Sweeping California water conservation rules could force big cuts in some areas
The Chronicle, HAYLEY SMITH, IAN JAMES, SEAN GREENE: "With California facing a hotter and drier future — punctuated by bouts of extreme weather — state officials are moving forward with a new framework for urban water use that could require some suppliers to make cuts of 20% or more as soon as 2025.
Many of the suppliers facing the harshest cuts are located in the Central Valley and in the southeastern part of the state — large, hot and primarily rural areas that have historically struggled to meet conservation targets."
Exclusive: Dianne Feinstein speaks on family’s financial feud and her daughter’s role in estate
The Chronicle, SHIRA STEIN: "Sen. Dianne Feinstein gave her daughter power of attorney over her legal affairs so that she can focus on her work in Congress, she told the Chronicle on Wednesday in her first public comments on what has become a bitter dispute over access to portions of her late husband’s vast estate.
“I’ve asked my daughter to handle the case. And it’s so I can focus on what I’m doing back here in Washington,” Feinstein said. “It’s a difficult time for me, and so I really don’t have time for other things.”"
Dianne Feinstein’s frailty, fight for family millions cast shadow on final Senate chapter
The Chronicle, KEVIN RECTOR: "One of the great political careers in modern American history began in earnest in a singular moment in 1978, when then-San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Dianne Feinstein showed fortitude in the face of horror.
Announcing that two of her colleagues — Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk — had been assassinated at City Hall, Feinstein was composed and authoritative despite having just borne witness to the bloodshed. So clear was her gravitas — all the more striking in an era of rampant misogyny — that she would use video of herself from that day in later campaign ads."
Schiff and Porter increasingly dominate race for Senate, poll shows
LA Times, BENJAMIN ORESKES: "California has more registered Republicans than any state in the union, but that doesn’t mean one of them will make it to the runoff for the state’s U.S. Senate seat.
Six months ahead of the March 5 primary, two Democrats appear likely to face off next year to decide who will replace longtime Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, according to a new UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll co-sponsored by The Times."
Experts Expound: The power of Legislative caucuses
Capitol Weekly, STAFF: "Both the Senate and Assembly have several caucuses beyond the main party caucuses: Rural Caucus, Latino Caucus, Jewish Caucus, Black Caucus, LGBTQ Caucus, etc. But which wields the most power behind the scenes? We asked our experts to weigh in.
Which legislative caucus – excluding the two main party caucuses – is currently the most powerful?
“Hands down the Mod Caucus. They coalesce around issues and throw their weight around on a regular basis to block/pass key bills.”"
Newsom signs executive order for study of AI and potential benefits, dangers for California
Sac Bee, ANDREW SHEELER: "Gov. Gavin Newsom says he wants to prepare California for the age of AI.
He announced Wednesday that he has signed an executive order for a study of generative artificial intelligence, or GenAI, which has been popularized recently with offerings such as ChatGPT and Midjourney."
California lawmakers send caste discrimination bill to Newsom
CALMatters, LYNN LA: "After many twists and turns — intra-party drama, xenophobic comments against its author and division among some South Asian communities — the first-in-the-nation bill to ban caste discrimination in California’s housing and employment laws completed its journey through the Legislature Tuesday with a 31-5 vote in the Senate.
It heads next to the governor’s desk. Until Gov. Gavin Newsom signs it into law, a coalition of supporters says it is launching a statewide hunger strike “to remind the state that Californians have lost their jobs due to caste discrimination; have been unhoused due to caste discrimination; and have been harmed irrevocably by physical, sexual, and verbal violence.”"
Robert Rivas wants to use small-town charm to wield big political power in California. Will it work?
LA Times, LAUREL ROSENHALL: "In case it wasn’t obvious on the two-lane highway that carves through golden hills, cow pastures and rows of grapevines, a sign inside the roadside Paicines General Store makes the point clear: “Welcome to the country.”
When Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas was a boy in the 1980s, his grandmother would walk him and his brother to the store for ice cream before heading to her night shift at a local cannery."
Will the real John Eastman please stand up?
Capitol Weekly, BRIAN JOSEPH: "Just who is John Eastman?
Legal scholar. Co-conspirator. Mild mannered. Political animal.
John Eastman has been alternatively described as each since he transmogrified from a relatively anonymous, dial-a-quote law professor in Orange County to one of the supposed masterminds of Donald Trump’s Hail Mary ploy to hold onto the presidency."
I signed up for California DMV’s new digital driver’s license. Here’s how it works
The Chronicle, JESSICA FLORES: "Californians can now access their driver’s license or identification card on their smartphones and use it to get through TSA security screenings at some Bay Area airports.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles is offering a limited number of free sign-ups for the state’s first digital driver’s license. In addition to its use at many airports across the U.S., including San Francisco International and Mineta San Jose International, participants can use it to verify their age for alcohol purchases at a handful of convenience stores in the state."
