In a highly partisan era, those who dislike both sides could have the deciding votes
LA Times's DAVID LAUTER: "In this and every election, both sides devote huge resources to getting their partisans to turn out and vote — “motivating the base,” in the jargon of politics."
"But in many close races in California and around the country, a different group, those who don’t like either party or its leaders, could hold the decisive votes."
"The “hold your nose and vote” brigade makes up a sizable chunk of the electorate, according to the latest USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll. With election day just over a week away, the poll indicates they lean toward the Democrats. That’s one reason Democrats remain favored to win back control of the House."
Scientists are exploring the ocean depths off Big Sur -- and you can watch live online
The Tribune's LINDSEY HOLDEN: "Ever wondered what lives in the depths of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary? Now you can find out in real time."
"A team of explorers is in the midst of a 10-day expedition into a deep-water area off Big Sur near the Davidson Seamount — and it’s being streamed live online."
"The Ocean Exploration Trust — founded by Titantic explorer Dr. Robert Ballard in 2008 — has been exploring the eastern Pacific Ocean for the past four years, according to the Nautilus Live website."
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From WaPo's FELICIA SONMEZ and PAUL KANE: "President Trump on Sunday lashed out at billionaire Democratic activist Tom Steyer, ridiculing him as a “stumbling lunatic” days after Steyer was targeted by one of more than a dozen pipe bombs sent to prominent critics of the president.
"Trump’s tweet came shortly after Steyer accused the president and the Republican Party of creating an atmosphere of “political violence” in an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
"Just watched Wacky Tom Steyer, who I have not seen in action before, be interviewed by @jaketapper,” Trump said in the tweet. “He comes off as a crazed & stumbling lunatic who should be running out of money pretty soon. As bad as their field is, if he is running for President, the Dems will eat him alive!”
California wine targets Canada -- again
Capitol Weekly's JESSICA HICE: "Wine from California vintners will now get equal treatment to sit atop Canadian store shelves under the terms of the recently renegotiated United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement."
"Since 2015, the U.S. wine industry has been fighting a policy allowing grocery stores in British Columbia to favor domestically produced wines, shunning world-renowned varietals. The Canadian government has agreed to begin the new policy in November 2019."
"This is a big deal for California."
US Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Barbara Lee encourage voting at Berkeley rally
Daily Californian's THAO NGUYEN: "Campaigning alongside U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders spoke to Bay Area residents about the current political climate and the importance of voting during a “Get Out the Vote” rally at the Berkeley Community Theater on Saturday."
"With about 2,500 people present, Lee — who is running for re-election against Laura Wells — and Sanders both addressed their political platforms, urging the community to vote in the upcoming midterm election Nov. 6."
"Mayor Jesse Arreguín welcomed the crowd and introduced the various speakers present, such as Alameda Labor Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Ortega-Toro and Cal Berkeley Democrats President Varsha Sarveshwar."
Trump helping to turn OC blue. It could give Dems the House
The Chronicle's JOHN WILDERMUTH: "The head of the Republican National Committee had plenty of places she needed to be with the midterm election mere days away. But on a recent Wednesday morning, Ronna McDaniel was inside a packed storefront campaign office in the Orange County suburbs, revving up the volunteers."
"Nancy Pelosi’s path to take back the speakership runs through California,” McDaniel told the campaign workers. “You can sleep on Nov. 7. But we need you to work as hard as you can until Nov. 6."
"In an interview afterward, McDaniel said, “Orange County is crucial for the Republicans to maintain their majority in the House. (It is) one of the most critical centers in the country. I have to energize the grassroots."
Asking candidates the right questions about public education
EdSource's JONATHAN KLEIN: "Pretty much every candidate who talks about education at all this year will promise change. It’s up to us as voters to figure out whether they mean it."
"The stakes are enormous. This month, Californians have started voting on hundreds of school board races and for a new state superintendent of public instruction. Collectively, these leaders oversee budgets totaling more than $76.6 billion and — more importantly — shape the opportunities for 6.3 million students."
