PG&E failed to trim ‘numerous trees’ near power lines in work to reduce fire risk, report says
From the Chronicle's BOB EGELKO an d J.D. MORRIS: "Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is failing to identify and trim thousands of trees near power lines that could pose dangers in wildfire areas and has deficiencies in record keeping and inspector training, a court-appointed monitor said in a report made public Wednesday by a federal judge."
"The monitor said inspection teams, which included trained arborists, examined vegetation management projects already reviewed by PG&E’s contractors and found “at least one dubious tree” in nearly half the projects. Three trees, cleared by PG&E, were in contact with power lines, or a foot or less away, and “could have resulted in fatalities, injuries or serious damage” if not removed, the report said."
"?Based on inspections of more than 1,550 vegetation management projects, the monitor said, the company’s contractors are “missing numerous trees that should have been identified and worked under applicable regulations” and PG&E’s own program."
PG&E shutoffs blasted in Sacramento
The Chronicle's DUSTIN GARDINER: "When the Navy began cleaning up its toxic shipyard in San Francisco in the 1990s, officials made a promise: The site would be scrubbed to the highest standards, essentially returned to its state before Cold War nuclear waste and industrial shops tainted the land."
"But more recently, the Navy has ditched that plan for a cheaper approach that would leave much more contamination in the ground, according to a report released Tuesday by the Committee to Bridge the Gap, a nonprofit watchdog group on nuclear issues that often criticizes government and industry for their handling of hazardous waste."
"The Navy lowered the standards even though city voters and elected officials demanded in 2000 and 2001 that the site be fully cleaned, the report points out. At the time, supervisors argued that looser rules could expose people to cancer-causing substances once the former Hunters Point Naval Shipyard was turned into a massive housing development."
Rifle used in deadly Riverside shooting was untraceable 'ghost gun,' sources say
LA Times's RICHARD WINTON/MARK PUENTE: "The semiautomatic rifle used by a convicted felon in a gun battle with police off the 215 Freeway on Monday, killing CHP Officer Andre Moye and wounding two of his colleagues, was a “ghost gun” that cannot be traced by authorities, according to law enforcement sources."
"Investigators have publicly described the gun used in the gun battle only as a rifle, but a law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation told The Times that Aaron Luther used an “AR-15-style rifle” in the fatal gun battle. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss the case candidly."
"Ghost guns are unserialized weapons that are manufactured from parts that can be ordered through the mail or are machined parts acquired from underground makers."
How Devin Nunes turned Twitter parody accounts into political 'weapons' -- against himself
McClatchy's KATE IRBY: "Rep. Devin Nunes in a recent court filing referred to the parody social media accounts that taunt him on Twitter as a “weapon."
"His lawsuit against them gave them even more ammunition to turn on him and other Republicans."
"They’re using it."
Marianne Williamson campaigns in California, where she feels 'understood'
The Chronicle's JOE GAROFOLI: "After a grueling past few days on the presidential campaign trail, Marianne Williamson began her Oakland town hall rally Wednesday night by saying “there’s no place I’d rather be than California. I feel understood here."
"Likewise many in the audience of 275 that filled the East Bay Church of Religious Science understood the 67-year-old Los Angeles transplant like few do in the presidential campaign that plays out on cable TV and Twitter and rural Iowa. The energy — a word dropped more frequently here than in most political rallies — in the room was somewhere between revival meeting and an episode of Oprah Winfrey’s “Super Soul Sunday."
Schools chief urges redraft of California ethnic studies plan after Jewish legislators object
Sacramento Bee's ELAINE CHEN: "As a draft of the California’s first high school ethnic studies curriculum enters revision, state schools Superintendent Tony Thurmond is asking the commission writing it to include experiences of Jewish Americans and other communities that legislators and civic groups say are missing or skewed in the current draft."
"At a news conference Wednesday, Thurmond said he will ask the Instructional Quality Commission, an advisory committee to the state Board of Education, to include examples of “the contributions of Jewish Americans and the high levels of anti-Semitism that have existed historically and that still do now."
