New political party coming to California
The Chronicle's JOHN WILDERMUTH: "California moderates, led by former South Bay Rep. Tom Campbell and San Francisco’s Quentin Kopp, are putting together a new political party aimed at voters unhappy with the state’s two major parties."
"The Common Sense Party already has more than 10,000 people signed on and is looking to gather the 65,929 registrations needed to qualify its candidates for the state ballot, said Kopp."
"We want to provide a third option for dissatisfied Democrats and Republicans, as well as those already registered as independents” or no party preference, said Kopp, who won three terms in the state Senate as an independent after 15 years as one of the more conservative members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors."
New California law pays police departments to train cops on when to use deadly force
Sacramento Bee's HANNAH WILLEY: "A month after signing one of the most sweeping use-of-force laws in the country, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a companion measure on Thursday that will finance new training and require police departments to upgrade their policies."
"Senate Bill 230 mandates law enforcement agencies to rewrite their use-of-force policies to comply with legislation passed in August that directs law enforcement to use deadly force only when “necessary,” based on the totality of circumstances they encounter."
"Peace officers play a very important role in our society, and it is critical to ensure they have the appropriate training that aligns with our new use-of-force law,” Newsom said in a statement, continuing that SB 230 “establishes the nation’s most robust state-level use-of-force training guidelines for law enforcement officers that focus on de-escalation, crisis intervention, bias free policing and only using deadly force when absolutely necessary."
California passes bill that stops cops from using facial recognition software in bodycams
Sacramento Bee's BRYAN ANDERSON: "California police officers may soon be temporarily barred from using facial recognition software in body cameras, under a bill now heading to Gov. Gavin Newsom."
"The proposal from Assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, originally called for a permanent ban on the use of the technology. But at the urging of Newsom’s office, Ting said he limited the ban to seven years. With heavy opposition from law enforcement groups, that moratorium has since shrunk to three years."
"Even so, it could carry major consequences. Police agencies worry the ban would make it harder for them to find missing people and identify suspects, while the American Civil Liberties Union see the measure as a way to protect people’s privacy, particularly minorities who are more likely to be misidentified."
Democratic presidential debate erupts into free-for-all
The Chronicle's JOHN WILDERMUTH: "There were plenty of sharp words, but Thursday night’s Democratic presidential debate probably didn’t change too many minds about who would be the best choice to oust President Trump in 2020."
"While the 10 candidates were quick to push back against any perceived attacks, they were also conscious that anything they said could be used against them in a GOP campaign ad."
"In America, “at best we unify, we find common cause and common purpose,” New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker said in his opening statement. “The differences among us Democrats on the stage are not as great as the urgency for us to unite as a party, not just to beat Donald Trump, but to unite America.”
READ MORE related to Democratic Debates: Takeaways from third debate -- McClatchy's ALEX ROARTY/DAVID CATANESE; Should convicts and parolees be allowed to vote? -- Sacramento Bee's BRYAN ANDERSON; Has Kamala Harris really reversed her posi tions on criminal justice issues? -- McClatchy's EMILY CADEI; Beto O'Rourke: 'Hell yes, we're going to take your AR-15' -- LA Times's MATT PEARCE
Some Conception passengers said they weren't told about emergency escape hatch
LA Times's LEILA MILLER/RICHARD WINTON/MARK PUENTE: "Months ago, Truth Aquatics owner Glen Fritzler spoke to Ralph Clevenger, who creates visual content for the company, about making a safety video that would play while passengers boarded his dive boats."
"The video settles briefly on a person opening the Conception’s escape hatch. It’s located underneath a counter in the dining area where passengers stop by to sign the manifest and bears a red sign with the words ‘emergency exit’ and ‘keep clear."
"Clevenger, a photographer, finished the video the day before a fire on the Conception last week killed 34 people in the worst maritime disaster in modern California history."
READ MORE related to Dive-Boat Disaster: Conception crew members were sleeping when boat fire broke out, in violation of rules -- LA Times's MARK PUENTE/RICHARD WINTON/LEILA MILLER/HANNAH FRY
California passes bill that stops cops from using facial recognition software in bodycams
Sacramento Bee's BRYAN ANDERSON: "California police officers may soon be temporarily barred from using facial recognition software in body cameras, under a bill now heading to Gov. Gavin Newsom."
"The proposal from Assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, originally called for a permanent ban on the use of the technology. But at the urging of Newsom’s office, Ting said he limited the ban to seven years. With heavy opposition from law enforcement groups, that moratorium has since shrunk to three years."
"Even so, it could carry major consequences. Police agencies worry the ban would make it harder for them to find missing people and identify suspects, while the American Civil Liberties Union see the measure as a way to protect people’s privacy, particularly minorities who are more likely to be misidentified."
New California law pays police departments to train cops on when to use deadly force
Sacramento Bee's HANNAH WILLEY: "A month after signing one of the most sweeping use-of-force laws in the country, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a companion measure on Thursday that will finance new training and require police departments to upgrade their policies."
"Senate Bill 230 mandates law enforcement agencies to rewrite their use-of-force policies to comply with legislation passed in August that directs law enforcement to use deadly force only when “necessary,” based on the totality of circumstances they encounter."
"Peace officers play a very important role in our society, and it is critical to ensure they have the appropriate training that aligns with our new use-of-force law,” Newsom said in a statement, continuing that SB 230 “establishes the nation’s most robust state-level use-of-force training guidelines for law enforcement officers that focus on de-escalation, crisis intervention, bias free policing and only using deadly force when absolutely necessary."
