Biden is diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ form of prostate cancer
LAT, MICHAEL WILNER: "Former President Biden has been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer, his office said Sunday, a devastating development after having dropped his bid for reelection last summer over widespread concerns over his age and health.
Biden’s personal office said he was examined last week after the president reported a series of concerning symptoms."
Newsom’s final stretch as governor may be a bumpy ride
LAT, PHIL WILLON: "When the top Democratic candidates for governor took the stage at a labor forum last week, the digs at Gov. Gavin Newsom were subtle. The message, however, was clear. Newsom’s home stretch as California governor may be a bumpy ride.
Newsom hopes to end his time as governor in an air of accomplishment and acclaim, which would elevate his political legacy and prospects in a potential presidential run. But the Democrats running to replace him have a much different agenda."
The Micheli Minute, May 19, 2025
Capitol Weekly, STAFF: "Lobbyist and author Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week in Sacramento."
ALEJANDRO LAZO, CalMatters: "California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to tap at least $2.5 billion from the state’s climate fund to pay for state firefighting crews and the long-troubled high-speed rail project.In his budget proposal unveiled last week, Newsom announced that he is seeking to extend the state’s landmark cap and trade program, which is funded by credits bought and sold by major polluters, through 2045.
But the allocation of the money is already triggering a fervent debate among state lawmakers.Large polluters, such as oil refineries and power plants, pay for their greenhouse gases through a market system of auctioned credits called cap and trade. Over the past 11 years, almost $13 billion from cap and trade auctions has already been spent on electric vehicles, public transit, clean energy and other projects to reduce greenhouse gases and adapt to climate change.
RYAN SABALOW and HANS POSCHMAN, CalMatters: "Landon Morrison, a recovering addict, wanted to tell California lawmakers why they should support legislation he believes will hold troubled drug and alcohol treatment centers accountable.He was told he would only get two minutes to speak, so he spent hours writing and rehearsing exactly what he wanted to say. But after getting on the road at 4 a.m. for the six-hour drive to Sacramento from Los Angeles County, Morrison didn’t get to say a single word because previous speakers talked for too long."
Heat wave is coming to Southern California, with triple-digit temps in San Fernando Valley
LAT, CHRISTOPHER GOFFARD: "Meteorologists are projecting unusually high temperatures in Southern California this week, with the heat predicted to climb above 100 degrees in the San Fernando Valley and reach the 90s elsewhere.
After a balmy weekend, temperatures are expected to start rising Monday. “We’re looking at pretty widespread 80 to 90 degrees for highs” Monday across the Valley, said David Gomberg, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard, which covers Los Angeles County."
Oakland police’s rising overtime puts spotlight on spending as city grapples with massive deficit
DAVID HERNANDEZ, SARA RAVANI, Chronicle: "The Oakland Police Department’s chronic use of overtime has emerged as a central issue in the ongoing efforts to stave off the worst effects of a massive deficit.
Faced with a shortage of officers and persistent crime concerns, the reliance on overtime represents a problem that’s expected to persist as the department struggles to beef up its ranks. Until the city finds a “proper” balance between staffing and reliance on overtime, spending tens of millions of dollars on overtime is necessary to handle the department’s workload, Police Chief Floyd Mitchell said."
OPINION: Gavin Newsom needs to focus on current job
Chronicle's JOE GAROFOLI: "Unsolicited advice for Kamala Harris as she ponders whether to run for governor: Don’t be like Gavin Newsom.
Newsom has spent so much time talking about national issues that voters think he’s more focused on running for his next office, even when he isn’t. The latest example came this past week when Newsom announced that his new budget plan would force undocumented immigrants to start paying for state administered health care and there would be a cap on new enrollment to the benefit. Was that a move aimed at helping California’s bottom line in 2026 or Newsom’s expected 2028 White House run by showing he could take a tough line on undocumented immigrants?"
Bay Area nonprofits face funding cuts as DEI programs come under fire
Chronicle's KATHLEEN PENDER: "Nonprofit organizations across the Bay Area and nation are facing existential threats amid mounting challenges to diversity, equity and inclusion programs under President Trump’s second administration. Many fear they could lose federal, corporate or foundation funding — and some already have.
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative in Redwood City, established by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, is perhaps the largest and most public example of a major donor that has ceased funding DEI-related programs."
In a state with a dire affordable housing shortage, does the Coachella Valley offer hope?
LAT, REBECCA PLEVIN: "Along the main thoroughfare of this desert city, just a block from a vibey, adults-only hotel and a gastropub serving boozy brunches, a new apartment building with a butterfly-wing roof inspired by Midcentury Modern design is nearing completion.
The property, called Aloe Palm Canyon, features 71 one-bedroom units with tall windows offering natural light and sweeping views of Mt. San Jacinto, plus a fitness room and laundry facilities. When it opens this summer, serving lower-income seniors over age 55, the complex will become the latest addition to the Coachella Valley’s growing stock of affordable housing."
Is San Francisco becoming boring? Seeking some noise in a city gone silent
CARL NOLTE, Chronicle: "The pleasant month of May is half over, and San Francisco seems as pretty as it ever was in its Baghdad-by-the Bay days, but something appears to be wrong. The city has lost its edge. San Francisco is quiet these spring days. Not much is happening. San Francisco is becoming boring, like a northern San Jose with better views.
The city’s nightlife was killed by the COVID pandemic, and restaurant business is so bad that hardly a day goes by without some noted restaurant shutting down for lack of customers."
Democrats say Trump’s tax plan largely benefits the wealthy. Is that correct?
DAVID LIGHTMAN, SacBee: "Democrats blasted Republicans for tilting most of President Donald Trump’s proposed tax cuts to the wealthy.
Republicans, including Trump, counter that unless they pass their big tax bill this year, families will see huge federal income tax increases, regardless of income."
What California’s wealth gap means for every resident’s financial future
SacBee's CATHIE ANDERSON: "A new report from the Public Policy Institute of California shows stark disparities in wealth, but also point to tools and strategies that Californians — and policymakers — can use to build financial stability, invest in the future and prepare for retirement.
Tess Thorman, Shannon McConville and other PPIC researchers looked beyond just income to focus on wealth: what Californians own (like their houses, cars and retirement accounts) minus what they owe."
