Tests of California water supplies reveal widespread PFAS contamination
The Chronicle's KURTIS ALEXANDER: "A class of toxic chemicals linked to cancer, known as PFASs, are present in numerous wells used for drinking water across California, according to new state tests performed on a fraction of California’s many well water supplies."
"The test samples, released Monday by the State Water Resources Control Board, represent California’s fledgling effort to get a handle on contaminants that until recently haven’t been well tracked and regulated."
"The first-of-its-kind tests targeted nearly 600 drinking water wells, finding trace levels of PFAS in dozens of the water supplies. What level of the chemical is safe for drinking, however, is not agreed upon, and neither California nor the federal government maintain PFAS limits in water supplies.
State orders PG&E to reform outage program
The Chronicle's JD MORRIS: "The state’s top utility regulator demanded Monday that Pacific Gas and Electric Co. immediately begin overhauling its approach to planned power outages, citing serious concerns about how the company put 738,000 customers in 34 counties in the dark last week."
"Among the improvements California Public Utilities Commission President Marybel Batjer ordered are that PG&E aim to restore power in less than 12 hours on average, similar to what happens after a storm; develop a better process for sending out maps of areas that will be affected by the outages; and do more to limit the scope of future shut-offs."
"Batjer also summoned eight PG&E executives and board members to appear at an emergency meeting of the utilities commission on Friday in San Francisco."
READ MORE related to Blackouts: Newsom demands PG&E pay $100 to each customer affected by blackouts -- Sacramento Bee's BRYAN ANDERSON
California extends new protections to immigrants under laws signed by Newsom
LA Times's PHIL WILLON: "California lawmakers continued the state’s expansion of rights and protections this year for immigrants who enter the country illegally, with laws signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom allowing them to serve on government boards and commissions and banning arrests for immigration violations in courthouses across the state."
"The efforts by Newsom and Democrats in the California Legislature to provide refuge to immigrants stand in sharp contrast to the policies of President Trump, who continues to push for a new wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and also crack down on asylum seekers."
"Our state doesn’t succeed in spite of our diversity — our state succeeds because of it,” Newsom said in a written statement on Saturday after signing some of the bills into law. “While Trump attacks and disparages immigrants, California is working to ensure that every resident — regardless of immigration status — is given respect and the opportunity to contribute."
READ MORE related to Legislation: In acting on 1,000 new bills, Newsom shows he's not Jerry Brown -- LA Times's ALEXEI KOSEFF/DUSTIN GARDINER; New California law gives victims of childhood sexual assault more time to file lawsuits -- Sacramento Bee's ALEXANDRA YOON-HENDRICKS; How California's new health care laws will affect you, from vaccines to premiums -- Sacramento Bee's SOPHIA BOLLAG
A do-over at SEIU Local 1000 gets a new result: State workers vote 'yes' on contract
Sacramento Bee's WES VENTEICHER: "A group of workers within California state government’s largest union voted to approve a contract in a second vote last week, reversing a previous ‘no’ vote."
"The vote count in the SEIU Local 1000 contract ratification vote was announced Sunday. The unit of workers who voted — a collection of construction and agricultural inspectors, lab assistants and others — approved the contract by 72 percent to 28 percent vote, according to an announcement on Local 1000’s website."
"The vote means the roughly 2,800 workers the union represents in the unit will get a 7 percent raise over three years, a $3,100 per year health insurance stipend and a range of special raises for specific job classifications."
Newsom declares Indigenous Peoples Day, recognizing 'resilience' over 'conquest'
Sacramento Bee's HANNAH WILEY: "Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Monday that the state would honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day, celebrating Native Americans on a holiday usually associated with Italian explorer Christopher Columbus."
"Newsom’s proclamation applies only to Oct. 14, 2019, but it follows a trend in which states from Maine to South Dakota have replaced Columbus Day with another holiday honoring Native Americans."
"Instead of commemorating conquest today, we recognize resilience,” Newsom’s proclamation reads. “Home to one of the largest and most diverse populations of indigenous peoples anywhere in the United States, California is a better, stronger and more vibrant place because of them."
Opposing SF Mayor London Breed? That's 'racist,' black leaders say
The Chronicle's DOMINIC FRACASSA: "A group of African American faith leaders, community organizers and civil rights activists gathered Monday to slam members of the Board of Supervisors for their repeated opposition to Mayor London Breed’s policies — casting their dissent as “racist politics” that hurt black people in San Francisco."
"At a small news conference organized by the Rev. Amos Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP, the group took aim at a nameless “clique” on the board that has sparred with the mayor over a handful of recent proposals, including expanding the number of people with mental illness who are compelled into treatment and closing the city’s juvenile hall, which both Breed and Brown oppose."
"Brown declined to name any specific supervisor, but he did take aim at a recent proposal — submitted by Supervisor Gordon Mar — that would block any mayor from appointing candidates to the office they’re seeking within 90 days of an upcoming election for the position."
