Oil giant ExxonMobil counters climate-change suits by SF, other governments
The Chronicle's KURTIS ALEXANDER: "Oil giant ExxonMobil has launched a counterpunch to the lawsuits filed by San Francisco and other communities that seek damages for climate change, alleging that the California jurisdictions conspired to vilify and taunt the oil industry."
"In a court filing submitted Monday, the Texas-based company said the California communities quietly met in La Jolla (San Diego County) six years ago to concoct plans to use government investigations and legal action to force oil producers to respond to climate change."
"The document said the so-called La Jolla playbook was politically motivated and an abuse of power. It said that if the communities were genuinely concerned about the costs of climate change in their jurisdictions they would have disclosed the threat in their bond reports, which they did not do, according to the filing."
Steyer won't run in 2018, but leaves door open for 2020
McClatchy DC's EMILY CADEI: "Candidates for statewide office in California can breathe a sigh of relief: Liberal activist Tom Steyer is not running for office in 2018. Instead, he’s going to plough millions of dollars into his two national political organizations, NextGen America and Need to Impeach, to try to oust Republicans from office."
"In the process, the billionaire investor can continue to build his personal political brand ahead of 2020. He declined to speculate on his political future Monday, but pointedly did not rule out a presidential run. “We are all in through November 6, 2018,” Steyer said. “We really don’t have the ability to know what’s going to happen after that."
"Given Steyer’s wealth and national following, the billionaire investor was considered the X-factor in the race for governor and Senate, though his behavior in recent weeks suggested he was unlikely to jump into either race. Steyer confirmed that in Washington, D.C. Monday morning."
2017 was costliest year ever in US for weather, climate disasters
The Chronicle's KURTIS ALEXANDER: "Last year’s devastating floods and fires in California combined with hurricanes and other natural disasters to wreak unprecedented financial damage on the United States, the federal government reported Monday."
"The nation endured 16 weather and climate events that inflicted $1 billion or more apiece in damage in 2017, tying 2011 for the most 10-digit calamities in a year and setting an annual total-cost record of $306 billion, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The natural disasters resulted in 362 deaths."
"As federal aid for disasters is stretched and places from Puerto Rico to the Wine Country struggle to rebuild, the new report raises questions about what can be done to minimize the growing impact of bad weather — some of which is being made worse by climate change."
READ MORE related to Environment: First big winter storm reaches California. Here's what it means for the water year -- Sacramento Bee's DALE KASLER/BENJY EGEL; Worsening rain forecast prompts evacuations, mudslide fears across Southern California -- LA Times' ALENE TCHEKMEDYIAN/BRITTNY MEJIA/MICHAEL LIVINGSTON; Fire zones brace for mudslides amid heavy rain, but no evacuations ordered -- The Chronicle's SARAH RAVANI; Fearing mudslides, mandatory evacuations ordered in some fire burn areas, with more anticipated -- Daily News' BRENDA GAZZAR/WES WOODS II; Today's SoCal storm is nothing compared to what we're getting tonight and tomorrow -- City News Service
Trump-appointed regulators reject plan to rescue coal and nuclear plants
WaPo's STEVEN MUFSON: "The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Monday unanimously rejected a proposal by Energy Secretary Rick Perrythat would have propped up nuclear and coal power plants struggling in competitive electricity markets."
"The independent five-member commission includes four people appointed by President Trump, three of them Republicans. Its decision is binding."
"At the same time, the commission said that it shared Perry’s stated goal of strengthening the “resilience” of the electricity grid and directed regional transmission operators to provide information to help the commission examine the matter “holistically.” The operators have 60 days to submit materials. At that time, the agency can issue another order."
Women lawmakers join #WhyWeWearBlack protest at California Capitol
Sacramento Bee's ALEXEI KOSEFF: "Female lawmakers in California wore black to the Senate and Assembly floor sessions on Monday, extending a protest from Sunday night’s Golden Globes ceremony that aimed to broaden the conversation about workplace sexual harassment."
"Cristina Garcia, a Bell Gardens Democrat who chairs the Legislative Women’s Caucus, said the wardrobe choice was a way to show solidarity with their “sisters” in low-paying professions, such as farmworkers and maids, who are vulnerable to harassment and assault but have little recourse."
"I haven’t done enough to use my spotlight for those workers,” Garcia said. “These women, when they speak up, they risk losing their jobs."
READ MORE related to Boy's Club: Roman Polanski won't face '75 child molest charge as LA prosecutor cites expired statute of limitations -- LA Times' RICHARD WINTON; Sexual harassment scandals give new momentum to legislative efforts to protect whistleblowers in California's capital -- LA Times' MELANIE MASON; New candidate for Bocanegra's Assembly seat touts record of empowering women -- Daily News' KEVIN MODESTI
Mueller indicates he will likely seek interview with Trump
WaPo's CAROL D LEONNIG: "Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III has told President Trump's legal team that his office is likely to seek an interview with the president, triggering a discussion among his attorneys about how to avoid a sit-down encounter or set limits on such a session, according to two people familiar with the talks."