"Thurmond’s statements follow a letter that the Jewish legislative caucus sent to the Department of Education last month, which voices concerns that the draft curriculum omits discussion of anti-Semitism and reinforces negative stereotypes of Jewish people."
New sprinklers will soon be more expensive in California. Here's why
Sacramento Bee's ANDREW SHEELER: "Californians, your yard sprinklers are about to get a little bit more expensive. The good news is, your water bill is about to get cheaper."
"California on Wednesday officially adopted new regulations which are estimated to save more than 400 million gallons of water per day within 10 years, enough to supply San Diego, the second largest city in the state, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council."
"Beginning in 2020, spray sprinklers will be required to be sold with a component that restricts the water flow to as close as possible to 30 pounds per square inch (PSI), the manufacturer-recommended level."
Capitol Weekly Podcast: A chat about the Top 100
Capitol Weekly: "It’s been a decade (!) since we launched the Top 100 list, so on the Capitol Weekly Podcast today thought we’d chat with the person who was there and started it all — Anthony York, a veteran reporter and the founding editor of the revamped Capitol Weekly."
"What began as a reward-your-friends-and-punish-your-enemies exercise in clickbait and cheek gradually morphed into a document of some value, however limited and flawed. Today, it’s a lot different than in 2009. For one thing, we print a profusely illustrated paperback featuring thumbnail career bios of each of the 100 subjects. For another, some people actually pay attention to the list."
"But at the end of the day, it’s still just a list of names, subjectively compiled."
CalPERS faces 'very serious risk' in $1.2B long-term care case, judge warns
Sacramento Bee's WES VENTEICHER: "A judge is urging CalPERS to settle a major lawsuit over price increases for its long-term care insurance policies, suggesting the system could have to pay a lot of money if the lawsuit goes to a jury trial in October."
"The lawsuit, filed in 2013, alleges CalPERS violated contracts when it hiked premiums by 85 percent for about 100,000 public employees after promising stable prices in marketing materials. CalPERS has said it had the authority to increase the rates and did so solely to keep the plans sustainable."
"Superior Court Judge William Highberger issued a tentative ruling last month saying he was inclined to decide CalPERS raised rates for an impermissible reason for a group of about 85,000 policyholders with a unique plan benefit."
SF 'hobohemia' transformed into Skid Row as jobs and city changed
The Chronicle's GARY KAMI OIU: "For decades, San Francisco had a large hobo population. The previous Portals described how in the early 20th century a “hobohemia” — a scruffy but functioning community that served these itinerant workers — sprang up around Fourth and Howard streets."
"Hobos, who typically worked seasonally as loggers, miners, railroad workers or fruit pickers, tended to live between Third and Sixth — the densest area in the city until at least 1927. But other low-paid workers also lived South of Market, each occupation having its own area."
Report: Navy altered Hunters Point cleanup to cover, not remove, toxic soil
The Chronicle's JASON FAGONE/CYNTHIA DIZIKES: "When the Navy began cleaning up its toxic shipyard in San Francisco in the 1990s, officials made a promise: The site would be scrubbed to the highest standards, essentially returned to its state before Cold War nuclear waste and industrial shops tainted the land."
"But more recently, the Navy has ditched that plan for a cheaper approach that would leave much more contamination in the ground, according to a report released Tuesday by the Committee to Bridge the Gap, a nonprofit watchdog group on nuclear issues that often criticizes government and industry for their handling of hazardous waste."
"The Navy lowered the standards even though city voters and elected officials demanded in 2000 and 2001 that the site be fully cleaned, the report points out. At the time, supervisors argued that looser rules could expose people to cancer-causing substances once the former Hunters Point Naval Shipyard was turned into a massive housing development."
Much-needed housing makes architectural splash -- after an 11-year hiatus
The Chronicle: "There’s a visually striking addition to the ever-troubled Tenderloin — a nine-story structure clad in colorful brick that holds 113 apartments for low-income residents, plus a pair of community-oriented retail spaces."
"Too bad it took 11 years to summon the newcomer into existence."
