The state's torrential rains are proving to be a serious challenge for the Lake Oroville Dam, and other facilities as well, as officials work to deal with the huge influxes of water.
Sacramento Bee's RYAN SABALOW/DALE KASLER/PHILLIP REESE: "With stormwater and snowmelt pouring into the reservoir faster than expected, the operator of the crippled Oroville Dam said it was likely water would have to be released from the facility’s emergency spillway as soon as Saturday – a last-ditch alternative that officials had been hoping to avoid."
"William Croyle, director of the state Department of Water Resources, told reporters Thursday evening that water levels in Lake Oroville could reach the brim sometime Saturday, forcing activation of the emergency spillway. The emergency system, which has never been used, would dump water onto an exposed hillside, dislodging trees and earthen debris into the Feather River and potentially affect communities downstream."
"If the emergency spillway has to be used, “you’re going to get a lot of debris and erosion,” Croyle said."
READ MORE related to Environment: Officials say Oroville Dam not compromised but are preparing for the worst -- Chico Enterprise-Record's DAN REIDEL; High water levels prompt closure of American river Parkway access points -- Sacramento Bee's BILL LINDELOF/PHILLIP REESE; Storm updates: water rescues, collisions, road damage, power outages -- Sacramento Bee's CATHY LOCKE; New permit required for park's waterfall paradise -- The Chronicle's TOM STIENSTRA; Wet week closes plenty of roads in Butte, Glenn counties -- Chico Enterprise-Record's LAURA URSENY; Fish moved from hatchery due to dirty water -- Chico Enterprise-Record's STAFF
Donald Trump's baseless allegations about California voter fraud have prompted, at least in part, a close examination of the diversity of California's foreign-born voting bloc.
Capitol Weekly's PAUL MITCHELL: "California is a diverse state, and this is reflected in the state’s growing voter file."
"And to set the record straight, we are talking about full U.S. citizens, not some fictional “illegal” voters."
"There are 3.8 million foreign-born voters on the California voter file, including 1.4 million born in Latin America, and each of these has had their eligibility verified by their county registrars, and by either the Social Security Administration, the California Department of Motor Vehicles, or with a valid state identification (generally a driver’s license) presented at their polling place the first time they vote."
Speaking of Trump, the 9th Circuit Court has ruled against the president's travel ban, a move that dealt a significant blow to the Trump administration.
Sacramento Bee's ANDY FURILLO/SAM STANTON: "In a major blow to the Trump Administration, a panel of three federal judges on Thursday unanimously denied the federal government’s efforts to reinstate the president’s travel ban and rejected a Justice Department argument that it violates the separation of powers for judges to “entertain a constitutional challenge to executive actions such as this one.”
"The 29-page order leaves in place for now an order issued last Friday by a Seattle judge that halted the president’s travel ban on people arriving from seven Muslim-majority nations. It allows the federal government to seek review of the panel’s decision by a larger panel of judges from the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit."
"President Trump left no doubt that he would appeal the order, tweeting minutes after the decision was made public."
READ MORE related to Immigration: Reports of ICE immigration 'sweeps' spark LA protest, demands for answers -- Daily News' BRENDA GAZZAR/ELIZABETH CHOU/RYAN FONSECA; California elected officials support continued blocking of Trump's travel ban -- Daily News' CITY NEWS SERVICE; A look at judges who refused to reinstate Trump's travel ban -- AP's SUDHIN THANAWALA/GENE JOHNSON
The GOP apparently has no shortage of replacements for Obamacare -- but they haven't reached a consensus on which one to choose.
Politico's BURGESS EVERETT/JENNIFER HABERKORN: "Republican leaders want to get their Obamacare repeal effort back on track. There’s a big problem, though: They’re neck-deep in competing plans to replace the law."
"Nearly a half-dozen plans have been introduced or are coming — none with the broad support needed to get through Congress and win over the public. And that’s making it far more difficult to repeal a law the GOP has spent six years trying to kill."
“There’s no consensus,” said Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.). “From my vantage point, there isn’t a consolidation around a particular thought yet.”
READ MORE related to Health: A divided, testy Senate confirms Trump health secretary -- AP's ALAN FRAM; Jane Kim wants city to ensure access to birth control -- The Chronicle's HEATHER KNIGHT; Women's health department at Valley Community Healthcare -- Daily News
Gov. Brown has announced that the first K-12 school construction bonds will be issued after the start of the new school year.
EdSource's JOHN FENSTERWALD: "Officials with the California Department of Finance reassured lawmakers Wednesday that the state would issue the first batch of bonds this fall for K-12 school construction, funding that voters approved in passing Proposition 51 in November."
"Chris Ferguson and Jeff Bell, who oversee education policy for the department, confirmed an autumn timeline in response to lawmakers’ questions during a hearing of the Assembly Education Committee. The news will relieve school districts worried that Gov. Jerry Brown, who opposed Prop. 51, might drag out the bond sale to exact more stringent oversight and other changes in the bond process."
