Your phone and TV are tracking you, and political campaigns are listening in
LA Times's EVAN HALPER: "It was a crowded primary field and Tony Evers, running for governor, was eager to win the support of officials gathered at a Wisconsin state Democratic party meeting, so the candidate did all the usual things: he read the room, he shook hands, he networked."
"Then he put an electronic fence around everyone there."
"The digital fence enabled Evers’ team to push ads onto the iPhones and Androids of all those attending the meeting. Not only that, but because the technology pulled the unique identification numbers off the phones, a data broker could use the digital signatures to follow the devices home. Once there, the campaign could use so-called cross-device tracking technology to find associated laptops, desktops and other devices to push even more ads."
How trains under the Bay - not high-speed rail - may connect Sacramento and San Francisco
Sacramento Bee's TONY BIZJAK: "For decades, train riders from Sacramento to San Francisco have been forced to get off in the East Bay and take a bus or BART into the city, adding time and hassle to what should ideally be a one-seat ride all the way."
"Now, Northern California train and transit officials are proposing a dramatic upgrade."
"Capitol Corridor train officials have joined with Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to explore building a second transit tunnel under San Francisco Bay that would carry additional BART trains – as well as Capitol Corridor trains directly into San Francisco job centers."
Speaking of train transportation, Newsom can thank Trump for saving him from his high-speed rail flub
LA Times's GEORGE SKELTON: "Gov. Gavin Newsom tripped on high-speed rail and fell flat. Then President Trump rode to the rescue and picked him up."
Lawmakers seek tax, other limits on sugary drinks
AP's DON THOMPSON: "State lawmakers are trying again to discourage the consumption of sugary beverages, proposing a tax, warning labels, and a ban on soda displays near checkout lines among other measures on Wednesday."
"The five bills address what the Democratic lawmakers call a public health crisis leading to an increase in obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other ills."
"The soda industry is the new tobacco industry," said Assemblyman David Chiu of San Francisco as he promoted his measure that would bar restaurants from selling soda in cups larger than 16 ounces (.5 liters). "This is an industry that has used marketing and sales tactics to victimize low income communities, communities of color throughout our country."
Catholic priests would have to report child sex abuse under proposed California law
Sacramento Bee's ANDREW SHEELER: "The Catholic seal of confession could lose its legal protection in California, at least as it concerns to knowledge of child abuse."
"Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, announced Wednesday that he is introducing a bill that would remove an exemption in the state’s “mandated reporter” law that allows all members of the clergy to withhold knowledge of suspected child abuse from law enforcement if that information is obtained during “a penitential communication,” such as Catholic confession."
"Individuals who harm children or are suspected of harming children must be reported so a timely investigation by law enforcement can occur,” Hill said in a statement announcing Senate Bill 360."
Talks between Trump administration and California over fuel-economy standards break down
LA Times's ANNA M PHILLIPS: "Already-faltering negotiations between the Trump administration and California aimed at resolving a dispute over fuel-economy standards have broken down completely, according to a top Democratic lawmaker."
"Sen. Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.), the senior Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee, said Wednesday that the Trump administration confirmed that its talks with California about the EPA’s plans to scale back the standards were over."
"The breakdown increases the likelihood that both sides will spend years fighting in the courts over car pollution standards."
California lawmakers propose phasing out plastic products that aren't recyclable
LA Times's PATRICK MCGREEVY: "With Californians already barred from getting plastic straws in many restaurants unless they request them and grocery stores not providing single-use plastic bags, state lawmakers are again proposing to ramp up efforts aimed at significantly reducing products that are not recyclable, including plastic cups, forks, spoons and packaging."
"New legislation announced Wednesday would require plastic and other single-use materials sold in California to be either reusable, fully recyclable or compostable by 2030."
"The measure would also require the state to recycle or otherwise divert from landfills 75% of single-use plastic packaging and products sold or distributed in California, up from the 44% of all solid waste that was diverted as of 2017."
More cold weather and snow expected for NorCal
Sacramento Bee's CASSIE DICKMAN: "Several storm systems streaming from the Gulf of Alaska are bringing more snow to the Sierra Nevada and a cold snap to the Sacramento Valley through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service."
"A winter weather advisory is in effect until 10 p.m. Wednesday in elevations above 4,000 feet where 2 to 7 inches of snow is expected to fall through the evening, said NWS meteorologist Mike Smith. Much lighter snow showers are expected to continue throughout the day Thursday before the region experiences a brief reprieve Friday."
"While snow levels could drop to elevations as low as about 1,500 feet, those areas are expected to see only an inch or less, Smith said. Elevations of 2,000 to 4,000 feet will see just a couple inches of snow."
READ MORE related to Energy & Environment: See the 'firefall' at Yosemite National Park -- National Park Service's ALYSSA HODENFIELD in Sacramento Bee; Cold storm to hit SoCal, dropping snow levels and producing hail -- LA Times's ALEJANDRA REYES-VELARDE
As age-obsessed billionaires turn to 'vampire' therapies, the FDA takes a stand
LA Times's DAVID LAZARUS: "The federal government finally took a stand this week on vampires feasting on the blood of the young."
"It’s against the practice."
"Actually, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about older people injecting themselves with the blood plasma of young donors — a fringe therapy that’s marketed as a way to fight aging and a variety of illnesses, including dementia, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease."