"Mueller raised the issue of interviewing Trump during a late December meeting with the president's lawyers John Dowd and Jay Sekulow. Mueller deputy James Quarles, who oversees the White House portion of the special counsel investigation, also attended."
"The special counsel's team could interview Trump soon on some limited portion of questions - possibly within the next several weeks, according to a person close to the president, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe internal conversations."
READ MORE related to KremlinGate: The Senators' criminal referral of dossier author Steele -- NRO's ANDREW C. MCCARTHY
Everything you need to know about the suddenly wide-open race for an Orange County congressional district
LA Times' CHRISTINE MAI-DUC: "Now that Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) is the first California member of Congress to opt for retirement instead of a long, contentious campaign for reelection, his 39th Congressional District is getting a new look from Democrats eager to regain control of the House of Representatives."
"The Cook Political Report immediately moved the Orange County district’s rating from “leans Republican” to “leans Democratic,” and Inside Elections shifted it from the GOP column to “Tossup."
"The 13-term Republican’s announcement came as a surprise, with party leaders learning of Royce’s retirement as the public did, through social media. Royce was one of the top targets in California, and Democrats liked their chances before it suddenly became an open seat."
More on Royce: The Democrats' chances to flip Orange County seat just got better
Sacramento Bee's ANGELA HART: "Orange County Congressman Ed Royce, a targeted Republican, announced Monday he will not run for re-election in one of several seats Democrats hope to capture in 2018."
"Royce holds one of 10 House Republican-held seats in California targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee this year. His decision to not seek re-election could be an ominous sign for California Republicans, seen as crucial in the GOP battle to retain the House."
"Royce, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, did not say explicitly why he’s not running. First elected in 1992, Royce is termed out of his committee chairmanship this year. He said his focus for the remainder of his term will be key issues, including Russian interference in American elections."
READ MORE related to Orange County Showdown: GOP congressman's surprise retirement plan gives Dems a chance in Orange County -- The Chronicle's JOE GAROFOLI
Mark Leno now officially a candidate for SF mayor -- filing deadline Tuesday
The Chronicle's DOMINIC FRACASSA/RACHEL SWAN: "Former state Sen. Mark Leno officially entered the San Francisco mayor’s race on Monday by filing his candidacy papers with the city’s Department of Elections. He had effectively kicked off the mayoral race after becoming the first candidate to pull papers to run back in May."
"Leno, who is also a former member of the Assembly and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, has billed himself as an agent of change and speaks broadly about his ambition to “shake things up."
"Our crises of affordability and homelessness are out of control. We need significant change,” he said Monday, to the applause of a few dozen supporters gathered around him, including Supervisors Aaron Peskin and Sandra Lee Fewer and District Eight supervisorial candidate Rafael Mandelman."
Super-fast 5G wireless is coming this year, but it probably won't be cheap
LA Times' DAVID LAZARUS: "You’re probably going to hear a lot this week about 5G — the newfangled wireless technology that’s going to turbocharge everyone’s smartphones."
"CES, the Las Vegas extravaganza formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show, kicks off Tuesday. Next-generation wireless networks will figure prominently in tech companies’ bright, shiny plans for interconnected digital devices, with super-fast 5G systems the glue that holds it all together."
"Last week, AT&T announced that it will roll out 5G networks in a dozen U.S. cities by the end of the year. It didn’t say which ones, but the telecom giant clearly wants to make sure rival Verizon, which says it will have 5G networks in Sacramento and a handful of other cities by year’s end, isn’t hogging the 5G spotlight."
READ MORE related to Economy: Porn industry gets a boost from VR, but manufacturers aren't thrilled -- LA Times' DAVID NG; La Crescenta man sentenced after bilking SoCal businesses out of $1M from bases in Ontario, Pomona -- Daily News' CHRIS YEE; As economy strengthens, Fed ponders new approach -- NYT's BINYAMIN APPELBAUM
Trump's decision to end protections could force 50,000 Salvadorans out of California
Sacramento Bee's ANITA CHABRIA: "In what advocates and officials describe as the most formidable blow yet by the Trump administration to immigrants in California, federal authorities announced this week that nearly 50,000 Salvadorans who currently live legally in the state no longer can stay in the country."
"Homeland security officials said Monday that the government was ending Temporary Protected Status for nearly 200,000 people from El Salvador currently residing in the United States, many who have been legally living and working here for decades."
"The decision affects about 49,100 Salvadorans living in California, according to a recent report by the Center for American Progress, a Washington, D.C.-based public policy institute."