"What many candidates are actually promising — when you listen carefully — is cautious, incremental adjustment, coloring within the lines of the system as we know it. The reality for California children demands something very different: only half our students meet grade-level English standards and only 4 of 10 meet standards in math, and most lack the basic coursework even to be considered for admission to the state university systems."
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It's Trump versus 'Bay Area values' in tight Central Valley House race
The Chronicle's JOE GAROFOLI: "Many Democrats cast the battle for the House as a referendum on President Trump. In a Central Valley district where voters will help determine who runs Congress, the race has become a referendum on the Bay Area."
"Hundreds of people from the Bay Area have traveled over the Altamont Pass and down Highway 99 to campaign for Democrat Josh Harder, drawn by the possibility of knocking off a Republican who voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act and to pass Trump’s tax plan. Bay Area residents have contributed more than $1 million to defeat Rep. Jeff Denham, who first rode to office with the help of the Tea Party wave in 2010."
"Denham tells voters that Harder, who lived for several months in San Francisco before moving back to his hometown of Turlock last year, is infected with “Bay Area values.” He says “Bay Area Harder,” a 32-year-old venture capitalist, threatens “the valley’s way of life.""
California immigrants worried about health care under Trump green card plan
The Chronicle's CATHERINE HO: "Laura Plasencia, who works at an Oakland medical clinic helping mostly low-income patients enroll in government-subsidized health benefits, has seen a troubling pattern emerge in recent weeks."
"Patients at La Clinica de la Raza have caught wind of a recent Trump administration proposal that could make it harder for legal immigrants to get a green card if federal immigration officials think they’re likely to use Medicaid or other public benefits in the future. And they’ve been asking Plasencia if they should drop their Medicaid coverage, or not apply, for fear that receiving the benefit could imperil their chances at permanent residency."
"Plasencia recently spent an hour — twice as long as a typical enrollment appointment — trying to persuade a patient to renew Medi-Cal coverage for herself and her U.S.-born children. But the patient, nervous that it could jeopardize her immigration status, still decided against it."
Millennials rush to these California cities for high pay, plentiful jobs
Sacramento Bee 's DON SWEENEY and News Observer's ABBIE BENNETT: "What are the best metro areas for millennials to find jobs and higher pay?"
"Turns out, of the top 50 cities in the United States, six of the best for millennials are in California, according to recent studies."
"Finance website Magnify Money studied America’s “top boomtowns,” analyzing industry growth, population, housing and jobs."
Oakland's pot equity program withering on the vine
The Chronicle's OTIS R TAYLOR JR: "Oakland’s long-touted program to help black and brown pot entrepreneurs succeed alongside bigger marijuana businesses is dead."
"Officially, it’s around still. But it may as well not be."
"The program was crafted so Oakland natives and longtime residents, especially those arrested and jailed for marijuana-related offenses during the failed war on drugs, could get a stake in the legitimized cannabis industry."
Why is Caltrans closing Tower Bridge? It's sagging and needs new suspenders
Sacramento Bee's TONY BIZJAK: "Sacramento’s iconic Tower Bridge is 82 years old. With age, there’s sagging."
"Bridge inspectors last year noticed the cables that help lift the main span for tall ships have stretched 14 inches longer than they once were – a sign that time, weather, and stress have taken a toll."
"So the golden span is getting fitted with new suspenders."
LA Times's MATT PEARCE: "It’s Organizing 101: For any social movement to expand and succeed, like-minded supporters need to connect with one another — through meetings, rallies or social media."
"But white nationalism isn’t just any social movement. Meetings get canceled when venue owners realize who’s renting their space. Rallies come under violent attack by organized anti-fascists. And big Silicon Valley tech companies are coming under increasing pressure to kick far-right personalities off their services."
"Saturday’s mass shooting by a neo-Nazi sympathizer at a Pittsburgh synagogue — which left 11 dead and is thought to be the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in American history — is likely to redouble the tough scrutiny on how the organized white nationalist movement spreads its message inside the U.S."