California scales back electric car rebates to focus on lower-income car buyers
CALMatters, ALEJANDRO LAZO: "California is eliminating its popular electric car rebate program — which often runs out of money and has long waiting lists — to focus on providing subsidies only to lower-income car buyers.
The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, in existence since 2010, will end when it runs out of money this year. In its place, the state will expand a program next year that provides subsidies only to low-to-middle income residents — those who have more trouble affording electric cars."
California home insurance crisis: Another major insurer reduces coverage
The Chronicle, CLARE FONSTEIN: "Another home insurance provider will reduce future coverage in California, as other companies have done in previous months in response to costly wildfires.
United Services Automobile Association Group (USAA) outlined restrictions for new California property insurance policies that will take effect next March in a filing to the California Department of Insurance."
Taking aim at Oakland leaders, former mayoral candidate launches effort to confront city’s problems
The Chronicle, SARAH RAVANI: "Former Oakland mayoral candidate Loren Taylor announced Wednesday the launch of a new organization aimed at educating residents about key city issues and elected leaders.
The organization, a 501(c)(4) called Empower Oakland, is intended to influence City Hall and encourage residents to become more politically involved, Taylor said. The former council member said he’s focusing the organization’s efforts on the 2024 elections, when several City Council seats will be on the ballot."
Why money, education and tolerance are needed in California’s upcoming ban of gas blowers
Sac Bee, MATHEW MIRANDA: "Rafael Guzman’s first request to use battery-powered landscaping equipment came six years ago.
He immediately rejected the idea. Guzman had spent the prior 32 years revving up gasoline-powered machines without hesitation. His job was to leave lawns looking pristine. Pollution was a byproduct and afterthought."
Will Tropical Storm Hilary’s record-smashing rain lead to a wildflower bloom?
LA Times, JEANETTE MARANTOS: "Tropical Storm Hilary’s historic rains are great news for wildflower lovers — if you’re into shy desert blooms like the arcing spikes of fringed amaranth (Amaranthus fimbriatus), pops of purple from trailing windmills (Allionia incarnata) or golden, odiferous clumps of cinchweed (Pectis papposa).
But don’t expect the summer downpour to create another lush superbloom of poppies and lupines this fall. “Those plants we enjoy in the spring are called winter annuals because they need cold conditions to germinate,” said botanist Naomi Fraga, director of conservation for the California Botanic Garden. “They need wet and cold conditions to bloom.”"
How California’s current COVID wave ranks among the pandemic’s Top 5
BANG*Mercury News, HARRIET BLAIR ROWAN: "California’s sneaky summer COVID wave is reaching heights not seen in more than a year as highly contagious strains of the virus continue to spread with the promise of a new vaccine days away.
The state’s test positivity rate has now topped 14%, the highest since July of 2022 and the fifth highest mark since the pandemic began in early 2020, according to the latest California Department of Public Health data."
What California’s coming ‘tripledemic’ is expected to look like
The Chronicle, CATHERINE HO: "As the Bay Area and the rest of the nation gear up for a fourth year of the so-called “tripledemic” — flu, COVID and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) surging simultaneously — local infectious disease experts project some welcome news for the upcoming winter respiratory season.
The flu vaccine and new COVID booster are expected to be relatively good matches against the circulating strains of each respective virus, Dr. Jeffrey Silvers, medical director of infection control at Sutter Health, said Tuesday during a call with reporters. And, for the first time, new vaccines against RSV are available, which will give vulnerable groups — including babies and seniors — protection against the most serious outcomes of the virus."
New COVID boosters work against highly mutated ‘Pirola’ variant, vaccine makers say
The Chronicle, AIDIN VAZIRI: "Moderna and Pfizer have reported positive findings regarding the efficacy of their updated COVID-19 vaccines against the highly mutated omicron BA.2.86 coronavirus subvariant, which has raised concerns about a potential resurgence of infections.
Moderna stated on Wednesday that its vaccine generated an 8.7-fold increase in neutralizing antibodies in humans against BA.2.86 in clinical trials."
California city wants to declare itself a ‘no mask and no vaccine mandate’ community
SCNG, MICHAEL SLATEN: "Huntington Beach is moving ahead to likely declare itself a “no mask and no vaccine mandate” city, preemptively taking a stand ahead of any future orders from health agencies.
Councilmember Gracey Van Der Mark created the proposal. After a 4-3 approval vote from the City Council, the city manager will return with a resolution at the next council meeting for formal adoption."
Fruit-fly quarantines placed over large portions of Santa Clara, Contra Costa counties
BANG*Mercury News, AUSTIN TURNER: "The detection of oriental fruit flies has prompted officials to declare a quarantine of homegrown fruits and vegetables in portions of Santa Clara and Contra Costa counties through mid-2024.
The oriental fruit flies, an invasive pest native to Asia, are known to burrow themselves into hundreds of fruits, rendering them inedible, according to a news release from the county. Among the fruits most susceptible to the pest are key California crops like avocados, apples, citrus fruits, tomatoes and peppers."
