Dianne Feinstein sues, citing medical bills, as family battle over finances turns ugly
The Chronicle, SHIRA STEIN: "Sen. Dianne Feinstein has taken legal action in San Francisco, claiming she has been unable to access any of her late husband’s assets, including money to pay for “significant medical expenses” after a bout with shingles.
Feinstein’s husband, financier Richard Blum, died in February 2022 after a long fight with cancer. According to a lawsuit filed Monday in San Francisco Superior Court by Feinstein’s daughter, Katherine Feinstein — who has power of attorney in her mother’s legal matters — Sen. Feinstein has not received any of the assets from Blum’s estate as dictated in his trust agreement."
S.F. corruption scandal: Chinese billionaire admits bribing former public works chief Mohammed Nuru
The Chronicle, ST. JOHN BARNED-SMITH, J.K. DINEEN: "Thirteen hours after his plane took off from London, Chinese billionaire Zhang Li shuffled into a San Francisco courtroom to address the charge that he bribed former Public Works chief Mohammed Nuru to fast-track one of his projects.
By the end of the day, prosecutors and Zhang finalized an agreement: Zhang would admit to bribing Nuru with food, drinks and other amenities during a trip the former bureaucrat took to China in 2018, and face one count of conspiracy to commit wire services fraud. Prosecutors agreed to drop the charge after three years, as long as Zhang acknowledged the misconduct and paid a $50,000 fine."
Experts Expound: Rating Ricardo Lara
Capitol Weekly, STAFF: "The California insurance market is in flux. On a scale of one to 10, how do you rate Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s handling of this situation so far?
“My answer would be a 5. He’s done just enough to keep the office afloat. With major insurance companies announcing no new home and car policies (or worse, no policies in CA at all) I didn’t expect an immediate turnaround by Ricardo, but I think by now he’d be much more pro-active with a response and a proposed strong fix. So far, nothing much has been announced or even proposed. People are really suffering.”"
116 degrees at night: Death Valley’s extreme heat goes off the charts from climate change
LA Times, HAYLEY SMITH: "It was 10 p.m. and 116 degrees as a brutal wind whipped through the darkness.
Here in Death Valley National Park — dubbed the hottest place on Earth — intrepid tourists waded into a hotel swimming pool seeking what little relief they could find.
Park temperatures had soared to 126 degrees that afternoon, just a few degrees shy of the daily record."
Why the hottest day of the year in San Francisco is so different from everywhere else
The Chronicle, ANTHONY EDWARDS: "For much of the United States, late July marks the dog days of summer, with furnace-like heat in the Central Valley and sticky humidity across the South. But San Franciscans are more accustomed to ‘no-sky July’ and ‘Fogust,’ before temperatures start to ramp up in September and October.
In fact, downtown San Francisco typically experiences its hottest day of the year on September 25, more than three months after the summer solstice and three days after the autumn equinox. Comparatively, Las Vegas and Sacramento’s temperatures peak July 22 and Los Angeles on August 28."
Some people never get COVID symptoms. We may finally know why
The Chronicle, AIDIN VAZIRI: "About 1 in 5 people who contract the coronavirus exhibit no symptoms.
Now, researchers at UCSF have uncovered a genetic mutation potentially responsible for the phenomenon of coronavirus super dodgers."
Did you get COVID but never feel sick? New study hints at why
LA Times, RONG-GONG LIN II: "As the coronavirus emerged, so did a mystery: Why did some who got infected never develop symptoms?
One likely explanation is it may be a person’s lucky genes."
Alameda jury awards $18.8M to terminally ill baby powder user
The Chronicle, BOB EGELKO: "A Bay Area jury’s verdict that Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder caused cancer to a lifelong user provides $18.8 million in damages to the terminally ill 24-year-old and could also impact the company’s attempt to resolve thousands of other suits by filing for bankruptcy.
After four days of deliberations, the Alameda County Superior Court jury found Tuesday that the talc in Johnson & Johnson’s powder contained asbestos that caused Emory Valadez to suffer mesothelioma in the area around his heart."
Californians are smoking less: Why that’s a problem for these early childhood services
CALMatters, ANA B. IBARRA: "For 25 years, some of California’s best-known early childhood services have been funded by an almost ironic source: Taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products.
That was the deal voters made when they passed Proposition 10 in 1998, levying a tobacco tax and dedicating the money for programs that would help families with young children."
‘A lifesaving tool’: California’s new mental health crisis line sees a surge in calls
CALMatters, ANABEL SOSA: "California made it easier to call for help a year ago when it launched a simplified mental health crisis hotline: Dial three digits — 988 — and you can get in touch with a counselor immediately.
Since then, crisis centers have received more than 280,000 calls. That’s twice as many as any other state, signaling to mental health advocates that the service was badly needed."
Temecula school board outrage over LGBTQ+ lessons motivates Newsom to rush new textbook law
LA Times, MACKENZIE MAYS: "Two San Francisco Democrats were at the center of a chaotic school board meeting in Southern California on Tuesday: Gov. Gavin Newsom and slain gay rights leader Harvey Milk.
During the nine-hour Temecula Valley Unified meeting, which ran past midnight, some parents spoke in support of the conservative majority on the school board and its bucking of state standards for inclusive and diverse education."
Stanford president resigns after ‘serious flaws’ found in past research studies
The Chronicle, NANETTE ASIMOV: "Stanford University President Marc Tessier-Lavigne resigned Wednesday following an independent review of the scientific integrity of research studies he co-authored dating back as far as 1999. The report found no evidence he knowingly falsified data, but Tessier-Lavigne was forced to retract three of 12 papers under scrutiny and correct two others.
“Although the report clearly refutes the allegations of fraud and misconduct that were made against me, for the good of the university, I have made the decision to step down as President effective August 31,” Tessier-Lavigne said in a statement."
$1-billion Powerball ticket sold in downtown Los Angeles
LA Times, BENJAMIN ORESKES: "Blocks from the epicenter of the homelessness crisis, one of the most lucrative lottery tickets in history was sold.
After months of anticipation, on Wednesday six numbers were drawn and one ticket, which was sold in Los Angeles’ Fashion District, matched."
Up to $9,000 a month and work from home? These California state jobs might let you
Sac Bee, BRIANNA TAYLOR: "The state of California is hiring in the departments of general services, aging and managed health care.
State jobs are known for offering competitive benefits and enrollment in the nation’s largest state public pension plan. Many of the following jobs have specific requirements, which are linked."
Antioch police chief says he's resigning next month
The Chronicle, JORDAN PARKER: "Antioch Police Chief Steven Ford abruptly announced his retirement, amidst the department’s racist text scandal, according to a statement posted by the department Wednesday night.
“I am writing to inform you of my decision to retire from the Antioch Police Department as of August 11, 2023. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have served as your Chief,” Ford said in the statement."
Is digital proof of insurance or driver’s license OK if you get pulled over in California?
Sac Bee, ANGELA RODRIGUEZ: "It happens. We all forget things — at least sometimes — as we run out the door in the morning.
But what if you forgot your wallet, which contains your driver’s license and car insurance? And, to your luck, the blue and red lights have just appeared in your rear view mirror."