"But Ferguson said that Brown’s two preconditions for moving forward – the creation of new grant agreements laying out districts’ commitments in receiving state funding and imposition of tighter audits – should be in place by summer. The auditing requirement will be in the “trailer bill,” statutory language accompanying the state budget."
READ MORE related to Education: Student aid options for unauthorized immigrants in California -- The Chronicle's KATHLEEN PENDER
Californian's are all too familiar with sanctuary cities ... but what about sanctuary transit?
The Chronicle's MICHaEL CABaNATUAN: "BART, whose trains carry riders between a number of Bay Area sanctuary cities, will consider adopting its own policy protecting undocumented immigrants from the federal government."
"The BART board decided to consider a measure proposed Thursday by directors Nick Josefowitz of San Francisco and Lateefah Simon of Oakland. “Recent studies indicate that there are over 500,000 undocumented immigrants living in the Bay Area. Many of these immigrants ride BART every day,” Josefowitz said, adding that they should feel safe aboard BART."
"No details were offered because the item was not on the agenda for the Board of Directors meeting in Oakland. State open meeting laws ban the board from discussing matters without public notice."
New legislation could allow the state's watchdog agency to enforce local campaign finance law.
Sacramento Bee's ANITA CHABRIA: "State legislators announced legislation Thursday that would allow the state’s watchdog agency to enforce Sacramento’s campaign finance rules."
"Under Senate Bill 267, Sacramento would join Stockton and San Bernardino County as the only municipalities in California that can contract with the Fair Political Practices Commission to handle local ethics investigations and oversight."
"Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, a former state legislator, suggested outsourcing the watchdog work in January as one of several City Council measures meant to increase accountability and transparency in local government."
Backpage is arguing that recent litigation brought forth by state prosecutors violates rights to free speech.
Sacramento Bee's DARREL SMITH: "Attorneys for Backpage.com argued Thursday that state prosecutors have no right to pursue criminal charges against executives behind the site alleged to facilitate sex trafficking, calling the effort a “threat to a publisher of free speech."
"The state doesn’t have the right to prosecute, but they’re using this to continue their investigation. This process needs to stop,” Backpage attorney James Grant told Sacramento Superior Court Judge Lawrence Brown at the afternoon hearing."
"For an hour Thursday, the competing sides argued whether the new case should move forward or be dismissed. Brown didn’t rule either way but set a March 10 court date for the parties to return."
Trump's got his eye on coal and fossil fuels, but foreign investors are now looking towards the renewable energy sector.
Sacramento Bee's RICHARD CHANG: "McClellan Business Park scored a key tenant on Thursday when a major Chinese solar company announced plans to set up a manufacturing facility at the former Air Force base."
"China Sunergy Co. will start assembling solar panels at a 140,000-square-foot plant that once produced draperies for J.C. Penney Co. The fully automated factory is expected to open in September, after the company retrofits the building with new equipment from China. The plant will eventually employ 200 local workers, including engineers and service technicians."
"In an interview, Sally Zhou, president of the U.S. subsidiary, said opening a factory in Sacramento County makes sense because California is the largest market for solar panels in the United States."
READ MORE related to Economy: Trump's populist revolt could put the brakes on self-driving cars -- The Chronicle's DAVID R. BAKER; Middle-class workers can't afford to buy homes in L.A. County and the future looks dim -- Daily News' KEVIN SMITH; L.A. gets ready for the Grammy Awards -- Daily News
Speaking of China, Trump has endorsed the 'one China' policy in a recent phone call with President Xi Jinping, assuaging global fears of a diplomatic shift around the South China Sea.
AP: "President Donald Trump has reaffirmed America's long-standing "one China" policy in a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, potentially alleviating concerns about a major shift in Washington's relations with Beijing."
"The White House and China's state broadcaster CCTV said the two spoke at length by phone on Thursday evening."
"The two leaders discussed numerous topics and Trump agreed "at the request of President Xi" to honor the "one China" policy that requires Washington to maintain only unofficial ties with China's rival Taiwan, the White House said."
READ MORE related to Beltway: Donald Trump is deeply unpopular in California, poll finds -- Sacramento Bee's CHRISTOPHER CADELAGO; State poll: Brutal numbers for Trump, high marks for Brown -- The Chronicle's JOHN WILDERMUTH; Why 'America First' is a dangerous doctrine -- The Chronicle's ROBERT REICH
A Milpitas councilman's daughter has been abducted but managed to escape shortly afterwards: Police are now probing her kidnapping.
The Chronicle's JENNA LYONS: "The daughter of a Milpitas city councilman was found safe Tuesday night less than an hour after she was reported missing, and told police she managed to escape from two assailants who abducted her from her house, officials said."
"Councilman Garry Barbadillo told the Milpitas Post two assailants took his daughter from her home, although law enforcement would not confirm or deny the victim’s identity."
