PG&E won't reimburse customers affected by blackouts, rejecting appeal from Newsom
Sacramento Bee's SOPHIA BOLLAG: "PG&E says it does not plan to reimburse Californians affected during its blackout earlier this month, a spokeswoman said Tuesday in response to renewed requests by Gov. Gavin Newsom to compensate residents."
"Issuing credits for the shutoff that began Oct. 9 would complicate the utility’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, PG&E spokeswoman Lynsey Paulo said."
"Consistent with our policies and the state’s electric tariffs regarding weather-related outages, we are not considering reimbursements or bill credits,” Paulo wrote in a statement."
This group makes up 1 out of every 6 California voters. They could swing the 2020 primary
Sacramento Bee's THEODORA YU: "More Asian American and Pacific Islanders are voting in California – and they have the potential to influence the outcome of the state’s 2020 primary elections, data show."
"AAPI voters make up roughly one out of every six voters in California. As of Feb. 10, there were 19,978,449 registered voters in California, according to the California Secretary of State, meaning around 3 million are Asian American and Pacific Islanders."
"Many of those voters remain undecided, according to data and a report from Karthick Ramakrishnan and Janelle Wong of AAPI Data, an organization that publishes demographic data and policy research on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders."
Climate havoc wipes out coastal kelp as SF Bay's native fish species die off
The Chronicle's PETER FIMRITE: "A climate-related catastrophe off the California coast has resulted in the death of 90% of the kelp from San Francisco to Oregon as an explosion of ravenous urchins devours everything in sight. And it’s happening at the same time native fish in San Francisco Bay are dying out, two studies released Monday documented."
"The studies, by government, university and scientific institute researchers, offer a disturbing look at an underwater ecosystem suffering more than anyone previously suspected — along the coast, in San Francisco Bay and in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta."
"The “perfect storm” of ecosystem shifts triggered by climate change has caused so much havoc that human intervention will be needed to reverse things, say scientists with the University of California at Davis and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife."
Prosecutors fill new charges against 11 parents in Varsity Blues college admissions scandal
The Chronicle's MEGAN CASSIDY: "Eleven parents accused in the national college admissions scandal now face additional charges of bribery, prosecutors announced Tuesday, in a move leveled only against defendants who have to date pleaded not guilty."
"A grand jury returned the extra charges against Diane and Todd Blake of Ross, William McGlashan Jr. of Mill Valley, and Marci Palatella of Hillsborough, as well as seven other parents throughout the country, including actress Lori Loughlin."
"The new charges follow a cascade of guilty pleas from several other parents ensnared in the scandal. Four admitted guilt on Monday, including former Hercules Capital CEO Manuel Henriquez and his wife, Elizabeth Henriquez."
California backs down from threat to fight VA for GI Bill oversight
Sacramento Bee's ADAM ASHTON: "California backed down from a fight with the Department of Veterans Affairs over a decision that restricts the state’s power to regulate for-profit colleges enrolling students with GI Bill benefits."
"California had used its authority in the past to sanction colleges with shaky finances and to investigate complaints from veterans who felt misled by higher education programs."
"The VA in September announced that it would end the agreement that gives California a role in certifying colleges as eligible to receive GI Bill payments, citing the state’s failure to carry out compliance surveys that track whether veterans’ benefits are paid accurately."
PG&E slightly dials back scope of Wednesday's potential power blackout
Sacramento Bee's MITCHEL BOBO: "If PG&E Corp. goes ahead with a power shutdown on Wednesday, it will affect slightly fewer people than the 209,000 households and businesses that the utility estimated on Monday."
"At a Tuesday evening press conference, PG&E officials said they now are looking at a blackout affecting up to 189,000 customers across 16 counties. If, that is, any blackout is necessary due to gusting winds and the threat of a major wildfire."
"That decision will be made Wednesday morning."
READ MORE related to Blackouts & Energy: PG&E power outages could start Wednesday, one more county added to list -- The Chronicle's ALEJANDRO SERRANO/J.D. MORRIS
DST is coming to an end again -- will California ever stop the clock-changing?
Sacramento Bee's ANDREW SHEELER: "In less than two weeks, Daylight Saving Time once again comes to an end, prompting Californians to once again set their clocks back an hour."
"That “fall back” comes despite the fact that voters last year strongly supported Proposition 7, which empowered the Legislature to vote to adopt year-round Daylight Saving Time with congressional approval."
"Assemblyman Kansen Chu, D-San Jose, has introduced a bill, Assembly Bill 7, that would make that change. The bill has been delayed until the second half of the legislative session begins in 2020."
Public defender scrubs ethics commissioner endorsement from campaign website
The Chronicle's DOMINIC FRACASSA: "Manohar Raju’s bid for a full term as San Francisco’s Public Defender has been a quiet one so far — he’s running unopposed."
"But that may be part of the reason why a potentially problematic endorsement that previously appeared in two places on Raju’s website was able to fly under the radar, unnoticed."
"Up until Friday afternoon, Raju’s campaign website featured a brief endorsement from Lateef Gray, an attorney at the prominent John Burris law firm, which focuses on civil rights cases."
Petitions for a property tax change are coming to a grocery store near you. Here's what to know
Sacramento Bee's SOPHIA BOLLAG: "Signature gatherers are coming to a grocery store near you armed with petitions to put an initiative on the 2020 ballot that would change property tax law in California."
"Supporters, including top Democratic presidential candidates and labor unions, say it will make big corporations pay their fair share to help fund schools and local services. Opponents, mostly business interests, argue raising taxes on them will drive up prices for everyone."
"Here’s what you need to know about the new initiative proposal."
'Racist and sexist' billboard attacking SF Mayor London Breed taken down
The Chronicle's DOMINIC FRACASSA: "A controversial billboard attacking Mayor London Breed has been taken down just a day after a litany of city and state officials lambasted it as racist propaganda akin to imagery from the Jim Crow era."
"The billboard, which had been at the corner of Dore and Howard streets in the South of Market neighborhood, featured a cartoon likeness of Breed, barefoot with her feet up on a desk, smoking a cigar and counting stacks of money."
"Outfront Media, which owns the billboard, said it took the image down early Tuesday morning."
CSU chancellor announces 2020 retirement
Sacramento Bee's ANDREW SHEELER: "California State University Chancellor Timothy White announced Tuesday that he will retire in 2020."
"White has served as chancellor since 2012, and the CSU Board of Trustees announced that a replacement search will begin immediately “with the goal of appointing the next chancellor by the end of the current academic year."
"His decision to retire means the state is looking for executives to lead two of its three public higher education systems. University of California Chancellor Janet Napolitano announced in September that she would step down after the 2019-20 academic year."
SF's meth epidemic: City releases plan for tackling skyrocketing problem
The Chronicle's DOMINIC FRACASSA: "To help curb a decadelong rise in overdose deaths and emergency room visits linked to methamphetamine use in San Francisco, city officials plan to create a sobering center to help people ride out their highs inside and, hopefully, enter treatment."
"That’s among the most concrete recommendations in a recently released report laying out a broad vision for how San Francisco leaders and health officials ought to focus resources and energy to tackle the epidemic of meth use in the city."
"The skyrocketing use of meth has created a public health crisis playing out on the streets in San Francisco, where meth is contributing to “violent encounters, property damage, thefts and hazardous waste,” according to the report. It has also exacerbated the city’s mental health crisis, driving psychosis in some users."
