Hello Roundup readers! We wanted to let you know that we will be switching to a new hosting platform for The Roundup soon. Expect the same great content, but an improved reader experience. We've been working on this switch for months, and we think you'll enjoy the upgrade!
Nearly 40% of California produce contains PFAS pesticides, report finds
LAT, SUSANNE RUST: "A new report shows that nearly 40% of conventionally grown fruits and vegetables tested by California regulators have residues of “forever” or PFAS chemicals, a family of compounds that can be lasting and harmful.
The Environmental Working Group, an advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., reviewed California’s own test data and found PFAS pesticide residues on peaches, grapes and strawberries, and about three dozen other types of fruits and vegetables."
Man threatened to ‘Bruce Lee’ kick Mayor Lurie’s bodyguard, S.F. DA says
CHRONICLE, STAFF: "The man charged with assaulting Mayor Daniel Lurie’s police bodyguard last week threatened the officer moments before the security detail shoved him to the ground, saying “Bruce Lee I’ll kick your ass!” prosecutors said in court documents filed Tuesday.
The alleged threat represents the first time authorities have offered a detailed explanation for why the San Francisco police officer protecting Lurie was seen initiating the physical contact with Tony Shervaughn Phillips during the violent encounter late Thursday afternoon near the Tenderloin, which was captured on widely shared videos."
The exodus of California’s tech billionaires from the Golden State to Florida’s Gold Coast
LAT, STACY PERMAN: "Last December, a large coterie of Silicon Valley billionaires descended upon Miami to attend Art Basel, the ritzy, contemporary art fair that marks the end of the moneyed set’s yearly social calendar.
Much of the buzz surrounded the spectacle of Google co-founder Sergey Brin, among the world’s richest men, docking his 466-foot, $450-million yacht, the Dragonfly, in Biscayne Bay while he stepped ashore to view the art installations."
California’s foster care system is buckling under the weight of this unexpected cost
CALMATTERS, CAYLA MIHALOVICH: "An insurance crisis continues to rattle California’s foster care system, threatening to displace thousands of vulnerable children.
Since 2024, more than two dozen nonprofits that recruit, train and support foster parents have shuttered across 13 counties, according to the California Department of Social Services."
San Diego County sues ICE after it blocked health inspection at detention center
CALMATTERS, WENDY FRY: "San Diego County filed a lawsuit in federal court Tuesday alleging the Trump administration illegally blocked a public health inspection of the Otay Mesa Detention Center, escalating a dispute over oversight of the privately-run immigration detention facility near the U.S.-Mexico border.
The complaint seeks a court order requiring the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and private prison contractor CoreCivic to allow county health officials inside to conduct a full inspection. According to the lawsuit, ICE initially cleared county officials to enter the facility but reversed that decision when the inspection team arrived."
A team of immigrant developers created a video game to simulate the chaos of the H-1B visa system
CHRONICLE, KO LYN CHEANG: "A team of immigrant game developers created a video game to simulate the lives of H-1B visa holders amid tightening immigration restrictions under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Called “H-1B Life,” the game invites users to play as immigrants hoping to build lives and careers in the United States."
California DACA recipient sues Trump administration over her deportation
LAT, ANDREA CASTILLO: "Attorneys for a Sacramento DACA recipient who was deported to Mexico last month have filed a lawsuit against the federal government seeking her immediate return to the U.S.
Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez, 42, was detained Feb. 18 during a scheduled interview for her green card application. She was deported to Mexico the next day, despite having active deportation protection through the Obama-era program Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals."
California needs to streamline permits for heat pump installations (OP-ED)
CAPITOL WEEKLY, SHARON LAWRENCE: "Last summer, my old air conditioning system was on its way out, so I started looking for a replacement to keep my home cool. That’s when I learned that modern heat pumps are three to five times more efficient than gas appliances and can help households save money by providing heating and cooling in one system year-round. After weighing my options, I decided this was the best long-term investment for my home.
With available incentives and rebates, a heat pump, which can replace both my gas furnace and the air conditioner (A/C), would have actually cost less than installing a new A/C alone, and I was ready to move. But what I didn’t anticipate was how complicated the approval process with my Home Owner’s Association (HOA) would be."
Carvalho probe looms over LAUSD meeting as labor talks, charter renewal demand attention
LAT, HOWARD BLUME: "Los Angeles school officials took action on major issues Tuesday during their first public board meeting after an FBI raid of the home and office of Supt. Alberto Carvalho: denying the renewal of one of the nation’s better-known charter schools, approving four significant union contracts and passing a resolution that seeks to end business with vendors who have ties with federal immigration enforcement.
The meeting took place as Carvalho issued his first statement since the raid, asserting his innocence and expressing hopes to return to work as soon as possible."
California teachers ‘tread lightly’ for America’s 250th as they navigate competing narratives
CALMATTERS, CAROLYN JONES: "The national political climate may be polarized and combative, but California is taking steps to ensure K-12 students learn to have respectful debates, get involved in their communities and understand their rights.
The State Board of Education is poised on March 11 to add civics to the California School Dashboard, the primary accountability tool for the state’s public K-12 schools. The aim is to encourage more students to excel in their government classes, show a strong understanding of the Constitution and the foundations of democracy, and get involved in civics-related extracurricular or community activities."
California schools debate how much AI belongs in classrooms
EDSOURCE, BETTY MARQUEZ ROSALES: "When Mike Lawrence joined ABC Unified School District as director of information and technology two years ago, he inherited a set of guidelines on the district’s approach to artificial intelligence tools.
The next step was opening up the conversation to the broader education community, said Lawrence, so the district posted the draft document online and invited comments. Many people responded and continue to engage. Each quarter, the district hosts community roundtable discussions on the topic."
Proposed changes to law allowing childhood sex abuse cases mostly repeats 2025’s failed effort
EDSOURCE, THOMAS PEELE: "With the legislative clock ticking, California lawmakers are working on possible solutions to curb payouts from childhood sexual abuse lawsuits that local officials say are crippling schools and other public agencies.
But rather than proposing sweeping changes, some of the proposals being discussed are similar to those that failed last year, documents obtained by EdSource and interviews show."
Solar panel reimbursements to remain low under California appeals court ruling
CALMATTERS, MALENA CAROLLO: "A California appeals court this week sided with state utility regulators in a case seen as crucial to the spread of solar panels on the rooftops of California homes.
Three appeals court judges ruled that the California Public Utilities Commission was justified in reducing the rate utilities pay customers for excess energy the customers’ solar panels generate."
Near-90-degree heat is headed for the Bay Area. Here’s when to expect it
CHRONICLE, ANTHONY EDWARDS: "The Bay Area is about to warm up, big time.
Historically high March temperatures are forecast as early as Sunday, but it’ll be a gradual climb to get there. Wednesday will be the start."
Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupts, blasting lava 1,000 feet into the sky
CHRONICLE, AIDIN VAZIRI: "Lava from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano shot as high as 1,000 feet into the air Tuesday, sending ash and volcanic debris across parts of the Big Island and forcing officials to close sections of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and a key highway.
The eruption began at about 9:17 a.m. Hawaii time inside Halemaʻumaʻu crater at Kilauea’s summit, according to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. It lasted about 10 hours."
L.A. County deputy collected paychecks after felony excessive force conviction
LAT SALVADOR HERNANDEZ: "A Los Angeles County deputy who was convicted of excessive force continued to collect a paycheck for months even though he was barred from carrying a badge in California, according to Sheriff’s Department officials and county records.
A federal jury convicted Trevor Kirk in February 2025 of a felony after he was recorded throwing a woman face first onto the ground outside a supermarket in Lancaster."