Parents, children brace for Oakland teacher strike
The Chronicle's KIMBERLY VEKLEROV/ASHLEY MCBRIDE: "Oakland parents and school administrators scrambled Wednesday to make arrangements for the district’s 37,000 students, many of whom were expected to skip classes the rest of the week — and perhaps longer — while teachers go on strike over pay, class size and other demands."
"Negotiators for teachers and the school district met in the morning to discuss the district’s latest proposal, delivered Tuesday, that would give teachers a 7 percent raise over three years, plus a retroactive 1.5 percent bonus. The Oakland Education Association, which represents teachers, counselors and nurses, wants 12 percent."
"Union leaders rejected the offer — the district’s first in writing since November — and declined to call off strike plans. The two sides scheduled another bargaining session for Friday morning."
SF airport rules meant to help some cabbies are a blow to others, they say
The Chronicle's CAROLYN SAID: "Some San Francisco taxi drivers, their business already devastated with the advent of Uber and Lyft, say they face a new threat to their livelihoods."
"The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency imposed new rules this month that restrict airport pickups for more than half of the city’s 1,500 medallion holders."
"The agency is giving SFO preference to 558 drivers who bought $250,000 medallions under a program that started about 10 years ago. Most other medallion holders got their medallions — a tin permit allowing them to operate their own cab — free after waiting for years on a seniority list. Now those drivers say they’re being treated as second-class citizens by their regulator, curtailed from their most lucrative fares, with their cabs less desirable for rentals by other drivers."
Eight girls make BoyScouts history by joining East Bay's Troop 224
The Chronicle's MICHAEL CABANATUAN: "A warm glow, and about 100 people, filled St. Perpetua Catholic Church in Lafayette on a recent evening as Troop 224 quietly made history during its winter Court of Honor, a traditional ceremony to recognize Boy Scouts who have earned new ranks or merit badges."
"The troop, which was founded in 1953, welcomed eight girls — among the first in the nation to join the organization formerly known as Boy Scouts of America. The organization is now officially, if awkwardly, known as Scouts BSA."
"The girls marched into the hall behind the American and Troop 224 flags, along with about 50 boys, all wearing the traditional khaki Boy Scout uniforms. They were presented special commemorative patches and greeted with a round of applause from their fellow Scouts and a crowd of parents and siblings. Moments later, Kyra Ariker, 14, became the first girl in the troop to be awarded the rank of Scout — just 10 days after joining."
Amid #MeToo movement, West Hollywood residents want mayor to resign
LA Times's HAILEY BRANSON-POTTS: "Some of the protesters were affiliated with the #MeToo movement. Others with Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ groups. Many were simply West Hollywood residents who were fed up with all the drama."
"They showed up at a packed West Hollywood City Council meeting Tuesday because of two scandals: the recent sexual harassment allegations against Mayor John Duran and the deaths of two black men in the West Hollywood apartment of white Democratic donor Ed Buck — a man for whom Duran worked as an attorney for several years. Overwhelmingly, the crowd called for Duran to resign."
"“Lately, I have been exhausted, and I have been embarrassed,” Tai Sunnanon, a West Hollywood resident, told the council. “I have to defend this city with relatives and friends who live out of state because we have not sought the proper due justice to two black men who have died in our neighborhoods. I am also exhausted and embarrassed by a mayor who uses gay and sexual liberation as a front with undue and unnecessary behavior that is really unbecoming of this city."
Google's Nest hub has a microphone it forgot to mention
AP's RACHEL LERMAN: "Google said Wednesday it forgot to mention that it included a microphone in its Nest Secure home alarm system, the latest privacy flub by one of the tech industry's leading collectors of personal information."
"The company said earlier this month that its voice assistant feature would be available on the system's Nest Guard, which controls home alarm sensors."
"But Google hadn't told consumers about the device's built-in microphone when it began selling the hubs in the fall of 2017. As recently as January , the product specs for the device made no mention of a microphone."
Republicans rally around Trump after McCabe asserts DOJ discussed removing the president
Sacramento Bee's DAVID LIGHTMAN/LESLEY CLARK: "Republicans have launched a counter-offensive to discredit former acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe’s reports that Justice Department officials discussed removing President Donald Trump from office."
"The Republican National Committee fired off an email that labeled McCabe a “Liar. Leaker. Loser."
"Trump told reporters Wednesday that McCabe “looks to me like a poor man’s J. Edgar Hoover” and that he was “very proud to say that we caught him.” The president re-tweeted a Geraldo Rivera tweet that accused McCabe of “malignant arrogance."
Read the court papers in case against Coast Guard lieutenant who compiled hit list
Sacramento Bee: "A Coast Guard lieutenant who was arrested last week is a “domestic terrorist” who drafted an email discussing biological attacks and had what appeared to be a hit list that included prominent Democrats and media figures, prosecutors said in court papers."
"Christopher Paul Hasson is due to appear Thursday in federal court in Maryland after his arrest on gun and drug offenses, but prosecutors say those charges are the “proverbial tip of the iceberg."
"The defendant is a domestic terrorist, bent on committing acts dangerous to human life that are intended to affect governmental conduct,” prosecutors wrote in court papers."
