Most major California reservoirs are over 90% full. But there’s one big exception
The Chronicle, DANIELLE ECHEVERRIA: "More than two-thirds of California’s major water supply reservoirs are more than 90% full as the state’s record snowpack continues to melt, and most are well above their historic average levels for this time of year, according to data from the California Department of Water Resources.
But there’s one major exception: Trinity Lake northwest of Redding (Shasta County), which has yet to exceed 60% of its capacity, and is at just 78% of its historic average."
‘Heat dome’ will hit Southern California with triple-digit highs, fire danger
LA Times, SUMMER LIN: "A “heat dome” settling over Southern California is expected to intensify through the weekend, bringing temperatures into the triple digits and elevating wildfire danger.
An excessive-heat warning for the Antelope Valley and foothills will be in effect from 10 a.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Monday, with temperatures from 103 to 113 degrees expected, according to the National Weather Service. Overnight lows could provide little relief, dipping only into the mid-70s to mid-80s."
Newsom intervenes after California Democrats block child sex trafficking bill
The Chronicle, SOPHIA BOLLAG: "In an unusual move, Gov. Gavin Newsom and the leader of the California Assembly say they are working with a conservative lawmaker on her bill to increase criminal consequences for child sex trafficking after progressive Democrats shot the bill down in committee.
Newsom rarely publicly announces he wants to intervene in the Legislature’s work, and legislative leaders rarely publicly question the committee votes of their fellow Democrats. It’s especially unusual in this instance, given that the bill in question was authored by one of the Legislature’s most conservative members."
See California Gov. Gavin Newsom speak about reviving sex trafficking bill
Sac Bee, HECTOR AMEZCUA: "California Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, that he plans to get involved with a sex trafficking bill that was blocked in an Assembly committee."
Committee formed to recall Alameda County D.A. Pamela Price
The Chronicle, RACHEL SWAN: "Opponents of Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price have launched a recall committee — their first step toward ousting a top law enforcement official who is pressing reform and drawing swift backlash.
On Tuesday organizers submitted an initial campaign finance filing for Save Alameda for Everyone (SAFE): Recall DA Price. The filing lists Carl Chan, a well-known public safety advocate in Oakland Chinatown, as one of the campaign treasurers. The other treasurer, Philip Dreyfuss, declined to comment."
Jury begins deliberating in corruption trial of ex-SFPUC chief Harlan Kelly
The Chronicle, ST. JOHN BARNED-SMITH: "Harlan Kelly sat quietly in federal court Wednesday as prosecutors recounted a litany of misdeeds the powerful former city bureaucrat allegedly committed as the general manager of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.
Here was a man, they said, underwater with construction debt, credit card debt and other unpaid financial obligations, who engaged in two wide-ranging fraud schemes: Lying to a bank to get loans, and attempting to put his thumb on the scales to swing business to a corrupt city contractor."
The nation’s largest dam removal project begins in California, but new concerns arise
The Chronicle, KURTIS ALEXANDER: "A few miles south of the California-Oregon border, up a remote canyon on the Klamath River, the hum of heavy machinery marks the start of the largest dam removal project in U.S. history.
Hundreds of workers and scores of trucks and wrecking vehicles last month began dismantling a nearly century-old concrete dam, the first of four hydroelectric dams slated for demolition in an ambitious bid to restore one of the great rivers of the West."
State Board of Education passes new California math framework
EdSource, JOHN FENSTERWALD: "With unanimity and generally high praise on Wednesday, the State Board of Education passed the new California Mathematics Framework that took nearly four years and three versions to adopt.
The new framework, which will guide teachers and spell out what publishers must adopt, comes at a critical time, said Ellen Barger, an assistant superintendent for Santa Barbara County who has participated in the framework process. Flocks of new teachers relying on outdated textbooks and struggling to help students recover from the pandemic “all create a sense of urgency,” she said during a two-hour presentation by the California Department of Education. “Teachers are seeking clarity and guidance to ensure mathematics that is engaging, enjoyable, meaningful and inclusive.”"
