Power-line restart device implicated in past wildfires
The Chronicle's DAVID R. BAKER: "On the night of Oct. 8, as a windstorm raged across the North Bay, some of Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s local power lines were programmed to try to restart themselves in case service was interrupted — even if they were knocked to the ground or tangled in a tree."
"Devices called reclosers — similar to automated circuit breakers — were set to shoot pulses of electricity through lines that tripped off. If conditions on the line seemed normal, the reclosers would automatically restart power."
"If, however, the lines were in contact with branches or brush, those pulses of electricity could have started a fire."
Harassment, Racism Settlements Cost Legislature $580K Since 2012
AP's KATHLEEN RONAYNE via KQED: "The California Legislature paid at least $580,000 in the last five years to settle harassment, racism and other claims, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press."
"In one case, a payout included a stipulation forbidding the claimant from making “derogatory statements” about lawmakers or Senate business."
"The previously unreported roughly $44,500 settlement in 2015 with former Senate human resources department employee Anita Belmontes and her lawyers was included in settlement documents obtained by the AP through a public records request. They provide the fullest picture yet of the level of taxpayer dollars spent since 2012 to settle claims."
Winemakers warming to reality of climate change, but issue is sensitive
Sacramento Bee's STUART LEAVENWORTH: "Droughts. Soaking winters. Heat waves. Wildfires. The last several years have whipsawed West Coast winemakers such as David Graves, who produces that oh-so-delicate of varietals, pinot noir."
"It is also prompting vintners to ponder whether climate change — once seen as distant concern — is already visiting their vineyards."
"It’s a different ball game,” said David Graves, co-founder of the Saintsbury winery in Napa. “A lot of my colleagues think they can manage around this and stay in a business-as-usual mode. I don’t tend to believe that.”"
How California's wine country and Las Vegas are trying to win tourists back after tragedies
LA Times' HUGO MARTIN: "In the wake of the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, Las Vegas shelved its fun-loving motto of “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” replacing it with a hashtag — #VegasStrong — to promote tourism to the gambling mecca."
"Weeks after wildfires charred California’s wine country, that region is preparing a fundraising event and campaign, dubbed Grateful Table, to show that most of the wineries and vineyards were spared from the flames and are operating as usual."
"Persuading visitors to return after a natural disaster or mass tragedy can be a delicate balance between remaining sensitive to loss and getting on with life. In Las Vegas and Northern California, tourism advocates are turning to a reliable theme: spending, partying and vacationing are not only acceptable but a needed boost to local businesses trying to recover."
Where are they now? Mike Machado
ALEX VASSAR in Capitol Weekly: "It’s been almost 70 years since Michael J. Machado was born in San Joaquin County, but he still calls Linden home. Having seen the decades pass has given him a perspective on small town farming in the Central Valley."
"Linden hasn’t changed much since I was born,” Machado reflected recently, “It’s tripled in size since I was a boy, now with a bursting population of 2,500."
"Having grown up here and spent his life on this land, he can talk with familiarity about the walnuts, peaches, cherries and grapes that he grows."
Acquaintances say bike path suspect was argumentative, angry
AP's MATT SEDENSKY/DAKE KANG: "Some saw him as disagreeable and argumentative, others as quiet and prayerful. He was said to be hardworking but also seemed to simmer with disillusionment over financial and career setbacks."
"As Sayfullo Saipov lay in a hospital bed Wednesday, police tried to piece together the life of the 29-year-old immigrant accused of driving a truck onto a New York bike path and killing eight people. A fuller portrait began to emerge of the suspect who was described by the president as an animal and by the mayor as a coward."
"Saipov legally emigrated from Uzbekistan, a former Soviet republic and predominantly Sunni Muslim nation north of Afghanistan that is estimated to have produced hundreds if not thousands of supporters for the Islamic State group and other extremist organizations in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan."
READ MORE related to Terrorism: Read the charges in the New York truck attack: US v. Sayfullo Saipov -- AP; Feds: Truck attack suspect said 'he feels good about' rampage -- AP's COLLEEN LANG/LARRY NEUMEISTER; Trump backs down from call to send New York terrorism suspect to Guantanamo. Instead, 'DEATH PENALTY!' -- LA Times' NOAH BIERMAN
Truck attack suspect is charged with terrorism offenses, FBI announces second suspect
AP's COLLEEN LONG/JENNIFER PELTZ: "Federal prosecutors brought terrorism charges Wednesday against the Uzbek immigrant accused in the truck rampage that left eight people dead, saying he carried out the attack in response to the Islamic State group’s online calls to action."
"Meanwhile, the FBI said another person is wanted for questioning in connection with the bloodshed."
"Authorities said the driver of the rented Home Depot truck, 29-year-old Sayfullo Saipov, watched ISIS videos on his cellphone and picked Halloween for the attack on a bike lane in lower Manhattan because he knew more people would be out on the streets."
What is the diversity visa lottery, and how might Trump replace it?
