The people v. Arrowhead

Environmentalists urge California wildlife officials to investigate bottled water operation

LAT's IAN JAMES: "Environmental activists have opened a new front in their long-running fight against a company that pipes water from the San Bernardino Mountains and bottles it for sale as Arrowhead brand bottled water.

In a petition to the state, several environmental groups and local activists called for an investigation by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, arguing that the company BlueTriton Brands is harming wildlife habitat and species by extracting water that would otherwise flow in Strawberry Creek."

Senate confirms Joe Biden’s historic pick for Sacramento-area federal judgeship

Sacramento Bee's ANDREW SHEELER: "Judge Dena M. Coggins was confirmed by the U.S. Senate last week to the federal court that covers Sacramento.

Coggins, who since 2021 has been a judge on the Sacramento County"

Column: Unaffordable homeowner’s insurance is leaving Californians exposed to the elements

LAT's GEORGE SKELTON: "Memorial Day weekend means the start of summer vacations — and also the onset of wildfire season. Many Californians will be going “naked.”

Lots more will be only partially covered, unable to afford so-called wrap-around protection."

Here’s when heat may creep back into California after mild Memorial Day

The Chronicle's ANTHONY EDWARDS: "The final week of May will be marked by quiet weather throughout California. Seasonal temperatures are on tap for Memorial Day, in the 60s at the coast and 80s to low 90s in the Central Valley, but a gradual warming trend is expected this week.

Highs may approach 90 degrees in the hottest parts of the Bay Area on Thursday and Friday, and the Sacramento Valley may flirt with 100 degrees. A long stretch of triple-digit heat will begin in Palm Springs this week, and Death Valley may hit 110 degrees. After a brief cooldown next weekend, the first full week of June signals even hotter weather."

‘Huge deal’: New trail to Northern California river will open to public after conservation pact

The Chronicle's GREGORY THOMAS: "Just outside the Placer County community of Auburn, one of the largest concentrations of private land along the North Fork American River was recently purchased for conservation, a deal that will soon open a new hiking trail to one of Northern California’s most popular summertime river destinations.

This spring, the San Francisco-based Trust for Public Land and Placer Land Trust closed a $6.4 million deal to acquire 1,567 acres skirting the river’s western edge between Interstate 80 and the sprawling Auburn State Recreation Area. The property is consolidated in four large, undeveloped blocks of pine- and oak-studded hillsides covering 6 miles of river frontage, including along the banks of sparkling Lake Clementine. Though undeveloped, it had effectively walled off public access to a gorgeous area in the remote river canyon that is suitable for sunbathing and swimming."

‘General Hospital’ actor Johnny Wactor’s slaying during L.A. theft sparks shock, anger, mourning

LAT's RICHARD WINTON and TONY BRISCOE: "“General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor was fatally shot early Saturday when he came upon three men trying to steal the catalytic converter from his car, according to a law enforcement source with knowledge of the case.

The killing occurred around 3:25 a.m. when the owner of a vehicle encountered three people near Pico Boulevard and Hope Street attempting to steal the car part, said Officer Jader Chaves, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department. The man was shot by one of the thieves before all three fled in a vehicle, said Chaves. The officer did not identify the victim but said he was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead."

Funding requested for project to reconnect Sacramento’s riverfront to downtown area

Sacramento Bee's MARCUS D. SMITH: "A project to connect downtown Sacramento and the Old Sacramento Waterfront could get a boost in funding thanks to the backing of an elected official.

Longtime U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui has requested $5 million in federal funding to support the Downtown Sacramento Partnership’s plans to study the construction of a park that would connect downtown and the Sacramento River, according to a news release."

How to grocery-shop in ultraexpensive Bay Area? Chefs and food pros agree on one thing

The Chronicle's KELLIE HWANG: "Paying for food in the Bay Area — whether it’s dining out, ordering takeout or grabbing a daily to-go coffee — can be a constant reminder of how expensive it is to live here. That may be especially true given that one of the most common ways to save money on food (cook at home and dine out less) is more difficult to pull off as the cost of grocery shopping has shot up.

In 2022, grocery prices surged as inflation soared. While the rate of increase has slowed, prices continue to go up, especially when compared to costs since the start of the pandemic. From March 2020 to March 2024, grocery prices jumped 28.6% in the San Francisco metropolitan area, and 24.7% nationwide, according to the Consumer Price Index."

S.F. Carnaval parade brings Indigenous communities to forefront: ‘Let the world know we exist’

The Chronicle's SAM WHITING: "When word reached Fernando Gordillo that the theme for San Francisco’s 46th Carnaval Grand Parade was “Honoring Indigenous roots,” he had an executive decision to make in his position as mayor of Yanga, a municipality in Veracruz, five hours south of Mexico City.

“We have to be there to let the world know that we exist,” Gordillo said through an interpreter as he waited to march in the Sunday morning sun. “It means a lot that we are an Indigenous town that fought for our freedom 200 years before Mexican independence.”"

Yosemite climber Alex Honnold just smashed a solo speed record on El Capitan

The Chronicle's GREGORY THOMAS: "Renowned rock climber Alex Honnold has smashed the speed record for solo-climbing the longest route on El Capitan, the prominent cliff in Yosemite Valley where the world’s elite big-wall climbers come to test themselves this time of year.

His chosen route, the Salathé Wall, requires an estimated 3,500 feet of climbing, mostly following systems of wide vertical cracks climbers must wedge themselves into to gain purchase on the sheer granite. It’s a Yosemite big-wall classic, put up in 1961 by valley legends Royal Robbins, Tom Frost and Chuck Pratt, according to Mountain Project."

San Jose State suspends professor over conduct during pro-Palestinian demonstrations

JORDAN PARKER, Chronicle: "San Jose State University has temporarily suspended a justice studies professor who served as a liaison between administrators and pro-Palestinian demonstrators, the Chronicle has learned.