He lied to win a California rehab contract. Now he’s convicted of exploiting parolees in his care
CALMatters, BYRHONDA LYONS: "Nearly three years after being released from state prison for defrauding the government, Attila Colar saw a new opportunity to pull in steady money from California taxpayers.
He didn’t even need to hide his criminal past when he applied for a contract with a California rehabilitation program for parolees leaving state prisons. Former felons are welcome as landlords in the state-funded rehabilitation program, and many have a strong history providing services to their tenants. But he covered up his record, anyway."
570 California schools targeted for low vaccination rates
EdSource, DIANA LAMBERT, DANIEL J. WILLIS, YUXUAN XIE: "More than 500 California public schools are being audited by the state because they reported that more than 10% of their kindergarten or seventh-grade students were not fully vaccinated last school year. Schools that allow students to attend school without all their vaccinations are in jeopardy of losing funding.
The audit list, released by the California Department of Public Health, includes 450 schools serving kindergarten students and 176 schools serving seventh graders with low vaccination rates. Fifty-six of the schools serve both grade levels. Another 39 schools failed to file a vaccination report with the state."
Soaring chronic absenteeism in California schools is at ‘pivotal moment’
CALMatters, CAROLYN JONES: "As a new school year gets underway in California, districts are desperately trying to lure thousands of missing, tardy and truant students back to the classroom in what many view as a pivotal moment for education in California.
In 2021-22, 30% of students in California’s public schools were chronically absent, an all-time high and more than three times the pre-pandemic rate. Advocates fear that unless schools can reverse the trend, so many students will fall behind that they may never catch up."
Judge blocks Chino Valley policy mandating schools notify parents if students are transgender
LA Times, PRISCELLA AVEGA, HANNAH WILEY: "A San Bernardino County Superior Court judge on Wednesday ruled the Chino Valley Unified School District must hold off on enforcing its new policy requiring that schools notify parents if students indicate they identify as transgender or gender-nonconforming.
Judge Thomas Garza granted the state’s request for a temporary restraining order. A hearing is scheduled Oct. 13 to continue litigating whether Chino Valley’s policy violates state civil rights and privacy laws when it comes to students and gender identity."
Legislative fix would save student housing at some California community colleges
CALMatters, MIKHAIL ZINSHTEYN: "Cerritos College in Los Angeles County was about to cancel plans to build affordable dorms for 396 students at rents of just above $700 a month.
Another community college, Sierra College in Rocklin, was planning to abandon construction of homes for 354 students at rents of $450 a month."
Behind Disney’s Spectrum blackout: A ‘proxy battle’ for the future of television
The Chronicle, MEG JAMES: "Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Bob Iger has made no secret of his company’s plans to eventually offer ESPN channels directly to consumers, bypassing its long-standing partners — the cable and satellite TV providers.
“We have a great brand, we’ve had a great business,” Iger said during a mid-July appearance on CNBC from Sun Valley, Idaho. “There is an inevitability ... to taking ESPN direct to consumers. We haven’t said when, but we do know that it will happen.”"
What San Francisco can learn from the collapse — and rebirth — of one U.S. city
The Chronicle, CHASE DIFELICIANTONIO: "Pittsburgh once was what some people think San Francisco is today — a city of hollowed-out neighborhoods, rising crime and rapidly proliferating urban decay.
The collapse of the Pennsylvania city’s famed steel industry in the 1970s and ’80s slashed its population in half, emptied downtown office buildings and necessitated a new economic focus."
Something felt odd about those renderings of a proposed city in Solano County. Here’s why
The Chronicle, CHASE DIFELICIANTONIO: "A girl pedaling a bicycle with a missing foot. An asymmetrical airplane. An impossible ladder.
If those renderings of a utopian, sun-kissed dream city-to-be in the farmlands of eastern Solano County last week seemed a step outside reality, it’s because they are."
Former Fox News host launches a proposed 2024 ballot measure to fix California’s housing crisis
The Chronicle, JOE GAROFOLI: "We’ve seen plenty of Democrat-led legislation designed to encourage more home building, but get ready for a conservative-led ballot measure proposal to jump-start housing production to be filed on Wednesday.
It is guaranteed to be a conversation starter, if nothing else, in deep blue California."
Americans are hopelessly confused about big-city crime. Partisanship is partly to blame
LA Times, NOAH BIERMAN: "Americans think New York is more dangerous than New Orleans, even though the Crescent City’s homicide rate is 12 times higher this year. Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents rank Washington, D.C., as one of the country’s safer big cities, above cities like Miami, where the homicide rate is much lower. Republicans and Republican-leaning independents see Seattle as ominously dangerous, even though Houston has twice the homicide rate so far this year.
Americans are worried about crime ahead of the 2024 elections, but few have an accurate sense of the problem, according to a Times review of crime data and a recent Gallup poll that asked adults to judge whether 16 major cities are safe places to live or visit."