The Chronicle's TRISHA THADANI: "President Trump used a deadly terrorist attack in New York City Tuesday to renew his support for a chief campaign promise: curtailing the number of low-skilled immigrants coming into the country to make room for those whose abilities can command higher salaries."
"His remarks come a day after Sayfullo Saipov, an immigrant from Uzbekistan who was admitted to the U.S. on a diversity visa, was accused of plowing a pickup truck into a crowded bicycle path in Manhattan. Eight people were killed, and several more were injured.
Trump said Wednesday that he would ask Congress to begin unraveling the visa program: “We are fighting hard for Merit Based immigration, no more Democrat Lottery Systems,” the president tweeted."
House GOP tax plan would place new limits on mortgage interest deduction
LA Times' JIM PUZZANGHERA/LISA MASCARO: The decision by House Republican leaders to retain the current top individual tax rate disappointed conservatives who have been gunning for it ever since the 39.6% bracket was reinstated under the Obamaadministration four years ago."
"But while Republicans backtracked on a vow to reduce the rate to 35%, experts said there is still plenty in the party’s tax overhaul bill — including a repeal of the estate and alternative minimum taxes — that would make the richest Americans the overall winners."
"The wealthy are going to do fine,” said Maya MacGuineas, president of the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. “This is not even asking them to pay more. This is just slightly reducing the tax cut they’re already in line for under this plan.”
Poll finds high housing cost is barrier to college education in California
The Chronicle's NANETTE ASIMOV: "The problem with California’s public colleges and universities is not in the quality of their academic offerings — it’s that the schools don’t do enough to help students find affordable places to live, according to a new statewide survey about higher education."
"That’s the view of a large majority of Californians — 85 percent — who participated in the Public Policy Institute of California’s annual survey of attitudes on the state’s public higher-education systems."
"Most of the 1,703 residents who answered questions in English or Spanish by phone last month said they like the quality of education provided by community colleges, California State University and the University of California — more than 63 percent in each case."
LAPD arrested 462 people in anti-Trump protests. Only three were criminally charged, Times analysis finds
LA Times' JAMES QUEALLY: "During demonstrations that erupted across the nation after the election of President Trump last year, the Los Angeles Police Department arrested hundreds of protesters — far more than any other law enforcement agency in the country."
"Of the 462 people arrested during marches that wound through downtown, Westlake and onto the 101 Freeway between Nov. 7 and Nov. 12, most were held on suspicion of blocking a roadway or failing to disperse after officers declared unlawful assemblies."
"But nearly a year later, a Times analysis of arrest records shows, the LAPD has sought formal charges in only 10 cases, and prosecutors have filed charges against just three people. In all, three felony cases were filed with prosecutors, but two were dismissed due to lack of evidence, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. Of seven misdemeanor cases presented to the city attorney’s office, only two resulted in charges, according to spokesman Rob Wilcox."
San Fernando Valley activists call on Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra to resign
LA Times' DAKOTA SMITH: "A group led by San Fernando Valley-area activists is calling for California Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra to resign following revelations that, as a top legislative aide eight years ago, he was disciplined after being accused of groping another staffer."
"Pushing a stroller with her infant son, Tujunga resident Victoria Garcia marched into Bocanegra’s Arleta office Wednesday with about a dozen other local residents and told the Democrat’s staff their boss should resign."
“We’re all disappointed, we’re disgusted,” Garcia told two Bocanegra staffers who met the group. “We don’t feel that he’s fit to represent us anymore.”
Astros' Game 7 win over Dodgers has similarities to Giants' Game 7 win in '14
The Chronicle's JOHN SHEA: "Wednesday night’s Game 7 was much like Game 7 from 2014. Neither starting pitcher hung around long. A celebrated left-handed starter was ready to come to the rescue out of the bullpen. A champion was crowned on the road."
"As in 2014, Giants fans rejoiced."
"The Houston Astros won their first World Series championship, and the Los Angeles Dodgers still are without one since 1988. After six highly suspenseful preliminary games, the finale virtually was over by the second inning."
READ MORE related to World Series: 'It's gonna be a sad day in LA tomorrow': Dodgers fans devastated afer Game 7 loss -- LA Times' HAILEY BRANSON-POTTS/SARAH PARVINI/ALENE TCHEKMEDYIAN
Does Sacramento unfairly apply its camping ordinance against the homeless? Jury to decide
Sacramento Bee's CYNTHIA HUBERT: "As a Sacramento police officer who focused on the city’s homeless population beginning in the late 1990s, Mark Zoulas had a powerful tool at his disposal: an ordinance that prohibited camping for extended periods in the city."
"His initial goal, he said, was to “drive homeless people out” of downtown Sacramento by issuing citations and arresting them for illegal camping. But he quickly realized the strategy was flawed, he testified in court this week in a civil case that pits homeless campers against the city."
"“You can’t enforce them out of homelessness,” Zoulas said. “Where do they go? Give them a ticket, and they’ll be back."
