California Senate race is once-in-generation decision for voters. Here are 5 things to know now
The Chronicle, SHIRA STEIN, JOE GAROFOLI: "California’s once-in-a-generation U.S. Senate race is likely to be the most important state election for voters in 2024. With an abundance of candidates and a few elements of unpredictability, it’s not clear who will make it out of the primary to the general election. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s appointee to fill the seat following the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Laphonza Butler, announced in October she will not seek a full term.
Democrats have five top candidates running: three members of Congress, a Silicon Valley tech executive and a Los Angeles broadcast journalist."
While Gavin Newsom was in China, Eleni Kounalakis was acting governor. What’d she do?
Sacramento Bee, ANDREW SHEELER: "Last week was a big one for California’s governor.
We’re speaking, of course, of acting Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, who spent the week in the big chair. Oh, and we suppose that Gavin Newsom guy did some stuff, too."
California adds three-strikes crime for first time in 20 years. Will lawmakers push for more?
Sacramento Bee, LINDSEY HOLDEN: "California is preparing to add a new crime to the list of those eligible for longer prison sentences under the state’s “three strikes” law. But criminal justice reform advocates worry about expanding the 30-year-old statute, saying it has not improved crime rates and disproportionately hurts communities of color.
Gov. Gavin Newsom in late September signed Senate Bill 14 from Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, which makes child sex trafficking a serious felony starting beginning Jan. 1."
From Death Row, Kevin Cooper says Gavin Newsom has been a ‘moral coward’ on controversial case
The Chronicle, BOB EGELKO: "Kevin Cooper remembers sitting in a San Quentin cell in 2004 in what might have been the final hours of his life, as he faced execution for four murders based on fiercely disputed evidence. With three hours and 42 minutes left came word of his reprieve from the federal courts — but the nightmare lingers, and so does the possibility that he could be put to death.
“There was a clock on the wall, white face, black numbers and a black second hand and I watched … minute by minute, hour by hour, my life disappear. That was torture,” Cooper, now 65, said in an interview Friday from the prison where he remains confined, one of 654 inmates still under a death sentence in California."
Informational and oversight hearings in the California Legislature
Capitol Weekly, CHRIS MICHELI: "Committees of the California Legislature can conduct several types of hearings, including bill hearings, investigative or oversight hearings, and informational hearings. Bill hearings are obviously those that are conducted to hear specific pieces of legislation, including bills, resolutions, and constitutional amendments. Most hearings have a similar purpose, which is to educate the legislators and their staff about the subject matter before them for consideration.
Informational hearings are used to gather information about the subject matter of the hearing, usually in preparation for consideration of legislation in the future. The chair, members or staff of the committee generally come up with the subject matter of the hearing. Sometimes, a hearing will be held prior to the introduction of a bill for the purpose of gathering iccccnformation the committee can use in shaping that upcoming legislation."
Sacramento NAACP’s future uncertain after revelations of alleged financial misconduct
Sacramento Bee, DARRELL SMITH: "The immediate future of the Sacramento chapter of the NAACP is an open question days after revelations of alleged financial misconduct removed top brass last week.
Local and national NAACP leaders were mute Monday following the suspensions of Greater Sacramento chapter president Betty Williams and five branch executives for alleged financial improprieties on Oct. 23."
Four more home insurance brands leave California
The Chronicle, CLARE FONSTEIN: "Four small insurers plan to nonrenew California home policies starting in 2024.
The four companies, Merastar Insurance Company; Unitrin Auto and Home Insurance Company; Unitrin Direct Property and Casualty Company and Kemper Independence Insurance Company, each cited a nationwide restructuring decision from their parent company Kemper Corporation, according to a document filed jointly this month with the California Department of Insurance."
Remembering Phil Isenberg; And politics update
Capitol Weekly, STAFF: "Former legislator Phil Isenberg died last week after a brief illness. Isenberg wore many hats in his life: Mayor of Sacramento, Assemblymember, Vice Chair of the Delta Stewardship Council, and husband to Marilyn Araki Isenberg. But for all that, perhaps his biggest legacy will be as a supporter of – and enthusiast for – the arts. Dan Morain covered Isenberg for decades and penned an obit for Capitol Weekly – he joined us to look at Isenberg’s career and his impact on California.
Plus, we discuss the governor’s trip to China, the Democrats’ divide over Israel/Palestine, and why an Alaskan Airlines pilot on a bum magic carpet ride might torpedo a Scott Wiener bill. And, our first-ever Bleep!"
Why Shasta County is at center of California voting, again
CALMatters, LYNN LA: "Normally an election to set up a fire district and fill one school board seat in a county with just 112,000 registered voters wouldn’t get statewide attention.
But the Nov. 7 election in Shasta County is far from normal and will be closely watched — including by the Secretary of State’s office."
Israeli forces battle Hamas fighters around Gaza City after 800,000 residents flee south
AP, WAFAA SHURAFA, SAMY MAGDY: "Israeli troops battled Hamas militants and attacked underground compounds Tuesday with a focus on northern Gaza, from which an estimated 800,000 Palestinians have fled south despite continued Israeli bombardment across the besieged enclave.
