Federal appeals court rejects Trump administration attempt to end 2020 census early
The Chronicle's BOB EGELKO: "A federal appeals refused Wednesday to allow the Trump administration to shut down the 2020 census a month ahead of schedule, saying the speedup would reduce public confidence in an accurate population count that is crucial to congressional representation and federal funding.
Over the dissent of a judge appointed by President Trump, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco voted 2-1 to leave intact last week’s order by U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh of San Jose requiring the census count to continue.
The once-per-decade census determines each state’s number of seats in the House of Representatives and is used by federal officials to apportion $1.5 trillion in funds per year."
California power grid manager issues Flex Alert for Thursday heat, rise in demands
Sac Bee's DALE KASLER: "California’s electrical supplies are tightening up again, and consumers are being asked to cut back their energy consumption to avoid rolling blackouts.
The Independent System Operator, manager of the state’s power grid, issued a Flex Alert notice starting Thursday at 3 p.m. The alert calls on Californians to turn up their thermostats and defer using washing machines and other heavy appliances until 10 p.m.
The ISO also issued a “restricted maintenance” notice, meaning power generators aren’t allowed to take their facilities offline for routine maintenance. That notice takes effect at 6 a.m. Thursday. The ISO also appealed to energy companies to make additional supplies available to the grid if possible."
California is on fire. These maps show how the climate crises has spread out of control
The Chronicle's ABHINANDA BHATTACHARYYA: "The horrific toll of California wildfires in recent years has been worse than at any other point in the state's recorded history.
With alarming intensity, wildfires have killed scores of people and razed neighborhoods from the forested enclaves of the northern Sierra Nevada to Wine Country to the suburbs of Southern California."
READ MORE related to Wildfire Season: Fourth death announced as Shasta County wildfire continues to grow -- Sac Bee's DANIEL HUNT; Evacuations lifted as Copper Fire burns near Amador, Sacramento and El Dorado junction -- Sac Bee's ROSALIO AHUMADA; Devastating photos show extent of fire damage at Napa Valley wineries -- The Chronicle's ESTHER MOBLEY; As thousands flee the Glass Fire and relatives go missing, an angel emerges -- The Chronicle's NANETTE ASIMOV
Poll: Positives for Newsom, but concerns on housing, pandemic
From IGS' MARK DiCAMILLO: "As Gov. Gavin Newsom approached the mid-point of his term as governor, the Berkeley IGS Poll asked California registered voters for their opinions of the job Newsom has been doing both overall and across a wide range of issues that voters feel are important for the state to be addressing. The results indicate that Californians offer a very positive overall assessment of the governor’s performance, but give him lower marks in a number of specific areas. The good news for Newsom is that nearly two-thirds of all voters (64%) say they currently approve of the job he is doing overall, while just 36% disapprove.
This represents a seven-point increase in the 57% approval that voters gave to Newsom last year.California voters cite a long list of issues they believe are important for the state to address. Mentioned most frequently is homelessness, cited by 27%, followed by housing costs (23%), and jobs and the economy (21%). In addition, significant proportions believe the state should also be addressing these other issues as well: climate change (17%), the threat of wildfires (17%), the coronavirus (16%), education and the schools (15%), crime and public safety (14%), and taxes and the state budget deficit (14%)."
The Diablo winds are coming. California fires could get even worse when they do
The Chronicle's AIDIN VAZIRI: "The fierce fires that have consumed Northern California over the past few weeks are devastating. But they could grow exponentially worse as powerful seasonal gusts known as Diablo winds kick up in October.
“They are similar to the Santa Ana winds,” said Roger Gass, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, referring to the wind patterns in Southern California that have fueled hundreds of huge blazes over the years. “They are very dry and create critical fire conditions.”
While we will see a reprieve from the gusts that fueled the current fires across Napa and Sonoma, the National Weather Service forecast office in the Bay Area cautions that these warm, dry winds typically arrive when the state is at its most vulnerable."
READ MORE related to Air/Climate/Environment: Air quality in the Bay Area deteriorating as smoke from Glass Fire moves in -- The Chronicle's TATIANA SANCHEZ; Gusty, dry winds prompt red flag warning for Thursday -- The Chronicle's MICHAEL CABANATUAN; In fire zones, hot and windy forecasts have crews on edge -- The Chronicle's STAFF
Chris Wallace on the wild presidential debate: 'It was revealing'
LA Times's STEPHEN BATTAGLIO: "Fox News anchor Chris Wallace was surprised by the ugly contentiousness of the first 2020 debate between President Trump and his opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden, on Tuesday, but he believes the clash still offered viewers plenty of insights about the two candidates.
