California's high school graduation rate has risen for the 7th year in a row.
Press-Enterprise's CRAIG SHULTZ/STEPHEN WALL: "California’s high school graduation rate rose for the seventh year in a row and reached a record high for the class of 2016."
"Among students who started high school in 2012–13, 83.2 percent graduated with their class in 2016, up from 82.3 percent the year before, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced Tuesday, April 11. That translates to 4,917 more graduates than in the class of 2015."
"The state’s graduation rate has climbed 8.5 percentage points since the class of 2010 posted a 74.7 percent rate, state Department of Education data show."
READ MORE related to Education: LAUSD graduation rate climbs to 77 percent, new data shows -- Daily News' ANTONIE BOESSENKOOL; After school shotting, advice on how to help children cope -- LA Times' SONALI KOHLI; CSU sues over 'defective' athletic track -- Sacramento Bee's DIANA LAMBERT
Bernie Sander's influence has increased dramatically after the election despite post-primary predictions that the Vermont independent progressive would just fade away into obscurity.
The Chronicle's JOE GAROFOLI: "Sen. Bernie Sanders is defying predictions that he would recede into the progressive fringes after his high-profile presidential run. With President Trump in the White House and Republicans in total control of Congress, some thought Sanders was too liberal to be relevant. Too quirky. Too ... Vermont."
"Instead, fueled in part by the resistance to Trump, Sanders’ influence continues to grow. His proposals, which once seemed too close to the fringe, are moving closer to the mainstream, especially in California, where a single-payer health care plan has been introduced in the Legislature and a form of free college is being considered in San Jose. The grassroots opposition energy is a descendant of Sanders’ presidential campaign — some of his interviews on Facebook Live (and now a podcast) have reached 1.7 million viewers."
LAPD's new Chief has 'got his work cut out for him'.
Daily News' BRENDA GAZZAR: "The Los Angeles Police Department’s new chief in the San Fernando Valley knows he’s got his work cut out for him."
"Deputy Chief John A. Sherman, commanding officer of LAPD’s Operations-Valley Bureau, took the helm last month after predecessor Robert Green was tapped to lead the department’s new Transit Services Bureau."
"With rising crime in the city and the Valley, Sherman said he’s determined to use all available tools to get the community involved to fight crime while deploying the Valley Bureau’s 2,000 police officers most effectively."
READ MORE related to Public Safety: Code enforcement officers say they're not cops and shouldn't go after pot growers -- Sacramento Bee's ELLEN GARRISON; Sheriff's deputy won't be charged in domestic violence case but remains on leave as department probes video -- LA Times' RICHARD WINTON; San Bernardino gunman had history of domestic abuse allegations: 'I thought I would die' -- LA Times' MATT HAMILTON/RICHARD WINTON/SONALI KOHLI/MELISSA ETEHAD; Video sparks probe of Sacramento offcer's takedown of man crossing street -- Sacramento Bee's BILL LINDELOF/NASHELLY CHAVEZ
Some legal experts are saying Trump's missile strike in Syria was an illegal military response.
The Chronicle's BOB EGELKO: "President Trump ordered a missile strike on a Syrian airfield without seeking congressional approval, and his aides say he might do it again if Bashar Assad’s government launches another chemical weapons attack. But a Bay Area congresswoman says Trump acted illegally, and some experts in military law agree with her."
"Trump ordered the air strike Thursday and told Congress afterward that he had complied with the War Powers Act, a 1973 law whose limitations have been disputed by every president since it was enacted over Richard Nixon’s veto. The law allows U.S. military action only if Congress has declared war, the U.S. or its troops are under attack, or Congress has granted specific authority, as it did for attacks on al Qaeda terrorists and their supporters after the September 2001 hijacking attacks on New York and Washington."
"In a speech defending the strike, Trump said he had acted “in the vital national security interest of the U.S. to prevent and deter the use of deadly chemical weapons.” But Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, the only member of Congress who voted against the 2001 use-of-force authorization, said the president had defied the law."
With ACA subsidies hanging-in-wait, those who benefit most from the subsidies are as anxious as ever.
The Chronicle's CATHERINE HO: "Every six weeks, Oakland resident Adeeba Deterville gets a blood test to monitor the effects of a medication she is taking to manage a thyroid disorder."