Buoyed by the first successful rescue of a captive held by Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected calls for a cease-fire and again vowed to crush Hamas’ ability to govern Gaza or threaten Israel following its bloody Oct. 7 rampage, which ignited the war."
What the U.S. is telling Israel about a Gaza ground invasion — and what Israel is hearing
LA Times, TRACY WILKINSON: "Each time U.S. military and diplomatic officials asked their Israeli counterparts in recent days what the endgame was as warplanes bombarded the Gaza Strip, the Israelis said, “Not now.”
The time was now to crush the Hamas militant group that made Oct. 7 the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust and figure out the aftermath later, the Israeli officials said, according to sources in the U.S. and Israel familiar with the talks."
Schools take on new designs for extra security in era of campus shootings
CALMatters, LARRY GORDON: "A would-be intruder would have a difficult time trying to sneak into the new Del Sol High School in Oxnard, which opened in August with its first group of 475 first-year students.
That’s because the $189 million campus was planned and built with security at the top of the list of concerns, officials say. And that puts it at the forefront of a trend throughout California and the nation as school districts respond to school shootings and try to prevent any more violence."
CALMatters, ADAM ECHELMAN: "On the shelf of an office in Coalinga sits a time capsule of sorts, transporting readers to the old days of community college. The book commemorates the 75th anniversary of the founding of West Hills College in Coalinga, featuring black and white photos from the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s. Young men and women, most of them white, hold books as they walk across campus. They pose together at the college dance or smile during football practice.
“It’s like ‘Friday Night Lights’,” said West Hills Community College District Chancellor Kristin Clark, comparing the images to the popular TV show and movie about small-town America as she leafs through the book."
CALMatters, CAROLYN JONES: "Five years ago, California embarked on an ambitious plan to bring computer science to all K-12 students, bolstering the state economy and opening doors to promising careers — especially for low-income students and students of color.
But a lack of qualified teachers has stalled these efforts, and left California — a global hub for the technological industry — ranked near the bottom of states nationally in the percentage of high schools offering computer science classes."
California universities evacuate students from Israel, citing war risk
EdSource, LARRY GORDON: "Following government warnings about the dangers of being in a war zone, California universities and colleges have safely evacuated their students who were attending study abroad programs in Israel. The future of those programs for the rest of the school year remains uncertain.
The U.S. State Department recently has categorized Israel as a Level 3 travel risk, which urges U.S. citizens to “reconsider” their travel and presence in the country “due to terrorism and civil unrest” in the aftermath of the Hamas attack on Israel and Israel’s current retaliations in Gaza. The Level 3 ranking and family concerns were enough for the University of California and the California State University systems to take action. Level 4, the worst potential ranking, is an outright travel ban."
Hidden costs for remote workers moving out of California
LA Times, DON LEE: "Like many Californians, insurance broker Jennifer Balek took advantage of pandemic-induced opportunities to work from home by moving to another state.
The 38-year-old Camarillo native settled in a small community outside Dallas, where she and her husband bought a house big enough for their family of eight that they could never afford in Southern California. She also knew Texas has no state income tax. Gas for their vehicles is a lot cheaper."
Californians with past-due water bills can get help with payments. Here’s how
LA Times, KAREN GARCIA: "Low-income Los Angeles County residents who are behind on their utility payments have a chance at keeping the water on, with a federally funded program that has been extended through March.
The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, administered by the California Department of Community Services and Development, was established by Congress in December 2020 as a one-time support to help low-income Californians pay past-due or current bills for water, sewer or both services."
S.F. cracking down on street hot dog vendors. Here’s what’s behind it
The Chronicle, AIDIN VAZIRI: "The tantalizing aroma of grilled onions and bacon-wrapped hot dogs is an integral part of San Francisco city life, courtesy of street vendors lining the sidewalks near bustling tourist spots, bars, baseball games and music festivals.
But authorities are again sounding alarms about these food cart operators, most of whom are unlicensed, citing concerns about public health and safety."
This map reveals who owns every property in California
The Chronicle, EMMA STIOEFEL: "California’s 58 counties maintain public data on every recorded property within their jurisdiction, which in total account for about 12.3 million properties. This first-of-its-kind tool brings together all of that data, allowing you to investigate any property in the state and see connections between properties that would otherwise be invisible in local records.
Type in your address, or any other California address, to see who officially owns nearly any building. The map contains data recorded across California as of mid-2022, obtained from property records organization Regrid."
S.F. struggles are causing ‘weak demand’ and rent concessions, apartment landlords say
The Chronicle, ROLAND LI: "Some of San Francisco’s largest apartment owners are in agreement: The city is still struggling from a pandemic hangover that is dampening pricing, and free rent concessions are widespread.
AvalonBay, which owns 12,133 Bay Area apartments, saw demand soften in the past month, in part because of continued remote work."