An area in Oakland finds itself in the midst of a lead crisis that experts are saying is worse than Flint, Michigan's.
KATRINA CAMERON with East Bay Times: "Some children in the Fruitvale neighborhood are being exposed to lead at dangerous levels, far beyond the headline-making lead contamination in Flint, Michigan, according to a new report from Reuters."
"The report found that 7.57 percent of children tested in the neighborhood had elevated levels of lead in their blood — far exceeding the nationwide average of 2.5 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This was the only data available for Oakland, which was a sample of 500 children tested in the 94601 ZIP code."
"The report also found 3.02 percent of 500 children in the 95127 ZIP code in east San Jose had elevated lead levels in their blood."
READ MORE related to Oakland: Ghost Ship Fire was a 'matter of benign neglect.' It's not the only one -- PAIGE ST. JOHN with LAT
Tom Steyer takes the oil industry to task in an effort to influence legislation, one example of the impact of Big Money in the Capitol.
TARYN LUNA and JIM MILLER with Sacramento Bee: "With a cap-and-trade battle brewing and major climate change bills on the horizon, billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer hit the airwaves last summer ripping the oil industry in TV advertisements around the state."
"Tell your legislator to stand up to the oil companies and protect our clean-air laws,” Steyer said in one version of the ads. “Don’t let the oil companies put their profits ahead of our kids."
SoCal casino-owning tribes find themselves in a gamble with the Trump administration.
AARON CLAVERIE with Daily News: "What can Southern California’s casinos expect from a Trump presidency?"
"That’s the multi-million dollar question for tribes who own and operate such resorts, who are hoping that having a former casino owner in the White House is a good thing for both their people and gaming operations."
"We are at the very beginning of the Trump presidency and look forward to engaging the incoming administration about tribal issues in general,” said tribal Chairman Mark Macarro of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, which owns the Pechanga Resort and Casino near Temecula."
Gov. Brown has appointed two top aides to the PUC.
CHRISTOPHER CADELAGO with Sacramento Bee: "Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday announced the appointment of two top aides to the influential Public Utilities Commission as the panel faces significant changes."
"Brown appointed Martha Guzman Aceves, 39, and Clifford Rechtschaffen, 59, to replace Michael Florio, a consumer advocate, and Catherine Sandoval, a law school professor. Six-year terms for Florio and Sandoval end next month."
"The incoming members, both Democrats, will earn $142,095 a year as commissioners."
Truck terrorism in Europe has U.S. law enforcement officials on edge, prompting more security barriers at the Rose Parade in Pasadena.
MAYA LAU with LAT: "Police plan to use parked patrol cars and heavy, water-filled barricades at key crossings along the 5.5-mile Tournament of Roses parade route in response to recent terrorist attacks that used trucks as weapons."
"In announcing the new security measures on Wednesday, Pasadena Police Chief Phillip L. Sanchez stressed there was no known threat to the parade, the Rose Bowl Game or the city of Pasadena. But he said the changes were made in an abundance of caution, adding that parade security is frequently tweaked as terrorism tactics and threats evolve."
"The barriers will be placed at more than 50 intersections along the route."
Muslim spokesman Hussam Ayloush finds himself in hot water over an insensitive tweet about the downed Russian military jet that killed 92 this past weekend.
JOY RESMOVITS with LAT: "Prominent Muslim spokesman Hussam Ayloush had pulled over his car to refuel on a trip from Southern California to visit family in Texas on Christmas Day when he heard the news: a Russian military passenger jet en route to Syria had crashed in the Black Sea."
"He said he conducted a cursory search on the model and deduced that type of aircraft usually carries soldiers. He posted a message to Facebook and Twitter, and drove off."
“I’m sad about the crashed Russian military jet. The TU-154 could have carried up to 180 military personnel instead of just 92!” the tweet read."
How will California's newest set of laws on Jan. 1 affect your day-to-day?
PATRICK MCGREEVY with LAT: "Starting Jan. 1, Californians’ lives will be governed by hundreds of new laws including added controls on guns, harsher sanctions against criminals, extra restrictions on ride-hailing firms such as Uber and Lyft, and a boost in the minimum wage. We read every new law so you don’t have to."