“Obviously It was not the debate I had planned for, and to that degree I was disappointed,” Wallace, 72, said Wednesday in a telephone interview with The Times. “I think debates are about revealing what [the candidates] think. You certainly gained an insight into Donald Trump and what he’s thinking and where he wants to take the country and how he wants to take the country there. To that degree I thought it was a success. It may not have been pretty, but it was revealing.”
The chaos caused largely by Trump’s frequent interruptions led TV pundits and social media to describe the debate as the worst in American history. Wallace weathered criticism over his efforts to control the proceedings, although some analysts said it was a lost cause with Trump at one of the lecterns."
READ MORE related to Presidential Debates: Republicans fear Trump's debate comments on white supremacy could harm them in November -- LA Times's JANET HOOK/ELI STOKOLS/MELANIE MASON
Newsom signs law requiring public corporations in California to name minority or LGBTQ leaders
Sac Bee's KIM BOJORQUJEZ: "Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law on Wednesday aimed at compelling public corporations headquartered in California to appoint minority or LGBTQ directors to their boards of directors.
It mirrors legislation signed by former Gov. Jerry Brown in 2018 that requires California-based corporations to appoint women to their boards of directors.
“When we talk about racial justice, we talk about empowerment, we talk about power and we need to talk about seats at the table,” Newsom said before signing the bill."
READ MORE related to New Laws: California to study reparations for Black residents under new law signed by Gov. Newsom -- Sac Bee's JEONG PARK; Gov. Newsom signs bill mandating diversity on California company boards -- The Chronicle's CHASE DIFELICIANTONIO; Newsom vetoes bill to provide rehiring protections for workers laid off amid pandemic -- The Chronicle's MELODY GUTIERREZ
State allows playgrounds to reopen -- with lots of new rules
The Chronicle's NORA MISHANEC: "Public playgrounds and other outdoor recreational facilities are allowed to reopen with extensive rules for child supervision and safety, the California Department of Public Health quietly announced Monday.
Public health officials issued a list of requirements and recommendations for visiting outdoor playgrounds, parks and campgrounds with children following weeks of pushback from parents who questioned the wisdom of keeping children cooped up while loosening restrictions on outdoor gyms and other activities for adults.
Children from different households must be monitored at all times to ensure they don’t play together. Mingling of all kinds is prohibited, and masks must be worn by anyone over 2 years old under the new state guidelines."
READ MORE related to Pandemic: Largest study of COVID-19 transmission highlights essential role of super-spreaders -- LA Times's SHASHANK BENGALI
Kamala Harris made $464,600 from her writing last year
Sac Bee's DAVID LIGHTMAN: "Sen. Kamala Harris earned $464,500 from her books last year, as she and her husband reported a total of $3.02 million in taxable income.
The couple paid $1.18 million in federal taxes, or about 39% of their earnings.
Harris, the Democrats’ vice presidential candidate, and husband Douglas Emhoff, a Los Angeles attorney now on leave from his firm, released their 125-page 2019 income tax returns this week."
Kamala Harris sends message with her stops on abbreviated campaign trail
The Chronicle'sm TAL KOPAN: "Most candidates on presidential tickets couldn’t compile a video of themselves dancing with drum lines. But California Sen. Kamala Harris is not like most candidates.
The Democratic vice presidential nominee has made a habit of appearing at campaign stops with marching bands and their percussion sections — typically, predominantly Black ones, as she did here this week. It’s less a comment on her musical tastes, however, than a strategic message about where a candidate should visit and which communities she should highlight.
On Monday, addressing the drum line of “Platinum Sound,” Shaw University’s marching band, its cheerleaders and student onlookers, Harris said her visit to the historically Black university was purposeful."
Did a Biden sign lead to a swastika being painted at a 55+ community in California?
Sac Bee's SAM STANTON: "The first sign of trouble inside this Northern California 55-plus community came around 2 a.m. Monday, when someone heard a dog barking at something.
Later that morning, a Sun City’s Lincoln Hills neighbor knocked on George and Alice Brown’s home on Yosemite Lane to tell them there was a swastika spray painted on their garage door and the word “move” painted on their driveway.
The Browns say they think the vandals targeted them simply because they have yard signs for presidential candidate Joe Biden and congressional hopeful Brynne Kennedy, both Democrats, in their front yard."
US attorney is recused from SF City Hall fraud case because wife hired defendant
The Chronicle's PHIL MATIER: "U.S. Attorney David Anderson has been recused from the federal fraud case against former San Francisco building Commissioner Rodrigo Santos because his wife, Recreation and Park Commissioner Kat Anderson, contracted with Santos to work on the rebuilding of a cottage she independently owns in the Bayview.
U.S. attorney office spokesman Abraham Simmons said Anderson initiated the recusal, and it was approved by the U.S. Department of Justice. Simmons declined to give the date the recusal was granted or any other specifics. Anderson declined comment as well.
Anderson has no financial interest in his wife’s property, nor does his name appear on paperwork associated with the rebuilding project."
