Harvey Weinstein rape conviction overturned by N.Y. Court of Appeals
LAT's JENNY JARVIE: "In a stunning reversal in a case that helped spark the #MeToo era, a New York appeals court overturned the sex assault conviction of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, citing errors by the trial judge.
“We conclude that the trial court erroneously admitted testimony of uncharged, alleged prior sexual acts against persons other than the complainants of the underlying crimes because that testimony served no material non-propensity purpose,” the court said in granting a new trial."
Major California home insurer could resume writing new policies. Here’s what it would take
The Chronicle's MEGAN FAN MUNCE: "One of California’s largest home insurers says it plans to resume writing new policies — as soon as the state implements regulations insurers have been asking for.
Allstate stopped writing new homeowner policies in November 2022 due to wildfire risk, the cost of rebuilding homes and the rising price of reinsurance, which is insurance for insurers. But at a Wednesday public workshop held by the California Department of Insurance, a company representative indicated Allstate is getting ready to resume writing new policies in the state. (The company continues to renew existing policies.)"
Experts Expound: The future of Prop 47
Capitol Weekly's STAFF: "Everyone is talking about Proposition 47 this year. So with that in mind, it’s time for our panel of experts to weigh in.
The question: Californians are fed up with crime, and – correctly or not – Proposition 47 is getting much of the blame. Will either lawmakers or voters eventually make substantive changes to this law?
“This reform measure passes easily in November. The front page of every newspaper and the opening of every newscast are like paid campaign materials.”"
Top advisor to Los Angeles D.A. Gascón is charged with illegal use of confidential police records
LAT's JAMES QUEALLY, KERI BLAKINGER, MATT HAMILTON: "California’s attorney general filed criminal charges Wednesday against one of L.A. County Dist. Atty. George Gascón’s top advisors, who supervises high-profile and sensitive cases including police misconduct, fraud and public corruption.
Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta announced the 11 felony counts against Assistant Dist. Atty. Diana Teran in a press statement. He accused her of improperly downloading confidential records of police officers in 2018 while she was working for the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department. Teran then “impermissibly used that data” after joining Gascón’s office three years later, Bonta said."
Will Supreme Court make Trump immune from Jan. 6 prosecution?
LA Times's DAVID G. SAVAGE: "The Supreme Court on Thursday will hear former President Trump’s claim that he is entirely immune from prosecution for all of his “official acts” during his time in the White House, including his effort to overturn his loss in the 2020 election.
Trump’s claim of absolute immunity has been derided by legal experts and rejected by a federal trial judge and the U.S. appeals court in Washington."
How San Francisco’s toxic political culture enables abusers (OP-ED)
The Chronicle's NADIA RAHMAN: "Last week, the San Francisco Standard broke a story that sent shockwaves through the city’s political sphere: Three women brought forth heart-wrenching accounts of alleged sexual and physical abuse at the hands of Jon Jacobo, a rising star in San Francisco politics.
Within hours, San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott issued a statement on Twitter stating his department was “diligently working on these open investigations;” Supervisor Hillary Ronen called for a hearing on how the city handles sexual harassment and assault cases; and Anna Yee, CEO of TODCO, an affordable housing nonprofit that is one of the city’s most influential political players and Jacobo’s employer, issued a statement announcing his resignation along with the claim that they were “not aware of the issues raised today.”"
Gavin Newsom unveils bill to aid Arizonans seeking abortion care in California. Here’s how
Sacramento Bee's VIK JOLLY: "Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers unveiled an emergency bill Wednesday that aims to give abortion providers temporary protection if they care for Arizona patients in California.
The legislation, which is expected to sail through the Democratic controlled California Legislature, will make the Golden State the first in the nation to allow doctors from out of state to perform abortion services outside their home state."
Former Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin dies at 76
Capitol Weekly's STAFF: "Delaine Eastin, who was the first woman to serve as California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, died Tuesday. She served as SUPI from 1995 to 2003.
Representatives for Eastin issued the following statement yesterday:
“With heavy hearts, we are saddened to report that the Honorable Delaine Eastin died peacefully this evening surrounded by loved ones. She lived 76 years."
