Santa Cruz Wharf partially collapses as storms pound California coast; fear of ‘additional’ losses
The Chronicle's AIDIN VAZIRI: "Part of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf collapsed into the ocean on Monday as powerful winter storms pummeled the California coast — and officials expressed concern that further damage could occur as hazardous beach conditions continue through Tuesday.
Three people went into the ocean and had to be rescued — two by lifeguards, and a third self-rescued, according to Santa Cruz Fire. The three, identified as engineers and a city project manager, were on-site assessing the condition of the end section of the pier, which had previously been closed to the public. Prior to the wharf's collapse and further down the coast, a man died after being trapped by debris washed up by a big wave at Sunset State Beach, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's office. Around noon Saturday, also prior to the collapse, onlookers told authorities that an adult male was swept out to sea from Marina State Beach in Monterey County; bystanders could not save him and a search was unsuccessful."
READ MORE -- Huge waves batter California coast: Man dead, another missing, pier partially collapses -- LAT's CLARA HARTER, SALVADOR HERNANDEZ; Capitola Village closed, more Santa Cruz County beach areas ordered to evacuate -- The Chronicle's JORDAN PARKER, AIDIN VAZIRI; Santa Cruz wharf restaurants, shops reel from collapse — here are the businesses impacted -- The Chronicle's JULIE JOHNSON, DAVID HJERNANDEZ
Biden’s new California water rules spark broad backlash, as possible court battle looms
Sacramento Bee's ARI PLACHTA: "Last week, the Biden administration approved its overarching plan for how to run California’s systems of pumps, canals and reservoirs that serves millions of people and much of the state’s farmland.
The Bureau of Reclamation’s decision Friday ended a four-year effort to overturn the Trump administration’s previous 2019 rules for the Central Valley Project, which environmentalists and the state of California claimed did not adequately protect endangered fish."
Does it ever snow in Sacramento? These pictures show city as a winter wonderland
Sacramento Bee's SARAH LINN: "Does it ever snow in Sacramento?
Although snowflakes are a rare sight in the capital city, snowfall is possible — and The Sacramento Bee has the pictures to prove it."
Biden commuted 37 death sentences. Will California Governor Gavin Newsom do the same?
Sacramento Bee's SHARON BERNSTEIN, LIA RUSSELL: "Death penalty opponents on Monday called on Gov. Gavin Newsom to commute the sentences of more than 600 people condemned to California’s death row to life without the possibility of parole after President Joe Biden spared the lives of 37 inmates at the federal level.
Biden’s move to re-sentence all but three federal death penalty inmates came just days after Sacramento County prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty a second time against Adel Ramos, who pleaded guilty in August to the ambush killing of Sacramento police rookie Tara O’Sullivan in 2019."
Why scientists say we are fighting H5N1 bird flu with one hand tied behind our backs
LAT's SUSANNE RUST, KAREN KAPLAN: "As the H5N1 bird flu virus steamrolls its way across the globe — killing wild animals, commercial livestock and even some people — scientists and health officials fear we’re on the precipice of another global pandemic.
But when, where and how that could come to pass is hard to predict — in part, some researchers say, because of guardrails the federal government has placed around gain-of-function research."
UC is being a Grinch, so workers went on strike
LIZ PERLMAN in Capitol Weekly: "Nearly 40,000 frontline service and patient care workers at the University of California are ringing in the holiday season without a contract. For full-time workers who are struggling just to pay the rent and keep food on the table, it means uncertainty and tough choices. For some, it means no presents under the tree, and a visit to a food bank on Christmas day. And after a full year of bargaining with the third largest employer in California, it begs the question why?
There’s a simple answer. Because the University keeps getting in its own way."
Social Security’s full retirement age will jump in 2025. When can you collect your full benefits?
LAT's KAREN GARCIA: "If you were planning to retire next year, double check your math because a law passed in the ’80s is annually raising the age when Americans can collect their full Social Security benefits. And next year is no exception.
In 1983, Congress passed a law that gradually increases the age at which people may receive 100% of their Social Security benefits. The increase is aimed to match increasing life expectancy."