Warren, 70, flaunts her fitness as Dem candidates' health becomes a deabte issue
LA Times's JANET HOOK: "As hundreds of people gathered for a recent Elizabeth Warren rally in Rock Hill, S.C., the heat built so much that one woman in the crowd passed out before the event started."
"The 90-degree day did not appear to slow Warren: She bounded up the steps to the stage and gave a kinetic, full-body wave to the crowd."
"Without saying a word, the 70-year-old presidential candidate sent a message: Her physical stamina belies her age."
Saddleridge fire started under high voltage transmission tower; cause remains undetermined
LA Times's JACLYN COSGROVE: "Los Angeles arson investigators confirmed Monday that, although the cause of the Saddleridge fire remains undetermined, the blaze started Thursday beneath a high voltage transmission tower."
"The Saddleridge fire broke out in Sylmar on Thursday night and was fueled by Santa Ana winds, burning almost 8,000 acres, destroying 17 structures and damaging 58. A man in his late 50s died after suffering a heart attack while talking with firefighters early Friday, officials said."
"The confirmation comes after Sylmar residents told news outlets and fire officials that they saw a fire burning at the base of the transmission tower near Saddle Ridge Road."
SF Bay Area rattled by 4.5 earthquake
LA Times's RONG-GONG LIN II/JACLYN COSGROVE: "A magnitude 4.5 earthquake was felt widely in the San Francisco Bay Area at 10:33 p.m. on Monday, with the epicenter in the Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill areas."
"Moderate shaking was felt in the Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek and Concord areas of an intensity that can overturn unsecured objects, such as books and picture frames, and is capable of breaking."
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When Sheryl Thornton-Burnham moved to Las Vegas in 1995, she didn’t think the Raiders would someday follow.
Thornton-Burnham had worked for the Raiders for several years in Los Angeles. She was aware of the NFL’s long resistance to basing a team in Las Vegas, a hub for legal sports gambling."
"Close to the epicenter in Walnut Creek, there was strong side-to-side shaking, strong enough to knock CDs off a shelf."
READ MORE related to Environment: Huge pumpkin weighing 2175 pounds sets record in Half Moon Bay -- The Chronicle's ALEJANDRO SERRANO
Up to 2,500 scooters hit SF streets as politicians push for stricter rules
The Chronicle's MALLORY MOENCH: "After a ban, a reprieve and 18 contentious months of debate, San Francisco will see the number of electric rental scooters in town possibly double to as many as 2,500 Tuesday, as three new providers add their fleets to the street."
"Under an expansion of the city’s current pilot program, scooters from operators Lime, Jump and Spin will join those of Scoot, which gained permission to place its devices on streets after the city cracked down on scooters in early 2018. Scoot can deploy up to 1,000 scooters, about 400 more than its current number."
"Under their permits, Lime, Jump (owned by Uber) and Spin (owned by Ford) can each deploy up to 500 scooters. That number can increase up to 750 by Dec. 15 and to 1,000 by Feb. 15 if they meet requirements. One current scooter operator, Skip, will lose its license."
Vegas prepares to welcome Raiders, but is it a bad bed?
The Chronicle's MATT KAWAHARA: "When Sheryl Thornton-Burnaham moved to Las Vegas in 1995, she didn’t think the Raiders would someday follow."
"Thornton-Burnham had worked for the Raiders for several years in Los Angeles. She was aware of the NFL’s long resistance to basing a team in Las Vegas, a hub for legal sports gambling."
"Now, however, Thornton-Burnham need only look at the framework of the nearly $2 billion stadium going up near the Strip to be reminded that in less than a year, this city will become the new home of the Raiders, who are playing out their expected final season in Oakland."
Former WH advisor objected to Ukraine ambassador's ouster
AP: "Fiona Hill, a former White House adviser on Russia, told House impeachment investigators behind closed doors Monday that she had strongly and repeatedly objected to the ouster earlier this year of former Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, according to a person familiar with the testimony."
"Yovanovitch testified Friday that President Trump pressured the State Department to fire her."
"Presidential election. The person requested anonymity to discuss the confidential interview."
Under fire for Syria pullout, Trump imposes higher tariffs on Turkey
LA Times's EILO STOKOLS/DAVID S CLOUD: "Trump, facing blowback over his abrupt troop withdrawal from Syria amid reports that Islamic State detainees have escaped in the ensuing chaos, called for an immediate cease-fire."
"Just hours after Trump issued a statement that sanctions would be imposed “soon,” Vice President Mike Pence and Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin announced that the president spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and that the sanctions had been imposed."
"The United States will aggressively use economic sanctions to target those who enable, facilitate and finance these heinous acts in Syria,” Trump said in the statement released on his Twitter feed. “I am fully prepared to swiftly destroy Turkey’s economy if Turkish leaders continue down this dangerous and destructive path."