"At companies with 26 or more employees, the minimum wage will increase from $10 an hour to $10.50."
"Employers are prohibited from paying women less than male colleagues based on prior salary. Workers in “substantially similar” jobs but of different race or ethnicity will also need to be paid equal wages."
Public transportation by water sees a resurgence in popularity.
CARL NOLTE with The Chronicle: "Ferry service on the bay, which was revitalized by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, is now riding the wave of an economic boom, and these days public transportation by water is thriving."
"The two major carriers, Golden Gate Ferry and San Francisco Bay Ferry, have seen ridership surge by more than a million passengers in the past four years to just over 5 million passengers a year."
“Ridership has gone up by 72 percent in the last four years,” said Nina Rannells, executive director of the Water Emergency Transportation Authority, the government agency that does business as San Francisco Bay Ferry. “It’s exciting.”"
These four California politicians are on a 'retirement watch.'
SARAH D. WIRE with LAT: "So far, none of California’s 55 senators and representatives have announced plans to retire ahead of the 2018 election. But after weeks at home with family during the holidays to talk about the future, such declarations could come soon."
"Every two years, a few members announce it’s time to come home because they want more time with family or there is a chance to run for another office. Plus, most of California’s members are Democrats and won’t control any branch of government come Jan. 20."
"“Life in the minority party is frustrating, especially in the House. It is not just that your proposals are unlikely to prevail, it is that they are unlikely to even get considered,” said UC Irvine political scientist Matthew Beckmann. “For Democratic members who forecast four to eight years of a Republican rule, there are compelling reasons to think the grass is greener outside of Washington.”
Former California Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado is one of Trump's considerations for head of the Department of Agriculture.
ANITA KUMAR with Sacramento Bee: "President-elect Donald Trump is considering nominating former California Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado to lead the Department of Agriculture."
"Trump and Maldonado will meet Wednesday at Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, where Trump is spending the holidays, according to transition spokesman Sean Spicer."
"He also is considering a trio of Texans for agriculture secretary: the state’s agriculture commissioner Sid Miller, former Texas agriculture commissioner Susan Combs and former Texas A&M president Elsa Murano. Murano also will meet with Trump Wednesday."
Eight years of the First Family's vacations cost taxpayers $85M.
ANITA KUMAR with Sacramento Bee: "As America’s first family enjoys its eighth and final vacation in Hawaii, new estimates put the price tag of the Obamas’ annual trip at $3.5 million or more."
"In total, the cost of the the first family’s personal or largely personal travel during the last eight years comes to $85 million – though that is likely to climb to $90 million after additional records are released, according to the conservative group Judicial Watch based on federal government records."
"The cost of Air Force One and other government planes as well as helicopters, cargo planes, armored cars, Secret Service protection and advance, communications and medical staff has led Judicial Watch to push for less personal travel."
READ MORE related to National News: Syrian government, rebels sign cease-fire deal, says Russia -- AP in The Chronicle; In parting shot, Kerry tears into Israel over settlements -- AP in Sacramento Bee; Child abuse in the military: Failing those most in need -- DAVID S. CLOUD with LAT; Debbie Reynolds dies at 84, a day after her daughter Carrie Fisher's death -- JOEL RUBIN and RICHARD WINTON with San Diego Union-Tribune
The longest-serving Manson Family prison inmate, Patricia Krenwinkel, goes before a parole review board Today.
MATT HAMILTON with LAT: "Confined to a California prison since 1971, former Manson family member and convicted murderer Patricia Krenwinkel is now the longest-serving female inmate in the state’s correctional system."
"On Thursday, the 69-year-old will have a chance at freedom when a review board considers whether to recommend her for parole."
"Krenwinkel was sent to death row after a Los Angeles jury convicted her of killing actress Sharon Tate and six others in a two-day rampage intended to trigger a race war. The killings were done at the behest of Charles Manson, leader of a cult-like group living on an old movie ranch near Chatsworth."