READ MORE related to Immigration: Political agenda keeps Trump and Congress apart on a fix for immigrant 'Dreamers' -- LA Times' LISA MASCARO; Trump says things are good enough in El Salvador to send 260,000 migrants home.People there disagree -- LA Times' KATE LINTHICUM; Trump decision on El Salvador threatens US life of Bay Area family -- The Chronicle's HAMED ALEAZIZ
Defending against this season's deadly flu: 5 things to know now
California Healthline's BARBARA FEDER OSTROV: "Aja C. Holmes planned to go to work last week, but her flu symptoms — a cough, fever and severe body aches that worsened overnight — had other ideas."
"It felt like somebody took a bat and beat my body up and down,” said Holmes, 39, who works as a residential life director at California State University-Sacramento. “I couldn’t get out of bed."
"The nation is having a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad flu season."
READ MORE related to Health & Health Care: VA clears the air on talking to patients using pot -- California Healthline's MICHELLE ANDREW; Despite prod by ACA, tax-exempt hospitals slow to expand community benefits -- California Healthline's VICKIE CONNOR; Her sister's keeper: Caring for a sibling with mental illness -- California Healthline's JENNY GOLD
DMV is unveiling a new 'secure' license for California drivers. Here's how to get one.
Sacramento Bee's TONY BIZJAK: "Starting this month, many of California’s 26 million drivers will find themselves making a special trip to a place no one really likes to go: the local DMV office."
"The reason: In October 2020, federal security officials will no longer accept the current California driver’s license as valid identification for domestic air travel."
"In its place, California this month will unveil a new driver’s license, called REAL ID, that complies with a federal mandate that all states create licenses and licensing procedures deemed more secure by officials at the Transportation Security Administration."
Special elections scheduled to replace Dababneh, Ridley-Thomas
Daily News' KEVIN MODESTI: "Special-election primaries have been scheduled for April 3 to fill out the terms of California Assemblymen Matt Dababneh and Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, Gov. Jerry Brown declared Monday."
"Both Los Angeles-area Democrats left office in December, about halfway through their two-year terms. Dababneh, who represented the west San Fernando Valley in District 45, resigned after being accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women. Ridley-Thomas, whose district covered parts of south and west L.A. in District 54, resigned because of what he said were health problems."
"Tuesday, April 3 is also the date of the previously announced special election to replace Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra, who represented the northeast San Fernando Valley in District 39."
California progressive on Oprah 2020: We don't need our own Donald Trump
Sacramento Bee's CHRISTOPHER CADELAGO: "Oprah Winfrey’s rousing address at the Golden Globes, along with confirmation from people close to her that she’s looking at the race, has vaulted the media mogul into the 2020 presidential conversation."
"But within hours of the story landing, predictable backlash ensued. A picture of Winfrey giving Harvey Weinstein a kiss on the cheek at a past Critics’ Choice Awards show rocketed across Twitter. Opinion pieces sprouted up under headlines like Democrats don’t need a celebrity president and Get a grip. Oprah should not run for president."
"In California, where the state’s top Democrats are at the tip of the spear when it comes to resisting President Donald Trump, a leading progressive voice is questioning the rationale for a possible Winfrey candidacy. RoseAnn DeMoro, executive director of National Nurses United and a close ally of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, said the nation doesn’t need another celebrity candidate without a record."
READ MORE related to Oprah: Oprah for president in 2020: Will she? Should she? -- LA Times' MICHAEL FINNEGAN; Talk of Oprah running for president captivates Democrats -- WaPo's ROBERT COSTA; Yes, take Oprah seriously -- NRO's RICH LOWRY; Bill Kristol tweets 'I'm with her' on possible Oprah 2020 bid -- The Hill's JONATHAN EASLEY
GoPro predicts revenue slump, slashes jobs and dumps drones; stock plunges
LA Times' TRACEY LIEN: "Camera maker GoPro Inc. is getting out of the drone business, laying off more than 20% of its workforce and losing two executives after predicting a sharp decline in its fourth-quarter revenue and disclosing weak holiday-season demand for its cameras."
"The disappointing outlook sent shares plummeting nearly 30% to an all-time low of $5.32 in morning trading Monday. They then recovered somewhat, closing down 12.8% at $6.56. The company went public at $24 a share in June 2014."
"The company announced on Monday cost-cutting measures that it said would help it save $80 million. Among them are slashing its global workforce from 1,254 employees to fewer than 1,000; reducing GoPro Chief Executive Nicholas Woodman’s cash compensation to $1 (it was $800,000 in 2016); and ending production of its aerial drone, named Karma."
SF police officer arrested on sex assault charges
The Chronicle's ANNIE MA: "A San Francisco police officer was arrested on charges of sexual assault Monday, officials said."