CALMatters, MIKHAIL ZINSHTEYN: "A $1.5 billion budget shortfall, student outrage over planned annual 6% tuition hikes for at least five years, stubborn racial gaps in graduation rates and widespread distrust over how the university handles sexual assault claims.
This is the job that awaits Mildred García, who was named chancellor of the California State University today."
UCSF in talks to acquire two San Francisco hospitals, including the oldest in city
The Chronicle, NORA MISHANEC: "UCSF is in talks to take over St. Mary’s Medical Center, St. Francis Memorial Hospital and several outpatient and urgent care clinics throughout San Francisco currently operated by the Catholic hospital chain Dignity Health, according to a memo reviewed by The Chronicle.
St. Mary’s, the city’s oldest hospital and one of the only providers serving communities on the city’s west side, would cease to be a Catholic hospital, said President and CEO Daryn Kumar in a memo to staff Wednesday morning."
S.F.’s Anchor Brewing is shutting down after 127 years
The Chronicle, JESS LANDER, CALEB PERSHAN: "San Francisco institution Anchor Brewing Co., the godfather of steam beer, is shutting down after 127 years.
The brewery was “losing millions of dollars a year,” said Anchor spokesperson Sam Singer. “Economic pressures have made the business no longer sustainable.”"
Hollywood actors poised to strike after SAG-AFTRA contract expires with no deal
LA Times, ANOUSHA SAKOUI: "The union representing Hollywood actors is poised to strike and join writers on picket lines in back-to-back walkouts for the first time since 1960, widening the labor conflict that has roiled the film and TV industry.
Despite the involvement of a federal mediator who was brought in at the eleventh hour to help resolve the conflict, groups representing the actors and the studios were unable to agree to a new film and TV contract before a Wednesday night deadline."
LA Times, SUMMER LIN: "For the first time, San Diego has surpassed San Francisco for average rental rates, making the All-American City the nation’s third most expensive rental market, according to a Zillow report.
San Diego’s typical monthly rental rate in June was $3,175, exceeding San Francisco’s rent of $3,168. The rates represent a significant jump since February when San Francisco’s rents were 29% higher than San Diego’s, according to the online real estate site Zillow."
California prisons’ ‘code of silence’ takes center stage in Sacramento courtroom
Sac Bee, SAM STANTON: "The California prison system’s “Code of Silence” took center stage in a Sacramento courtroom Tuesday as the trial began for an officer accused of ordering a cover-up in a 2016 guard assault on an inmate that led to the 65-year-old prisoner’s death.
Former correctional Sgt. Brenda Villa is the third prison guard to be charged in the incident involving inmate Ronnie Price. She faces charges of conspiracy to commit falsification of records, three counts of falsification of records and lying to a federal grand jury that was investigating the Sept. 15, 2016, incident at California State Prison, Sacramento, also known as New Folsom."
Parents, teens rip into S.F. police for skateboarding event arrests
The Chronicle, JORDAN PARKER: "Disgruntled parents, teachers and community organizers showed in force at Wednesday’s police commission meeting, defending teens detained during a Saturday skateboarding event, and criticizing police whose actions they likened to child abuse.
“What happened Saturday night is blatant state-sanctioned child abuse,” a speaker, who identified herself as a doctor for incarcerated individuals, said."
Body-cam footage shows Palmdale sheriff’s deputy punching a woman holding her baby
LA Times, KERI BLAKINGER, JAMES QUEALLY: "During what should have been a routine traffic stop last year, a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy from the Palmdale station punched a mother in the face while she held her 3-week-old baby in her arms, begging authorities not to take her child.
An agonizing video of the incident released Wednesday night shows the woman protesting and pleading for several minutes before a male deputy at the edge of the frame throws two overhand punches at her head."