Twitter refuses to say who's behind fake cow and parody mom being sued by Devin Nunes
McClatchy's KATE IRBY: "Twitter on Wednesday told the judge it does not intend to disclose the names of the authors of accounts known as Devin Nunes’ Cow and Devin Nunes’ Mom, according to documents obtained by McClatchy."
"Defending and respecting the user’s voice is one of our core values at Twitter,” a Twitter spokesperson said in response to questions about the court filing. “This value is a two-part commitment to freedom of expression and privacy."
"Twitter in a message to other defendants in the case said it told the judge that the authors of the accounts do not live or work in Virginia. That matters because the defendants argue Nunes has no grounds to sue them in Virginia."
Republican Elizabeth Heng shows burning Ocasio-Cortez photo in new video promoting PAC
Sacramento Bee's BRIANNA CALIX: "Republican Elizabeth Heng announced a new Political Action Committee on Thursday night during the Democrat presidential candidate debate in a video criticizing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and socialism."
"The PAC, NewFacesGOP, aims to help elevate the next generation of Republicans, according to its website. The PAC, registered in Fresno, so far has raised under $200,000, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Most of its top donors are from outside the Central Valley."
"The ad attacks Ocasio-Cortez as “ignorant,” and Heng uses her parents’ story of escaping Cambodia to define socialism. The 30-second video shows a photo of Ocasio-Cortez bursting into flames to reveal images of the Cambodian Civil War from which her father fled."
California homeowners urged to buy flood insurance
Sacramento Bee's MICHAEL WILNER: "Since President Donald Trump last signed a short-term extension to the National Flood Insurance Program, Americans have faced an unprecedented hurricane, fresh warnings from U.N. scientists over rising sea levels and confirmation that the past year was the country’s wettest on record."
"Congress is expected to hand him a thirteenth 60-day extension of the program when the current one expires at the end of September. But significant reforms will be an uphill battle."
"The flood insurance program has been plagued for years by outdated maps of at-risk flood zones and billions of dollars in accumulating debt, compounded by rising sea levels and increasingly powerful storms strengthened by warming oceans."
Uber driver sues over employment status, citing California's AB5 bill
The Chronicle's CAROLYN SAID: "A Bay Area ride-hail driver has kicked off an expected flood of lawsuits over employee status — even before a bill tightening the rules for when workers are employees has become state law."
"An Antioch Uber driver filed a proposed class-action case late Wednesday against the ride-hailing company for misclassifying her and other California drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. The case in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California cites AB5, legislation that passed the state Senate and Assembly this week and is expected to be signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom."
"Although AB5 wouldn’t take effect until Jan. 1, 2020, it codifies an existing legal precedent, a 2018 California Supreme Court decision called Dynamex. Both AB5 and Dynamex make it harder for companies to label workers as freelancers. They lay out a simple “ABC” test that says workers are em ployees if (A) they perform tasks under a company’s control, (B) their work is integral to the company’s business and (C) they do not have independent enterprises in that trade."
READ MORE related to Transportation: California rail authorities demand immediately safety steps after Sacramento light rail crash -- Sacramento Bee's TONY BIZJAK
American River in Sacramento tainted with feces
Sacramento Bee's TIPPING POINT with RYAN SABALOW/VINCENT MOLESKI: "A grocery sack containing what appeared to be human feces hung from a branch over the American River, a short boat ride upstream from one of Sacramento’s most popular summertime swimming areas."
"Nearby, a makeshift toilet was perched over a hole in the sand, feet from the waterline and a short walk from a couple of tents and a man washing a shirt in the river."
"Depends on my mood, but if I have to go, I pop a squat,” said another nearby homeless man, before paddling away in a blue kayak."
READ MORE related to Energy, Environment & Climate: California's biggest wildfire of 2019 approaches 50,000 acres as dry conditions return -- Sacramento Bee's MICHAEL MCGOUGH
Felicity Huffman's parenting blog may hurt her in college admissions scandal sentencing
LA Times's MATTHEW ORMSETH: "Felicity Huffman took to her lifestyle blog in 2015 to write about parenting."
"From one angle,” she said,"motherhood can be viewed as one long journey of overcoming obstacles. I salute mothers everywhere who overcome obstacles with grace, courage and tenacity."
"Four years later, Huffman wrote about parenting again — this time in a letter to the judge who on Friday will either spare or send her to prison, in an attempt to explain why she paid $15,000 to fix her daughter’s college entrance exam."
CCSF students protest hefty pay raises for executives amid budget cuts
The Chronicle's NANETTE ASIMOV: "City College of San Francisco trustees quietly doubled the salaries of several executives and approved double-digit raises for others this summer, budget documents show, even as the school slashed hundreds of classes and let go of faculty and counselors to close a $32 million budget deficit."
"Shame! Shame!” cried more than 100 students and instructors Thursday as they stormed the office suite of Chancellor Mark Rocha, who was nowhere to be found. “Shame on the Board of Trustees! Vote them out!"
"The elected Board of Trustees approved the new compensation on Aug. 22, as part of the final college budget for 2019-20. The executive raises took effect in July, and appear deep in an appendix of the 105-page budget. Here are the details:"
Nonprofit ponies up $3M to get those in crisis off SF's streets and into temporary beds
The Chronicle's TRISHA THADANI: "Tipping Point Community, a San Francisco nonprofit tackling poverty, will donate up to $3 million to fund a new psychiatric respite facility in the city."
"The news comes as city officials are scrambling to address the crisis of mentally ill and drug-addicted homeless people on San Francisco’s streets."
"The funding, announced Thursday, will cover capital costs and 18 months of operational costs for the new facility. The respite center, which will have 15 beds for those in need of psychiatric services and treatment, will mirror an existing 29-bed facility on the San Francisco General Hospital campus, called Hummingbird Place. A provider has not yet been identified to run the facility."