Yosemite unveils multi-million dollar renovations ahead of busy summer season
The Chronicle's KURTIS ALEXANDER: "The first spine-tingling sight for millions of Americans visiting Yosemite National Park each year is Bridalveil Fall, the thundering 620-foot waterfall on dramatic display during the drive into Yosemite Valley.
For those wanting a closer look at the falls, however, the base has been shut down for most of the past five years. Park crews have been addressing a slew of problems, from overcrowded and crumbling trails to a lack of places to see the falls and use the bathroom. As one Yelp review put it, “the falls themselves are 5 stars. The hike is 0 stars.”
This year, the grounds beneath the iconic waterfall are open again after a $19.4 million overhaul."
READ MORE -- Yosemite National Park: $32 million in new upgrades renovate famed waterfall area, construct new visitor center -- BANG*Mercury News's PAUL ROGERS
Millions of Californians weigh options after losing an affordable internet subsidy"
CALMatters's KHARI JOHNSON: "Alfredo Camacho and his three daughters started a new routine last week: Every evening they go to the parking lot outside a nearby library to get Wi-Fi access. The kids do homework and download YouTube videos, while Alfredo checks his email and searches job listings.
Camacho and his daughters ages 9, 12, and 15 live in Guadalupe, a town of roughly 9,000 on the Central Coast of California. They used to rely on the Affordable Connectivity Program, a $30 to $75 monthly credit for high-speed internet, but that ends this month.
Mosquito season is upon us. So why are Southern California officials releasing more of them?
LAT's LEILA SEIDMAN: "Their task? Find lady mosquitoes and mate.
But these were no ordinary mosquitoes. Technicians had zapped the insects, all males, with radiation in a nearby lab to make them sterile. If they achieve their amorous quest, there will be fewer baby mosquitoes than there would be if nature ran its course. That means fewer mouths to feed — mouths that thirst for human blood."
Tech workers leaving San Francisco have a new favorite destination
The Chronicle's CONNOR LETOURNEAU: "Like many other Silicon Valley tech workers, Sanchit Gupta started to think about moving away during the COVID-19 pandemic. But instead of relocating to a more affordable place like, say, Austin, Texas, he dreamed about New York City.
With world-famous nightlife, a robust dating scene and a thriving tech community, it seemed the ideal spot for someone like Gupta. In addition to being a single 20-something and self-described “night owl,” he was a product manager with some disposable income."
Bad news for California renters: Multifamily permits hit 10-year lowfa
SCNG*OC Register's JONATHAN LANSNER: "The hopes of California tenants that a wave of apartment construction might provide more rent relief may be fizzling in early 2024.
Construction plans for multifamily housing plunged to a 10-year low, my trusty spreadsheet found after peeking at quarterly California building permit patterns from the Census Bureau complied by the St. Louis Fed. Multifamily housing is primarily apartments plus certain ownership condos or townhomes.
California leaders asked for a Supreme Court homelessness decision. Will it backfire?
LAT's KEVIN RECTOR: "As the nation’s highest court heard arguments this week in a case expected to shape homelessness policies in the years to come, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath listened angrily.
The case involved a small Oregon town seeking to rid its streets and parks of encampments, and leaders across California had joined in calling for the Supreme Court to take up the issue, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, San Francisco Mayor London Breed and L.A. City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto."
Are California police missing domestic violence murders? New bill would let families review cases
CALMatters's RYAN SABALOW: "Joanna Lewis’s family never believed she took her own life.
In 2011, investigators found her hanging from a bath robe’s belt inside a closet. The Solano County Cororner’s Office declared her death a suicide. But Lewis, 36, had previously sought restraining orders against her husband, Vacaville pastor Mark Lewis, accusing him of domestic violence."
Sacramento airport is spending $3.75 million on public art. Where will pieces be displayed?
Sacramento Bee's JACQUELINE PINEDO: "Sacramento International Airport is spending $3.75 million on public art — and it’s seeking submissions.
The artworks will grace a new parking garage and pedestrian walkway being constructed as part of SMForward, a $1.3 billion dollar expansion plan, according to a Tuesday news release."