"Because Deterville, a full-time doctoral student, earns less than $30,000 a year, she qualifies for federal subsidies that lower her insurance deductible and out-of-pocket costs for services like prescription medication, as well as doctor’s visits."
"Deterville, 54, is one of 680,000 Californians who benefit from the financial assistance, known as “cost-sharing subsidies,” which were created under the Affordable Care Act to help the poorest Americans pay for health care. Without the extra financial help, Deterville said, medical services would be too expensive."
An FBI agent recently testified in a corruption case that San Francisco's current Mayor Ed Lee was a target in the Raymond "Shrimp Boy" Chow Triad-gun running scandal that rocked the Bay Area in 2015.
LA Times' VERONICA ROCHA: "Mayor Ed Lee was a target in the federal corruption investigation into the Raymond “Shrimp Boy” Chow racketeering case that led to a prison sentence for former state Sen. Leland Yee and criminal charges against some of Lee’s campaign staff, an FBI agent testified in San Francisco Superior Court on Tuesday."
"While no criminal charges were filed against Lee, FBI Special Agent Ethan Quinn said under questioning that Lee and his 2011 campaign for mayor were targets of a bribery investigation that eventually led to charges against three local officials. An affidavit of the case filed by prosecutors last year indicated the mayor was no longer a focus."
United's problems stemming from the vioent removal of a 69-year-old man after overbooking a flight continues to spread and grow like wildfire.
The Chronicle's NICHOLAS CHENG: "Social networks now crisscross the world like jetliner routes. And for United Airlines, whose San Francisco hub plays a key role in its profitable Asia business, the rapid online backlash over its violent removal of a passenger is tarnishing its name across the Pacific."
"Experts differ on whether there will be lasting damage to the business. But Wall Street took notice, with the company losing as much as $750 million in market capitalization Tuesday."
"Twitter users erupted over an incident captured on video by passengers where Chicago aviation security officers dragged a man off a flight Sunday to make room for airline employees. Passengers on the flight said the man, identified in some reports as a Vietnamese American grandfather, questioned whether the airline had chosen him to lose his seat because he was Asian, a claim the airline rejected."
READ MORE related to Economy: CalPERS says divesting from border wall, Dakota pipeline could hurt taxpayers -- Sacramento Bee's ADAM ASHTON; Council approves use permit for casino in Sacramento's historic Elks Tower -- Sacramento Bee's CATHY LOCKE
Atty. Gen. Sessions says repeat immigration offenders deserve harsher punishments.
LA Times' NIGEL DUARA: "Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions has directed federal prosecutors in the states bordering Mexico to crack down harder on migrants who repeatedly enter the country illegally."
"A memorandum made public Tuesday morning orders each of the five federal Southwest border districts — spanning California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas — to appoint a “border security coordinator” to oversee “the investigation and prosecution" of migrants under the new policy."
"For those that continue to seek improper and illegal entry into this country, be forewarned: This is a new era. This is the Trump era," Sessions said Tuesday in a speech at the Nogales port of entry in Arizona.
READ MORE related to Immigration: Former Navy SEAL's jog near border fence ends in legal war with Border Patrol agent -- LA Times' KRISTINA DAVIS
Despite an abundance of water thanks to recent weather, farmers are still irritated about irrigation.
Sacramento Bee's DALE KASLER/RYAN SABALOW: "Central Valley farmers learned Tuesday they will get a full allocation of water this year for the first time since 2006. But their celebrations were muted."
"The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation said it will provide a 100 percent allocation to Central Valley Project customers this year, including the large agricultural districts in the San Joaquin Valley. Just a year ago those districts got a 5 percent allotment, and three weeks ago the farmers were told their deliveries might not top 65 percent this year."
"The announcement came four days after Gov. Jerry Brown declared an official end to the drought practically everywhere in California."
READ MORE related to Environment: Three county supervisors appointed to Lower American River Parkway Conservancy -- Sacramento Bee's WALTER KO; Online petition wants 'City of Trees' back on the Freeport water tower -- Sacramento Bee's WALTER KO; Jerry Brown's administration blocks public review of Oroville Dam records -- Sacramento Bee's RYAN SABALOW/DALE KASLER
