIS ALEXANDER: "California may soon become the first state in the nation to require that virtually every new home be equipped with solar panels."
"The California Energy Commission on Wednesday is expected to mandate solar arrays on almost all new single-family houses built after Jan. 1, 2020, as part of the state’s fight against global warming. The rule also would apply to new multifamily buildings up to three stories tall."
State Sen. Skinner wants California inmates to have the vegan option
The Chronicle's MATIER & ROSS: "California prisons would be required to offer full vegan meals to inmates under a bill making its way through the state Legislature."
"Written by state Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, SB1138 would make it mandatory for hospitals, care facilities and state prisons to offer “plant-based meal options” on their menus."
Sacramento will have faster apartment growth than any large US city, analyst predicts
Sacramento Bee's TONY BIZJAK/RYAN LILLIS: "Good news for beleaguered Sacramento renters: The metropolitan area is expected to lead the country this year in growth of new apartment units, a national analysis shows."
"More than twice as many rental units will be built here this year than last year, about 1,600 in all. That puts Sacramento at the top of the growth-rate list among the 50 largest cities, ahead of Los Angeles, Denver and Providence, according to data from RealPage, a national real estate data company."
"Though Sacramento is expected to have a greater percentage increase - 137 percent - Los Angeles will have far more units constructed in pure numbers at 14,000. No other California city made the top 10."
New York State AG quits amid abuse allegations
AP: "New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who had taken on high-profile roles as an advocate for women’s issues and an antagonist to the policies of President Trump, announced late Monday that he would be resigning from office, hours after four women he was romantically involved with or had romantic interactions with accused him of physical violence in accounts published by the New Yorker."
"Schneiderman, who had been running for re-election, said he contested the women’s accounts, but “while these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the office’s work at this critical time."
Oliver North set to become the next NRA president
AP: "Retired Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North, a popular speaker before the National Rifle Assn., is poised to become the group's next president, bringing star power at a time it's pushing back against momentum for gun control in the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history and one of the deadliest school shootings."
"North, who was a central figure in the Iran-Contra scandal, is already drawing comparisons to former NRA president Charlton Heston, who famously uttered that his firearms could be taken only "from my cold, dead hands." The NRA in its news release announcing North's upcoming appointment cast him as a hero and a warrior who will vigorously fight to preserve gun owners' rights."
Allies and adversaries alike worry as Trump sets stage for reveal on Iran deal
LA Times's LAURA KING/NOAH BIERMAN: "President Trump on Tuesday could make good on his longstanding threat to tear up the Iran nuclear accord — or he could heap fresh disdain on the landmark disarmament pact while charting a course that would keep key elements in place, at least for now."
"On Monday, five days ahead of a closely-watched, self-imposed deadline, the president teased his planned announcement with a tweet, telling the world to stay tuned for word at 2 p.m. Tuesday, catching even most of his senior national security staff by surprise."
"The decision, potentially one of the most consequential of Trump's presidency, will have repercussions in nearly every corner of the globe. It could ratchet up tensions in the already volatile Middle East, strain U.S. alliances with Europe and complicate dealings with Russia and China, which are signatories to the pact."