California limits junk fees: New law blocks fines for declined ATM withdrawals
CALMatters's LEVI SUMAGAYSAY: "Californians who try to withdraw money but don’t have enough in their bank accounts won’t fall deeper into a financial hole from having to pay a fine, thanks to a new state law.
The law covers instances in which banks charge customers when their withdrawals are declined instantaneously, such as at ATMs, because of insufficient funds. It takes effect Jan. 1."
Why Amazon and Starbucks workers are striking now, and what it means for labor under Trump
CALMatters's LEVI SUMAGAYSAY, JEANNE KUANG: "The workers accuse their employers of refusing to recognize their unions or to bargain in good faith. They have been organizing for more than four years but have yet to land a contract. Some have filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging union-busting behavior by the companies, including coercion, threats, discipline and firings. Amazon and Starbucks have also filed complaints against the unions, accusing them of coercion, violence and illegal strikes.
Soon, the board will likely be less sympathetic to unions after the Senate earlier this month failed to extend the term of then-Chairperson Lauren McFerran. The five-member board had three Democratic members including McFerran. President-elect Donald Trump will have the chance to appoint two more Republicans."
Newsom set a major housing goal for 2025. Here's how far short the state has fallen
The Chronicle's SOPHIA BOLLAG: "While running for governor in 2017, Gavin Newsom laid out an ambitious goal: He would “lead the effort to develop the 3.5 million new housing units we need by 2025 because our solutions must be as bold as the problem is big.”
With Newsom’s self-imposed deadline looming, the state remains mired in a housing crisis despite intense focus on the issue from the governor and state and local lawmakers."
Trial of former D.A. advisor on hold after appeals court steps in
LAT's KERI BLAKINGER: "A California appeals court is taking a closer look at the criminal prosecution of a former top district attorney’s office advisor, asking state Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta’s office to further justify the case in court before deciding whether to let it move forward.
Earlier this year, then-D.A. advisor Diana Teran was charged with 11 felonies after state prosecutors said she violated California hacking statutes. Teran is accused of sending court records to a colleague in 2021 as part of an effort to track cops with disciplinary histories. The state has argued that Teran knew about the records only because she had access to confidential disciplinary files when she worked at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department three years earlier."
Judge holds off on ordering shutdown of L.A. County’s juvenile hall
LAT's CONNOR SHEETS, REBECCA ELLIS: "Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall will remain open until at least early January after a judge held off on ordering the troubled hall shut down.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Miguel Espinoza required the Probation Department to appear in court Monday to argue why the Downey hall should remain open despite a shutdown order from the state."
Sacramento police haven’t used armored track vehicle nearly two years since it was purchased
Sacramento Bee's ROSALIO AHUMADA: "A military-style armored track vehicle to protect officers in the line of fire hasn’t been used by the Sacramento Police Department nearly two years after it was purchased.
The Police Department purchased the vehicle, called the Rook, using $430,000 from a federal grant. The Sacramento City Council approved the purchase in late January 2023 after a lengthy and heated debate in which critics, including one council member, said this was “further militarizing” local law enforcement."
How the high-speed rail project trains workers and provides thousands of jobs in the Central Valley
LAT's MELISSA GOMEZ: "When Teresa Bynum first heard the high-speed rail was coming to California, her family blasted the project and was staunchly against it.
Bynum, 30 of Riverdale, said her father remained opposed to the project as it took over farmland and pushed out agricultural companies. Over the years as the future of a high-speed rail wavered with decades-long delays and soaring costs, it was lampooned as a “boondoggle,” and the “train to nowhere.”"
3.2 million passengers expected at LAX this holiday season; still less than pre-pandemic
LAT's COLLEEN SHALBY, CAROLINE PETROW-COHEN: "As holiday travel picked up, tearful hugs goodbye, welcome parties and kids buzzing (and sometimes singing) with excitement were in full view at one of the world’s busiest airports.
So were crowds, long waits and traffic. Tis’ the season."
American Airlines briefly halts flights nationwide on Christmas Eve after technical issue
AP: "American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday due to a technical issue just as the Christmas travel season kicks into high gear.
American flights were cleared to fly by federal regulators about one hour after a national ground stop order was issued by federal regulators."