Trump plans to slash refugee admissions to US to a new record low
AP: "The Trump administration has proposed further slashing the number of refugees whom the United States accepts to a new record low in the coming year.
In a notice sent to Congress late Wednesday, just 34 minutes before a statutory deadline to do so, the administration said it intended to admit a maximum of 15,000 refugees in fiscal year 2021. That’s 3,000 fewer than the 18,000 ceiling the administration had set for fiscal year 2020, which expired at midnight Wednesday.
The proposal will now be reviewed by Congress, where there are strong objections to the cuts, but lawmakers will be largely powerless to force changes."
10 California counties cleared for more reopening as tiers are upgraded
Sac Bee's MICHAEL MCGOUGH: "Numerous California counties comprising several million residents were cleared this week to proceed further in the economic reopening process, but state and local health officials continue to urge people to follow mask and social distancing protocols to prevent another surge in coronavirus activity, and also to get their flu shots.
The state health department on Tuesday posted its weekly update of counties’ COVID-19 risk classifications. Ten counties with populations combining for more than 6.4 million improved to less restrictive tiers, and none of the state’s 58 counties were demoted to a more restrictive one.
co, San Joaquin and Santa Barbara counties all moved from purple to red tier status. Amador, Calaveras and San Francisco counties moved from red to orange. None moved from orange to yellow."
READ MORE related to Economy: Hollywood fears movie theaters 'may not survive' pandemic -- LA Times's RYAN FAUGHNDER; NorCal casino shut down by external computer attack, may be ransomware -- Sac Bee's SAM STANTON
How to spot disinformation in US and California elections: A Guide
Sac Bee's STAFF: "Voters, this year will see more misleading claims than ever before.
We’ve pulled together tools to help you identify disinformation so you can focus on the facts.
Please read on, and share with friends."
Dozens of earthquakes rattle SoCal near Mexico border, USGS says
Sac Bee's MITCHELL WILLETTS: "Dozens more earthquakes hit in and around Westmorland, California, after 5 p.m. Wednesday, including a 4.9 magnitude quake with a depth of seven miles — at 5:31 p.m. Pacific Time.
The vast majority of the most recent earthquakes have been 3.0 or above.
A 4.2 shook the area at 5:41 p.m., and a 4.1 was registered just before 6 p.m., according to the United States Geological Survey."
Placer County school district returned to campus> One week later, multiple students have COVID-19
SaCc Bee's SAWSAN MORRAR: "Just one week after students in Rocklin Unified School District returned to in-person instruction, three high school students have tested positive for coronavirus.
The three students who tested positive for COVID-19 attend Whitney High School, the district said Wednesday. As a result, 15 additional students and one teacher are now in quarantine.
The district considered bringing students back to campus five days a week for all grades, but after the positive cases, the district school board instead voted 3-2 on Tuesday night to continue in-person learning with its current hybrid model until at least Jan. 8."
Newsom signs police accountability laws, pledges more
Sac Bee's HANNAH WILEY: "Fresh off a summer of national protests against police violence, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law on Wednesday a handful of accountability measures that will ban officers from using chokeholds, increase independent investigations into officer-involved killings and establish sheriff oversight boards.
The list of new laws Newsom approved builds on legislation he signed last year to limit when officers can employ deadly force, considered one of the nation’s strongest restrictions on how police do their work.
But after George Floyd was killed at the end of May while in Minneapolis police custody, and amid outrage over Breonna Taylor’s death in Louisville, state lawmakers pledged this summer to tighten regulations on police departments and agencies in California."
READ MORE related to Prisons, Protests, Police & Public Safety: California moves toward policing changes, but activists hoped for far more -- The Chronicle's ALEXEI KOSEFF; Police in LA and across California disproportionately cite Black people for minor infractions, study finds -- LA Times's KEVIN RECTOR
Jennifer Siebel Newsom gets at the truth behind 'The Great American Lie'
The Chronicle's BOB STRAUSS: "Along with her duties as California’s first partner in a time of seemingly endless crises, Jennifer Siebel Newsom also makes socially conscious documentaries via her nonprofit organization, the Representation Project.
Her latest directing effort, “The Great American Lie,” which starts streaming Friday, Oct. 2, is a kaleidoscopic look at economic inequality and its complex negative effects on the Bay Area and the nation.
Though its scope is massive, the film highlights five individuals: Ruby De Tie, at the time of filming the principal of Oakland’s Frick Impact Academy; restaurant workers advocate Saru Jayaraman, The Chronicle’s 2019 Visionary of the Year; Oakland criminal justice reform advocate Zach Norris; Scott Seitz, an Ohio steelworker who has seen his community and his own finances ravaged by plant closures; and Sharon Galicia, a staunch Louisiana Republican whose ideas about personal responsibility are challenged by exposure to systemic inequality."