"Justin McCall, 30, of San Francisco, was booked into San Francisco County Jail on charges of sexual assault when the victim is prevented from resisting by an intoxicating substance and sexual assault of a victim who was unconscious or asleep, San Francisco police officials said."
"The San Francisco Police Department’s internal affairs criminal division was notified of the allegation in September of 2017 and opened an investigation, officials said."
Memorial scheduled for California pollster Jim Moore in Napa Valley
Sacramento Bee's CATHY LOCKE: "A memorial and celebration of life for California pollster Jim Moore will be held Jan. 19 in the Napa Valley."
"Moore died Jan. 1 at his home in the El Dorado County community of Camino. He was 66. He had suffered from heart problems and had been in declining health for some time, said his partner, Jan Mathews."
"For more than 30 years, Moore’s polls guided local and statewide campaigns. He conducted polls for Democratic Party clients, including Gov. Jerry Brown, former state Senate leader John Burton and former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown."
As Greta Gerwig's 'Lady Bird' wins big at Golden Globes, she thanks Sacramento
Sacramento Bee's MOLLY SULLIVAN: "Lady Bird,” written and directed by Sacramento native Greta Gerwig, received two major awards at the Golden Globes on Sunday night."
"The film clinched the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, beating popular films “Get Out,” “I, Tonya” and “The Greatest Showman."
"Saoirse Ronan, who plays the titular character, also won the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy."
Oakland councilwoman hit with $550,000 in damages over restaurant fight
The Chronicle's BOB EGELKO: "The jury that awarded former Black Panther leader Elaine Brown $3.8 million in damages last month for injuries she suffered in an assault by Oakland Councilwoman Desley Brooks added $550,000 in punitive damages Monday."
"In its Dec. 22 verdict, the Alameda County Superior Court jury decided that Brooks had attacked Brown without justification at an Oakland restaurant in 2015 after an argument over a housing project that Brown was promoting. Brown, who is now 74, tumbled over a stack of chairs, landed on the back of her head and suffered bruises and a torn rotator cuff."
"The first round of damages, for pain and suffering, would be paid by the city of Oakland because of the jury’s finding that Brooks was acting as a city employee. The punitive damages, awarded after a few hours of additional deliberations Monday, would be paid by Brooks herself, if the verdict is upheld on appeal."
Campus sued over security cost for white nationalist's visit
AP: "White nationalist Richard Spencer's campus tour organizer is suing the University of Cincinnati's president, saying the school wouldn't rent space for Spencer to speak on campus unless a nearly $11,000 security fee was paid."
"An attorney for Spencer and organizer Cameron Padgett says requiring such payment because a speaker is controversial or prompts hostile reaction is discriminatory and unconstitutional. The federal lawsuit filed Monday seeks $2 million in damages and an order requiring the school to rent the space for a reasonable fee."
"The school didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment Tuesday."
READ MORE related to Education: LA students get back to the books, as LAUSD promotes good attendance in the new year -- Daily News' STAFF; Fired teacher: 'Hitler did nothing wrong. Whites have a right to their own countries.' -- Daily Kos' JESSICA SUTHERLAND; LA's choice: selecting an insider or outsider for next school superintendent -- EdSource's LOUIS FREEDBERG
Under pressure, Trump team backs off proposal to cull foreign tech workforce
McClatchy DC's FRANCO ORDONEZ: "Under intense pressure from the business and technology communities, the Trump administration appears to be backing away from a policy change that could have forced foreign tech workers out of the country."
"The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, part of the Department of Homeland Security, on Monday said it was still conducting a thorough review of worker visa programs. But after McClatchy reported over New Year’s weekend that the agency was weighing a specific policy shift that would prevent foreign tech industry workers from keeping their visas longer than six years, the agency reversed course on that proposal."
"The agency is considering a number of policy and regulatory changes to carry out the President’s Buy American, Hire American Executive Order, including a thorough review of employment based visa programs,” Jonathan Withington, chief of media relations for USCIS, said Monday."
Secret spy satellite may be lost after SpaceX launch
LA Times' SAMANTHA MASUNAGA: "A highly classified spy satellite appears to have been lost after its launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida aboard a SpaceX rocket Sunday, the Wall Street Journal reported."
"Asked to comment, Hawthorne-based SpaceX issued a statement Monday afternoon: “We do not comment on missions of this nature; but as of right now reviews of the data indicate Falcon 9 performed nominally.”
"A spokesman for Northrop Grumman Corp., which built the satellite estimated to be worth more than $1 billion, said: “This is a classified mission. We cannot comment on classified missions."
READ MORE related to Miscellaneous: Maine whale biologist says whale protected her from shark -- AP; North Korea agrees to send athletes to Winter Olympics -- The Chronicle's CHOE SANG-HUN
--
The Roundup is compiled by Associate Editor Geoff Howard. Questions? Comments? Feedback? Email him at geoff@capitolweekly.net
